NFL fantasy football: Top QB, RB, WR and TE Week 8 waiver wire pickups

The 2025 NFL season has been pure mayhem with star players dropping left and right. The upshot is that fantasy rosters have been shredded, and the waiver wire has become a lifeline.

Spotting potential before everyone else, taking a swing on upside, and watching your sleeper turn into a Sunday hero is all part of the fun, especially when watching live and on demand on DAZN with Game Pass.

You're likely sitting pretty if you’ve followed my previous waiver article suggestions. Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Oronde Gadsden have already come up big.

With six teams on a bye this weekend, it's time to run it back and check out the players I think can help strengthen your fantasy rosters as we head into Week 8.

NFL offer: Watch Week 8 with Game Pass for just 99p / €0.99

Watch every game of Week 8 - Thursday, October 23 - Monday, October 27, 2025 - for just  99p / €0.99! Not already a Game Pass subscriber? Well, get the DAZN Weekly Pro Regular Pass, reduced from £15.99  / €18.99 to just  99p / €0.99 for this week only.

Click here for more information and to buy a weekly pass for only 99p / €0.99.

Joe Flacco, QB - Cincinnati Bengals

Flacco looked every bit his age in Cleveland, but in Cincinnati, he's turning back the clock. The 40-year-old completed 31-of-47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

JaMarr Chase's fantasy managers loved what Flacco brought to the table.

He's clearly nothing more than a spot starter or bye-week replacement in redraft leagues, but with the QB carousel being as it is, Flacco is worth adding, even in non-Superflex leagues.

Kyle Monangai, RB - Chicago Bears

Monangai has been teasing a breakout game for weeks, but few expected it to arrive now, considering De'Andre Swift finally found a new gear.

The rookie more than doubled his usage from Week 6, contributing 81 yards and a touchdown as the Bears dominated the Saints on the ground last weekend.

• Read next | Fans and pundits want “exact opposite” of Dolphins' HC McDaniel after latest collapse

Swift remained Chicago's RB1 with 20 touches to Monangai's 15, but the gap to Monangai has narrowed.

Dynasty fantasy managers should be especially excited about the youngster's long-term outlook.

Brashard Smith, RB - Kansas City Chiefs

Smith had a larger role than he might have otherwise in the Chiefs' lopsided win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but as a dual-threat demon, his upside is real in PPR leagues.

Yes, he's competing with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt for touches in the backfield but neither is a world-beater, and this is a high-scoring offense with plenty of touchdown opportunities.

Troy Franklin, WR - Denver Broncos

Franklin managed only 19 yards in Denver's last-minute win against the New York Giants, and trailed Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims in receptions and yardage.

What might have escaped other fantasy managers is that Franklin tied Sutton for the team lead with 10 targets. He also scored a touchdown.

• Read next | The Jaguars have talent, but can Lawrence, Thomas and Coen rediscover winning ways?

The Broncos' passing game in London vs. the New York Jets was pitiful, but Franklin led all Denver wideouts in targets in that game, too.

If Franklin's opportunities continue, the production will follow.

Oronde Gadsden, TE - Los Angeles Chargers

You're likely kicking yourself if you ignored our advice to acquire Gadsden in last week's waiver article because he followed up his promising Week 6 performance with a mammoth game against the Colts.

The 22-year-old benefitted from a positive game script against the Colts, but with nine catches, 164 yards, and a touchdown, he's clearly a favourite target for Justin Herbert.

Mason Taylor, TE - New York Jets

Taylor's stock was rising fast after strong outings in Weeks 4 and 5, but he might have landed back on waivers in shallow leagues after following up with two disappointing performances.

His lack of output is directly tied to inconsistent quarterback play, and it is unlikely to improve if Justin Fields retains his job.

Hopefully, Tyrod Taylor will take over, at which point your stash of Taylor could look inspired.

Other players to consider

QB

We won't recommend Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants any longer because he's surely rostered by now. If he's somehow still available, grab him immediately.

If neither Flacco nor Dart is on waivers, consider Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders following Jayden Daniels' injury.

 The New York Jets' Tyrod Taylor is a last-ditch option.

RB

Atlanta Falcons' running back Tyler Allgeier is clearly second in the pecking order to Bijan Robinson, but he's had at least 10 carries in four out of six games this season.

Neither back found much room against the Buccaneers, but the Falcons' schedule over the next month includes the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints. All three are great matchups for RBs.

Remember my recommendation last week to add Arizona Cardinals' tailback Bam Knight? He had 64 all-purpose yards in Week 8. If he's still available, add him.

Blake Corum of the Los Angeles Rams is another solid choice after becoming more involved in his team's defeat of the Jaguars last weekend.

WR

Tennessee Titans' Chimere Deke, Commanders' Jaylin Lane, and Darnell Mooney of the Atlanta Falcons are all solid options. All three had promising usage in Week 7.

We recommended Tyjae Spears and Kayson Boutte last week, so we won't feature them again, but they remain good waiver wire choices.

TE

Assuming the Giants' Theo Johnson is already rostered, it's slim pickings behind our top two tight ends listed above. Check waivers for Juwan Johnson of the New Orleans Saints, but don't start him unless you really have to.