Waiver Wire Watch: Week 8

Oct 24, 2016

Editor's Note: We're happy to have Brandon Niles on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He'll work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile the weekly list of pickups and generate recommended prices for FAAB leagues.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 8. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB). Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs ($2)

Smith had an efficient 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Saints on Sunday, pulling out a win and avoiding turnovers. Smith isn’t ever going to be an elite fantasy option, but he has excellent matchups the next few weeks and is very streamable as a result. Smith is unlikely to be the reason you win your week, but in the right games, he usually won’t kill you either. Expect another pair of touchdowns against the vulnerable Colts defense this week.

Next up: @ Colts, Jaguars, @ Panthers

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles ($2)

Wentz has kind of come back to earth a bit after a fast start, but he’s still got the Eagles at 4-2 on the season. The fantasy numbers haven’t looked good lately, although a matchup against the Vikings on Sunday didn’t help. Wentz probably isn’t ready to be a consistent fantasy starter in any leagues yet, but he has streaming value in good matchups and is worth holding onto as a backup, in keeper leagues and especially in dynasty formats. Wentz has a nice Week 10 matchup at home against the Falcons that might be tempting for streamers.

Next up: @ Cowboys, @ Giants, Falcons

Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings ($2)

Bradford didn’t put up great fantasy numbers against a tough Philadelphia defense on Sunday, with only 224 yards, a touchdown and a pick. However, he has matchups against the Bears, Lions and Washington the next three weeks, which makes him an excellent streaming option in most leagues. The Bears are on a three game losing streak and have given up six touchdown passes in that span.

Next up: @ Bears, Lions, @ Redskins

Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets ($1)

I’m not buying the Jets QB situation for the rest of the season, but a matchup against the Browns this week makes Fitzpatrick streamable. (Geno Smith is out for the year with a torn ACL.)

Next up: @ Browns, @ Dolphins, Rams

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers ($1)

Kaepernick had only 143 yards and a touchdown passing against the Bucs on Sunday, but he added 84 yards rushing. He should continue to supplement his passing stats with rushing numbers in Chip Kelly’s offense. He has a bye this week, but a matchup against the vulnerable Saints defense in Week 9 makes him an interesting streaming option for owners looking ahead.

Next up: Bye, Saints, @ Cardinals

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins ($1)

Tannehill has a bye this week, but if you’re looking to Week 9, he has a great matchup against the Jets. Tannehill had only 204 yards against the Bills yesterday, but he threw a touchdown and didn’t turn the ball over in a Dolphins win.

Next up: Bye, Jets, @ Chargers

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys ($1)

I’m not convinced Romo gets his job back from rookie Dak Prescott, but this is probably the last week where you can get him for pretty cheap if you have the space to stash him. This week against the Eagles, he’s unlikely to get a start, but he has a shot at Week 9 against the Browns, which is a great matchup and would make Romo worth using if he does get the starting nod.

Next up: Eagles, @ Browns, @ Steelers