Following a subdued Week 7, it’s time to improve our rosters for Week 8 by using the waiver wire. Let’s take a look at the top waiver wire pickups to target for your fantasy football team. Please note that all roster percentages are from FleaFlicker.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets | Quarterbacks
Which players can help your roster in advance of Week 8? Let’s start at the quarterback position, where Daniel Jones could be a strong Week 8 streamer.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (61% rostered)
Just 28% rostered in Yahoo leagues, Daniel Jones gets the lifeless Chiefs defense next week. The Chiefs are likely to be angry after an embarrassing road loss to the Titans where they failed to score a touchdown. That should result in many pass attempts for Jones. He’s a worthy streamer that can likely be had for free on the waiver wire.
Running Backs
There’s not much on the Week 8 waiver wire at running back, but we give you a few reasons why you should consider Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Brandon Bolden.
Kenneth Gainwell (50% rostered) and Boston Scott (12% rostered), Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders went down early in the Eagles’ loss to the Raiders and was carted off the field. Kenneth Gainwell got the first opportunity to replace Sanders, but he mostly split with Boston Scott. If Sanders has to miss time with an ankle injury, both Gainwell and Scott are worth speculative adds. They’d likely form a committee, with both having RB3 value.
I expect Gainwell to be more sought after and require a 15-25% FAAB bid to acquire. Scott could be a sneaky pivot for fantasy managers that are financially constricted, as he may take just 8-12% of your FAAB.
Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots (16% rostered)
The Patriots made Rhamondre Stevenson a healthy inactive against the Jets. As a result, Brandon Bolden was the passing-down back, catching 6 of 7 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. He’s rostered in just 6% of Yahoo leagues and could be an injury/bye week replacement as an RB3 or flex. He’s worth a 2-5% FAAB bid.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups | Wide Receivers
Several wide receivers to target on the Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire include Darius Slayton, Russell Gage, Allen Lazard, Rashod Bateman, Kalif Raymond, Jamal Agnew, Michael Gallup.
Darius Slayton, New York Giants (29% rostered)
With the Giants down their top three wide receivers, Darius Slayton operated as the WR1 in Week 7. Slayton saw 9 targets from Jones, catching 5 of them for 63 yards. He’s rostered in just 29% of Yahoo leagues. If New York’s other receivers don’t return, he’ll be worth a 5-10% FAAB bid.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (34% rostered)
In his first game back from a lengthy injury, Russell Gage caught 4 of 6 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. Gage is still the WR2 in Atlanta and is worth a 5-7% FAAB bid. He’s just 10% rostered in Yahoo leagues.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers (26% rostered)
Someone has to play WR2 for the Packers, and apparently, Allen Lazard has been appointed. Lazard actually played more snaps than Davante Adams in Week 7, catching 5 of 6 targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. With more bye weeks ahead, Lazard could be a viable WR4. He’s worth a 2-4% FAAB bid.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (51% rostered)
Rashod Bateman appears here for the second consecutive week because he’s still just 32% rostered in Yahoo leagues. Lamar Jackson targeted Bateman 6 times in the Ravens’ loss to the Bengals — he caught 3 of them for 80 yards. Bateman’s role will only continue to grow, and he will be more productive in more competitive games. He’s worth a 5-8% FAAB bid.
Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions (22% rostered)
Jared Goff has to throw to someone other than T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift. It’s not Amon-Ra St. Brown, who went catch-less in the Lions’ loss to the Rams. Instead, Kalif Raymond caught 6 of 8 targets for 115 yards. The fact that he’s even capable of such production warrants a pickup. He’ll be worth a 5-7% FAAB bid.
Jamal Agnew, Jacksonville Jaguars (8% rostered)
Last week, I wrote a waiver wire article specifically on Jamal Agnew. With the Jaguars on bye in Week 7, he was largely forgotten about. Agnew still makes for a nice spot starter this week, and you can likely get him for free.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (67% rostered)
I’m once again including Michael Gallup as he’s on just 40% of Yahoo rosters. Gallup is tentatively due back in Week 8 and will assume his WR3 role on the Cowboys’ high-powered offense. There’s also the possibility for a trade, which could allow him to become another team’s WR2. Nevertheless, Gallup should be on rosters, and now is the time to get him. It will likely only take 3-5% of your FAAB.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets | Tight Ends
Which tight ends should you pick up on the waiver wire in Week 8? We give you two to consider — C.J. Uzomah and Evan Engram.
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals (38% rostered)
Tight end is such a disaster in fantasy this season that C.J. Uzomah is probably worth picking up at this point. He has 5 touchdowns in the last four games. It’s important to note that Joe Burrow only targeted him 3 times in each of the past two games, so we’re just chasing touchdowns here. You can probably get him for 1-2% of your FAAB.
Evan Engram, New York Giants (58% rostered)
I know. I know. Evan Engram has been a running joke for a while now. Just hear me out. With the Giants out of wide receivers, Engram saw 8 targets in Week 7, catching 6 of them for 44 yards. The Giants get the Chiefs next week, and they couldn’t stop MyCole Pruitt … or really anyone. Engram should at least be a consideration this week. Rostered in just 31% of Yahoo leagues, he’s worth a 3-5% FAAB bid.
