Frey’s Fantasy Focus: Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups
Josh Frey
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After a week with six teams on bye in week 7, only two teams sit out in week 8. Unfortunately, those two teams are a couple of the more fast-based offenses in the league: the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders. Because of that, unless you’re a Chiefs fan with an agenda, there’s a good chance you’re looking for at least one of the QB, RB, and TE positions on the fantasy waiver wire this weekend. On second thought, you might be considering replacements too after last week’s debacle vs Tennessee. Here are some good streaming options for each position for week 8.
QB Teddy Bridgewater (23.6%)
The journeyman quarterback has had a couple recent stinkers this year for the Denver Broncos, but Teddy Bridgewater has also shown that he has the potential for a 20+ point outburst. Especially against the weaker defenses, Bridgewater has proven to be a very capable fantasy QB. He began the year with back-to-back 20-point weeks, and those were against soft defenses in the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars.
As luck would have it, the Broncos are matched up with the Washington Football Team this weekend; the team who has given up the single most fantasy points to QBs this year. Their 2104 passing yards allowed and 19 passing TDs allowed are both last in the league, and they haven’t proven to consistently force turnovers either with just four INTs on the season. In addition, Denver has had some extra time to prepare following their Thursday night loss in Cleveland last week. Bridgewater should be set for a big showing this week.
RB Kenneth Gainwell (43.1%)
Miles Sanders was forced to leave Philly’s game against the Raiders early with an ankle sprain, making Kenneth Gainwell the Eagles’ top running back alongside Boston Scott. Gainwell didn’t get as many carries as Scott last week (five compared to Scott’s seven), but Gainwell’s potential as a receiver makes him a much better fantasy football option than Scott, especially in PPR leagues. He was targeted eight times as a receiver, totaling 41 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Sanders is expected to miss this week as well, and with Gainwell assuming the lead back role, the Eagles get a very favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions. Prior to allowing just 47 yards on the ground to the Rams last week, opponents had totaled 116+ in each of the previous four weeks and five of the first six. If you need a replacement for Josh Jacobs, stream Gainwell with confidence.
TE Tyler Conklin (13.4%)
With both Mark Andrews and Darren Waller on bye, George Kittle still on IR, and Rob Gronkowski coming off rib and lung injuries, the tight end position is without some of its biggest names this week. Because of that, if you need a streaming option, it may be best to go with a consistent presence rather than the boom-or-bust player.
Tyler Conklin has been exactly that for the Minnesota Vikings this season. He doesn’t have a massive target share this year, but he has been a part of the Vikings passing offense every week. Conklin has had four or more targets in five of Minnesota’s first six games, and he has multiple receptions every game. The Vikings also host the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, who have given up four receiving touchdowns to tight ends through six games. Conklin should be on the streaming radar this weekend for fantasy football managers.