This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based upon both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column is posted every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedule. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
Week 8 in the NFL finished Monday night with the biggest underdog on the board - the Washington Redskins - beating the Dallas Cowboys. With the Seahawks losing Week 7, this meant Survivor is over for most pools. This week seemed a little light on players to pick up on the waiver wire with no big injuries or players assuming bigger roles for their team. This couldn't come at a worse time with teams turning to the waiver wire this week with six teams on bye. Players such as Jonas Gray, Martavius Bryant, Charles Sims and Robert Griffin were profiled last week, so they won't be mentioned again. Defenses like the Chiefs and the Bengals are owned in about two-thirds of leagues and both make a good streaming option this week. As always, if you'd like an opinion on a player available in your league but not most, feel free as always to hit up the comments section.
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Michael Vick, NYJ - It appears the Jets will turn to Vick in an attempt to turn around their season. Vick took over in relief of Geno Smith and didn't show any signs of being much better against the Bills on Sunday. However, he'll have the benefit of a full week to work with the first-string starters and has a couple of interesting receiving options in Eric Decker and Percy Harvin. It may seem optimistic to have Vick this high and not in the "Hail Mary" section, but there are six teams on bye this week. That means there will be many teams turning to the waiver wire and the matchup against the Chiefs (4.7 yards per carry allowed) is a good one. Vick's legs (69 yards rushing Sunday) are what should put him on your fantasy radar if you're looking for quarterback help this week. FAAB: $5-10
RUNNING BACK
Secondary Targets
Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL - One has to wonder if Bill Belichick has some sort of influence on the backfield situation for the Ravens. Taliaferro made this column earlier this season after totaling 33 carries in Weeks 3 and 4. He then inexplicably only received 11 carries over the next three weeks as Benard Pierce was more heavily leaned on. Taliaferro got his chance Sunday after Justin Forsett was stopped at the goal line and successfully tallied two scores. The volume isn't there yet for Taliaferro (just seven carries Sunday), but it appears he's at least taken over as the goal-line back. In touchdown-heavy leagues bump him up a little more just realize that Forsett is going to get the bulk of the workload. FAAB: $3-8
Hail Mary
Theo Riddick, DET - Filling in for the inactive Reggie Bush, Riddick had a good fantasy performance across the pond with eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. There's definitely some caution with this recommendation for a couple reasons. First, the Lions are on bye this week, meaning Riddick is of no use this week. Riddick has dealt with a hamstring injury this season, an injury that tends to linger. Finally, Reggie Bush almost gave it a go and could be back Week 10 after getting an extra week of rest. That would bump Riddick down a spot on the depth chart and make prognosticating his workload difficult. Still, the second-year man out of Notre Dame has produced when given the chance and may steal some of Bush's touches once he returns. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
WIDE RECEIVER
Primary Targets
Donte Moncrief, IND - Rookie Moncrief was mentioned briefly in the comments section last week after it was announced that Reggie Wayne was likely out for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. Moncrief turned in a monster game with seven catches (12 targets) for 113 yards and a touchdown. It's unclear how much time, if any more at all, Wayne will miss due to his elbow injury, and obviously Moncrief becomes more interesting if Wayne is out. Andrew Luck seems to trust Moncrief the most after T.Y. Hilton, and at this point it's pretty clear that Moncrief has more upside than Hakeem Nicks. FAAB: $6-12
Allen Robinson, JAC - Robinson has turned into a viable fantasy option after scoring for the second straight game and posting at least 60 receiving yards in three straight games. Robinson's touchdown this week was in garbage time and could be a theme for him with Jacksonville playing from behind almost all season. He appears healthy after dealing with a hamstring earlier this season and has become the Jaguars' top receiving option. The emergence of Denard Robinson helps Robinson's value too as opposing teams will have to respect the run game now. FAAB: $6-12
TIGHT END
Hail Mary
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB - It was a rollercoaster day of emotion for Seferian-Jenkins who scored his first professional touchdown but then lost the game when he fumbled in overtime. He clearly has more upside than Brandon Myers and has scored 9.8 and 11.6 fantasy points in full point PPR formats each of the last two weeks. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
