Welcome to the Week 8 waiver wire watch! Think about making a waiver declare in your fantasy soccer leagues for the next gamers (obtainable in at the least 50% of ESPN leagues).
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
The journeyman quarterback has cooled off after a blazing begin to his seventh NFL season, but Darnold returns to fantasy relevancy with matchups in opposition to the Rams, Colts and Jaguars on deck. These groups all rank bottom-8 in yards per try and passing touchdowns allowed. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones are all wholesome, and T.J. Hockenson may return as quickly as this week for Thursday Night time Soccer.
Bo Nix will get an honorable point out contemplating his speeding worth (136 yards in his previous two video games) and Week 8 matchup in opposition to the woeful Panthers.
Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants
New York absolutely deliberate on Devin Singletary being its 2024 starter when he signed a three-year deal in free company. Nevertheless, harm has opened the door for fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy to cruise to 141 yards from scrimmage (on the overwhelming majority of offensive snaps) up to now two weeks, together with when Singletary performed on Sunday. Brian Daboll stated earlier than the sport, “He’s carried out job, he’s earned it, so he’ll get loads of enjoying time. Motor [Singletary], we’ll see how the sport’s going and the way it transpires.” Singletary could not have performed a lot as a result of he was getting back from harm and the Giants have been down two scores by halftime. That stated, it’s value including Tracy in case he retains the backfield lead.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Talking of backfield leads… Mattison has formally taken the beginning job from Zamir White in Las Vegas. It’s not earth-shattering information contemplating the Raiders fielded a bottom-5 offense earlier than buying and selling away Davante Adams. Nonetheless, Mattison generally is a invaluable plug-and-play within the subsequent few weeks as fantasy managers cope with byes and accidents. Gardner Minshew returning because the beginning quarterback helps too, as he’s been fast to test down his entire profession.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Don’t ask me to clarify it, however Pittsburgh’s offense received a significant enhance by inserting Russell Wilson into the beginning lineup on Sunday. Their 37 factors in opposition to the Jets on Sunday Night time Soccer was probably the most they’d scored since Ben Roethlisberger was enjoying. The rejuvenated unit noticed George Pickens and Najee Harris mix for 213 yards and a couple of scores, however the underlying storyline was Warren wanting spry with 59 yards of his personal. Although the lightning to Harris’ thunder has battled a knee harm this season, Warren may very well be a viable fantasy choice if the Steelers have actually discovered one thing with Wilson because the sign caller.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Doubs’ rock-steady function within the Packers’ offense has borne fruit. After scoring twice final week, he set season-highs in targets (10), catches (8) and yards (94) on Sunday. Whereas pure regression would recommend Doubs will come again to earth, he has juicy upcoming matchups in opposition to the Jaguars and Lions developing.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A candy Monday Night time Soccer doubleheader was sourly ended when Chris Godwin was carted off with a leg harm. It’s horrible information for the Bucs, however the silver lining is elevated alternatives for McMillan. The third-round rookie caught his first profession landing in Week 7, and he was enjoying about 80% of offensive snaps in Weeks 1-3 earlier than sustaining a hamstring harm. Now that Godwin is damage and McMillan is wholesome, it’s wheels up for the latter in Tampa Bay’s explosive offense.
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
A equally unhappy state of affairs arose in San Francisco on Sunday when Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL; Jennings and Pearsall will step in for the All-Professional wideout. Jennings missed Week 7 with a hip harm however he’s anticipated to return because the no. 2 receiver behind Deebo Samuel. In the meantime, Pearsall performed in his first NFL sport after surviving a gunshot wound within the offseason, and he had an honest debut with 3 catches for 21 yards. The thirty first general decide is value including as a low-floor, high-ceiling asset.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Henry posted 3-plus catches for 40-plus yards in every of the previous two weeks after doing so as soon as within the first month of the season. He’s been the highest goal for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, and as long as the Patriots proceed enjoying from behind, Henry can proceed providing stable fantasy manufacturing.
