Week 8 Fantasy pickups: Last call on Jalen Richard with Marshawn Lynch on IR

Jalen Richard, Doug Martin now in charge in Oakland backfield

Marshawn Lynch will be sidelined basically the rest of the fantasy season due to a groin injury, leaving 17.5 touches per week up for grabs. Martin will clearly see a bump in usage, handling plenty of early-down carries. He’s an inefficient runner who’s nearing his 30th birthday, well past his prime, so of course Jon Gruden loves him like a pet. Martin has averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in five of the past six seasons (3.7 in 2018) and he’s caught only four passes this year. It’s tough to make a case that he deserves additional work, but it’s pretty clearly coming his way. If you’re looking for a back who can give you, say, 14 carries for 38 yards with the possibility of a touchdown, then place a bid on Martin.

Richard is the priority add in any sort of PPR format, as he’s already caught 31 passes for 253 yards on 37 targets this season. He currently ranks sixth in receptions among all backs, and his bye week is behind him. He’s a slippery runner (5.3 career YPC) who should soon have a James White-style role, with the possibility of something more. Go get him. We shouldn’t have to tell you that game-flow will favor him more often than not.

Schedule, next three weeks: Ind, at SF, LAC

FAAB bid ($100 budget): $21 and $16

Chris Ivory reenters the fantasy discussion

LeSean McCoy exited Sunday’s loss after suffering what the team keeps calling a “head injury” and not a concussion. OK. McCoy seems likely to enter the head injury protocol this week, which would leave Ivory atop the backfield hierarchy. Ivory ran for 81 empty yards on 16 carries in relief of McCoy this week, adding three receptions for 25. If Shady can’t return for Monday night’s matchup with the Patriots, Ivory is going to be asked to handle 20-plus touches. Add as needed. New England has allowed 4.6 YPC so far this season.

Schedule, next three weeks: NE, Chi, at NYJ

FAAB bid: $13

Michael Gallup makes a house call for Dallas

The waiver wire competition for Gallup shouldn’t be too fierce this week because the Cowboys are headed into a bye. Also, Dallas just ludicrously dealt a first-round pick for Amari Cooper, which will get people thinking the new arrival can soon become the team’s No. 1. (Don’t bet on it. Mid-season trades for receivers rarely yield immediate benefits.) If you can afford to plan beyond Week 8, take a long look at Gallup. He was targeted five times on Sunday, hauling in three balls for 81 yards, with this 49-yard score included…

Vicious double move, rookie. Gallup’s role should only increase in the season’s second-half; he played 85 percent of the snaps in Week 7. Add if you like upside.

Schedule, next three weeks: bye, Ten, at Phi

FAAB bid: $5

Danny Amendola sees another hefty target total

OK, maybe it’s true that no fantasy manager ever fist-pumped after winning the Amendola FAAB sweepstakes. He’s arguably not the most exciting add. But it’s tough to ignore the recent workload. Amendola has seen 18 targets over the past two games, with Brock Osweiler at the controls of Miami’s offense. He’s converted those opportunities into 14 catches for 143 yards and one spike — numbers that can help in any fantasy format. Every other Dolphins receiver is injured and/or feuding with Adam Gase at the moment, which should leave Amendola well positioned for continued fantasy relevance.

Schedule, next three weeks: at Hou, NYJ, at GB

FAAB bid: $5

Chris Herndon emerges as preferred target for Sam Darnold

Herndon is another follow-the-targets special. The rookie caught four balls for 42 yards and a score on seven chances against the Vikings, which gives him touchdowns in back-to-back games. He nearly had a second spike on Sunday, for what it’s worth. While he wasn’t a hugely productive collegiate player at Miami (40-477-4 last season), he clearly enjoys chemistry with Darnold. Consider him a viable streaming option against Chicago; the Bears defense has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends so far.

Schedule: at Chi, at Mia, Buf

FAAB bid: $3

Pittsburgh’s D is coming off a bye, facing Cleveland

Everything you need to know is right up there ^ in the subhead. The Steelers currently rank second in the NFL in sacks (22) and they’re about to host a rookie QB who’s been dropped 15 times in his last three games. It isn’t always a defensive clinic with Pittsburgh, but this is a rested team preparing to host the Browns. Let’s not overthink it.

Schedule, next three weeks: Cle, at Bal, Car

FAAB bid: $3

Also recommended: QB Baker Mayfield, Cle, QB C.J. Beathard, SF, RB Ronald Jones, TB, RB Kenjon Barner, NE, RB Rashaad Penny, Sea, RB Marcus Murphy, Buf, WR Courtland Sutton, Den, WR Tre’Quan Smith, NO, WR Randall Cobb, GB, WR Geronimo Allison, GB, WR Tyrell Williams, LAC, TE Vance McDonald, Pit, TE Dallas Goedert, Phi, K Mason Crosby, GB, DEF New England Patriots

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