Week 8 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football’s Top Pickups and Breakout Candidates

We’re coming up on the halfway point of the 2016 fantasy season, which means the fantasy playoffs are either looking like a solid possibility or a distant dream for your squad. 

But never fear! It’s not too late to whip your team into shape with some savvy pickups. Drafted tight end Jordan Reed in Round 2 and twiddling your thumbs, waiting for him to get back healthy? Lamenting the loss of running back Thomas Rawls and his projected production from your weekly points total?

We have alternative targets at tight end, running back and more for you to target on waivers ahead of Week 8. And because they’re all owned in a maximum of 60 percent of fantasy leagues, you have a good shot of claiming them in time for kickoff.

Players to Watch

Chris Thompson, RB, Washington

This fantasy writer realized late Saturday night that all her running backs were either out with injuries or on bye weeks in Week 7 and, frantically, submitted a waiver claim for Washington rusher Chris Thompson.

It worked out pretty well.

Thompson scored more fantasy points than many fantasy backs owned in most leagues, with 18.30 in Yahoo PPR scoring. He carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards and added another 40 yards on seven receptions, making him an excellent pickup in PPR leagues.

Thompson received the lion’s share of available snaps among Washington’s backfield, as Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke pointed out:

Washington HB snap count: Chris Thompson 42, Matt Jones 25, Rob Kelley 7. Out of 73

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) October 23, 2016

He also averaged six yards per carry against the Detroit Lions front seven on …

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