Fantasy Football Roster Trends: Waiver Pickups, Drops & Trades

Bye-mageddon surely hurt many managers in Week 8, when we had six teams on bye. With those returning, a flurry of moves is being made to shore up rosters for the second half of the season. Are you going to be the fantasy football manager who comes out on top, or the one who merely fades away into the sunset? The decision you make today will shape your destiny for the rest of the season.

Fantasy Football Roster Trends

Key Injuries

Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG): What was an amazing story. However, Cam Skattebo’s ankle injury will keep him out for the year.
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE): Quinshon Judkins injured his shoulder and, while listed as day-to-day, will be something to monitor. Luckily, Cleveland has a Week 9 bye to give him the extra week to heal.
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI): Saquon Barkley suffered a groin injury, though it is said to be mild. With a Week 9 bye, he will very well be back for Week 10.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC): While Isiah Pacheco has been far from a star this year, he has been the leader in the Chiefs’ backfield. With him out, this may give Kareem Hunt additional opportunities to become fantasy relevant.

Most Added Players

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG)

With the injury to Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. looks to return to last year’s second-half form as a back-end RB2.

Zonovan Knight (RB – ARI)

Zonovan Knight looks to maintain the majority backfield work in Arizona for at least another week or two, as Trey Benson is still out and not eligible to return until Week 10. Even then is far from a sure thing given his knee injury.

Kareem Hunt (RB – KC)

Losing Isiah Pacheco for a week or two will give managers who are struggling with bye weeks and recent losses a low-cost plug-in with touchdown upside. While Kareem Hunt is far past his prime and the days when he could carry a fantasy team, the opportunity ahead of him does give managers some short-term hope.

Most Dropped Players

Kirk Cousins (QB – ATL)

Yikes, Kirk Cousins looked bad in his Week 8 start. Getting the nod as Michael Penix Jr. was unable to go, Cousins did nothing with the opportunity. While some may have hoped he still had gas in the tank to squeak out a win, they were left high and dry as Cousins fell flat.

Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU)

Given the injury to Nico Collins last week and the increased targets Dalton Schultz received, many hoped he would be a nice streaming tight end option. However, while C.J. Stroud passed for a season-high 318 yards, Schultz only grabbed two balls for a meager 24 yards.

Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)

With Drake London missing the game due to a hip injury and Darnell Mooney returning from an injury of his own, managers were hopeful for big things. Yet, Mooney’s one-catch dud of a game left those who took the leap of faith with him falling flat on their face.

Most Traded Players

Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN)

With the return of J.J. McCarthy, managers have hope that Justin Jefferson can return to elite status. While not bad these last few weeks, he has been failing to return his first-round draft capital.

Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)

Having secured his role until the return of Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal is a great target for the teams needing to make a run to the playoffs as a short-term rental with RB1 upside these next few weeks.

Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)

With the JJs (Justin Jefferson and J.J. McCarthy) back together, the opportunity for Jordan Addison to continue to shine may have faded. Managers are trying to decipher if his first-half performance (post-suspension) was real or merely a mirage, making him one of this week’s top-moved players.

Rico Dowdle (RB – CAR)

It appears Rico Dowdle has supplanted Chuba Hubbard as the starter in the Panthers’ offense, who has shown they truly do want to run the ball. Will he put up numbers like he did in his Weeks 5 and 6 explosion games? Probably not, but he still appears to be the running back to roster, and managers are making moves as if that is the case.

Final Thoughts

Crazy times behind us, but still ahead. Adapting to the challenges that are in your way and making smart decisions will determine how you finish. Don’t be the one to fade away, be the one to shine bright as the season enters its final half.