Week 8 Waiver-Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available

The revolving door that is the fantasy football waiver wire got a serious kick as things transition to Week 8 thanks to injuries, job statuses changing and even an epic trade going down. 

All of the transition and change means one thing—an increase in parity in fantasy leagues far and wide as viable options can no longer be considered as such and strong contributors hang out on the waiver wire.

Owners with serious intentions in regards to a league championship know to get out in front of the rest of the pack and make lineup-savvy decisions with some key free agents. With Week 8 a mere days away, the below sleepers are the top targets available on most markets.

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.5 percent owned)

It took long enough. 

Finally, despite being stuck behind a miserable run-blocking offensive line and the ineffective and hobbled Toby Gerhart, Denard Robinson was given the starting gig last week and broke out in a major way.

After never recording more than three points in a game this season due to the above negative factors, Robinson was given 22 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns and came away with 127 yards and a score, good for an eyebrow-raising 18 points.

Even better is coach Gus Bradley's response when asked if Robinson can keep his hold on the starting job moving forward.

"Yeah, I think so," Bradley said, per Vito Stellino of the The Florida Times-Union (subscription required). "We'll look at the film. He did a good job and we hope to get Toby (Gerhart) back."

Robinson is a must-own commodity in all leagues at this point, even if he is just a high-profile stash. If Jacksonville is actually committed to the run now and willing to reduce the reliance on Toby Gerhart, Robinson could be in for more notable production—especially in the coming weeks against the struggling defenses of the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos (12.0 percent owned)

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Fantasy owners were smart to be skeptical of Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman, who in the past has been relatively unimpressive, even in the confines of an offense led by Peyton Manning, which plays well to his strengths as a receiver.

Since an injury to Montee Ball, though, Hillman has proven worthy of the starting role.

Rotoworld.com's Adam Levitan sums up the situation best:

Owners should never expect the two touchdowns in a single game that Hillman had against the San Francisco 49ers last week, but he now has outputs of 11 and 21 points as the starter, and Manning clearly trusts him with the ball in his hands.

The upcoming schedule for Hillman is also very favorable, as the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders, especially the last two, all struggle against backs. Not only should Hillman be owned in all leagues, he needs to be in most starting lineups.

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams (2.3 percent owned)

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

The Zac Stacy era in St. Louis is over before it really began. 

Stacy was on the sidelines for most of the Rams win over the Seattle Seahawks last week, finishing with no touches.

In his wake, Tre Mason won the starting job and never looked back. Mason was clearly the most talented runner in the St. Louis backfield and ended up with 18 carries for 85 yards and a score, good for a career-high 14 points.

Now, there are major concerns in regards to Mason. He is not a viable option in the passing game at this point in his development, meaning he is akin to Washington's Alfred Morris and others in that, should the Rams fall behind and abandon the run, he is sure to be a dud.

Still, snaps equal production at the position and it is quite apparent that the Rams have a new starter. Those are few and far between at this point, so Mason needs to be owned in all leagues.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants (20.2 percent owned)

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

For one reason or another, owners still refuse to fully believe in New York Giants rookie wideout Odell Beckham Jr.

He is a rookie, and every now and then he is due for a two-point dud such as his Week 6 performance, but in two of the three games since his pro debut, the LSU product has scored in double digits.

Keep in mind the Giants are heading into a Week 8 bye, but Beckham is a superb add upon his return as he continues to emerge as Eli Manning's top target after the season-ending injury to Victor Cruz.

The upcoming schedule, which includes the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, is not exactly desirable, but Beckham is clearly a WR2 with high upside.

He is available in almost 80 percent of leagues. Get to it.

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks (19.4 percent owned)

With Percy Harvin now a member of the New York Jets, Doug Baldwin is already beginning to emerge as a serious pickup candidate.

Baldwin had his best game of the year last week in St. Louis, catching seven passes for 123 yards and a score, good for 18 points. NFL.com's Michael Fabiano put it best:

While clearly the No. 1 target of Russell Wilson in the passing game, take that factor with a dose of caution—the Seahawks very much remain a run-first team.

That said, Baldwin is worth owning in all leagues as a WR3 with major upside based on the matchup. He next encounters a Carolina Panthers defense that yields the fourth-most points to wide receivers, so if he has another strong showing, it is a reaffirmation that it is time for that ownership percentage to take a major leap.

For those in need of production, Baldwin is a great add right away.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.