Explore our top recommended waiver wire pickups for fantasy football in Week 8. If you already know the players you want, feel free to jump straight to our detailed Week 8 projections and rankings.

The start of the NFL season saw many offenses struggling to find their rhythm; however, recent weeks have ignited fireworks as teams adapt and improve their strategies. This shift means new players are emerging each week from a fantasy football perspective, making it crucial to identify which athletes to target as you prepare for the upcoming matchups.

With this in mind, we’re ready to provide you with essential information to assist in your waiver wire claims. Here are the top players to prioritize as we head into Week 8.

Essential Waiver Wire Strategies for Week 8 Fantasy Football

Targeted Running Backs to Add

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons: A Must-Add Running Back

If you’re searching for a reliable starter from the waiver wire in Week 8, you may find it challenging to unearth a player who can immediately impact your roster. While some athletes deserve consideration due to their potential if the starter ahead of them were to experience an injury, options for immediate starters are limited.

Tyler Allgeier of the Atlanta Falcons stands out as a player who fits the bill of a versatile backup and could serve as a valuable asset to your fantasy team. He has shown the capacity to deliver Flex value in favorable matchups where the Falcons are likely to have the upper hand. Moreover, Allgeier possesses top-10 upside in fantasy football should Bijan Robinson, the current starter, miss any time.

Allgeier is a talented running back who has consistently displayed his skills on the field. This season, he is averaging an impressive 2.2 yards after contact, surpassing notable players like Najee Harris, David Montgomery, Saquon Barkley, and Breece Hall. Furthermore, he ranks among the league’s top 10 for average yards before contact (3.5) and boasts an impressive 0.3 missed/broken tackles per touch, placing him fourth among all running backs with over 50 touches this season.

If Allgeier were to receive a full-time role in the Falcons’ offense, he would undoubtedly become a highly sought-after player on the waiver wire. Anticipate the rush to claim him if that situation arises—secure him now to get ahead of your competition.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers: A Rising Star

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold choice in selecting QB Russell Wilson over Justin Fields, especially considering their rocky start to the NFL season. However, this decision appears to have paid off, as their offense showcased its potential against the formidable New York Jets defense on Sunday night.

As Jaylen Warren continues to recover from injury, he has gradually become more involved in the Steelers’ offensive game plan. With a favorable matchup against the New York Giants in Week 8, Warren could be an enticing option for those in need of a Flex play.

While Warren may not offer elite upside due to the presence of Najee Harris ahead of him on the depth chart, he shows promise as a strong addition to your roster if you’re in a bind and need a solid Flex option next week.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills: The Under-the-Radar Pickup

One of the strategies that savvy fantasy managers employ to stay at the top of their leagues is to think ahead and stay two steps ahead of the competition. Snagging Ray Davis now, while he remains widely available, is a move you should make if you have the bench space. He is currently only rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues and 15% of ESPN leagues.

Davis has impressed in the limited opportunities he has had this season while playing behind James Cook. Although Cook is clearly the lead back in this backfield, there is ample opportunity for Davis to continue receiving more work as the season progresses, especially if Cook were to miss time due to injury.

Davis is averaging 2.1 yards after contact, which surpasses notable players such as Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Kenneth Walker. We’ve already witnessed his capabilities when given the primary role in the backfield, evidenced by his RB14 finish in Week 6 in PPR formats. Securing a fantasy asset like Davis before the rest of your league attempts to claim him is essential.

Wide Receiver Options to Consider

Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Next Big Thing

With Chris Godwin out for the season due to a dislocated ankle, and Mike Evans nursing a hamstring injury, the Buccaneers are now actively seeking candidates for their top receiving role. Jalen McMillan emerges as the leading contender for this position. This season, he has gathered 15 targets, with 8 of those coming in the Week 8 matchup against the Ravens.

Godwin was averaging nearly 9 targets per game during a breakout year, accumulating 576 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Evans has been averaging 6.4 targets per game, and together, they have garnered over 100 targets this season.

Utilize your FAAB aggressively to target McMillan, and also consider acquiring Cade Otton, who has received 41 targets this season and is only rostered in 33% of leagues across Yahoo and ESPN. With Baker Mayfield’s receiving options dwindling, the opportunities on the waiver wire are becoming increasingly limited as the season progresses.

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers: A Potential Game-Changer

Jauan Jennings has made previous appearances in waiver wire discussions this season, particularly after a standout performance in Week 3. However, his recent lack of production has diminished his appeal, causing him to drop below 40% rostered in Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Despite currently being sidelined with a hip injury, Jennings should be a priority pickup on the waiver wire, especially following the news that Brandon Aiyuk will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to a torn ACL and MCL. Additionally, Deebo Samuel is currently hospitalized with pneumonia, leaving his status for Week 8 uncertain. George Kittle is also dealing with a foot injury and is considered day-to-day. After Aiyuk and Kittle, Jennings ranks as one of the most targeted players by Brock Purdy on the 49ers this season.

Ricky Pearsall will also be a popular name to target, but he’s still working his way back to full speed after dealing with a gunshot injury early in the season. As a rookie, he is still learning the complexities of the offensive scheme. While Pearsall may have his opportunities, Jennings should be viewed as the preferred option to step up.

If Jennings can return to action in the upcoming week, he has the potential to be a strong start against the Dallas Cowboys and beyond. His value on the waiver wire is significant, making him worth targeting immediately.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers: A Rising Threat

After a brief suspension in Week 5, Romeo Doubs has evidently returned to form, amassing a total of 31 fantasy points across the previous two weeks combined.

Following a week where he had just 4 targets but scored 2 touchdowns, Doubs exploded with 10 targets against the Houston Texans, establishing himself as one of the most reliable receiving options in the Packers’ offense. Not only is he a dependable target, but he has also demonstrated an ability to generate explosive plays, reflected in his impressive 36.9% big play rate.

Doubs was previously highlighted in our waiver wire column, and he now must be added in all leagues, as he is available in over 50% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns: The Hidden Gem

Cedric Tillman has always possessed the talent and skill to make an impact on an NFL offense, yet he has been overshadowed by a crowded depth chart in Cleveland, which has seen the team trade for underperforming wide receivers at low costs. This trend became even more apparent after Week 7.

Following the Browns’ trade of veteran WR Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills after Week 6, Tillman received his opportunity to step up as a starting WR for the offense, and he took full advantage of it.

In his recent performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tillman saw 12 targets—the highest total for any WR in the NFL that week—and converted those into 8 catches for 81 yards. It’s important to note that these targets came from both Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, both of whom have faced challenges with accuracy.

Looking ahead, Watson is out for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles injury, and Jameis Winston is expected to take over as the starting quarterback. This could significantly open up the offensive playbook. If Tillman is positioned as the WR1 with Winston at the helm, he is a player worth aggressively targeting on the waiver wire.

Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens: A Breakout Candidate

Fantasy managers have been hesitant to fully embrace the Rashod Bateman breakout this season, but it appears that the moment has officially arrived. After finishing as WR17 and WR34 in half-PPR scoring formats in the two weeks prior, Bateman delivered an impressive performance on Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bateman recorded 4 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, reinforcing that his recent strong performances were not mere flukes but rather an indication of his potential moving forward.

His talent has always been evident, but injuries have previously hindered Bateman’s ability to establish rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. That challenge now seems to be a thing of the past. If you find Bateman available on your waiver wire, he is definitely worth picking up immediately.

Tight End Additions to Consider

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders: Reliable Tight End Option

Did you know that Zach Ertz has finished outside the top 20 TEs in fantasy rankings only once this season? Remarkably, he has also achieved a top 12 TE finish on four occasions!

The veteran tight end not only provides a consistently high floor week after week, but he also presents significant upside, making it surprising that he remains available on the waiver wire in many leagues.

When it comes to the tight end position in fantasy football, you want to find players who won’t sink your lineup week after week. Ertz is proving to be a reliable option who can bolster your lineup’s performance. He is the top TE target on the waiver wire as we approach Week 8.

Be sure to check out our complete Week 8 fantasy football projections and rankings, along with our NFL, MLB, NBA and college football coverage. And follow us on X, Instagram and Threads for more!