Even though Week 7 isn’t fully in the books, we are ready with our Week 8 waiver wire pickups for the 2021 season. I hope that you managed to survive the byes that we had last week, not to mention the injuries that are starting to really bite.
This week, while we still have byes to consider, there are just two teams on bye:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Las Vegas Raiders
All of these pickups are written in percentage, not priority. For a player to be eligible they have to be owned in less than 50% of leagues. The rostered percentage is taken from ESPN. Now, let’s get into them!
Kirk Cousins (MIN) v DAL 41.0% rostered
Cousins has had a solid start to the season. Having his bye last week his ownership is lower than his performances dictate. The Vikings QB has passed the ball 166 times for 1,769 yards, 13 TDs and 2 INTs. That is fine, and with a matchup against Dallas who have struggled to make stops at times this season, Cousins is worth a pick up.
Daniel Jones (NYG) @KC 28.9% rostered
It’s crazy to think that the Chiefs defense has become a target for QBs, but here we are. Jones has a mixed history with turnovers, but he equally has some good performances. There is also upside with his legs, as he can break runs if needed. If you are in need of a cover for Lamar Jackson, Jones could be that guy.
Teddy Bridgewater (DEN) v WAS 21.4% rostered
Bridgewater feels like one of those guys that is going to maybe end up being owned by everyone in your league, or even one person several times. He is THE definition of a streaming QB. His level of play does enough to get you points, while not blowing the hinges off. Against the worst team in the league against the position, go for it!
Others to Consider
- Sam Darnold (CAR) @ATL 47.3% rostered
- Jameis Winston (NO) v TB 25.6% rostered
- Carson Wentz (IND) v TEN 22.3% rostered
Kenneth Gainwell (PHI) @DET 26.4% rostered
It feels like every week this season I’ve mentioned Gainwell, and why you need to pick him up. If you didn’t here is where the rubber meets the road. Miles Sanders was carted off the field against the Raiders, and Gainwell has looked good this season. He is going to be THE waiver wire pickup this week.
Rashaad Penny (SEA) v JAX 10.1% rostered
Penny has been on the roster for years, without seeing a massive amount of the field due to injury. At the time of writing he hasn’t played, but given the way the Seahawks attack, and the injury doubts in the Seahawks backfield, e is a worth an add.
Samaje Perine (CIN) @NYJ 7.8% rostered
Perine has stepped up in the Bengals offense, after being given the responsibility in the backfield. He split carries with Joe Mixon last week against the Ravens, and has the Jets up next who are struggling to make any stops on the ground.
Brandon Bolden (NE) @LAC 5.5% rostered
Bolden has really taken the receiving back role in the offense, and made it his own. This past week, he led the team in all receiving statistics. In a PPR league he is worth picking up as a depth piece if nothing else.
Peyton Barber (LV) BYE 2.7% rostered
Barber might be an add that ends up amounting to nothing, but I’d do it if I needed RB depth (and who doesn’t). Josh Jacobs left the game with an injury, and given his injury history could see the sideline beyond his bye week.
Others to Consider
- Mark Ingram (HOU) v LAR 24.7% rostered
- Devonta Freeman (BAL) BYE 17.3% rostered
- DeeJay Dallas (SEA) v JAX 2.4% rostered
- Boston Scott (PHI) @DET 0.7% rostered
- J.J. Taylor (NE) @LAC 0.4% rostered
Marquez Callaway (NO) v TB 47.6% rostered
Callaway is the lead receiver for the Saints (well, excluding Alvin Kamara) and has been causing issues for secondary units all season with his speed. Next up for the Saints are Tampa Bay who have had issues with their secondary this season. If Jameis Winston manages to keep it together it could be a good week.
A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Christian Kirk (ARI) v GB 38.0, 34.6, 30.8% rostered
As with last week, these three need to be considered equally. The Cardinals offense just looks great. Clearly the primary option in the receiving game is DeAndre Hopkins, but picking up a part of it, even just as a depth piece is worth doing. If I was pushed to make a decision, I’d opt for A.J. Green who is really enjoying being the downfield option for the team.
Rashod Bateman (BAL) BYE 17.2% rostered
The Ravens might be entering their bye week, which could mean that you just can’t afford to pick Bateman up to sit on your bench. But, if you have the space on your bench, bring him in. Bateman has looked great since he made it out on the field. Bateman could be one of those mid-season pickups that becomes a league winner.
Russell Gage (ATL) v CAR 9.9% rostered
Gage has not had the season that people would have hoped for so far. The Falcons let go Julio Jones, so the expectation was that Gage would step into a good PPR role. But, after missing time through injury, he caught four of his six targets for 67 yards and a TD. The signs are there that things could be changing on this offense.
Allen Lazard (GB) @ARI 4.6% rostered
Lazard has scored in each of his past two games. The Packers offense flows through Davante Adams, but there is enough to have a second and sometimes third receiver with relevance.
Others to Consider
- Jamison Crowder (NYJ) v CIN 22.2% rostered
- Van Jefferson (LAR) @HOU 7.0% rostered
- Kalif Raymond (DET) v PHI 5.3% rostered
- Byron Pringle (KC) v NYG 0.8% rostered
Ricky Seals-Jones (WAS) @DEN 47.2% rostered
Seals-Jones had another solid game for fantasy, catching six of his seven targets for 51 yards. This feels like it might be the last week I can include him, if he is out there in your league then pick him up.
Evan Engram (NYG) @KC 23.2% rostered
Engram is getting targeted on the New York offense. The issue is that he isn’t being consistent with them. But, if you have been hit with Andrews or Waller out on bye, you could target this matchup with the Chiefs struggling on defense.
Others to Consider
- Tyler Conklin (MIN) v DAL 11.4% rostered
- C.J. Uzomah (CIN) @NYJ 9.4% rostered
- Gerald Everett (SEA) v JAX 5.5% rostered
Washington Football Team @DEN 36.5% rostered
Washington are showing some signs of their ability on defense. The pass rush managed to sack Aaron Rodgers three times this past week, and it could easily have been more, and potentially a safety. Teddy Bridgewater could have a decent performance this week, but Denver have allowed him to be sacked 18 times in the season. Both could be a fine play this week.
Others to consider
- Cincinnati Bengals @NYJ 24.2% rostered
- Chicago Bears v SF 16.7% rostered
Younghoe Koo (ATL) @MIA 49.3% rostered
I wasn’t expecting to be able to talk about Koo again. He is one of the more reliable kickers in the league, with a big leg and accurate. With Koo through his bye week too, PICK HIM UP.
Mason Crosby (GB) @ARI 40.6% rostered
Crosby is a reliable kicker. Yes, I know just two games ago he missed multiple kicks, but that was the exception not the norm. Against a tough Arizona defense on the road, we could see the Packers settling for FGs rather than finishing drives in the endzone.
Others to consider
- Greg Zuerlein (DAL) @MIN 41.4% rostered
- Greg Joseph (MIN) v DAL 8.4% rostered
- Joey Slye (SF) @CHI 0.6$ rostered
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
