Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

By Week 8, fantasy managers have to balance two different goals: surviving the next set of bye weeks and finding players who might change a roster in November and December. This week has both. A handful of rookies are finally getting meaningful opportunities, and several backup running backs have paths to much larger roles.

I am not interested in buying last Sunday’s touchdowns in isolation. The more useful clues are routes, targets, snaps, carries and how coaches use players when everyone is healthy. The highest roster percentage cited among the supplied reports is used for each player, making availability estimates deliberately conservative.

Week 8 byes: Houston, New Orleans, New York Giants and San Francisco.

Quick Priority List

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Jets — Two strong games, including production with Adonai Mitchell back.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Broncos — Led his backfield in meaningful usage immediately after returning.
KC Concepcion Jr., WR, Browns — A featured role finally produced a breakout game.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints — Premium upside stash during his team’s bye.
Caleb Douglas, WR, Dolphins — Explosive rookie back in a starting role.
Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles — More targets while Philadelphia is short-handed.
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Commanders — Routes and targets suggest sustainable value.
Mike Washington, RB, Raiders — Anyone with eyes can see him outplaying Jeanty.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jaguars — Best immediate tight-end option.
Malik Willis, QB, Dolphins — Rushing floor and improving weapons.

Quarterbacks

The quarterbacks are mostly matchup plays. Malik Willis offers a rushing floor, while Sam Darnold may be the better choice for managers looking ahead several weeks.

Malik Willis, Miami — 18% rostered

Willis produced two passing touchdowns and a rushing score against the Jets. His 111 rushing yards over the last two games help offset an uneven passing attack, while the return of Caleb Douglas gives Miami another explosive option. New England is not an easy matchup, but Willis has legitimate streaming value.

Sam Darnold, Seattle — 36% rostered

Darnold has faced a demanding run of defenses, making his modest fantasy totals easier to understand. The upcoming stretch against Chicago, Arizona and Las Vegas is substantially more attractive. He is my preferred longer-term quarterback add.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta — 18% rostered

Penix has thrown three touchdowns in consecutive games and now draws Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. Atlanta’s reliance on Bijan Robinson caps his weekly volume, but his efficiency gives him a path to another strong outing.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona — 27% rostered

Brissett is throwing frequently because Arizona often plays from behind. Dallas is an appealing matchup for a one-week replacement, though uncertainty about the Cardinals’ future starter makes him a rental.

Geno Smith, New York Jets — 25% rostered

Smith now has Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. available together. He used that group to produce three touchdowns against Miami and draws another favorable matchup with Las Vegas. His floor remains uneven, but the upside is there.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay — 25.5% rostered

Mayfield barely needed to throw in his return from a thumb injury. That low-volume performance should not automatically disqualify him; Atlanta could force a more competitive game. Confirm his health before starting him.

Also consider: J.J. McCarthy is a Giants bye-week stash; Kirk Cousins is worth checking; Fernando Mendoza belongs on Superflex watch lists.

Running Backs

This is where I would devote the most waiver attention. Coleman has already earned a role; other backs need an injury or a trade to unlock a significant workload.

Jonah Coleman, Denver — 35% rostered

Coleman led Denver’s running backs in snaps, touches, routes and yards from scrimmage in his first game back from injured reserve. Dobbins and Harvey scored the touchdowns, obscuring the more important usage. It is still a three-back committee, but Coleman has the clearest path to expanding his role. He is my top RB claim.

Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas — 30% rostered

Washington has become more effective than Ashton Jeanty as a runner and is earning a larger share of the carries. Jeanty remains more involved in the passing game, which limits Washington’s immediate ceiling. Still, the growing workload and contingency value are worth rostering.

Seth McGowan, Indianapolis — 7% rostered

McGowan earned 11 carries and a larger share of meaningful snaps behind Jonathan Taylor. The trade rumors surrounding Taylor create a second path to relevance. McGowan is not a comfortable Week 8 starter, but a cheap bench stash could become valuable quickly if Indianapolis changes direction.

Bam Knight, Arizona — 25% rostered

Knight has outproduced Tyler Allgeier while Jeremiyah Love has been sidelined. Dallas is a favorable matchup, but the value could disappear if Love returns. This is a conditional short-term pickup rather than a player to spend heavily on.

Kaelon Black, San Francisco — 28% rostered

Black handled meaningful work when Christian McCaffrey was limited, rushing for 63 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco is on bye, so this is a stash rather than immediate help. He remains one of the strongest one-injury-away backs.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland — 8.7% rostered

Sampson returned and generated 77 yards on nine touches behind Quinshon Judkins. His receiving ability could create limited standalone value, with a larger role possible if Judkins misses time.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee — 28.4% rostered

Spears is recovering from a knee issue and is not an immediate answer. But Tony Pollard trade speculation creates a path to a much larger role without an injury. The Titans offense limits the ceiling.

Elijah Mitchell, Philadelphia — 0% rostered

The Eagles’ backfield is battered. If both Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce miss time, Mitchell could inherit a sizable workload. His value depends entirely on the injury reports and could change rapidly.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina — 40% rostered

Brooks is working back from surgery and is unlikely to help right away. Chuba Hubbard has played well, but a reduced workload or future injury could open touches. Only consider Brooks if you can afford a patient stash.

Also consider: Samaje Perine offers Chase Brown insurance; Tank Bigsby is an IR stash; Devin Singletary benefits from the Giants’ injuries; Emmett Johnson remains a high-value handcuff.

Wide Receivers

The receiver market is especially appealing. Several rookies are producing while earning legitimate routes, which is a much better signal than a single long touchdown.

Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets — 48% rostered

Cooper has produced consecutive 100-yard games with touchdowns since returning from injury. He remained productive with Adonai Mitchell back, which answers one of the biggest concerns about his first breakout. Garrett Wilson is still the top receiver, but Cooper has earned enough targets to be my top overall claim.

KC Concepcion Jr., Cleveland — 60% rostered

Concepcion is above the normal waiver cutoff, but check availability. He has been playing nearly every passing down and finally converted that role into eight catches, 129 yards and 23 rushing yards. The quarterback situation creates risk, but the usage makes him a priority.

Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans — 54% rostered

Tyson has not debuted because of a hamstring injury and the Saints are on bye. He could return after the break and enter a high-volume passing offense. He is not a Week 8 starter; he is a potential second-half difference-maker worth an IR spot.

Makai Lemon, Philadelphia — 36% rostered

Lemon caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown while DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks were sidelined. His role may contract when they return, but a first-round rookie earning eight targets is a worthwhile bet.

Caleb Douglas, Miami — 10% rostered

Douglas returned from an ankle injury and caught two touchdowns, including an explosive long score. The touchdowns will not always be there, but he reclaimed a leading role and had already shown ability in Week 1. He offers upside with some weekly volatility.

Keenan Allen, Indianapolis — 47% rostered

Allen’s routes are concentrated in three-receiver formations, but he earns targets when on the field. Jacksonville and Dallas offer favorable upcoming matchups. He is the practical PPR option for a manager who needs points now rather than a rookie stash.

Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore — 17% rostered

Lane is earning routes with the Ravens’ receiving group healthy and has an appealing matchup against Buffalo. He has not yet delivered a breakout game, but his involvement makes him an interesting deeper-league addition.

Antonio Williams, Washington — 8% rostered

Terry McLaurin’s season-ending injury creates a larger role for Washington’s receivers. Treylon Burks may offer a steadier immediate role, but Williams has the more interesting long-term ceiling.

Travis Hunter, Jacksonville — 28.5% rostered

Hunter’s offensive usage remains limited, but his latest receiving game demonstrated his playmaking ability. A larger role or a trade involving Brian Thomas Jr. could change his value. Treat him as a bench lottery ticket, not a weekly starter.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville — 48% rostered

Thomas has been benched and is difficult to trust, but a trade could change his outlook quickly. If your bench allows it, holding through the deadline is more appealing than dropping him immediately.

Also consider: DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne offer PPR depth; Jordan Watkins is a 49ers bye-week stash; Tre’ Harris and Chris Bell have deeper-league appeal.

Tight Ends

There are three clear approaches: Strange for immediate use, Okonkwo for a sustainable route-based role, or Ferguson for longer-term upside.

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville — 46% rostered

Strange has earned consistent targets without relying on touchdowns. Jacksonville faces Indianapolis, making him the best immediate starter among widely available tight ends.

Chig Okonkwo, Washington — 17% rostered

Okonkwo has run routes on nearly every Washington passing play recently and caught seven passes for 69 yards before the bye. With Terry McLaurin sidelined, his target opportunity could remain elevated.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams — 15% rostered

Ferguson is eligible to return from injured reserve, but his readiness and early snap count are uncertain. Davante Adams’ absence creates an opportunity for a larger role once Ferguson is healthy. He is the best longer-term stash of the group.

Hunter Henry, New England — 56% rostered

Henry is slightly above the usual roster threshold, but his four consecutive double-digit fantasy games make him worth checking. He offers a steadier role than most speculative tight ends.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets — 0.3% rostered

Taylor has produced two encouraging games, including five catches, 62 yards and two touchdowns. A crowded tight-end rotation keeps his route share below ideal levels. Add for upside, not because the touchdown pace is sustainable.

Greg Dulcich, Miami — 4% rostered

Dulcich caught five passes for 86 yards and has earned targets on a meaningful share of his routes. Miami’s passing game remains volatile, but he is a viable inexpensive streamer.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas — 28.2% rostered

Mayer continues to have a role alongside Brock Bowers, though his targets fluctuate. He is a useful backup tight end, but Strange and Okonkwo have more attractive recent usage.

Also consider: T.J. Hockenson if available; Tyler Higbee for immediate Rams usage; Eli Raridon as a deep stash; Mike Gesicki is touchdown-dependent.

D/ST

Defensive streaming remains a matchup exercise. I would target turnover-prone offenses rather than blindly follow last week’s fantasy totals.

Jacksonville Jaguars — 40% rostered

Jacksonville returns from its bye to face Indianapolis. A rested unit and the matchup make the Jaguars a reasonable streaming choice.

Cincinnati Bengals — 24% rostered

The Bengals host Tennessee, whose offense has struggled to sustain drives. Cincinnati has produced usable fantasy numbers in several games and offers a favorable one-week opportunity.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 17.7% rostered

Tampa Bay dominated Carolina with sacks, interceptions and a defensive score. Atlanta is next. The Buccaneers have been productive overall, but the prior week’s huge total should not be treated as a new baseline.

Chicago Bears — 26% rostered

Chicago faces Seattle. This is a higher-variance stream than Cincinnati or Jacksonville because Seattle can create explosive plays.

Atlanta Falcons — 2% rostered

Atlanta faces Tampa Bay. The appeal depends heavily on how healthy Baker Mayfield and his supporting cast are, making this a deep-league fallback rather than a priority.

Also consider: If your league rewards sacks heavily, compare opponent offensive-line injuries before making the final claim.