Week 8 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet for Deep Sleepers to Grab on Waiver Wire

We're rapidly approaching the midway point of the 2026 NFL season, which means that fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner. To this point, managers have been forced to navigate a cascade of injuries, along with the usual bye-week blues. The trend will continue in Week 8.

The Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers will be on bye this week.

The good news is that a few viable sleepers should still be available on the waiver wire entering Thursday's matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers.

Here, you'll find updated rankings for Week 8, a cheat sheet for value plays, and a look at some top sleeper options who may still be available to pick up.

All rankings and picks are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Week 8 Rankings

AP Photo/John Locher

Bills QB Josh Allen

Quarterback

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
3. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
9. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
10. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Running Back

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
3. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
4. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
6. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
9. Chub Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
10. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
12. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
14. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Wide Receiver

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
6. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
7. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
8. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
9. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
10. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
11. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
12. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
13. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
14. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
15. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
16. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
17. Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders
18. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
19. Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets
20. Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

Tight End

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
4. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
6. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
7. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
8. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
9. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
10. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Week 8 Value Cheat Sheet

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Jacoby Brissett

Quarterback

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles

Running Back

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos

Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals

Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals

Tyler Goodson, Dallas Cowboys

Wide Receiver

Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets

Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars

Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts

Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins

Ja'Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens

Tight End

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

Mason Taylor, New York Jets

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins

Wire Target: Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Managers looking for a spot starter at quarterback should consider Geno Smith in Week 8. While the New York Jets' starter hasn't been a top performer every week, he's started to develop a strong bond with rookie Omar Cooper Jr. and should have a solid floor moving forward.

In last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins, Smith threw three touchdown passes and delivered 24.5 fantasy points. He could replicate that success this week against a fading Las Vegas Raiders defense.

The Raiders have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, and they could be even more sluggish than usual this week. Cross-country trips and early afternoon games rarely benefit West Coast teams.

Smith is still only rostered in 21 percent of fantasy leagues.

Wire Target: Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Washington Commanders have lost Terry McLaurin to a season-ending knee injury. This will likely move Stefon Diggs into the No. 1 receiver role and rookie wideout Antonio Williams into the No. 2 spot.

There's a very real chance that Williams is the biggest beneficiary when it comes to fantasy football.

Yet, Williams is still only rostered in 12 percent of leagues. That's likely to change after Week 8, though.

The rookie had a solid eight-point outing in his last game and could easily reach double digits this week against the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Philly has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.