How many RBs are hurt? A lot. How many are on a bye? Not as many, but enough. What are we going to do about it? We’re going to find a productive Week 8 RB off the fantasy football waiver wire. Because if you’re like me, you need a quick fix — someone you could plug in for a decent chance at 10+ points. These are my favorite RB waiver adds this week, and most should be available in your fantasy leagues.
Fantasy RB Waiver Wire Week 8: AFC
The following running backs should provide immediate value as RB4s or better. Roster share is based on ESPN fantasy league data.
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (42.5% available)
Let’s start by saying that Devin Singletary is an RB4. Statistically and based on usage, he’s nestled comfortably in that “Should I start him?” zone. After a strong start to the season, he’s failed to crack 10 fantasy points in any of his last four games while averaging only 6.5 points. That won’t cut it in most leagues, even during weeks when four or more teams are on byes.
The problem with ranking him well below the more-hyped Zack Moss is that Singletary is averaging 1.3 more yards per carry. His biggest deficit is in the touchdown category, where he’s trailing Moss 4-1. But don’t overweight player values based on TDs. Touches and efficiency are two important metrics. Singletary has earned 10+ touches in five of six games, and he remains in a timeshare with Moss.
Additionally, don’t ignore their upcoming schedule. Buffalo’s next three contests are against the Dolphins, Jaguars, and Jets. It’s a great time to roster someone like Singletary, whose yardage and TD projections should rise these next few weeks.
Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots (94.5% available)
I was all about Rhamondre Stevenson on our In the Mood fantasy podcast (new episodes Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays) and on Twitter (Twitter Spaces live fantasy football discussion Sundays at 11 AM ET). It was a constant barrage of “Rhamondre this” and “Rhamondre that.” Why? Because the Patriots were likely to blow out the Jets, and that would give New England’s rookie RB plenty of opportunities to do what he does best: run and score.
But no, it didn’t work out that way. Or at least, it did, but not the way I expected. Stevenson was a late scratch. Instead, Brandon Bolden filled the role with 19.9 fantasy points — the fifth-most RB points of the week. Meanwhile, third-stringer J.J. Taylor had 15.6 points, making him the 16th-best RB of the week. I screamed at my TV, “Those should have been Stevenson’s points!”
Regardless, with Stevenson’s week-to-week status now up in the air, Bolden is an ideal dart throw. He’s caught 20 of 22 targets in the last five games and should remain in the James White role going forward.
Fantasy RB Waiver Wire Week 8: NFC
Which RB in the NFC should you grab off the waiver wire for Week 8?
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (73.7% available)
A popular choice, right? For the second time in three weeks, one of my Sunday morning pickups paid off. In Week 5, it was Damien Williams. This past Sunday, it was Kenneth Gainwell. I also play the percentages on Sunday mornings, adding one or two handcuffs or high-upside complementary backs in case they earn a bigger role.
Earlier this week, Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni shared that Miles Sanders would be “week-to-week,” adding, “it’s a stretch for him to be up this week, but we’re not ruling anything out yet.” If Gainwell starts Sunday against Detroit, he would have a great chance at duplicating or surpassing last weekend’s 14.1-point output. Of course, Boston Scott and perhaps even Jordan Howard could get into the mix. But Gainwell is the clear upside play.
