IDP Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds: Week 8 (2024)
In most IDP leagues, we’re halfway home. The regular season has reached the midway point. For some, it’s a chance to take a breath. To maybe bask just a tad in the success they’ve had so far. To start planning how to maneuver not only for a playoff spot but maybe even a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
For others, it’s big red button time. Things haven’t gone according to plan. Early picks haven’t panned out like they hoped (Looking at you, Bobby Okereke. Looking. Right. At. You.) Injuries have decimated the starting lineup. Their teams are sitting at 3-4 or 2-5 and in danger of the season slipping away.
The thing is, all those managers have something in common—or should. Just because a team is having success doesn’t mean IDP managers shouldn’t constantly be on the lookout for improvements. In fact, the argument can be made that it’s that much more critical to stay on top of the waiver wire when a team is winning. Get complacent, and 5-2 can become 5-5 in a hurry.
So, whether you’re trying to get back on track or stay there, let’s get to making IDP teams better in Week 8.
IDP PICKUP OF THE WEEK
LB Eric Wilson, Green Bay
When Quay Walker exited last week’s win over the Houston Texans early with a concussion, it was Wilson who assumed defensive play-calling duties for the Packers. The eighth-year veteran stepped up in a big way, but defensive tackle Kenny Clark told reporters that he wasn’t at all surprised to see that happen.
“Eric been holding it down all year,” Clark said. “Whether it’s special teams, him coming in and getting turnovers, punching the ball out, getting sacks or whatever the case may be – picks. He got a pick (this year). E-Wil, he’s always been coming in and doing his job and being great. You need a guy like that on a team.”
Now, Wilson isn’t going to go out and post a pair of sacks every week like he did against the Texans. But the 30-year-old has shown throughout his career that he can step up and post solid stats when called upon. With Walker in the concussion protocol, Wilson could make for a solid spot-start for fantasy managers this week.
WEEK 8 IDP WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
EDGE YaYa Diaby, Tampa Bay
Diaby has been asked by the Buccaneers to take on a much larger role defensively in 2024 after logging 7.5 sacks as a rookie last year. Year 2 got off to something of a slow start, but head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that he has never doubted that Diaby has what it takes to be an impact player in the NFL.
“About the middle of the season last year, the light clicked on, and he realized they couldn’t block him, and he started figuring out the blocking schemes,” Bowles said. “When he came back, he sat down, and we had a talk, and I asked him what he needed to do better. He understands the schemes, and he understands how to rush and with Vita, how to set each other up and that comes with experience.”
Diaby had his best game of the season Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens, posting five solos, a pair of tackles for loss and a sack of Lamar Jackson. Diaby was a player the Godfather thought might have some breakout potential in 2024. You know what they say—better late than never.
EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., Washington
It has been a little while since Fowler was a full-time player in the NFL—the former third overall pick is on his fifth team and third since 2020. But injuries in Washington have thrust Fowler into a larger role for the surprising Commanders, and after logging the first pick-six of his career last week against Carolina Fowler was on Cloud 9 while addressing the media.
“That was my first pick-six in my life. I feel a little bit different than before,” Fowler said. “Man, that was so cool. Just be able to – that was my first interception – just be able to return it for a touchdown. Man, that was like. I was in a dream.”
Fowler didn’t just take that gift from Andy Dalton back for a touchdown—he also notched two total tackles and a sack. That was the third straight game in which Fowler has successfully gotten to the quarterback, and he has played at least half of Washington’s defensive snaps in five straight games. You could do worse if you need help up front.
LB Trenton Simpson, Baltimore
Roquan Smith is the unquestioned leader of the Ravens linebackers—and rightly so. But every Batman needs a Robin, and that’s what Simpson has become in his second professional season. Tight end Isaiah Likely told reporters he’s seen the maturation from Simpson close up on the practice field.
“He definitely looks bigger and stronger than last year and he’s definitely playing with a lot more [instincts,]” Likely said. “He’s not being as patient as he was last year. He’s playing with his athleticism, his intuition. He’s showing that he’s ready for the opportunity. He’s not scared to do anything in the defense.”
To be clear, Simpson isn’t a true three-down player—his snap share usually hovers between 60 and 65 percent. But against the Buccaneers in Week 7, Simpson set a season-high with eight total tackles. That stat line isn’t going to win you a week, but for IDP managers with a hole at linebacker in beats a blank.
LB Grant Stuard, Indianapolis
Stuard has a little Brock Purdy action going on—the former Houston standout was the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Stuard was pressed into action by injuries at linebacker in Indianapolis last week, and after the Colts beat the Miami Dolphins Stuard praised teammate Zaire Franklin for helping him prepare for a larger role.
“We hold each other to a really high standard, and that starts with Z (Zaire Franklin),” Stuard told reporters. “There’s plays in practice, even plays in the game – there was a play in the game where I was like, ‘It’s not my responsibility to make,’ and Z looked at me and he was like, ‘Yo, you can make that!’ And I was like ‘Alright, bet! I gotta make it!’ Just that player leadership has been huge for me. It’s definitely raised my standard, raised my expectations of myself because of what my teammates are expecting of me.”
Stuard had himself a day against the Dolphins—a ridiculous 19 total tackles, including 11 solo stops. There’s no guarantee that the 26-year-old will draw another start this week against Houston, but with E.J. Speed (knee) and Jaylon Carlies (ankle) both banged up, Stuard may get another shot to show how relevant he can be.
S Coby Bryant, Seattle
Bryant is one of the new breed of NFL defensive back—a player capable of playing both safety spots and manning the slot. Bryant took over at safety for the Seahawks when Rayshawn Jenkins went on injured reserve, and Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that he wasn’t at all surprised to see the third-year pro play well.
“I’m not surprised,” Macdonald said. “Again, this guy just keeps playing at a high level. It’s a slow form. He just sees how plays progress. He just seems like he’s in the right spot all the time on these overthrows and patrolling the deep area of the field. In the run game and support and stuff like that, we’ll see what we want to clean up, but this guy can affect the ball like we’ve been talking about. It’s a unique trait for sure.”
Bryant did more than just play well in a lopsided win over the Atlanta Falcons—he led the team in both total tackles (11) and solos (seven) and added an interception. Deep safeties aren’t going to produce tackle numbers like that every week, but we have seen “hot hand” defensive backs go on some impressive runs in the past.
Not sure about his fadeaway jumper though.
S Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams
As a box safety for the Commanders last year, Curl posted 115 total tackles, but he has played more of a deep role so far with his new team. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Curl’s versatility was one of the things that attracted the team to him, comparing him to another player who wore multiple hats for the team in Mark Barron.
“Kam Curl is a guy that, and I say this in the most complimentary way because I love this guy: he reminds me of Mark Barron,” McVay said. “Mark Barron was like a silent assassin. He takes everything in, he’s so smart, he’s tough as sh**. Kam Curl has a similar demeanor and disposition as him. Now, Mark will knock you senseless, he was a total G. I say that in terms of how much confidence I have in what Kam can be. I thought you saw him do a lot of stuff in Washington where he can come down and play man coverage on different guys at that two or three location. He’s violent with the way he attacks the football. I like the way that he’s a close-quarter tackler and then you can see him playing different parts of the field.”
Frankly, IDP managers wish that Curl was playing a role more similar to Barron—a linebacker/safety hybrid who posted a pair of 100-tackle seasons. However, Curl is coming off far and away his best game in Los Angeles so far, and he has posted at least seven total tackles in four of the last five games. Curl was considered a valuable IDP asset before the season. Maybe it’s just taking him a while to adjust to the Pacific time zone.