Fantasy Football: five waiver wire claims for Week 8

Another key week for waiver claims looms in Week 8 as five teams (Ravens, Rams, Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, and 49ers) all have byes. However, despite his team being on bye, the top pick up for this week couldn’t be more obvious.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins - I listed Ajayi as a strong option on waivers last week following a breakout game, but I left a warning to owners to not expect another huge game like that again. I could not have been more wrong. Ajayi posted his second straight 200+ yard rushing day on Sunday. He has emerged as the clear number one back in the Dolphins offense, and his rise is probably a factor in the retirement of Arian Foster. Ajayi is actually owned in around 75% of ESPN leagues, but is ownership percentage is likely to jump again now that he will dominate the carries with no threat from Foster.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rodgers has balled out the past two games in the absence of Doug Martin and Charles Sims. He has had high volume, with no fewer than 26 carries, and has amassed 100+ yards in each of those two games. Like Ajayi, it is a rare to find a starting running back on waivers, but Rodgers, unlike Ajayi, is owned in less than 35% of ESPN leagues. He is someone you can, and should, immediately plug into your starting lineup.

Ty Montgomery/Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers - Both of these Packers receivers have extremely low ownership. Montgomery is owned slightly more than Adams with Montgomery at 20.2% and Adams at 17.5%. All this means is that owners have an extremely good chance at adding starting caliber players. As shown by his slightly increased ownership, Montgomery provides more upside as he has a role in both the passing game, and the running game in the absence of Eddie Lacy. Montgomery had 12 point in Week 7, and was within inches of getting into the end zone. His usage on the goal line as a running back provided some added intrigue to the receivers role. Adams is significantly more inconsistent, but may have emerged as one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite red zone receivers, a role that obviously increases his value. Adams also had 13 catches in Week 7, and while he likely won't repeat that, that high volume is worth noting.

Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins - Crowder had hauled in three touchdowns already before the Redskins matchup with the Lions in Week 7, but he has not had a big day yardage-wise. In Week 7, while he didn’t find the end zone, he finally had a big game in terms of yards. His usage seems to increase with every game, something that owners like to see in players on waivers. Crowder is a nice flex option in deeper leagues, and is a great fill-in for a player on a bye.

Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos - Like Crowder, Booker has seen his role increase week by week. He has been a catalyst for the Denver rushing attack, and has outplayed C.J. Anderson. As of now, he is a bench stash, banking on Booker seeing a larger role. Booker is a must-own for C.J. Anderson owners at this point.

Honorable mention: Anquan Boldin, WR, Detroit Lions

Keep an eye out for starts and sits later in the week.