Week 8 Waiver Wire: Top Adds, Drops and Long-Term Fantasy Sleeper Targets

No matter how much information and expert analysis is out there, fantasy football is still far from being an exact science.

Case in point: Lamar Miller of the Houston Texans.

After struggling with injuries this season, the veteran running back defied all expectations and had a breakout week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries and logged his first rushing touchdown for a season high in fantasy points (17).

No one saw that coming.

The jury is still out on whether or not owners should bet on Miller having another big day when the Texans host the Miami Dolphins this coming Thursday.

Week 8 signals the halfway mark of the fantasy regular season and offers owners the chance to tweak their rosters with players on the waiver wire who might have a surprising outing like Miller did in Week 7.

Week 8 Waiver-Wire Targets

Derek Carr, QB, OAK

Case Keenum, QB, DEN

Brock Osweiler, QB, MIA 

Doug Martin, RB, OAK

Jalen Richard, RB, OAK

Marlon Mack, RB, IND

Raheem Mostert, RB, SF

Ito Smith, RB, ATL

Tre'Quan Smith, WR, NO

Jordy Nelson, WR, OAK

Martavis Bryant, WR, OAK

Geronimo Allison, WR, GB

Danny Amendola, WR, MIA

Vance McDonald, TE, PIT

Ben Watson, TE, NO

Jeff Heuerman, TE, DEN

Week 8 Drops

Andy Dalton, QB, CIN

Peyton Barber, RB, TB

Corey Clement, RB, PHI

Marshawn Lynch, RB, OAK

Albert Wilson, WR, MIA

Keke Coutee, WR, HOU

Cameron Brate, TE, TB

Brock Osweiler, QB, Miami Dolphins

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

With Ryan Tannehill down with injury, Brock Osweiler will be starting his third consecutive game.

So far, he's been more than serviceable, throwing for 619 yards and five touchdowns in his two starts. This week Osweiler is facing his former team, the Houston Texans, who traded him and a second-round pick to the Cleveland Browns last year.

While Osweiler said that it is "just another game" when talking to reporters Monday, owners should know that's not altogether true. Look for Osweiler to fare well against the Texans' less-than-stellar pass defense.

Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders

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Marshawn Lynch is out with a groin injury, so the next man up in the backfield is Doug Martin. Beast Mode averaged 17.5 touches per game, and Martin should get at least 14 of those to start out. If he can come close to Lynch's production, he'll be a great pickup for an owner looking for a steal.

Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins

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Danny Amendola may not be in Foxboro anymore, but he's starting to come into his own down in Miami. Last week, he totaled 84 yards on six catches and scored a touchdown.

This coming week, with injuries to Albert Wilson and possibly Kenny Stills, Amendola will have to take on the lion's share of targets. That means there are more points on the fantasy board to rack up for the owners who can snatch him up on the waive wire.

Ito Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons

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Injuries are pretty commonplace in the NFL, which is why owners have to be quick on the draw when they happen. Devonta Freeman is out for the Atlanta Falcons, so Ito Smith has moved into the backup role behind Tevin Coleman.

Monday night against the Giants, he only had 16 yards on seven carries, but those numbers should go up with the volume of touches he'll get. Keep in mind that Smith has scored three touchdowns over his last four outings.

All scoring info, points-against info and ownership stats courtesy of Yahoo standard leagues.