A brutal rash of injuries has left many fantasy managers with gaping holes in their starting lineups for Week 8, even with no NFL teams on bye.
There’s no way to completely replace the likes of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel or Rashid Shaheed. But in trying, we may need to dig rather deep into the available player pool to find their replacements.
As you might expect, this week’s waiver wire suggestions are chock full of wide receivers as we look to fill the void left by so many ailing starters.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 8
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
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WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (39% availability)
The top-ranked Ravens offense continues to roll along with QB Lamar Jackson throwing five touchdown passes on Monday night. The league’s leading receiver in Week 7? None other than Bateman, who hauled in all four of his targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. If Zay Flowers continues to be limited by a tweaked ankle, the speedy Bateman will play an even larger role going forward. FAAB bid: $10
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (49%)
With Brandon Aiyuk set for season-ending knee surgery, Jauan Jennings sitting out with a hip injury and Deebo Samuel suffering from pneumonia, someone has to catch Brock Purdy’s passes. Pearsall – the Niners’ first-round pick in this year’s draft – should be that guy. After missing the first six games recovering from a gunshot wound, Pearsall made his NFL debut on Sunday, catching three passes for 21 yards and playing more snaps (44) than any other Niners receiver. FAAB bid: $13.
TE Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (57%)
Smith, not Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, was Miami’s leading receiver on Sunday with seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. Of course, that was with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. It looks like Tua Tagovailoa will return from injured reserve to reclaim the job this week, so Smith may not be as frequent a target. Still, the week’s No. 2 fantasy tight end is worth a long look if you’ve been streaming the position all season. FAAB bid: $4.
QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (59%)
Entering Monday night, Wilson was the No. 1 fantasy quarterback on the week, throwing for 264 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for another score. Not bad for his first game coming off a calf injury. While fantasy managers in one-QB leagues probably already have a solid starter, Wilson’s upside (especially throwing to WR George Pickens) definitely makes him a potential spot start during bye weeks. FAAB bid: $5
RB Tyler Goodson, Indianapolis Colts (68%)
Jonathan Taylor is hoping to return to practice this week after an ankle injury has forced him to miss the last three games. In his place, Goodson and Trey Sermon have been sharing time. While Sermon (44% available) has been getting more snaps, Goodson has been more productive. FAAB bid: $6
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (67%)
The Bucs lost both of their starting wide receivers to injury on Monday night, with Chris Godwin likely out for the season. McMillan, a rookie third-round pick, has the highest upside of the other receivers who could line up opposite Mike Evans (who’s dealing with a nagging hamstring himself). McMillan saw eight targets before Godwin’s injury, so look for him to see even more opportunities going forward. FAAB bid: $8.
QB Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (84%)
With QB Deshaun Watson, the Browns had the NFL’s worst offense, so what makes anyone think things will be better with a backup under center? First off, the veteran Winston is much more of a risk-taker throwing the ball, which can lead to big plays. However, that also makes him prone to turning the ball over. In other words: Break glass only in case of emergency. FAAB bid: $1.
(For what it’s worth, the Patriots’ Drake Maye is still at 40% availability and he finished as QB6 on the week.)
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (87%)
The real reason to hype Winston’s elevation to starter (and we’re only assuming at this point due to Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s finger injury) is that Browns receivers will have a greater chance to put up decent numbers. Tillman led the group on Sunday with 12 targets, catching eight for 81 yards. The Browns figure to be playing a lot of catch-up going forward. While TE David Njoku looks like the No. 1 option, Tillman appears ahead of Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore in the pecking order. FAAB bid: $5.
WR Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions (87%)
Raymond and Tim Patrick (90% available, mentioned last week) will see increased snaps over the next two weeks while Jameson Williams serves his two-game suspension. That’s an important role with star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown likely to get even more attention from defenses. Raymond is likely to be the hotter pickup this week after catching his first TD pass of the season vs. Minnesota. FAAB bid: $4.
WR Cedrick Wilson, New Orleans Saints (95%)
Bub Means was the preferred player last week in light of injuries to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but Wilson had six catches for 57 yards and a TD in Week 7, while Means was 3-37. It may not matter as long as rookie Spencer Rattler is the quarterback, but he’s almost certainly available. And the schedule looks a little better after this week’s matchup against the Chargers. FAAB bid: $2.