TST NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire

Greetings from San Diego! We've closed yet another chapter of the NFL season, and this week's waiver-wire column highlights a handful of must-add players, especially as injuries mount and bye weeks start to take their toll. 

In no particular order, here are my top 16 waiver wire options to add for Week 8. I also added a honorable mention section at the bottom of the article. My one rule that I have set for this is that a player must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be eligible in my column.

Quarterback:

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (Rostered: 43%) — This guy has it. Since his first start in Week 4, Dart has consistently shown why he deserves a roster spot in fantasy leagues. Even in matchups where expectations were low—like last week against the Broncos—he delivered, finishing with 28 fantasy points against one of the league’s toughest defenses. He’s scored at least 15 points in every start so far. If he’s somehow still available, scoop him up immediately.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (Rostered: 17%) — With six teams on bye this week (Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks), plenty of fantasy managers are searching for a one-week streaming option. Penix is the quarterback I’d target in Week 8. He faces a Dolphins defense that ranks among the league’s worst, particularly against the pass. Over his last three games, Penix has topped 240 passing yards and developed strong chemistry with Drake London, targeting him 36 times in that span. Miami has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and the most rushing touchdowns to the position — a combination that could lead to another solid outing if Penix uses his legs.

Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets (Rostered: 0%) — While head coach Aaron Glenn hasn’t officially announced anything, it’s expected that the Jets will name Taylor their starter over Justin Fields. That shouldn’t come as a surprise — Fields has struggled mightily, failing to reach 100 passing yards in three of his six starts. Taylor has appeared in three games this season and made one start in Week 3, where he posted 16.68 fantasy points on 197 passing yards, 48 rushing yards, and two touchdown passes with one interception. I don’t usually endorse Jets players outside of Garrett Wilson, but Taylor is worth a look this week. He’ll face a Bengals defense that has allowed the third-most passing yards and eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. If you’re a Fields manager in need of a quick replacement, Taylor is one of the best streaming options available.

Running Back:

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (Rostered: 4%) — The waiver wire is thin at running back this week, which makes Monangai a worthwhile consideration. To his credit, he’s coming off a career-best performance, rushing 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 13 yards. He continues to split work with D’Andre Swift, who’s handled the bulk of the production over the past three weeks. However, if the Ravens end up resting Lamar Jackson, the Bears could once again find themselves playing with a lead — potentially giving Monangai another solid workload. If you’re desperate for a running back this week, he’s one of the better options available.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (Rostered: 19%) — Hill’s value this week largely depends on Lamar Jackson’s status. If Jackson is unable to suit up, expect the Ravens to be playing from behind — a scenario that favors Hill as the team’s primary receiving back. With defenses stacking the box to contain Derrick Henry, Hill should see a healthy workload out of the backfield. Before the team’s bye week, he caught five passes for 28 yards and added 16 rushing yards on six carries. However, if Jackson returns, Hill’s role will likely diminish as the offense shifts back toward a run-heavy approach centered on Jackson and Henry. If you have the roster space, Hill is worth stashing until Baltimore releases its final injury report on Friday.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (Rostered: 30%) — Spears has maintained his usual role in Tennessee as the team’s primary receiving back. In last week’s matchup with the Patriots, he logged five carries for 22 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards. Starter Tony Pollard saw just one more carry but was more involved in the passing game than usual, posting six receptions for 43 yards. With the Titans often playing from behind, Spears continues to have opportunities to rack up fantasy points as the team’s third-down option. While Pollard remains the lead back, Spears consistently earns a fair share of touches and would become a valuable fantasy asset if Pollard were to miss any time.

Wide Receiver:

Josh Reynolds, New York Jets (Rostered: 1%) — It’s hard to say much positive about the Jets’ offense, but a quarterback change could bring a small spark. With Tyrod Taylor expected to be named the starter and Garrett Wilson likely sidelined another week with a knee injury, Reynolds should see increased volume as the team’s top wideout. In last week’s matchup against the Panthers, he caught three passes for 29 yards but was targeted nine times — a promising sign for his involvement. With Taylor set to start a full game, Reynolds could benefit from steadier quarterback play and a favorable matchup this week.

Josh Downs / Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (Rostered: 45% / 3%) — The Colts have quietly developed one of the league’s most explosive offenses this season, thanks in large part to Daniel Jones playing at an MVP-caliber level. While stars like Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, and Michael Pittman headline the attack, both Downs and Pierce deserve more attention in fantasy circles. Downs, who missed last week with a concussion, had been on a solid run — recording at least six catches and 40-plus receiving yards in back-to-back games, including a touchdown in one of them. Pierce has been steady as well, topping 48 receiving yards in every game but one, highlighted by his 5-98-0 line against the Chargers. If either receiver is still available, they’re worth adding, as Jones and this offense have been productive enough to support multiple fantasy-relevant options.

Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 14%) — Washington has had a role in the offense all season, but he could see an increased share with Tyreek Hill out and both Jaylen Waddle and Darren Waller dealing with nagging injuries. Last week, Washington saw a season-high eight targets. With the Dolphins’ offense in the midst of their own quarterback uncertainty, Washington could emerge as one of the team’s most reliable options this week, particularly in a favorable matchup against the Falcons.

Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rostered: 16%) — Johnson should be near the top of waiver wire priorities if he’s still available. Last week against Detroit, he caught four passes on nine targets for 58 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 15.8 fantasy points. With Mike Evans out for the season and Chris Godwin dealing with an injury, Johnson’s role in the offense is set to increase. Baker Mayfield is in need of reliable weapons, and Johnson’s speed and ability to stretch the field should make him one of Mayfield’s go-to targets moving forward.

Tight End:

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers (Rostered: 2%) — I don’t usually single out one player as a must-add, but this week, Gadsden is it. Over the last two weeks, he’s totaled 14 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown, earning a TE2 ranking following his explosive game against the Colts. As opposing defenses focus more on the Chargers’ wide receivers, Gadsden has carved out a more consistent role, evidenced by 17 targets and being on the field for 79% of snaps. If you’re among the many fantasy managers submitting a claim for Gadsden, good luck, he’s quickly becoming one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (Rostered: 18%) — Schultz has always maintained a consistent role in Houston, but it hasn’t always translated to fantasy production. That’s changed over the past two weeks, where he posted 11 and 18.8 fantasy points. With limited weapons for C.J. Stroud, Schultz is one of the quarterback’s most reliable targets. Nico Collins left Monday’s game with an injury, and if he’s sidelined again, Schultz could be in line for a big outing against the 49ers.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rostered: 30%) — Otton is another player set to benefit from the team’s injury situation. He’s put together a three-game streak of double-digit fantasy outings, being targeted five or more times in each contest. During that stretch, he’s also recorded at least four catches and 50 receiving yards per game. With Baker Mayfield needing reliable targets, Otton is a sensible pickup for fantasy managers this week.

Defense/Special Teams:

Atlanta Falcons Defense (Rostered: 19%) — Streaming the Falcons this week should be a no-brainer. While the team has improved defensively this season, they already rank as the tenth-best defense in fantasy. This week, they face a struggling Dolphins offense, which has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. If Tua Tagovailoa starts, the Falcons are in an excellent position to generate turnovers and rack up fantasy points.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense (Rostered: 18%) — I’m not as confident in this matchup as I am with the Falcons, but the Chargers could still deliver a solid fantasy performance against the Vikings. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points and sacks to opposing defenses this season. This makes the Chargers a sneaky backup option if your primary defense is on a bye or if you missed out on streaming the Falcons.

Honorable Mentions: Mason Taylor, New York Jets (Rostered: 28%), Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (Rostered: 29%), Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (Rostered: 36%), Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (Rostered: 42%), Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (Rostered: 27%), Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense/Special Teams (Rostered: 17%), New York Jets Defense/Special Teams (Rostered: 11%).