Alright folks, week 7 felt like a minefield for fantasy rosters, didn't it? Between the injuries (looking at you, Justin Jefferson and David Montgomery) and some truly baffling performances, hitting the week 8 waiver wire pickups hard isn't just smart, it's survival. Forget those generic lists. We're digging deep into who's actually worth your FAAB budget or waiver priority, who's just a flash in the pan, and why you might need to make that tough drop.
I remember last season ignoring a deep RB stash in week 7... cost me a playoff spot when my starter went down week 14. Lesson learned. Don't be that guy. Let's get into the real meat of these week 8 waiver wire targets.
The Running Back Situation: Thin Pickings? Let's Dig Deeper
Man, the RB landscape is brutal right now. Finding true starters on waivers feels impossible. But usable depth and potential lottery tickets? That we can find. Forget chasing big names that aren't there; focus on opportunity and role changes.
Priority Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups (RBs)
| Player (Team) | Current Rostered % (Est.) | Why He's Here | FAAB % Bid Suggestion | My Concern Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Achane (MIA) | ~65% (Check YOUR league!) | Injured, but stashing him NOW if dropped is crucial. Potential league-winner for playoffs. | 15-25% (If dropped) | High - Re-injury risk always scary. |
| Tyjae Spears (TEN) | ~45% | Derrick Henry trade rumors keep swirling. Even without that, his snap share (45%+) and passing work are solid flex play material. | 10-18% | Low - Role is established and valuable. |
| Emari Demercado (ARI) | ~40% | James Conner (knee) is out multiple weeks. Demercado handled bulk of work after Conner left. Volume king. | 18-30% | Medium - Efficiency wasn't great vs SEA, offense is shaky. |
| D'Onta Foreman (CHI) | ~35% | Started over Roschon? Looked good (89 yards, 2 TDs vs LV). Khalil Herbert on IR, Roschon banged up. Lead back for now. | 12-22% | Medium-High - Bears offense. Roschon's health clouding it. |
See someone like Darrell Henderson? He got the start, but Kyren Williams is coming back soon. Better options exist. Achane is the dream scenario if available. Spears? Honestly feels like the safest PPR play of this bunch even without a Henry trade. Demercado and Foreman are pure volume bets – not exciting, but points are points.
Deeper Stashes & Watch List (Week 8 Waiver Wire)
- Pierre Strong Jr. (CLE): Jerome Ford got banged up (again). Strong looked explosive. If Ford misses time, Strong becomes an immediate flex/RB2. Worth a preemptive add if you have space. (Deep stash alert)
- Royce Freeman (LAR): Kyren's primary backup *while* he's out. Got goal line work. Only relevant for maybe one more week. (Super short-term desperation play)
- Rico Dowdle (DAL): Tony Pollard hasn't been dominant. Dowdle gets occasional carries and looks decent. Handcuff value only for now. (Deep, deep bench stash)
Wide Receivers: Injuries Creating Golden Opportunities
Justin Jefferson on IR. Diontae Johnson just back, Deebo banged up, Christian Kirk missed time... the WR waiver wire for week 8 pickups is suddenly fertile ground. This is where you find potential league winners, not just fill-ins.
Must-Add Wideouts for Week 8 Waivers
| Player (Team) | Current Rostered % (Est.) | Why He's Here | FAAB % Bid Suggestion | Watch Out For... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Downs (IND) | ~50% | AR5 loves him. 12 targets, 125 yards, 1 TD vs CLE. Consistent high target share (25%+). PPR machine. | 20-35% | Gardner Minshew starts next week (AR5 injury). Trust Minshew? |
| Demario Douglas (NE) | ~5% | Kendrick Bourne (ACL) done. Douglas led NE WRs in snaps & targets (7). Looks like the new slot guy. | 10-20% | Patriots offense is rough. Mac Jones struggles. |
| Jahan Dotson (WAS) | ~55% (Dropped in leagues?) | FINALLY showed life (8 rec, 108 yds, 1 TD). Commanders pass constantly. Buy low window might slam shut. | 12-25% | Consistency has been the killer all season. Sam Howell's volatility. |
| Rashee Rice (KC) | ~40% | Leads Chiefs WRs in TDs (3). Red zone looks increasing. Mahomes needs someone reliable. | 15-25% | Andy Reid's WR usage is maddening. Can't trust the snap count weekly. |
Downs feels legit, even with Minshew. He gets open. Douglas is a pure volume add in a bad offense – think Jakobi Meyers role from last year. Dotson... man, I've been burned before. But that target share (10 targets!) is hard to ignore. Rice? I want to believe, but Reid makes it tough. Still, the talent is obvious.
Guys like Quentin Johnston? Still seeing low snap share behind Palmer and Allen. Hold off unless you're desperate. Michael Wilson? Cardinals spread it around too much after Hollywood Brown.
Tight Ends & Quarterbacks: Streaming and Stashing
Mark Andrews was on bye, Travis Kelce might've been nicked up... finding a week 8 waiver wire TE pickup matters. QB? With byes and injuries (Daniel Jones ACL), streamers are looking.
Top Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups (TE & QB)
| Position | Player (Team) | Current Rostered % (Est.) | Why He's Here | FAAB % Bid Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE | Trey McBride (ARI) | ~20% | Zach Ertz to IR. McBride played EVERY snap. 10 targets, 7 catches vs SEA. Immediate TE1 volume. | 15-28% (Big need!) |
| TE | Jonnu Smith (ATL) | ~15% | Consistent. 4+ targets in 6/7 games. Pitts is... Pitts. TD upside. | 5-12% |
| QB | Gardner Minshew (IND) | ~30% | AR5's shoulder injury. Minshew put up 305 yds, 2 TDs vs CLE. Gets NO next week. | 8-15% (QB-needy) |
| QB | Will Levis (TEN) | ~1% | Just a STASH. Malik Willis might start Week 8, but Levis has the arm. Dynasty or deep superflex target. | 0-2% (Stash only) |
McBride is the crown jewel of week 8 waiver wire pickups at TE if he's out there. Ertz gone means elite volume instantly. Smith is the boring floor play. Minshew? He knows the offense, has weapons. Solid streaming option even against NO. Levis is pure speculation for later.
Defenses & Kickers: Week 8 Matchup Plays
Don't overthink these spots. Look for awful offenses or home matchups. Stream, stream, stream.
- Defenses to Target:
- New Orleans Saints (vs IND): Rookie QB (Minshew counts!), shaky Colts O-line. At home. (My top streamer)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs JAX): TJ Watt at home. Jaguars traveling after London game. Turnover potential.
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs CHI): Tyson Bagent making his first NFL start? Khalil Mack revenge game? Yes please.
- Kickers to Grab:
- Blake Grupe (NO): Indoor game vs IND. Saints move the ball but stall.
- Brandon Aubrey (DAL): High-powered offense, perfect on the season. Gets LAR at home.
- Cairo Santos (CHI): Weirdly reliable on a bad offense. Gets Chargers.
Honestly, chasing kicker points is mostly luck. Focus on offenses that move the ball but struggle in the red zone (like NO).
Who Should I Drop? Making Tough Cuts for Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups
Adding guys means cutting guys. This hurts, but gotta do it. Here's who you might finally cut loose:
- Skyy Moore (KC): Just... nothing. 2 targets in Week 7. Rice and even Watson look better. (I dropped him everywhere last week)
- Kadarius Toney (KC): The drops. The bad routes. The penalties. Enough is enough. (Unless you're in a points-per-muffed-punt league)
- Allen Lazard (NYJ): Zach Wilson. Garrett Wilson target hog. Zero chemistry. (Sad, but true)
- Elijah Moore (CLE): Pierre Desir? Amari Cooper is the guy. Moore's role hasn't materialized. (Deep bench hold only)
- Juwan Johnson (NO): Fool's gold. Taysom Hill vultures everything, Foster Moreau exists. McBride/Smith are better options.
- Any 2nd Defense/Kicker: Unless it's an elite unit, just stream. Roster spots are gold.
Cutting someone like Jeff Wilson Jr.? Achane is coming back, Mostert is playing well. Wilson feels buried unless an injury happens. Tough, but necessary.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Strategy: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: How much FAAB should I spend on Devon Achane if he was dropped?
A: Aggressively. 15-25% minimum. League-winning upside is worth it. He might miss another week or two, but if you have bench space, prioritize him over lotto tickets.
Q: Tyjae Spears or Emari Demercado? I need RB help NOW.
A: If you *need* points Week 8? Demercado. He gets the guaranteed volume as the lead back with Conner out. Spears is the better season-long asset and PPR play, but his ceiling depends on Henry staying (or getting traded).
Q: Is Demario Douglas worth a pickup even with the Patriots offense?
A: Yes, especially in PPR. Targets are targets. Bourne is done, Parker is inconsistent. Douglas should see 6-8 targets a game minimum. That's flex territory in deep leagues. It won't be pretty, but points matter.
Q: Should I drop Samaje Perine for one of these RBs?
A: Probably. Javonte Williams is clearly the lead back in Denver. Perine's role has shrunk. Unless you're in a super deep league holding him as a handcuff, cut bait for someone with more upside like Spears or a stash like Strong.
Q: Kyler Murray is on waivers. Should I stash him?
A: ABSOLUTELY. If he's out there, grab him immediately (5-15% FAAB). He's practicing, activation is likely soon. His rushing upside alone makes him a potential QB1. Way more upside than Minshew or Levis.
Putting It All Together: Your Week 8 Waiver Wire Action Plan
Don't just grab names. Have a plan based on your team's needs and FAAB situation:
- Top Priority: Immediately check if Achane or Kyler Murray were dropped. Bid aggressively if so.
- Major Need (RB): Target Demercado (volume now) or Foreman (volume now). Spears if you can afford a slight wait.
- Major Need (WR): Push hard for Downs (consistent targets). Then Douglas (volume play) or gamble on Dotson's resurgence.
- Major Need (TE): Throw significant FAAB at McBride. He's a potential season-saver.
- Smart Stashes: Pierre Strong Jr. (Ford health), Will Levis (dynasty/superflex).
- Streaming: QB: Grab Minshew. DEF: Target Saints (vs IND) or Steelers (vs JAX). K: Grab Grupe (NO) or Aubrey (DAL).
- Make the Drop: Cut underperformers clogging your bench (Moore, Toney, Lazard, 2nd D/ST/K, Perine). Free up space.
The week 8 waiver wire pickups require decisiveness. Don't overthink volume for RBs (Demercado, Foreman). Don't ignore consistent targets for WRs (Downs, Douglas). Jump on McBride at TE. Check for those elite stashes (Achane, Murray). And make those tough cuts - holding dead weight costs you potential points.
Good luck navigating the week 8 waiver wire scramble! It's messy, but finding that one gem can turn your season around. Hit those waivers hard.
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