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Fantasy Football 2017: Waiver wire targets for Week 8

By Dan Thomas

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Oakland Raiders picks up 12 yards against inside linebacker Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter on December 24, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 33-25. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Oakland Raiders picks up 12 yards against inside linebacker Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter on December 24, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 33-25. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 22: Matt Forte #22 of the New York Jets rushes during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 22: Matt Forte #22 of the New York Jets rushes during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Executing the waiver wire in fantasy football is what will separate the champions from the chumps. Here are some players you should target in Week 8.

We go into Week 8 with a lot of players questionable with injuries but more importantly, we have six teams who are on a bye week. Owners obviously want to target players who they can use for the rest of the season but chances are, a lot of owners need some one week fill-ins. Who are some players who fit each of those specifications?

For these purposes, we will being using ESPN Fantasy Football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.

5. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (26.5 percent owned)

In the Colts first game this season without Robert Turbin, Marlon Mack saw an increase in playing time and finished with 9 touches for 66 yards. More specifically, four of those nine touches were receptions and he finished with 10.6 PPR points. From here on out he should flirt with double-digit touches per game and his workload could conceivably increase if he continues to show well with his touches.

4. DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders (3.1 percent owned)

On Thursday Night Football last week, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was ejected from the game and has been suspended for one game. Due to his absence, Washington will see increase playing time and should easily see double-digit touches. Keep in mind he’ll more than likely be splitting time with teammate DeAndre Washington and his value will plummet once Lynch returns from his suspension.

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3. Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (20.4 percent owned)

In last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Lewis set season-highs in both carries (13) and rushing yards (76). It’s becoming more and more clear he offers more in the running game than his one-dimensional teammate, Mike Gillislee. Despite the crowded backfield in New England, Lewis needs to be owned in majority of formats.

2. Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets (49.9 percent owned)

Since returning from injury, Forte has now contributed 13.2+ PPR points in back-to-back games. He gets a favorable matchup against the Falcons this week and if the Jets find themselves trailing, Forte should get plenty of work in the passing game as he’s totaled 13 receptions over the last two games.

1. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders (5.1 percent owned)

In last week’s game Richard totaled 13 touches for 76 yards and his increased playing time was due to the fact Marshawn Lynch was ejected from the game. With Lynch already ruled out for Week 8, Richard is the favorite to lead the backfield in touches. Just like with Washington, Richard’s value will decline once Lynch returns, but if you need a one-week running back replacement with a high ceiling, Richard is the guy you want to target.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Kenny Stills #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown by Jarvis Landry #14 in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans on October 8, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Kenny Stills #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown by Jarvis Landry #14 in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans on October 8, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Others Receiving Votes

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, New Orleans Saints (44.0 percent owned) – Ginn now has back-to-back games with 16.9+ PPR points and is coming off his best game of the season (7 receptions, 141 yards). Is this a flare-up or a trend? I’m not sure but a player with his type of upside needs to be owned.

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (39.2 percent owned) – In his first game back from a two-week absence, Smallwood finished with 10 touches for 39 yards. The Eagles backfield is crowded, but Smallwood should push for double-digit touches every game.

Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts (35.0 percent owned) – In each of the last two games Doyle has 10.4+ PPR points and has caught at least six passes in each of those games. He will be the favorite to lead the Colts in receptions in just about every game.

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (32.9 percent owned) – Dalton has done well in good matchups and this week he plays against the Indianapolis Colts. That’s not a good matchup. That’s a tremendous matchup.

Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins (15.5 percent owned) – Stills is coming off his best game of the season (6 receptions, 85 yards and 2 touchdowns). It’s hard to believe he’ll have another game like that in 2017, but he does have a great track-record with quarterback Matt Moore. As long as Moore is under center for the Dolphins, Stills’ ceiling will be realistically high.

Next: Fantasy Football 2017: 5 Biggest Takeaways from Week 7

Josh McCown, QB, New York Jets (12.0 percent owned) – Going into Week 8, McCown is the 13th-best fantasy football quarterback and is coming off a four-touchdown performance against the Dolphins. The matchup isn’t great, but I expect McCown to score at least a couple of touchdowns on Sunday.

Tyler Kroft, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (10.8 percent owned) – Kroft has 4+ receptions in three straight games and three total touchdowns during that span as well. He gets a very beatable Colts defense on Sunday.

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