Last week’s Waiver Wire brought some early week uncertainty, with Christian McCaffrey, David Montgomery, and Kyren Williams all going down with injuries. We didn’t know much early in the week (Elijah Mitchell, Craig Reynolds, and Zach Evans), but we were able to be ahead of the game on Darrell Henderson and the Rams’ backfield.
The Week 8 waiver wire is intriguing, so let’s take a look at this week’s prospects before you have to put your claims in.
EARLY FANTASY WEEK 8 WAIVER WIRE
DARRELL HENDERSON JR., RB LA RAMS (25% ROSTERED)
ROYCE FREEMAN, RB LA RAMS (28%)
It was a roller coaster seven days for Kyren Williams managers, who throttled the Cardinals on Sunday and then landed on injured reserve just six days later with an ankle injury. We initially thought Zach Evans would be the streamer in his place, but Sean McVay went out and re-signed old friend Darrell Henderson and activated the plodding Royce Freeman off the team’s practice squad.
In Week 7, Henderson out-snapped Freeman 39 to 29, but split third downs — mostly due to Freeman’s pass pro skills. Just days ago, Henderson signed with the XFL Arlington Renegades before McVay called him up. Henderson led the team in carries (18) and took all three carries on the goal-line. He was not super efficient, totaling 61 yards on 18 carries, but he was just sitting on his couch. Henderson is the priority in this backfield, while Freeman is an okay streamer for those in injury or bye week hell moving forward.
DEVIN SINGLETARY, RB HOUSTON TEXANS (14%)
Don’t look now, but there’s a new starting running back in Houston. Prior to his team’s bye week, Devin Singletary out-snapped Dameon Pierce on both early downs and passing downs, stealing the torch from the inefficient second-year back. Not only did Singletary out-snap Pierce, but he also rushed for 4.8 ypc, compared to Pierce’s 2.6 ypc in Week 6. Singletary could have a more clear role than the Rams’ running backs moving forward, making him arguably the more important pickup this week.
Oh, and he gets the Panthers in Week 8, who get gashed on the ground.
JOSH DOWNS, WR INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (36%)
The rookie wideout will be this week’s No. 1 waiver wire priority after stacking touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. With Gardner Minshew as his quarterback, he notched his third-straight game with at least 13 PPR points. In Week 7, he put up his first 100-yard game of his career and the only games that he posted three or fewer receptions were with Anthony Richardson starting at quarterback.
Downs is a cemented starter in three receiver sets and one would imagine he will soon be a staple in two receiver sets. Downs led the Colts pass-catchers in targets (6), receptions (5), and receiving yards (125).
MECOLE HARDMAN, WR KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (17%)
We’ve long been Mecole Hardman guys (not sure why), and we’re back again after the Chiefs acquired their old friend from the Jets. Hardman entered a sub-par receiving room on Sunday and played a very limited role with only ten snaps, recording one game-ending reception for six yards. We know Hardman will not step in and become Tyreek Hill, but he could easily play WR1B to Rashee Rice, who is finally getting the opportunity to ball.
Hardman is a solid streamer who will likely play a near-starting role as the season rolls along for an offense that desperately needs a consistent playmaker.
“I don’t know how he got out of New York, but I’m glad he’s with us,” Travis Kelce said about Hardman. “He came up absolutely huge there in the fourth. I’m proud of him and happy for the guy. I’m glad we have him for the rest of the year.”
KYLER MURRAY, QB ARIZONA CARDINALS (42%)
It’s not often that fantasy owners can get a bonafide QB1 off the waiver wire in Week 8, but with Kyler Murray returning to practice last Wednesday and set to return from the PUP list very soon, he’s an ideal QB stash.
We know what Murray is by now. He’s a sturdy QB1 who averages nearly 20 points per game and gets to run an offense that has better weapons than we initially thought, highlighted by Hollywood Brown, Michael Wilson, Trey McBride, Zach Ertz, and a solid running back room. He should not be available in over 50% of leagues, so this is the time to stash him.
DALTON KINCAID, TE BUFFALO BILLS
It was National Tight End Day on Sunday and the rookie class’ TE1 broke out in a big way against the Patriots. Kincaid led all Bills’ pass-catchers in receptions and receiving yards and was finally heavily targeted by Josh Allen. Although the targets are a great sign, he played his typical amount of snaps, which is somewhat concerning.
Still, he caught eight balls for 75 yards — both career-highs. Add him to the laundry list of weekly tight end streamers.
We’ll touch on these later: RB Emari Demercado (14%), RB Tyjae Spears (41%), RB Ezekiel Elliott (46%), RB Latavius Murray (22%), RB Myles Gaskin (1%), WR Tank Dell (48%), WR Josh Reynolds (42%), WR Kendrick Bourne (26%), WR Jalin Hyatt (2%)
