Waiver Wire Week 8: Highlighting Top Pickups at Each Offensive Position

The Week 8 waiver wire is littered with premium talent, as several breakout NFL fantasy studs are beginning to come into their own.

Fantasy owners ought to jump at the opportunity to put a claim in for some of the more underrated producers in recent weeks. It's difficult not to be baited at this point in the season and get burned, because many desperate fantasy teams are seeking a spark for the second half of the season.

Considering their low owned percentages, consistently high point totals and the upside to become even better, the following four players—one for each offensive position—are a good place to start looking on fantasy waivers.

Note: Scoring information and ownership percentage are based on ESPN.com standard fantasy leagues.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins seem to be remembering that Tannehill played receiver at Texas A&M before transitioning to quarterback. Tannehill's speed and athleticism are traits Miami hasn't capitalized on until recently, and it's paying big dividends for fantasy owners.

Well, at least those who have deployed Tannehill in their lineups. The third-year signal-caller finished behind only Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers in Week 7 fantasy points among quarterbacks.

NFL Network's Jeff Darlington pointed out how hot Tannehill got in a 27-14 victory on the road against the Chicago Bears:

With an average of 20 points over the past three games, Tannehill is beginning to live up to his first-round draft billing. Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com is a big-time believer:

On deck is a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are second in the league with 22 team sacks, yet are 30th in pass defense.

Tannehill's mobility can help him elude the Jags' pass rush, in addition to a rising running game led by Lamar Miller. And don't sleep on Tannehill's potential to rack up yards on the ground—he has 132 such yards in his past three games.

Owned in just 12.7 percent of ESPN.com leagues, now is the time to tab Tannehill as a QB1.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

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Having a legendary QB like Manning can open up some serious running lanes. Give Hillman credit, though, because he's seized the opportunity since getting the bulk of the workload.

John Middlekauff of Comcast SportsNet alluded to how a balanced Broncos offense is terrifying for opponents to ponder:

Hillman (12 percent owned) has experienced a steady progression into a playmaker to be reckoned with.

After logging 15 carries for 64 yards in his first significant action, which came against Arizona's top-ranked rush defense, the speedy ball-carrier ran for 100 yards against a tough New York Jets front seven. Then he scored two touchdowns in a blowout win over San Francisco this last Sunday night.

ESPN's Cecil Lammey highlights how effective Hillman has been, as opposed to the currently injured Montee Ball:

It appeared Ball was in line to be the feature back in Denver ahead of the 2014 campaign, but Hillman's form should keep him in the starting lineup even when Ball is healthy again.

Manning is arguably the best player at preparation in NFL history. Week 8's Thursday matchup against the AFC West rival San Diego Chargers should see everyone get in on the action at Mile High.

The Chargers could be missing Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett in the secondary, per Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego:

Hillman also got some work as a pass-catcher in Week 7's rout of the 49ers, hauling in four receptions for 29 yards. With his speed and elusiveness in the open field, more screen passes should come his way, perhaps as a means of protecting Manning if nothing else.

That heightens Hillman's ceiling in PPR leagues, but if the Broncos are meant to ultimately get over the hump from last year's Super Bowl loss, offensive balance will be key.

With his explosion onto the scene, Hillman will warrant consideration to become a more prominent part of Denver's game plans in the weeks to come.

Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Another rookie in the Jags' receiving corps with the same first name, undrafted free agent Allen Hurns, appeared to be the breakout star among Jacksonville's skill position players.

Now it's becoming clear that Robinson, a 2014 second-round draft choice out of Penn State, is emerging as first-year QB Blake Bortles' No. 1 target. Pro Football Focus fantasy guru Mike Clay endorses the first-year wideout:

Robinson can high point the ball extremely well, has tremendous athletic ability and showed on his first career TD—a 31-yard catch-and-run in Sunday's win over Cleveland—that he's a threat after the catch as well.

Beating the Browns marked the Jags' first win of 2014, so attention has rightly gone away from one of the NFL's most maligned franchises. However, the Bortles-to-Robinson connection has been a bright spot.

Since registering one catch for zero yards in the opener, Robinson has 50 targets in six games with 33 receptions and 371 yards. As Bortles gains experience and his budding chemistry with Robinson gels in the process, Robinson's numbers should only get better.

A hamstring injury slowed Robinson in OTAs and training camp, and he only began practicing six days before Week 1's trip to Philadelphia. This according to ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco, who logged what offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch had to say about Robinson's development:

"

He's getting better every week but he's got a ways to go. I'm sure there's a couple of routes that he would like back. He's had the opportunities there to continue to get the ball and continue to make plays. We're going to continue to give him those chances. I think he's just going to get better. I really do.

"

Now is the time to buy low on Robinson (1.3 percent ownership). Even though Miami has a top-flight pass defense and travels to Jacksonville in Week 8, that means the Jags will likely be passing a lot and playing catchup.

That enhances the odds of Robinson garnering nine or more targets, a total he's reached in three of his past five outings.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

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Much was made of the fact that Colts franchise QB Andrew Luck was roommates with tight end Coby Fleener at Stanford. Although the two pals had the unique chance to stay together after being drafted by Indianapolis in 2012, it's Allen who is emerging as the superior player at Fleener's position.

In addition to being a better blocker, Allen has been more sure-handed since joining the Colts as a third-round pick. Amid his third season, he is rising as a legitimate red-zone threat.

NFL Network fantasy expert Michael Fabiano referenced how Allen seems to have a nose for the end zone following a score against Cincinnati in Week 7:

Allen is tied for eighth in the NFL with five TD receptions, behind only Julius Thomas, Antonio Gates and tied with Greg Olsen among tight ends.

The light has gone on for Luck, as he's directing the NFL's top passing offense, which makes Allen a precious commodity to begin with. But the light may not be fully on for Allen yet.

A hip injury cut short Allen's season by 15 games last year, and he still doesn't feel quite right, per the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder:

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I don't feel comfortable. It was my goal going into the season, because of the injury and not having an offseason to train, to get better as the year went along. And I feel like I've done a good job with that so far, but I still have a long way to go to be the player I want to be at the end of the year. I've made a lot of strides but I'm still not there and I'm still not comfortable. Quite frankly, I hope I'm never comfortable.

"

That is a scary thought for defenders trying to cover Allen to entertain. He still has room to get better acclimated to the gridiron; to get faster, stronger and to run after the catch with more conviction. A 28.4 own percentage makes Allen a must-add for those without a top-tier tight end on their fantasy team.

The Colts play in a lackluster AFC South, are in the midst of a five-game winning streak and have Allen continuing to round into form. Reggie Wayne's elbow injury (h/t ABC 6's Mike Chappell), which may force him out for a few games, is another reason to endorse Allen in the near future.

Heinz Field will be the site of Indy's next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. Per ESPN.com, Pittsburgh yields the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends.

With one great target in Reggie Wayne figuring to be at least limited, it should open up chances for Allen to continue shining, and to help him, Luck and the Colts continue building their midseason momentum as they ascend among the NFL's elite.