Top Players to Add in Week 8
A great draft can make a great team, but leagues are won on the waiver wire. Injuries happen, top draft picks become busts, and no names become household names. Successfully navigating the waiver wire will lead to a winning season.
As a reminder, I’ll be covering Waivers every Tuesday morning right here on QBList.com. You can also catch me and Brian Hartman (aka @TooMuch_Brian) on the Waiver podcast every Tuesday morning and the Start/Sit podcast every Thursday morning, wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like my work, give me a follow on Twitter @marioadamojr. With that out of the way, let’s dive into it.
Here are my top five targets, as well as some honorable mentions, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important thing to consider: this article focuses on players who are rostered in 50% or fewer leagues. There could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available in your league. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up on too early.
| Player | Position | Team | Roster % | Week 8 Opponent | |
| 1 | KC Concepcion Jr. | WR | CLE | 60% | @ PIT |
| 2 | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | NYJ | 39% | v LV |
| 3 | Jonah Coleman | RB | DEN | 35% | v KC |
| 4 | Dylan Sampson | RB | CLE | 10% | @ PIT |
| 5 | Seth McGowan | RB | IND | 5% | @ JAX |
1. KC Concepcion Jr. – It was a good week to be a Jr. Four wide receivers saw exactly 10 targets this week: Puka Nacua, Drake London, Chris Olave, and KC Concepcion Jr. A theme here is that all the names are bona fide, without a doubt, firmly established WR1s. Concepcion has led the team in 5 of 7 weeks this season, showing this is far from a fluke. The targets have always been there; now the production is finally catching up.
Concepcion is my top waiver target heading into Week 8.
2. Omar Cooper Jr. – When I talked about Omar Cooper Jr. last week, I had concerns about this Jets offense supporting two fantasy-viable receivers. My concerns were correct, but not for Cooper. Cooper led all wideouts in targets with five, while Garrett Wilson only saw three balls come his way. Cooper has not put up back-to-back weeks with 100+ receiving yards and a touchdown. Not to mention, these are Cooper’s first two games back from injury. Although the team may be crashing and burning, the sky is the limit for this Jet.
3. Jonah Coleman – I believe the running back to roster in Denver is the only one to not score a touchdown this week. Jonah Coleman led all Broncos running backs in snaps, carries, yards, and targets (tied with RJ Harvey). Sean Payton has spoken favorably about Coleman, and I believe him based on the opportunities Coleman continues to receive. This is the last time we’ll be able to get Coleman before his production explodes; we need to grab him while we can.
Coleman is my top running back waiver target heading into Week 8.
4. Dylan Sampson – Quinshon Judkins is coming off of his best game of the season, and we’re talking about picking up his backup? Dylan Sampson is more of a backfield mate than a true backup; Sampson plays the role of the pass catcher in this backfield. Sampson played that role well, catching all of his targets. Some will point out he only had three targets, but he’s getting eased back into game speed. Sampson also finished with nearly half of Judkins rushing yards despite only running a third of his carries. Sampson can fill in as a reliable flex option with RB2 production potential.
5. Seth McGowan – This one is a speculative add more than anything. It’s impossible to ignore the trade rumors swirling around Jonathan Taylor. While I fail to see why the Colts would commit to a full tank without their own 1st-round pick, in case it does happen, this would present a huge opportunity for Seth McGowan to step in as the unrivaled lead back. McGowan is obviously no Jonathan Taylor, but having a backfield to yourself leads to production. Just ask Ollie Gordon or Braelon Allen.
McGowan is a target for a team in a winning position looking for a lottery ticket on the waivers.
Others Receiving Votes
Bam Knight, ARI (14% Rostered) – Jeremiyah Love missed his second straight week. It’s also the second straight week Tyler Allgeier was outplayed by Bam Knight. I’m not sure how much more time Love will miss, but Knight has emerged as the clear handcuff to roster in this backfield. There’s a chance Arizona commits to the tank and shuts down the number 4 overall pick for the season. If that were to happen, Knight has consistent starter potential every week in your lineup.
Samaje Perine, CIN (10%) – I can’t emphasize enough how much of a Chase Brown believer I am. That being said, Brown has 1 touchdown this season, back in Week 1. Samaje Perine has two in his last two games. (Windhorst fingers) Something is up in Cincinnati; although it was Perine’s lowest snap count of the season, he is still used in meaningful opportunities. Until we get answers in the form of Chase Brown production, Perine will continue to be a viable option during Bye weeks.
Tre Tucker, LV (63%) – This week, Tre Tucker was one of three wideouts with a week-leading 12 targets. Tucker now has three touchdowns over the last two weeks. He’s also put up two of his top three yardage games in that span. It’s mostly coming in garbage time, but those stats still count for fantasy. As a wise man once said, “Get the ball to Tucker.”
Mike Gesicki, CIN (17%) – Mike Gesicki has a touchdown in five of six weeks this season. It isn’t a flashy play, but it’s an effective one that gives you a reasonable floor in the wasteland that is the Tight End position.
T.J. Hockenson, MIN (54%) – With 11+ points in 2 of his last 3 games, T.J. Hockenson currently has the hot hand. Hockenson is someone I consider a solid dart throw this week.
Jacoby Brissett, ARI (21%) – Coming off an uninspiring 16.5-point game, Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals travel to Dallas next week to face the Cowboys and their horrendous defense. I expect Brissett to bounce back in Dallas and put up a top-ten finish.
Malik Willis, MIA (20%) – This one is purely a look-ahead option. Malik Willis and the Dolphins host the Patriots this week. That’s a bad matchup. After that, Willis faces the Lions, the Colts, the Bills, and the same Jets team he just had his best game of the season against. If you’re someone who is bouncing around QBs this season, I like Willis as an option for any of Weeks 9-12.
Defense Wins Championships
The Cincinnati Bengals (16%) host the Tennessee Titans, then travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons in Week 9. That’s two excellent matchups for the #5 ranked fantasy defense, #2 in PPG since they had their Bye already. The Bengals are my top defense target this week.
Fresh off their Bye week, the Washington Commanders (5%) travel to Philadelphia to face a short-rested Eagles team that’s one injury away from having Marky Mark reprise his Invincible role. While anything can happen in a divisional game, we just saw the Cowboys defense look confident for the first time all season against this team of scraps that not even Tony Stark could make something out of.
Finally, the Detroit Lions (34%) host the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, then travel to Miami to face the Dolphins. While the Vikings have been dominant on defense, their offense leaves a lot to be desired.
Photo courtesy of respective owners | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X)