IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 8 (2021)

Photo of Nate Marcum Nate Marcum Follow on X Send an email October 25, 2021
5 minutes read

The ashes have fallen, the bricks are strewn across the ground, and small fires burn gently as we limp away from the Bye-Pocalypse of Week 7. We all knew it would be a tough week, but hopefully, you have been following along with us all season as I prepare for situations just like this.

With preparation comes resilience, and I know you all are prepared! So while we prepare to look ahead at Week 8, let’s take a look back at Week 7’s recommendations!

*As I mentioned last week, make sure to scour the waiver wire for any dropped gems that I may not cover in this column! Desperation can create chaos!*

Hits and Misses from Week 7

Jonathan Greenard-Crushed it! Finished with 28 points and was the DL6 on the Week. 2 sacks & 4 tackles! Hit

Josh Sweat-Definitely wish he had gotten to the QB, but the 5 points aren’t gonna cut it. Miss

Anthony Walker-Got exactly what we could have wanted. Double-digit tackles and an LB23 finish. Hit

Justin Strnad-Only produced 8 points but played 100% of the snaps. Miss

Derrick Barnes-Only played 30% of the snaps. Huge MISS

Juan Thornhill-Excellent play. Finished as the DB24 with 16 points. Hit

Kyle Dugger-Finished with 23 points on 8 tackles and an INT! DB7! Hit

Defensive Line

Azeez Olujari-New York Giants

After an absolutely dominant Week 7, I expect Olujari to be a popular name on the waiver wire for Week 8. His 8 pressures only trailed Rashan Gary for the NFL lead in Week 7. Now with 5.5 sacks on the season and 7 QB hits, he focuses his attention on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have allowed the 2nd most QB pressures over the past 3 weeks and are consistently handing out points to opposing Edge rushers.

Sam Hubbard-Cincinnati Bengals

When it comes to Bengals pass rushers, Trey Hendrickson is getting the majority of the attention. I am here to tell you that in Week 8 there could be room for both on your rosters! Hubbard led the team in pressures (8), QB Hits (3), and Sacks (2.5). While I do believe that Hubbard has outperformed his metrics in terms of production, I think the matchup against the Jets is prime for a sequel! While I know the Jets just traded for Joe Flacco, it may be another week under center for Mike White. Look for the Jets to trail early and Hubbard to pin his ears back and live in the backfield.

Linebacker

Elandon Roberts-Miami Dolphins

I danced with Elandon last year and all he did was step on my toes the entire time. While I know that is an endearing recommendation, it does come with some seriousness. For starters, Jerome Baker exited Week 7 with an apparent knee injury that isn’t believed to be serious. Even if the injury isn’t serious, there is a good chance they limit his snaps.

While we may not know if Baker is going to miss Week 8, the potential of Roberts against the Bills in Week 8 is too juicy of a matchup to ignore. The Bills are just a solid option to opposing linebackers!

Del’Shawn Phillips-New York Jets

Mainly working in a reserve role, Phillips stepped up in Week 7 vs the Patriots. Filling in for an injured CJ Mosely, Phillips had seven tackles, two for a loss, and his first career sack!

While it’s not determined if Mosely will miss any more time, it is known that Jamien Sherwood will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles. The injuries to the Jets’ defense should give Phillips enough snaps to potentially have an impact in a game that should be played heavily on defense for the Jets.

Zach Cunningham-Houston Texans

This is a very difficult one to write. For many of us, Cunningham was on the chopping block for a few weeks now, due to his decreasing snap share. I, for one, had dropped him last week, but now see a path for more playing time again!

Christian Kirksey appears to have fractured his thumb, and could potentially miss some time. This, like the other injury-based recommendations, are difficult to project with waivers running before the information is gathered. The Texans will play the Rams in Week 8 and could turn into a very high snap count for Cunningham if Kirksey is set to miss any time. Check your waivers and see if he is lurking.

Honorable Mention:

Kenny Young-Traded to the Broncos. If he was dropped (I recommended it), then maybe go back and grab him.

Troy Reeder-With the trade of Kenny Young, Reeder could be the next up in the short term. In the long term, pick up….

Ernest Jones-Are the Rams clearing space to find a way to get Jones in the lineup?

Whitney Mercilus-Solid OLB for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers loves him. Arizona is not an ideal matchup.

Defensive Back

Richie Grant-Atlanta Falcons

It appears that Grant has finally moved up the playing time ladder only as a result of others ahead of him falling off the ladder due to injury. I am not a fan of injuries, but this is a situation in which Grant could return decent IDP value in a unique role.

Drafted out of UCF as one of the better Safeties, he sees himself in a slot corner role with the Falcons. This role could be especially appealing in Week 8 as the Falcons will face the Carolina Panthers and the mess that they currently have on offense. I was particularly impressed with Grants’ play recognition in college, which resulted in 11.5 tackles for a loss. The Panthers aggressively target their slot receiver and are a turnstile across the line. This could be a prime matchup for Grant!

Marcus Maye-New York Jets

Maye hasn’t played since Week 3 and could be on the Wire if your league doesn’t have deep benches! It sure didn’t appear that he even skipped a beat, as he finished the week as the DB5 with 24 fantasy points. Maye played a season-high 85 snaps and could be in line for another long day at the office in Week 8.

While the Bengals aren’t the most giving to opposing Safeties, they have had a few generous outings. As with the Phillips recommendation, the injuries across the Jets’ team might keep Maye heavily involved and much needed! If anything, he is a solid play for the rest of the season.

As always, Thank You for reading! I will try to keep us all updated on any injury and playing time situations that unfold as the week continues.

Photo of Nate Marcum Nate Marcum Follow on X Send an email October 25, 2021
5 minutes read
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