Week 8 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups - NFL Fantasy Football 2011

Byes: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, New York Jets, Tampa Bay

Immediate Pickups

Linebackers

(Some LBs to point out who were on this list last week and should no longer be on your Waiver Wire are NaVorro Bowman, Rolando McClain, Ray Maualuga, Donald Butler, Daryl Smith, Wesley Woodyard, Thomas Howard, Gary Guyton, James Farrior. If they are still on your Wire, pick up those guys before anyone listed below)

Dan Connor (ILB, Car) – He’s a boom or bust guy and tends to fall more towards the bust side most of the time, but he just put up 8 solos and 2 assists against a Redskin team that only rushed approximately 20 times. Connor gets the Vikes next and may be worth a flyer.

Joe Mays (ILB, Den) – He has consistently posted solid numbers since Week Five. He led his team in tackles Week Five with 7 solos, 2 assists and Week Seven, he posted 5 solos and an assist. He faces the Lions next, and although that’s not a great matchup, the Lions may choose to get their running game going to avoid Denver’s potent pass rush and Champ Bailey’s ability to keep Calvin Johnson’s usual explosiveness in check.

Patrick Wheeler (OLB, Ind) – He just finished a night with 10 total tackles (6 solos) and  a pass deflection. He’s been getting an average of 5 solos over the last 3 games and Indianapolis stat keepers tend to give out assists like candy this year, which can be used as a strong advantage for your IDP guys. Expect closer to the 5 solos range vs. the Titans.

Brooks Reed (OLB, Hou) – Since the first moment he entered the starting lineup due to Mario William’s injury, he has produced well. He also has a knack for getting to the quarterback, which showed up Week Seven with a sack and a pass deflection to go along with his 4 solos. He get’s the Jaguars next who are not only a good LB matchup, but also one of the easier teams to sack.

Brandon Spikes (ILB, NE) – He finished his last game with 6 solos and 2 assists. He gets the Steelers next and Spikes should be a solid bye week fill-in.

A guy to watch this week is rooking ILB Kelvin Sheppard for the Bills. He’s getting a start vs. the run-heavy Redskins Week Eight next to Nick Barnett.

Defensive Linemen

(Some DLs to point out who were on this before and should no longer be on your Waiver Wire are Kyle Vanden Bosch, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Ahtyba Rubin, Derrick Morgan, Andre Carter, Aldon Smith, Jeremy Mincey, Brian Robison, Greg Hardy. If they are still on your wire, pick up those guys before anyone listed below)

Andre Carter (DE/LB, NE) – I’ve mentioned him on here before, but in case he was dropped in your league because of his Week Six bye week, pick him up vs. the Steelers Week Eight. Carter is averaging 4 tackles a game and, as I’ve mentioned before on here, Ben Roethlisberger is well known for trying to “extend” plays, which leads to many coverage sacks.

Domata Peko (DT, Cin) – I’m recommending him for both DT required leagues and as an overall DL this week. He’s facing Seattle and just in case he doesn’t pick up a sack against them, he also has 26 tackles on the season. That’s very rare for a defensive tackle.

Carlos Dunlap or Michael Johnson (DE, Cin) – Continuing with the “Seahawks are easy to sack” them, start your Bengals pass rushers in this one. Although Michael Johnson has been the more constant scorer statistically (not counting Dunlap’s lucky defensive TD), Dunlap leads the team in QB hurries. It’s only a matter of time before he turns one or two of those into sacks. Both of these guys are very talented though and deserve a start.

Pernell McPhee (DE, Bal) – I recommended him last week and since he plays on MNF and this article is posted on Monday mornings, I don’t know how that prediction went yet. However, I do know that McPhee gets the Cardinals Week Eight and Kolb is known to end up on his back on a regular basis so far this season.  You might only get one solo tackle out of McPhee, so you’re completely counting on him picking up the sack.

Reminder: Keep an eye on DE Jason Hatcher for the Cowboys this week. He’s been injured for a bunch of weeks, but he’s a stud when he plays and he could be back as soon as Week Eight. Only pick him up if he’s definitely healthy.

Defensive Backs

(Some DBs to point out who were on this list before and should no longer be on your Waiver Wire are Morgan Burnett, Kam Chancellor, Dashon Goldson, Jon McGraw, Eric Smith, Sean Jones, George Wilson, Reggie Nelson, Charles Godfrey, Jordan Babineaux, Justin King, Husain Abdullah, Charlie Peprah, Terrence Johnson, Tanard Jackson and Lardarius Webb. If they are still on your wire, pick up those guys before anyone listed below.)

Ryan Clark (S, Pit) – He’s been hovering around IDP “starter” status for many weeks now and although his 4 solos were not that impressive, his INT was this week. He always seems to find a way to get “extras” between pass deflections for fumble recoveries. Week Eight, he gets the Patriots, who will boost his normal stat line by at least 2 more solos and, hopefully, a few pass deflections to make him worth the start.

Kurt Coleman (S, Phi) – We talked about him before the Eagle’s bye week and he’s almost guaranteed the start with his performance that he put up against the Redskins. Obviously, you can’t expect 3 INTs, 2 pass deflections and 5 solos again, but he is facing Tony Romo, so you never know which Romo might show up for this one. It looks like the Cowboys have found a new running back so Coleman should have plenty of tackle opportunities.

Kendrick Lewis (FS, KC) – He has had 5 or more solos in 3 games in a row and picked up his first INT vs. the Raiders Week Seven. Week Eight, he gets the Chargers, who just played the Jets and made New York’s FS Eric Smith a leader in the box scores with 8 solos and 2 assists. Phillip Rivers has thrown 7 INTs so far this year so he could get another.

Jonathon Wilhite (CB, Den) – You can’t expect this numbers on a regular basis, but 10 solo tackles deserves a mention, especially when I see he had an INT in Week Four and a sack in Week Three. He’s looking like a play-maker and he gets the Lions next.

Injury fill-ins to watch:

Asher Allen (CB, Min) – Allen has put up some big-time numbers in his two starts for Antoine Winfield.  His latest start was 9 solos, 3 assists and a pass deflection. If Winfield is out again, plug him in.

Reed Doughty (S, Was) – In case O.J. Atogwe is out again, keep Doughty in mind. Anytime he fills in at safety, he has a nose for the ball and puts up nice stats.