Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver-Wire Must-Adds

Prepare to spend a decent portion of your budget to acquire running back Chase Edmonds—that's how good he looked in a lead role Sunday against the New York Giants.

He emerged as a fantasy football star, recording the third-most fantasy points (35) among all offensive players and leading running backs in point-per-reception leagues, per FantasyPros.

The Arizona Cardinals started running back David Johnson, but Edmonds took over and put himself on the map with a dominant performance. While owners may have a little skepticism about the stability of his workload alongside an All-Pro talent, the 23-year-old possesses a high ceiling in a significant role.

Managers will have another solid waiver-wire option at running back in Green Bay. In addition, two wideouts have earned flex consideration in the short term.

We'll take a look at six must-add players. They're all owned in fewer than 70 percent of Yahoo pools. The free-agent acquisition bids are based on a $100 budget in 12-team leagues.

QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (64 Percent Owned)

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Kirk Cousins has recorded two consecutive 300-plus yard, four-touchdown passing games. Fantasy managers have to like that. Over the past couple of weeks, the Minnesota Vikings offense hasn't been one-dimensional, with running back Dalvin Cook pounding the football approximately 20 times per game. 

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, wideout Adam Thielen will have an MRI but doesn't think his hamstring injury will keep him out of a Week 8 matchup with the Washington Redskins on Thursday.

Assuming he's OK, the Vikings' aerial attack should continue to roll against a pass defense that allowed 251 yards per game prior to Sunday's rain-soaked matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Washington cornerback Josh Norman also sat out Week 7 because of a thigh ailment. 

As for Cousins, he'll face his former team at home on a hot streak. If you're in need of a top-notch streamer because of bye weeks for Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott, grab the Vikings signal-caller off the waiver wire and plug him into your starting lineup. 

In the best-case scenario, Cousins will continue to utilize Thielen and Stefon Diggs as quality playmakers, which would allow him to hold on to a roster spot for a while. 

Free-Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB): $5

QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (58 Percent Owned)

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Matthew Stafford tore through the Vikings' then-seventh-ranked pass defense Sunday, completing 30 of 45 passes for 364 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception.

Kerryon Johnson went down with knee injury in the first quarter. He was seen wearing a brace and walking with a limp. If the second-year running back misses action, Stafford may continue to throw 40-50 times per contest, which isn't a losing recipe against opponents that struggle to defend the aerial attack.

In the next two weeks, Detroit will match up with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders, who have pass defenses that rank 22nd or worse.

With Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and Marvin Jones Jr.—who is coming off one of his best games, logging 10 receptions for 93 yards and four touchdowns—Stafford projects as a QB1. He played well against a solid unit Sunday, and you can expect him to carve up Big Blue and the Silver and Black in Weeks 8 and 9.

FAAB amount: $5

RB Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals (48 Percent Owned)

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Edmonds didn't just burst onto the scene as a fantasy contributor Sunday. As a backup to Johnson, he touched the ball 18 times for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns from scrimmage in the two outings prior to Week 7.

On Sunday, the Cardinals fed Edmonds as the lead ball-carrier. He ran all over the Giants, logging 27 rushing attempts for 126 yards and three scores.

Of course, the Giants' subpar run defense, which was 24th headed into Sunday, deserves some of the blame for Edmonds' breakout game.

However, the Fordham product has earned some trust with Johnson at less than 100 percent. Two weeks ago, Johnson was battling a back injury. And he appeared on the injury report with an ankle issue prior to Week 7. He logged one carry for two yards against New York, while Edmonds had a career day.

Arizona may lean on the 5'9" 210-pound tailback until the one-time All-Pro is closer to 100 percent. 

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he wants to preserve Johnson for the length of the campaign, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss: "We were just being smart. ... We wanted to make sure that Dave came out of there clean for later on in the season."

At the bare minimum, Edmonds would be a decent flex option with Johnson back in full form. 

FAAB amount: $12

RB Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (60 Percent Owned)

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Last week, Jamaal Williams led the Green Bay Packers in rushing, registering 14 carries for 104 yards. Owners in PPR leagues can also capitalize on his pass-catching skills.

In consecutive weeks, Williams has reeled in a touchdown reception. With the injuries and ineffective play at wide receiver, the third-year running back should continue to handle a decent role in the short passing game.

Wideout Davante Adams remains without a clear timetable for return from turf toe. Geronimo Allison has eclipsed 50 yards just once and went scoreless over the last three outings. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has a high ceiling but a low floor as a big-play option with one or two catches in each game since Week 5.

In Week 6, Allen Lazard flashed during the fourth quarter (four catches, 65 yards and a touchdown), but he took a slight step back Sunday, logging three receptions for 42 yards.

Williams had 10 targets over the last two contests, and his involvement in the ground attack adds some incentive to pick him up.

FAAB amount: $8

WR Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (41 Percent Owned)

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At least for now, it seems the Tennessee Titans made the right decision to bench Marcus Mariota for Ryan Tannehill. The passing offense accumulated a season-high 306 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. 

Secondly, three pass-catchers logged at least 64 receiving yards—that group includes Corey Davis, A.J. Brown and tight end Jonnu Smith. 

Managers should buy early stock in Davis. He's the No. 1 wide receiver on the depth chart, and Tennessee selected him with No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Perhaps the front office will see his potential following a switch at quarterback.

In Week 7, Davis finished with a season-high six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. While acquiring him may seem premature without an established trend of two or more games, the Titans will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. The team allows a league-high 304.5 yards per game.

The 24-year-old wideout has short- and long-term fantasy appeal.

FAAB amount: $6

WR Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals (38 Percent Owned)

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Wide receiver Alex Erickson converted 14 targets into eight receptions for 137 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, but he's not the Cincinnati Bengals player to target. Instead, aim for a consistent focal point in the passing attack.

Quarterback Andy Dalton has targeted Auden Tate at least six times in each of the last five games. He has either accumulated 50 receiving yards or scored a touchdown in every contest during that stretch, and the second-year wideout has assumed a bigger role with John Ross III (collarbone) on injured reserve. 

Tate's steady role ensures a higher floor than that of Erickson, who just arrived on the fantasy radar for deeper leagues. The 6'5", 228-pound pass-catcher provides a physical presence on the perimeter. He's hauled in several receptions with defenders draped all over him. 

Because of his size, Tate should continue to command a large target share until A.J. Green (ankle surgery) or Ross returns to action. The Bengals remain winless, but they're a pass-heavy team, ranking second in attempts per game. That volume gives the Florida State product a chance to produce solid fantasy numbers on a weekly basis.

FAAB amount: $3