Week 8 Waiver Wire: Why Fantasy Football Owners Must Add DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray won't rush for 253 yards every week, but his record-setting performance against the St. Louis Rams in the Cowboys' 34-7 win is enough reason for Dallas to keep him as their feature back and for you to get on on your fantasy football roster.

The rookie runner out of Oklahoma demonstrated similar big-play ability in college and now he's finally getting a chance to shoulder the majority of the running load for a team that needs to run the football.

Home-run hitters like Murray are always one or two snaps away from a very productive day for fantasy football owners.

Remember that.

I'm aware how bad the St. Louis run defense has been. I just don't think this was an aberration for Murray (ranked 32nd in the NFL).

Looking ahead to Dallas' upcoming schedule, they face Philadelphia's 23nd ranked run defense—that's improving—but had been thrashed by the 49ers and Bills in consecutive weeks.

Then they get the Seahawks, who are allowing a respectable but not intimidating 105 yards on the ground per game.

After that, they face Buffalo's 30th ranked run defense.

Think this is a great time for Murray to keep his momentum going?

Felix Jones could be out another two to three weeks and he hasn't shown the ability to stay on the field early in his career.

Murray is a bit taller than Jones, but at 215 lbs. he possesses ideal size for Dallas' running style.

He can occasionally gain chunks of yardage between the tackles (as he did frequently against the Rams) but has the lateral quickness and burst around the corner to consistently make the stretch plays and sweeps more effective for the Cowboys.

For the remainder of the season, the Cowboys still have five divisional games left.

The best run defense of their NFC East foes is currently the Redskins', but they're far from stout stopping the run, allowing nearly 118 yards on the ground per contest.

For as much Dallas likes to throw the football down the field with all their receiving weapons, they'd much rather have a more balanced attack that can take pressure off Tony Romo in the second half.

All these signs point to DeMarco Murray as a prime candidate for a waiver wire pick-up.

He'll be the go-to guy on a Cowboys team that's looking to establish the run and there are many susceptible run defenses ahead.

I'm adding him right now.