Tre Mason seems to have taken over the role in STL and is the top consensus waiver wire pickup of the week

Talk about a bad break for the Buffalo Bills this past weekend as they saw both of their starting running backs go down with injuries. Then there was St. Louis who just made Zac Stacy owners regret ever drafting him. Week 7 brought big changes which makes the waiver wire that much more confusing and interesting at the same time.

With the surprises that happened this past week, it’s difficult to know who to go after with your waiver wire pickups. For that reason, we’ve asked our experts to help by honing in on this week’s top options. Read on to see who the experts recommend adding to your team.

Featured Pros

Ben Standig (CSN Washington)
Jeff Paur (RTSports)
Matthew Hill (Fantasy Team Advice)
Nathan Miller (Revelation Sports)
Wayne Bretsky (BretskyBall)

Waiver Wire Rankings (STD Scoring)

Week 8 Waiver Wire Advice

Each expert was asked to share advice about their top RB target along with any other waiver wire suggestions they have. Here’s what the experts had to say.

Q1: The top 4 RB pickups are Tre Mason, Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon, and Denard Robinson. Tell us which player you’d target 1st and why.

Matthew Hill – Fantasy Team Advice
Despite being introduced as the starter, Zac Stacy did not record a single carry on Sunday. Instead rookie Tre Mason dominated the touches for the Rams, rushing for 85 yards on 18 carries, including a six-yard touchdown.There was plenty of talk earlier in the week of the Rams using a “hot hand” approach to the backfield, but it sure looked like St. Louis came into the game with the goal of turning the backfield over to the explosive first year player. Mason showed tremendous burst on outside runs igniting a Rams ground game that had been dormant most of the year. Expect Mason to continue to be the Rams back of choice on early downs and at the goal line, making him this week’s top waiver wire add.
 
Wayne Bretsky – BretskyBall
Tre Mason is the top runner on the wire this week and worth your top waiver priority. The third-round selection out of Auburn is doing his best Zac Stacy-2013 impression by swooping in and grabbing lead back duties from an underwhelming committee of veterans. Mason pounded out 85 yards and a touchdown on 18 impressive carries against a tough Seattle D and while the upcoming schedule is a daunting one — @ KC, @ SF, @ ARI, vs. DEN, @ SD — the rookie should continue to see the lion’s share of carries following his breakthrough performance.
 
Jeff Paur – RTSports
I like Tre Mason the best out of those options. I think he has the most long-term potential out of the group. Mason has a good shot to continue to receive the bulk of the carries for the Rams. The Rams offensive line has made big strides the last few weeks, which bodes well for the running game. Mason still needs plenty of work blocking, which will limit his playing time some, but you have to like his potential in this offense going forward. He is a big-play threat that can churn out yards the more work he gets.
 
Ben Standig – CSN Washington
Back during the offseason I pondered whether Tre Mason, the 2014 third-round pick, could supplant or at least share time with 2013 fifth-round pick Zac Stacy. Granted, Stacy shined as a rookie, but look at the investment St. Louis made in a running back just the following year. Now Stacy has turned from effective inside runner and starter, to plodder and benched, while the quick Mason is coming off a breakout performance with 85 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Benny Cunningham is Mason’s biggest threat in terms of goal line work, but the 2014 third-round pick is the Rams’ biggest RB threat.
 
Nathan Miller – Revelation Sport
Tre Mason is my top WW add this week. The problem is that in savvy leagues, he was likely grabbed last week after getting hot in limited action. He backed up his claim for the lead role in Week 7, and likely won’t be looking back. The Rams are looking surprisingly effective lately and Mason has a real chance for consistent production going forward. If he’s available, grab him now.

 
Q2. Share any additional thoughts on a player or two you like this week besides your top pick.

Nathan Miller – Revelation Sports
My three other notable WW adds for the week are Anthony “Boobie” Dixon, Bryce Brown, and Denard Robinson. I’m only spending pocket change on Robinson, as Jacksonville has been anything but consistent in RB carry distribution this season. That being said, Robinson was easily the most enticing back for the Jaguars this year, and will be a strong contender for a role. I still think Jacksonville wants Gerhart to get another shot when healthy, which could complicate things.

Conversely, Buffalo is in the top half of the league in rush attempts and finished as the top team in rush attempts last season. There’s a long history of rushing in the Marrone/Hackett offense, and Brown or Dixon will benefit based on volume alone. My money is on Brown to lead the way. He’s the more versatile back and has had success as a lead back when given the opportunity. His pass protection is improved and he’s capable of much more than plodding, which just so happens to be Dixon’s specialty. If I’ve got the FA money, am RB needy, and have spots available, I’m trying to grab both with the expectation that one will be dropped in a few short weeks due to the unpredictability of RB usage in Buffalo. Priority (20-25% budget) should be given to Brown, especially if FJax’s prognosis is bleak.
 
Matthew Hill – Fantasy Team Advice
With at least five catches in four of the last five games, first year wide receiver Allen Robinson has quietly been one of fantasy’s most consistent PPR options. Robinson who checks in at 6’3, 210 pounds, has the frame to be a top red-zone target and could see his value surge in standard leagues as Blake Bortles becomes more comfortable leading Jacksonville’s offense. The return of Cecil Shorts in week six did not diminish Allen’s role as the rookie has been targeted 16 times in the past two games. Robinson is worthy of a roster spot in standard leagues and a must own in PPR.
 
Wayne Bretsky – BretskyBall
For the receiver-needy out there, Doug Baldwin’s usage on Sunday was the first glimpse of the post-Percy era in Seattle. He racked up a team-high 11 targets, reeling in seven balls for 123 yards and a touchdown. Baldwin averaged just 4.8 targets per game in 2014 while Harvin was with the team and he proved capable of capitalizing on increased opportunity in Week 7. Rookie wideout Allen Robinson scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 7 and perhaps it’s time for fantasy owners to take notice. Since ascending to a full-time role in Week 3, Robinson has racked up 44 targets in five games, putting forth steady production in Jacksonville’s improving offense. He’s got the size, hands, and leaping ability to develop into a red zone beast and owners would be wise to get on board while he’s sitting out on the wire.
 
Ben Standig – CSN Washington
That’s what you call an interesting performance watching Denard Robinson. We’ve been waiting for the Jaguars to unleash the former Michigan quarterback-turned-NFL runner. We’ve been waiting long enough that I assumed this day would never come, especially since the likes of Jordan Todman and Storm Johnson had their lead back moments first. Yesterday, finally, was Robinson’s day and he dazzled. Not sure he’s built for a heavy workload week in and week out, but Robinson is a playmaker. Jacksonville needs those. He’ll remain involved even if/when Toby Gerhart reemerges.

The Bills RB situation is tricky and a bummer following Sunday’s carnage as both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson suffered significant injuries. Anthony Dixon, the former backup to Frank Gore in San Francisco, took over and pounded out 51 yards on 13 carries while also catching three passes. Not the most talented of Buffalo’s remaining options, but he’s certainly the most stable. Regardless, he won’t be more than a flyer in Week 8 against the Jets rugged inside run defense.

Once a shooting star with the Eagles, Bryce Brown joined Buffalo this offseason. We’re still waiting for him to join them on the field, but that’s coming now. The lack of special teams ability kept him inactive the opening seven weeks. The 4.6 ypc career average and natural, explosive talent makes him interesting. Brown was all kinds of raw with Philadelphia and the Eagles ultimately traded him. He’s the Buffalo back to target and he’s a potential top 20 RB the rest of the season if he doesn’t drive his coaches mad in the process.

Within seconds of the news that Seattle shipped Percy Harvin to the Jets, I rushed to my various leagues to grab Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse wherever possible. Even though the Seahawks are a run-heavy team, Wilson is getting the job done through the air and somebody has to catch those passes. Baldwin previously showed he has big-play ability. Even if he’s not a true No. 1 receiver, Wilson’s presence makes up for any deficiency. Consider Baldwin a weekly WR3 with top 20 potential.

Keep an eye on Charles Clay. He stunned last season with seven touchdowns, but he didn’t find the end zone in 2014 until Sunday. Next up, Clay has a very fantasy-friendly matchup against the Jaguars, putting him on the TE1 cusp. Also note Ryan Tannehill’s improved play and the Dolphins passing game hierarchy still lacking a proven second option behind Mike Wallace. Don’t go crazy here in terms of FAAB or waiver spot, but he’s worth adding if needed.
 
Jeff Paur – RTSports
He gets overlooked at times, but Andrew Hawkins is having a fine season for the Browns. He is worth grabbing if you need receiver help. Hawkins had his first 100-yard game of the season last week and has 70-plus yards in four of six games this season. He is the top target in this Browns offense and gets plenty of work. Hawkins has value as a No. 3 or 4 fantasy receiver. With Percy Harvin gone, Doug Baldwin becomes the top receiver for the Seahawks. He had his best game of the season in that role last week, catching seven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. He won’t produce like that every week, but should see an increase in targets from earlier in the season. Baldwin could have some value as a No. 3 fantasy receiver the rest of the way.

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Thanks to this week’s Featured Pros for sharing their advice! You can check out more picks from the pundits as their weekly rankings are unveiled soon.