Not every breakout in fantasy football has the same trajectory. Sure, some guys like Ja'Marr Chase hit from their very first game and never look back. Others, like Odell Beckham Jr. in his first year, miss time with injury, then pop off. And it’s easy to forget that a rookie like Amon-Ra St. Brown was pretty much unstartable until Week 13, before he took the world, and fantasy leagues, by storm. There are a lot of catalysts for breakouts, and some players simply start off slow before ending hot. Especially rookies.
So, even though it feels like we are deep in the season, there is still a LOT of football left to play. Some players are just now getting a chance to show what they can do. And it’s our job to get them onto rosters BEFORE the rest of the world finds out, like with Germie Bernard. So let’s jump into the Week 8 waivers for as many different league types as possible in this week’s Fantasy Alarm waiver wire coverage.
2026 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8 Top Targets And Strategy
As we mentioned above, the key to navigating waivers is understanding your league and understanding what you need. We’ll give our guidance on whether to use your waiver claim or your FAAB, but every league is unique, so go with your gut for the final numbers.
You also need to know what kind of player you want to target. My rule of thumb is that, if the player goes DIRECTLY into my lineup at QB, WR, RB, or TE, I’m willing to use that top claim or a minimum 25% of your budget. This is a weekly game at its
We will do our best to differentiate whether this is a guy we can start right away or whether we like to have them on the bench to see if they break out. As always, if you play in deeper leagues like FFPC, check out our Streamers & Stashes article that gets down to the much lower-rostered players for those deep sleepers!
NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett - Arizona Cardinals, Yahoo: 27% | ESPN: 20% | Sleeper: 24%
We always like to include one name in here specific to those six-point passing touchdown leagues. We’ve been using Aaron Rodgers quite a bit, but we did use Brissett for the Lions games and he is back on the menu once again this week. Jacoby Brissett is capable of a terrible week at any given time, but you know that going in. When the conditions are right, he’s also capable of some BIG games. This week’s game in Dallas has a 54.5 over/under with the Cowboys favored, so Brissett and company are likely going to be busy once again.
- Waiver Priority: Low priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns, Yahoo: 13% | ESPN: 13% | Sleeper: 18%
We are going to continue to stash and even stream Deshaun Watson, especially in four-point passing leagues. The rushing for him has been there all year. He’s technically tied with Josh Allen for rushes on the season, though Allen has already had his bye and Watson hasn’t. Still, Watson has 10 more carries than Drake Maye, who is third in that category.
Watson just went out and scored his first rushing TD this week. He also threw for over 300 yards for the first time. Denzel Boston has already looked solid, and now fellow rookie KC Concepcion just had his best game. If all these things come together for Watson, he could be a force down the stretch. The Browns actually have a pretty favorable schedule for fantasy.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Malik Willis - Miami Dolphins, Yahoo: 18% | ESPN: 6% | Sleeper: 15%
Like everyone else, we are suckers for mobile quarterbacks. And Malik Willis is finally starting to flash that dual-threat ability that makes him so appealing. His 8 carries led all QBs in Week 6, and he scored a rushing touchdown for the second time this season.
This team had a ton of moving parts this offseason. Not to mention, one rookie, Chris Bell, was coming off ACL recovery while the other, Caleb Douglas, got hurt in Week 2 and just returned last week. Who’s to say that these guys can’t further develop alongside Malik Washington and Greg Dulcich to help boost these passing numbers? We mostly care about the rushing, especially in four-point passing, but a little bit of both is how we get true consistent upside.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Michel Penix Jr., Sam Darnold
NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Jonah Coleman - Denver Broncos, Yahoo: 35% | ESPN: 24% | Sleeper: 40%
The top running back stash from last week remains the top running back stash this week. And how much you need to bid on guys like Coleman is largely going to depend on how sharp your league is. In shallow or casual leagues, folks might see the touchdowns for RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins and not bother. But sharp gamers will look at the usage for Coleman and be looking to add him.
Despite JK Dobbins “starting,” Coleman took over this backfield to some degree as the game went on. By the end of it, he had played 30 snaps to 16 for Harvey and 14 for Dobbins. Coleman got 9 carries, which is as many as Harvey (3) and Dobbins (6) combined. And the 11 routes run by Coleman were more than Harvey (8) and Dobbins (2) combined. Sean Payton has his guys, and it’s starting to look like Jonah Coleman might be a Sean Payton guy. So we want to have him stashed in case he can run away with this backfield. He’s probably the best combination of startability now and long-term upside.
- Waiver Priority: Medium Priority
- FAAB: 10-15%
Zonovan Knight - Arizona Cardinals, Yahoo: 25% | ESPN: 17% | Sleeper: 26%
We like Jonah Coleman over Knight because he has more long-term upside. In fact, Knight might not even have much value THIS week if Jeremiyah Love returns. But if Love is out again, Knight is probably the best streaming option out there. Despite the Cardinals paying Tyler Allgeier this offseason, Knight has been outplaying him so far with Love out. And the Cardinals seem to be making the decision for touches based on what they are seeing on the field. We need to pay close attention all day today to see if we get any news on Jeremiyah Love - I’ll do my best to update this article if I hear anything.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Kaelon Black - San Francisco 49ers Yahoo: 28% | ESPN: 22% | Sleeper: 31%
When it comes to NFL handcuffs and injuries, we take a “where there is smoke, there is fire” approach. There are a lot of guys who could have much more value if the starter gets hurt. But trying to play the guessing game of who could get hurt isn’t an easy one. So we often lean into situations where guys are already banged up.
This week, Christian McCaffrey had to leave the game and actually head into the locker room. He was able to come back and play, but that kind of crack in the door could eventually lead to an actual injury - or even more of a split. The San Francisco 49ers have a great scheme for running backs with all the fullbacks and tight ends, so it’s about as appealing a handcuff situation as there is. The 49ers are on bye this week, though, so if you need a streamer, this does not help.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Seth McGowan - Indianapolis Colts, Yahoo: 7% | ESPN: 8% | Sleeper: 14%
This one is pretty simple. There are trade rumors swirling around Jonathan Taylor as the Indianapolis Colts continue to falter. Meanwhile, they have been working in more and more Seth McGowan along the way, possibly to keep Taylor fresh but also possibly to see what McGowan himself has. I know the Colts are a bad team, but Ollie Gordon took over starting running back duties for a bad team, and he’s been one of the better waiver wire adds this year. If you can stash McGowan, it could pay off.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Mike Washington Jr., Tyler Goodson
NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Omar Cooper Jr. - New York Jets, Yahoo: 48% | ESPN: 35% | Sleeper: 75%
In Week 6, we said to add Germie Bernard. In Week 7, we said to check for Germie Bernard, but he’s nearly 50% rostered, so he might not be there anymore. If Bernard is there, pay up as it’s your last chance. If Bernard is rostered already, you should be adding Omar Cooper Jr.
Now Omar Cooper Jr. is likely already rostered in your leagues after being a top add last week. Even with Adonai Mitchell back, he continued to play in two WR sets opposite Garrett Wilson and once again went off. Mitchell only ran 51.5% of the routes, making him more of a part-time field stretcher for New York. If Omar Cooper Jr. is there still somehow, pay up for him. If not, target the next guy on this list who could easily be the next Bernard/Cooper. It’s that time of year.
- Waiver Priority: High Priority
- FAAB: 50%+
Caleb Douglas - Miami Dolphins, Yahoo: 10% | ESPN: 10% | Sleeper: 19%
Way back in Week One, Caleb Douglas was one of our favorite adds. He had earned himself a clear top-two role opposite Malik Washington and looked pretty decent in his very first game as a rookie. Unfortunately, he got hurt in the very next game. Since then, he’s remained a staple in our Streamers & Stashes article for folks with IR spots or deep benches. And now he’s back - in a big way.
There was nothing overly exceptional about the behind-the-scenes numbers, though it is worth noting that he immediately played 44 snaps to 21 for Chris Bell, relegating Bell to the WR3 spot and reclaiming his WR2 spot (Malik Washington played 52 snaps and remained WR1). But Douglas certainly passed the eye test with two touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoot. These are the exact kind of guys we need to be adding at this stage, as he’s one of the last remaining rookie mystery boxes and the Dolphins are one of the few teams with a lot of targets available.
- Waiver Priority: Medium to High Priority
- FAAB: 15-25%
Antonio Williams - Washington Commanders: Yahoo: 8% | ESPN: 7% | Sleeper: 26%
Dan Quinn says he doesn’t expect a larger role for Stefon Diggs following the Terry McLaurin injury. But given McLaurin was an every-down outside player, that does mean a larger role for SOMEONE, right? The most upside would come from either the rookie Antonio Williams or the tight end Chig Okonkwo (more on that below).
Terry McLaurin has led the team with 112 snaps out wide. Next are Dyami Brown (89), Treylon Burks (79), Antonio Williams (75), and Stefon Diggs (52). The boring (and, unfortunately, entirely possible) answer is that Brown and Burks play more, two guys we have seen plenty of that have largely been inconsistent. The fun answer is that they just unleash the rookie Antonio Williams in a bigger role. And we need to try to stash him in case it does play out that way. Caleb Douglas already seemingly has the role that we want Antonio Williams to have, but Antonio Williams would be playing with the better QB if he does get it, so that’s the risk vs. reward of the situation.
- Waiver Priority: Medium Priority
- FAAB: 10-15%
Ja'Kobi Lane - Baltimore Ravens, Yahoo: 17% | ESPN: 12% | Sleeper: 35%
Always continue to ask yourself, “Where are the voids?” As we always talk about, the three components of breakout players are talent, scheme, and opportunity. Given how many great players had to wait their turns as rookies, like CeeDee Lamb, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, we know that opportunity is a key component.
Right now, the Ravens do not have a clear second target after Zay Flowers. Mark Andrews only played a 57% snap share. Rashod Bateman has never quite been who we hoped. And, this week, Ja’Kobi Lane ran more routes and got more targets than Bateman, even if by only a little. With Tyler Huntley at QB, that might not matter, but when Lamar Jackson gets back, that could inject the talent needed to complete this breakout. We have to remember that even the great Amon-Ra St. Brown was unstartable in fantasy until Week 13. Unlike many veterans, rookies have room to develop and grow as the season goes on.
- Waiver Priority: Low to Medium Priority
- FAAB: 5-10%
Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Antonio Williams, DeMario Douglas, Pat Bryant (IR spot)
NFL Week 8 Waiver and Yin & Yang Tight End
Chig Okonkwo - Washington Commanders, Yahoo: 17% | ESPN: 5% | Sleeper: 15%
Chig Okonkwo has been our top add a couple of weeks in a row here - including last week to stash him through his bye week. We were already intrigued by Chig after Washington gave him a big payday this offseason. His 96th percentile speed combined with his “big slot” profile was naturally intriguing to what we look for in fantasy. But things got a whole lot more interesting following Week 6.
The big change here was that Terry McLaurin tore his patellar tendon. That’s a tough injury that rules him out for the entire season and possibly puts his career in jeopardy. In that game, needing help from pass-catchers, Chig actually ran 43 routes, which led all Commanders players, even more than Stefon Diggs. He also played 30 snaps at a WR spot with guys like John Bates and Ben Sinnott handling more of the inline duties. If the Commanders commit to using Chig to replace a good number of these WR snaps, he could be one of the best waiver wire tight end adds rest of season.
- Waiver Priority: Medium Priority
- FAAB: 10-15%
Brenton Strange - Jacksonville Jaguars, Yahoo: 46% | ESPN: 36% | Sleeper: 61%
If you already have a solid starting tight end and are looking for the highest pure upside, maybe someone like Terrance Ferguson or even Greg Dulcich might make sense. But Brenton Strange offers a much better floor and more consistency if you are looking for a starter now. He’s not the flashiest player, but his usage within the Jaguars offense has surprised us a bit.
The arguments this offseason were centered on Brian Thomas vs. Jakobi Meyers vs. Parker Washington. As it turns out, Washington has been the top target, but Brenton Strange is quietly second on the team with 33 targets, which is just a bit shy of a 100-target pace. And he’s gotten 8, 8, and 7 over the last three games after starting slow. The addition of Nate Boerkircher this year as an inline option has allowed Strange to move around the formation so he’s played 156 snaps inline but also 112 at WR and 32 in the backfield in some capacity. We like the upside of Chig a little better, but Strange is a rock-solid option too.
- Waiver Priority: Low Priority
- FAAB: 5-10%
Greg Dulcich - Miami Dolphins, Yahoo: 4% | ESPN: 1% | Sleeper: 5%
In three out of his last four games, Greg Dulcich has run over 70% of the routes and gotten 5+ targets. That would typically have more people interested in a player like this. Unfortunately, in the other game, he got literally zero targets.
We obviously can’t just completely throw games away. But that game script was a bit of an anomaly. The Minnesota Vikings are arguably the best defense in the league, and the Dolphins were only on the field for 39 offensive plays. They only dropped back to pass 20 times, and Malik Willis only actually threw it 17 of those times. If you can get beyond that game, the usage for Dulcich has been kind of promising for deeper leagues.
Terrance Ferguson - Los Angeles Rams, Yahoo: 15% | ESPN: 12% | Sleeper: 20%
As we mentioned last week, Terrance Ferguson remains a top stash for us. But we don’t know for sure when he will be back, so it’s a lot easier to pull off if you have IR spots. What we do know is that, among the tight ends on the Rams, he’s the one who profiles most like a “big WR”. And that’s what they need since Davante Adams has been out.
We do have a small history of Terrance Ferguson stepping up in this capacity. We’ve got a game earlier this year with no Puka Nacua and one last year with no Davante Adams where he was second on the team in routes run and also lined up at WR for a good chunk of the snaps. He could just rotate in with the other tight ends, or they could trade for a wide receiver, but with a torn hamstring, Adams is set to miss a lot of time.
- Waiver Priority: Low to Medium Priority
- FAAB: 0-5%
Honorable Mention or Deep League Options:
NFL Week 8 Waiver DST
Jacksonville Jaguars DST, Yahoo: 40% | ESPN: 28% | Sleeper: 28%
If the Jaguars defense was dropped in your league during their bye week, they are likely the best add. They have a solid schedule that features the Colts, the Giants, and the Titans twice over the next five weeks (and, if Lamar Jackson isn’t back for the Baltimore game, that’s not a bad matchup either). Their schedule gets tough starting in Week 13, but I often roster two defenses in fantasy playoffs anyway once my starting lineup is pretty much sorted and the bye weeks are over.
Cincinnati Bengals DST, Yahoo: 24% | ESPN: 16% | Sleeper: 20%
I think we’ve been so used to the Bengals defense being terrible that it’s been hard to acknowledge that they are actually playing pretty well. Boye Mafe and Dexter Lawrence are getting after the quarterback upfront with 38 combined hurries - Mafe is actually averaging the second most per game behind only Aidan Hutchinson. Also, cornerback DJ Turner is quietly putting together a potential Pro Bowl season here. The Bengals actually have the 5th most fantasy points among defenses despite already having their bye. And they have a good matchup with the Titans here.
Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Raiders vs. NYJ, Commanders vs. PHI, Cowboys vs. ARI
NFL Week 8 Waiver K
Tyler Bass - Buffalo Bills, Yahoo: 16% | ESPN: 10% | Sleeper: 12%
Tyler Bass is a fairly “safe” option in the kicker world. He has yet to miss a field goal this year, though he has missed two extra points. The floor is high for Bass in a high-powered offense, but having a nearly automatic Josh Allen to smash his way past the marker on fourth downs or goal-line situations is not ideal. The Bills often just go for it in “four down territory” over kicking long field goals. The Bills are favored in a game with a 53.5 over/under, so there should be some points in that one.
Chase McLaughlin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Yahoo: 23% | ESPN: 25% | Sleeper: 60%
McLaughlin was dropped in a lot of leagues when Baker Mayfield was out, but he never really stopped being a reliable kicker option. Now that Baker is back, it should be even easier, and the Buccaneers are favored at home this week in what should be decent kicking conditions in Tampa Bay.
Yin & Yang Tight End Chart
As always, this section below will be updated with Yin & Yang tight end rankings for the rest of the season each week. The way Yin & Yang tight end works is: if you have someone from the standalone section, you only need to roster one player. Beyond that, we are likely rostering two - someone to start and someone to stash.
- Standalone - Guys we currently trust that also have big upside.
- Yin - A “safe” player that we can start while trying to hit on a breakout with a bench spot.
- Yang - A higher risk, higher reward option ideally stashed on your bench for upside.
- Handcuff - Guys with minimal usage now who could have upside if the starting TE gets hurt.
[Check back for Week 8 Yin & Yang tight end update soon!]