10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 8

With Week 7 almost behind us, we are now officially at the halfway point of the fantasy football regular season. Time flies!

After six teams were on a bye in Week 7, there are zero teams on a bye in Week 8.

There will be four teams on bye in each of Weeks 9, 10, and 11.

As you navigate the upcoming bye-week gauntlet, bench spots are at a premium, every win counts, and balancing short-term and long-term potential is important.

Also of note, the NFL's trade deadline is October 31st at 4 p.m. ET.

With that in mind, here are some of the best additions you can make to your squads heading into Week 8.

10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Saints

Coming off the New Orleans Saints' Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday, there is an uneasy feeling in The Big Easy. Thursday's loss featured miscommunications and frustration on offense for New Orleans, and it resulted in their fourth loss of the season.

Despite those problems, Derek Carr has strung together three consecutive weeks of viable fantasy production, throwing for at least 300 yards in Weeks 6 and 7, and 183 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5. His success has been supported by a large volume of pass attempts, but when the attempts are there, the talent of the Saints' pass-catchers helps Carr make the most of it.

In Week 8, Carr will travel to face the Indianapolis Colts, with New Orleans currently listed as 1.5-point underdogs. The Colts have been a defense to target all season. Indy has allowed 27.2 points per game, including point totals of 37 and 39 in Weeks 6 and 7.

The Colts' offense just hung tough against an elite Cleveland defense, resulting in a shootout. If the Colts' O can produce similar results against the Saints' defense, Carr could once again find himself in a game script that elevates his pass attempts. If he does, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Michael Thomas can help Carr make the most of that opportunity.

Carr has a favorable short-term schedule, as well, with games against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings before a Week 11 bye.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals

With no teams on bye this week, we have the opportunity to shift our waiver wire focus to the future. In Arizona, the future brings the return of Kyler Murray, who returned to practice last week for the first time since his season-ending knee injury last year. That return opened Murray's 21-day window to be activated back to the main roster. The question is -- when will that happen?

The exact answer to that remains up in the air, but the current indication is that Murray will be back for the Cardinals' Week 10 clash with the Atlanta Falcons.

When active, Murray has been an elite fantasy quarterback for the majority of his career, averaging more than 19.0 points per game. In a down year last season, he still completed 259 of 390 pass attempts (66.4%) for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, with 67 carries for 418 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

Coming back from a major knee injury, Murray's rushing production may be impacted. That production is crucial to his upside, but even if his designed rushing opportunities are limited, Murray can be a viable option at QB. Joshua Dobbs is currently QB18 on a point-per-game basis, a mark Murray should be expected to surpass.

If you have an open IR spot or an open bench spot, Murray is worth stashing -- regardless of whether or not you need help at quarterback. If you do need help, he can provide you with a potential elite option in the second half of the season. If you don't need help, he can still provide value through trades with your league members who do.

Others to Consider:

Sam Howell (vs. Philadelphia Eagles), Gardner Minshew (vs. New Orleans), Baker Mayfield (at Buffalo Bills)

Running Backs

Darrell Henderson, Rams

After a week of numerous roster transactions, the mystery that is the Los Angeles Rams' backfield was revealed in Week 7. When the dust settled, it was veteran Darrell Henderson who came out on top.

Henderson led a two-way committee in Los Angeles' 24-17 loss to the Steelers in Week 7. He led Royce Freeman in snap share (58%-42%), rush attempts (18-12), route participation (41%-25%), and targets (2-0). Freeman was more efficient, producing 66 rushing yards (5.5 yards per carry) to Henderson's 61 rushing yards (3.4), but Henderson was the preferred running back in the red zone and in the two-minute drill. Plus, he scored a touchdown.

This is the Rams. Things can change from week to week. For now, it appears that Henderson has the most valuable role in Los Angeles' backfield, with Freeman as the primary backup. Zach Evans did not play a snap in Week 7.

A very important development for Hendeson's outlook is the Rams' continued use of the ground game despite the uncertainty at running back. Los Angeles ran the ball 31 times against the Steelers, with Matthew Stafford attempting just 29 passes. They did not lean into their passing game in an attempt to hide their rushing offense.

With Kyren Williams on injured reserve, Henderson will have a chance to pace the Rams' backfield until Williams' potential return in Week 12. That stretch includes games against the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks as well as a Week 10 bye.

Henderson is a high-priority addition this week now that we have some clarity about this situation.

Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr., Browns

Jerome Ford suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 and did not return. As of Monday morning, indications are that he could be sidelined for two to three weeks. If that proves to be the case, the door is open for Kareem Hunt to lead the Browns' backfield.

Hunt entered Week 7 listed as questionable with a thigh injury and ended up splitting work with Pierre Strong Jr. in Ford's absence. Despite being less than 100%, Hunt finished with an edge on carries (10-8), rushing yards (31-25), rushing touchdowns (2-0), and targets (1-0).

Moving forward, Hunt has the inside track to operating as Cleveland's lead back if Ford is out. To do so, he will need to be healthy himself. If he can avoid any future limitations from his thigh injury, Hunt is set up for success with games against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 8 and 9.

Strong's involvement will likely depend on Hunt's health. If Hunt is close to 100%, Strong's opportunities could be limited to change-of-pace duties. If Hunt is limited, Strong could push for a near 50/50 split.

Hunt is a high-priority option this week, and Strong is worth a bench stash.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Coming out of the Carolina Panthers' bye in Week 7, Chuba Hubbard could have a chance to build off his impactful performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6.

In that game, with Miles Sanders sidelined with a shoulder injury, Hubbard operated as a lead back, handling 76% of the snaps, 76% of the rushing attempts, and recording a 64% route participation. That resulted in 19 carries for 88 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown with 1 reception on 1 target for 2 receiving yards.

Coming out of the bye, Sanders' could return, which would complicate things for Hubbard. But even if Sanders is back, Hubbard has been the more efficient running back this season. He leads Sanders in rushing yards (242 to 190) despite seeing fewer carries (61 to 54). Sanders has seen more opportunities in the passing game (24 targets to 15), but Hubbard's catch percentage (86.6%) is significantly better than Sanders' (62.5%).

The Panthers made a serious commitment to Sanders this offseason, signing him to a four-year $25.4 million contract, which may guarantee that he continues to receive opportunities when healthy. That said, Hubbard's play indicates that he should be leading this backfield. Hubbard has a few paths to an increased workload and could provide multiple flex/RB2 starts during the upcoming bye weeks.

D'Onta Foreman, Bears

Entering Week 7, the expectation was that Roschon Johnson would clear concussion protocol and lead the Bears' backfield against the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson was unable to clear protocol and remained absent from practice throughout the week. With Johnson out, D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans split touches against Las Vegas.

Foreman made the most of his opportunities, recording 89 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on 16 carries with 3 catches on 5 targets for 31 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. Evans managed just 48 rushing yards on 14 carries and caught 1 of 3 targets for 6 receiving yards.

In Week 8, the Bears have another advantageous matchup for their ground game, facing the Los Angeles Chargers. The questions for Foreman's outlook are -- will Johnson return, and if he does, how involved will Johnson be?

Earlier this season, Foreman was a healthy scratch multiple times when Johnson and Khalil Herbert were active. After this week's performance, it's difficult to imagine Chicago relegating Foreman to only backup duties. The result could be a frustrating committee that limits the upside of both Johnson and Foreman.

For now, while we wait for clarity on Johnson's status, Foreman needs to be rostered. His long-term outlook is cloudy with the potential return of Johnson and eventually Herbert, but Foreman could be a good option in Week 8 if Johnson remains out.

Others to Consider:

Emari Demercado (vs. Baltimore), Devin Singletary (at Carolina), Tyjae Spears (vs. Atlanta), Jaleel McLaughlin (vs. Kansas City), Latavius Murray (vs. Tampa Bay), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (vs. Philadelphia)

Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, Colts

Josh Downs has had multiple productive performances this season, but he finally put it all together in Week 7 for a true breakout game. Against a formidable Cleveland D, Downs caught 5 of 6 targets for 125 yards and 1 touchdown.

He had an 81% route participation, was targeted on 24% of his routes, and set a career-high in target share at 29%. On a day when the Colts limited Gardner Minshew to just 23 pass attempts, Downs led the team in targets, receptions, and yards.

As a rookie, he is averaging 81% route participation with a 20% target share through seven games. Everything you want to see from a rookie wide receiver in the first half of their debut season, Downs has shown.

If he is still available in your league and you need help at wide receiver, he is my highest priority addition this week. He offers the perfect combination of short-term production with long-term upside. In Week 8, the Colts face the Saints before games against the Panthers and Patriots heading into their Week 11 bye.

Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, Packers

Christian Watson suffered a knee injury on one of the Green Bay Packers' final plays in their Week 7 loss to Denver Broncos. The severity of the injury is unknown, but Watson has a history of missing time and could be sidelined for at least next week's game against Minnesota.

If Watson misses time, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed could see more targets against a vulnerable Vikings' secondary. If he is available in your league, Doubs is my preferred pickup, but Reed is also worth adding, especially if tight end Luke Musgrave, who was spotted in a walking boot, misses time.

The Packers' offense has struggled with Jordan Love under center, but Doubs has been productive in half his starts this season, and Reed has been targeted on 21% of his routes. If his opportunities increase, Reed could have an impactful week or two during the bye-week gauntlet.

Others to Consider:

Rashee Rice (at Denver), Marvin Mims (vs. Kansas City), Demario Douglas (at Miami), Jalin Hyatt (vs. New York Jets), Quentin Johnston (vs. Chicago)

Tight Ends

Dalton Kincaid, Bills

Dalton Kincaid returned from his one-week absence and produced the best game of his young career against the Patriots in Week 8, catching all eight of his targets for 75 yards. The targets, receptions, and yards were all career-high marks for the rookie. He finished second on Buffalo in targets and led the team in receptions and yards.

Kincaid's 63% route participation leaves room for improvement, but he was targeted on 28% of his routes in Week 7 and had a 22% target share -- both career-best results.

When rookies have breakout performances and show noticeable improvement, we want to act. Kincaid still needs to improve in the red zone, where Dawson Knox remained the preferred option in Week 7. The rookie also could still struggle with weekly consistency until his route participation improves.

At the tight-end position, we are willing to live with that inconsistency for a potential difference-maker. In Week 7, Kincaid demonstrated the target-earning ability that made him a first-round pick in April's draft. If that involvement sticks, he could quickly develop into a weekly top-eight option at tight end.

If you need help at TE, Kincaid is a high-priority addition this week in leagues where he is still available. Buffalo faces the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.

If you don't need help at tight end, still consider adding Kincaid for his long-term potential. If things pan out, he could allow you to trade your current starter for help at another position and roll with Kincaid down the stretch.

Others to Consider:

Michael Mayer (at Detroit), Dalton Schultz (at Panthers), Taysom Hill (at Indianapolis), Jake Ferguson (vs. Los Angeles Rams), Logan Thomas (vs. Philadelphia), Donald Parham Jr. (vs. Chicago)

Defenses

Miami Dolphins

If the New York Jets D/ST was dropped during their bye week, they are my preferred defense this week and a high-priority option for their playoff schedule, which includes games against Washington and Cleveland in Weeks 16 and 17.

If the Jets' defense isn't available, add Miami D/ST.

The Dolphins are coming off a 31-17 primetime loss to the Eagles, but there were some positive takeaways from their performance. They produced a pick-six and recovered a fumble to go along with three sacks. Through seven games, they are averaging 3.4 sacks per contest.

In Week 8, they will face the Patriots at home. New England is coming off a shocking upset win over the Bills, but they have a long history of struggles playing in the Miami heat and have also been an offense to target so far this season.

The Patriots are averaging 1.1 turnovers and 2.1 sacks per game and are certainly capable of regressing after their Week 7 win.

Others to Consider:

Jets D/ST (at New York Giants), Detroit D/ST (vs. Las Vegas), Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (vs. Chicago), New York Giants D/ST (vs. New York Jets)

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.