I know I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus these last two weeks, so I apologize to all my loyal readers who have been blowing up my DMs with their fantasy football waiver wire questions. I’m back to it now and I won’t let you down again. Now that the horrendous Week 7 is out of the way (six teams on bye), Week 8 (two bye teams) is much more palatable and no other week has more than 4 teams taking a break the rest of the season. With the NFL having bye weeks, I will try to give you at least one player at each position.
Week 8 Byes:
Baltimore Ravens
Las Vegas Raiders
In general, these players will be injury replacements or those who I think have a chance to breakout. Remember, it’s unlikely that someone here will be this year’s James Robinson, but you should find some low-end RB2s or WR3s and bye week starters with upside potential. Any players listed will be less than 50 percent owned according to fantasypros.com consensus roster percentage.
A quick aside: Once again, take a look at some of my past suggestions. Tim Patrick and Rondale Moore are just a couple of players still under 50 percent rostered and both are averaging at least 9.8 PPR points per game.
Check out my previous suggestions below, who knows, those players may still be available:
Free Agent Fill Ups
Week 4 (Changed the naming system to reflect the upcoming week)
Without further ado, here are players to consider claiming this week:
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington Football Team
I mentioned Taylor Heinicke back in Week 3, and the same is true now. He is only 19.5% rostered and is averaging 18.0 PPR points per game. That’s good for 19th this year. His matchup against Denver is a little tough this week and he has a bye in Week 9, but he’s an excellent option for a QB2 and should be rostered in all 2QB or Superflex leagues.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Houston Texans
If you have the roster space, stash him now. Tyrod Taylor is supposed to start practicing this week and he’s only 3.4% rostered. Prior to his injury, he was averaging 20.1 points per game. The Houston Texans’ defense has been atrocious this year and is in the bottom five in both points and yards allowed. Even with Tyrod Taylor in the lineup, look for Houston to keep playing from behind and for him to get plenty of garbage-time opportunities.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders is week-to-week with an ankle sprain. Gainwell is already getting 29.9% of the snaps and 34.9% of the running back opportunities. Expect that to blow up this week against the Lions, who give up the 6th-most points to running backs.
Eagles: Coach Sirianni provides an update on RB Miles Sanders. pic.twitter.com/RKfn9aJ2qa
— © ™ (@Flyeaglesfly81) October 26, 2021
Gainwell is 24.2% rostered and is averaging 9.3 PPR points per game with Sanders in the lineup, so go out and grab him while you can.
Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals’ offense has been humming along to the tune of 32.1 points per game, so adding their number two receiver has to be a good idea. Christian Kirk is owned in 47.1% of leagues, but he is the WR31 in PPR scoring (13.7 PPG). He is also getting 16.8% of Arizona’s targets. If that’s not a WR3 and a bye week fill-in, I don’t know what is.
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys designated Michael Gallup to return from IR this week and begin the 21-day practice window, so he could see the field as early as Sunday.
On Monday, the @dallascowboys moved LB Francis Bernard and WR Michael Gallup to Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return.
Trysten Hill (Reserve/PUP), returned to practice (along with Bernard and Gallup).
Deante Burton restored to practice squad from Injured/Practice Squad.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) October 25, 2021
The Cowboys are averaging 34.2 points per game, and even with the bye last week, they are top five in total yards and seventh in passing yards. Clearly, Gallup is the third receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper, but if he returns healthy, Michael Gallup will be a part of the offense. Also, don’t forget that he is an excellent trade candidate for any team that needs receiver help.
Stash him on your roster if you have the room. He’s available in 55 percent of leagues.
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
With Mark Andrews and Darren Waller on their bye, it’s time to look at C.J. Uzomah. He is the PPR TE11 on the season and is on a mere 14.6% of rosters. Henry does have five TDs this year on 17 receptions/19 targets, so he may be a little TD-dependent, but he is still averaging 10.4 PPR points per game. Roster him and feel safe starting him this week against the Jets who are giving up 10.5 PPR points per game to tight ends this year.
May your waiver spot be high enough to get whomever you want to fill up your roster!
