Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.
Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.
Key injuries to consider
Jahmyr Gibbs (ankle)
Aaron Jones Sr. (knee)
Cam Skattebo (hamstring)
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring)
Jaylen Wright (quad)
C.J. Donaldson (shoulder)
Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring)
Jaylen Waddle (chest)
Jaylin Noel (toe)
Rashid Shaheed (knee)
Erick All Jr. (knee)
Bye weeks
Houston Texans
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers
Pickups by position
Top-10 overall pickups for Week 8
Quarterbacks
Malik Willis, Dolphins
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. NE | 18% | $5 |
The Dolphins earned their first victory of the season on Sunday and Willis had his second straight quality fantasy performance — sandwiched around Miami’s bye.
After finishing as the QB13 in Week 5, Willis is currently sitting as the QB4 overall this week with only Monday Night Football left to be played. That result is thanks to a three-touchdown day (two passing, one rushing), as well as 208 yards through the air and another 37 on the ground. He’s now run the ball at least eight times in three of his last four appearances.
The most exciting development for Willis has been the emergence of his skill position talent with Caleb Douglas, Malik Washington, Chris Bell, Greg Dulcich and Ollie Gordon II stepping up in recent weeks.
While the Patriots make for a tough test, Willis will have a much softer stretch versus the Lions, Colts, Bills and Jets again coming up after that. With his rushing upside giving him a solid fantasy floor, Willis will be a streaming option every week and now we’re seeing the ceiling to go along with that in better matchups.
Kirk Cousins is 57% rostered but would be the No. 1 QB add, if available.
Streaming options
Jacoby Brissett at DAL (27% rostered)
Risky streaming options
Geno Smith vs. LV (25% rostered)
Baker Mayfield vs. ATL (25% rostered)
Sam Darnold vs. CHI (36% rostered)
Malik Willis vs. NE (18% rostered)
Michael Penix Jr. at TB (18% rostered)
Risky streaming options (if starter is out)
Tyler Huntley at BUF (8% rostered)
Desperation streaming options
Justin Herbert at LAR (48% rostered)
Deshaun Watson at PIT (13% rostered)
Tanner McKee at WAS (8% rostered)
Cam Ward at CIN (8% rostered)
Daniel Jones at JAX (20% rostered)
Bye-week stashes
J.J. McCarthy (11% rostered)
Deep stashes
Fernando Mendoza (5% rostered)
Carson Beck (0% rostered)
Anthony Richardson Sr. (0% rostered)
Running Backs
Jonah Coleman, Broncos
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. KC | 35% | $49 |
There’s a reason why I haven’t stopped highlighting Coleman in this column all season. In his first game back off injured reserve, the rookie immediately led the Broncos’ backfield in what is now a three-man committee.
Coleman played nearly half the snaps, while RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins shared the other half. Coleman also led the team in scrimmage yards (69), touches (11) and routes run (11). Unfortunately, it was Harvey who scored a long touchdown and Dobbins who took a goal-line carry into the end zone.
Don’t be misled by the final fantasy points though, Coleman’s usage is what matters here. Sean Payton expressed a very clear desire after the game to get the fourth-rounder even more touches moving forward.
Though the ceiling might be partially limited at the moment with Harvey and Dobbins still involved, fantasy managers need to be aggressive anytime there is a potential starting back available on the waiver wire.
The Broncos have one of the five easiest fantasy schedules for RBs the rest of the way. Hopefully you took my advice and stashed Coleman, but even if you didn’t there’s still an opportunity to add him in 65% of leagues. I’m valuing Coleman as a possible low-end RB2 with upside.
Kaelon Black, 49ers
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
on Bye | 28% | $9 |
Black is another rookie backup I’ve been featuring in this column all season, encouraging managers to stash him away in case of a Christian McCaffrey injury.
The veteran did get banged up this week, but was fortunately able to return to the game in the second half. That led to increased usage for Black, who rushed 12 times for 63 yards and a score. It was his highest output since a 15-touch, 70-yard stat line in the opener.
McCaffrey downplayed the quad injury after the game and with a bye week to rest up, I’d expect him back at full health in Week 9. However, it’s clear that Black is up to the challenge if his number is ever called.
Stashing a talented No. 2 back playing behind a 30-year-old starter who handled 450 touches last year isn’t the worst idea in the world. Black should be rostered everywhere and would provide RB2 fantasy production with RB1 upside if McCaffrey ever missed time.
Seth McGowan, Colts
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
at JAX | 7% | $7 |
The trade rumors surrounding Jonathan Taylor seem like more than just speculation at this point. The Colts are also facing another very tough matchup against the division rival Jaguars in Week 8.
That might be why McGowan earned his biggest snap share of the season on Sunday (34.5%). It would be smart for Shane Steichen and company to get a look at what the seventh-round rookie can offer in a large role.
To McGowan’s credit, he’s performed well on his limited touches this year, including his season-high 48 yards against a stout Vikings’ front in Week 7. With news of a Taylor trade potentially being announced at any moment between now and the Nov. 10 deadline, it’s wise to stash McGowan on your bench until then. Let’s just hope that Indy doesn’t get a starting-caliber running back as part of the return in a JT trade. The Colts have one of the 10 best fantasy RB schedules in the second half of the season, so McGowan could be a sneaky fantasy option down the stretch and it won’t cost you much to get him now.
Bam Knight, Cardinals
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
at DAL | 25% | $3 |
Knight’s value will evaporate the moment that Jeremiyah Love returns to the lineup. But if the rookie remains sidelined in Week 8, Knight will be an intriguing fantasy option against a generous Cowboys defense.
Over the last two weeks, Knight has been the more productive back in Arizona, racking up 161 scrimmage yards on 27 touches. Tyler Allgeier has only managed 97 yards on 30 touches. This will all come down to Love’s availability, so don’t go overboard trying to acquire Knight. He’s just a spot starter if Love continues to sit out.
James Conner, Cardinals (IR)
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
Waiting to be activated off IR | 6% | $2 |
This is an extreme long shot, but Conner is a potential trade candidate who’s sitting on IR in Arizona. I have the veteran stashed in several leagues, just in case the Cardinals send him to an RB-needy roster before the deadline.
Rachaad White is 55% rostered but would be the No. 2 RB add behind Coleman, if available.
Best one-injury away backup RBs to stash
Mike Washington Jr. at NYJ (30% rostered)
Emmett Johnson (21% rostered)
Brian Robinson Jr. (32% rostered)
Flex options
Samaje Perine vs. TEN (12% rostered)
Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs. IND (24% rostered)
Risky flex options
Dylan Sampson at PIT (8% rostered)
Kimani Vidal at LAR (11% rostered)
Risky flex options (if healthy)
Tyjae Spears at CIN (18% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options
Keaton Mitchell at LAR (27% rostered)
Ty Johnson vs. BAL (5% rostered)
Kenny Gainwell vs. ATL (43% rostered)
Justice Hill at BUF (5% rostered)
Jeremy McNichols vs. PHI (0% rostered)
Austin Ekeler vs. PHI (2% rostered)
Upside stashes to roster
Sione Vaki (1% rostered)
Ray Davis (5% rostered)
Deep stashes
Corey Kiner (1% rostered)
Kaytron Allen (1% rostered)
Tyler Goodson (1% rostered)
Sean Tucker (1% rostered)
Khalil Herbert (0% rostered)
Trevor Etienne (2% rostered)
Bye-week stashes
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (28% rostered)
Injured-reserve stashes
Jonathon Brooks (40% rostered)
Wide Receivers
Omar Cooper Jr., Jets
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. LV | 48% | $79 |
Cooper led this column last week and here we are again with him still barely coming in under the 50% rostered cutoff.
Even with Adonai Mitchell back in the lineup for Week 7, Cooper continued to shine with his second straight 100-yard outing. The rookie has now finished as a top-10 fantasy WR in back-to-back games with stat lines of 6-103-1 and 5-115-1. It also makes you wonder if he would have threatened the 100-yard mark in his debut, since he posted 30 yards on just five snaps before getting hurt.
After spending a month on IR, the first-round wideout looks like the real deal and has more favorable matchups on the way with the Raiders (Week 8), Bills (Week 10) and Dolphins again (Week 12). He was a must-add last week and now he’s an “empty the waiver wire budget to get him” kind of pickup. Cooper is a high-end WR3 with a much higher ceiling, which he has put on display the past two games.
Jordyn Tyson, Saints
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
on Bye | 49% | $39 |
Normally, I just list Tyson as a one-line sentence below, since he’s rostered in almost 50% of leagues. However, his return is nearing and that rostered percentage isn’t moving.
This is another talented first-round receiver who was dominating Saints’ practices this summer before suffering another hamstring injury. It’s hard to ignore almost everyone around the organization praising his skills and suggesting he would be a star at some point this season.
In Kellen Moore’s fast-paced offense, there is plenty of room for another productive pass-catcher alongside Chris Olave… just ask Devaughn Vele.
It’s not hyperbole to say that Tyson could be a major factor in fantasy leagues in the second half of the season when the Saints return from their Week 8 bye. You should have already stashed him in your IR spot, but if you didn’t you can still solve that problem and get yourself a potential WR3 with WR2 upside once he’s healthy.
Caleb Douglas, Dolphins
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. NE | 10% | $14 |
One of the most important things for first-year players to show in their early NFL action is that they belong on the field with the pros. While every player is different, when a rookie hits the ground running it’s an obvious indicator of future success. When they’re able to look comfortable and be productive, we have signals for stardom.
Douglas has managed to accomplish both those feats in his limited time on the field. After breaking onto the scene with a five-catch, 94-yard effort in Week 1, Douglas suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for a month.
Coming off the bye, he picked up where he left off with 70 yards and a pair of touchdown catches.
While I’m not viewing Douglas in the same light as Cooper or Tyson, the third-rounder still has weekly WR3/flex potential and should be added in most leagues.
Travis Hunter/Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. IND | 9%/45% | $9/$7 |
The Jaguars are returning from bye after a Week 6 outing where Hunter and Meyers were extremely productive.
Hunter only played nine offensive snaps, but was the first-read on many of those plays which led to four catches, 59 yards and a touchdown. With Brian Thomas Jr. getting fewer snaps and expected to be traded, Hunter’s offensive involvement could rise. As we witnessed in his last game, it doesn’t take much for Hunter to make an impact in real life and fantasy. Few players offer the kind of ceiling Hunter possesses, so he’s an important stash.
Meanwhile, Meyers is a weekly WR3/flex option with double digit fantasy points in three of his six appearances this season. That includes a season-high 10 targets and 83 yards before the bye. Though I prefer chasing Hunter’s ceiling, Meyers is the more proven fantasy option.
Antonio Williams, Commanders
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. PHI | 8% | $9 |
Terry McLaurin is done for the season, which opens the door for Williams to emerge as a consistent weapon in the Commanders offense.
The third-round rookie actually led Washington's receivers in snaps and routes run in the loss to the 49ers, finishing the game with 50 yards on three receptions. We've also seen him flash multiple times in the first six weeks, including a four-catch, 64-yard, one-touchdown debut and an 87-yard TD in Week 4 that was called back due to a penalty.
With all the attention on bigger names, Williams is sliding under the radar a bit as he returns from the Commanders’ bye week. Make no mistake, Williams has WR3/flex potential with McLaurin out for the remainder of the year.
In deeper formats, you can also consider his teammate Treylon Burks, who stepped up in McLaurin's absence with four catches and 66 yards. He's also scored a pair of touchdowns this season. However, he walked off late in their last game with trainers, so we’ll need to make sure he’s healthy.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (trade candidate)
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. IND | 48% | $5 |
Thomas’ rostered percentage has fallen far enough for me to include him in this column. This one is simple though, you stash him now and wait to see if he gets traded before the deadline.
A fresh start on a receiver-needy team could do wonders for the former first-rounder who put up 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. Doesn’t that seem like a lifetime ago, considering how the last two seasons have unfolded for BTJ?
KC Concepcion is 60% rostered but would be the No. 3 WR add behind Cooper and Tyson, if available.
Tre Tucker is 58% rostered but would be the No. 6 WR add behind Cooper, Tyson, Concepcion, Douglas and Hunter, if available.
WR4/flex options
Makai Lemon at WAS (36% rostered)
Ryan Flournoy vs. ARI (21% rostered)
Ja’Kobi Lane at BUF (17% rostered)
Khalil Shakir vs. BAL (48% rostered)
DeMario Douglas at MIA (38% rostered)
Kendrick Bourne at DAL (18% rostered)
Flex options (if starter is out)
Keon Coleman vs. BAL (28% rostered)
Risky flex options (if healthy)
Dontayvion Wicks at WAS (22% rostered)
Tre’ Harris at LAR (5% rostered)
Risky flex options (if starter is out)
Troy Franklin vs. KC (0% rostered)
Darius Cooper at WAS (10% rostered)
Marvin Mims Jr. vs. KC (1% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options
Adonai Mitchell vs. LV (14% rostered)
Quentin Johnston at LAR (34% rostered)
Josh Cameron vs. IND (0% rostered)
Jahan Dotson at TB (3% rostered)
Savion Williams vs. CAR (0% rostered)
Konata Mumpfield vs. LAC (8% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if healthy)
Treylon Burks vs. PHI (1% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out)
Ted Hurst III vs. ATL (7% rostered)
Tez Johnson vs. ATL (0% rostered)
Upside stashes to roster
Tyreek Hill (17% rostered)
Deep stashes
Chris Bell (2% rostered)
Tory Horton (0% rostered)
Cyrus Allen (2% rostered)
Bye-week stashes
Malachi Fields (4% rostered)
Jordan Watkins (1% rostered)
Tank Dell (20% rostered)
Injured-reserve stashes
Alec Pierce (48% rostered)
Tight Ends
Chig Okonkwo, Commanders
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. PHI | 17% | $9 |
Terry McLaurin's injury also frees up more targets for Okonkwo, who is finally back to playing a normal snap share after missing time with a hamstring injury in the opening month.
Over his last two games before the bye, Okonkwo put up 60 yards on six targets versus the Giants and 69 yards on seven targets against the 49ers.
Prior to the arrival of Stefon Diggs, Okonkwo was one of my favorite sleepers this summer. With McLaurin sidelined, the 27-year-old tight end is once again set up to challenge for low-end fantasy TE1 value rest of season.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars
Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
vs. IND | 46% | $5 |
This isn’t Strange’s first appearance in this space, but he continues to be disrespected by fantasy managers. The 25-year-old is a high-end TE2 streamer with low-end TE1 potential.
Strange is averaging the sixth-most targets among tight ends over the last month and has at least seven targets in each of his outings during that span. He’s also posted three very usable stat lines of 7-95-0, 7-68-0 and 5-44-0. That includes two top-12 weekly fantasy finishes.
While many non-elite tight ends have fantasy success due to touchdown-scoring, Strange is earning the kind of volume that could make his production more sustainable. Given his role in one of the best offenses in the league, Strange needs to be rostered, especially in a week with George Kittle and Isaiah Likely on bye.
Hunter Henry is 56% rostered but would be the No. 1 TE add, if available.
T.J. Hockenson is 53% rostered but would be the No. 2 TE add behind Henry, if available.
Risky streaming options
Mason Taylor vs. LV (0% rostered)
Pat Freiermuth vs. CLE (48% rostered)
Darren Waller at GB (9% rostered)
Greg Dulcich vs. NE (4% rostered)
Tyler Higbee vs. LAC (46% rostered)
Michael Mayer at NYJ (17% rostered)
Mike Gesicki vs. TEN (15% rostered)
Dart-throw streaming options
Darnell Washington vs. CLE (3% rostered)
Eli Raridon at MIA (0% rostered)
Colby Parkinson vs. LAC (2% rostered)
Kenyon Sadiq vs. LV (17% rostered)
AJ Barner vs. CHI (10% rostered)
Injured-reserve stashes
Terrance Ferguson (15% rostered)
Week 8 streamers
Defenses
Team | Next Up | Rostered |
Jaguars | vs. IND | 40% |
Bengals | vs. TEN | 24% |
Bears | at SEA | 26% |
Buccaneers | vs. ATL | 6% |
Falcons | at TB | 2% |
Kickers
Player | Next Up | Rostered |
Evan McPherson | vs. TEN | 49% |
Tyler Bass | vs. BAL | 16% |
Cairo Santos | at SEA | 44% |
Drew Stevens | vs. PHI | 1% |
Andy Borregales | at MIA | 6% |
Cam Little is 56% rostered but would be the No. 1 K add, if available.
Drop candidates
Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert
Running Backs: Tyler Allgeier, MarShawn Lloyd, Kendre Miller
Wide Receivers: Xavier Worthy,Josh Downs, Chris Godwin Jr., Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight Ends: Juwan Johnson, Mark Andrews
Tyler Allgeier was expected to be the main beneficiary if first-round rookie Jeremiyah Love got hurt, but that’s not how it has played out. Over the last two weeks with Love sidelined, Allgeier has split work with Bam Knight, with Knight being the more productive option. That led to Knight playing more snaps in Week 7. If Allgeier doesn’t have one-injury away upside, then he doesn’t need to be rostered.
When Josh Downs posted back-to-back 70-plus yard games in Week 2 and Week 3, it appeared he might have a chance to unlock a new ceiling the rest of the way with Alec Pierce sidelined. Unfortunately, he’s failed to reach 50 yards in any game since and has settled into the low-ceiling flex territory for fantasy.
We all knew wideout Jordyn Tyson would eventually return and erase Juwan Johnson’s fantasy upside, but Johnson didn’t even wait for the rookie to get back in the lineup. The veteran has disappeared from the fantasy radar, while being limited to stat lines of 4-16-0, 0-0-0 and 1-7-0 the last three weeks. Now he’s heading on bye and Tyson might be activated after that.
Mark Andrews hasn’t topped 50 yards in a game this year and has been held under 30 yards in each of the past four weeks. The veteran is just a TD-or-bust fantasy TE2, who only has one score on the season.