NFL

The Fantasy PPR Waiver Report: Week 8

We don't like to leave behind our PPR brethren. Check out 3 players we think can make a PPR impact!

Earlier today, I gave you the top seven waiver pickups for Week 8, but that's not all my friends. No, if you're in a Point-Per-Reception (PPR) league, then you need some special loving. And numberFire knows just what you need: some running backs with high targets and short-yardage, high catching receivers.

Here are three players you should pick up only if you're in a PPR league. Since there aren't statistics on who is owned in how many PPR leagues, the "Leagues Owned" percentage here will be from all ESPN leagues, standard or otherwise. But these guys are absolutely worth a flier for their receiving abilities.

Top 3 PPR Waiver Pickups for Week 8

RB/FB Marcel Reece - Oakland Raiders
Week 7 Fantasy Points (PPR): 9
Leagues Owned: 0.3%

I mentioned his PPR prowess in my long-shot sleepers piece from Week 6, then he promptly went out and posted a one-spot against the Falcons. Thanks man, glad my faith in you was founded.

But that Week 6 down game is looking more and more like a fluke, as Reece posted nine fantasy points (FP) before leaving to injury in Sunday's game against the Jaguars. With his six targets in Week 7, Reece now ranks eighth among all running backs in total targets and is one of only three non-lead backs in the top ten (probably-owned Dexter McCluster is one, and I'll get to the other in a second). He now has at least nine FP in two of his past three games as well when you take into account his Week 4 double-digit game against the Broncos.

A little worried that he's only our #75 RB in our projections this week? That's because of the giant Warning: He's Questionable label that comes with Reece. You need to see if he's fully healthy before even thinking about starting him against the Chiefs. But with how big of a weapon he's turned into in the Oakland passing game, he's still worth the look for the future. He can provide bye-week filler numbers with his pass-catching ability in PPR leagues.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya - Cleveland Browns
Week 7 Fantasy Points (PPR): 4
Leagues Owned: 0.4%

What if I told you... that two separate Browns RBs might be worth owning in your fantasy league? Did I blow your mind? Or was that you just trying to pronounce "Ogbonnaya" again?

The other running back in the top ten of targets this season, Chris Ogbonnaya has parlayed his Browns third-down back duties into one of the best gigs for pass-catching RBs in all of football. His current 23 targets, or average of over three per game, may not seem like much. However, when you're converting those targets at an incredible 83% catch rate like Ogbannaya is, you'll get some sweet, sweet, PPR points coming your way. He not only gets the long passes - two 20+ yard receptions this year - but he makes them count as well with a second-on-the-team 10 first down receptions this year.

And that could go a long way for fantasy owners. He has had at least two points in every single week since his 11 FP Week 2, even while only running the ball four times for 16 rush yards total on the season. Even better, he has posted at least four FP in four of his seven games this season, including two of his last three. And with San Diego and Baltimore upcoming on the schedule, a lot of Brandon Weeden passing and check downs to the running back could be in order; Ogbonnaya was targeted four times in Cleveland's Week 4 game against Baltimore.

WR Stephen Hill - New York Jets
Week 7 Fantasy Points (PPR): 9
Leagues Owned: 15.0%

The Jets receiving corps has gotten a little bit clearer: it's Kerley at the top, with Hill, Keller, and Greene all fighting for #2 duty. But lucky for their fantasy owners, that #2 duty could have big dividends - despite Rex Ryan's insistence on the contrary, the Jets have still thrown the ball on 52% of their offensive plays so far this season. On Sunday against the Patriots, that proportion was as high as 55%, and Hill was one of the primary beneficiaries with seven targets and four receptions.

His current 48% catch rate leaves a lot to be desired, especially for a PPR receiver, but it's those opportunities that should have you salivating for some receptions. The next three Jets games should be extremely pass-heavy, as Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis are three of the best run-stopping teams in the NFL. Short passes + clear #2 receiver + only owned in 15% of leagues = PPR gold for Stephen Hill.