As we enter Week 8 of the fantasy football season, the waiver wire is heating up with hidden gems and breakout studs ready to make a difference in your lineup. Injuries, underperforming players, and bye weeks create the perfect storm for fantasy managers to snag season-changing players off the fantasy football Week 8 Waiver Wire.
Let’s dive in.
Others to Consider: TE Jonnu Smith, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, QB Jameis Winston, QB Russell Wilson, WR Cedrick Wilson, WR Michael Wilson, WR Tutu Atwell, WR Rashod Bateman, WR Jacob Cowing, WR Cedric Tillman
Note: Roster % based on Yahoo and Sleeper
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 8 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS
TIER 4: Ascending Pass Catchers
10.) Troy Franklin, WR Denver Broncos (1%, 8%)
It was a very slow start to the season for rookie Troy Franklin, but the Oregon product seems to be starting to carve out a role catching passes from his college QB. Over his last two games, Franklin has played over 50% of snaps while scoring double-digit fantasy points. Despite Denver’s struggles throwing the ball, he’s been a lone bright spot, and has a tasty matchup against the Panthers in Week 8.
9.) Hunter Henry, TE New England Patriots (31%, 30%)
In the two games that rookie QB Drake Maye has started, Hunter Henry has posted double-digit fantasy points in both. New England’s other pass catchers aren’t really doing much of anything for the team, as Henry remains a reliable security blanket that Maye can dump passes to on a consistent basis. The only problem with Henry would be his very low floor that comes with the position. For as good of games as he can have, he’s no stranger to the occasional 2-5 point showing.
8.) Keon Coleman, WR Buffalo Bills (32%, 52%)
Keon Coleman's 125 rec yards was:
— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) October 20, 2024
🦬The first time a #Bills WR has gone over 100 rec yards this season.
🦬The first Bills 100+ receiving yards game since Week 18 last year against the Dolphins (Shakir, 105).
🦬The most since Week 16 last year vs the Chargers (Gabe Davis, 130). pic.twitter.com/NqAl7VDbBu
Week 7 was the breakout week for rookie Keon Coleman as he had season high target numbers and got back up over 75% of snaps. Despite Amari Cooper being added to the offense, the trust between Coleman and Josh Allen has been visibly growing as Coleman becomes more ingrained in the Bills passing attack.
TIER 3: Boosted Handcuff Upside
7.) Ray Davis, RB Buffalo Bills (26%, 29%)
For as long as James Cook is healthy, he’ll be the featured back in Buffalo. Right on his heels, though, is rookie Ray Davis, who is showing each and every week that he’s deserving more touches as the season progresses. He only had five carries this week but averaged 8.2 yards per carry and scored a touchdown. He’s becoming too talented to leave on the bench and carries elite upside should Cook ever miss more time.
TIER 2: Increased Usage in High-Powered Offense
6.) Jalen McMillan, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2%, 6%)
Coaching staff is clearly very high on him.
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 22, 2024
He ran only 1 fewer route than Godwin through the first 2 weeks of the season (prior to McMillan's own injury)https://t.co/fLcCvIF3BU
Another top fantasy wide receiver will miss the rest of the season when Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle with only 43 seconds left on Monday Night Football. A few months ago, CJay highlighted rookie WR Jalen McMillan as a preseason sleeper. Although he’s been unable to make his mark early so far this season, it appears McMillan will be Godwin’s replacement in Liam Coen’s valuable slot role–the same spot he played at the University of Washington. Todd Bowles, Coen, and Baker Mayfield sang the rookie’s praises all training camp, and now he’s the next man up.
5. and 4.) Jauan Jennings, WR San Francisco 49ers (30%, 36%) Ricky Pearsall, WR San Francisco 49ers (13%, 25%)
Ricky Pearsall led the 49ers with 32 routes on 37 dropbacks in Week 7. He led the Niners with 18 slot snaps, double the next-highest player.
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 21, 2024
Chris Conley played as the "X," he feels like the beneficiary of the Brandon Aiyuk injury, from a playing time standpoint.
This season for the 49ers isn’t going as expected, and it’s only trending down even further with the news of star WR Brandon Aiyuk done for the year with a torn ACL and MCL. Deebo Samuel was also hospitalized with pneumonia, meaning it’ll be up to Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall to pick up the slack. Jennings also missed this past week, but in the game earlier this year, when other receivers were missing, he put up an 11-175-3 day. On the other hand, Pearsall got a great start usage-wise, with 76% of snaps played and five targets.
3.) Romeo Doubs, WR Green Bay Packers (44%, 62%)
After overcoming some mental hurdles, Romeo Doubs returned to form over the last two games as a top receiver in Green Bay. He leads all Packers receivers in snaps and routes run while consistently being used as an outside threat. This offense is one of the best in the league, and the Packers’ upcoming schedule is extremely favorable for receivers.
TIER 1: AFC East QBs
2.) Tua Tagovailoa, QB Miami Dolphins (46%, 46%)
When on the field and healthy, Tua Tagovailoa is a high-level fantasy QB leading a high-powered offense. In his one full game this season, Tua threw for over 300 yards. He’s designated to come off the IR this week and draws a very favorable matchup against the Cardinals. Who knows how long he’ll last in his return, but he’s worth the add and spot start until then.
1.) Drake Maye, QB New England Patriots (16%, 25%)
Only two QBs since the merger have 500+ Pass Yards and 5+ Pass TD through 2 career starts
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 20, 2024
Dan Marino
Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/g6iLNlLykn
The shiny new toy in New England’s offense, Drake Maye, is the lone bright spot for the Patriots. He’s averaging nearly 250 yards passing per game and has thrown five touchdowns in two starts. Maye also carries some rushing upside with his sneaky athleticism. He’s no Jayden Daniels on the ground, but he can certainly hold his own. As New England looks to play from behind each week, expect Maye to have plenty of opportunities.