NFL Waiver Wire Week 8: Top Selections and Pickups to Target

We’re approaching the halfway point of the fantasy football regular season, and the waiver wire is becoming just as much about preparing for December as finding someone to start this weekend. There are still immediate problems to solve, especially with another four teams on bye, but there are also players available now who could be worth considerably more in a few weeks.

Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco and the New York Giants are all on bye in Week 8. That leaves plenty of managers scrambling for replacements, and where you sit in your league should dictate how you approach waivers. If you’re 2-5, someone capable of giving you 10 points this weekend is probably worth more than a speculative December breakout. If you’re 6-1, you can afford to be patient and look for players who might help you win a championship rather than settling for another low-ceiling bench option.

Jonah Coleman and Omar Cooper Jr. are the two players I’m most interested in this week, although there’s plenty happening elsewhere. Philadelphia has an opportunity opening up for Makai Lemon, Washington needs to replace Terry McLaurin’s production, and several backfields look quite different from where they were a fortnight ago.

The stats throughout this article come primarily from the FantasyPoints Data Suite, alongside the latest injury, playing-time and game information. Ownership percentages are from Yahoo fantasy leagues, and all FAAB recommendations are percentages of your original budget.

Quarterbacks

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

Yahoo rostered: 18% | My FAAB: 3-5%

We’re finally getting the sort of fantasy production we hoped Malik Willis could deliver when he took over in Miami. He’s scored 18.9 and 26 fantasy points over his last two games, with his legs doing much of the damage. Against the Jets in Week 7, Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, adding 37 rushing yards and another score on eight attempts. That’s six touchdowns accounted for across his last two games, while his 37.2 rushing yards per game give him a decent floor even when Miami isn’t throwing much.

The passing volume is still a problem, and Willis hasn’t been particularly efficient through the air for much of the season. Thankfully, fantasy managers don’t need him to be a brilliant real-life quarterback. The rushing production gives him a route to 20 fantasy points without having to throw for 300 yards, which makes him a much more appealing streaming option than several traditional pocket passers. With New England, Detroit and Indianapolis coming up over the next three weeks, I’d be happy to use him if I needed help at quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Yahoo rostered: 27% | My FAAB: 1-2%

Jacoby Brissett hasn’t played especially well this season, but there’s a difference between being a good NFL quarterback and someone who can help your fantasy team. He’s averaging more than 40 dropbacks per game, has attempted at least 35 passes in six games and has thrown for over 270 yards four times. The problem is that he’s averaging just 5.7 yards per attempt, which tells you how inefficient Arizona’s passing game has been despite all that volume.

The reason I’m interested this week is Dallas. The Cowboys entered Monday Night Football allowing 21.5 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and have struggled against the pass throughout the opening seven weeks. Brissett isn’t going to get anyone particularly excited, but 35-40 attempts against this secondary should at least give him a chance to put up a useful score. If you need a quarterback for one week, he’s worth considering.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Yahoo rostered: 36% | My FAAB: 1-2%

It’s not difficult to understand why fantasy managers have started dropping Sam Darnold. He hasn’t scored more than 15 fantasy points in any of his last four games, although that stretch came against the Chargers, 49ers, Broncos and Chiefs. That’s a difficult run of opponents, and Seattle’s passing production has suffered. Darnold still completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards against Kansas City, and having Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his primary receiver certainly helps his chances of bouncing back.

What interests me is the schedule. Seattle gets Chicago, Arizona and Las Vegas over the next three weeks, which is a considerably better run of opponents than they’ve just faced. I’m not expecting Darnold to suddenly become a weekly top-10 quarterback, but if you’re streaming the position, there’s some value in planning beyond the next seven days.

Running Backs

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos

Yahoo rostered: 35% | My FAAB: 25-35%

Jonah Coleman is my priority running back addition this week, and I’d consider spending even more if I was desperate for help at the position. He returned from injured reserve in Week 7 and immediately led Denver’s backfield with 28 snaps, compared with 14 for RJ Harvey and 12 for J.K. Dobbins. Coleman also led the Broncos with nine carries, producing 54 rushing yards, and caught two passes for another 15 yards.

What stood out wasn’t necessarily the yardage. It was Sean Payton trusting Coleman with the biggest workload in his first game back. He played more snaps than Harvey and Dobbins combined and, to my eye, looked like the best runner in Denver’s backfield. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry across his limited opportunities this season, and the remaining schedule is favourable for running backs. Harvey still has a role in the passing game, and there’s every chance this remains a three-man committee, but Coleman has already shown he can earn more work without needing someone ahead of him to get injured.

There aren’t many running backs sitting on waivers who could realistically establish themselves as their team’s lead option over the next month. Coleman is one of them. I think he already has flex appeal, and if that workload continues to grow, there’s a route to reliable RB2 production. That’s worth spending aggressively on at this stage of the season.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns

Yahoo rostered: 8% | My FAAB: 5-8%

Dylan Sampson returned from injured reserve in Week 7 and immediately played 47% of Cleveland’s offensive snaps, which had a noticeable impact on Quinshon Judkins’ workload. Sampson carried six times for 45 yards, caught three passes for another 32 yards and finished with 10.7 PPR fantasy points. He also ran 15 routes and operated as Cleveland’s primary passing-down back, a role that could be particularly useful given how inconsistent their running game has been.

Judkins remains the preferred early-down and goal-line option, but his 51.5% snap share was his lowest of the season. Sampson gives the Browns something different in the passing game, and that’s where most of his standalone fantasy value is going to come from. I’m not suggesting he’s suddenly a weekly RB2, but there’s a path to useful flex production in PPR leagues if this split continues. He’d also become considerably more valuable if Judkins missed time.

Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals

Yahoo rostered: 25% | My FAAB: 3-5%

While Jeremiyah Love has been unavailable, Zonovan Knight has looked like the better runner in Arizona’s backfield. He’s rushed for 128 yards on 22 carries over the last two games, compared with Tyler Allgeier’s 57 yards on 26 attempts. Allgeier has received slightly more rushing work, but Knight’s passing-game involvement is starting to become more interesting. He ran 24 routes in Week 7 compared with 17 for Allgeier, reversing the split from the previous week.

Arizona faces Dallas in Week 8, and Knight could be a useful short-term addition if Love remains sidelined. He played 40 snaps against Denver, five more than Allgeier, and there’s enough here to consider him as an RB3 or flex option. The obvious risk is Love returning and taking a substantial chunk of the workload away from both players. I’d be happy to add Knight if I needed immediate help, but I wouldn’t get carried away with my FAAB until we know more about Love’s availability.

Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers

Yahoo rostered: 25% | My FAAB: 4-7%

Kaelon Black is the sort of running back I’d like to have sitting on my bench heading towards the fantasy playoffs. With Christian McCaffrey dealing with a thigh issue against Atlanta, Black saw his biggest workload of the season, carrying 12 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. He played 48% of San Francisco’s offensive snaps and received three green-zone opportunities, although McCaffrey remained heavily involved after returning to the game.

Black isn’t a particularly exciting receiving option. He’s managed just four yards on six targets from 41 routes this season, so there’s a limit to what he can offer while McCaffrey is healthy. However, we’ve seen what Kyle Shanahan’s offence can provide a running back when the starter is unavailable. The 49ers are on bye in Week 8, making this a good opportunity to add Black without needing him to produce straight away. He’s a bench stash for now, but there’s considerable upside if his circumstances change.

Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts

Yahoo rostered: 7% | My FAAB: 2-4%

Seth McGowan is starting to establish himself as Jonathan Taylor’s primary backup in Indianapolis. He received a season-high 11 carries against Minnesota in Week 7, finishing with 46 rushing yards while playing 33% of the offensive snaps. Taylor is still very clearly the starter, but McGowan is getting enough early-down work to suggest the Colts are comfortable increasing his involvement.

There’s been speculation about Taylor’s future ahead of the trade deadline, although I wouldn’t spend FAAB purely on the possibility of a move that might never happen. The better argument for McGowan is that he’s next in line behind a running back who handles a substantial workload. He offers very little standalone value while Taylor is healthy, but that could change quickly if an opportunity opens up.

Wide Receivers

Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets

Yahoo rostered: 48% | My FAAB: 15-22%

Omar Cooper Jr. has been outstanding since returning from injured reserve, and it’s becoming difficult to ignore what he’s doing in this Jets offence. After catching six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in Week 6, he followed that up with five receptions for 115 yards and another score against Miami. That’s consecutive 100-yard games, and he’s averaging a ridiculous 4.96 yards per route run through his first three appearances.

Before we get too carried away, we’re dealing with a very small sample. Cooper has run just 50 routes and received 13 targets this season, so those efficiency numbers are obviously going to come down. What makes him interesting is that he’s already competing with Garrett Wilson for opportunities. Across the last two games, Cooper has earned a 20.7% target share compared with Wilson’s 15.5%, and he ran more routes than Adonai Mitchell in Week 7 despite Mitchell returning to the lineup.

The Jets face Las Vegas this week, and Cooper has shown he doesn’t need double-digit targets to make a difference. I’d still like to see his route participation increase before treating him as a reliable WR2, but we’re talking about a first-round rookie who’s made an immediate impact. I’d much rather spend FAAB on someone whose role could continue to grow than add another veteran receiver who might give me eight or nine points every week.

Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders

Yahoo rostered: 8% | My FAAB: 6-9%

Terry McLaurin’s season-ending knee injury leaves a substantial hole in Washington’s passing game, and Antonio Williams has an opportunity to fill some of it. Before the Commanders’ Week 7 bye, Williams played 67% of the offensive snaps against San Francisco, catching three passes for 50 yards. His involvement had already been increasing over the previous few games, and he now looks well placed to earn more playing time alongside Stefon Diggs.

Williams has caught 18 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown this season, but those numbers don’t tell you much about the opportunity in front of him. His 12.2-yard average depth of target gives him access to valuable downfield targets, while his ability after the catch provides Washington with another way to get the ball into his hands. Chig Okonkwo and Treylon Burks will also be competing for opportunities, so this isn’t automatically going to become a massive target share. However, Williams has the profile and the opening in this offence to become considerably more useful over the second half of the season.

Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles

Yahoo rostered: 37% | My FAAB: 5-8%

We’ve been waiting for Makai Lemon to give fantasy managers something to get excited about, and he finally delivered against Dallas on Monday Night Football. With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks unavailable, Lemon led Philadelphia’s receivers, catching seven of eight targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also ran a route on approximately 92% of the team’s dropbacks, a significant increase in opportunity compared with what we’d seen through the opening six weeks.

The question now is how much of that role he can keep when Smith returns, particularly with Tanner McKee starting at quarterback. Lemon entered Monday averaging just 0.67 yards per route run this season, so the overall efficiency hasn’t been good. Philadelphia used a first-round pick on him, though, and this might be the opportunity he needs to become a more regular part of the passing game. Washington and the Giants are next on the schedule, giving him two appealing matchups. I’m not chasing the touchdown from Monday night, but the playing-time increase deserves attention.

Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins

Yahoo rostered: 9% | My FAAB: 4-7%

Caleb Douglas certainly made his return from an ankle injury count. The rookie caught two passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets, including a 63-yard catch-and-run that showed exactly why Miami were excited about him coming into the season. Despite missing plenty of time, Douglas is averaging 2.65 yards per route run according to the FantasyPoints Data Suite, which is an excellent return from his limited opportunities.

We do need to keep some perspective on this performance. Douglas received only three targets and ran routes on approximately 71% of Miami’s dropbacks. Malik Willis attempted just 21 passes, and there’s little reason to assume the Dolphins are suddenly going to become a high-volume passing offence. Douglas has the ability to produce big plays, which makes him worth adding, but I’d treat him as an upside bench option rather than someone I’m putting straight into my starting lineup. I want to see more consistent targets first.

Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints

Yahoo rostered: 49% | My FAAB: 5-8%

Jordyn Tyson is one of my favourite longer-term stashes this week, particularly because New Orleans is on bye. The rookie is still waiting to make his NFL debut after dealing with a hamstring injury, but there’s a chance he returns as early as Week 9. The Saints have needed another reliable receiving option alongside Chris Olave, and Tyson was selected eighth overall because of the impact he can make in different areas of the passing game.

New Orleans hasn’t been particularly consistent throwing the football recently, and Tyler Shough’s injury has changed how the offence operates. There’s also obvious uncertainty around Tyson’s fitness given his injury history. However, if he returns healthy, there’s an opportunity for him to earn a meaningful role relatively quickly. He’s the sort of player who could become much more expensive after one productive performance. If you’re sitting comfortably in the standings and can afford to carry him through the bye, I’d be looking to make that move now.

Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yahoo rostered: 8% | My FAAB: 3-5%

Travis Hunter finally got a little more involved offensively before Jacksonville’s bye, catching all four of his targets for 59 yards and a touchdown against Houston. The encouraging part was how actively the Jaguars looked to get him the ball whenever he was on the field. He’s now averaging 4.22 yards per route run across his limited offensive opportunities this season, which shows what he can do when Jacksonville actually uses him as a receiver.

Brian Thomas Jr.’s declining involvement could open the door for Hunter, but his defensive responsibilities remain a major obstacle. He ran routes on only 16% of Jacksonville’s dropbacks against Houston, and that’s nowhere near enough playing time to trust him in fantasy lineups. If the Jaguars gradually increase his offensive role, though, there’s a ceiling here that most waiver options simply don’t have. I’d add him if I had the bench space and monitor the usage rather than expect an immediate contribution in Week 8.

Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yahoo rostered: 45% | My FAAB: 3-5%

Jakobi Meyers isn’t going to be the most exciting name you pick up this week, but he could be useful over the next few games. Against Houston in Week 6, Meyers caught five passes for 83 yards on 10 targets, earning a 24% target share while running routes on 76% of Jacksonville’s dropbacks. It was his most productive game of the season, and he could start to see more consistent opportunities if Brian Thomas Jr. continues to lose playing time.

Jacksonville faces Indianapolis this week, and Meyers has been particularly effective against man coverage, averaging 2.06 yards per route run against those looks. He’s not someone I’m expecting to win leagues, but there’s a realistic path to WR3 production if Trevor Lawrence continues throwing at a high rate. Sometimes you just need a receiver who can get you through a difficult bye week, and Meyers fits that description.

Tight Ends

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yahoo rostered: 46% | My FAAB: 4-6%

Brenton Strange should probably already be rostered in most competitive leagues, especially given how difficult it has been to find consistent tight end production this season. Over his last three games, Strange has caught 19 passes for 207 yards on 23 targets, with at least seven targets in every contest. The FantasyPoints Data Suite has him averaging 2.02 yards per route run while earning a target on 24% of his routes this season.

Jacksonville’s receiving hierarchy looks quite different now. Parker Washington has emerged as the leading option, Brian Thomas Jr. has fallen down the pecking order, and Strange is becoming someone Trevor Lawrence looks for regularly. The Jaguars face Indianapolis this week, and I’d much rather start a tight end earning this level of involvement than rely on someone who needs a touchdown to return any value. If Strange is available, he should be high on your list.

Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

Yahoo rostered: 17% | My FAAB: 3-5%

Chig Okonkwo is another tight end I’d be looking to add this week, particularly after the increase in his involvement before Washington’s bye. Against San Francisco, he caught seven passes for 69 yards, earned an 18% target share and played 76% of the offensive snaps. He’s now gone over 60 receiving yards in consecutive games, and Terry McLaurin’s absence could provide even more opportunities.

Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks will all be competing for targets, but Washington also needs someone who can consistently operate in the middle of the field. Okonkwo has shown over the last two games that he can do that job. I’m not expecting him to suddenly become one of the elite fantasy tight ends, but there’s a decent chance his target volume increases enough to make him a useful weekly starter.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets

Yahoo rostered: 0% | My FAAB: 1-2%

Mason Taylor had comfortably his best game of the season against Miami, catching five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns on six targets. The touchdowns will get most of the attention, but I’m more interested in how his role has developed. Over the last two games, Taylor has run routes on 61% of the Jets’ dropbacks and earned a 21% target share. Kenyon Sadiq, by comparison, has been at 36% route participation with a 7% target share.

It looks as though Taylor is beginning to earn Geno Smith’s trust, and the Jets have been more productive through the air recently. He still shares time with Sadiq, so we can’t pretend the role is completely secure, and two-touchdown games obviously aren’t something we should expect regularly. However, with Las Vegas coming up, Taylor is a reasonable streaming option if you’re struggling at tight end. I’d still prefer Strange or Okonkwo, but he’s worth considering in deeper leagues.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams

Yahoo rostered: 15% | My FAAB: 1-3%

Terrance Ferguson is an interesting player to stash following Davante Adams’ serious hamstring injury. Without Adams in Week 7, the Rams used three-tight-end personnel on half of their offensive plays and sent 48% of their targets to the position. Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen are all involved, but Ferguson has the receiving ability to earn a bigger role once he’s back from injured reserve.

The problem is that we don’t know exactly when he’s returning, and Sean McVay could continue rotating his tight ends rather than giving one player a substantial workload. The Rams still need someone to earn targets behind Puka Nacua, though, and Ferguson could eventually become part of that answer. He’s not an addition for managers who need points this week, but I’d consider him if I had an available bench spot.

Kickers

Matt Gay, Las Vegas Raiders

Yahoo rostered: 36% | My FAAB: 0-1%

Matt Gay has been one of the more dependable fantasy kickers this season, converting 17 of his 19 field-goal attempts and averaging more than 10 fantasy points per game. Las Vegas has been moving the ball well enough to give him regular opportunities, and he’s made at least three field goals in four of his last five games. The Raiders face the Jets in Week 8, making Gay one of my preferred streaming options.

Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals

Yahoo rostered: 49% | My FAAB: 0-1%

Cincinnati’s offence has started looking more consistent with Joe Burrow back in form, and Evan McPherson gets a favourable home matchup against Tennessee. The Bengals should be able to move the ball against a Titans defence that’s been struggling, giving McPherson plenty of potential scoring opportunities. He’s another kicker I’d be happy to stream this week.

Defences

Cincinnati Bengals

Yahoo rostered: 21% | My FAAB: 1-2%

Cincinnati is my favourite defensive streamer for Week 8, largely because of the matchup with Tennessee. The Titans have struggled offensively, and Cam Ward has now thrown an interception in five consecutive games. The Bengals have also produced 21 sacks and nine turnovers through their first six games, so there’s already some evidence that they can generate useful fantasy points. If Cincinnati gets ahead, Ward could find himself throwing regularly in obvious passing situations, giving the Bengals more opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Yahoo rostered: 40% | My FAAB: 1-2%

Jacksonville gets an Indianapolis offence that’s struggled badly through the opening seven weeks. Daniel Jones has completed just 13.8% of his passes travelling at least 20 air yards, and the Colts managed only 10 points against Minnesota in Week 7. There hasn’t been much to fear from their passing game, and Jacksonville has enough defensive talent to take advantage. The Jaguars are a reasonable streaming option if Cincinnati isn’t available.

Green Bay Packers

Yahoo rostered: 13% | My FAAB: 0-1%

Green Bay faces Carolina on Thursday Night Football, and the Panthers are coming off a poor performance against Tampa Bay. Bryce Young threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, while Carolina struggled to put sustained drives together. The Packers have generated 16 sacks and nine interceptions this season, and this looks like another opportunity to add to those totals. They’re worth considering if you’re streaming defences.

Other Players Worth Adding

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (29% rostered, 2-4% FAAB): Coleman scored a touchdown in three consecutive games before Buffalo’s bye, and his playing time has increased while DJ Moore has been dealing with a shoulder injury. He’s still heavily reliant on touchdowns and big plays, but there’s enough upside to justify keeping him on your bench.

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (49% rostered, 1-3% FAAB): Shakir doesn’t have the same touchdown ceiling as Coleman, but his role is more dependable. He’s averaging 5.3 targets per game and could be useful if you’re looking for a relatively safe flex option to get through the bye weeks.

Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens (17% rostered, 2-4% FAAB): Lane has earned five targets in each of his first two games back from injury and ran routes on 70% of Baltimore’s dropbacks in Week 7. Zay Flowers remains the clear first option, but Lane could become more useful if Lamar Jackson returns and Baltimore’s offence starts producing more consistently.

Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders (30% rostered, 2-3% FAAB): Washington has started taking early-down opportunities away from Ashton Jeanty, and that could continue if the Raiders remain frustrated with Jeanty’s rushing production. There isn’t much standalone receiving value here, but he’s an interesting backfield stash.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns: I’m watching Judkins rather than looking to add him. He scored twice in Week 7, but his snap and target shares both fell to season lows. His fantasy production was much better than his expected output, and that’s something I’d be paying attention to if I had him rostered. With Sampson getting more involved, I’d consider selling Judkins at his current valuation rather than buying.

Players I’m Not Chasing

J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos: Dobbins scored against Arizona, but the touchdown covered up a worrying workload. He played just 23% of Denver’s snaps and had six carries, with Coleman immediately moving ahead of him in the rotation. In shallower leagues, I’d be prepared to move on if I needed the roster spot.

Kenny Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gainwell had his best rushing performance of the season in Week 7, but Tampa Bay threw just 11 passes and dominated Carolina on the ground. Bucky Irving remains the preferred option, while Sean Tucker is also getting involved. I’m not chasing Gainwell’s rushing total on the back of one unusual game script.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders: Mayer has produced a few useful fantasy performances alongside Brock Bowers, but Bowers remains the focal point of the Raiders’ passing game. Mayer has some appeal in deeper leagues, although I’d rather target tight ends earning a more substantial share of their team’s targets.

The Giants’ running backs: Both Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy suffered hamstring injuries in Week 7, which could create an opportunity for Devin Singletary. The problem is that New York is on bye this week, and there’s a reasonable chance at least one of those backs returns before Week 9. Singletary is worth a cheap stash if you have room, but I wouldn’t make him a priority.

What I’m Watching Before Waivers Run

Philadelphia’s backfield: Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce both dealt with injuries during Monday Night Football. If either misses time, the Eagles’ backfield could look very different. Elijah Mitchell is worth keeping an eye on, but I want a clearer picture of those injuries before spending meaningful FAAB.

Jeremiyah Love’s availability: Knight becomes a much more interesting short-term option if Love remains out. If Love is cleared to play, I’m considerably less interested in spending anything significant on Knight.

Christian McCaffrey’s thigh injury: San Francisco has a bye in Week 8, giving McCaffrey extra recovery time. Even if he’s healthy when the 49ers return, Black has done enough to make himself an interesting handcuff.

Jacksonville’s receiver rotation: Brian Thomas Jr.’s future remains uncertain, and Jacksonville looks increasingly comfortable leaning on Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange. I’m also interested in whether Travis Hunter starts getting more offensive opportunities.

Chicago’s receiving personnel: Cole Kmet’s injury could force the Bears into more three-receiver formations. That would be particularly interesting for Luther Burden and Rome Odunze, whose route involvement has looked quite different depending on Chicago’s personnel groupings.

Final Thoughts

Jonah Coleman is the player I’d be most willing to spend heavily on this week. He’s got a genuine opportunity to become Denver’s leading running back without needing another injury, and that’s not something we often find on waivers at this stage of the season. Omar Cooper Jr. is the receiver I’m most excited about, although we still need to see whether he can maintain his outstanding production as the route and target numbers increase.

Beyond those two, Antonio Williams, Makai Lemon and Dylan Sampson are players I’m particularly interested in. Their situations have changed, and there are reasons to believe their opportunities could become more consistent. That’s what I’m looking for on waivers. I’m far more interested in why someone scored fantasy points than simply looking at how many they managed last weekend.

Your league record matters here too. If you need wins now, concentrate on players who can help you in Week 8. If you’re already comfortably heading towards the playoffs, this is a good time to think about what your roster could look like in December. Jordyn Tyson, Kaelon Black and Travis Hunter might not do much for you this weekend, but they could be considerably more important when the fantasy playoffs arrive.

Having the best-looking roster in October doesn’t win you anything. Getting into the playoffs with players capable of delivering when it matters is what we’re trying to achieve.