Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Who To Pick Up in Week 8

With the end of October upon us now, fantasy football owners are starting to make a fair assessment of what their team will look like throughout the remainder of the season. Some owners may be looking ahead to 2011 (assuming there is NFL football), and some are riding high with a hot start, while others are somewhere in between.

Regardless of your record, if you work the waiver wire correctly, adding solid players with a nice remaining schedule, you can bring yourself one step close to dominance.

With that in mind, here are our recommendations for Week 8 waiver wire “Pick Them Ups.”

Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Freeman went 23-for-40 for 212 yards with a touchdown in Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams. He also had five carries for 40 yards in the game. Freeman has thrown just one interception over his last three games and has scored double-digit fantasy points in five out of six games this season, including at least 15 four times. 

His ability as a runner enhances his fantasy potential, as does a fairly favorable upcoming schedule (Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, and San Francisco). 

Since Freeman was in our “Pick Them Up” article two weeks ago, his ownership percentage in Yahoo! leagues has only risen nine percent, so he could still be available in your league if you need a bye week fill-in with some upside over the next few weeks.

LeGarrette Blount (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Blount led the Buccaneers in carries in Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams with 11, and he was quite effective as he tallied 72 yards. 

Tampa Bay’s coaching staff had planned on giving Blount an increased role, and that finally came to fruition. Given the fact he averaged nearly seven yards per carry against the Rams, Blount’s role may continue to grow.

Couple that with a couple of favorable matchups coming up in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, and Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, and you have yourself a waiver wire running back that is worth rostering. Blount is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues and we expect that to immediately change.

James Jones (Green Bay Packers)

Jones was held without a catch in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, however, he rode a nice start to a four-reception, 107 yard effort against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7.

Jones has at least four catches to go along with 55 yards in three of his last five games, and with tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) out for the season, and wide receiver Donald Driver showing signs of slowing down, he should continue to see a fairly significant role in the Packers passing game.

Jones is worth considering in 12-team leagues if you need a bye-week replacement over the next few weeks.

To see who else you should pick up this week go here: Week 8 Pick Them Up