Week 8 presents a unique challenge for fantasy football managers as bye weeks create significant gaps in starting lineups across multiple teams. The waiver wire becomes particularly crucial during this stretch, offering opportunities to uncover hidden gems that could provide immediate value or future upside.
Smart managers know that successful seasons often hinge on identifying the right backup players before they become widely rostered. As the second half of the season approaches, these strategic pickups can make the difference between playoff contention and disappointment.
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals,
Rostered: 22%
We are likely still 3-4 weeks away from Trey Benson’s return. Make no mistake about it, Benson will get his job back when he returns. But that still gives us about a month of someone else as the Arizona Cardinals’ lead back.
Bam Knight is not exactly a great player, but he handled 14 carries and saw four targets against the Green Bay Packers. That type of usage, even from a replacement-level talent, is good enough to warrant a spot in fantasy lineups.
The Cardinals are on bye next week, so managers may not think anything of grabbing Knight. But in Week 9, they get the Cowboys. Knight will likely be a top 24 back that week. Put him on your bench now.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.5
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Rostered: 30%
Tony Pollard is still clearly the lead back for the Tennessee Titans. But Tyjae Spears’ involvement seems to be increasing each week as he gets reacclimated to playing football after a preseason high ankle sprain.
Over the past two weeks, Spears has exactly five carries and four targets in each game. Nine opportunities are not quite enough to be a weekly starter, but it’s viable if you need someone in a desperate scenario.
Of course, the main reason you roster Spears is because he would be a three-down back if Pollard were to go down. The Titans’ RB2 needs to be on more rosters.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.5
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Rostered: 6%
The Bears completely dominated the Saints, such that both D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai were about to eat. The rookie mixed in for 13 carries, which he turned into 81 yards and a touchdown.
Fantasy managers cannot start Monangai yet and should not expect this type of production weekly. But it is encouraging to know that he is capable of this when he gets volume. At worst, he is the clear handcuff to Swift. Plus, the Rutgers product is a safe bet not to get you zero if you need him in a pinch.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1-10
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Rostered: 6%
Take Brashard Smith’s performance with a grain of salt. The Kansas City Chiefs did whatever they wanted against the Las Vegas Raiders. The game was over at halftime. Andy Reid pulled Patrick Mahomes and the entire starting unit at the end of the third quarter. This resulted in the rookie getting an extended audition in the fourth.
Smith touched the ball 19 times and amassed 81 yards. Obviously, do not expect Smith to suddenly be startable. But this showing is vital in that it establishes he has the talent to produce if he ever found his way into volume.
READ MORE: Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 8: Top Players To Add Include Brashard Smith, Kyle Monangai, and Xavier Legette
Fantasy managers in need of a desperation warm body in Week 8 could do worse. Additionally, Smith has injury contingent upside if something were to happen to either Isiah Pacheco or Kareem Hunt.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Rostered: 11%
Game script played a role, but Blake Corum saw a season high in touches against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He carried the ball 12 times for 37 yards and caught one pass for six yards.
Corum still isn’t seeing enough work to be startable, but he’s very clearly the RB2 behind Kyren Williams. If the starter were to get hurt, Corum would immediately be a startable RB2, at worst.
As we embark on the second half of the season, fantasy managers need to have an eye toward covering bye weeks, as well as preparing for contingencies in the future. Corum represents both.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0