As we dive into Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy football managers are hitting the critical stretch run where every roster move counts. With the NFL trade deadline looming and injuries piling up like laundry, the waiver wire is your best friend for snagging under-the-radar gems. Our Week 8 fantasy football stashes spotlight players rostered in under 30% of leagues, offering high-upside bench options to bolster your squad for the second-half push. From sneaky rookies to savvy veterans, these low-rostered players could be the difference-makers you need to outsmart your league mates and keep your championship dreams alive.
The beauty of these Week 8 waiver wire stashes lies in their potential to capitalize on opportunity, whether it’s a trade shaking up a depth chart or an injury opening the door to a breakout role. Available in most leagues, these players bring a mix of immediate flex appeal and long-term lottery-ticket upside. With six teams on bye and fantasy rosters feeling the squeeze, now’s the time to scoop up these players before they’re gone.
HEADS UP: Each player featured is rostered in 30% or fewer leagues on Yahoo! at the time of publication.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 8 STASHES
RUNNING BACK STASHES
ISAIAH DAVIS, NY JETS (9% ROSTERED)
Isaiah Davis emerges as a low-ownership back with potential significant upside. With Braelon Allen sidelined by a knee injury and placed on injured reserve, Davis has slid into the RB2 role behind Breece Hall, who is dealing with nagging injuries in the final year of his rookie deal. The winless Jets have been actively shopping Hall ahead of the trade deadline, creating multiple pathways for Davis to seize a lead-backfield role. His year-to-date stat line remains meh at 44 rushing yards on 10 touches, but in a backfield that’s now concentrated on just two players, opportunity could unlock his potential on an embarrassing team eyeing the No. 1 pick.
Davis represents the quintessential high-reward handcuff stash, offering minimal risk for a bench spot while positioning managers for a potential late-season breakout. Recent outings underscore his lack of volume, but his efficiency in college and readiness for more snaps make him intriguing.
As the Jets attempt to navigate a rebuilding phase, Davis could morph into a viable flex option with RB2 upside if the dominoes fall his way. For fantasy owners with room on the roster, adding him now, before the trade deadline potentially shakes things up, secures insurance against Hall’s uncertain future and could provide high-upside returns down the stretch. If Hall stays in NYC, feel free to drop Davis.
DEVIN NEAL, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3% ROSTERED)
Saints rookie running back Devin Neal presents an intriguing handcuff option in deeper leagues following a significant shake up to the Saints backfield. In the Saints’ 26-14 loss to the Bears in Week 7, Neal managed just one yard on his sole carry, but his fantasy relevance surged after backup Kendre Miller suffered a season-ending ACL tear. With Miller previously handling a solid workload with eight, 10, 11, and seven touches over his last four games, Neal, a sixth-round pick out of Kansas, steps up as the prime candidate to fill that No. 2 role behind Alvin Kamara. Neal’s college pedigree as the Jayhawks’ all-time leading rusher, including three straight 1,000-yard seasons, adds to his appeal, making him a solid swing for managers eyeing Kamara insurance.
Neal’s path to more touches has been uneven, limited by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two weeks in training camp, allowing Miller to lock down the backup spot upon his return. Still, Kellen Moore has praised the rookie’s skill set, noting his “great vision, good cut,” balance, natural feel for the run game, and pass protection. Neal himself exudes confidence, stating he’s “ready for the moment” whenever his number is called.
In an unpredictable fantasy landscape, especially with an aging veteran like Kamara leading the backfield, stashing Neal offers low-risk upside for bench spots in deeper formats. As the Saints gear up for Week 8, his readiness positions him as a speculative add with handcuff potential if injuries strike.
OTHER RBs TO STASH: Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers (30%); Justice Hill, Ravens (17%); Brashard Smith, Chiefs (17%); Jaydon Blue, Cowboys (11%); Blake Corum, Rams (10%); Emanuel Wilson, Packers (7%); Phil Mafah, Cowboys (0%)
WIDE RECEIVER STASHES
TROY FRANKLIN, DENVER BRONCOS (28% ROSTERED)
I talk him up nearly every week, and Troy Franklin remains a high-upside pickup, consistently appearing in waiver wire discussions due to his growing role in the offense. In the Broncos’ 33-32 win over the Giants, Franklin caught three of 10 targets for 19 yards and a touchdown, tying Courtland Sutton for the team lead in targets.
While his catch rate was disturbing, Franklin has had his moments, ranking as the WR45 in fantasy points per game with three top-36 weekly finishes. As Bo Nix’s WR2, Franklin holds high-value roles, ranking third on the team in deep targets and fifth league-wide in red zone targets, per FantasyPros, making him a stash candidate with breakout potential.
Looking ahead to Week 8, Franklin faces a favorable matchup against a heinous Cowboys defense, elevating his appeal as a deep flex option, which gives you a reason to add the field-stretcher now before it’s too late. The Cowboys have been vulnerable to wide receivers, and Franklin’s knack for drawing deep and red zone looks positions him to capitalize. His consistent target share, even in a less efficient outing, underscores his importance in Denver’s passing game. For fantasy managers navigating bye weeks or seeking upside, Franklin is a calculated add who could deliver a significant performance if he and Nix connect on a big play or score against Dallas.
ALEC PIERCE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (24% ROSTERED)
Alec Pierce stands out as a top stash following a classic Alec Pierce performance. In the Colts’ 38-24 W over the Chargers, the lid-lifting wideout hauled in five of 10 targets for a season-high 98 yards, leading the team in both targets and receiving yards. Pierce has been building chemistry with Daniel Jones, and his 16 receptions for 317 yards on 27 targets in five games highlight his growing role.
With the Colts facing the Titans in Week 8, Pierce is also a compelling stream, especially for fantasy managers navigating bye weeks, as his big-play potential could translate into a solid flex option. Pierce’s matchup against the Titans makes him particularly appealing, making him a must-add in 76% of leagues where he’s still available. Per FantasyPros, Tennessee’s defense has struggled to contain perimeter receivers, allowing the third-highest PPR points per target. The Titans’ secondary gets killed deep, with the second-highest completion rate and fifth-highest passer rating on downfield targets. Pierce leads the Colts with eight deep targets this season, positioning him to exploit Tennessee’s vulnerabilities.
His season-best effort against the Chargers shows he’s capable of capitalizing on opportunities, and if he and Indiana Jones connect on a deep ball or two, Pierce could deliver significant value. For Week 8, he’s a calculated streamer with upside, and if your starting lineup is set, stash him now before his roster percentage rises after he torments the Titans.
OTHER WRs TO STASH: Elic Ayomanor, Titans (26%); Xavier Legette, Panthers (19%); Christian Watson, Packers (15%); Jayden Higgins, Texans (13%); Luther Burden, Bears (11%); Chimere Dike, Titans (5%); Demario Douglas, Patriots (5%)
TIGHT END STASHES
COLSTON LOVELAND, CHICAGO BEARS (22% ROSTERED)
Colston Loveland is emerging as a promising stash despite a slower start than anticipated. Drafted in the first round out of Michigan, Loveland has recorded only eight receptions for 92 yards over five games, including three catches for 24 yards in the Bears’ 26-14 victory over the Saints.
While his production has been modest, partly due to a hip injury that delayed his training camp debut and the distribution of targets in Chicago’s offense, Loveland’s role could expand soon. With Cole Kmet exiting the Saints game with a back injury and listed as week-to-week, Loveland will see increased snaps against an abysmal Ravens defense in Week 8, making him a worthwhile stash and desperation stream for fantasy managers.
Loveland’s potential is underscored by his growing involvement in Ben Johnson’s offense. Chicago’s tight ends have seen just 32 targets this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL. However, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle emphasized the team’s commitment to finding ways to showcase the tight end’s skill set in the second half of the season.
Ben Johnson praised Loveland’s positive contributions, noting his role in the offense’s improvement. If Kmet’s injury lingers, Loveland is poised for a breakout, and his confidence, “whenever my number’s called, I’ve got to go make a play,” makes him a high-upside stash for fantasy managers looking ahead.
OTHER TEs TO STASH: Juwan Johnson, Saints (33%); Dalton Schultz, Texans (31%); Theo Johnson, Giants (25%); Isaiah Likely, Ravens (6%); Noah Fant, Bengals (4%)
QUARTERBACK STASHES
JACOBY BRISSETT, ARIZONA CARDINALS (2% ROSTERED)
For Week 8 stashes, the quarterback options under 30% rostered are gross, but Cardinals backup/journeyman Jacoby Brissett stands out as an intriguing choice. While Kyler Murray recovers from a tricky foot injury, Brissett has stepped up, delivering 19.76 and 21.70 fantasy points in his last two starts.
In Sunday’s 27-23 loss to the Packers, he completed 25 of 36 passes for 279 yards, threw two touchdowns, and added 26 rushing yards on six carries. The Cardinals, now on a five-game skid after a 2-0 start, are on a bye this week, giving Brissett a breather but keeping him on the radar for fantasy managers looking for a potential streamer in Week 9 against the Cowboys if Kyler remains sidelined.
Brissett’s recent performances highlight his value as a spot starter. Filling in for Murray, he connected with tight end Trey McBride for two touchdowns, unlocking the stud tight end in the red area. Over his two starts, Brissett has thrown for 599 yards, his best two-game stretch as a pro, with a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
While Arizona’s Week 8 bye may allow Murray to return for their Week 9 matchup against a vulnerable Cowboys’ secondary, Brissett’s recent production makes him a savvy stash for fantasy managers. If he sees another start, his ability to generate fantasy points through both the air and ground makes him a worthwhile addition to those looking ahead.
OTHER QB TO STASH: Joe Flacco, Bengals (49%); Sam Darnold, Seahawks (40%); Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (34%); Spencer Rattler, Saints (12%); Mac Jones, 49ers (9%); Shedeur Sanders, Browns (2%)
