Week 8 Waiver Wire: Khiry Robinson, Nate Washington Highlight Pickups to Know

Week after week, one constant remains in the realm of fantasy football: the unquestioned value of the right waiver-wire add. 

Week 8 won't be any different. Going into the slate, Minnesota Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs was one of the top adds and responded with 16 points. So was Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West, who just posted 18.

This week, it's all about an unexpected quarterback, players stealing snaps from others and much more. Here's a look at the top Week 8 names sitting available in most leagues.

Week 8 Waiver-Wire Pickup Targets

Name	Pos.	Team	Ownership Percentage
Kirk Cousins	QB	WAS	6.4
Brian Hoyer	QB	HOU	12.9
Khiry Robinson	RB	NO	8.4
Orleans Darkwa	RB	NYG	0.0
Nate Washington	WR	HOU	5.7
Robert Woods	WR	BUF	5.4
Tyler Lockett	WR	SEA	9.6
Clive Walford	TE	OAK	0.2
Michael Hoomanawanui	TE	NO	0.0

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington (6.4 Percent Owned)

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Entering Monday, the quarterback sitting tied in scoring with Tom Brady was Washington's Kirk Cousins. 

Just like everyone expected.

It's just the second time Cousins has gone for 20 or more points this season, but it's clear he's becoming quite the boom-or-bust play based on matchup. On Sunday, he didn't even have DeSean Jackson in the lineup but used a bevy of names such as Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon to pull off an epic comeback.

While Cousins heads for a bye, he's a smart streaming pickup for an owner with a need. In theory, the Washington offense has yet to hit full stride, and a good matchup could mean similar production for owners in a pinch.

Khiry Robinson, RB, New Orleans Saints (8.4 Percent Owned)

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Sometimes there just isn't an explanation. 

Like the usage of Khiry Robinson by the New Orleans Saints (or of C.J. Spiller, for that matter). This past weekend, Robinson went to double digits for the first time on the season by posting 14 points via two touchdowns.

In other words, he stole time from a healthy Mark Ingram, including a full series in the first half before vulturing the two scores.

Owners can take this one of two ways. One, this is all a fluke. Two, the coaching staff wants to work in more of a committee approach and this was the early sign, not to mention a confirmation of the idea based on Robinson's output.

The funny thing about fantasy football? Owners don't have a choice but to roll with the latter.

Nate Washington, WR, Houston Texans (5.7 Percent Owned)

Few owners seemed to notice that Houston Texans wideout Nate Washington returned from injury this weekend, and even fewer seemed to consider him an option. 

But he is. 

Garbage time scoring against a prevent defense in a blowout or not, Washington caught nine passes for 127 yards and two scores, good for a whopping 24 points. 

Washington has been in a contest with Cecil Shorts for the No. 2 duties, but it doesn't seem like much of a contest anymore. He's going to see healthy targets each week, especially with DeAndre Hopkins soaking up so much attention and the team forced to the air with back Arian Foster lost for the season, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Over the course of his career, Washington has always been one of those sneaky plays who can explode any given week. With perhaps the biggest role he's seen in years, owners would be wise to give him a chance.

Clive Walford, TE, Oakland Raiders (0.2 Percent Owned)

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

It was a matter of time before Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford entered the top tight end conversation.

Coming out of the bye, the 68th pick in the 2015 draft looked healthy and with a bigger role than ever. He took advantage of the opportunity and outshined starter Mychal Rivera, catching two passes for 42 yards and a score, good for 10 points.

It's all up from here for Walford, one of the draft's most sought-after players at the position thanks to his freakish combination of size and speed. The Raiders won't go away from him, especially now that it worked, so expect him to end up second on the team in receiving behind Amari Cooper by season's end.

At quite an unpredictable position, it seems one of the long-anticipated developments has arrived.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats, as of October 26. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.