If you are in a fantasy league without kickers, you were spared from some chaos this week. It seemed like the majority of the NFL’s kickers missed at least one kick, meaning there were fantasy matchups decided because of the kickers.
Besides kickers, it was a weird week for tight ends. On National Tight Ends Day, Giants’ tight end Isaiah Likely had his worst day of the season after being the No. 1 tight end in fantasy through the first six weeks. Sam LaPorta with the Detroit Lions only had one reception while Davis Allen with the Los Angeles Rams, who is rostered in 0% of ESPN leagues, had two touchdowns.
Week 8 is another week of bye weeks with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers all on bye. This is most
important at the tight end position as all four teams have viable tight end options. Three out of four teams also have good receivers. But, at least it gives the 49ers’ players time to get healthy for the rest of the fantasy season.
Here is a look at the top five waiver wire pickups in fantasy football after Week 7 of the NFL season.
WR Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets
Rostered in 34.7% of ESPN leagues
It is easy to forget about Omar Cooper Jr., who has only played in three games this season after suffering a high ankle sprain in the season opener. However, in both of his games back from his injury, Cooper has at least five targets, over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. One game with that kind of production could be a fluke, but two games probably is not. Also, they drafted him in the first round, so the Jets must see something in him. He could be someone who is flying under the radar and end up really helping your fantasy team down the stretch.
RB Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Rostered in 1.7% of ESPN leagues
The New York Giants’ running back situation is rather confusing. They benched Cam Skattebo last week and released Najee Harris ahead of their Week 7 game against the Houston Texans. However, Skattebo appeared to suffer an injury in overtime, putting his status in question going forward. After that happened, Devin Singletary got the game-winning touchdown. If Skattebo ends up being seriously injured, Singletary’s fantasy value could skyrocket. New York is on bye, but if you have a spot to spare on our bench, it may be worth picking him up.
QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Rostered in 12.8% of ESPN leagues
Michael Penix Jr. started slow in his first three games back this season. But he now has three touchdowns in each of the past two games. He has quality targets to get the ball to, especially Drake London, which offers a safety blanket for his productivity. Atlanta also plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week and while they have a good defense, division games are always difficult to read. At the very least, if you need a decent backup quarterback, Penix could be worth stashing away for when your starter has a bad matchup.
TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered in 63.9% of ESPN leagues
You would not know it against the Green Bay Packers, but the Detroit Lions have played terribly against tight ends this season. In fact, they are the worst team against tight ends in the NFL. With all of the talent Minnesota has, including Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, quarterback Kyler Murray is choosing to target T.J. Hockenson. In last week’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, he was targeted five times and had a touchdown. His production is volatile, but with this matchup, he may be worth picking and starting, especially given the tight ends on bye.
WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland Browns
Rostered in 42.9% of ESPN leagues
In last week’s win against the Tennessee Titans, KC Concepcion had his first NFL game with at least 100 receiving yards. It was also the third time this season he had at least eight targets. His target share is not consistent, but that is the case with all of Cleveland’s wide receivers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are not the best matchup this week, but he will have better matchups in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and Week 10 against the Houston Texans. Also, if they were to have a receiver injury, Concepcion’s fantasy stock may go up.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 waiver wire pickups in NFL fantasy football in Week 8
