MUST-HAVE Waiver Wire Targets For Week 8

Six teams are heading into their bye weeks for Week 8! The Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. And you know what that means. All of these players will be unavailable for your fantasy lineups. Don’t fret. This week’s waiver wire offers some options. Fantasy managers may want to consider adding these players to help them out. So here are a few targets off the wire that fantasy managers should put claims on this week.

Waiver Wire Targets For Week 8

* Roster percentages via ESPN Fantasy

Oronde Gadsden II, TE – LAC

This isn’t Gadsden’s first time on the waiver wire list this season. Gadsden popped on the scene back in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. He made four receptions, totaling 46 yards on five targets. While it was a modest output, Gadsden gained notice amongst the receiving weapons the Chargers have. Gadsden had a breakout game in a comeback try against the Indianapolis Colts. He completed 7 of 9 for 164 yards and 1 touchdown. Gadsden is sure to turn heads this week. Fantasy managers are searching for options with injuries and the bye week sapping starters from lineups. The Chargers’ tight end is rostered in just under 3% of ESPN leagues.

Kyle Monangai, RB – CHI

Kyle Monangai is another running back option that is hot on the waiver wire heading into Week 8. The seventh-round rookie running back saw extended play against the New Orleans Saints. He had 13 carries for 81 yards and scored a touchdown. The Bears’ backfield has been hoped to spawn a tandem backfield with Ben Johnson calling plays. To start the season, however, that remained to be seen. If this is the strategy going forward, Monangai will continue to work with Swift. The Bears plan to attack from the ground after the bye week. Rostered at 4.2% of fantasy leagues, Monangai needs some consideration.

Tez Johnson, WR – TB

Top wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to miss at least 6-8 weeks due to a broken collarbone. As a result, the Buccaneers have limited receiving options. Some fantasy managers will point to Sterling Shepard as the next man up. However, Johnson may be the player to target. Johnson finished tied for second in targets with Cade Otton against the Detroit Lions. With Evans out, more work should come Johnson’s way. Johnson is rostered at 16.2% and should be added this week.

Xavier Legette, WR – CAR

Fantasy managers may not have expected to see this name on the waiver wire report for Week 8. But Legette is certainly an interesting option. Bryce Young is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, and that injury typically requires 4-6 weeks to recover from. That means Andy Dalton (no, don’t pick him up) will be the quarterback until Young returns. Dalton could provide a boost as a better passer than Young. Legette could also benefit from the extra targets after seeing 11 targets in Week 7. Legette is rostered in just 24% of ESPN leagues.

Carson Wentz, QB – MIN

With six teams on the bye this week, fantasy managers will need some quarterback options. Wentz has been named the starter for another week and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Wentz didn’t have the best of games against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he gets a match-up that allowed 288 yards. It also allowed two touchdowns from Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Wentz is rostered in just 6% of ESPN leagues. He should be considered for a potential add this week for fantasy football.

Alec Pierce, WR – IND

And speaking of Colts players, wide receiver Alec Pierce is another choice. You should take a look at him for the WR spot. Pierce finished Week 7 with nine targets, five receptions, and 98 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. Pierce and Jones have connected on several deep passes this season. That connection continues to improve each week, making Pierce a reliable fantasy option. Pierce is averaging just over five targets per game, so this slots him in the WR3/flex area for fantasy lineups. Pierce is available in 97% of ESPN leagues.

Christian Watson, WR – GB

If Watson is still on the waiver wire, this might be the time to grab him up. Watson’s 21-day window was recently activated. Meaning that soon, he’ll be placed back on the active roster for the Packers. Another nugget, fellow wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is currently dealing with a calf injury. Should Wicks be forced to miss time, Watson would slide right back onto the field in three wide receiver sets. Watson can still be placed on the injured reserve slot on your fantasy lineups, so that’s another angle to play. Watson is available in 92% of ESPN leagues.

Brashard Smith, RB – KC

Smith is coming off his best game to date against the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith saw 19 touches in the contest, which amounted to 81 total yards. Smith is a converted wide receiver turned running back and his usage appeals to PPR formats. If Smith can keep this up, he will challenge for more snaps behind Isiah Pacheco. Rostered in nearly 3% of ESPN leagues, Smith is worth the stash play for the long haul.