We’re back for the 2019 Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 8 Start, Stash and Stream, where we break down the Free Agent landscape and give you the best picks for the short and long haul. We’ll keep building on our Week 7 Waiver Wire momentum.
Per usual, think of this Waiver Wire set-up kind of like dating. In the first category, you’ve met “the one,” the love of your life, and you want to keep him/her forever. Those are your “Starts.”
Next, you have the person you’ve known for a while, but you find yourself asking: what are we? One week in, one week out, holding on for comfort and little else… they’re the “Stashes.” You just can’t quit them.
And then you have that Tinder date that serves a one-time purpose, most often leaving you feeling dirty and hopeless, but occasionally a solo home run. These are your “Streams.”
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With all that went down Week 7, here’s what we can use going forward.
Note – Ownership % based on Yahoo; all players are less than 50% owned
Start
- Chase Edmonds, RB Arizona Cardinals (48% owned)
- Ty Johnson, RB Detroit Lions (1% owned)
- Kenny Stills, WR Houston Texans (13% owned)
- Corey Davis, WR Tennessee Titans (41% owned)
In one of the most frustrating fantasy events in recent memory, Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds had a MONSTER day in Week 7 after David Johnson was ruled active for the game. Had Johnson been left inactive, Edmonds would have been a lock start for owners, who then ripped off 126 yards and 3 scores on 27 carries. Johnson carried the ball once before exiting the rest of the game because “something didn’t feel right.” However, Edmonds was playing well even with Johnson active the last few weeks and looked better between the tackles. The team is working out Jay Ajayi this week, potentially hinting that Johnson’s injury could be something worse than initially thought. If he does miss time, Edmonds is a MUST start going forward.
Ty Johnson seems to be taking over for the injured Kerryon Johnson (IR update here). In the limited usage, he rushed 10 times for 29 yards with an additional 4 catches for 28 yards. Barring any roster additions, it looks like Johnson would get the nod for next week against the Giants. He was someone that the offense wanted to get more involved, and it helps his stock that he’s a skilled pass catcher.
Injuries seem to be the theme this week as yet another player benefits from increased opportunity. Kenny Stills will become the new Texans deep threat receiver after Will Fuller aggravated his hamstring which seemingly happens every year. He caught 4 balls for 105 yards in Week 7 and should play a very big role in Houston’s offense moving forward. Fuller had that explosion game a few weeks back, but then dropped multiple touchdowns the following week. The deep threat role is valuable in Houston and Stills can slip right in and make an impact.
This one really hurts to write since he’s public enemy number one is RSJ Fantasy Land. Corey Davis actually looked like a capable NFL receiver with the switch to Ryan Tannehill at QB. 6 catches for 80 yards and a score on 7 targets. Perhaps having a QB who can actually throw the ball unlike Marcus Mariota helps out your receivers after all. Someone needs to be the WR1 on this team, and if there’s one who has the upside and skill to do it, then it’s going to be this shit head.
Stash
- Keke Coutee, WR Houston Texans (14% owned)
- DeVante Parker, WR Miami Dolphins (13% owned)
- Mark Walton, RB Miami Dolphins (20% owned)
- J.D. McKissic, RB Detroit Lions (2% owned)
- Zach Pascal, WR Indianapolis Colts (1% owned)
- AJ Brown, WR Tennessee Titans (17% owned)
- Alex Erickson, WR Cincinnati Bengals (2% owned)
- Jay Ajayi, RB Free Agent (3% owned)
While Stills will operate as the WR2 getting the deep looks, this will open up more catches for Keke Coutee underneath. Coutee had 3 catches for 25 yards and then took an end around in for a touchdown for a solid 10 points in Week 7. He’s also got a great matchup with the Raiders on deck in Week 8.
The change to Ryan Fitzpatrick starting as Miami’s QB has slightly opened up the passing game, notably for noted all-time preseason buzz guy DeVante Parker. He’s scored touchdowns in three straight games which is good to see, and it makes sense with Fitzpatrick’s deep ball style. His 10 targets this week was also very encouraging to see for his future prospects.
Mark Walton got the start this week and carried the ball 14 times for 66 yards. Decent production for a running back on a terrible offense. His stock relies on the possible trade of Kenyan Drake, which would open up more opportunity for Walton to get touches.
The absence of receiver Parris Campbell thrust Zach Pascal into the WR2 role in Indy for their shootout against the Texans. Pascal caught 6 balls for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, as the Colts offense is sneaky humming through competition as of late. Should he continue to work as the team’s WR2, he should offer some fantasy value through bye weeks and injury plagued times.
Similar to Corey Davis, AJ Brown becomes a decent stash with the presence of Tannehill under center. He had 6 catches for 64 yards on 8 targets against the Chargers, which is a pretty good day at the office. The team obviously saw something in Brown to take him in the second round, so he’s going to be involved in the offense.
The Bengals stink. There’s no denying that. Somehow, a creature named Alex Erickson came out with a spectacular fantasy day instead of Joe Mixon like everyone has been hoping for. Erickson had 8 catches for 137 yards on 14 targets — seemingly out of nowhere. Erickson did have 6 targets last week, so perhaps he’s carving out a small role for himself in Cincinnati. Overall, this offense is very uninspiring.
Stream
- Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST (47% owned)
- Olabisi Johnson, WR Minnesota Vikings (0% owned)
- Jacoby Brissett, QB Indianapolis Colts (48% owned)
- Indianapolis Colts D/ST (12% owned)
- Kyle Rudolph, TE Minnesota Vikings (28% owned)
- Vance McDonald, TE Pittsburgh Steelers (49% owned)
- Ryan Tannehill, QB Tennessee Titans (5% owned)
Double digit fantasy points in four straight games and now the Steelers welcome Miami to a Week 8 Monday Night Football game. Fire away with this defense.
Olabisi Johnson will look to fill in as the WR2 on TNF with Adam Thielen likely to be sidelined. The matchup against the Redskins is juicy, and Johnson is coming off a 4-40-1 game on 8 targets against the Lions.
Jacoby Brissett balled out against the Texans, throwing for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. Next up, a home date with a terrible Broncos team that should result in an easy win.
Speaking of the Colts, their defense would be another great streaming option in Week 8. Joe Flacco made the Chiefs defense look elite as he could get NOTHING going all night as the team looked as inept as they have in a very long time.
Kyle Rudolph is an intriguing streamer play at TE with Adam Thielen’s absence. Rudolph had a 5-58-1 line on 6 targets last week.
Another TE, Vance McDonald could be a dart throw against the terrible Miami defense this week. Mason Rudolph looks to return from his scary concussion and he loves the short to intermediate routes.
He’s not the sexiest option, but Ryan Tannehill has a pretty sweet matchup against the Tampa Bay Bucs next week with their pass funnel defense. Very good at stopping the run, Derrick Henry could have a tough day, forcing Tannehill to throw often after his 312 yard and 2 score game.
