It's important to never get complacent in fantasy football. The NFL is ever-changing with new opportunities and scenarios.
Staying up to date on that news can help lead you to sneaky waiver wire pickups to help you the rest of the season.
Something to continue looking out for is players coming off the bye week; you can grab them right off waivers before Tuesday, since they do not have a game.
Keep reading for our Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire report.
Best fantasy waiver wire pickups Week 8
Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears (6% rostered in Yahoo Fantasy leagues)
Despite a great performance from D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai was still able to put together a productive fantasy day.
Monangai was given a season-high 16 touches and turned them into 94 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. This was his first score of the season and a season-high in rushing yards with 81.
It's pretty clear that Swift is the lead back in this offense, but this does not mean Monangai cannot get involved. We've seen in years past, specifically in Detroit, that two RBs can eat in Ben Johnson's offense.
The matchups in the next two weeks could not be more ideal, as the Bears take on the two worst defenses against fantasy RBs in the Bengals and Ravens. Now is the time to buy in on Monangai carving himself a role. Kyle Monangai FAAB: 10%
Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs (6%)
We might've just seen the game that won Brashard Smith more work in this Kansas City Chiefs offense.
Smith led the backfield in total touches with 19, 5 of which came as receptions. The rookie had a season (and career) high in rushing attempts, rushing yards, targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
It's clear the Chiefs are high on the young RB out of SMU, and he looked the part in the Chiefs' Week 7 win over the Raiders.
It might be too early to be all in on Smith, but the thought of him blossoming in this offense makes him a must-grab on the waiver wire. Brashard Smith FAAB: 10%
Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers (6%)
Week 7 was fantastic for Xavier Legette; we finally saw him get used in this Carolina Panthers offense.
Legette was targeted 11 times and caught 9 of them for 92 yards with a score on top. This was a season-high in targets, receptions, and receiving yards for Legette.
This won't always be the case for Legette, but before his injury, he got targeted 15 times in the first two weeks by Bryce Young. If he continues to have this sort of target share, the offense is more than good enough to support Legette as a WR2. Xavier Legette FAAB: 10%
Joe Flacco, QB, Bengals (11%)
The Joe Flacco experience is seemingly paying off for the Cincinnati Bengals. Turns out, when you throw the ball to Ja'Marr Chase 23 times, good things happen.
Flacco is averaging 22.4 fantasy points per game in his first two weeks as the Bengals starter. He's attempted 92 passes in these two starts, which is a testament to the game scripts the Bengals always find themselves in due to the poor defense.
The upcoming schedule is more than favorable for Flacco, as he'll take on 2 defenses both in the bottom 10 at fantasy points per game to the QB position.
Flacco will face the Jets in Week 8, who allow 18.9 FPPG, and then the Bears in Week 9, who allow 19.9 FPPG to opposing QBs. Joe Flacco FAAB: 5%
Week 8 waiver wire streamers: Bye-week replacements to add
QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (23%)
While the fantasy performance did not match, Penix played well against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. Now in Week 8, he'll face the Miami Dolphins, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game to the QB position.
TE Fantasy Streaming Pickup
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (7%)
Freiermuth is coming off a monstrous performance in Week 7 where he caught 5 balls for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. In Week 8, he'll face the Packers, who allow the third most FPPG to opposing TEs.
Team Defense Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Los Angeles Chargers (51%)
The Chargers' defense has been on and off throughout the season. In Week 8, they'll face the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL.
Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Blake Grupe, Saints (3%)
Grupe has been an excellent fantasy kicker over he past two weeks. In Week 8, he'll get an indoor game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who always find themselves in high-scoring games.
Week 8 Fantasy Waiver Wire stashes & watch list
Quarterback waiver pickups to stash
- J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (27%)
- Quinn Ewers, Dolphins (0%)
The last time we saw McCarthy, it was not pretty. However, there was a flash of real production as a rusher in Week 1. While he was labeled inactive for Week 7, there is potential in his return for those who can wait for his expected Week 9 activation.
This advice is more so for super deep leagues or 2 QB, but it's getting to that point for Tua Tagovailoa. Ewers came in after Tagovailoa threw 3 picks for the second week in a row. Maybe we see Ewers get a shot in this offense, or what's left of it.
Running Back waiver pickups to stash
- Justice Hill, Ravens (10%)
- Bam Knight, Cardinals (22%)
Before the Week 7 bye, Hill was piecing together some solid efforts from a fantasy standpoint. He saw two games with 6 targets, and has a favorable two-game stretch against the Bears in Week 8, then the Dolphins in Week 9.
Bam Knight is rostered at just 22% despite putting up decent fantasy performances in Weeks 5 and 6. He's heading into a Week 8 bye, and could be a sneaky stash on the bench if your league mates forget.
Wide Receiver waiver pickups to stash
- Chris Moore, Commanders (2%)
- Parker Washington, Jaguars (1%)
Moore is seemingly the WR1 until Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin are 100% healthy. The vet has shown the ability to be fantasy-relevant and is valuable until the other WRs return.
Washington was notably targeted 10 times by Trevor Lawrence in their Week 7 loss. This is the second time this season that Washington has received double-digit targets. The inconsistency is too high for him to be anymore more than an interesting stash.
Tight End waiver pickups to stash
- Colston Loveland, Bears (22%)
- Tyler Higbee, Rams (2%)
- Noah Fant, Bengals (1%)
If you have an open roster spot that you want to fill with some upside, Loveland could start to see some more usage down the stretch of his rookie campaign. The organization may, in turn, diminish Cole Kmet's role.
Matthew Stafford is simply dealing right now, and while Higbee is not the most impressive TE, Stafford has looked his way 10 times in the past two weeks.
Since Joe Flacco has become the starter (two weeks), Fant has been a middle-of-the-pack option for the TE position. It's nothing that will win you your week, but 4 catches in back-to-back weeks is something to monitor going forward.