Week 8 Waiver Wire: Smart Last-Second Pickups to Boost Your Lineup

If kickoff for the early slate of games is rapidly approaching and there are still massive holes in your fantasy lineup, there is no reason to panic. There are several solutions to this problem.

The waiver wire holds a few players who will turn in productive performances, despite being largely unnoticed for most of the season. Fantasy owners who had the foresight to pick up Arizona Cardinal’s running back LaRod Stephens-Howling last week know this to be true. 

However, this week Stephens-Howling is unfortunately facing the San Francisco 49ers, and new players are ready to become the next trendy option on the waiver wire.

Here are the players who can help your lineup this week.

Note: all fantasy points against statistics per NFL.com.

Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts 

The Colts’ rookie tight end was considered a sleeper in the preseason because of his chemistry with fellow rookie and Stanford alum Andrew Luck.

He has yet to post double-digit points in standard scoring leagues or get into the end zone, though. His production has been disappointing and this has caused him to be owned in just 24.8 percent of ESPN leagues.

This week, he will be in a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans, who have been gashed by opposing tight ends this season. The Tennessee defense has allowed an average of 14.44 points per game to TEs—highest in the league.

Fleener stands at excellent chance to post his first touchdown catch in the NFL and fantasy owners looking for a quick fix on Sunday morning would be wise to add him to their lineup.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sanders has not had a standout fantasy performance this season and that has allowed him to still be available in 98.4 percent of ESPN leagues. 

The Steelers passing game has focused on Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller, leaving Sanders to pick up the scraps. Still, he has been targeted 33 times this season, which is significantly more than any other Steeler besides the three main options.

This gives Sanders value in certain matchups. Pittsburgh is playing the Washington Redskins, who have allowed more fantasy points to wide receivers than any other team.

Ben Roethlisberger will be able to get everyone involved this week, and Sanders will have his most productive game of the season.

Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns

Gordon has already started to emerge as a fantasy starter and is owned in 47.9 percent of ESPN leagues. If you're lucky enough to be in a league where he is available, pick him up for this week. 

Rookie wide receivers are often frustratingly inconsistent, and all fantasy owners can do is play them when they have been a part of the offense in recent weeks and are going against soft a defense. 

Gordon was targeted 10 times against the Indianapolis Colts last week, and the Browns are facing the San Diego Chargers, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

This may not be the season that Gordon emerges as a reliable fantasy option, but he will be valuable this week against San Diego.