Every week, I put together a Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet for my subscribers that recommends players to consider adding either by spending waiver priority or blind bidding dollars, or simply waiting until waivers clear and scooping them up for free.
The following players are rostered in less than 50%—or near 50%—of Yahoo leagues. They are on this list because their recent usage—or injuries ahead of them—suggest they'll be fantasy relevant moving forward.
Obviously, keep your own league settings, rosters and needs in mind when choosing who to prioritize and whether or not you should spend priority on them, but these are common free agents that can provide a spark in week 8 or simply add depth to your roster.
RB Cam Akers (49%)
Cam Akers handled 12 touches on Monday Night Football which, although that doesn't sound like a lot, it's particularly notable that presumed backfield leader Alexander Mattison handled just 10 touches in the same game.
It's a near even, 50/50 split in the backfield right now, but Mattison is far from a "sure thing" and Akers has long possessed the talent to be a lead back in the NFL.
If you could use some help at RB, Cam Akers is worth a waiver claim this week.
RB Darrell Henderson (24%)
Old friend Darrell Henderson came off the couch and handled 19 touches—including 1 catch on 2 targets—for 66 scrimmage yards and 1 TD (13.6 PPR points).
Henderson led the Rams backfield in touches and looks like the guy going forward. He has a tough matchup in Dallas in week 8 but a great matchup vs the Packers in week 9.
Whether or not he's worthy of your waiver priority or blind bidding dollars depends entirely on how desperate you are at running back. He won't be a recommended RB 3/flex in week 8, but could offer some matchup-based appeal in week 9.
RB Emari Demercado (14%)
The Cardinals pivoted back to UDFS Emari Demercado in week 7, handling 17 touches—including 4 catches on 5 targets—for 75 scoreless yards.
He was the unquestioned RB 1 as Keaontay Ingram was completely inactive and Damien Williams had just 1 touch.
Demercado has a tough matchup in week 8 against Baltimore, but Demercado at least belongs on rosters.
That said, he will not be a recommended RB 3/flex play in any of the next 3 games due to tough matchups. I don't recommend spending priority unless you're absolutely desperate.
WR Josh Downs (36%)
Josh Downs and Gardner Minshew go together like buffalo wings and ranch (miss me with the blue cheese...).
In 4 games that Minshew did not start, Downs is averaging 5.25 targets, 3.75 catches, 49.5 yards, and 8.7 PPR points per game with 0 TDs and 3 games under 8 PPR points.
In 3 games that Minshew did start, Downs is averaging 8.67 targets, 6 catches, 67.67 yards and 16.77 PPR points with 1 TD and 3 of 3 games over 13 PPR points, including 20+ in week 7.
Whether or not he's worthy of your waiver priority or blind bidding dollars depends entirely on how desperate you are at wide receiver. he has some tough matchups coming up in the Saints (holding WRs to the 13th fewest PPR points per game), Panthers (11th fewest) and Patriots (14th fewest).
Want more?
For the remaining 13 players, use this easy-access Cheat Sheet!
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