Waiver Wire Watch: Week 8
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 ESPN leagues, though I'll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. I'll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs.
* Players with an asterisk next to their name were mentioned in last week's Waiver Wire Watch.
Browns QB Brandon Weeden* ($4)
Weeden is averaging 277 yards and 1.5 TDs over his last six games and is turning into a reasonably solid start given the right matchup, especially considering the emergence of Josh Gordon. (Weeden had a third TD bounce off of Gordon's hands on Sunday, so his line easily could have been something like 310 yards and three TDs.) Other than a Week 9 match up with the Ravens, he has a pretty favorable schedule down the stretch.
Next up: Chargers, Ravens, BYE
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill* ($3)
Thus far, Tannehill has had an up-and-down season. He has yet to throw a touchdown in an odd-numbered week, while he's averaging 272 yards and 1.3 TDs in even-numbered weeks. He has the Jets in Week 8 before a terrific three-game schedule against the Colts, Titans and Bills. Owners who have QB issues over the next month may be able to use Tannehill as a bye-week fill-in or short-term starter.
Next up: Jets, Colts, Titans
Vikings QB Christian Ponder* ($2)
Ponder had a bad game as expected against the Cardinals, throwing for just 58 yards, one TD and two interceptions, but the Vikings jumped out to a lead and only had to throw the ball 17 times. The Buccaneers have been pretty good against opposing QBs this season, but they were shredded by Drew Brees and the Saints in Week 7. Ponder should be able to post solid numbers against Tampa Bay.
Next up: Buccaneers, Seahawks, Lions
Rams QB Sam Bradford* ($1)
Bradford is averaging 237 yards and 1.0 TDs in his last three games. This week he faces a Patriots defense that has struggled against opposing QBs. The Rams are likely to fall behind, and they'll have to throw the ball to stay in the game. Bradford has a brutal schedule after his Week 9 bye.
Next up: Patriots, BYE, 49ers
Jets QB Mark Sanchez ($1)
Sanchez seems to be playing better now that the Jets' receiving corps is getting healthy-ish with the return of Dustin Keller and Stephen Hill. Over last three games, he's averaging 213 yards and 1.3 TDs and his Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins is favorable.
Next up: Dolphins, BYE, Seahawks
Chiefs QB Brady Quinn ($1)
Quinn is now the starter for the Chiefs, and he has a good schedule down the stretch, including a Week 8 matchup against the Raiders. This is purely desperation territory.
Next up: Raiders, Chargers, Steelers
Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings ($40-$60)
Maurice Jones-Drew has already been ruled out for Week 8 with a foot injury which may or may not be of the dreaded Lisfranc variety. In MJD’s place, Jennings rushed 21 times for 44 yards and a touchdown, while adding seven catches for 58 yards. The Week 8 matchup with the Packers is not great, but Jennings should get plenty of opportunity to make plays in the passing game. The upcoming schedule looks pretty good from Week 10 through Week 14.
Next up: Packers, Lions, Colts
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