Week 8: Waiver Pickups - 2011 Fantasy Football

Week 8 Wavier Wire Pickups - Start & Sit Advice. If you are looking for a free agent or waiver wire pickup for your fantasy football team in Week 8, here are a couple of the best options likely available in your fantasy league. Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups at each starting position are listed, including QB - RB - WR - TE - D. The number before each players name is their overall ranking at their position for week 8 according to my weekly position rankings.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them at my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fantasy-Football-Start-Sit-Lineup-Advice/262183993792691 and get live replies and answers to your questions there.
- Hawk Michaels @ Hawk Fantasy Sports Blog - www.hawkfantasysports.wordpress.com

Week 8 --- QB Rankings --- RB Rankings --- WR Rankings --- TE Rankings --- D Rankings --- Waiver Pickups --- Matchup Picks --- Player Injury Updates

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QUARTERBACK

7. Tim Tebow - Den = Det 64% ----- Tebow continued to show his inaccurate passing arm as he completed just 13 of his 27 passing attempts. However his bread and butter for fantasy football teams also entered the picture last week, as he tallied 8 rushing attempts for 65 yards. And whenever you have a QB who can net a fantasy football lineup 5 plus points just on rushing yards alone, that QB needs to be owned in nearly all fantasy football leagues.

14. Andy Dalton - Cin = @Sea 20% ----- Fresh off the bye week, I fully expect the Bengals offense to take advantage of what has been a very weak Seattle Seahawks defense this week. A healthy AJ Green should have no problem getting open in the Seattle secondary, and Dalton should continue to get him the ball. 200-250 passing yards and 1-2 touchdowns is easily within reach for Dalton in this game.

15. Matt Cassel - KC = SD 41% ----- Cassel was downright awful last week against a so-so Oakland Raiders defense, and a matchup against a San Diego Chargers defense does not look all that inviting this week either. However the Chargers pass defense has not been great either this season, so Cassel should make for a solid gamble start in fantasy football lineups this week if needed.

18. Matt Hasselbeck - Ten = Ind 66% ----- In a blowout game last week for the Titans, Hasselbeck had his worst game of the season by far, and was even replaced by rookie Jake Locker in garbage time. However there really is no reason for the Titans to bench Hasselbeck right now, as he has actually played very well so far this season. Add in a matchup against a terrible Colts defense that just got shredded by Drew Brees and the Saints passing attack last week, and Hasselbeck could be one of the top scoring fantasy football QBs in week 8.

19. Christian Ponder - Min = @Car 9% ----- In his first NFL start last week, Ponder looked more poised and composed than most spectators could have imagined. He tallied a solid 212 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns, while displaying the best air attack that the Vikings offense has had all season. Yes he did also throw 2 interceptions, but that should have been expected anyway against a tough Green Bay Packers defense. A matchup against a weak Carolina Panthers defense this week could have Ponder once again topping the 200 passing yard plateau, and a touchdown or two is definitely within reach as well.

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RUNNING BACK

14. DeMarco Murray - Dal = @Phi 58% ----- Hopefully you checked out my waiver pickups for last week, because Murray was my #1 choice. However even if you didn't grab Murray last week, he is still available in nearly 50% of 10 team leagues, so you will absolutely want to put in your waiver claim for him this week. With a solid passing offense surrounding him to keep defenses honest, Murray has outstanding potential to continue to excel as the Cowboys #1 RB....even when Felix Jones comes back.

17. Ryan Torain - Was = @Buf 57% ----- With Tim Hightower going down in last weeks game with a torn ACL, Torain will inherit the starting RB role in Washington for the time being. That is at least until rookie Roy Helu doesn't start stealing a good chunk of carries. A matchup this week against the so-so Buffalo Bills run defense could easily net Torain something between 50-100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown this week.

18. Bernard Scott - Cin = @Sea 10% ----- With Cedric Benson out this week due to suspension, Scott should pick up the start for the Bengals in this game. Luckily for fantasy football teams in need of a cheap spot starting RB in week 8, Scott has a perfect matchup in store this week, as he could tally stats in the range of 50-100 rushing yards with a touchdown possible as well.

19. Jackie Battle - KC = SD 48% ----- Even though Battle did not excel in last week's game, he did receive the majority of the carries, which means it looks like the Chiefs are serious about making him their #1 RB for the remainder of the season.

20. Pierre Thomas - NO = @StL 50% ----- If DeMarco Murray can put up 250 rushing yards on the Rams defense, then Pierre Thomas has a realistic chance at tallying between 50-100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown this week against the pitiful Rams run defense. Add in Mark Ingram's injury, and Thomas should easily see extra touches, which means fantasy football teams will want to take a must-needed flyer on Thomas this week in their starting lineups.

21. Maurice Morris - Det = @Den 34% ----- Morris got the start for the Lions last week, and he should continue to be the feature back as long as Jahvid Best is out. A matchup this week against the Broncos makes Morris a candidate for 75-100 total yards and 1 touchdown if all goes well.

23. Knowshon Moreno - Den = Det 46% ----- With Willis McGahee suffering a broken hand, Moreno will reclaim the starting RB job in Denver this week. Unfortunately a matchup against a tough Detroit Lions run defense doesn't make him a great upside RB, but he should see enough touches to make him at least flex starter worthy this week.

26. Delone Carter - Ind = @Ten 20% ----- Whether it is the possibility that Carter is just not that great of an RB, or the fact that the Colts offense just simply stinks, the reality of the fact is that Carter should continue to see the majority of the touches in the Colts backfield for the time being. A matchup against a so-so Titans defense could lead to 50-75 total yards for Carter this week.

28. Roy Helu - Was = @Buf 15% ----- Looking at making a championship run in your league? Helu is one RB that could become fantasy football gold during the playoffs. Now is the time to pickup and stash him if you can afford to use a roster spot.

29. Ben Tate - Hou = Jac 43% ----- Tate is clearly one of the best, if not the best, backup running in the NFL right now. Even with just 10 touches per game he has the potential to tally 50 yards and a touchdown.

30. Montario Hardesty - Cle = @SF 36% ----- Even though Peyton Hillis is not leaving the Browns offense this season, Hardesty is still a solid backup RB to own in several fantasy football leagues right now.

36. Javon Ringer - Ten = Ind 3% ----- While Chris Johnson continues to struggle to pick up yards, Ringer continues to steal carries and touchdowns. A matchup against an awful Colts defense this week, could have Ringer tallying 10-15 touches, with 50-75 total yards and 1 touchdown within reach. At just 3% owned, Ringer is probably the cheapest RB option in all fantasy football leagues that teams in desperate need of an RB this week will want to take a gamble on and pickup and start.

38. Leon Washington - Sea = Cin 4% ----- With Marshawn Lynch battling a back injury, Washington could see his touches increase this week.

47. Alfonso Smith - Ari = @Bal 1% ----- Smith could be the Cardinals starting RB this week if Beanie Wells does indeed miss this game with a knee injury.

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WIDE RECEIVER

20. Malcom Floyd - SD = @KC 60% ----- Floyd has not been great at all this season, but a matchup against a weak Kansas City Chiefs secondary could lead to big things for him and Philip Rivers this week.

21. Antonio Brown - Pit = NE 30% ----- Slowly taking over as the Steelers #2 WR, Brown emerged with a 100 receiving yard game last week, and a matchup against a poor New England Patriots secondary this week could easily have Brown topping the 100 yard mark again as the Steelers are sure to air the ball out a ton in this game.

25. David Nelson - Buf = Was 43% ----- Playing second fiddle at WR alongside Stevie Johnson, Nelson is always a threat to rack up receiving yards and a touchdown. This weeks matchup against the Redskins has all the makings for Nelson topping the 75 receiving yard mark, and a touchdown is very possible as well.

31. Lance Moore - NO = @StL 56% ----- Someone in the Saints receiving corps will have a huge game this week, and at around just 50% owned in 10 team leagues, Lance Moore is one widely available free agent who is an excellent upside WR3 starting option in fantasy football lineups this week.

34. Torrey Smith - Bal = Ari 48% ----- The matchup is extremely juicy for the Ravens passing attack this week, and the speedy Torrey Smith could easily pull an Antonio Brown who tallied 100 receiving yards against the Arizona Cardinals last week.

35. Jerome Simpson - Cin = @Sea 18% ----- Dalton's second favorite passing target, Simpson is always a threat to tally receiving yards. A matchup against a weak Seahawks secondary could easily lead to 50-75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown for Simpson in this game.

36. Demaryius Thomas - Den = Det 9% ----- In his first game of the season last week, Thomas quickly tallied a touchdown. With Tim Tebow chucking away, Thomas and his size should win several battles for jump balls in the secondary.

38. Jabar Gaffney - Was = @Buf 19%

49. Emmanuel Sanders - Pit = NE 5%

57. Michael Jenkins - Min = @Car 8% ----- Jenkins was clearly Christian Ponder's target of choice in last weeks game. The potential is there for Jenkins to become the Vikings #1 WR if Percy Harvin continues to miss time with random injuries.

59. Damian Williams - Ten = Ind 3%

61. Ted Ginn Jr - SF = Cle 9%

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TIGHT END

8. Fred Davis - Was = @Buf 67% ----- With Santana Moss breaking his hand and out for at least a month, Davis should be one of the Redskins passing targets to gain the most. 5 receptions for 75 receiving yards seems like a safe bet, and a touchdown is definitely within reach as well.

9. Jermaine Gresham - Cin = @Sea 43% ----- Excellent matchup for the Bengals passing attack this week, and Gresham should see plenty of targets as Andy Dalton's safety blanket. Add in his red zone presence, and Gresham is a solid gamble to tally a TD in this game as well.

13. Jared Cook - Ten = Ind 35%

14. Ed Dickson - Bal = Ari 23%

15. Visanthe Shiancoe - Min = @Car 19% ----- With rookie Christian Ponder at QB, Shiancoe could easily become Ponder's favorite short yardage option in the passing game.

16. Jake Ballard - NYG = Mia 12% ----- A no-name TE entering the 2011 fantasy football season, Ballard has taken over as Eli Manning's favorite dump off option, as well as a solid red zone TD option.

17. Daniel Fells - Den = Det 1% ----- Fells was clearly Tim Tebow's favorite target in last weeks game. So if you are in need of a spot starting TE this week, Fells is one higher flyer option who at just 1% owned is worth picking up and chancing in deep leagues this week.

18. Scott Chandler - Buf = Was 25%

20. Heath Miller - Pit = NE 31%

22. Evan Moore - Cle = @SF 2%

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DEFENSE

4. New York Giants = Mia 67% ----- The Miami Dolphins offense is terrible, and Matt Moore could easily get sacked 3-5 times in this game, with an interception or two easily possible as well.

6. Houston Texans = Jac 61% ----- The Texans defense came up big in last weeks game, and a matchup against a weak Jaguars scoring offense and rookie Blaine Gabbert, could have the Texans defense tallying one of the best fantasy football scoring outputs again this week.

7. San Diego Chargers = @KC 50% ----- You never really know with the Chargers defense, but the matchup seems to show that the Chargers could tally a few sacks and force a couple turnovers in this game.

8. Cincinnati Bengals = @Sea 25% ----- If Charlie Whitehurst starts at QB again this week, the Cincinnati Bengals defense could quite possibly be the #1 scoring fantasy football defense this week. At just 25% owned in 10 team leagues, the Cincinnati Bengals defense is one defense that is starter worthy in nearly all fantasy football leagues this week.

9. Buffalo Bills = Was 19% ----- With John Beck starting at QB, and the loss of Santana Moss and Tim Hightower in the Redskins offense, the Buffalo Bills defense has an opportunity to reward fantasy football teams in need of a spot starting defense this week.

14. Tennessee Titans = Ind 21% ----- As usual, any defense going up against the Indianapolis Colts offense is starter worthy......and yes that even includes the Tennessee Titans defense this week.