The fantasy football Week 8 schedule is here and some waiver free agents and sleeper pickups include Alfred Blue, Stefon Diggs, Darren McFadden, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Charcandrick West, Orleans Darkwa, Nate Washington, Derek Carr, Chris Polk, Eric Ebron and Ladarius Green as options for owners.
Injuries have thrust some players into starting roles this season, including at the running back position and that is one area of focus for fantasy owners this week. Arian Foster, Joseph Randle and Jamaal Charles have all dealt with injuries over the past couple weeks and both Foster and Charles are out for the season. Players like Alfred Blue, Darren McFadden, Christine Michael, Chris Polk and Charcandrick West are solid options moving forward, as they could get increased touches with those players out.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Ladarius Green and Eric Ebron are all solid tight end options, as Seferian-Jenkins is set to return for the Buccaneers, while Antonio Gates has been dealing with an injury. Ebron made it into the endzone last week and he could be a solid pickup moving forward. Nate Washington had a strong game in garbage time against the Dolphins and he could end up getting some increased targets if the running game can't get going for the Texans.
Orleans Darkwa stepped up for the Giants last week against the Cowboys and the team was impressed with the way he carried the ball and he could see an increased role moving forward. Darkwa is an option in deeper leagues or a flex player, but he could have some solid work coming against the Saints. Last week Darkwa had eight rushes for 48 yards and had more snaps on the field than Rashad Jennings. Blue is another solid pickup, as he started for Foster earlier in the season and should be the lead back for the Texans moving forward.
Joseph Randle is dealing with an oblique injury for the Dallas Cowboys and that will push Darren McFadden into a starting role for the team. McFadden had 152 rushing yards against the Giants last week and Jerry jones said that the RB will start against the Seahawks. Charcandrick West is a name to check out, as he is the new lead back with the Chiefs with Jamaal Charles out. West had his best game of the season last week, rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown and he has a solid matchup with the Lions coming this week.
Stefon Diggs is likely picked up by now in most leagues, but for any league that still has him available, fantasy owners should pounce. Diggs has played his way into the starting lineup and he comes in after making six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown and he now has at least six catches and 85 yards in each of his last three games. Nate Washington is a solid WR3 or WR4 option for the Texans, as the team is likely going to pass the ball more with Foster out. Washington had nine catches on 16 targets last week.
Seferian-Jenkins is coming back from an injury and he could play in Week 8 after missing last week for the Buccaneers. Jenkins had a solid start to the season with seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in two games.
Check here for more on fantasy football Week 8, players to pick up, sleeper options and players to start or sit. Check here for injury updates for the week.
