Fantasy Football – Waiver Wire Week 8 / The Madden Curse Edition

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This past week saw injuries to major names like Patrick Mahomes (the curse is real!), David Johnson, and Kerryon Johnson. With injuries piling up, don’t get the bye week blues. Read who you can get to help push your team into the fantasy playoffs.

Quarterback

Cam Newton – Cam won’t be back this week but he will be next week. He is the franchise QB and is not losing his job. The worst case scenario is he gets traded and still is a great QB for your fantasy team. He’s been dropped in half of fantasy leagues, if he was in yours pick him up.

Ryan Tannehill – So long Marcus Mariota, hello Tannehill. The former Dolphin stepped in as the new Titans starting QB and played well. He isn’t a guy to rely on every week but he does have a juicy matchup this week against Tampa Bay.

Teddy Bridgewater – With Drew Brees out, Bridgewater has shown why he is the highest paid backup in the game. Like Tannehill he has a great matchup this week. Brees should be back after the bye so look at Teddy as a short term rental.

Running Back

Chase Edmonds – Edmonds had a monster game while filling in for David Johnson. It’s unclear what is keeping DJ out but it is looking like it could last a while. Edmonds is the main waiver target and will be a RB1 until Johnson returns.

Kareem Hunt – I almost added him to last weeks column but since he can’t play until week 10 I waited. Don’t expect Hunt to do what he did last year while splitting time with Chubb on his new team. He is worth adding before your league-mates if you have a spot. He figures to be the change of pace back in Cleveland with upside. Remember he has been suspended, not injured, so he should be fresh for a late season push.

Ty Johnson – The Lions just sent Kerryon Johnson to the IR so 6th round rookie Ty Johnson looks to be the new early down back. I have a feeling Detroit will acquire another back before this weeks game so pick him up with caution.

J.D. McKissic – See above about Kerryon Johnson. McKissic is the receiving back in Detroit and already has an existing role. His role should expand a bit with Kerryon out and is more of a PPR flex play.

Wide Receiver

Mohamed Sanu – He is owned in about 70% of leagues so odds are he’s not in yours. Sanu figures to be the number 2 receiving option in New England after today’s trade. He will look to fit into Gronk’s old role and help the Pats keep the chains moving.

Kenny Stills – Will Fuller got hurt again and Stills filled in admirably with 4 grabs for 105 yards. He’s always been a boom or bust guy but has a solid opportunity now in Houston.

Tight End

Chris Herndon – The fantasy world had a bit of a false alarm when Herndon’s suspension ended with him getting hurt at practice. He is questionable but teams always need tight ends.

Defense

Pittsburgh/Carolina – Both are top fantasy defenses this year and both are coming out of their bye week so are likely available. Pittsburgh has the best matchup in football against Miami this week.