2018 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8: Start, Stash and Stream

Welcome back to Start, Stash and Stream where we provide an in depth look into the waiver wire landscape each week. Besides a few very fantasy relevant Raiders movements surrounding Marshawn Lynch‘s groin injury and the trade of highly volatile and inconsistent wideout Amari Cooper, there is not much movement regarding the waiver wire. As usual, however, a few handful of names still hide in the shallows of the wire who can help change seasons. So open you computer and Yahoo app immediately and get to researching the potential diamonds in the rough below. As a note, bye week players worthy of Start, Stash and Stream consideration will find themselves in the “Stash” section from here on out, so be wary.

Start

1. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders (22% Yahoo ownership); (10-12% FAAB)
2. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans (30% Yahoo ownership); (8-10% FAAB)
3. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders (24% Yahoo ownership); (7-9% FAAB)
4. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (49% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
5. Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers (37% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
6. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (50% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
7. DeDe Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (44% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
8. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers (48% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB)
9. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns (41% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB)

We all know the coaching ways of Jon Gruden. Give him the grizzled veteran that can pound the rock over the young, flashy guy with upside. It has been a bold strategy during his illustrious career, and lets hope it does not pay off for him here. While most experts believe Doug Martin will take over lead back duties in Oakland during Lynch’s absence, I am zigging while everyone else zags. Jalen Richard drips with upside in the Raider offense as he has already reeled in 31 catches for 253 yards. His volume should only increase, and if he can even manage a split with the futile Martin at the RB position, you could be looking at a weekly RB2, with upside due to his heavily involvement in the passing game…Chris Godwin continues to provide solid fantasy production, and this may be the final week of his “Start” designation before moving into the “Grandparents and Pets” designation below. Sure, he failed to haul in a touchdown reception Week 7. Sorry, he just cannot do that every week. But he did snag 5 of 6 balls for 59 yards, and should continue getting consistent looks while Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson operate mostly downfield…We mentioned a few weeks ago Baker Mayfield‘s light schedule during this middle part of the season. After recording a top 10 QB fantasy point total Week 7 against Tampa (20.90 points), I have nothing but confidence rolling him against Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Cincinnati the next few weeks.

Stash

1. 1. Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
   2. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans (0% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB) 
   3. Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints (17% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   4. Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins (10% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB) 
   5. Raheem Mostert, RB, San Fransisco 49ers (13% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   6. Chris Ivory, RB, Buffalo Bills (8% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   7. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (35% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   8. Frank Gore, RB, Miami Dolphins (30% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   9. Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys (27% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB) 
   10. Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (15% Yahoo ownership) 
   11. Martavis Bryant, WR, Oakland Raiders (4% Yahoo ownership)
   12. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (26% Yahoo ownership)
   13. Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers (15% Yahoo ownership)
   14. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts (41% Yahoo ownership)
   15. Trenton Cannon, RB, New York Jets (0% Yahoo ownership)
   16. Kapri Bibbs, RB, Washington Redskins (4% Yahoo ownership) 
   17. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets (47% Yahoo ownership)
   18. Chester Rogers, WR, Indianapolis Colts (18% Yahoo ownership)
   19. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers (8% Yahoo ownership)
   20. Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers (26% Yahoo ownership)
   21. Willie Snead IV, WR, Baltimore Ravens (42% Yahoo ownership)
   22. Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams (2% Yahoo ownership)
   23. Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (33% Yahoo ownership)
   24. Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks (35% Yahoo ownership) 
   25. Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins (46% Yahoo ownership)
   26. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (20% Yahoo ownership)
   27. Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts (22% Yahoo ownership)
   28. Damion Ratley, WR, Cleveland Browns (1% Yahoo ownership)
   29. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (5% Yahoo ownership)
   30. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Detroit Lions (13% Yahoo ownership)
   31. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers (16% Yahoo ownership) 
   32. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans (18% Yahoo ownership)
   33. Kenjon Barner, RB, New England Patriots (1% Yahoo ownership)
   34. Alfred Morris, RB, San Fransisco 49ers (23% Yahoo ownership)
   35. Dez Bryant, WR, Free Agent (8% Yahoo ownership)
   36. Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (4% Yahoo ownership) 
   37. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Buffalo Bills (15% Yahoo ownership) 
   38. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys (6% Yahoo ownership) 
   39. Geoff Swaim, TE, Dallas Cowboys (10% Yahoo ownership)
   40. Donte Moncrief, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (11% Yahoo ownership) 
   41. Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Arizona Cardinals (32% Yahoo ownership)
   42. Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams (1% Yahoo ownership)
   43. Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans (8% Yahoo ownership)
   44. Marcus Murphy, RB, Buffalo Bills (0% Yahoo ownership)
   45. Wayne Gallman, RB, New York Giants (1% Yahoo ownership)
   46. Rod Smith, RB, Dallas Cowboys (1% Yahoo ownership)

Pickup Ronald Jones II! Pickup Peyton Barber! Listen, it is not my fault Dirk Koetter cannot take up his mind. I am not Miss Cleo. However, some clarity may be brewing with respect to this backfield. Barber suffered an undisclosed injury Week 7 in the third quarter and never returned to action, potentially leaving the talented rookie Jones with the keys to the backfield, who just so happened to score the first touchdown of his career last week. And while I may not know who will lead the way for the Bucs the rest of the year, I am confident I am suggesting the most talented RB in their backfield. At least as of this week… Desperate for a second receiving option in Tennessee, the Titans have turned to first year bust and (thus far) second year disappointment Tajae Sharpe to fix their problems outside. And, at least for one week, it looks like it worked. Sharpe led all Titans in targets (9), receptions (7) and receiving yardage (101). With Marcus Mariota struggling to develop a connection with Corey Davis (just 8 catches on 17 targets for 83 yards the last three weeks combined), Sharpe could take a much larger portion of this Tennessee receiving attack…Week 6 waiver wire darling Albert Wilson immediately rewarded buyers by suffering a hip injury Week 7 that is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season. Next man up Miami! And who better than Bill Belichick disciple and Tom Brady (and Olivia Culpo) lover Danny Amendola. Amendola led all Dolphins in targets (7), receptions (6) and receiving yardage (84), and scored his first touchdown of the year. Amendola has sneaky big potential, especially in PPR leagues, with a dearth of talent on the Dolphins roster… Creature Raheem Mostert might be Kyle Shanahan’s lead-back against the pathetic Cardinals’ run defense. Matt Breida continues to be the biggest drama queen in the NFL and exited the game after only five snaps. Mostert could be streamed into your lineup this week, but also carries value if they decide to shut down Breida for a bit… As mentioned above, Amari Cooper is moving from the Silver and Black to the White and Blue of America’s team, leaving an available employment position across from newly-crowned Raiders WR1 Jordy Nelson. And while he has struggled early in the 2018 season, he still sports a robust 15.7 yards per reception average, and has 5 plays of 20+ yards. Nelson could command plenty of volume, but Bryant now gets to utilize his breakout speed and high-level talents in an every down type starting role.

Stream

1. Case Keenum, RB, Denver Broncos (20% Yahoo ownership)
2. Benjamin Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints (40% Yahoo ownership)
3. Arizona Cardinals DST (30% Yahoo ownership)
4. Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (40% Yahoo ownership)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers DST (39% Yahoo ownership)
6. Carolina Panthers DST (44% Yahoo ownership)
7. Kansas City DST (16% Yahoo ownership)
8. Chris Herndon, TE, New York Jets (1% Yahoo ownership)
9. Washington Redskins DST (18% Yahoo ownership)
10. Nick O’Leary, TE, Miami Dolphins (9% Yahoo ownership)

The Chiefs project as an early 10 point home favorite in the highest scoring game Sunday (56 points), so Case Keenum and the Denver Broncos will likely chuck it all over Kansas City’s league worst defense in terms of total yardage allowed per game…More than a few fantasy defenses appear on this list, highlighted by the Arizona Cardinals DST. The 49ers have allowed 20+ fantasy points in two of the last three weeks, and the Cardinals have 10 sacks and 8 turnovers forced over that same stretch.

Others, for those of you in leagues with your grandparents and pets (50-60% Yahoo ownership)

1. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (56% Yahoo ownership); (30%+ FAAB)
2. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (50% Yahoo ownership); (8-10% FAAB)
3. Ito Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons (54% Yahoo ownership); (7-9% FAAB)
4. Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns (54% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
5. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans (54% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
6. C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (42% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
7. Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens (58% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
8. Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets (56% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
9. Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (59% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
10. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears (53% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB)
11. New England Patriots DST (51% Yahoo ownership)
12. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons (56% Yahoo ownership)
13. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (50% Yahoo ownership)

Hopefully you listened to us last week when you could have grabbed Marlon Mack for cheap FAAB dollars. If you did not, now you will really pay the price…Wendell Smallwood out-touched Corey Clement 11 to 10. This backfield still appears in flux…Duke Johnson could command a much higher volume with Carlos Hyde heading to Jacksonville, especially with the Browns playing from behind weekly.

Week 8 Waiver Wire Rankings:

Tier 1:
1) Jalen Richard (22% owned)
2) Raheem Mostert (15%)
3) Doug Martin (27%)
4) Geronimo Allison (37%)
5) Tre'Quan Smith (17%)

Tier 2:
6) Tyrell Williams (12%)
7) CJ Uzomah (46%)
8) Chris Ivory (9%)
9) Ronald Jones (16%)
10) Kenjon Barner (10%)

— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) October 24, 2018

Week 8 Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders 
2. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans
3. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders 
4. Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers
7. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers 
8. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans
9. Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints
10. Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins
11. Raheem Mostert, RB, San Fransisco 49ers  
12. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
13. Chris Ivory, RB, Buffalo Bills
14. DeDe Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars 
15. Frank Gore, RB, Miami Dolphins 
16. Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys
17. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
18. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns 
19. Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers 
20. Martavis Bryant, WR, Oakland Raiders

Good luck finding these diamonds in the rough. Remember, some stashes can immediately become starts, so always stay updated with RSJ, as we will always provide the latest and greatest info.

To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me ‪@AJGamballer‪.