Week 8 already??? Where in the hell has the season gone? It’s time to make that push for the playoffs and what better way to start, that make those waiver wire moves this week and add some talent to improve your roster. Below are players who are owned in less that 50% of leagues that could be available in yours and help you take one step closer to that fantasy championship.

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Quarterback

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs. Look, I get it. Alex Smith isn’t the most exciting name to add to your fantasy football team. He doesn’t have the upside to have that big 400 yard game, but we are talking about quarterbacks that are owned in less that 50% of fantasy leagues and how many of those quarterback have that upside? If you want a dependable guy who can throw for 250 yards and a score or two, Smith is your guy. He also has a gravy matchup this week as he plays Indianapolis in the dome. He hasn’t lit the world up with his feet so far this year, but he does possess the capability of getting the extra 30 or 40 yards rushing as well. If you like to stream quarterbacks, Alex Smith should be towards the top of your list in Week 8.

He’s baaaaackkkk!

Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets. It didn’t take long. Ryan Fitzpatrick was benched in favor of of Geno Smith and before you could sit back and enjoy Geno’s ineptitude, he left the game with what has now been diagnosed as a season ending, ACL injury. It’s Fitz time again. I shouldn’t necessarily bash Geno without giving Fitzpatrick his just due…he’s been absolutely dreadful this season. However, he now has another opportunity and what better way to kick off that opportunity with a dream matchup against the Browns. Not only that, but he has several nice match ups in the future and could be a decent second quarterback to hang on to if you are struggling at the position.

Other Quarterbacks to Consider. Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears.

Running Back

Is it Devonae Booker time? It’s definitely a situation to watch over the next couple of weeks.

Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos. Denver Broncos running back, Devontae Booker finally had the breakout game that some have been waiting for as he had 17 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown against the Texans on Monday Night Football. Maybe more importantly, he out snapped CJ Anderson as he garnered 55% of the snaps vs 45% for the veteran.  Many this morning are thinking that this will be a true time share situation going forward, but I’m not ready to go quite that far just yet. Let’s not forget that Anderson himself went for over 100 yards and a score in the same game and while maybe not quite living up to expectations this year, he has still been a very efficient running back. Booker has earned a role in this offense which makes him worth an add this week, but make sure to temper expectations until we see what he does over the next couple of weeks.

Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills. I think Rex Ryan is one ofthe worst head coaches in the NFL. Yes, his players like to play for him, but I’m still not sure what he was thinking in rushing LeSean McCoy back from a hamstring injury this past week. Predictably, the guy with a history of hammy issues, re-aggravated the current injury and now his availability for the next few weeks is in doubt. If he does miss any time, next in line will be Mike Gillislee. Gillislee has only has 22 carries on the season, but he’s averaged over six yards per carry and found the end zone in two of the past three games. Maybe more importantly, the Buffalo Bills offensive line is playing fantastic. Here’s an interesting nugget. The Bills are leading the NFL in yards before contact per rushing attempt with an ashtonishing 2.93 yards before contact. That means that a running back runs almost three yards per carry before they are even touched by a defender! That’s over a half yard more than the second best team (Atlanta-2.41 yards). Although he may not have the best long term outlook, I love Gillislee if McCoy were to miss a game or two, which is definitely possible at this point.

Other Running Backs to Consider: Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins, Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings, Damien Williams, Miami Dolphins.

Wide Receiver

Donte Moncrief of the Colts is available in 60% of Yahoo leagues and word is that he will practice and has a shot to play on this week. He’s above the 50% threshold that I look for, but it’s worth a look to see if he’s floating around on your waiver wire.

Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers. I struggled where I should place Ty Montgomery in the waiver report this week. He has been a wide receiver for the Packers, but since Eddie Lacy and James Starks went down with injuries, he has been spending a lot of time in the backfield. With Knile Davis and Don Jackson in the fold, Mongomery may not lead the team in carries, but he has been PPR gold as he’s had ten receptions in each of the last two games. ESPN and Fanduel have changed his eligibility to RB/WR and I expect others to follow suit soon. Regardless of his designation, Montgomery should be owned in ten and twelve team leagues and is my favorite waiver wire target of Week 8.

Jamison Crowder may not be a highlight reel kinda guy, but he has been very productive for fantasy owners this season.

Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins. Jamison Crowder is someone that flies under the radar, but I think that’s coming to an end here shortly. This week he broke out with a season high seven receptions for 108 yards against the Lions and he has now scored double digit fantasy points (PPR) in five of his seven games. Not only that, but he leads the team in red zone targets and that’s saying a lot for a team that has Jordan Reed on it. Reed is out indefinitely with a  concussion, so his looks near the goal line may be increased even more in the short term. Even when Reed comes back, Crowder sees enough looks to be a viable WR3 or flex play on a weekly basis.

Other Wide Receivers to Consider: Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers. Brandon LaFell, Cincinnati Bengals, Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars, Marquise Goodwin, Buffalo Bills.

Tight End

Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts. Dwayne Allen is out with what is likely a high ankle sprain, and that has opened the door for Jack Doyle to assume full time, tight end responsibilities. He responded impressively in Week 7 with nine catches for 78 yards and a score in a tough matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Allen is listed as week to week, but high ankle sprains can linger on for several weeks. With Donte Moncrief still not having a time table to return, there should be plenty of targets for Doyle in the short term. Even when Allen returns, Doyle has shown that he can still be a part of the offense as he scored double digit fantasy points in two of the first five games with Allen, and then in both games without him. Luck will have to chuck the ball a lot this year and Doyle should benefit from the volume.

Other Tight Ends to Consider: Lance Kendricks, LA Rams. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins (if Jordan Reed is out for an extended amount of time).

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