For the third consecutive week, fantasy football managers will have to navigate some bye weeks, leading to their scouring the Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire for help.
Luckily, we have some options at each position for those of you who are doing just that, but first let’s take a look at the two teams who are on bye and the most fantasy-relevant players from both:
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Marquez Valdez-Scantling, TE Travis Kelce
Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Mike Williams (injured), WR Keenan Allen, WR Joshua Palmer, WR DeAndre Carter, TE Gerald Everett.
Now that we have an idea of who needs to be replaced, let’s see some options for fantasy managers to replace them with (and some potential long-term solutions) via the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 8 of the 2022 campaign.
QB Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill came down with an ankle injury late in Week 7 and was spotted in a walking boot following the contest. His status for Week 8 remains up in the air, which means there’s a chance we see rookie Malik Willis on Sunday.
If he plays, Willis will likely have his issues throwing the football, as he’s still very raw, but the 2022 third-round pick will undoubtedly be running a ton, which is fantasy gold at quarterback.
Willis will be a streaming option in Week 8 if Tannehill sits, and he draws a soft matchup against a very beatable Texans defense.
Priority level: Medium
QB PJ Walker, Carolina Panthers
Another potential bye-week fill-in, Walker is coming off his best game as a pro in Week 7, which came against a tough Buccaneers defense. While his numbers weren’t gaudy by any means, Walker is capable of doing more, as he didn’t flash his ability to gain yards with his feet.
In Week 8, Walker draws a favorable matchup against a Falcons defense ceding the third-most fantasy points per game to signal-callers, putting him on the streaming radar as a low-end option.
Priority level: Low
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Admittedly, Goff has been awful the past two games, but he’s also faced two very good defenses and has been missing a slew of weapons.
Goff is in a good rebound spot in Week 8, though, as the veteran will draw a matchup against a Miami Dolphins defense giving up the seventh-most points per contest to quarterbacks.
Adding to that, the Dolphins are going to score a ton of points on the Lions’ putrid defense, which means a ton of passes from Goff to keep up.
Priority level: Medium
QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Jones has quietly had himself a good season, and has done so without any help around him outside of Saquon Barkley.
The former first-round pick had his best game of 2022 in Week 7, and could have had more if not for the handful or so drops his awful receiving corps. committed.
And, while that same receiving corps. is a concern for those who add Jones, his ability to run the football (he had 107 rushing yards in Week 7) makes him capable of covering for that and then some.
Not only is Jones a great bye-week fill-in once again this week, he’s also a potential every-week solution.
Priority level: High
RBs Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack, Denver Broncos
Just like the rest of the Broncos’ offense, the running backs room is an absolute mess right now.
In Week 6, Melvin Gordon was inexplicably benched in the second half, allowing Latavius Murray to take the bulk of work. Then, in Week 7, Gordon was back to leading the backfield in touches, but Murray still had eight and found the end zone, while Mike Boone notched four touches of his own.
While Boone will be out of the picture for now due to an ankle injury, the team has reportedly signed Marlon Mack off the 49ers’ practice squad, so there’s no relief in sight here in terms of clarity.
This is a messy situation that is likely best avoided, but there is a chance one of these guys emerges to handle the bulk of the work at some point, and oftentimes good volume alone justifies starting a running back.
For those desperate to find solutions at running back, adding Murray and/or Mack with low expectations isn’t the worst thing you can do, although Murray is the better add for now.
Priority level for Murray: Medium
Priority level for Mack: Low
RBs Damien Williams and Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Allgeier’s numbers haven’t been anything write home about since Cordarrelle Patterson went down to an injury, but he has been getting good volume, and he was the Falcons’ preferred choice over Caleb Huntley and found the end zone in Week 7.
With Huntley possibly falling out of favor, Williams could garner some work moving forward if he’s activated off injured reserve, but any value he and Allgeier have now may be short-lived, as Patterson is eligible to return in Week 9.
Priority level for Allgeier: Medium
Priority level for Williams: Low
RBs Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers
With Christian McCaffrey traded to the 49ers, the Panthers have two running backs to target on the waiver wire this week, although both should have been added as soon as CMC was traded.
D’Onta Foreman, who provided fantasy value in 2021 in place of Derrick Henry, led the way in touches with 17 and finished with 118 yards on the ground to go along with two catches for 27 yards.
But it was Hubbard who got the start over Foreman, and the former tallied 73 yards (63 rushing) on 11 touches and found the end zone.
The reason behind the heavier workload for Foreman was an injury to Hubbard, who exited the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle issue. However, Hubbard reportedly could have returned to the game if he was needed but the Panthers already had things in hand.
For now, it appears Hubbard is the player to own here, but keep an eye on the injury report during the week because if he misses a game, Foreman will be in line for a big workload, albeit on a bad offense.
It’s also very possible this becomes a 50/50 split, which would hurt Hubbard’s value that, as of right now, is higher than Foreman’s.
Priority level for Hubbard: High
Priority level for Foreman: Medium
RB Michael Carter, New York Jets
There’s nothing worse than seeing a talented young player like Breece Hall go down to a serious injury like he did in Week 7, when the rookie tore his ACL, ending his season.
The 2021 fourth-round pick was quickly getting phased out of the offense with Hall emerging as a star, but that will no longer be the case with the rookie injured.
Carter has already shown he can be a fantasy contributor after flashing during his rookie season. He’s among the biggest names to add this week.
Priority level: High
RB Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
With J.K. Dobbins set to miss significant time with a knee injury, the Ravens turned to Edwards in Week 7 and got everything they could’ve hoped for.
In his first game back from a torn ACL suffered in 2021, Gus the Bus out-touched, out-snapped and out-produced Kenyan Drake, who had just five yards on 11 carries to Edwards’ 66 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
As long as Dobbins is out, Edwards appears to be the back to own in Baltimore and is one of the hottest waiver wire adds this week.
Priority level: High
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire owners were thrown for a loop on Sunday morning when a report surfaced that said Pacheco would be the Chiefs’ starter in Week 7.
While that didn’t exactly pan out for him in terms of getting a ton of touches, Pacheco did lead the team with eight carries, two more than Edwards-Helaire, and the former had two more snaps.
At the very least, this is a situation worth monitoring, but Pacheco is certainly worth a speculative add, especially for Edwards-Helaire owners. Just bear in mind, the Chiefs are on bye this week.
Priority level: Medium
WRs Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions
With DJ Chark on IR and Amon-Ra St. Brown dealing with a concussion, Reynolds and Raymond are in position to be featured receivers in Week 8 if St. Brown doesn’t play.
Raymond had his best game of the season after St. Brown exited early on Sunday, reeling in five catches for 75 yards while also adding two carries for 20 yards.
On the other side of the spectrum, Reynolds was quiet, but he also came into the game dealing with an injury and was coming off three good fantasy showings in a row.
Assuming he’s healthy enough to play, Reynolds is the safer add and someone who could still produce even if St. Brown plays.
Raymond, on the other hand, is more of a boom-or-bust option and is only a starting option if St. Brown sits.
Priority level for Raymond: Low
Priority level for Reynolds: Medium
WR Marquise Goodwin, Seattle Seahawks
It appears DK Metcalf is going to miss some time due to a knee injury, which opens the door for Goodwin to contribute more.
Goodwin wasted no time stepping up, as he led all Seahawks pass-catchers in receiving yards in Week 7, while also finding the end zone twice.
We’re also keeping an eye on 2021 second-round pick Dee Eskridge, but he isn’t a suggested add until he shows us something of substance, something he has yet to do in his young career.
Priority level for Goodwin: Medium
WRs Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams suffered a right ankle injury in the Week 7 loss to the Seahawks that required him to be carted to the locker room. It isn’t clear how long he’ll be out, but he’s very likely to at least miss some time.
With Williams out, the Chargers are going to need someone to step up alongside Keenan Allen, and Palmer and Carter are the two likeliest candidates.
Palmer is the better add and a flex option in Week 9 assuming he doesn’t miss the game after the Week 8 bye with the concussion that led to his being ruled out in Week 7. If he doesn’t go, Carter becomes a flex option.
Priority level for Palmer: Medium
Priority level for Carter: Low
WR Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
It feels like Campbell has been hyped up forever only to consistently let us down. However, he might finally be turning the corner.
Campbell has put together back-to-back solid fantasy showings, but his best came in Week 7 when he tallied team-highs in targets (12), catches (10) and receiving yards (70), while also scoring one touchdown.
Campbell will likely continue battling it out for the No. 2 role behind Michael Pittman with Alec Pierce, but he’s worked his way onto the flex radar for Week 8.
Priority level: Medium
WR Sammy Watkins, Green Bay Packers
Watkins made his return from injured reserve in Week 7, and while he only finished with two catches for 36 yards, there’s reason to believe he could have a big role moving forward.
There are a good amount of targets up for grabs now that Randall Cobb is on IR, and Watkins figures to be the guy to benefit most.
On top of that, we’ve seen Watkins post one decent fantasy outing this season, so there’s hope there’s more where that came from, although expectations should remain low with how poorly Green Bay’s offense has played.
Priority level: Low
WRs Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson hasn’t had a breakout game yet, but he has posted back-to-back decent showings, and he led the Giants in targets in Week 7.
It’s just a matter of time for Robinson, who is also seeing the team try to manufacture touches for him in other ways as head coach Brian Daboll tries to get the rookie more involved.
After Slayton’s career with the Giants looked all but dead, he has found new life in two of the past three games, including Sunday when he tallied three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while also finishing second in targets.
The search for the Giants’ No. 1 receiver continues, but Robinson is poised to grab control of that role and provide at least flex value moving forward. Slayton, on the other hand, is more of a dart-throw.
Priority level for Robinson: High
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Peoples-Jones has been a steady contributor of late, posting at least four receptions and 70 yards in three of the last four contests. We aren’t going crazy to bring Peoples-Jones is, but he could provide a safe floor as a bye-week fill-in for desperate fantasy managers.
Priority level: Medium
TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Cameron Brate out (and likely to miss multiple weeks), rookie Cade Otton stepped up and produced in Week 7.
The Washington product and 2022 fourth-round pick caught four passes for a career-high 64 yards, giving him his second double-digit fantasy performance in three weeks, with the first coming while Brate was sidelined in Week 5.
There is a good chance for consistent production from Otton as long as Brate is out, as we all know how much Tom Brady loves a good pass-catching tight end. Perhaps the rookie can secure the role even when the veteran returns.
Priority level: Medium
TE Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns
David Njoku is expected to miss two to five weeks with a high ankle sprain, paving the way for 2020 fourth-round pick Harrison Bryant to start in his absence.
As evidenced by Njoku being second on the team in targets and yards, Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett likes throwing to his tight end.
Granted, Bryant isn’t the kind of athletic talent Njoku is, but he could see enough targets to warrant starting consideration. Bryant has also shown a knack for being a solid red zone target in the past.
Priority level: Low
TE Austin Hooper, Tennessee Titans
When it comes to the tight end position, we’re looking for glimmers of hope wherever we can find them at such a difficult position to fill in fantasy.
Hooper gave us just that in Week 7.
After doing next to nothing through five games, Hooper came alive in Week 7 with three receptions for a team-high 56 yards.
Granted, we aren’t throwing a party in the streets for that kind of production, but that’s a great day for those fantasy managers who are having issues getting points from the position.
All that said, Hooper is a dart-throw, just like the vast majority of tight end options out there on the waiver wire.
Priority level: Low
TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Engram has slowly been building his fantasy stock over the last three weeks, posting nine points or more in each, including a 12.9-point showing in Week 5, and a 10.7-point showing in Week 7.
Engram has also been seeing a steady dose of targets, with 10, six and seven in the same span. Bringing in that kind of volume at tight end this late in the season is like finding gold. Engram is arguably the biggest must-add at tight end this week.
Priority level: High
TE Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Hurst has posted three double-digit fantasy performances in the last four weeks, including two games in which he found the end zone.
There are a ton of mouths to feed in Cincinnati, but Hurst still finds a way to consistently produce. How he’s as available as he is makes no sense to me.
Priority level: High
D/ST: Tennessee Titans
Outside of a Week 2 drubbing at the hands of the Bills, the Titans’ defense has been sensational this season, with their best effort coming in Week 7 against a hot Colts offense.
The Titans’ defense has 10 takeaways this season, tied for eighth-most, and are in the middle of the pack in sacks with 16.
Tennessee draws a Week 8 matchup against a Texans offense ceding the 13th-most fantasy points to D/STs this season. Granted, not the most favorable ranking, but Houston is averaging just 17.7 real points per game, giving Tennessee’s D/ST a safe floor.
But the Titans aren’t just a streaming option this week; this unit has played well enough for every-week starting consideration, also.
Priority level: High
D/ST: Washington Commanders (at Colts)
Washington will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, and Indy is now featuring a new starter in Sam Ehlinger, who will take over for Matt Ryan for the rest of the season, per head coach Frank Reich.
We have no idea what to expect from Ehlinger, which makes this situation even more dicey, but there’s a good chance it won’t be good.
Also, the Commanders’ D/ST has actually been safe option this year after having posted posted two or more fantasy points in every game but one. Washington is also coming off a solid showing in Week 7 against the Packers.
Priority level: Medium
