2015 NFL Fantasy Football Week 8: Waiver Wire Pickups

Welcome to the halfway mark of the season.

There are still a few more intriguing names on the waiver wire, but I'm not sure any of them are more than bye week fill ins or stash and pray types.  Here are some guys that were listed last week that if still available should be picked up: Miami Dolphins QB  Ryan Tannehill, Houston Texans QB Brian Hoyer, Green Bay Packers RB James Starks, San Diego Chargers RB Branden Oliver, Arizona Cardinals WR John Brown, Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Floyd, Minnesota Vikings WR Stefon Diggs, and Oakland Raiders WR Michael Crabtree.

Let's get to this week's list:

QB

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston: He is coming around and has a great schedule the 2nd half of the year. I would take him over Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning.

RB

• Dallas Cowboys RB Darren McFadden: He has the job but has the Seattle Seahawks next week. Still, 20 touches are 20 touches.
• Houston Texans RB Alfred Blue: I am not seeing more than 15 touches, though he has had great fantasy games in the past. Probably worth the flyer.
• Cleveland Browns RB Duke Johnson: This is more for PPR where he has been a top 10 RB the past few weeks.
• Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell: This is a pure gamble with the uncertainty of how new Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter will run the team. Another nice long shot gamble.
• Houston Texans RB Chris Polk: He will get touches and is, at worst, the passing game RB.
• Cleveland Browns RB Robert Turbin: He looked like the best runner last week.
• Tennessee Titans RB Dexter McCluster: He's getting 65% of the snaps at RB.
• Tennessee Titans RB David Cobb: He will be back in two weeks and has to get a chance at the gig with the woeful production from the Titans RBs.
• New York Giants RB Orleans Darkwa: He had a nice spark. If you have an open spot, why not?

WR

• New England Patriots WR Brandon Lafell: He had some awful drops, but he did find eight targets in his first game. They obviously like him. So should you.
• Cincinnati Bengals WR Marvin Jones: He should not be out there, but if he's available in your league, he's a solid WR3 the rest of the way.
• Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett: The Hawks are throwing the ball more than they ever have. He may be hit or miss, but the talent is there.
• Carolina Panthers WR Ted Ginn: Your WR1 for the undefeated Panthers.
• San Diego Chargers WR Stevie Johnson: TE Antonio Gates is out. With Johnson's targets likely between 8-9 every week and a great match up versus the Ravens this week, he's a buy.
• Kansas City Chiefs WR Chris Conley: The talent is there for this rookie. Plus, they should have to throw to stay in games the rest of the way

TE

• New York Jets TE Jeff Cumberland: This is a pick for this week playing the Oakland Raiders who are the worst team defending tight ends.

Defense

• Minnesota Vikings: They get the Bears and then the Rams at their home next week, a very solid 2 week play.
• Green Bay Packers: The Denver offense is bottom 10 overall.