Week 8 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football's Top Pickups and Breakout Candidates

An action-packed Week 7 in the NFL saw several of fantasy football's biggest names explode for big performances, but several under-the-radar options emerged as well.

Whether it was Arian Foster's injury paving the way for a new breakout star in Houston, a young receiver making a name for himself or a veteran quarterback posting solid numbers yet again, Week 8 certainly won't be short on compelling waiver-wire options.  

As a housekeeping note, players owned in fewer than 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues are eligible for inclusion. 

POS	Player	Team	Week 8 OPP	% Owned
QB	Jameis Winston	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Atlanta Falcons	16.0
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick	New York Jets	Oakland Raiders	24.4
RB	Alfred Blue	Houston Texans	Tennessee Titans	18.8
RB	Chris Polk	Houston Texans	Tennessee Titans	1.2
RB	Orleans Darkwa	New York Giants	New Orleans Saints	0.0
WR	Stefon Diggs	Minnesota Vikings	Chicago Bears	43.8
WR	Danny Amendola	New England Patriots	Miami Dolphins	16.1
WR	Marvin Jones	Cincinnati Bengals	Pittsburgh Steelers	34.7
TE	Eric Ebron	Detroit Lions	Kansas City Chiefs	27.3

Top Targets

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

At the very least, Ryan Fitzpatrick has solidified his status as a solid plug-and-play option for owners in need of bye-week fill-ins at quarterback. 

Fitzpatrick wasn't spectacular in the New York Jets' 30-23 loss to the New England Patriots, but he posted an interception-free week while throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets signal-caller has now tossed two touchdowns in all but one game this season. 

Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker give Fitzpatrick dependable options on the outside, and the speedy presences of Jeremy Kerley, Devin Smith and Chris Owusu have added another dimension to New York's aerial attack. 

Matched up against an Oakland Raiders defense that entered Week 7 ranked dead-last in the NFL in passing yards allowed, Fitzpatrick should feast. 

Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans

Citing a source, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Foster is done for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. The Houston Chronicle's John McClain confirmed the diagnosis. 

Houston's now scrambling for answers on offense. A 44-26 loss to the Miami Dolphins was bad enough for the Texans, but losing their primary playmaker could send the offense into a tailspin. 

Now, Alfred Blue figures to get the first crack at primary rushing responsibilities. Blue took over as Houston's lead back when Foster was sidelined to start of the season due to a groin injury, and he flashed his potential in a 139-yard effort that included a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. 

Owners should also take a hard look at Chris Polk, who projects as Houston's change-of-pace back should Blue take hold of the starting gig. 

As USA Today's FantasyScore explained, head coach Bill O'Brien rolled with a rotation earlier in the season: 

Polk and Jonathan Grimes should be in the mix, but Blue's the man to target as Week 8 approaches. 

Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Along with Blue, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs should be one of this week's top waiver-wire targets. 

Diggs exploded for six catches, 108 yards and a touchdown on a team-high nine targets, including a diving 36-yard touchdown grab courtesy of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. 

"It definitely feels good as far getting into the end zone, but the better thing is that Teddy was back there spinning it,” Diggs said, per the Star Tribune's Matt Vensel. "He let it go for me. I told him early in the game, I missed the earlier one and I said, 'I got you next time.' I was just trying to make a play for him."

Diggs has now topped 80 yards in all three of his appearances this season, including back-to-back 100-yard outings. With 19 targets over the past three weeks, Diggs is starting to emerge as one of Bridgewater's trusted targets. 

Diggs should be viewed as a flex who can conceivably offer WR2 upside as he gains more comfort in Minnesota's offense.