Looking through the box scores and checking the injury reports, there are some names with opportunities for your fantasy team in week 8. Take a look in your league, and add these guys if you need help at their position.
RB
Bryce Brown (BUF) will be getting a big opportunity to take the lead back role for the Bills in week 8. After Fred Jackson went down with a groin injury, and CJ Spiller broke his collar bone and is out for the season, expect Brown to get the bulk of the carries until Jackson comes back. Brown has been a healthy inactive so far this season, but had mixed results with Philadelphia in the past. Putting up back to back 165+ yard games in 2012, Brown followed that up with two miserable performances. He has talent enough that the Bills traded for him in the off season. A starting running back is a hard thing to come by this time of year, especially one in an offense that will look to run. Brown is the top add of the week.
Jerick McKinnon (MIN) has taken over the feature back role in Minnesota. Rushing 19 times for 103 yards in week 7, McKinnon is a must add player that is only owned in 11.7 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. He will be getting the rushing down work, and will mix in some pass catching as well. If he is unowned in your league, go grab him.
Tre Mason (STL) got the starters reps for the Rams against the Seahawks in week 7, and he didn't squander his opportunity. Gaining 85 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, look for Mason to continue to get work for the Rams in the future. A tough schedule lies ahead for the rookie, but given volume, he can still be a productive addition to a running back talent starved roster.
Stepfan Taylor (ARI) is more of a speculative add. He got 12 carries for 40 yards and a score plus caught 2 passes for 19 yards and a score. There is no guarantee that he will continue to get any kind of volume for Arizona, but if something happened to Andre Ellington, Taylor would likely see increased workload. Watch him again in the coming week to see if his increase in touches continues.
Travaris Cadet (NO) caught 6 passes for the second time in 3 weeks for the Saints. With Pierre Thomas suffering an injury in week 7, Cadet could see some work in the coming weeks if Thomas misses any time. Cadet is a better addition in a point per reception (PPR) league. Watch for news on Thomas and grab Cadet if he can help your team.
WR
Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) had 4 catches for 34 yards and 2 touchdowns plus a rush for 13 yards. On bye in week 8, Beckham will not be a helpful addition to your team this week, but he should be owned in all leagues after the injury to Victor Cruz. Currently owned in only 20.2 percent of ESPN leagues, get him while you can.
Doug Baldwin (SEA) had a monster game in the first game after the Seahawks traded Percy Harvin. The Hawks were behind early on Sunday, and came out firing in the second half. Baldwin had 7 catches for 123 yards and a score in week 7 against the Rams. Baldwin is the best receiver on the Seahwaks roster, and has now been thrust into the number 1 role. Expect him to continue to see a high volume in the future.
Stevie Johnson (SF) has 3 games this season with at least 5 catches, and has scored in 3 of his last 4 games. A bit hit or miss, Johnson will definitely leave you hanging at times, but if the 49ers are behind, he will likely see some solid fantasy production. On bye in week 8, you may be able to wait until next week to get him, but don't miss the boat on a player that could help your team.
TE
Gavin Escobar (DAL) had 3 catches for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 7. This is the first week Escobar has had that kind of production, but his upcoming match ups are good ones for tight ends. Facing off against Washington, Arizona, and Jacksonville the next 3 weeks, Escobar could see his scoring ways continue.
Jermaine Gresham (CIN) has 16 catches in the past 2 weeks. Seeming to be a bit of a safety valve for Andy Dalton, he had 10 catches for 48 yards in a dismal game for the Bengals against the Colts in week 7. In PPR leagues he will have value based on his volume.
Clay Harbor (JAX) has either 6+ catches or a score in 3 of the last 4 weeks. A favorite target of rookie Blake Bortles, Harbor can provide you some help at the dismal tight end position on your team. If your tight end is out or on bye this week, you could definitely do worse than Harbor for your roster.
QB
Ryan Tannehill (MIA) has put together three solid games in a row. Throwing for at least 240 yards and 2 touchdowns in each of his last 3 games, Tannehill is putting up some good numbers. He is bolstering his stats with rushing yardage as well. Averaging 44 rushing yards per game his last 3, Tannehill is a good option for a bye week fill in, or a switch if you are in the market for a new quarterback. A week 8 match up with Jacksonville should provide him with a good opportunity to score.
Robert Griffin III (WAS) is likely to practice this week. It is uncertain what RG3 will come back from his latest injury, but it has become painfully obvious that Kirk Cousins is either not an NFL talent, or just not ready to be a starter yet. I would recommend a speculative stash of Griffin if you are unhappy at the quarterback position. If he can gain the rushing yardage he had as a rookie, he can score big. Games against Minnesota in week 9, and Tampa Bay in week 11 set him up for the chance to score for you.
