Week 8 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Projections for Top Pickups and Sleeper Targets

If you're managing a fantasy football roster, then the waiver wire is your friend.

Or it should be, at least, provided you know which players to pick up.

There's almost always useful production up for grabs, it just isn't always obvious where to find it. That's why you came here, as our trusty crystal ball is about to spotlight three waiver-wire targets—rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—who can help your club in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers (31 Percent Rostered)

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 10: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

While San Francisco's playmaking depth often gets the better of Jennings, the injury bug might keep that from happening any time soon.

Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the year. Deebo Samuel (pneumonia-like illness) just got out of the hospital. Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) doesn't appear on the brink of returning. Even George Kittle (foot) and Chris Conley (ankle) are day-to-day.

If Jennings winds up as anything near a featured option in this aerial attack, his stats could spike. Back in Week 3, he turned a career-high 12 targets into 11 receptions for 175 yards and three scores.

While no one should expect that level of production, a top-30 finish is more than possible.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (46 Percent)

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins addresses the media at Baptist Health Training Complex on October 21, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

With Tagovailoa (concussion) nearing his return, look for his rostership to spike.

Last season, he led the NFL in passing yards and was the ninth-highest scoring quarterback in fantasy. And in the only game he finished this season, he threw for 338 yards and a score.

If he plays Sunday, he has a great opportunity to pick up where he left off. The Dolphins host the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

With an innovative play-caller, explosive receivers around him and a rushing attack behind him that demands defensive attention, Tagovailoa is positioned well for success—so long as he suits up.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (41 Percent)

Chris Unger/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball up the field in the first quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

While the Steelers seem comfortable with Najee Harris as their lead back, it's hard to argue against Warren being the most dynamic player in this backfield.

Warren just has to be healthy, of course, which he doesn't seem to have been all season.

He might be closer to full-strength than he's been in a while, though. Pittsburgh entrusted him with a season-high 14 touches on Sunday, and he found his way to 59 scrimmage yards.

If his workload can increase, his yardage should follow suit. Last season, he had 1,154 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 210 touches, and that was without opposing defenses having to worry about a quarterback the caliber of Russell Wilson, who tallied three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in his Steelers' debut.