Week 7 of NFL games and bye weeks are officially complete. Unfortunately, this week, some high caliber players got injured and some of the high powered offenses were on their bye. If your fantasy football team is reeling due to the former, the latter, or both, you may need some waiver wire pickups.
We are halfway through the regular fantasy football season and over 1/3 through the regular NFL season. Now is the time where depth becomes important. With players getting benched, getting injured, etc. every week, here are players that are on the rise.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 8: Running backs
1. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers
In last week’s edition of waiver wire pickups, I mentioned the Carolina Panthers trade block rumors. Days later, star running back Christian McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for multiple picks. To prepare for this, I advised managers to pick up second-string running back, D’Onta Foreman, who is now owned in 31.8% of NFL.com fantasy leagues. He finished their game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 17 total touches and 145 total scrimmage yards.
Only rostered in 17.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Chuba Hubbard splits carries with D’Onta Foreman. He finished the game with 11 total touches and 73 total scrimmage yards. He also scored a rushing touchdown. He is worth stashing in deep leagues.
2. JaMycal Hasty, Jaguars
In other trade news, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded running back James Robinson to the New York Jets. The Jets fill a need, after their young star Breece Hall tore his ACL in Week 7, and the Jaguars acquire a draft pick. This leaves Travis Etienne as the presumed starter, and fellow backs JaMycal Hasty and Snoop Conner.
Available in virtually 100% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, JaMycal Hasty showed his burst on a 61 yard touchdown in Week 6. James Robinson and Travis Etienne split carries on a weekly basis, so expect Etienne and Hasty to do the same. He is worth stashing in deep leagues.
If he’s still available, Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
If he’s recently become available, Antonio Gibson, Commanders
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 8: Wide Receivers
1. George Pickens, Steelers
In the first few weeks of his NFL career, the exciting rookie has already made some unbelievable catches. One being a one-handed catch with his arm stretched out, and one toe-tap for a touchdown. The 2022 2nd round pick stated he’s open “99% of the time,” which may actually be true.
Only rostered in 48.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Pickens hasn’t seen less than 6 targets in a game since Week 3. In that stretch, he has had one game with over 100 receiving yards and one game with a touchdown. He has been involved, no matter who is in at QB for the Steelers. He is a priority add in all formats and a starter in PPR formats.
2. Paris Campbell, Colts
The Colts have seemingly transitioned from a run-first team to a pass-first team. We know they have Michael Pittman, I’ve advised managers to pick up Alec Pierce, and now I’m advising managers to pick up Paris Campbell. He has been targeted over 11 times a game the past two games and scored a touchdown in each game.
Still available in 99.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Campbell scored 18.7 points in Week 6 and 23.2 points in Week 7. He does have one goose egg this season, so he is a low-floor, high-ceiling, boom-or-bust type of player. Also, expect some volatility with new quarterback Sam Ehlinger at the helm. He is worth rostering in PPR formats and streaming during bye weeks.
3. Marquise Goodwin, Seahawks
Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf exited the game @ the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday with an injury. In his absence, Marquise Goodwin stepped up. He saw 5 targets and hauled in 4 of them. He finished with 67 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Still available in 99.6% of NFL.com leagues, Goodwin will have a role in Seattle’s offense as Metcalf recovers from a patellar tendon injury. The injury will not require surgery, but it will require rehab. With defensive attention shifting to Geno Smith’s favorite target, Tyler Lockett, expect Goodwin to get open. He is worth stashing in PPR formats and streaming in deep leagues while Metcalf is out.
If he’s still available, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 8: Quarterbacks
1. Daniel Jones, Giants
The Giants keep finding ways to win. They are now 6-1 under new head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll has built an offense that fits his players’ skill sets, instead of asking players to fit into his system. As a result, Daniel Jones has been making plays with his arm and his legs.
Only rostered in 23% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Jones passed for 202 yards and 1 touchdown and rushed for 107 yards and 1 touchdown in their win against the Jaguars. For the third time this season, he had double-digit rushing attempts. If he continues to see this much rushing upside, he may gain a new contract and a spot on your fantasy football roster. He is worth rostering all formats and starting in two-QB leagues.
If he’s still available, Justin Fields
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 8: Tight Ends
1. Greg Dulcich, Broncos
The Denver Broncos offense has been a disappointment so far this season. With a season-ending injury to wide receiver Tim Patrick, running back Javonte Williams, and a day-to-day injury to Russell Wilson, there have been few bright spots. The most obvious bright spot has been wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Hopefully, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Greg Dulcich emerge, as well.
Only rostered in 1.2% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, advising managers to get Albert Okwuegbunam earlier this season was a swing-and-miss on my part. I’m up to bat for a Broncos tight end, again. He has had double-digit points in the last two weeks, his first games back from injury. Hopefully, he can build off of this. He is worth stashing in PPR formats and is worth a flier as a streamer in deep leagues.
2. Juwan Johnson, Saints
It can be hard to decipher the Saints’ tight end depth chart when Taysom Hill is listed on there. However, Juwan Johnson has emerged as the Saints starting tight end. He can stay on the field for around 75% of snaps because he can block, run routes, and catch passes.
Still available in 99.6% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, and has had 5 or more targets over the last two weeks. Last week, he turned in all 5 of his targets into receptions and 2 of those receptions into touchdowns. He has been a beneficiary of wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry being out a few games each. He is worth stashing and is worth a flier as a streamer in deep leagues while Thomas and Landry are out.
If he’s still available, Cade Otton