NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football's Best Players Left at Each Position

So you've waited all this time to fill a position that is being vacated by one of your best players who has a bye Week 8. Maybe you have a top player whose future is uncertain due to injury. 

Without the right addition, your fantasy football team is sure to be doomed this week and in the future.

Normally you can find a gem on the waiver wire of your fantasy football league and if you make the right move, it could be the difference in your season and at the very least, the week at hand. In other instances, foresight might save your season when you make a move now that may benefit you past this week.

Here are the best available options left on the waiver wire for fantasy football at each position.

Quarterback

Nobody expected Carson Palmer to get a chance in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Kyle Boller was so bad for the Raiders that Palmer got the nod.

It was an ugly performance at best, but look for Palmer to improve as he learns Oakland's playbook more.

Palmer still may be available in a lot of fantasy leagues and could be a nice addition to a fantasy team whose quarterback position has been hurt by injury or inconsistency.

The Raiders may have a bye Week 8, but it's never to early to look to improve your team.

John Beck may have had plenty of doubters coming into last week, considering he hadn't started a game since 2007. Beck was impressive last week, throwing for 279 yards and a touchdown.

He did all that against the 12th-best passing defense in the NFL. Beck may have solidified himself as a good option for fantasy owners.

Tim Tebow proved he can be very valuable for a fantasy team. Tebow threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns as well as picking up 65 yards on the ground.

Tebow is a great option because he will get points in multiple ways each week by both running and passing, and he's still most likely available in many leagues.

Running Backs

If you haven't picked up Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, get off your rear end and go get him right now.

Last week, Murray had 25 carries for 253 yards. Murray will be the Cowboys' top back going forward after the injury to Felix Jones. If he keeps having games like his last one, Murray will be a consistent option for you to start at running back.

If Mark Ingram's injury persists, he may be unavailable or not 100 percent for Week 8. If that's the case, fantasy owners should look for Pierre Thomas or Darren Sproles to fill the void. Both had a big night in the Saints' 62-7 whooping of Indianapolis.

But choose wisely, as there's no telling which back will get the majority of the carries if Ingram isn't 100 percent.

Give Alfonso Smith a look in Week 8 if Beanie Wells can't go for the Arizona Cardinals. Wells left last week's game with a knee injury, the same knee he has injured in the past.

If he misses any time, Smith will get the nod in the backfield for Arizona.

After leaving last Sunday's game with a sprained foot, Darren McFadden will have a week to rest up as the Raiders have a bye in Week 8.

Still, don't fall asleep on this situation, as McFadden has dealt with this injury before and there's no telling if he will recover fully from this injury in 2011.

Just in case, keep your eye on Michael Bush, as he will be taking over the job from McFadden if Run-DMC can't go Week 9. But the early bird gets the worm, and if you sleep on this for an entire week, come Week 9 you may have no options left if McFadden can't go.

Wide Receivers

If one of your top receivers is out due to injury or on a bye week, you may be searching the waiver wire for a replacement.

Believe it or not, Plaxico Burress is available in many leagues. Burress did only accumulate four catches for 25 yards, but he did score three touchdowns last week in a Jets win.

That may be what he needs to break out of his silent start this season and if the Jets are in the red zone, Burress could be Mark Sanchez's No. 1 target. And as we all know, in fantasy, touchdowns put up points.

Burress may have a bye Week 8, but could be a viable option for the rest of the year.

John Beck's No. 1 option to throw to would have certainly been Santana Moss. In Week 7, Moss broke his hand and will miss three to four weeks as a result. That will open it up for guys like Jabar Gaffney and Fred Davis to be more prevalent options for the Redskins.

David is a tight end, but he may be the 'Skins best option to throw the ball to.

Last but not least, the Minnesota Vikings' top receiver, Michael Jenkins, has flown under the radar in many fantasy leagues this season. He may be on a bad team, but with a Percy Harvin rib injury, Jenkins may be seeing more passes thrown his way.

In Week 7, Jenkins caught three passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, numbers that are sure to improve as Christian Ponder gets his feet under him and more experience under his belt.

Tight End

I've always found it impossible to find the right fit at tight end in my fantasy football history. This week is no different as the options are scarce, but there are still options nonetheless.

The New York Giants will be taking on the worst team in the NFL this season, the Miami Dolphins, in Week 8. The G-Men will be sure to accumulate plenty of yards through the air.

Jake Ballard would be a sensible solution at tight end if you are in need. He has had two solid games in a row, one with three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, and last week he had five catches for 81 yards.

Look for Ballard's numbers to go up this week against a weak defense and Eli Manning continue to be more comfortable with his tight end.

Visanthe Shiancoe should be available in most leagues and with an injury to Percy Harvin, Shiancoe may be more prevalent in the Vikings' offense.

He will be a safety blanket for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder, who just had his first career start last week. Expect Shiancoe to get more catches this week.

Defense

I was surprised to find that in my own fantasy league, the 49ers' defense is still available.

San Francisco will be taking on the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, a team who has one of the worst offenses in the NFL.

If you need evidence of such, just take a look at the ugly 6-3 win they had over the Seattle Seahawks last week.

The 49ers should have no problem shutting down the Browns and scoring points with sacks and turnovers this week.

If they aren't available, give the Houston Texans a look this week. The Texans will be taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that is run by a rookie quarterback. Blaine Gabbert may be a nice player one day, but he is not ready to get the Jaguars out of the cellar offensively.

Waiver Wire Prediction: Terrell Owens

It's hard to believe we'll go an entire season without seeing Terrell Owens take the field in 2011.

That being said, keep an eye on T.O. moving forward, as he may become a late addition to a team needing receiver help, including the Raiders, who just added a new quarterback at the trade deadline.

Owens would immediately give fantasy owners an option at receiver if they are short at the position.

With no team having signed him yet, Owens remains a free agent. Don't expect that to last forever. I'm certain any team on the cusp of the playoffs would add Owens if it would help get them over the top.

Until then, keep your eye on him and your hand on the mouse, because if Owens signs anywhere this year, he won't be available for long.