Fantasy Football Week 8: Sleepers and Waiver Wire Targets

Week 8 of both the NFL and Fantasy Football season is upon us! With injuries mounting league-wide, utilizing the waiver wire and sleepers in you fantasy football league is more important than ever. We here at Detroit Jock City have taken the time to dissect all of the week 8 match-ups, and we can tell you who you should target if you’re looking for help on Sunday.

Breakout Alert:

RB Travaris Cadet (NO) – Travaris Cadet is our predicted breakout player of the week. Cadet and the New Orleans Saints welcome the Green Bay Packers and their atrocious run defense to the Superdome in week 8. Swaying things further in the favor of Cadet is the fact the fellow running backs, Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson will both sit out Sunday, leaving backfield duties to Mark Ingram and Cadet.

Ingram may see a majority of the handoffs, but Cadet will see a lot of snaps on passing downs — similar to the role he played in the Saints loss to the Detroit Lions last week.

If the game is high scoring like many believe it may be, than Drew Brees and Co. will go to the air and Cadet will reap the reward.

Need a PPR sleeper this week? Grab Travaris Cadet. 10+ fantasy points in 3 straight games (PPR scoring). No Pierre Thomas this week.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) October 23, 2014

If you’re a member of a PPR league, Cadet may be fantasy football gold in week 8.

Tight End Help

TE Scott Chandler (BUF) – A reliable tight end has been a rare commodity in fantasy football in 2014. Guys like Vernon Davis, Jordan Cameron, and Jimmy Graham have all battled injuries this season, leaving the TE position rather bare on the waiver wire in many leagues.

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If you’re on of the many owners still looking for help at the position, Buffalo Bills tight end, Scott Chandler is a safe play.

The Bills face the New York Jets in week, and the Jets have been a top-10 match up for opposing tight ends in 2014. Look for quarterback Kyle Orton to expose this throughout the game, resulting in what should be a solid performance from Chandler, (especially in PPR leagues).

High Risk, High Reward

RB Theo Riddick (DET) – The Detroit Lions will face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday morning live from Wembley Stadium in London, England. They will also do so without running back Reggie Bush who is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury.

Riddick possess similar traits to Bush, and may be even better at catching the ball. He gave us flashes of his potential in week 6 when the Lions took down the Minnesota Vikings, catching five balls for 75-yards before exiting the game with tightness in his hamstring.

Desperate for a RB in a deep league? Think about Theo Riddick/DET or Dan Herron/IND. Expect both to get decent work in good matchups.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 25, 2014

Look for Riddick to expose the Falcons shaky run-D, while splitting time with Joique Bell. The former Notre Dame standout has great moves and could break any play open when he has the ball in his possession. If you’re looking to make a bold move on Sunday, start Riddick across the pond.

Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Trust in Tanny?

QB Ryan Tannehill (MIA) – If you’re looking for quarterback help in week 8, look no further than Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill has averaged 266.3 passing yards over the last three games while tossing two TDs in each. Tanny seems tpo have found his groove at the mid-point of the season and he gets the Jacksonville Jaguars weak pass defense this week.

The Ultimate Distraction

The New York Jets shocked the football world this week when they made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver, Percy Harvin. Seattle reportedly was willing to make the trade, largely due to the distractions caused by Harvin off the field.

Look for distractions to follow Harvin to the big apple, however this time they will be on the field.