If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

To be a consistently successful dynasty manager, you have to play the waiver wire to perfection. Identifying which players to target at specific points in the season can be a challenge. The goal should be finding players that can become fantasy starters, if even for just short stretches of time. This week, the dynasty waiver wire is particularly interesting due to recent trades and injuries. Here are some players that could go from waiver wire to fantasy starters in Week Eight.

Jameis Winston, QB CLE

The Browns lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson last week to an Achilles injury that will end his season. Although he was the emergency QB3 last week, veteran and fantasy player favorite Jameis Winston has been named the starter for Week Eight. This could be a weekly guessing game or Winston could be the man going forward. We’ve certainly seen Winston produce some massive fantasy performances thanks to his gunslinger mentality and short memory. In Week Eight, the Browns face off with division-foe Baltimore. This has not been the Ravens’ defense of old. This year’s version has allowed five QB1 performances through seven weeks. The Ravens have given up fantasy finishes of QB12 (Patrick Mahomes), QB2 (Dak Prescott), QB2 (Joe Burrow), QB9 (Jayden Daniels), and QB2 (Baker Mayfield). Baltimore is one of three teams surrendering more than 25 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. With a team desperate for some offense and good news in general, I expect Winston to throw the ball early and often.

Sterling Shepard, WR TB

On Monday night, we saw the Buccaneers lose their top two wideouts, veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to serious injuries. While Godwin’s season is over, Evans could reportedly return in a few weeks. That will leave Baker Mayfield, one of the top fantasy producers on the season, to throw to backups. Veteran Sterling Shepard has seen his role increase in recent weeks and now has a chance to lead the group of young pass catchers. Only the Jaguars have allowed more top-24 fantasy performances to receivers than Atlanta, this week’s opponent for Shepard and the Bucs. Mayfield ripped the Falcons for three passing scores in Week Five and has a chance to repeat that performance this week. If he does, Shepard will be worthy of a spot in fantasy football starting lineups.

Cedric Tillman, WR CLE

Along with the injury to Watson, the Browns also lost their top wideout last week, as they traded veteran Amari Cooper. That left a lot of question marks on the Browns receiver depth chart. It was an easy assumption that veteran Jerry Jeudy would take charge but last week, second-year wideout Cedric Tillman led the way. Tillman led the team with 81 yards, catching eight of his 12 targets. Tillman has a similarly friendly matchup as his new quarterback in Week Eight. The Ravens have allowed seven top-24 fantasy performances this season, and give up the third-most fantasy points in the league to the position, more than 42 per game.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 8 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Jaguars remain the worst team in the league against passing games. They’ve been hit for a QB1 performance every week this season and that likely doesn’t change in Week Eight as they face off with Jordan Love and the Packers. It’s still October but it’s time to feast!

Along with Winston against the Ravens, other matchups to target this week include the Buccaneers (vs. Kirk Cousins), Cardinals (vs. Tua Tagovailoa), and Bengals (vs. Jalen Hurts.)

Three teams have still not allowed a QB1 game this year, making these matchups to avoid whenever possible. The rookie superstar matchups between the Bears and Commanders now seem likely to include veteran Marcus Mariota instead of his teammate Jayden Daniels. Mariota was impressive in relief last week but should be ignored this week. Kyler Murray has been inconsistent and difficult to predict all season and now faces the Dolphins defense, which allows just 11.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the lowest in the league. Daniel Jones is barely hanging onto his job and that could change at any moment. He’s an easy avoid against the Steelers.

Other difficult matchups this week include the Jets (vs. Drake Maye) and Broncos (vs. Andy Dalton.)

Running Backs

Week 8 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1/2 Games Allowed

Veteran running back Javonte Williams enjoyed his best game of the season last week and now has a chance to build on that against the flailing Panthers, who have been burned for ten top-24 fantasy performances by running backs. No other team has more than eight. It’s no surprise that Carolina has also allowed the most fantasy points to the position, nearly 32 per contest.

The Bills (vs. Kenneth Walker), Raiders (vs. Kareem Hunt), and Patriots (vs. Breece Hall) are next in line and offer running back-friendly matchups in Week Eight. Each of those backs are must-start. The Cowboys (vs. Jordan Mason) and Saints (vs. JK Dobbins) have each given up more than 26 fantasy points per game to running backs, making them targets, as well.

The Chiefs (vs. Alexander Mattison) and Vikings (vs. Kyren Williams) have given up only a pair of top-24 performances so far this season. Mattison should be on fantasy benches this week but it will be fun to see how Williams fares against Minnesota.

Other defenses to avoid this week include Detroit (vs. Tony Pollard), Houston (vs. Jonathan Taylor?), Philadelphia (vs. Chase Brown), and the Chargers (vs. Alvin Kamara.)

Wide Receivers

Week 8 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1 Games This Season

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

As expected, the Jaguars have also been bad against wide receivers, allowing a league-high nine top-24 performances. This week, they face the Packers. As usual, it is difficult to project which Green Bay receiver will prosper, but I’d be using all of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and even gambling on Dontayvion Wicks if necessary.

Other players with positive matchups include: Courtland Sutton (vs. CAR), Michael Pittman/Josh Downs (vs. HOU), Cooper Kupp (vs. MIN), Calvin Ridley (vs. DET), Drake London (vs. TB) and Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle (vs. ARI.)

The Bears and Dolphins have mostly shut down opposing wideouts, allowing just two top-24 performances each through seven weeks. That’s bad news this week for Terry McLaurin (vs. CHI) and Marvin Harrison, Jr. (vs. MIA). Harrison has mostly been held in check in recent weeks, while McLaurin may be without his star quarterback.

Other difficult matchups this week include Diontae Johnson (vs. DEN), Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison (vs. LAR), Jakobi Meyers (vs. KC) and Demario Douglas (vs. NYJ.)

Tight Ends

Week 8 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

A trio of teams have allowed five TE1 games so far this season. In Week Eight, that means three of the league’s best tight ends are gearing up for potential massive games. David Njoku (vs. BAL), Evan Engram (vs. GB), and TJ Hockenson (vs. LAR) are each in position to finish as high-end TE1s this week.

Other players with matchups to target include Brock Bowers (vs. KC), Dalton Schultz (vs. IND), and Grant Calcaterra (vs. CIN.)

The Falcons (vs. Cade Otton) and Titans (vs. Sam LaPorta) have yet to surrender a TE1 performance this season. With Otton in line for increased targets due to injuries, I’d still be willing to roll him out despite the poor matchup. Other players with difficult matchups in Week Eight include Trey McBride (vs. MIA), Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely (vs. CLE), and Chigoziem Okonkwo (vs. DET.)

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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