Week 8 is upon us, and more than half of the NFL will go on its bye in the next four weeks, including six teams getting a break in Week 9. The impending byes, plus a number of notable injuries, have many looking to the waiver wire this week to retool their lineups.
So, let's get right to it with this week's waiver adds.
Note: As usual, players must be owned in less than 50 percent of leagues to qualify for this list.
Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans (18.8 percent): It was so tough to see Arian Foster go down with another injury, as he's one of the game's truly great players and a joy to watch when he is on the field. He'll miss the rest of this season, leaving Blue as the most likely candidate to take over as the bell cow in Houston. Others are likely to figure into the mix, as well (e.g., Chris Polk), but if I had to advocate for one Texans back to add, it's Blue. He had a 31-carry, 139-yard, one-touchdown effort earlier this season.
Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys (42.6 percent): There was a point last week when it seemed plausible that Christine Michael would make his mark in the Cowboys' backfield, but after Joseph Randle left Sunday's game with a back strain, it became the Run-DMC show. He had 29 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett conceded on Monday that McFadden has earned more touches. Even if Randle plays in Week 8, McFadden could be the starter.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings (43.8 percent): Let's make a deal, OK? Diggs not only needs to be ineligible for this list next week based on ownership percentage but also needs to be owned in all leagues! He's a stud talent who has taken on a starting role in an offense that will allow him to capitalize down the field. He's a borderline top-25 wide receiver for me for the rest of the season.
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys (39.2 percent): Not all moves have to be made with immediate payoff in mind, so consider this: Romo can return for Week 11. Many ESPN leagues run the playoffs from Week 14 on. If Romo is free in your league and you have any doubt about your current QB, snatch up the Cowboys' signal-caller and stash him for the upside.
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington (41.7 percent): In each game he has played, Reed has at least five receptions. He's coming off of an 11-catch outing, and the only downside is that he's heading into his bye. Reed has struggled to stay on the field, but, at a shallow position, he's an upside player. He has wide receiver skills.
James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers (45.3 percent): Simply an emphasis point that Starks should be owned in all leagues. Green Bay returns to action this Sunday against Denver.
David Cobb, RB, Tennessee Titans (7.3 percent): The fifth-round rookie isn't eligible to play until Week 9 (he's on short-term injured reserve), but getting ahead of the curve doesn't hurt. The backfield situation in Tennessee is, frankly, devoid of much production right now. Cobb seems capable of coming in and eventually earning a starting role. If you wait for that to happen before trying to add him, it could well be too late.
Two-QB league/bye-week fill-in adds: Brian Hoyer, Houston Texans (12.9 percent), Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (33.3 percent), Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets (24.4 percent), Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (38.8 percent)
Deeper-league adds
Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego Chargers (6.0 percent): Oliver got the early touches over Melvin Gordon in Week 7, although it seems unlikely we've seen the last of Gordon as a starter. But with six catches to go along with nine rushes, Oliver is intriguing, especially in PPR leagues.
Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots (37.6 percent): I'm an optimist, so let's focus on the redeeming part of LaFell's season debut: eight targets. Drops were a huge problem for him, but I chalked that up more to rust than an issue to be concerned with going forward. He felt like the No. 3 option in what has been the best offense in football. That has value.
Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills (5.4 percent): A former second-round pick, Woods has never lacked talent. He had nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, and, with Percy Harvin not looking likely to return soon, Woods should be Buffalo's No. 2 wideout upon Sammy Watkins' return from injury. Tyrod Taylor should be back soon, too.
Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers (36.3 percent): We'll see when Antonio Gates returns to action for the Chargers after missing Week 7 with an injury, but Green has shown himself capable of being an impact player with or without Gates on the field.
James White, RB, New England Patriots (5.5 percent): My sense is that there is a decent shot Dion Lewis will return for Week 8, but White is on the radar if he doesn't play Thursday night against Miami. The Patriots dressed just two running backs in Week 7, and White played 44 snaps compared with just eight for LeGarrette Blount. When the team goes with its spread, up-tempo attack, White is in the mix.
Danny Amendola, WR, New England Patriots (16.1 percent): Looking for a wideout in a deep PPR league? Amendola could fit the bill. He has strung together consecutive double-digit games in standard scoring. Playing with Tom Brady is always a good thing.
Chris Conley, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (0.4 percent): A terrific athlete who was taken in the third round this year, Conley had a notable Week 7 with six catches, 63 yards and a touchdown. Some had suspected he'd emerge in Kansas City. We'll see what the role looks like with Jeremy Maclin likely back in the lineup soon, but Conley feels like the higher-upside add among the young KC wide receivers over Albert Wilson.
Orleans Darkwa, RB, New York Giants (0.0 percent): Darkwa -- just as none of us predicted -- led the Giants with eight rushes for 48 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. It was an out-of-nowhere performance that doesn't make an already-difficult-to-size-up backfield any simpler. If you're RB-needy, he's a super-deep-league add.