Omar Cooper Jr. and the Best Week 8 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Pickups

With Week 8 on the horizon, the 2026 fantasy football season is rounding past the halfway point. This may be the time of year when serviceable waiver options start to dry up, but the free-agent pool shouldn't be completely bereft of potential league-winners quite yet.

Whether they stand to benefit from a starter's injury or are returning from IR themselves, several players who remain widely available in fantasy leagues appear poised to play significant roles in Week 8.

The upcoming NFL trade deadline could also reshape the fantasy landscape. A handful of blockbuster deals have gone down in recent years involving big-name talents, moves that opened the door for backups and lesser-used players to step into the spotlight.

Even if your team is sitting atop the standings with quality starters and good depth, it can still pay dividends to stash a player who could see a huge increase in playing time if the trendy trade candidate ahead of him does end up getting dealt prior to the Nov. 10 deadline.

With that in mind, here's a look at the top waiver-wire targets for Week 8.

Suggestions are available in approximately half or more of all Yahoo! Sports leagues. Fantasy points and rankings courtesy of FantasyPros' PPR data. Suggested free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) bids are based on a $100 starting budget.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Scott Kinser

Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Mayfield's Week 7 return coincided with a massive 43-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was sparingly utilized in the blowout contest. He only let 11 passes rip, completing seven of them for 64 yards and a touchdown.

While Tampa didn't need the veteran passer to contribute much in that convincing victory over a divisional rival, he is unlikely to attempt so few passes regularly.

The 31-year-old was averaging 32 throws per game in 2026 prior to picking up a thumb injury that cost him three contests and had never recorded fewer than 18 passing attempts in any of his previous 123 career starts.

With top wideout Emeka Egbuka likely to be back in the lineup after missing Week 7 with a concussion, the Bucs will air it out frequently against an Atlanta Falcons defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs.

It's an ideal opportunity for Mayfield to return to form after thus far failing to record a top-20 finish in 2026.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (18 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

An abysmal start to the 2026 campaign set the Falcons offense back, but this unit has found new life with Penix at the reins. The third-year quarterback just orchestrated a pivotal 29-20 win over the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers, putting up 20.4 fantasy points in the process.

Although Penix didn't look too sharp upon returning from an extended absence due to his latest ACL tear in 2025, he's dialed it in over the past two weeks and has now posted back-to-back top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old has tallied six touchdown passes in that span and has a real shot at putting up several more scores when the Falcons visit the Bucs in Week 8.

J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants (11 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

McCarthy may have cemented his status as Big Blue's starter for the remainder of 2026 by leading the Giants past the Houston Texans, but the third-year signal-caller only mustered 10.2 points in the 27-21 overtime victory.

McCarthy's eye-popping Week 6 production (17.3 points in just one quarter) was clearly unsustainable, but his showing this past weekend may wind up being his floor. He completed a respectable 20 of 28 throws for 252 yards and avoided turnovers, but a lack of touchdown passes and only a single rushing yard greatly hindered his fantasy output.

The G-Men are now heading into a Week 8 bye, giving McCarthy further opportunity to develop within this rejuvenated offense.

Deep league managers (and even those in standard formats who will have a starting QB on bye in Weeks 9 or 10) should consider securing a spot on their bench for McCarthy.

A pair of favorable matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders right out of the break makes him a high-upside plug-and-play option for those weeks.

Running Back

AP Photo/Bart Young

Jonah Coleman

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos (35 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $25-40

Coleman's 8.9-point performance in his first game back from an IR stint may not look too promising at a glance, but he's a top priority waiver-wire target for Week 8 due to his potential to seize control of Denver's backfield.

With RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins both failing to distinguish themselves during Coleman's four-game layoff, the rookie returned to lead the group in offensive snaps by a wide margin.

Although he didn't score like his two platoonmates, Coleman tallied 54 rushing yards on nine totes and added 15 receiving yards with his two catches. The fourth-rounder was more effective on the ground than both Dobbins (6/23/1) and Harvey (3/6/0) and was only outperformed by Harvey as a receiver due to the 52-yard scoring reception the latter created on one of his two catches.

Coleman was Denver's preferred choice to grind out clock late in the contest and appears poised for even more volume in the back half of the campaign. Sean Payton said after Sunday's game that Coleman "looked really good" and that the coaching staff has "got to get him more touches" going forward. 

That upside makes Coleman a must-add in nearly every format. If he can stay healthy, Coleman will be a borderline RB2 down the stretch and greatly aid managers desperate for production at the position.

Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts (7 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $5-10

Rumors are swirling that the Colts will become sellers at the upcoming NFL trade deadline due to a disappointing 2-5 start to the 2026 season.

One of the most obvious candidates to be moved is Jonathan Taylor, the team's elite running back. If he is dealt, his departure would instantly elevate McGowan to the cusp of fantasy stardom.

McGowan has flashed an impressive level of talent in limited action, racking up 146 yards on his first 36 career touches. Playing time has kept him from breaking out, however, as the rookie has only seen the field for 98 offensive snaps. Taylor has unsurprisingly earned the lion's share of playing time and touches, amassing 765 yards and eight touchdowns on 157 touches across 374 offensive snaps.

With little in the way of competition—DJ Giddens is the only other RB on the roster, but the third-stringer hasn't logged a single snap this season—McGowan projects to step directly into Taylor's lead back role. This herculean upside, as well as his current handcuff value, makes McGowan one of the top players you can stash. Don't hesitate to scoop him up and hold him through the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns (8 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Sampson returned to action on Sunday after missing the last five games with a knee injury. The Browns wasted little time getting him involved, as the second-year back finished the Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans with 45 rushing yards on six carries and 32 receiving yards on three catches.

Although Sampson won't always put up double-digit fantasy points or post borderline top-25 finishes when he's logging less than 10 touches, he looked healthy and was highly productive as the No. 2 back behind Quinshon Judkins.

Considering Judkins has had injury woes of his own—he missed Week 6 with an ankle issue—this pickup has both flex appeal and handcuff value. 

Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals (25 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Knight has stepped up and delivered some strong performances while filling in for injured rookie Jeremiyah Love.

Despite facing a pair of teams with tough defensive fronts in the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos over the last two weeks, the veteran has generated 161 yards from scrimmage and scored over 20 fantasy points in that span.  

Although upside is limited here due to Arizona's lack of scoring prowess and a timeshare with Tyler Allgeier, managers in the market for a one-week RB rental could do worse than claiming Knight off waivers.

Be sure to monitor the latest injury news before you deploy him, however, as Love remains week-to-week. If the first-round rookie is back for Arizona's upcoming clash against the Dallas Cowboys, Knight would become a much riskier fantasy option. 

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Omar Cooper Jr.

Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets (48 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $10-20

Cooper burst onto the fantasy scene with a 22.3-point outing in Week 6 and showed no signs of slowing down Sunday.

The Jets' rookie phenom continued his hot streak by putting up 115 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches, a 22.5-point performance that resulted in a second consecutive top-10 finish.

Since battling through an ankle injury suffered on his first NFL touch and subsequently spending a month on the IR, Cooper has become a revelation for a talent-starved Jets squad.

Although he couldn't spur Gang Green to a victory over the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, the team would have fared far worse without the first-rounder making several big plays.

Expect Cooper to continue along his rising star trajectory when New York faces the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8.

Vegas has allowed an average of 21.8 fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts and has been lit up by several pass-catchers during its current four-game losing skid. Cooper should feast against a slumping secondary, earning him priority target status on waivers.

KC Concepcion, Cleveland Browns (60 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $9-18

Concepcion may be owned in a bit more than half of all leagues, but it's worth checking if he is up for grabs in yours.

While the Cleveland rookie got off to a slow start to his NFL career, the first-round pick finally had his long-awaited breakout game on Sunday. In a 27-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, he hauled in eight of 10 targets for 129 receiving yards and added 23 rushing yards on three carries.

Concepcion's top-10 finish was impressive, but managers may understandably doubt he can repeat the feat in the wake of six straight WR39 or worse showings.

His team-high 45 targets demonstrate that he has received ample opportunity and suggest he will remain heavily involved. Despite his inconsistent production, consider him a high-upside WR3 who could deliver more consistent numbers in the coming weeks.

Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders (8 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-8

The Commanders have a major void to fill in their receiving corps after Terry McLaurin's season ended in Week 6 with a torn patellar tendon. Williams should get the first crack at replacing the veteran star when Washington comes out of a fortunately timed Week 7 bye.

While Williams has had a solid but unspectacular start to his NFL career (recording 18 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown in six games), he's now a true breakout candidate.

The third-round rookie was already seeing an uptick in playing time before McLaurin's injury and clearly has the skills and athleticism to work as McLaurin's direct replacement.

Some risk comes with inserting Williams directly into a Week 8 starting lineup, but he's at least worth stashing in most formats and could pay dividends if he reaches his lofty ceiling.

Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins (13 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Douglas was an intriguing waiver addition following his WR22 finish in the opener, but the rookie went down in Week 2 with an ankle sprain that sidelined him through Miami's Week 6 bye.

In his first game back, Douglas exploded for a career-high 21 fantasy points. He secured a pair of touchdown grabs, including a highlight-worthy 63-yard catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter that pushed the 'Phins into the win column for the first time this season.

While most of Douglas' production was tied to his two scores, he should see a rapid increase in both offensive snaps and targets as he reintegrates himself in Miami's offense. He's a high-risk, high-reward waiver option for WR-needy managers going into Week 8.

Tight End

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (56 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $7-14

Henry continued his hot streak during New England's loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 7. While his side came up short in the 30-24 defeat, he remained one of Drake Maye's go-to targets and rewarded fantasy managers with another good outing.

Although Henry failed to find pay dirt for the first time since Week 4, he still caught all seven of his targets for 71 yards to salvage his fantasy day. That 14.1-point effort marked his fourth consecutive double-digit performance and his third consecutive top-10 finish.

Despite this steady production at a position largely bereft of serviceable waiver-wire options, Henry is still available in nearly half of all fantasy leagues. He should be rostered in far more than that, so be sure to add him if he's still somehow lingering in your free-agent scrap heap.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams (15 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-8

The desperate Rams started turning things around with a much-needed win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Their offense looked sharp in the 35-21 victory and will soon get even more dangerous due to the impending return of Ferguson.

Ferguson is eligible to come off the IR and could be back on the field in time for a Week 8 showdown against the SoFi Stadium rival Los Angeles Chargers. His presence will provide a significant boost to L.A.'s overextended tight end unit, one that has needed to cover for the injuries the team's receiving corps is contending with.

Davis Allen hauled in two of Matt Stafford's three touchdown throws against the Raiders and Colby Parkinson (5/48/0 on six targets) was the team's second-most productive pass-catcher in the contest, but Ferguson figures to usurp both in the pecking order when he's back in the lineup. Scoop him up for TE1 upside if you don't have a stable starter.

Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders (17 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Okonkwo had been steadily establishing himself as a reliable weapon in Washington's offense, but he became one of its focal points following Terry McLaurin's early exit during a Week 6 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.

Okonkwo had his best game in a Commanders uniform in Week 6, hauling in all seven of his targets for 69 receiving yards. It resulted in a second consecutive top-15 finish, following on the heels of his six-target, four-catch, 60-yard receiving outing in Week 5.

While Okonkwo missed two games with injury and has yet to secure a touchdown catch in 2026, he's in line for plenty of looks as Washington works to redistribute the 6.5 targets McLaurin had been averaging prior to Week 6.

That should result in the type of steady production that puts Okonkwo right on the TE1 border.