Fantasy: Top waiver wire pickups for Week 8

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues are considered.

Teams on bye: Texans, Saints, Giants, 49ers

Jump to: RB | WR | TE | DEF

Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals

The Cardinals are on the road in Dallas for Week 8, giving Brissett a friendly matchup against a Cowboys team that's on a short week. The Cowboys' defense gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and Brissett has produced four startable games already this season. He threw for 272 yards against the Broncos, who present a much tougher test than Dallas does.

Other QBs to consider:

• Geno Smith, Jets (19%): The Jets play the Raiders in a revenge game for Smith. The Jets quarterback threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns against the Dolphins in Week 7. The Raiders give up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

• Malik Willis, Dolphins (18%): Willis was considered a sleeper quarterback before the season because of what he can do with his legs. The Dolphins signal-caller has recorded back-to-back games with at least 20 fantasy points, so he may be finally getting comfortable as a starter. He's not an immediate play against the Patriots in Week 8, but Miami has the Lions, Colts, and Bills coming up, which are all great spots for Willis.

• Fernando Mendoza, Raiders (5%): If you're in a deep league or play a two-quarterback format, Mendoza is worth a look. There are rumblings that the Raiders could give the keys to their offense to the No. 1 overall pick sooner than expected.

Running backs

Jonah Coleman, Broncos

In his return after missing four games on IR, Coleman played 50% of the Broncos' offensive snaps, operating as the clear lead back in a three-man rotation. R.J. Harvey played 25% of the snaps, while J.K. Dobbins played only 21%. Coleman led the team in carries (nine) and route participation (34%).

The rookie seems to have earned Sean Payton's trust. He had 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, which was the last time he played. The Broncos' backfield may continue to operate as a three-man committee, but Coleman seems to be the one you want to roster and consider as a weekly flex option.

Other RBs to target:

• Kaelon Black, 49ers (28%): Christian McCaffrey managers everywhere held their breath when they saw their first-round pick jog off the field midway through Week 7. That reaction alone means Black should be rostered in far more than 28% of leagues.

• Dylan Sampson, Browns (8%): Sampson returned from IR and stepped back into his pass-catching role. He caught three passes for 32 yards and also received six carries. It's hard to find 8-10 touches from a running back on the waiver wire, but Sampson can provide that on a weekly basis, even though the Browns don't have the most exciting offense.

• Devin Singletary, Giants (2%): The Giants have a Week 8 bye, but managers should still consider Singletary when making waiver claims. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo both suffered hamstring injuries in Week 7, paving the way for Singletary to handle five carries for 41 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Giants could add to their running back room during their bye week, but if New York had a game tomorrow, Singletary would likely start.

• Bam Knight, Cardinals (25%): With Jeremiyah Love sidelined for a second straight game, Knight outperformed Tyler Allgeier. Knight had seven carries for 48 yards and earned five targets. The Cardinals play the Cowboys in Week 8, and if Love misses another week, Knight could be started as a low-end RB2.

• Seth McGowan, Colts (7%): Trade rumors surrounding Jonathan Taylor continue to heat up. If the Colts give up on the season and move Taylor, McGowan would be their new lead back. The rookie is getting weekly work as Taylor's backup, handling 11 carries for 46 yards in Week 7.

• Elijah Mitchell/Jaydon Blue, Eagles (0%): Mitchell was activated from the Eagles' practice squad before Monday night's game and ended the contest as Philadelphia's only healthy running back. Saquon Barkley was in and out of the game while tending to a hamstring injury and then injured his back. Dameon Pierce also left the game with an undisclosed injury. Mitchell had three carries for 11 yards and caught three passes for 23 yards in his limited work. He and Blue could compete for touches in Week 8 if Barkley and Pierce sit out.

Wide receivers

Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (10%):

The Dolphins' rookie wideout caught two of three targets for 70 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in Week 7. That type of production on so few targets is unreasonable to expect on a weekly basis, but Douglas showed why Miami fell in love with him during training camp with Sunday's explosive catch-and-run up the sideline for a 63-yard score.

Douglas missed three games with an ankle injury but has scored at least 11 fantasy points (half-PPR) in two of his three games. Miami's passing attack needs playmakers like Douglas, and he could be considered a flex option in deeper formats.

Other WRs to target:

• Jordyn Tyson, Saints (49%): The Saints rookie is slated to come off IR soon. He barely meets the threshold but should be rostered in far more than 49% of leagues with his return imminent.

• Omar Cooper Jr., Jets (48%): If you ignored our suggestion to add Cooper last week, you may have another chance, since he's still rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues. Cooper had five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. If you're desperate at wide receiver, he's worth all your remaining FAB if he's available.

• Antonio Williams (8%), Commanders: Washington lost Terry McLaurin for the year in Week 6 and will come out of its bye with a new look on offense. Williams could be the biggest beneficiary of McLaurin's absence, and there are rumors that Stefon Diggs could be traded.

• Malachi Fields, Giants (4%): Fields is mostly an add for deep leagues, but he displayed some chemistry with new Giants starter J.J. McCarthy. He caught four of five targets for 83 yards in Week 7, and he comes out of the bye with games against the Eagles, Commanders, and Jaguars.

WRs who should be rostered in more leagues: ​​​​​​KC Concepcion (60%), Tre Tucker (59%), Keenan Allen (54%), Khalil Shakir (48%)

Tight ends

Chig Okonkwo, Commanders

As mentioned, McLaurin is out for the season, so there are plenty of targets to go around for Commanders pass-catchers. Okonkwo's had a slow start to the season due to a hamstring injury, but he has 11 catches on 13 targets for 129 yards over the past two games with Jayden Daniels. There's a chance Okonkwo becomes Daniels' second option behind Diggs, which would make him a weekly fantasy starter. The Commanders can't run the ball, so they'll rely heavily on Daniels' arm coming out of their bye.

Other TEs to target:

• Brenton Strange, Jaguars (46%): He's been a consistent fantasy producer over the past three weeks, and that's hard to come by at tight end. Strange has 23 targets, 19 catches, and 207 yards over the past three games. He's a weekly low-end TE1.

Defenses

• Bengals (25%) vs. Titans
• Jaguars (41%) vs. Colts
• Commanders (1%) vs. Eagles
• Falcons (2%) vs. Buccaneers