Week 8 Waiver Wire: Jackie Battle and 5 Moves To Save Your Season

One week of solid production didn’t sell me on unknown Kansas City Chiefs running back Jackie Battle.

Even with the ACL injury to Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs still had Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster to make Battle irrelevant in the fantasy world.

After rushing for 76 yards on 16 carries against the Raiders, I think it’s safe to say this guy is drifting towards must-start every-week status.

The two other backs didn’t have nearly the production, and it’s clear the Chiefs prefer to run the ball early and often.

Battle was denied two potential scores because of vulture efforts by fullback Le’Ron McClain and an odd, direct snap to Javier Arenas for a seven-yard TD.

Regardless, Battle is the real deal, and is a must-start for the remainder of the season.

Here are four other little-known players poised to keep up their big-time production:

DeMarco Murray, RB: Dallas Cowboys

A no-brainer, Murray’s 253 yards almost matched the entire output of Felix Jones’ season.

Sure he doesn’t get to play the horrendous Rams run defense every week, but he’s clearly the man going forward—regardless of when Jones returns.

Love the combination of power and speed from the rookie.

Bernard Scott, RB: Cincinnati Bengals

This is a guy who needs to be picked up ASAP. Cedric Benson is out due to suspension and Scott is the next man in line.

He has the speed to elude tacklers on the edge and is also capable of catching three to five balls out of the backfield.

He’s playing a Seattle team this week that has one of the stingiest run defenses in the league, but any player scheduled to get 20 or so touches is a must-start in the midst of all the bye weeks.

Montario Hardesty, RB: Cleveland Browns

This is based partially off what happens with Peyton Hillis. The Madden cover boy is still dealing with a hamstring injury and will likely miss at least another week.

Hardesty didn’t really show us a ton against the stout Seattle defense, but 2.9 YPA are a non-issue for fantasy owners.

As long as he’s the main back in Cleveland, he’ll be getting a steady diet of touches and eventually the Browns have to score a touchdown, right?

C.J. Spiller, RB/WR: Buffalo Bills

Spiller was on the field for 35 plays last Sunday, by far the most of the season. As the Bills begin to use him as more of a wide receiver, finally Spiller is a viable fantasy option.

Pick him up now and stash him on the bench as he works out the kinks of running routes, blocking, etc.

By the time fantasy playoffs roll around…Spiller is going to be an incredibly valuable asset.