Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire pickups
See which players are worth adding to your fantasy football roster ahead of Week 8's action.
Six teams are on a bye this week — the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks — removing a long list of fantasy starters from your lineups. That means no Jahmyr Gibbs, Kyren Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a slew of other top skill-position players on the shelf as well.
Complicating matters, several key fantasy contributors got banged up, or re-banged up, in Week 7. Jayden Daniels (hamstring), Nico Collins (concussion), and Bryce Young (ankle) are all nursing injuries that will require monitoring heading into Week 8 action, while others, like the once-emerging Saints back Kendre Miller (knee) and veteran receiver Mike Evans (clavicle), won’t be back to help any fantasy teams in 2025.
Below are the top players to target ahead of Week 8 — plus FAAB recommendations and matchup context for each position.
Current ownership percentage based on Yahoo fantasy football leagues at the time of publishing.
Week 8 waiver wire cheatsheet
Week 8 quarterbacks
QB injury update
🚫 Nope: Joe Burrow (CIN)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Bryce Young (CAR)
🫤 Looking iffy: Jayden Daniels (WAS); Lamar Jackson (BAL); J.J. McCarthy (MIN); Brock Purdy (SF); Carson Wentz (MIN)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL)
🏖️ On a bye: Jared Goff (DET), Kyler Murray (ARI), Trevor Lawrence (JAC), Matthew Stafford (LAR), Geno Smith (SEA), Sam Darnold (SEA)
Quarterbacks to add in Week 8
Jaxson Dart (NYG) — Top Priority
This HAS to be the last appearance for Dart in the waiver post, right? Though it’s not surprising that his ownership rate still lags, as very few expected him to thrive against the stingy Denver defense last week. Yet the rookie continued to defy expectations, shredding the Broncos for a career day despite the Giants’ historic late-game collapse. He’s now averaging 21.9 fantasy points per start. A minor ankle injury is worth monitoring, but as long as he’s active, Dart profiles as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in most formats. He’s a weekly starter, not just a streamer. Suggested FAAB: 10–15%
Joe Flacco (CIN) — Streamer
It’s 2025, and Joe Flacco is back in our fantasy lives — and probably will always be. The 40-year-old has thrown for 561 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions across two starts with Cincinnati, averaging 22.8 fantasy points per game. With elite weapons Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in tow, he’ll face a Jets defense that could be without Sauce Gardner. Flacco’s volume (92 pass attempts in two games) keeps him squarely in the streaming mix. Suggested FAAB: 5–10%
Others to stream: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL), Aaron Rodgers (PIT)
Others to stash: Sam Darnold (SEA)
Week 8 running backs
RB injury update
🚫 Nope: Omarion Hampton (LAC); Kendre Miller (NO); Joe Mixon (HOU)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Bucky Irving (TB)
🫤 Looking iffy: Chuba Hubbard (CAR); Bucky Irving (TB)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Aaron Jones (MIN)
🏖️ On a bye: Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), Travis Etienne (JAC), Ashton Jeanty (LV), Kyren Williams (LAR), Kenneth Walker III (SEA), Zach Charbonnet (SEA), Zonovan Knight (ARI)
Running backs to add in Week 8
Kyle Monangai (CHI) — Top Priority
The rookie out of Rutgers continues to carve out a complementary role alongside D’Andre Swift, totaling 81 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in Week 7. His 45% snap share was a season high, and Swift’s nagging groin injury could open the door for even more touches. Chicago’s offense has started leaning into a two-back approach similar to Detroit’s former Gibbs-Montgomery tandem. Monangai is a must-add with short-term flex value and rest-of-season upside. Suggested FAAB: 5–10%
Brashard Smith (KC) — Stash/Streamer
Smith led all Chiefs running backs with 19 touches in Week 7, collecting 81 total yards and five catches. The workload spike coincided with Kareem Hunt’s ankle issue, but Smith’s receiving consistency (3+ catches in four straight games) gives him sneaky PPR appeal even when Hunt and Pacheco are healthy. If either veteran misses time, Smith’s value would skyrocket. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Tyjae Spears (TEN)
Others to stash: Brian Robinson Jr. (SF), Bhayshul Tuten (IND)
Week 8 waiver wide receivers
WR injury update
🚫 Nope: Mike Evans (TB)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Chris Godwin (TB)
🫤 Looking iffy: Nico Collins (HOU); Christian Kirk (HOU); Terry McLaurin (WAS); Ricky Pearsall (SF); Deebo Samuel (WAS); Calvin Ridley (TEN); Darius Slayton (NYG); Dontayvion Wicks (GB); Garrett Wilson (NYJ)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Calvin Austin III (PIT), Josh Downs (IND)
🏖️ On a bye: Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET), Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI), Brian Thomas Jr. (JAC), Jakobi Meyers (LV), Tre Tucker (LV), Puka Nacua (LAR), Davante Adams (LAR), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA), Cooper Kupp (SEA)
WRs to add in Week 8
Kayshon Boutte (NE) — Top Priority
Another returning champion from last week’s article, Boutte’s rapport with rookie quarterback Drake Maye continues to grow. Over the last three weeks, he’s posted 10 receptions for 191 yards and three touchdowns, emerging as the Patriots’ top deep threat. His 17.8 yards per catch highlight his big-play potential, and while his weekly target share may fluctuate, Boutte’s upside is too high to leave on waivers. He’s a volatile but valuable WR4/flex, especially in leagues rewarding big-play bonuses. Suggested FAAB: 8–10%
Darnell Mooney (ATL) — Streamer
Mooney returned from a hamstring injury and picked up right where he left off, catching three passes for 68 yards on five targets in Week 7. He’s flashed WR3/Flex potential when healthy, and his speed complements Atlanta’s offense perfectly. Mooney’s upcoming matchup with Miami could be a shootout — and he’s still available in over 70 % of leagues. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Tez Johnson (TB) — Steamer/Stash
With Mike Evans (collarbone) sidelined and Chris Godwin (leg) uncertain, Johnson’s role in Tampa Bay’s passing attack has surged. He’s scored in back-to-back games and saw nine targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. He’s a strong speculative add and a potential WR3 in full-PPR formats now that Evans’ absence has been extended. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Josh Downs (IND), Xavier Legette (CAR), Troy Franklin (DEN)
Others to stash: Luther Burden III (CHI), Parker Washington (JAC)
Week 8 tight ends
TE injury update
🚫 Nope: Mike Gesicki (CIN)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Darren Waller (MIA)
🫤 Looking iffy: David Njoku (CLE)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic:
🏖️ On a bye: Trey McBride (ARI), Sam LaPorta (DET), Brock Bowers (LV), Tyler Higbee (LAR),
Tight ends to add in Week 8
Oronde Gadsden (LAC) — Top Priority
Is it too strong to state that Gadsden has become a breakout star almost overnight? The rookie followed up his seven-catch, 68-yard Week 6 with a monster 7-164-1 line in Week 7. Even with the Chargers’ top receivers active, Gadsden led the team in targets and continues to look like Justin Herbert’s newest favorite weapon. With three games of 7+ targets already this year, Gadsden is a must-add and could finish as a top-10 tight end the rest of the way. Suggested FAAB: 10–12 %
Others to stream: Juwan Johnson (NO), Mason Taylor (NYJ), Cade Otton (TB)
Week 8 waiver wire defense/special teams
🏖️ On a bye: Cardinals (ARI), Lions (DET), Jaguars (JAC), Raiders (LV), Rams (LAR), and Seahawks (SEA)
Colts (IND) — Streamer
Streaming defenses usually are as simple as the matchup, and no offense has been friendlier to opposing defenses than Tennessee’s. The Titans have surrendered 14 fantasy points per game to D/STs over the last month and rank near the bottom of the league in sack rate and turnovers. The Colts’ defense ranks top-10 in both pressure rate and tackles for loss over the last six weeks, making them an ideal one-week play with potential staying power. Suggested FAAB: 1–2 %
Others to stream: Bears (CHI), Chiefs (KC), Seahawks (SEA)
Week 8 waiver wire kickers
Evan McPherson (CIN) — Top Priority
The Bengals’ offense has found its rhythm under Joe Flacco, and McPherson is reaping the benefits. He booted four field goals and scored 17 fantasy points in last week’s win over Pittsburgh. Now he faces a Jets team that’s allowing the most fantasy points to kickers. With Cincinnati playing at home in a controlled environment, McPherson should remain a high-end starting option for Week 8 and beyond. Suggested FAAB: 1–2 %
Others to stream: Michael Badgley (IND), Matt Prater (BUF)