Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups Highlighted by Kayshon Boutte, Brashard Smith, Gadsden II

Regardless the state of your fantasy football roster, it's always worth perusing the waiver wire to see if anyone catches your eye.

Chances are, though, you'll give things more than a cursory glance this week. That's because a season-high six teams are on a bye during the NFL's Week 8, so you could easily have a hole or two in need of filling.

While there maybe isn't a league-winner lurking out there the way Rico Dowdle and Cam Skattebo once were, there are a couple of rising pass-catchers who play alongside top-shelf quarterbacks and a rookie running back making noise in one of the league's highest-scoring offenses.

You'll want to be on top of things given the likelihood of rival managers needed waiver-wire reinforcements, too, so we'll steer you toward some of our favorite pickups who are rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros.

Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (6% Rostered)

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A receiver-turned-running back, Smith is quickly finding his niche in an offense that has scored 28-plus points in four consecutive contests.

The rookie could have a quietly significant role in this hot streak, too.

Smith saw limited action in his first three outings, but the Chiefs have been dialing things up for him more of late. He's had at least three targets in each of his last four games, and on Sunday, he set personal-bests in carries (14), targets (five) and catches (five), while also piling up a career-high 81 scrimmage yards.

This should be an eye-opening emergence, particularly for those in PPR leagues. Smith should remain a part of this passing game, and if he's getting into the rushing mix, too, maybe he'll be the next waiver wire pickup who transitions to being a locked-in weekly starter.

Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers (2% Rostered)

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So, everyone is just loaded at tight end now?

Gadsden's roster rate is ridiculously low, and that can't possibly be the case much longer. He was absurdly dominant on Sunday (seven receptions for 164 yards and a score), but he has seen the level of involvement in this passing game that suggests there's real sustainability behind his breakout.

Look, he may never post another line that loud again, but he might get the chance. While his nine targets Sunday were a season-high, he's seen at least seven targets in two other contests. Just last week, in fact, he had eight passes come his direction, and he hauled in seven of them for 68 yards.

That probably should've sent fantasy managers scrambling to the waiver wire this past week, but for whatever reason, it didn't. Don't expect that to be the same this week. This might be your last chance to get Gadsden, who feels like a lock to see this week's biggest increase in roster percentage.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots (32% Rostered)

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Want a chance to capitalize on Drake Maye's superstar ascension? Boutte might give you that option.

The third-year receiver has a clear connection with New England's star quarterback, and if that chemistry ever results in more volume, Boutte's box scores could go berserk.

He's at least making the most of the chances he's getting now. Last week, he turned five targets into five receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. This week, it was two grabs on two targets for 55 yards and a score. On the season, 20 of the 25 balls sent his way have been caught.

Combine this reliability with an obvious knack for playmaking (17.8 yards per reception, four touchdowns), and Boutte is basically demanding a bigger, more consistent role in the offensive game plan. Should the Pats ever get it to him, he might be a no-brainer option in fantasy.