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11 best players available on Week 8 waiver wire

The waiver wire is picking up life after a wild Week 7. Injuries are of note, but there are also some changing depth charts to consider with your Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire priorit.

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds celebrates his third touchdown of the game against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has wrapped up Week 7 Sunday, and we wrap up the week on Monday Night Football when the New York Jets host the New England Patriots. There are a host of fantasy options playing tonight, and of course plenty of folks are going to be playing DraftKings Showdown for MNF. Fantasy contests will swing big time tonight.

Regardless of what you’re watching tonight, you’re also keeping an eye on the upcoming waiver wire in your traditional fantasy football leagues. If you’re anywhere in the mix in your leagues, there is always room to improve your roster. A key waiver addition can make a difference between playoffs or bust coming Week 14.

With that in mind, here are eleven of the best players available in at least 50 percent of fantasy leagues, per ESPN ownership rates. We also include a look at three players that might show up on your waiver wire radar, but are likely fool’s gold and should be avoided.

Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals (28.9 percent)

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury threw fantasy owners a serious curve ball in Week 7. David Johnson was active and got the start, but then never touched the ball again. Edmonds got 27 carries en route to a 126 yards and three touchdowns. He dominated and showed the talent that has had fantasy owners stashing him for the future. It’s hard to say what next week will bring if Johnson is active again. Arizona has tough matchups against the Saints and 49ers defenses the next two weeks. Edmonds is worth an add, but lower expectations for the next couple weeks.

Mark Walton, RB, Miami Dolphins (3.7 percent)

The Dolphins stink, but a volume play at running back always holds some matter of value in fantasy football. Kenyan Drake remains a strong passing down back, but Walton is now out-pacing him in the ground game. The Dolphins are shopping Drake, so now is the time to grab Walton.

Ty Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions (1.3 percent)

Kerryon Johnson suffered a knee injury, and his status is TBD until he gets an MRI on Monday. Ty Johnson and J.D McKissic both got work in Kerryon’s absence, but Ty was the clear leader in the pecking order. Ty is the guy to grab off waivers if it looks like Kerryon will miss some time.

Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans (44 percent)

Davis is not having a great season, but he’s quietly showing signs of life. He finished Week 7 with six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown, marking his second time to the end zone. He’s still best suited for bad defenses, so Week 8 vs. the Bucs could be another solid effort.

Zach Pascal, WR, Indianapolis Colts (0.2 percent)

The Colts have struggled to find a solid receiver to start opposite T.Y. Hilton, so Pascal’s monster week 7 performance could open up his opportunity. Pascal caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the Colts 30-23 victory over Houston. The Colts host Denver and travel to Pittsburgh the next two weeks before a great home matchup with Miami in Week 10. Parris Campbell, Deon Cain, and Chester Rogers are all competing for opportunities, so it’s not like Pascal faces some dynamic competition for the No. 2 spot.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings (37.4 percent)

Do we finally have to admit Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback? At the very least we have to acknowledge he is turning into a fantasy machine. Facing an underrated Lions defense, Cousins threw for 337 yards and four touchdowns. It marked his fourth straight game with at least 300 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers — and he had four touchdowns for the second straight week. He gets Washington at home next week followed by the Chiefs at Arrowhead in Week 9. He’s in line for a couple more big performances in the near future.

Alex Erickson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (0.3 percent)

A.J. Green is expected to miss at least two more weeks heading into the Bengals bye. Tyler Boyd and Auden Tate are starting, and Erickson is emerging as a viable third receiver while John Ross also remains sidelined. Erickson finished the day with eight receptions for 137 yards on 14 targets. It’s a huge step forward after four receptions for 47 yards last week. Don’t expect this every week, but he’s becoming a favorite of Andy Dalton.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions (48.6 percent)

Stafford and the Lions offense have been solid this season, and they put up a strong effort in a loss to Minnesota. Stafford threw for 364 yards with four touchdowns and an interception, giving him a season high 28.6 points. The Lions host the Giants in Week 8 and travel to face Oakland in Week 9, so that’s two straight fantastic matchups for Stafford.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, Indianapolis Colts (48.5 percent)

Brissett struggled in Week 5 even as the Colts defense contained the Chiefs in a big Indy win. However, coming out of the bye he impressed against the Texans. He threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns, and while he lost a fumble, it was still an impressive day. The Colts face some potentially tough matchups at home against Denver and on the road against Pittsburgh, but Brissett has established a strong floor. Aside from his 10.9-point effort in Week 5, he’s reached at least 15 points every week this season.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (14.3 percent)

This is very much a speculative play. In keeper and dynasty leagues, Goedert holds considerable value. But for single season re-draft leagues, he’s going to remain inconsistent. However, he led the Eagles in Week 7 with four receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. He had five receptions fro 48 yards the week before. He remains behind Zach Ertz, but maybe he starts to get more opportunities in two tight end formations. He’s a solid stash, but keep expectations low until we see more of what his involvement looks like.

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings (18.3 percent)

Maybe we’re seeing a bit of a resurgence from Rudolph? He had six receptions for 36 yards the first five weeks of the season. Over the last two weeks he he has eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Given how weak the tight end position is, this qualifies as worth speculating. And with matchups at home against Washington and at Kansas City coming up, Rudolph has some intriguing fantasy value.

Fool’s gold

Eric Ebron, TE, Colts: He had four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, but he remains a TD or nothing fantasy option.

Matt Moore, QB, Chiefs: The Chiefs offense has some big weapons, but Patrick Mahomes makes it go at its prolific rate. Moore will be a solid game managing option while Mahomes is out, but don’t expect to see big fantasy numbers from him. Let someone else waste waiver priority on Moore.