Waiver Wire Pickups and The Dump List for Week 8

Pickups

Rashad Jennings, RB, JAC – With Blaine Gabbert going down it was really something to see Jacksonville take this game to overtime. Jennings played almost the entire game and totaled over 100 all-purpose yards as well as a TD.  He won’t be stellar but any back that is due for a starter’s work load is DEFINITELY worth owning. He also has a decent amount of talent but will be limited by the rest of the offense.  He has the potential to be a #2 back for fantasy owners.

Santana Moss, WR, WAS – Moss has 4 TDs in 5 games and with Fred Davis headed to IR with an Achilles injury, someone has to get those targets.  Moss is the best possession receiver they have and I think he should have more value in PPR formats. I think he will be a viable flex option next week vs a Pittsburgh secondary that can be had, considering there are 4 teams on bye.

LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, ARI – This is another guy on a pretty bad offense that has a low ceiling but he is the first Cardinals back to put together a decent game all season and I would find it hard to imagine that he isn’t the better fantasy back until week 12 at the soonest, when Beanie Wells is eligible to return.  He had 20 carries for over 100 yards and a score.  He also had a surprising 45 yards receiving to throw in and if he can be effective in the passing game, he will be a flex-worthy option during bye weeks or injuries.

Dustin Keller, TE, NYJ – The Jets offense was able to move the ball against New England because the Patriots secondary is pretty terrible. But Keller is their most talented receiver and he is definitely going to lead the team in red zone targets in weeks where he is healthy.  I’ll be ranking him as a top 10 guy against the Dolphins next week, in all likelihood.

Montario Hardesty, RB, CLE – I am no medical expert but when Vick had rib cartilage problems, it was a pain management issue. If he can’t lower his head and attack defenders like he’s been so far this season, he will continue to play fewer snaps than you want to see. This could be really annoying to watch from week to week but for now I am not sure Richardson suits up next week and that means Hardesty is worth an expendable roster spot until we know more.

Josh Gordon, WR, CLE – Another big play from Gordon this week and it’s becoming painfully obvious that there is a connection between him and Brandon Weeden that is at least producing fantasy points. That’s as far as I’ll go because I feel like this bubble has to burst at some point but for the time being, he could be a great bye week plug-in with a good match-up. And if he does continue to make plays, he has some pretty nice match ups at the start of the fantasy playoffs.

Dump List

William Powell, RB, ARI – There was no pre-game indication that Powell was playing back up but Stephens-Howling got almost all the work and made the most of it.  As I said above, I would be really surprised if it wasn’t Stephens-Howling’s job to lose.

Jerome Simpson, WR, MIN – In case you weren’t already on-board, his upside has just vanished.  Harvin carries the load in the passing game with Rudolph assisting and this just in, Adrian Peterson is really good and needs touches.

Kendall Wright, WR, TEN – Britt is the only Titans receiver I want to own.  Despite the win, I don’t really want to be a part of what this offense is doing right now.  Chris Johnson is NOT back yet and I expect I’ll be screaming it all week.  Buffalo’s defense is terrible and there was not a lot of opportunity for receivers in this game.  Only Nate Washington put together a note-worthy day but I’d still be looking to trade him while you can.

Domenik Hixon, WR, NYG – Not sure why almost 40% of leagues have this guy owned but that’s too much.  Nicks is healthy and will be in there on every snap with Cruz. Neither Hixon or Barden are worth a roster spot right now.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET – I was stunned to see that he was at 80% ownership. I wouldn’t be clinging to him any longer folks. I don’t think he changes my mind tonight either but unless its a HUGE game, you can drop him to play the weekly match-up game.