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, we’ll be covering Waivers every Tuesday morning right here on football.pitcherlist.com. You can also catch our Waiver Wire show with 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.
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 of 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.
1. Kyle Monangai – Bears rookie Kyle Monangai is likely to be the most-added player across fantasy platforms this week after posting an impressive line of 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win against the Saints. Monangai looked strong when rotating in to relieve D’Andre Swift, earning his greatest share of backfield opportunities thus far. According to PFF’s Nathan Jahnke, Swift played 36 snaps to Monangai’s 31, marking the closest we’ve seen to a 50-50 split this season. Coach Ben Johnson has seen success with a two-man backfield with Sonic and Knuckles in Detroit, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Monangai earn more consistent work moving forward. However, it’s also crucial to remember that Swift was nursing a groin injury most of the week, so Monangai’s increased workload could at least be partially explained by Swift’s health. At the very least, Monangai is worth an add in all but very shallow leagues in case this kind of split and efficiency sticks. With matchups against the Ravens and Bengals on the horizon, both backs could be in for more big weeks, making Monangai my top waiver target for Week 8.
2. Tyjae Spears – My second running back target this week is Tyjae Spears, who led the Titans in rushing in Week 7 with a modest 22 yards on the ground. After out-snapping backfield mate Tony Pollard in Week 6, Spears took a back seat to Pollard in Week 7, playing 23 snaps to Pollard’s 30. Pollard also earned more targets than Spears, but it’s worth noting that 4 of Pollard’s 6 targets came on the final drive when the game was already out of hand. While neither back is appealing as more than a FLEX option for now, Spears did miss the first month of the season and is slowly getting worked back into Tennessee’s game plan. With his health trending up and Pollard’s name mentioned often in trade discussions, there’s a chance Spears carves out a more significant role in this backfield moving forward. If he can maintain solid volume in the passing game, he could be a great option down the stretch. Add him after this down week before he has a boom game and pops up on more of your leaguemates’ radars.
3. Colston Loveland – Our first of two rookie TE adds this week is Colston Loveland of the Bears. While he didn’t have as prolific a day as the other rookie below, Loveland managed a career-high 3 receptions on 4 targets. Loveland also played in 67% of snaps, which was his most this season, as fellow TE Cole Kmet left this game with a back injury. If Kmet is out for some time, Loveland will have a great chance to get more integrated into the Bears’ game plan. Even if Kmet is good to go, Loveland is still a solid add based on snap share and usage trending upwards after the bye week, even with the Bears sticking to a run-first game plan. Rookie TEs don’t always pop right away, but Loveland is showing flashes of upside that could emerge in the second half of the season.
4. Kayshon Boutte – It feels like we’re right back where we started suggesting Kayshon Boutte as a waiver add this week, but he continues to show chemistry with ascending second-year QB Drake Maye. After falling off a cliff following his 100-yard performance in Week 1, Boutte has three scores in the past two weeks and is regularly seeing the most playing time of all of New England’s receivers. He has two qualities we constantly look for on waivers: opportunity and a share of a dynamic offense. Boutte profiles as more of a boom-bust option, but with so many teams on bye over the next few weeks, he’s a great fill-in.
5. Oronde Gadsden II – Oh my. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II had quite the day against the Colts in Week 7, hauling in 7 of 9 targets for a whopping 164 yards and a score. Gadsden has received at least 7 targets in three of five games started this season, and his playing time has consistently been trending up, culminating in a season-high 79% of snaps played on Sunday. The Chargers likely won’t need to throw the ball 50+ times every single game, but their lack of an effective run game without Omarion Hampton means Justin Herbert should be attempting close to 40 passes more often than not. Even with a trio of talented receivers, Gadsden deserves to be added by any team looking to improve at TE or find a bye week filler over the next several weeks.
Others Receiving Votes
Alec Pierce, IND (3% ESPN, 9% Yahoo) – Much of what is said above about Kayshon Boutte is also true for Alec Pierce. He’s a boom-bust option in a surprisingly dynamic offense. Even more exciting is that Pierce just logged season highs in targets (10), receptions (5), and yards (98) in the Colts’ win over the Chargers. The next two matchups against the Titans and Steelers are appealing, making Pierce a worthwhile add in the short term, and possibly longer if he maintains a prominent role in this offense.
Joe Flacco, CIN (5% ESPN, 12% Yahoo) – Joe Flacco had two touchdown passes in four games with the Browns. Joe Flacco has five touchdown passes in two games with the Bengals. It seems like having Ja’Marr Chase as a weapon is a good thing for your fantasy output, huh? Flacco has a great chance to maintain streamer viability in his next two matchups against the Jets and Bears.
Troy Frankin and Marvin Mims Jr., DEN – Both Franklin and Mims are well behind Courtland Sutton in the teams’ pecking order, but with a juicy Week 8 matchup against the Cowboys, these receivers are more likely to boom next week than most others. Solid, cheap additions to help navigate your Week 8 byes if you are an owner of Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Defense Wins Championships
Atlanta Falcons (9% owned) – The Falcons have played some great defense this season and now get to host Tua Tagovailoa and company in Week 8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10% owned) – The Bucs’ pass-funnel defense shoudn’t be too scared of Spencer Rattler and the Saints next week.
Indianapolis Colts (49% owned) – If Cam Ward and the Titans are next up on your schedule, you’re going to be on this list.
Image by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)