Most Common Players On Eliminated Teams From Week 8 In Yahoo Fantasy Death Leagues — Plus Fab Waiver Wire Advice

Every week I'll examine the most common NFL players on the teams eliminated in Yahoo Death Leagues, trying to figure out where the puck is headed. I will also offer some FAB advice ($1,000 cap is the Yahoo default), but please remember this area is highly context-sensitive and manager-specific.

Waiver strategy in Death Leagues

I like to trust myself (and my depth) in the early weeks, and take heart that it's not that difficult to beat just one team when a Death League is still large. As such, I'm not proactive on early offers. I'm definitely more proactive now, but remember that the strength of each cut team becomes much stronger as we get deep into the season. Be very careful not to drain your remaining budget for the future.

Understanding FAB recommendations

I'll offer bidding in three buckets, and you'll need to season the recommendations to taste. You know your context and league habits better than an outsider would. But just know the immediacy has stepped up a bit. I still think it's a mistake to spend all of your money in the present — the wire gets stronger and stronger in every passing week — but I also understand the gravity at hand. So don't be afraid to get in there with some competitive offers.

My weekly FAB recommendations will come in three buckets:

Proactive: This means you highly covet this player, perhaps might even need this player. I realize these offers might not win if someone in your league is lighting money on fire, but as described above, that's often a short-sighted mistake in this format.

Reactive: This means you desire the player but the offer has to make sense for your short- or long-term strategy.

Keep Them Honest: This is an offer that is not designed to win, but might surprisingly land a player if your opponents are distracted by other talent available or unexpectedly passive that week. I often compare notes with other experienced Death League players and we're surprised at how often the Keep Them Honest offers actually win (this is also a portable strategy for regular season-long leagues; you never know when strange market behavior will come about).

One last note: Understand that the FAB recommendations are with the assumption that you won't be making offers for every available player.

Week 8's top-10 players on eliminated teams

1. WR Zay Flowers, Ravens (24.3%)

He's been unstoppable most of the year, but the latest Lamar Jackson injury sunk him in Buffalo. Tyler Huntley also might miss multiple weeks, which means the Ravens offense could be under water. But Flowers is such a talent, we have to keep the light on for him.

FAB Recommendation:

• $125 proactive

• $60 reactive

• $20 keep them honest

2. RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts (22.2%)

He played on about 60% of the snaps in the blowout loss to Jacksonville. Taylor's value is likely to rebound for one of two reasons; either he'll be dealt to a contender, or he'll stay with the Colts and thrive on a favorable second-half schedule. But the next week or so could be bumpy as everything sorts out.

FAB Recommendation:

• $235 proactive

• $130 reactive

• $70 keep them honest

3. QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens (21.8%)

A busted thumb has Jackson headed for IR and it's possible he's done for the year. Baltimore's season could be on life support, too.

FAB Recommendation:

• No bid

4. WR Drake London, Falcons (20.7%)

Between Tampa raindrops and a nightmare day for Michael Penix Jr. (four interceptions), the Atlanta passing game never got off the ground in Week 8. The Bengals present a good rebound spot this week, but then it's a mess: Chiefs, bye week, Vikings. London's rep remains the same; he's a very good player, but just short of a superstar.

FAB Recommendation:

• $150 proactive

• $80 reactive

• $30 keep them honest

5. RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons (19.1%)

His touchdown slump has reached four games, and he's failed to make double-digit fantasy points in two of three starts. It's hard to fault Robinson much when he's still averaging 5.2 YPC, but the Falcons need to find more ways to get him involved as a receiver.

FAB Recommendation:

• $300 proactive

• $165 reactive

• $100 keep them honest

6. RB Javonte Willams, Cowboys (17.2%)

The volume was lovely against the Cardinals, but Williams struggled to find running lanes or goal-line success. The upcoming schedule is favorable, starting with a date at Indy in Week 9. Williams remains a solid cornerstone for any format.

FAB Recommendation:

• $180 proactive

• $90 reactive

• $40 keep them honest

7. WR Parker Washington, Jaguars (16.7%)

His target share has been erratic most of the year, but sometimes you have to bet on talent. The upcoming schedule is favorable (Baltimore, a couple of Tennessee games) and at least Washington is tied to a star QB and a shrewd play-caller.

FAB Recommendation:

• $165 proactive

• $70 reactive

• $25 keep them honest

8. RB Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (16.1%)

Hard to fault a guy on his bye week, plus it gave him a chance to rest a mild hamstring strain. McCaffrey's efficiency is no longer dreamy, but he's a bell cow on a high-scoring offense, so cut the big check.

FAB Recommendation:

• $280 proactive

• $150 reactive

• $100 keep them honest

9. WR George Pickens, Cowboys (15.5%)

Perhaps hamstring and shoulder injuries kept Pickens down in the shocking loss to Arizona. Owner Jerry Jones is calling for Pickens to get more work forward, an interesting spin on the "squeaky wheel" narrative. The Cowboys still have a narrow target tree, so Pickens makes sense as a proactive get.

FAB Recommendation:

• $170 proactive

• $75 reactive

• $30 keep them honest

10. QB Brock Purdy, 49ers (15.2%)

Given how injured the Niners are at receiver, the Week 8 bye wasn't unwelcome. If Mike Evans can stay on the field, Purdy can still be an elite fantasy option. But if Evans has any hiccups, all bets are off.

FAB Recommendation:

• $120 proactive

• $45 reactive

• $8-10 keep them honest