Injuries can be detrimental to the success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for a plug-in starter. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic. Keep in mind, it’s that time of the year when bye weeks play a factor, making the waiver wire that much more important. After a rough week with multiple key players on bye, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are off in Week 8.
If you’re in need of an immediate upgrade, here are the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 8 that could help push your fantasy team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups Week 8 column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Daniel Jones, Giants (28.9%)
The New York Giants are 6-1 and Daniel Jones has looked formidable enough to get the job done. It’s clear Saquon Barkley is the main spark in the offense, but Jones has been decent enough in the passing game and very good with his legs. He’s found the end zone three times with his legs, which is already half of his passing touchdowns so far this season. The Giants are well-coached and disciplined, so Jones is a solid fantasy football waiver wire pickup for Week 8.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (27.3%)
While Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t a high-volume passer or flashy player for fantasy football, the addition of Christian McCaffrey gives him another weapon, improving the offense overall. He eclipsed 300 passing yards in Week 7 for the first time this season. He’ll always accumulate a turnover or two, but considering his weapons and the team around him, 15 should be his floor most weeks.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gus Edwards, Ravens (16.1%)
With J.K Dobbins placed on IR, the Baltimore Ravens backfield is up for grabs. Kenyan Drake has looked good in the absence of Dobbins, but Gus Edwards was activated off the PUP list ahead of Week 7. He immediately led the backfield in carries. Fantasy managers enjoyed Edwards’ little stint of monster fantasy production last season prior to his injury, so it’s clear he is capable of lead-back responsibilities on a regular basis. At just under 17 percent ownership, there’s a very good chance his ownership sees a 40 percent plus increase.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (30.3%)
Prior to the Week 7 matchup against the 49ers, Isiah Pacheco was named starting Kansas City Chiefs running back. There are still Jerrick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to take snaps and fantasy points away from Pacheco, but it’s obvious he brings a much-needed spark to the running game. Head coach Andy Reid has developed running backs into monster fantasy players during his tenure, and it’s possible this is the same situation with Pacheco.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
George Pickens, Steelers (55.5%)
The more rookie QB Kenny Pickett gets used to the NFL level, the more Pittsburgh Steelers pass-catchers will benefit, especially George Pickens. The rookie receiver has flashed way too many times this season to not be rostered in more than 55 percent of leagues and his upside increases with Pickett at QB. He caught his first touchdown of the season against the Dolphins in Week 7 and his target share has increased steadily. The upside is just too high to not at least stash him on your bench moving forward.
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (21.1%)
Mecole Hardman posted the best game of his career last week against the 49ers, finding the end zone three separate times. This may be the beginning of Hardman molding into the Tyreek Hill role and seeing regular usage in both the running and passing games. Surely, his Week 7 performance won’t happen every week, but there’s a chance he sees more snaps and volume simply because of his performance in such limited touches.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (47.6%)
Joe Burrow and company were on fire last week against the Falcons, but Hayden Hurst was relatively quiet, catching six catches for just 48 yards. There are many mouths to feed on the Cincinnati Bengals offense, but he sees plenty of targets nonetheless. He’s only had two games with less than four targets, and the Bengals have some very favorable matchups approaching (CLE, CAR, PIT, TEN).
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (7.8%)
After starting his first game in Week 6 and posting 12.4 fantasy points (PPR), Greg Dulcich saw his ownership increase just seven percent. Despite Russell Wilson being sidelined, Dulcich still saw volume from Brett Rypien, catching six of his nine targets for 51 yards. The tight end position is extremely scarce this season, so finding low-owned fantasy football waiver wire pickups that see consistent volume and red zone looks is a great sign for the success of your fantasy team over time.
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