Well Rush Nation, half way is fast approaching this. When I write this next week, we will be into the second half of the NFL season/Fantasy Football season. This is the point of the year where Waiver Wire pickups are the most important. Make the right move and it could propel you into the playoffs. Make the wrong move and it could cost you your last chance to make ground and get in.

That is why I always target players who are not on players radars. The under 30% owned threshold (on ESPN.com) means you are more than likely able to get these players. And if not, there is trades and alternatives. 

So here we are, with my top Waiver Wire picks for Week Eight:

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr- 25.7% Owned @CLE Week 8

Derek Carr has played well this year. He is averaging just under 300 yards per game passing, has a TD/INT ratio of 13/2 and is averaging a completion rate of around 70%. He faces the Browns this week, who can be passed on. I think for streaming options, or for a season long play, Derek Carr is a steady and consistent play.

Teddy Bridgewater- 29.8% Owned vs. ATL Week 8

If I was to tell you Mr. Checkdown Teddy Bridgewater is 5th in passing yards and 7th amongst active Quarterbacks this season in yards per attempt, you wouldn’t believe me. But he is. He has just under 2,000 passing yards in 6 games. He also gets to face one of the worst defenses I have ever seen in the Atlanta Falcons this week. Should be a match-up to exploit.

Running Backs

Tevin Coleman- 19.9% Owned @SEA Week 8

Coleman is expected to come off IR this week. Which, if he does, he should be going straight into your lineups. Mostert is on IR, Jeff Wilson has gone down with the same injury Mostert has, McKinnon had 3 attempts for -1 yard on Sunday, and Hasty is a Undrafted Free Agent. IF Coleman is active, this is a smash play as Seattle’s defense couldn’t stop anything or anyone right now. Plus, Jamal Adams might still not be fit.

Carlos Hyde- 5% Owned vs. SF Week 8

Another injury reserve to collect is Carlos Hyde. Chris Carson has a mid-foot sprain from last nights game. As a result, you could see Hyde get the start. With DeeJay Dallas and Rashaad Penny banged up, Carson could collect the majority of the touches in this offense.

Wide Receivers

Brandon Aiyuk- 20.7% Owned @SEA Week 8

A career day for the rookie who went 6/115 off 7 targets. He finally looks like an NFL receiver. With Deebo Samuel leaving the game and the 49ers having the Seahawks next week, Aiyuk can easily repeat the numbers he saw this week. Or better them.

Rashard Higgins- 0.2% Owned vs. LV Week 8

Rashard Higgins has the potential to be the new alpha receiver for the Browns. In his two games prior to Week Seven, he caught a Touchdown. Now, with OBJ having a serious knee injury, it could be time for Higgins to have a much bigger role. He started that by going 6/101 on Sunday. Against the Raiders, with the apparent chemistry he has with Baker Mayfield, I expect Higgins to be a factor for as long as OBJ is out.

Tight Ends

Trey Burton- 6.5% Owned @DET Week 8

Burton comes off the bye this week after two touchdowns the week before. If you didn’t get him last week and stashed him, you might have to pay even more for him this week. He looks like he could find the end zone against Detroit.

Richard Rogers- 4.0% Owned vs. DAL Week 8

With Goedert and Ertz likely out till mid November until the earliest, this looks like Rogers show at Tight End. He delivered on Thursday Night Football and is likely to be active and busy once again. With the Eagles struggling with injuries and no one really monopolising targets, Rogers should be finding several targets and end zone looks this week again the worst defense in the NFL in the Dallas Cowboys.

Kicker

Tyler Bass- 5.4% Owned vs. NE Week 8

Bass went 6/8 Field Goals on Sunday as he kicked all the points in a poor showing win vs the Jets. This week he has New England and the opportunity to kick more field goals. Looks like a solid play to stream at Kicker this week off the Waiver Wire.

D/ST

Detroit Lions- 2.1% Owned vs IND Week 8

Why the Lions? Well, they are at home, they are under 30% owned. And they play one of the worst offenses in the NFL vs the Colts. Streaming D/STs off the Waiver Wire this week is not easy, given most are over 30% owned. If you can find the Chargers, Cardinals or Bills, they would be my pick this week. However, the Lions could surprise and lead you to a top 7 finish at the position. 

That’s it for the Waiver Wire this week. Don’t forget to check out the Waiver Wire Podcast out later today to hear some more picks. Navigate the Waiver Wire well and you will win more games.

So, until next time Rush Nation, Keep Rushing!

– Murf (@Murf_NFL)