Several trades have complicated the fantasy football world after Week 7. The blockbuster trade of the week involved the 49ers acquiring Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey; but, a few other trades, such as James Robinson to the Jets, and more, have given some newer players some shots. Plus, several starters (quarterbacks, running backs, or receivers) were either benched or injured, paving the way for new players to shine. With these new players rising, there were certainly be many fantasy implications. Nearing the midpoint of the fantasy season, it is important, now more than ever, to make the right decisions. Here are the featured waiver wire targets before Week 8.
Note that to qualify for this list, a player needs to be available in at least 50% of fantasy leagues. Depending on the various sizes of fantasy leagues, there could be better or worse options available than the ones listed here. This article will cover leagues with an average of about 10-12 teams.
Gus Edwards, Mecole Hardman Headline Complicated Week 8 Waiver Wire
Running Backs
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
Edwards was a surprise in Week 7 and is now slated to take over the Ravens’ starting job for the rest of the year. JK Dobbins is out for an extended time and could miss the rest of the season. That left the running back role, by committee, to Edwards, Justice Hill, and Kenyan Drake. After a big Week 6, Drake looked poised to be the new starter, but Edwards played far better the following week. Drake had eleven carries but recorded just five yards, while Edwards had a breakout game in his first game back from injury.
Edwards ran 16 times for 66 yards and also two touchdowns. He was just more explosive, and now, it seems like Baltimore will be handing over the majority of carries to Edwards. He is available in 84% of leagues still, but his rostered percentage has increased by 11% in the last day, meaning he’s a hot target.
D’Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers
Foreman had just 12 carries in the Panthers’ first six games but got 15 in Week 7 alone. With those, Foreman ran for 118 yards in the team’s upset win over the Bucs. Foreman also hauled in both of his targets for 27 yards. Foreman and Chuba Hubbard were expected to form a committee after Christian McCaffrey was traded, but Foreman got more carries and targets. Hubbard got nine carries in Week 7 but left early with an injury. Both guys are expected to continue to get a good share of carries/targets, but there is no clear starter yet. Foreman is available in 65% of leagues but that has changed by 32.3% in the last day.
Wide Receivers
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Hardman had a career game against the 49ers in Week 7, tallying three total touchdowns. Over the past three games, Hardman did not finish with less than four targets or less than 12 fantasy points. His most recent game saw him have four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his stellar receiving game, Hardman had two carries for 28 yards, each of which went for a touchdown. His lightning speed helps him break off big chunks of yardage and find the end zone. So far, Hardman has four or more targets in five of seven games, where he has recorded no less than three catches in each. Hardman, as one of the Chiefs’ four featured receivers, will surely see more volume as the year goes on.
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
Campbell may not be having a great season but it is likely that it gets better. His first five weeks saw Campbell never getting more than 8.3 fantasy points in a single game. But in the past two weeks, Campbell has shockingly gotten 23 targets. He hauled in 17 of those for 127 yards and two touchdowns. With Matt Ryan seemingly benched for the rest of the year, Sam Ehlinger is now in line to be Indianapolis’ starter. Campbell presents himself as a veteran option for Ehlinger so a connection and relationship could be developed. It’s a big if, but Campbell could see a sharp uptick in targets if things work out for the Colts.
Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Don’t look now, but the Giants are 6-1 and their offense is always improving. Saquon Barkley has been fantastic all season but the Giants are going to start having to rely on their passing game more. This leaves their top two receivers, Robinson and Slayton, to be rising stars in the Giants’ young but promising offense.
Robinson has played in just three games this year but scored 11+ fantasy points in the most recent two. Slayton, on the other hand, has also had a rough season with injuries but seems to be doing well about every other game. He had six catches for 79 yards in Week 5 and three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. But, in Week’s 4+6, Slayton combined for five total fantasy points. These two could have a few rough games here and there but they should be consistent targets. Pick them up now before it is too late, as both are available in 86% of leagues.
