NFL Waiver Wire: Week 8 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

Players listed/discussed last week: Brett Hundley, C.J. Beathard, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Samaje Perine, Matt Forte, Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, Chris Ivory, Kenny Golladay, Mike Williams, Corey Davis and George Kittle

Byes: Green Bay, Tennessee, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Arizona, Jacksonville

This week we have to dig a little deeper with six teams having byes. The position that was probably most affected was quarterback with Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer going down with injuries, and, of course, DeShone Kizer was benched again. Let's dive into things.

QUARTERBACK

Drew Stanton, ARI - It's pretty bad when your team loses both its starting running back and quarterback for most, if not all, the season. The little bit of good news is that Stanton is familiar with the system, can earn some extra fantasy points with his legs and has a nice set of receivers to target. He also has a decent running attack to him led by Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately this could be the last we see of Carson Palmer, and Stanton will be the starter the rest of the season. Just remember he's on a bye this week – a good thing to help him prepare for the starting job. FAAB: $5-$10 go 4x-6x in two-quarterback leagues

Secondary Targets

Matt Moore, MIA - It sounds odd but an injury to Jay Cutler has forced Miami to their best quarterback. Moore led the team to a come-from-behind victory Sunday and looked better than Cutler has at any point this season. The loss of DeVante Parker doesn't help but both Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills found the end zone three times Sunday, easily creating separation from Jets corners. The Dolphins are paying Cutler $10 million, but Moore could hold onto the starting job even when Cutler returns. FAAB: $2-$4 go 4x-6x in two-quarterback leagues

Hail Mary

Cody Kessler, CLE - Desperate times call for desperate measure, though that's the norm for the Browns. DeShone Kizer was benched yet again, and Kessler looked much better Sunday, almost leading his team to victory. That said, Kessler isn't going to light the world on fire and doesn't have the best receiving options. Coach Hue Jackson will announce a starter for Week 8 on Wednesday, and it's likely to be Kessler. As if USC didn't have a bad enough weekend … FAAB: $1-$2, 3x-5x in two quarterback leagues

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Dion Lewis, NE - It's tough to know week to week what the Patriots will do in their backfield, but for now it appears Lewis is the main guy. They seem to be rotating series between Lewis, James White (who's worthy of a bid, say $4-$8), Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee, which clouds things a bit. However, Lewis got 13 carries Sunday night and caught his only target for six yards. It was the third straight week Lewis rushed for at least 52 yards, and he has two rushing touchdowns in his last four games, suggesting Gillislee isn't the goal-line back. He's 29 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. FAAB: $10-$15

Latavius Murray, MIN - Like the Patriots and Seahawks backfields, it's hard to read the tea leaves and figure out the fantasy-worthy running back week to week. Murray made a strong case Sunday that it should be him, rushing for more than100 yards and finding the end zone on a highlight-reel run. However, Jerick McKinnon remains in the fold and it's likely the Vikings go with the hot hand every game. Murray is 41 percent owned in Yahoo leagues, so there's a decent chance he's not available. FAAB: $10-$15

Secondary Targets

Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, OAK - It appears Marshawn Lynch will be suspended for the game in Buffalo, erasing any revenge narrative for him. As a result, the Raiders likely will deploy the duo of Richard and Washington this week and split the work evenly (as it was Thursday night – nine carries each, four targets each.) While Washington got the goal-line carry last week, the slight preference is Richard, who is a better pass-catcher and could get looks at the goal line as well. Just remember both are one-week rentals. FAAB: Richard, $4-$8; Washington, $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Kenny Stills, MIA - As mentioned, Matt Moore is likely an upgrade under center and without DeVante Parker, Stills has an increased role in this offense. Stills has a good connection with Moore, likely working with the backup in practice as the third wide receiver. In the three games Moore started last season Stills had a touchdown in every game. However, the Dolphins have a tough matchup this week against the Ravens, and Parker will return at some point. Stills isn't anything close to a No. 1 receiver but could be serviceable with six teams on bye this week. FAAB: $3-$6

Bennie Fowler, DEN - Great trivia question: who caught the last pass of Peyton Manning's career? It's obviously Fowler, who slots into the second wide receiver role while Emmanuel Sanders is out. Fowler will see softer coverage playing across from Demaryius Thomas, including this week in Kansas City with Marcus Peters likely focused on Thomas. If Sanders is out for an extended time, bump up Fowler a buck or two. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

Demarcus Robinson, KC - Let's not forget the TNF game that was arguably the most entertaining game of the season. Robinson's targets have gone from one to five to eight the last three weeks as he's become a bigger part of the offense especially with Chris Conley out for the season. Luckily for Robinson, Alex Smith has thrown downfield more this season; just recognize he'll be a low-floor or high-ceiling fantasy player. FAAB: $1-$2

Deonte Thompson, BUF - Rarely does a guy get signed on a Tuesday before a Sunday game and then go off for 4-107. It's notable that Thompson only saw four targets and is behind Zay Jones and Jordan Matthews in a run-heavy offense. Thus, this lands him in the "Hail Mary" zone. Still in deep leagues he'll be a viable option, and there should be some increased rapport/trust with Tyrod Taylor after Sunday's performance. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

A.J. Derby, DEN - In his last three games, Derby has had stat lines of 4-75-1, 1-10 and 6-66. While only two of those are respectable, he's at least become a bigger part of the offense. Emmanuel Sanders likely will be out for more than this week, allowing defenses to zero in on Demaryius Thomas (though Casey Hayward was on him Sunday) and forcing Trevor Semien to look elsewhere. That elsewhere should be Derby, who should understand the pro game better in his second season. FAAB: $4-$8

Secondary Targets

O.J. Howard, TB - Howard likely will be higher on most waiver-wire lists, but there are a few reasons to pump the brakes. Cameron Brate is still Jameis Winston's preferred weapon at the position, especially near the goal line. And DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans will get there their targets as well, meaning there are a lot of mouths to feed in the Tampa Bay offense. FAAB: $3-$6