Week 8 brings another slate with four teams on a bye. We’ll be missing some big names in the fantasy football world with the Cardinals and Texans among the teams who will not be in action. With that in mind, let’s discuss some of the best waiver wire pickups to add to your squad who are still available on the waiver wire in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
[PUMPKIN]
Fantasy Football: Week 8 NFL Waiver Wire Pickups
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (90% available)
The Seahawks looked to be on their way to a win over the Cardinals on Sunday night, but a fourth quarter collapse and some shaky play in overtime resulted in their first loss of the season. To make things even worse, Chris Carson left the game in the first half with a mid-foot sprain that is expected to keep him out for at least Week 8. As a result, Hyde should step into a starting role. With Carson missing time against the Cardinals, Hyde led the backfield with 15 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (25% of FAAB budget)
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (52% available)
The 49ers just can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries. They steamrolled the Patriots on Sunday but lost Deebo Samuel (hamstring) in the process. He’ll likely be out for at least Week 8, if not further. That should make Aiyuk their top wide receiver option. He torched the Patriots for six catches and 115 yards on seven targets and is now faced with a stellar matchup against the Seahawks, who have allowed a league-high 368.7 passing yards per game.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (15% -20% of FAAB budget)
JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers (79% available)
Samuel isn’t the only offensive player on the 49ers who left Sunday with an injury. Jeff Wilson had a monster performance leading their backfield, rushing 17 times for 112 yards and three touchdowns. However, he went down with a high ankle sprain that is expected to land him on IR. Raheem Mostert (ankle) is also on IR, but there is some hope that Tevin Coleman (knee) will be activated. Even if he is, though, he might be limited considering he hasn’t played since Week 2. That will likely mean Hasty and Jerick McKinnon lead their backfield this week. After finishing with 57 yards on nine carries against the Patriots, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hasty put forth a productive stat line in what could be a high-scoring contest.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (10% of FAAB budget)
Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles (93% available)
The return of DeSean Jackson turned out to only last one game. One of the Eagles’ top wide receivers is now back on IR with an ankle injury, leaving them very thin at the position once again. Travis Fulgham has stepped up in a big way in the wake of all of their injuries, but he’s now rostered in most leagues. That brings us to Ward, who caught five of six targets for 42 yards and a touchdown against the Giants on Thursday. That marked the third time across the last four games that he has received at least five targets. With that kind of workload, he could be in line for a big night against a Cowboys’ defense that has allowed the most points per game (34.7) in the league.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (5% -8% of FAAB budget)
Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts (96% available)
Despite the Colts not having a dangerous passing attack, Pascal is still a viable WR3 option this week if you need some help. He’s received at least seven targets in two of the last three games, and he had 54 yards and a touchdown in his last game against the Bengals. That was a very favorable matchup considering the Bengals have allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game (261.4). He is looking at another favorable situation in Week 8 against the Lions, who aren’t that much better at defending the pass than the Bengals are considering they’ve allowed 248.7 passing yards per contest.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (3% -5% of FAAB budget)
Richard Rodgers, Philadelphia Eagles (92% available)
The Eagles are also a mess at tight end. Zach Ertz (ankle) was placed on IR last week, and it doesn’t appear that they will get Dallas Goedert (ankle) back until at least Week 10. With their top two options out against the Giants, Rodgers stepped up to catch six of eight targets for 85 yards. When you add his expanded role to this favorable matchup against the Cowboys, Rodgers stands out as one of the top tight ends to target if you need help at the position.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (3% -5% of FAAB budget)
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (70% available)
The 49ers managed to score 33 points against the Patriots despite Garoppolo failing to record a touchdown pass. He was an efficient 20-of-25 for 277 yards, although he did throw two interceptions. Despite that disappointing performance, he looks much healthier now, and he’s still thrown at least two touchdown passes in three of the five games that he’s played in this season. If you need a bye week replacement for Kyler Murray or Deshaun Watson, Garoppolo’s matchup against the Seahawks makes him a viable streaming option.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (3% -5% of FAAB budget)
Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (99% available)
It took a crazy comeback, but the Browns managed to defeat the Bengals last week to improve to 5-2. However, it was a costly win since Odell Beckham went down with a torn ACL. His absence helped Higgins finish with six catches for 110 yards. With Beckham now out for the season, Higgins could emerge as the team’s No. 2 wide receiver behind Jarvis Landry. The Browns’ run-heavy offensive scheme does cap Higgins’ upside, but if you’re in a deep fantasy football league, he could provide value moving forward.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Priority: 8 (1% of FAAB budget)
Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.
Looking for more fantasy football and NFL DFS picks content? We have loads of fantasy football articles, data, cheatsheets and more on the Awesemo NFL home page. Just click HERE.
