Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups and Available Sleepers in Most Yahoo and Sleeper Leagues

Week 8 got underway with Thursday night's NFC showdown between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers. Another 13 games are on the schedule, and many fantasy managers will be looking for fill-ins to navigate it.

In addition to numerous injuries, managers will have to deal with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers all being on bye.

While waiver claims have been processed in most leagues, a few viable spot starters may still be available in most Yahoo and Sleeper leagues. We'll dive into the top options for point-per-reception (PPR) play here.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

The Atlanta Falcons will visit the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. To be fair, the Bucs haven't been overly friendly to opposing quarterbacks, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position.

However, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. should still be viewed as a viable streamer this week. He topped 20 fantasy points in each of his past two games, and it's not as if Tampa has completely shut down opposing QBs weekly.

Two weeks ago, Aaron Rodgers engineered a comeback win over the Buccaneers and delivered a solid 17 fantasy points in the process. If Atlanta is unable to rely exclusively on Bijan Robinson and its running game, Penix should have a solid floor.

Penix is still only rostered in 22 percent of fantasy leagues.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Things may not go well for the Cleveland Browns and their running game when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Cleveland hasn't won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since 2003, and the Steelers have surrendered the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Yet, Browns backup Dylan Sampson is worth flex consideration in Week 8 because of his role as a pass-catching back. He made his 2026 debut last week and finished with 10.7 fantasy points. He could have an even bigger outing this week if the Browns struggle to run the ball and/or spend the game playing from behind.

As a rookie last season, Sampson caught 33 passes and recorded 446 scrimmage yards.

Sampson is only really worth consideration in PPR leagues, but he's worth scooping up and keeping around for the foreseeable future. He's only rostered in 15 percent of leagues.

Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

The Washington Commanders will be without No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin for the remainder of the season. This should boost the fantasy value of Stefon Diggs and rookie wideout Antonio Williams.

Diggs has already been heavily rostered in fantasy leagues. Williams should have been a popular pickup this week after head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that he expects the rookie to help fill the void left by McLaurin.

Yet, Williams is still only rostered in 15 percent of fantasy leagues.

Williams hasn't produced double-digit fantasy points since Week 1, but he had eight points in Washington's last game and could easily be back to double digits this week. The Commanders will host the Philadelphia Eagles, who have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

With McLaurin out, the Commanders are also likely to heavily rely on tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. The former Tennessee Titans standout hasn't always been a big part of Washington's game plan, but he has reached double-digit fantasy points in each of his past two games.

Okonkwo has also caught all 13 of his targets over his past two appearances. He should be heavily targeted against the Eagles, giving him a very solid PPR floor.

The Eagles' defense hasn't been as ineffective against opposing tight ends and has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position. However, volume could carry Okonkwo, who is only rostered in 25 percent of fantasy leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.