Week 8 Waiver Wire: Why Jaguars' RB Rashad Jennings Is a Smart Pickup

Rashad Jennings is the most attractive potential waiver wire pickup in Week 8.

When a big-time RB like Maurice Jones-Drew goes down with an injury, it's only natural to look at his backup as a viable replacement for your fantasy team.

Jennings' appeal is augmented by a few factors.

The Jags are not a good offensive team. No team has scored fewer points or gained fewer yards. Their 546 yards rushing this season isn't overwhelming, but the number is decreased because the team has been trailing so often through the early part of the season.

The run game is the best aspect of this offense.

Jennings will get his touches, and he's proven he has the ability to produce when he's had the opportunities.

In 2010, he recorded two 100-yard games for the Jags. He scored four touchdowns in 84 carries, and one of the scores came on a 76-yard run against the Oakland Raiders.

On Sunday—coincidentally against the Raiders—Jennings came on for the injured Maurice Jones-Drew and generated 102 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

He only rushed for 44 yards, but he caught seven passes for 58 yards. Jennings is a dual threat with the ability to grab fantasy points as a runner or receiver.

Also, he may not just be a temporary option for fantasy owners. Although MJD's injury wasn't called a Lisfranc fracture, no timetable has been set for his return, per Jaguars Insider:

"

Jones-Drew says he has no timetable for return. Gabbert ready to get back to work and start on Sunday.

— jaguarsinsider (@jaguarsinsider) October 24, 2012"

Let's take a look at this situation more closely: MJD was a training camp holdout, per ESPN and seemingly unhappy in Jacksonville. The team is an abysmal 1-5 and headed for a disastrous season. MJD doesn't have a ton of motivation to rush back.

This could be Jennings' job for a while—possibly even the remainder of the season. If he's available and you have a need, grab him.

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