With week eight in the books and a number of players missing the boat in terms of great production, we have a very difficult task of finding players for this heavy bye-week. Right in the thick of teams having their break, a total of six clubs won’t see the field in week nine leaving some managers scrambling to fill their roster. As the wire continues to feel the pinch and looking barer week-to-week, we have some good options to get you over the hump. With the NFL trade deadline changing the dynamics of rosters, some lesser known talent sees value upticks. Good luck and happy shopping…















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BYE WEEK: Cardinals, Bengals, Colts, Jaguars, Giants, Eagles









Quarterbacks:

Derek Carr (OAK) (26%)

If you’re looking to have a viable passer this week, you could do a lot worse than Carr. With six teams on the bye, it’s no question that some managers will require a fill in quarterback to help fill the void. With the Raiders trading away Amari Cooper and playing their first contest without him last week against the Colts, Derek Carr surprisingly found his way to an exceptional performance putting up 30+ fantasy points. Going up against the 49ers this week provides a sound matchup once again to hopefully equal the same level of success. There is always a bust factor for Carr, but we still believe in the talent he possesses.If you’re looking to have a viable passer this week, you could do a lot worse than Carr.





Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB) (10%)

Jameis Winston once again showed his inadequacies looking absolutely terrible in the process forcing the coaching staff to go back to Ryan Fitz-Magic indefinitely. While Fitzpatrick has his moments of horrible play himself, he should provide the Bucs the best opportunity to get wins. Ryan has never shied away from the challenges of starting for any team and has seen good levels of production. Coming back to the starting role should ultimately lift Tampa Bay back to more competitive levels providing you a solid bye-week filler.





Alex Smith (WAS) (43%)

Alex Smith continues to be the master of the check down limiting his overall output while not hitting above 20 fantasy points yet this season. Smith does however have a prime matchup against the Falcons who give up yards in bunches making Smith a potential 20 point quarterback for the first time this season. We would recommend trying to snag Carr or Fitzpatrick first off the wire, but if you’re truly stuck, Smith could provide a decent amount of production.





On the Radar:

Baker Mayfield (CLE) (42%)

Dak Prescott (DAL) (35%)

Marcus Mariota (TEN) (27%)

Joe Flacco (BAL) (37%)







Running Backs:

Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE) (47%)

If your league is like most, you’ll notice the lack of depth at the running back position on the wire making it supremely difficult to find plug-in players. While Duke Johnson has disappointed in this Browns offense this season, having a change in the coaching ranks might actually help his situation. Duke is a premier pass catching back that has been underutilized at great levels. This pickup might be something of a gamble if you intend to start him this week, but holding his services on your bench until things shake out is something we will definitely endorse.





Devontae Booker (DEN) (6%)

With the injury to the Broncos rookie Royce Freeman holding him out last week, we could see the same result heading into this contest against the Texans. Booker played admirably in his mop-up roll topping 13+ fantasy points last week against the Chiefs which could again be a similar result if he indeed gets work in this contest. This pickup is speculative at the moment as we wait on the health status of Royce. If Freeman does find a way to suit up for this contest, Booker will be an afterthought. Taking a chance and holding him on your bench until word comes out regarding Freeman should be the play here.





Jamaal Williams (GB) (23%)

With recent news surrounding Ty Montgomery being dealt to the Ravens, this makes the Packers backfilled much more tolerable. Aaron Jones looks to have stolen the lead position but don’t think Williams won’t have a key role forming this two-headed RBBC committee. With running backs so scarce these days on the waiver, it’s becoming extremely important to snag them when they become available. Jamaal will be best served as a matchup player until we get the full vision of how the Packers intend to form the backfield without Montgomery.





Ito Smith (ATL) (37%)

With the Falcons coming off the bye-week themselves, Ito Smith was the natural drop the week before, to now once again be a primary pickup. With Tevin Coleman leading the way leaving Smith in front to handle breathers and passing opportunities, he could find himself as a valuable flex player for your squad. There is a bust factor with Ito as he appears to be dependent on scoring touchdowns to make his day look better. With the Falcons needing wins, the run game will have to be a huge part of that success. Smith is an easy pickup this week with only a 37% ownership stake.





On the Radar:

Josh Adams (PHI) (1%)

Chris Ivory (BUF) (22%)

Trenton Cannon (NYJ) (9%)

Ty Montgomery (BAL) (12%)

Frank Gore (MIA) (22%)

LeGarrette Blount (DET) (21%)

D’Onta Foreman (HOU) (15%)









Wide Receivers:

Courtland Sutton (DEN) (13%)

If you weren’t paying attention to our recommendations last week regarding Sutton’s value upon a potential Demaryius Thomas trade, you will now be in for heavy competition with other league owners to secure his services. Sutton gets an instant boost up fantasy boards as he becomes the new Thomas on this offense to handle the outside. It will be interesting to see how teams focus on this receiving core now possibly limiting Emmanuel Sanders until Sutton can prove he is consistently worthy of the best coverage from the opposition. Either way, Courtland should be a top waiver addition this week.





DJ Moore (CAR) (17%)

A very popular addition this week will see the Panthers rookie DJ Moore get plenty of attention off the wire after seeing a season high in snap count all the way up to 71%. Moore flashed with that added playing time seeing his best statistical output of the season generating a healthy 14.9 PPR points. What makes matters that much better for Moore moving forward, is the glorious remaining schedule the Panthers hold. Of the eight remaining contests this season, six of them see teams that possess top ten placement in giving up fantasy points. An argument could be made to suggest that DJ Moore should be your top waiver pickup this week.





DeVante Parker (MIA) (14%)

As we mentioned in last week’s waiver target article, the Dolphins DeVante Parker would find himself back on the fantasy radar in both playing with Miami and potentially finding a new home if the Fins chose to deal the underachieving receiver. As it stands, Parker is still a member of the Dolphins and will continue to dominate the target share provided he can stay on the field. We would almost prefer seeing Parker dealt to another organization that had the outlook of a better pass attack rather than remain where he is. Alas, even if his address stays in South Beach, he is a must add with good potential.





Keke Coutee (HOU) (21%)

Some may believe that with the recent trade acquisition of Demaryius Thomas, it would devalue the fantasy outlook of the rookie slot man Keke Coutee. Our opinion greatly differs as this could only help his situation. Looking at it from a coverage perspective, Hopkins and Thomas will now dictate opposing defensive schemes to find ways to stop the new duo. Seeing a greater focus on the outside with safety assistance should allow Keke to roam free in the middle racking up the PPR production in the process. Coutee is still dealing with an injury and will be best served on your bench until he returns to action. Lots of upside here.





David Moore (SEA) (4%)

How long can we pretend that the Seahawks David Moore isn’t a player that deserves to be on your fantasy roster? Since becoming an insert into the Seattle offense, Moore has progressed fantastically generating a healthy 45.63 fantasy points over his last three contests, very impressive. Russell Wilson is playing great football right now with a run heavy scheme that has opened up the play action pass. David will continue to be a player on this offense that Wilson will trust and should be a big earner for your team. If you lose out on the top receivers this week, don’t overlook David Moore.





TJ Jones (DET) (0%)

With the recent trade of Golden Tate to the Eagles, a player that instantly becomes fantasy relevant is the Lions TJ Jones. It’s not difficult to ascertain the notion that Jones will fill in as the starting slot receiver on this club seeing a good share of targets come his way. While by default, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones get the greatest uptick on this offense, Jones is the forgotten man that will prove his worth becoming the new Golden Tate. TJ has been in the league four years now and will have massive motivation to show his abilities. Great bench stash as a wait and see, but we are high on TJ Jones after this trade.





On the Radar:

Danny Amendola (MIA) (42%)

Paul Richardson (WAS) (6%)

Willie Snead IV (BAL) (33%)

Anthony Miller (CHI) (9%)

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB) (7%)

Tre’Quan Smith (NO) (30%)

Michael Gallup (DAL) (6%)

Tim Patrick (DEN) (0%)









Tight-Ends:

Vance McDonald (PIT) (49%)

Pretty much the same cast of characters as last week off the wire at tight-end, and we start with Vance McDonald as a top waiver pickup at the position. Going up against the Ravens who suffered great embarrassment at the hands of the Panthers, they will be looking to show better against the high powered Steelers. Having a game plan to remove both Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster should be on the agenda leaving Vance a clear benefactor in this contest. It’s become impossible to trust any tight-end in the league (outside the elite), but McDonald does have matchup upside this week.





Ed Dickson (SEA) (2%)

Last week we at ADF preached adding Ed Dickson off the wire as he proved to be quite valuable to Russell Wilson in his first game action. It’s not inconceivable to believe that Dickson will be a key contributor in this offense moving forward and could become a weekly starter for your club. With bye-weeks and inept play coming from the tight-end position this season, we could see good value from Ed week-to-week.





On the Radar:

Michael Roberts (DET) (1%)

Chris Herndon (NYJ) (6%)

Mike Gesicki (MIA) (3%)

Hayden Hurst (BAL) (3%)









Best Week 8 Defensive Streams:

Denver Broncos (54%) – Playing Houston Texans

Seattle Seahawks (25%) – Playing LA Chargers

Dallas Cowboys (16%) – Playing Tennessee Titans

Carolina Panthers (47%) – Playing TB Buccaneers