Every Tuesday, Sportsnet fantasy analyst Andy McNamara will highlight the best sleeper and waiver wire picks of the week. And if you’re looking for more fantasy football advice, message him on Twitter using #AskAndy.
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens are the only teams on bye this week, but that still eliminates a good chunk of fantasy stars for Week 8. The likes of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram II all take a seat.
Add in a splattering of new injuries throughout the NFL, and we’ve got some work to do for your fantasy lineup.
Below is at least one sleeper or waiver wire pickup for each position group.
Jets stack
Yes, you read that right.
QB: Sam Darnold (Owned in 34 per cent of Yahoo! leagues and Draft Kings salary of $5,500)
WR: Jamison Crowder (Owned in 57 per cent of Yahoo! leagues and Draft Kings salary of $4,800)
Listen below to find out why this Jets tandem makes sense, as well as a bonus fantasy QB to consider.
RB: Ty Johnson, Detroit Lions
Owned in 4 per cent of Yahoo! leagues
Draft Kings salary of $4,900
Ty Johnson can’t be considered a sleeper, but does qualify as an RB you need to make sure you get on your roster. If you’re in an auction waiver wire league then pay up. Johnson becomes an immediate RB2 with the announcement Kerryon Johnson missing time.
The rookie is a favourite of Lions coaches and is the heir apparent for a bell cow backfield roll with the injury. A juicy matchup against the Giants’ 27th-ranked fantasy run defence awaits. If the hot and cold Detroit offense can get up early on New York then there will be an even greater chance of Johnson grabbing extra touches.
Other RB to watch
Washington sophomore Derrius Guice is back practising and, according to multiple reports, is looking dynamic in his cuts. At 30 per cent ownership in Yahoo! Leagues, he’s worth a stash in your IR slot, especially considering the jolt he could give to that anaemic Redskins “attack.”
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TE: Ricky Seals-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Owned in 3 per cent of Yahoo! leagues
Draft Kings salary of $3,100
There’s not much love for the Cleveland Browns after losing their last two games, but don’t let those defeats blind you to the upside of the athletic Ricky Seals-Jones, especially with the shallow overall tight end pool.
Over three weeks, Seals-Jones shone as a playmaker versus Baltimore and Seattle in place of the injured David Njoku. In those matchups, he combined for a pair of touchdowns, nine receptions and averaged 15.45 fantasy points in PPR formats. Is this a fluke? Perhaps, but I feel the converted WR is the perfect end-zone fade mismatch or jump-ball chain mover at six-foot-five and 243 pounds.
The Patriots will surely look to double-team Odell Beckham Jr. and limit Jarvis Landry, all the while trying to keep the dangerous Nick Chubb in check. I like the odds of Seals-Jones getting some open looks and a chance at scoring again – even against that nasty New England defence.
K: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Owned in 5 per cent of Yahoo! Leagues
Two of the better kickers in Justin Tucker (Ravens) and Brett Maher (Cowboys) are on bye. Amazingly, Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell is available in 95 per cent of Yahoo! leagues.
The veteran leg man is averaging 10 fantasy points in four of his last five outings. Boswell’s matchup versus the hapless Dolphins makes him a must-play if you need kicker help.
DST: Green Bay Packers
Owned in 61 per cent of Yahoo! leagues
Green Bay is the most dropped DST in season-long Yahoo! leagues coming out of the weekend. Fantasy players need to reconsider as the Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs with backup QB Matt Moore under centre.
The cheeseheads’ D under Mike Pettine was producing nine or more fantasy points in five straight weeks before dipping to low single digit totals after their past pair of games. Huge chance here for Green Bay to make K.C. one dimensional and feast.
