5 players to prioritize on the waiver wire for Week 8

It’s often easy to find yourself overwhelmed each week as you look at the waiver wire, wondering which player—or players, mind you—you should be adding to your fantasy football roster and spending your precious FAAB money on. All I hope with this article is that I can help you step away from the crippling panic you may find yourself in, and offer some clarity as to who deserves your FAAB money and attention this week on waivers.

Here are my top five waiver prioritize, in order, along with what percentage of your FAAB I think you should be directing towards them (percent rostered in Yahoo leagues, under 50% rostered).

1. Sterling Shepard (29% rostered, 15% FAAB budget)

Shepard has been dealing with turf-toe for most of the season but finally saw his first action since Week 2 Thursday night against the Eagles and casually led the Giants in targets and catches going six for eight for 59 yards and a touchdown. The Giants passing game looked much better with Shepard on the field and it seems he could be the team’s No. 1 wideout if he remains healthy. Adding a WR1 to your roster in Week 8 is a move that could be the difference maker for a fantasy championship run.

2. Cole Beasley (41% rostered, 15% FAAB budget)

Let me jump up on my Cole Beasley soap box for a hot second. First off, Beasley is the WR22 in .5PPR leagues and yet is still under 50% rostered somehow. The man is averaging 11.2 .5PPR points per game and has seen either 100 yards receiving or a touchdown in four of his last give games (and he still managed to score double digit points in the week which he didn’t go over 100 or catch a touchdown). He is the number two receiver for the Bills and should be treated as a reliable WR2 in fantasy. Go. Get. Him.

3. Brandon Aiyuk (49% rostered, 15% FAAB budget)

Honestly, Aiyuk might be my top waiver add this week simply for his Week 8 matchup. I know people are worried about his usage, yet even with a small workload, Aiyuk has managed to produce fantasy worthy outings every week. And he’s coming off his best game of his career in which he caught six balls on seven targets for 115 yards against the Patriots. With Deebo Samuel set to miss time, Aiyuk has a chance to build off his Week 7 outing and post even better numbers against the terrible Seahawks defense.

4. Carlos Hyde (12% rostered, 12% FAAB budget)

There’s optimism that Chris Carson won’t miss too much time with his ankle injury but fantasy football is a week-to-week game and even if Carson misses just one week, Hyde is worth rostering. In Carson’s place Sunday night, Hyde ran for 68 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while also catching three balls for eight yards. Make sure you monitor both Carson and Hyde’s situation (Hyde is dealing with a tight hamstring from Week 8).

5. Tevin Coleman (27% rostered, 10% FAAB budget)

Coleman is a risky play, but the payout could be HUGE. Currently, Coleman is on IR but he’s set to come off this week and could be ready to go for Week 8 against the Seahawks. The 49ers backfield has sustained more injuries than the Black Knight yet no matter who Kyle Shanahan starts back there, they produce. And we know Shanahan LOVES himself some Tevin Coleman. Even with Jerick McKinnon and rookie JaMycal Hasty presumably healthy, Coleman might offer the most upside given his history with Shanahan. If you’re not looking to risk it for the biscuit, Hasty is also well worth adding.