Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 8

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers

Bridgewater has been a top-15 fantasy quarterback in three of his last four outings.

He now gets a Falcons defense giving up the most fantasy production to opposing passers in 2020, including at least 20 points to the quarterback position in every game this season.

Bridgewater posted 313 yards and two scores in Week 5 in his first meeting with the Falcons.

If he's available, there isn't a better streamer option this week.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

Coming off a disappointing performance in a tough test against his former club, Garoppolo is poised to rebound versus the Seahawks, one of the 10 best matchups for fantasy quarterbacks.

Seattle has allowed multiple touchdowns to five of the six QBs they've encountered this season.

Even with Deebo Samuel injured, Garoppolo has more than enough firepower to keep pace with Russell Wilson in a game with a 54.5 projected point total.

Long-term option: Tua Tagovailoa vs. LAR (29% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Derek Carr at CLE (29% rostered), Baker Mayfield vs. LV (33% rostered), Philip Rivers at DET (16% rostered), Nick Foles vs. NO (10% rostered), Kirk Cousins at GB (29% rostered)

Running backs

Carlos Hyde/DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks

Chris Carson is week-to-week with a mid-foot sprain after being forced from Sunday's contest. The Seahawks also lost Travis Homer to injury in the game.

Hyde should therefore be the unquestioned starter, but the 30-year-old is dealing with a tight hamstring that could keep him out of Week 8, as well.

The veteran racked up 76 yards and a score Sunday while handling 75% of the running back touches once Carson exited the contest. However, if Hyde is unable to go this week, fourth-round rookie Dallas - who caught two passes for 18 yards on Sunday - will get the bulk of the backfield work.

Treat Hyde as a strong RB2 if he's able to go, and consider Dallas as a potential low-end RB2/flex if he gets the start.

It's also worth noting that Rashaad Penny (injured reserve) could return soon, making him a player to stash.

JaMycal Hasty/Tevin Coleman, 49ers

With Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson dealing with ankle injuries, the 49ers are again looking for a new starter in their backfield.

Jerick McKinnon, who's rostered in most leagues, filled in as the lead back when Mostert missed time early in the season. It apparently took a lot out of him, so the team scaled back his workload last week to rest his body.

Coleman is a Kyle Shanahan favorite, but it's unclear if he'll return this week after missing the last five games with a knee issue. When healthy, Coleman would likely get the nod over everyone on the depth chart, aside from Mostert.

If Coleman can't go, then the undrafted rookie Hasty will finally get his chance. Remember, Hasty out-touched McKinnon 9-8 and outgained him 37-28 in Week 6 when Mostert, Wilson, and Coleman were out.

This will be a situation to monitor, but you should approach Hasty as a flex option and Coleman as more of a long-term stash for now. As we've mentioned many times before, it's never a bad idea to roster members of a Shanahan backfield.

La'Mical Perine, Jets

Perine's playing time rose for the second straight week as he saw the field on 70% of the Jets' offensive snaps.

The rookie also turned in a career-best day with 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown, with another 16 yards added on two receptions.

Though it's clear the Jets are giving him a chance to be the lead back, the coaching staff still gave 37-year-old Frank Gore 11 carries in the game.

As we stated last week, it's hard to get overly excited by Perine's ceiling when he's splitting touches in one of the league's worst offenses. He remains more of a stash than a flex option that you feel safe trusting in your lineup.

Chase Edmonds, J.K. Dobbins, Giovani Bernard, Boston Scott, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Latavius Murray, Alexander Mattison, Jamaal Williams, and Zack Moss are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

High-upside backups like Tony Pollard (20% rostered), Brian Hill (12% rostered), and Cam Akers (44% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Wayne Gallman vs. TB (2% rostered), Damien Harris at BUF (47% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. PIT (8% rostered), Frank Gore at KC (29% rostered), Royce Freeman vs. LAC (1% rostered), Corey Clement vs. DAL (1% rostered)

Other quality backups: Benny Snell at BAL (8% rostered), Duke Johnson on Bye (19% rostered), Matt Breida vs. LAR (20% rostered), J.D. McKissic on Bye (40% rostered), Jordan Wilkins at DET (0% rostered), Rex Burkhead at BUF (27% rostered), Jeremy McNichols at CIN (1% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson vs. LV (8% rostered)

Injured reserve stash: Rashaad Penny (3% rostered)

Long-term upside stashes: Anthony McFarland Jr. at BAL (1% rostered), Ke'Shawn Vaughn at NYG (5% rostered), AJ Dillon vs. MIN (16% rostered)

Deeper stashes: Eno Benjamin on Bye (0% rostered), Devine Ozigbo on Bye (2% rostered), Jordan Howard vs. LAR (21% rostered)

Wide receivers

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

Available in half of the leagues, Aiyuk is an immediate add for managers in need of help at receiver.

With Deebo Samuel again on the shelf - this time due to a hamstring injury - Aiyuk moves back to the top of the depth chart as the No. 1 wideout and second-option in the passing attack behind tight end George Kittle.

The rookie set career highs Sunday with six grabs and 115 yards against the Patriots. We've also seen him get work as a runner this season, similar to how Shanahan deploys Samuel at times.

With a schedule that screams shootouts - Seahawks, Packers, and Saints over the next three weeks - Aiyuk is a WR3 with WR2 upside and a priority pickup.

Sterling Shepard, Giants

Shepard came off IR last week and led the Giants in receptions (six), receiving yards (59), and scored a touchdown.

Now healthy, he'll battle Darius Slayton for the rights to be Daniel Jones' top target.

Still available in over 70% of leagues, Shepard could be an instant WR3 in your lineup.

Jalen Reagor, Eagles

Sometimes players on IR can sneak through the cracks, which explains Shepard only being rostered in 29% of leagues. It's a similar situation with Reagor, who was activated this week.

While he's not guaranteed to see the field in Week 8, his return is coming at the right time with DeSean Jackson about to miss six-to-eight weeks with an ankle issue.

Let's not forget, Reagor was the 21st overall pick in this year's draft and someone the Eagles have very high hopes for. His explosiveness will be a welcomed addition to a Philly attack that can become stagnant at times.

Stash Reagor now before it's too late.

Jerry Jeudy, Christian Kirk, Mike Williams, and Henry Ruggs are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Flex options: Preston Williams vs. LAR (22% rostered), Tre'Quan Smith at CHI (29% rostered), Rashard Higgins vs. LV (2% rostered), Cole Beasley vs. NE (41% rostered), Scotty Miller at NYG (9% rostered)

Risky flex options: Denzel Mims at KC (4% rostered), Marvin Jones vs. IND (50% rostered), Gabriel Davis at NE (3% rostered), Corey Davis at CIN (28% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. NYJ (2% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. NYJ (33% rostered), Darnell Mooney vs. NO (2% rostered), Nelson Agholor at CLE (4% rostered), Curtis Samuel vs. ATL (15% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. MIN (24% rostered), Marcus Johnson at DET (1% rostered), Zach Pascal at DET (1% rostered), Greg Ward vs. DAL (7% rostered), Kendrick Bourne at SEA (3% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Marquez Callaway at CHI (1% rostered), Deonte Harris at CHI (3% rostered), K.J. Hamler vs. LAC (2% rostered), Adam Humphries at CIN (14% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at CLE (19% rostered), Damiere Byrd at BUF (3% rostered)

Injured reserve stash: Michael Pittman Jr. (7% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: Devin Duvernay vs. PIT (1% rostered), Jalen Guyton at DEN (4% rostered), David Moore vs. SF (2% rostered), Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. LV (0% rostered)

Tight ends

Trey Burton, Colts

Burton has averaged the 12th-most fantasy points among tight ends since returning from injury three weeks ago, as he continues to be a major part of the Colts' offense.

Against the Bengals, Burton caught four passes for 58 yards and a score while also adding another touchdown on the ground.

As T.Y. Hilton's effectiveness continues to wane, Burton appears to be a reliable target for Philip Rivers, who has always favored his tight ends.

He's in the conversation as a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 moving forward.

Harrison Bryant, Browns

Austin Hooper underwent an appendectomy, which made him inactive Sunday and could keep him out of Week 8.

In his absence, the rookie Bryant starred in the Browns' offense by catching four passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate David Njoku also found the end zone but only saw three targets to Bryant's five.

If Hooper is unable to go, Bryant is a high-end TE2 and strong streamer against a Raiders defense that's permitted stat lines of 8-108-1 and 5-62-1 to starting tight ends over the last two games.

Dallas Goedert is around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues ahead of his expected Week 10 return.

Potential long-term starter: Logan Thomas on Bye (26% rostered)

Streamer options: Richard Rodgers vs. DAL (9% rostered), Eric Ebron at BAL (46% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Irv Smith Jr. at GB (7% rostered), Drew Sample vs. TEN (2% rostered), Albert Okwuegbunam vs. LAC (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 8 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Titans DEF (27% rostered), Washington DEF (24% rostered), Lions DEF (2% rostered)