Week 8 of the NFL season has just about wrapped up. Whether winning or losing in Week 8, it’s time to make some moves to help your team reach the ultimate goal. In this article, we will talk about the key players worth picking up to help improve your roster. We will discuss what they have done and why they are important players to pick up on rosters. We will also talk about whether they are worth spending that number one waiver claim and how much FAAB percentage you should use on them.
The Week 9 waiver wire is starting to have some names that you will want to pick up to help your fantasy roster. There is a nice mix of players who all produced in Week 8 and should have value moving forward.
Cedric Tillman, WR – CLE
Our first waiver wire pick will be wide receiver Cedric Tillman. Tillman was my top pick-up last week, but he is still heavily available in leagues. Tillman followed up his 12-target game with another nine targets, which was second on the team this week. Tillman made the most of his opportunities with two touchdowns in this game (one being the game-winner versus the Ravens). Tillman fits the type of receiver that new starting quarterback Jameis Winston likes to throw to. Tillman is a big-bodied receiver who has the downfield ability to his name. Tillman must be rostered in all leagues as he has the fifth easiest rest-of-season schedule in fantasy. The Browns’ passing offense is going to help folks win leagues.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 18%
Parker Washington, WR – JAX
Our second waiver wire pickup is Parker Washington from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The update on Christian Kirk’s injury has confirmed that he has a broken collarbone, which will end his season. That will slot Washington into Kirk’s slot role in the offense. Washington was already starting to see some work in Week 8, with three receptions for 46 yards. Also, rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was hurt in this game, but there is no word on whether his injury was severe or not. The Jaguars will be a team that is likely behind in many games for the rest of the season. Washington should be added to teams struggling at receiver or needing a BYE week replacement.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 10%
Mike Gesicki, TE – CIN
Our first tight end in waivers is Cincinnati Bengal, Mike Gesicki. I’ll say this first: if Cade Otton is on the waiver, you better make him a top priority, but he is currently in that 60% ownership range. Back to Gesicki, who came alive in Week 8 with seven receptions for 77 yards. A big part of that could be that Tee Higgins missed his game with a quad injury. Gesicki has struggled to produce since Higgins returned to the field full-time. If Higgins continues to miss time, then Gesicki could see a more prominent role in fantasy. It may only be a few weeks, if any, but this Bengals team will need Gesicki to step up.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 2%
Jameis Winston, QB – CLE
Our first quarterback this week is Cleveland Brown Jameis Winston. Winston got the start in Week 8 and did not disappoint for fantasy. He would finish with over 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. As I mentioned last week, Winston has always had QB1 upside if he can be a starter again in this league. I’ll be looking to pick up Winston moving forward as a top-14 fantasy quarterback. Winston is the quarterback you need if you are struggling to find a startable quarterback weekly. He’ll have some high-scoring matchups with KC, CIN, and MIA in the fantasy playoffs.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 5%
Matthew Stafford, QB – LAR
The quarterback landscape is starting to wake up, with Matthew Stafford also being a good pick-up. Stafford has been disappointing this season, with not a single game over 16 fantasy prior to Week 8. In Week 8 against a good defense, he threw up 279 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. A big part of that was the return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Outside of Week 1, Stafford has struggled to find consistent fantasy options that can give defenses nightmares to cover. The Rams’ offense seems to have a new light, and I’d bet on Sean McVay to take advantage of this offense and start lighting it up on the scoreboard. I’d consider Stafford over Winston due to the longer leash with the coaching staff.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 7%
Handcuff Running Backs
Unfortunately, we don’t have any running backs that are worth picking up, which means the starting running backs aren’t getting hurt. It is this time of year when it’s important to either start picking up your handcuffs or other players’ handcuffs to have an advantage over your teammates. There are plenty out there right now that are worth rostering since they provide a high upside if they had to become the starter. I’d look toward players like Braelon Allen, Sean Tucker, Trey Benson, Blake Corum, Kendre Miller, and Kimani Vidal. They all are backups who could see a big workload if something happens to the starter. It’s better to roster these players before I talk about them as MUST pickups.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 5%
Photos by Icon Sports Wire and Adobe Stock | Adapted by Carlos Leano