In this edition of Win the Dynasty Waiver Wire, Curtis Patrick shares his top waiver targets for Week 8 in dynasty fantasy football leagues.
For the purposes of this series, I’ll be using FFPC “percentage rostered” data and adding commentary regarding what to do in deeper leagues as well. Quarterbacks are listed for purposes of Superflex and 2QB leagues. I only analyze players who are available in at least 50% of leagues.
Let’s take a look at the top priorities for Week 8.
Quarterback
Ben DiNucci (available in 99.9% of leagues)
FAAB: 3-5%
A seventh-round selection out of James Madison in the 2020 NFL Draft, DiNucci has been thrust into the spotlight following a season-ending injury to Dak Prescott and a dirty head shot to Andy Dalton which has him in the league’s concussion protocol. Given the Cowboys’ talent at WR, failing to place at least a speculative bid in Superflex on a QB who will be starting a week would be borderline negligent.
DiNucci was three-star recruit and named second-team All-USA QB by USA Today in 2014. He originally committed to and played for Pittsburgh, starting a decent chunk of the season as a redshirt sophomore in 2017. He transferred to James Madison in pursuit of a full-time starting gig as Pittsburgh opted to hand the keys to Kenny Pickett. My primary interest in DiNucci is for his legs rather than his arm, as he rushed for 1,003 yards and 16 TD at James Madison in 29 career games.
He was 2-of-3 for 39 yards in his first NFL action last week, including a 32-yard strike to Amari Cooper. Assuming Dalton isn’t cleared to start, DiNucci will face the Eagles in Week 8. Philly has allowed at least 23 fantasy points to four of the last five QBs they’ve faced, thanks to 10 total TDs surrendered to the position over that stretch and only three interceptions forced. The Eagles have also allowed a top-seven QBR, top-five completion percentage, and nearly 200 rushing yards to QBs too.
Once upon a time, the Cowboys turned to Tony Romo mid-season and never looked back. Given how horrid Dalton has looked this season, if DiNucci provides any spark at all I could see Dallas sticking with him the rest of the way.
Running Back
JaMycal Hasty (available in 53.1% of leagues)
FAAB: 10%
I first mentioned Hasty here back in Week 3; hopefully you added him then when he was more widely available.
An Aaron Jones size and athleticism twin, Hasty is the most exciting backfield dynasty asset on the wire this week thanks to the situation in San Francisco.
The Shanahan family has a long history of turning low-or-no draft capital backs into legitimate fantasy weapons, and Hasty could be the next in line for that designation with Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman out with injuries. Only Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. stand between Hasty and significant opportunity share. A four-year player at Baylor, Hasty caught 79 balls and managed a respectable career 5.15 yards per carry mark.
The 49ers continue to be saddled with injuries at RB and it looks like Hasty is in line for significant opportunity now, at least for a few weeks. He posted a 9/57 rushing line against New England in relief of the now-injured Wilson Jr. in Week 7. Coleman and Mostert remain on injured reserve. Hasty will only have to share the backfield with McKinnon this week against Seattle. The Seahawks are more susceptible to RBs through the air than on the ground, which probably leans in McKinnon’s favor. Week 9 will bring the Packers and much softer ground game matchup.
