Week eight of the National Football League is officially in the books. And with that, fantasy football fans are still looking towards the waiver wire to see if their team can be improved in any way. With bye weeks in full swing some fantasy footballers will scour the wire to ensure they have a full complement of players to choose from for their starting roster in week nine — even at the cost of cutting someone on bye that is roster worthy. Keep a close eye on both players claimed and cut on Wednesday morning.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that I WOULD spend my first waiver priority on a player from the list below. Also, players listed below are in no particular order

Teams on a bye in week four: Bears, Bengals, Patriots, Cardinals, Redskins and Texans

Charcandrick West | Chiefs and Darren Sproles | Eagles

In addition to weekly injuries, there are six teams on a bye in week nine which probably means some folks are in need of a running back to fill our their starting roster. Even if that isn’t your situation, some may consider adding one of these backs via waivers as a defensive tactic — preventing an opponent from adding and using them down the line.

For the Chiefs, both Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware are banged up, leaving Charcandrick West an opportunity to earn the lion’s share of carries until the others are healed up. West draws the Jaguars in week nine — the 12th friendliest defense to opposing fantasy backs in PPR that surrendered close to a combined 40 points to Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray in week eight. West has yet to find the end zone, but he’s averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per carry on the ground while getting work in the passing game as well — 13 receptions for 45 yards.

It’s pretty clear that Darren Sproles has become Doug Pederson’s preferred running back in Philadelphia. And although he hasn’t exactly admitted to Sproles becoming the official starting back, Sproles out-snapped Matthews by a significant margin on Sunday against the Cowboys. Actions speak louder than words. On the ground this season, Sproles has 46 carries for 228 yards (5.0 y/c) and added 22 receptions on 26 targets for 227 yards (10.3 y/r) and a score. His schedule isn’t the best going forward, but he’ll get the Falcons in week 10 who surrender the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing ball carriers so far this season.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 1 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 20-30%
Players I’d drop for him: Chris Ivory, Alfred Blue, Arian Foster

Bilal Powell | Jets, Dion Lewis | Patriots and Tim Hightower | Saints

Matt Forte is having himself a fantastic season, he is the Jets’ top back, no question. But in this time of need Bilal Powell can still contribute to your fake football teams if you have to. He’s carried 30 times for 213 yards (7.1 y/c) and a score on the ground and added 25 receptions on 31 targets for 159 yards (6.4 y/r) in the passing game. He’s seventh among all running backs in the NFL in targets (36) and fifth among all running backs in the NFL with six targets in the red zone. Powell makes more sense in PPR formats than standard, but pull the trigger in either if you’re desperate.

Tim Hightower is the tricky one here. Great matchups going forward, but will Mark Ingram’s benching last more than just one game? I’m not so sure. Hightower looked good on the ground, but played less of a role through the air, so he figures to be a bit more helpful in standard leagues if you’re willing to gamble on his usage. I’m going with West, Sproles, Powell and Lewis before I gamble on Hightower in a PPR, but I may jump him up to after Sproles in a standard format depending on team need.

Stash play: Dion Lewis is on the mend in New England. Once healthy, he could make an impact in both standard and PPR formats. They’ll be on a bye in week nine, so if you’re team can handle that spot being consumed, he’s a fine speculative add/

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 3 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-20%
Players I’d drop for him: Chris Ivory, Alfred Blue, Arian Foster

J.J. Nelson | Cardinals and Corey Coleman | Browns

J.J. Nelson is second on the Cardinals in targets, receptions and yards over the last three weeks while he leads the team with a pair of touchdown receptions. Among the top four pass catchers in Arizona, Nelson leads the group with a 17.9 average depth of target (PFF$) and 13.8 yards per reception. The add is a no-brainer, but you have to do so knowing he’s on a bye in week nine.

It’s just about Corey Coleman time, again. He only played in a pair of games before his injury, but he hauled in 7-of-12 targets for 173 yards and a pair of scores. He’s a home run hitter and one you’ll want on your roster in all formats.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-20%
Players I’d drop for him: Michael Floyd, Brandon LaFell, Cam Meredith

Eric Ebron | Lions and C.J. Fiedorowicz | Texans

Like a handful of names listed above, C.J. Fiedorowicz will be on a bye in week nine, so if you’re desperate for a tight end to play, Eric Ebron may be more of your flavor despite a tough matchup. Ebron caught 7-of-10 targets in the last three weeks for just 79 yards (11.3 y/r) without a touchdown and he’ll draw a Minnesota defense that is 10th toughest in the NFL against opposing fantasy tight ends. If you’re looking beyond week nine, I’d much prefer CJF who’s hauled in 16-of-19 targets for 163 yards and two touchdowns over the past three contests.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-20%
Players I’d drop for him: Dwayne Allen, Vernon Davis, Charles Clay

Atlanta D/ST and San Diego D/ST

The Falcons get the Tampa Bay Bucs on Thursday Night Football — a team that allows the fifth most fantasy points to opposing defense/special teams units. Depending on your format, the Chargers put up about 13 fantasy points on the road against the Broncos in week eight. They’ll get the Titans in week nine who are the 16th-most generous team to opposing D/ST units.

Consider in leagues: 8+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-20%
Players I’d drop for him: Any on a bye except Arizona