We’re going back to simpler times with the top Week 8 fantasy waiver wire pickups — running backs, running backs, running backs. Handcuffs-turned-starters D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, Gus Edwards, and Isiah Pacheco all figure to see hefty FAAB bids and/or high waiver claims this week, but there are a few WRs (Marquise Goodwin, Parris Campbell) and TEs (Greg Dulcich, Harrison Bryant) worth considering, too. Whether you’re focused on the high-priced waiver pickups or the low-cost free agent adds, you need to prioritize and have a budget plan.
As we’ll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let’s break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 8 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Ray Kuhn, Fantasy Alarm
Daniel Jones (NYG). Part of the issue for Jones this season has been a lack of receivers that he can trust, but with the emergence of Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, things are moving in the right direction. Last week marked just the second time this season that Jones has broken the 200-yard passing mark (202), and he threw for his sixth touchdown of the season. As the Giants keep on winning, their offense has also been finding its groove, and that means asking more out of Jones as he also gets more comfortable. It’s also hard to ignore where a large part of Jones’ fantasy value comes from — his legs. Jones carried the ball 11 times on Sunday for 107 yards and his third rushing touchdown of the season. He can certainly help to plug a hole at the quarterback position. Projected FAAB Bid: 3-5% of total FAAB budget
Jameis Winston (NO). We have not seen Winston (back) under center since Week 3, but after being active and not playing last week, it appears he will make his true return on Sunday. The week and a half off since last Thursday’s game should help get the Saints’ receiving corps get healthier, and we know that Winston is capable of moving the ball and running New Orleans’ offense. In the three games in which he has played this season, Winston has 858 passing yards and five touchdowns. Additionally, he should be cheap and readily available. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
WEEK 8 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 8 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Gus Edwards (BAL). With JK Dobbins (knee) on IR and Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill being, well, themselves, there is a clear opportunity for Edwards here after he made his return on Sunday. Things simply could not have gone any better for the Baltimore running back, as he carried the ball 16 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. It is a short turnaround this week as the Ravens face a reeling Tampa Bay on Thursday, but there should be no questions about Edwards’ health, what is he capable of, and what his role is in the Baltimore backfield. Projected FAAB Bid: 12-15% of total FAAB budget
D’Onta Foreman (CAR). Depending on your league settings, it is highly likely that you had a pass at Foreman after the trade of Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco, but that does not mean we should let him escape without a mention here. In what should have been a rough matchup against Tampa Bay, Carolina did not appear to have any issues — and that included Foreman, who gained 118 yards on 15 carries while also catching both of his targets 27 yards. The majority of Foreman’s rushing yards came on two carries, a 60-yard gain and a 27-yard gain, but it was hard to miss his explosiveness. It’s clear that he will have a real role in the Panthers’ backfield moving forward. Proj. FAAB Bid: 10-12%
Chuba Hubbard (CAR). While it does look like Foreman is the lead option in Carolina’s backfield, Hubbard might be more talented and should not be ignored either. Additionally, Hubbard did suffer what was termed as a minor ankle injury, and while this sentence might seem incredibly odd to read, the Panthers did not need him to return as they dispatched Tampa Bay with ease. Before his exit, Hubbard had nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for another 10 yards. The Panthers’ offense is going to be focused on the run game, and both running backs are going to be viable options. Proj. FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Isiah Pacheco (KC). The fantasy football world was turned on its head Sunday morning as we got news that Pacheco was going to be the starting running back for the Chiefs against the 49ers. At that point, many scrambled to their leagues’ waiver wires to see if Pacheco was available and likely added him. Pacheco then went on to carry the ball just eight times for 43 yards. He played just 30 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in this game, and while that was a season high for him, it certainly wasn’t what everyone had hoped for. Now, that said, the Chiefs are on a bye in Week 8 and they may use that bye week to solidify Pacheco a bit more into their core offense. Either way, he is worth the speculative add if he is still available in your league. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-7%
Kyren Williams (LAR). With Cam Akers now on the outs in Los Angeles, the Rams are starved for some running back depth. Rams coach Sean McVay said the team is close to starting the 21-day return window for Williams (ankle), who made some noise during the preseason and figured to be in the running back rotation to start the year if not for his injury. We are now at a point in the fantasy football season where it’s worth taking a shot and stashing a player like Williams now before everyone else has him on their radar. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Marquise Goodwin (SEA). Goodwin had only caught six passes for 79 yards entering action on Sunday, but he took advantage of a knee injury to DK Metcalf and stepped in to catch four passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. While Metcalf is not going to require surgery, it appears that there will be some missed time, and Goodwin has proven that he is capable of stepping in. Under Geno Smith, the Seattle offense has shown the ability to move the ball and Goodwin is primed to step in here. Projected FAAB Bid: 4-6% of total FAAB budget
Zay Jones (JAC). Trevor Lawrence has done a solid job making strides this season and moving the ball, and while Jones might not come across as an explosive option (he has just one touchdown reception), the receiver has been busy. Last week, Jones was targeted 10 times, which led to four catches for 54 yards. Granted Jones was not exactly efficient, but if you are searching for a bye-week or injury fill-in, going after volume is not a terrible idea. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE). While Peoples-Jones has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season, but he’s still classified as the Cleveland deep threat. Over the past four weeks, People-Jones is averaging just under seven targets per game and has finished with 19 receptions for 266 yards and a minimum of 71 yards in three-of-four weeks. Eventually, Peoples-Jones will reach the end zone, and we also do not have to worry about what his role is for Cleveland. Additionally, we are getting closer to the return of Deshaun Watson. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Parris Campbell (IND). Campbell has been teasing fantasy football owners since he entered the league as a second-round pick back in the 2019 draft, but injuries and inconsistent play have continued to cause him setbacks. Over the past two weeks, however, we are finally seeing some solid play from Campbell, as he has totaled 17 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Now, the Colts are making a change at QB, and that could potentially hurt his value if Sam Ehlinger turns out to be worse for this Colts offense than Matt Ryan had been. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Greg Dulcich (DEN). Last call here on Dulcich, who is surprisingly still available in a lot of public leagues despite the hype and the poor play at the tight end position as a whole this season. Dulcich followed up his debut performance with another standout game, catching six passes on nine targets for 51 yards, and that came with Brett Rypien at QB who was starting in place of the injured Russell Wilson (hamstring). Unless you have Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews, you should really be taking a look at the rookie. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Cade Otton (TB). With Cameron Brate (concussion) still listed as a non-participant in practice on Monday, the chances of him taking the field on Thursday are not looking too good. Otton has emerged out of nowhere to have some solid games when Brate has previously missed time this season, and while this is not the Tampa Bay offense we expected, they are still strong and have Tom Brady under center. Last week, Otton caught four-of-five targets for 64 yards, and he should be good for something similar this week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Harrison Bryant (CLE). With David Njoku (ankle) slated to miss next week’s game with an injury, Bryant is the last man standing in the tight end room for Cleveland. We know that the position challenges fantasy owners, so the hope here is that Bryant can pick up some volume after catching two passes for 15 yards in relief last week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Week 8 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn’t spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week’s potential streaming pickups:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Broncos)
- Tennessee Titans (vs. Titans)
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. Commanders)
- Washington Commanders (@ Colts)
- Las Vegas Raiders (@ Saints)
