Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 8

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who's trending up.

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

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco, Bengals

Flacco balled out after being mentioned as a quarterback to pick up last week, and he gets another shout-out ahead of a game with the Jets. New York has done a solid job limiting passing yardage this season but has still allowed 13 touchdown throws - tied for the seventh most in the NFL.

While relying on the 40-year-old as your weekly starter is a big gamble, Flacco's an adequate streaming option when needed. He'll be far more reliable if he can limit turnovers like he has across his last two contests. Flacco hasn't thrown an interception in his previous two starts after tossing six in his first four games of the year.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Jaxson Dart, Giants (55%): Dart is a hair above the 50% mark, but he's worth mentioning after consecutive finishes as one of fantasy's best quarterbacks. Although his Week 8 matchup with the Eagles isn't perfect, last week's game against the Broncos was far worse on paper.

• Backup QBs: You could look at Andy Dalton or even Quinn Ewers if the Dolphins name him the starter this week. However, you should save these options for when you're truly desperate.

Running backs

RB Kyle Monangai, Bears

Monangai had a breakout game against the Saints, and now he gets a matchup with a struggling Ravens defense in Week 8. The 23-year-old finished six yards shy of 100 against New Orleans, easily clearing his previous high of 44 scrimmage yards from the week prior. He's been efficient in his limited role all year and should continue to see more work, but his FAB recommendation remains low since the Bears have D'Andre Swift firmly entrenched as their top running back. Despite receiving more than double the volume, Swift is averaging just 0.1 more yards per carry and 0.2 more yards per touch than Monangai this season.

I wouldn't rely on Monangai as a week-to-week starter, but that could quickly change if Swift starts to struggle or Monangai really exceeds him. For now, Monangai is a low-floor, high-ceiling flex option if you're working around injuries and byes.

RB Brashard Smith, Chiefs

I've been keeping an eye on Smith for a few weeks, but the speedy seventh-rounder hasn't been worth mentioning until now. He could see an uptick in snap share and opportunities after setting multiple career highs against the Raiders. Although the SMU product wasn't particularly efficient as a runner with 39 yards on 14 carries, he added another 52 yards on five receptions.

The Chiefs playing their backups in the final quarter of the blowout win over Las Vegas, and Kareem Hunt exiting for a portion of the game with an ankle issue, inflated Smith's numbers a bit in the contest. However, he's posted at least 21 receiving yards in each of Kansas City's last four games. Smith could see more work if Hunt's injury limits him moving forward.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (46%): Allgeier draws a good matchup against the Dolphins in Week 8. Bijan Robinson obviously remains the lead back, but Allgeier is a decent touchdown-dependent option to stream in a flex spot this week.
• Tyrone Tracy, Giants (37%): Tracy scored his first touchdown of the season against the Broncos. He's another touchdown-dependent flex option versus an Eagles defense that's allowed nine touchdowns to running backs this campaign.

Wide receivers

WR Alec Pierce, Colts

Pierce has been more consistent this season compared to 2024, but he hasn't produced an elite game yet. That could finally arrive Sunday when the Colts take on a Titans team that's allowed the ninth-most receiving yards to wideouts this year. Tennessee also ranks 22nd in team sacks (13), which means Daniel Jones should have time to scan the field and find Pierce on deep routes.

Pierce is recording 19.8 yards per catch this season, with only Tyquan Thornton (22.2) owning a higher average in the NFL. The Cincinnati product could reward fantasy managers handsomely if he maintains that average and finds the end zone for the first time this campaign against Tennessee.

WR Marvin Mims, Broncos

Mims draws the vaunted Cowboys matchup in Week 8, as Dallas remains the worst team at limiting fantasy points per game and touchdowns to wide receivers. Courtland Sutton will likely be the primary beneficiary, but Mims is fresh off his highest snap percentage (53%) of the season and could be in for another strong outing.

The 23-year-old tallied seven touches for 98 scrimmage yards against the Giants and might see more scripted opportunities this week. While Mims' usage remains volatile enough that I wouldn't plan on him being a weekly starter, he has the kind of big-play ability you want to target against soft defenses. He's especially intriguing if your league grants fantasy points for kick return yardage.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Chimere Dike, Titans (2%): Dike stepped up in Calvin Ridley's absence, posting 70 yards and a touchdown on four receptions versus the Patriots. He remains a risky play as he has yet to finish a game with more than five targets or four receptions this season.
• Darnell Mooney, Falcons (37%): Mooney had a fine performance in his return to the Falcons' lineup. He's a flex option in deeper leagues if necessary.

Tight ends

TE Oronde Gadsden, Chargers

Gadsden erupted for seven receptions, 164 yards, and a touchdown against the Colts on Sunday. The 6-foot-5, 236-pounder has played at least 75% of the snaps in each of the last two weeks and has seen his snap share steadily increase since making his debut in Week 3.

I'd be willing to spend more FAB on Gadsden if there were fewer mouths to feed in this offense. Also, the Chargers' upcoming schedule isn't exactly kind to tight ends, with most of L.A.'s remaining opponents having been excellent at limiting the position this season. The Steelers are the only team left on the Bolts' docket that ranks in the bottom 12 of fantasy points allowed to tight ends. However, with the shallowness of the position this campaign, it's more than worth putting in a waiver claim for Gadsden.

Other TEs to pick up:

• Jonnu Smith, Steelers (37%): Smith gets a pair of good matchups over the next two weeks, but he's too volatile to rely on beyond being a spot start here and there.
• Daniel Bellinger, Giants (0%): Bellinger had a massive game Sunday, but half of his yardage came on one play where the Broncos left him wide open. I wouldn't use any FAB, but he's worth stashing if your league has deep benches.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.