This week, non-members can enjoy this Free View of the full Week 8 Waiver Wire Report.
Snatch ‘Em Up Now
If they weren’t already drafted in your league, these guys will be hot commodities on the wire this week.
Quarterbacks:
Jordan McCloud, James Madison – Tough matchup on the road against a good Marshall defense and McCloud still managed 29.5 fantasy points despite a relatively off night. Helps also that he’s got a developing WR corps around him that seems to be gaining confidence and rapport with every passing week. Faces an Old Dominion defense this week that allows 23.6 fantasy points to quarterbacks on average.
Chandler Rogers, North Texas – 26 or more fantasy points in six straight games now for Rogers who is a must-start each week now with that sort of consistency. I would imagine the game total for Saturday’s matchup with Memphis will be in the low 60’s which will mean another high projection for Rogers this week.
Running Backs:
Quinton Cooley, Liberty – Slim chances Cooley is still sitting out on waivers, so this is the last week he’ll show up on the list after topping 100 rushing yards in five of the last six games. Unless you have a loaded roster, Cooley is a must-start again in Week 9, facing a Western Kentucky defense that is allowing 23 FPPG to RB1s this season.
Makhi Hughes, Tulane – The Tulane coaching staff seem more than comfortable with giving their true freshman back 20+ carries every single week now, hitting that mark in the last three weeks. Not a must-start matchup this week with a solid Rice rush defense, but the stretch run looks bountiful for Hughes with ECU, Tulsa and Florida Atlantic in the month of November.
Terion Stewart, Bowling Green – Four 100-yard rushing performances in the last five games for Stewart who is delivering on the promise he showed three years ago as a freshman. The only down week was the matchup against Miami (Ohio) who have a top half rush defense in the MAC. Tough challenge against a Ball State defense this week with the No. 2 ranked run defense in the conference, but smooth sailing the rest of the way after that.
Sione Vaki, Utah – You watch Vaki play and wonder why the Utes didn’t make this switch sooner! This is JQJ’s backfield, and he has the trust of the Utah coaching staff, but there is a noticeable burst the Vaki has which Jackson simply lacks. 68 rushing yards on nine attempts for the converted safety but adds a different element in the passing game with five receptions on six targets for 149 yards and two scores. I loved the wildcat formations Utah employed as well with JQJ and Vaki in the backfield together. As for Jaylon Glover dynasty share, buh-bye.
Wide Receivers:
Noah Smith, Sam Houston State – Like Cooley above, this will be the last time Smith shows up here after hitting 20 fantasy points for the four time in a row against Florida International. With no running game to speak of for the Bearkats, Smith has been the primary beneficiary of Sam Houston State essentially becoming an Air Raid offense, averaging 37 attempts per game this season.
Nic Anderson, Oklahoma – The 4-star freshman stepped into a starting role with Andrel Anthony out for the season and posted a team-high nine targets with 105 yards and two scores in the win over UCF. Appears to simply be a 1-foot-1 switch with Anthony in terms of playing time, but perhaps production as well?
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
Garrett Greene, West Virginia – Disappointing to see West Virginia losing the last two games in disappointing fashion after such a good start to the year. That said, the offense is doing its part, specifically Greene who now has 103 fantasy points combined over the last three games. Don’t see that stopping next week against the 12th ranked scoring defense in the B12 in UCF.
Keegan Shoemaker, Sam Houston State – 27 fantasy points or more for Shoemakers in the last three games as Sam Houston State is now 16th nationally in pass play percentage. Decent streaming option against a UTEP defense that just allowed 41 fantasy points to Diego Pavia.
Chase Garbers, UCLA – Word came out a few hours before game time that Chip Kelly was turning back to Garbers in place of 5-star freshman Dante Moore. Sounds as though Moore was banged up at the beginning of the week, leading to Garbers getting most of the first-team reps in practices which lead to the decision. What this situation looks like moving forward is anyone’s guess, but the QB1 this week will face a horrid Colorado secondary.
Running Backs:
Dean Conners, Rice – 20 or more fantasy points in four of the last six games for Conners who rushed for 120 yards and three scores in the win over Rice. The surprising part is that Conners got it done on the ground as Rice typically doesn’t find much success running the football. Where Conners’ value comes in is with the passing game, now second on the team in receptions (26) and third in targets (33).
Kye Robichaux, Boston College – The former WKU transfer did benefit from not having Pat Garwo available but had season-best 165 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, while adding in 54 yards on three receptions as a pass-catcher. When given chances to tote the rock, Robichaux has been very good this season, averaging over five yards a carry for the year. Assuming Garwo is out again next week, could be another startable week against UConn.
Kaden Feagin, Illinois – Only reason Feagin isn’t higher on this list is the remaining schedule where I’d advise sitting the 4-star freshman at Minnesota and at Iowa. Against Indiana and Northwestern, start ’em up. 80 or more rushing yards in three of the last four games, and I don’t think it matters much if Reggie Love is healthy enough to play.
Nay’Quan Wright, South Florida – 100+ rushing yards for Wright in each of the last two games, including a season-high 26 carries in the win over UConn. After the bye week this weekend, Wright gets a matchup with Memphis who is allowing over 20 fantasy points to RB1s this season.
Mario Anderson, South Carolina – With questions all week surrounding his health, Anderson did wind up playing against Missouri, rushing for 68 yards on 12 carries. (1) That was from a trailing position all game, so getting volume was nearly impossible. (2) Xavier Legette, the team’s best receiver by a longshot, is now questionable with an injury. South Carolina might be forced to ride Anderson with limited options in the passing game.
Wide Receivers:
Elijah Metcalf, Middle Tennessee – Bye week for the Blue Raiders, but Metcalf has established himself as the clear WR1 for MTSU, averaging 19 FPPG over the last five weeks. Will come out of the bye with a favorable matchup with New Mexico State.
Elijah Sarratt, James Madison – A big part of that developing WR group for JMU is Sarratt who has caught at least four passes in each of the last five games, with 17 targets alone in the last two weeks. We talk about this a lot, but the rotations have reduced for the Dukes as just four total receivers were targeted against Marshall, and the fourth (Omarion Dollison) had just one target and barely played. Less rotation is a big plus for Sarratt and the other JMU wideouts.
Kenneth Womack, Western Michigan – Full-point PPR formats, I might put Womack closer to the must-add tier as he now has 38 targets in the last three weeks alone. Was targeted a season-high 17 times against Ohio – which is considered the best defense in the MAC. His 15 and 17 target performances came with Hayden Wolff under center, so hopefully that connection can continue.
Roc Taylor, Memphis – I know it was a quiet day for Taylor with just four receptions but was still targeted nine times in the win over UAB. If someone is dumb enough to drop him in your league for that reason, take advantage. Two great matchups ahead in what should be high scoring matchups with North Texas and USF.
Monaray Baldwin, Baylor – Essentially everything said about Taylor above applies to Baldwin as well. Down week for the junior receiver with just 49 yards but was targeted nine times in the win over Cincinnati. Baylor is not effective this season running the football, which has aided Baldwin and the passing game components.
Rashod Owens, Oklahoma State – Will sound like a broken record but same logic applies to Owens as it does to both Taylor and Baldwin above. Just 40 yards receiving for Owens who now starts in place of De’Zhaun Stribling, but did so on nine targets, giving him 28 in the last three weeks.
Sean Atkins, South Florida – Full-point PPR add priority with eight receptions in four of the last five games, though has only found the end-zone in two games this season. His aDOT of just 7.7 yards is why Atkins isn’t a bigger priority.
Elic Ayomanor, Stanford – I thought his Ayomanor’s performance against Colorado would be a one-off and that his numbers would taper off vs. a more formidable defense in UCLA. That was only partially correct. Ayomanor didn’t find the end-zone, but posted 8-86-0 on 12 targets, giving him 30 over the last two games. Talented player from what I’ve watched and seems the move back to Ashton Daniels at QB has really boosted his productivity.
Tight Ends:
Chamon Metayer, Cincinnati – 40 or more receiving yards for Metayer in each of the last four games and seems to be the second-best option in the Cincinnati passing game outside of Xzavier Henderson.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
Blake Shapen, Baylor – Curious to see what Shapen’s projection comes out to this week because he’s got a decent matchup with an Iowa State defense that is mediocre across the board. I thought I hit the jackpot in the offseason betting under on 2,700 passing yards for Shapen’s season-long prop, and now I’m thanking my lucky stars he missed multiple games due to injury. 300 passing yards in three of the last four games played.
Kiael Kelly, Ball State – Last-ditch streaming option only as Kelly offers very little as a passer, but now has close to 300 rushing yards combined over the last three games. Scored 22 fantasy points against Central Michigan.
Maalik Murphy, Texas – Quinn Ewers is now expected to miss some time with a right throwing shoulder sprain. Not season-ending, but sounds as though it will definitely be multiple weeks. Murphy came on in relief of Ewers against Houston and mostly handed the football off to Jonathon Brooks and Cedric Baxter. And that’ll be our expectation next week against BYU for whoever starts under center for the Longhorns. Murphy should have a slight leg up on Arch Manning, but make no mistake about it, the starter for Saturday will be determined in practice this week and not a shoo-in as to who it will be.
Running Backs:
Anwar Lewis, Jacksonville State – TBD on Malik Jackson and his status for Wednesday after missing the contest against Western Kentucky. Anwar Lewis, the projected starter heading into the season, got the nod and rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. I would not consider Lewis if Jackson is available, but the short turnaround time in between games might keep him out another week.
Kaelon Black, James Madison – Down week for Black from a production standpoint, but still had 17 touches in the win over Marshall. Streaming option against a decent Old Dominion run defense that is allowing just 3.1 YPC and only 13.8 FPPG to RB1s.
Ethan Payne, Marshall – Rasheen Ali missed the JMU game for an undisclosed reason, as he was seen in sweats on the sidelines. Speculative add here for Payne who had 60 rushing yards on 20 attempts against what is statistically the best run defense in the country in James Madison. I know Ali has been banged up each of the last two games leading up to Thursday’s matchup, but you wonder if there’s anything else to him missing the game after what transpired a year ago.
Rashod Dubinion, Arkansas – I highly doubt we see Rocket Sanders play another game in an Arkansas uniform after that disastrous performance against Mississippi State this past weekend. The Razorbacks need to win out just to reach bowl eligibility and look to have quit on this coaching staff. Dubinion has received double-digit carries in each of the last two games, seemingly taken hold of the RB2 spot ahead of AJ Green.
Camryn Edwards, Connecticut – Can’t say I know much about Edwards, but maybe that should change after rushing for 150 yards and a touchdown against USF as he replaced Victor Rosa in the starting lineup who left with an ankle injury. Take with a major grain of salt as Edwards did that on a South Florida defense that allows the sixth most fantasy points to running backs in college football. That said, Boston College isn’t much better, and Edwards faces the Eagles next.
C’Bo Flemister, Pittsburgh – Rodney Hammond transfer coming in 3, 2, 1… The junior running back was healthy I believe on Saturday yet received just three carries in the loss to Wake Forest. Flemister, the former Notre Dame transfer received the bulk of the work with 23 attempts for 105 yards.
Eli Sanders, Iowa State – If in desperate need of a pinch starter or bye week filler, Sanders should be available in most leagues, facing a Baylor defense that is allowing 20.8 FPPG to RB1s this season. 15 or more carries in three of the last four games.
Wide Receivers:
Jamaal Pritchett, South Alabama – Not a ton of upside here with Pritchett as the clear second-option in a run-based offense, but the sophomore receiver does have at least six targets in three of the last four games. Season-high 122 yards on five receptions against Southern Miss, with a solid matchup next week against a Louisiana defense that allows a lot of fantasy points to receivers.
Malik Phillips, Sam Houston State – Same logic applies here to Phillips as it did with Noah Smith above, just at a lesser capacity. Nearly 300 yards receiving over the last three games with 25 targets in that stretch. High-volume passing offense out of necessity.
Daniel George, Akron – One of the bigger CFF busts this season, George is starting to hit his stride from a volume standpoint with 23 targets in the last two games alone. Minimal production has come with that, but maybe we see a breakout performance here in the coming weeks.
Devin Carter, West Virginia – We mentioned in the DFS writeups for the week that West Virginia has moved the 6-foot-3 Carter inside to the slot in the last two games and has proved to be a brilliant move as the former NC State transfer now has over 170 receiving yards on 17 targets in that span.
Will Pauling, Wisconsin – Full-point PPR leagues only here for Pauling who has double-digit targets in each of the last three games. Found the end-zone for the first time this season against Illinois.
Savion Williams, TCU – The Horned Frogs still spread the ball around toe 7-8 different receivers on a weekly basis but seems as though Williams and Josh Hoover have a strong connect, now with 17 targets in the last two games. Two touchdowns in the last three weeks.
Tailique Williams, Georgia State – Purely box score scouting here as I haven’t watched a Georgia State game in a few weeks. Over 200 receiving yards in the last two weeks with six receptions on seven targets in both games. Williams has a pair of 100-yard receiving games already this season.