Week 8 is finally over. The big injury news is George Kittle is likely done for the year, and Jimmy G is out for several weeks. The Patriots have all but announced the towel is thrown in, the Jets and Jaguars seem to be battling for Trevor Lawrence, and Jonathan Taylor is looking like a big bust. Coming into this week, playoff position battles are underway and teams in fantasy are looking to secure that playoff spot. This coming week we see Chase Edmonds take over the lead role in Arizona, and Chris Carson (hopefully) returning from injury. The second half of the NFL season is upon us, and it’s time to make that playoff push! Most of the truly impactful running backs are on rosters by this point. There is no reason to hold back more than a few dollars of FAAB at this point as the weeks are winding down quickly, so bid with a more aggressive aproach than you have been.
RUNNING BACK
Damien Harris / Patriots / 47% rostered
Damien Harris seems to have taken control of the Patriots backfield. Harris had 16 carries for 102 yards and a very enticing matchup with the Jets are on the horizon. Harris is a very strong RB2 against the Jets, and is a consistent RB2 you can plug and play in your lineups. Up to 50% of remaining FAAB
Gus Edwards / Ravens / 30% rostered
Likely Dobbins is grabbed in your league and being held from the start of the year. Gus Edwards filled in for Mark Ingram, who seems to be out for a while now. He had 16 carries for 87 yards against the difficult Steelers defense. With Ingram out for the future, Edwards and Dobbins seem to be a 1-2 timeshare. I would treat Edwards as a flex play with upside every week until Ingram returns. Up to 40% of remaining FAAB
Jamycal Hasty / 49ers / 42% rostered
12 carries for 29 yards and a touchdown to go with 1 catch for 2 yards is not a great line. With Tevin Coleman getting injured, Hasty looks to be the lead back for week 9 for the 49ers. If he is still on the waiver wire for you, he must be rostered. Up to 40% of remaining FAAB
Jordan Wilkins / Colts / 2% rostered
Alight, Jonathan Taylor is frustrating to roster. Yesterday we saw him stuffed at the goal line, only to lose a touchdown to Wilkins. Then we saw Trey Burton, the tight end, run a touchdown in. Nyheim Hines took a lot of touches away. It sounds like Taylor is injured, but seems to be minor. I would try and grab Wilkins or Hines this week if you’re in need of a RB. He had 89 yards on 20!! carries, a 24 yard reception, and a goal line touchdown. Wilkins is becoming a flex play at this rate if it keeps up. 20% of remaining FAAB
Deejay Dallas / Seahawks / 25% rostered
Chris Carson should be back next week. However, Dallas did great on Sunday. He had 18 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown with 5 catches for 17 yards and another touchdown. Right now he seems to have the main backup role to Carson down, and having him especially if you roster Carson, seems like a really smart move given Carson coming off an injury. 10% of remaining FAAB
Eno Benjamin / Cardinals / 0% rostered
The 7th round rookie out of Arizona State is set to backup Chase Edmonds. In deeper leagues he is worth a flier in the event Edmonds has an injury or misses any time. Benjamin will become an immediate RB1 if this were to occur. Less than 10% of remaining FAAB
Other names to consider, Cam Akers, Brian Hill, and La’Mical Perine
WIDE RECEIVER
Corey Davis / Titans / 48% rostered
Finally!! Dynasty players rejoice! Corey Davis finally broke out. Back to back weeks of seeing 10 targets, Davis brought in 8 catches for 128 yards, and a touchdown. Davis is looking like a WR2/WR3 borderline type player if he can keep those stats up. PPR leagues, 10 targets a game is gold. Up to 25% of remaining FAAB
Darnell Mooney / Bears / 6% rostered
Mooney had 5 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. 6 weeks in a row Mooney has seen 5 or more targets, and he seems to be developing chemistry with Nick Foles. Mooney is playing as a solid flex option. With Allen Robinson the WR1 there, Mooney is filling in as the WR2 over Anthony Miller at this point. Up to 25% of remaining FAAB, more in dynasty settings.
Allen Lazard / Packers / 34% rostered
I am writing this and currently the Packers have not traded for any WRs yet. As of now Lazard could possibly be activated off IR and be available for the Packers. If this happens, Lazard immediately becomes a WR2. You may be able to sneak this one under the radar, especially if he isn’t activated right away. 10% of FAAB should do it, but you likely cannot use him this Thursday
Jakobi Meyers / Patriots / 1% rostered
Operating as the WR1 for the Patriots, Meyers saw 10 targets and had 6 catches for 58 yards. A matchup Monday night against the Jets is on the schedule who just gave up 5 touchdowns to Patrick Mahomes. Meyers is a great WR3/Flex this week coming up. 10% of FAAB to stream
Tim Patrick / Broncos / 19% rostered
Patrick sat out Sunday with a hamstring injury, and hopes to return next Sunday. He was operating as Denver’s WR1 outside Jeudy. If he plays Sunday, Patrick is a for sure pickup and acts as a WR2/Flex. He has seen 4 or more targets in every game he played. 15% of FAAB
Denzel Mims / Jets / 9% rostered
I don’t know what Adam Gase is doing. Mims looks good, but it seems like Gase doesn’t like to play any offense in the second half. Dynasty leagues I would be all over Mims with Trevor Lawrence or Fields potentially throwing to him. Mims is a desperation WR4/WR5, and only had 2 catches for 42 yards on 3 targets. He had a nice grab in the first half, and showed his skills. Can Adam Gase unleash him? Probably not, but grab your shares in dynasty. Go almost all in with FAAB in dynasty settings
Jalen Reagor / Eagles / 24% rostered
The first round rookie is back from injury for the Eagles, and they need the talent. Fulgham has proven to be a legit WR1 and Reagor is filling in as the WR2. Reagor has all the talent to succeed and put up redraft value this season. He only had 3 catches for 16 yards, but can only go up from here. 10-15% of remaining FAAB
Others to consider, Michael Pittman, Russell Gage, and Curtis Samuel
TIGHT END
Eric Ebron / Steelers / 45% rostered
People who had George Kittle are now scrambling the trade market, and using that top waiver claim on TEs. Ebron had 4 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against a good Ravens defense. Ebron is pushing the TE1/TE2 border, and if I had George Kittle (which I did), Ebron is my top target. Decide your own FAAB % on TE based on need/streaming. Ebron you can go close to all-in if he will be a weekly starter for you.
Ross Dwelley / 49ers / 0% rostered
This is a pure speculation pickup. With Jimmy G now hurt as well, Dwelley is going to look to develop chemistry with Nick Mullens. Week 3 with Nick Mullens under center, Dwelly had 4 catches for 49 yards. Jordan Reed is still hurt and cannot be trusted. Dwelley is simply a boom or bust pickup, depending on what the 49er offense shifts to.
Albert Okwuegbunam / Broncos / 1% rostered
Okwuegbunam played with Drew Lock in college, and they seem to slowly be getting that chemistry back. Granted he only had 1 catch for 9 yards and a touchdown, but with the Falcons coming up, he makes a nice flier as a streaming option.
Logan Thomas / Football Team / 23% rostered
Coming off a bye week, Thomas had 4 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown his last game. Thomas settles in for a nice Kittle replacement. Every week this season, Thomas has seen 4 or more targets. He will continue to see these targets and should be rostered, especially if you had Kittle.
Defense
Patriots
They play the Jets, who now have an injured Darnold. Joe Flacco time?
Texans
The Jaguars are all but tanking, and starting a no name QB. Grab the Texans.
Giants
They play the Football team. Not a top option, but a decent flier.