Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver-Wire Pickups, Rankings and Box Score Stat Projections

By this point on the NFL calendar, team identities seem fully formed or well on their way to becoming that.

And that probably rings even truer for fantasy rosters than it does for their real-life counterparts, since fantasy campaigns are completed long before a Super Bowl champion is crowned.

Most managers should have a good sense of just how competitive their clubs are and can be. They might also have an idea of what needs to happen to take the next step.

Whether that's deft lineup management or savvy dealings on the waiver wire, this early Week 8 guide should help on both fronts.

Quarterback

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Top 10

1. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. BAL)
2. Drake Maye, NE (at MIA)
3. Caleb Williams, CHI (at SEA)
4. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at BUF)
5. Jordan Love, GB (vs. CAR)
6. Jayden Daniels, WAS (vs. PHI)
7. Dak Prescott, DAL (vs. ARI)
8. Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. TEN)
9. Bryce Young, CAR (at GB)
10. Patrick Mahomes, KC (at DEN)

Waiver-wire target: Michael Penix Jr., ATL (at TB)

Penix may not produce the loudest volume around, but the Falcons are starting to crank things up a bit. He has thrown at least 32 passes in three consecutive contests. More importantly, he has tallied seven touchdown throws against a single interception during this stretch.

Projected stats: 21-of-32 for 227 yards, two touchdowns

Running Back

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Top 10

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. MIN)
2. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at TB)
3. Derrick Henry, BAL (at BUF)
4. Kenneth Walker III, KC (at DEN)
5. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at JAX)
6. James Cook III, BUF (vs. BAL)
7. Javonte Williams, DAL (vs. ARI)
8. Ashton Jeanty, LV (at NYJ)
9. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (at GB)
10. Bhayshul Tuten, JAX (vs. IND)

Waiver-wire target: Jonah Coleman, DEN (vs. KC)

Coleman suited up for the first time Sunday since a sprained ankle in Week 2 sent him to injured reserve, and the fourth-round rokie played like he was aiming to make up for lost time. His nine carries yielded 54 rushing yards, and he hauled in both of his targets for another 15 yards. Even in a crowded backfield, that's efficiency worth noting.

Projected stats: 12 carries for 53 yards, two receptions for 17 yards, one touchdown

Wide Receiver

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Top 10

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (vs. CHI)
2. Puka Nacua, LAR (vs. LAC)
3. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (vs. ARI)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs. MIN)
5. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (vs. TEN)
6. Justin Jefferson, MIN (at DET)
7. Zay Flowers, BAL (at BUF)
8. Christian Watson, GB (vs. CAR)
9. Tetaiora McMillan, CAR (at GB)
10. Drake London, ATL (at TB)

Waiver-wire target: Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ (vs. LV)

Cooper flashed in Week 6, and the fantasy community left him largely unclaimed, perhaps needing to see more evidence of his roster-worthiness. So, the rookie first-rounder delivered exactly that, turning in his second straight effort with triple-digit yardage (five catches for 115 yards) and a score.

Projected stats: Six receptions for 83 yards, one touchdown