Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups: Spend Up for Monangai?

We’re now at the midway point of the 2025 season, and the first major bye week has arrived. Six teams loaded with fantasy starters are unavailable this week. 

That makes the Week 8 Waiver Wire one of the most important of the season.  

There are also streaming kickers and a defense to consider adding, plus underperforming players that you can consider dropping. 

Waiver wire adds are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and are ranked in order of priority by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need RB help? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then no need to chase the top guys.

Week 8 Byes: 

• Arizona Cardinals
• Detroit Lions
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Seattle Seahawks

Jump to:

• Priority Target
• Need Help Now?
• Deep-League Flex Plays
• Upside Stashes
• Injuries to Watch
• Top RB Handcuffs
• Top Streaming Defense
• Top Streaming Kicker
• Drop Candidates

Priority Target of the Week

Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears

Blind Bid Recommendation: 20-30%

What Changed?

The Bears shuffled their O-line in recent weeks, benching LT Braxton Jones for Theo Benedet. The fill-in has posted a 60.5 PFF run blocking grade since Week 6, well ahead of Jones’ 47.2. 

Call it a promising swap. And note: Chicago ranks third in ESPN’s run block win rate for the season.

It’s also fair to say that a Week 5 bye surfaced at the right time. Since then, Bears RBs have combined for 349 yards (6.5 per carry). Both backs posted at least 3 yards before contact per attempt over that stretch, per Next Gen Stats.

Monangai did his part on Sunday, rushing 13 times for 81 yards and one score.

What’s the Outlook?

Chicago won’t routinely produce 33 RB carries like it did against the Saints. But there’s no doubt that Sunday’s outing could be the start of a permanent backfield role for the rookie. Our own Shane Hallam – who posts a weekly film review article – came away impressed by his “vision, explosion, [and] balance.”

HC Ben Johnson has this unit at 21st in pass rate over expected, so it’s not one that we expect to limit RB attempts. The trend has really leaned away from the pass after their Week 5 bye.

We’ll also see if the historically inconsistent D’Andre Swift can continue his hot streak following back-to-back 100-yard outings.

Bottom line: Monangai has emerged as an excellent handcuff, with the potential for flex value in the right matchup. 

Need Help Now?

Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard, WRs, Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 8-15%

What Changed?

Mike Evans suffered a potential season-ending injury on Monday night. Chris Godwin (fibula) also missed Week 7, helping Johnson post 4-58-1 on a healthy 74% route rate. 

Shepard matched that route rate and but lagged behind Johnson in targets, 7-9. The veteran took his 7 catches for only 25 yards.

What’s the Outlook?

The Bucs have a Week 9 bye, so view both WRs as a one-week rental vs. New Orleans.

HC Todd Bowles ruled out Godwin for Week 7 last Monday, so he doesn’t appear close to returning. Expect the Bucs to roll into the Saints matchup with Egbuka, Johnson, Shepard, and Cade Otton as the primary pass catchers.

New Orleans ranks bottom-10 in yards per attempt allowed, pressure rate, and average time to pressure, per Next Gen Stats. That signals more big-play upside for Johnson, who’s already averaging 17 yards per catch (with a 15.2-yard average depth of target). 

Shepard’s well-established as a short-range target (9.9-yard aDOT) in his second season with the Bucs.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10-15%

What Changed?

Schultz’s hot streak continued on Monday night with team highs in catches (9) and receiving yards (98). He tied for the team-high in targets (10).

The former Cowboy has now reached five catches in four straight. Just note: Houston entered the game without Christian Kirk, and Nico Collins exited in the fourth quarter with a concussion.

What’s the Outlook?

Another missed game from Kirk wouldn’t really impact Schultz’s outlook. But no Collins would mean the removal of a 24% target share.

Odds are, Collins will miss Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers. That figures to be one where Schultz stays involved, especially with top Niners LB Fred Warner out for the season. 

The Texan remains a viable streamer.

Oronde Gadsden, TE, Chargers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10-15%

What Changed?

Gadsden erupted for 7 catches and a team-high 164 yards against the Colts. He scored his first career TD on a day that brought the return of Quentin Johnston from injury.

Sure, the rookie benefited from 55 Justin Herbert pass attempts. Still, Gadsden matched a season high in route rate (77%) as the Chargers played from behind throughout Sunday’s loss.

What’s the Outlook?

Gadsden caught 7 of 8 targets in Week 6 and garnered a mention in our Week 7 waiver wire piece. So he’s more than just a one-hit wonder.

Expect some volatility going forward, as Gadsden will compete for targets with a strong WR corps. Week 8 also turns up a short week against a blitz-happy Vikings defense. They’ve allowed only one TE (David Njoku) to top 40 yards this season.

Colston Loveland, TE, Bears

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10-15%

What Changed?

Cole Kmet sustained a back injury in Sunday’s win over New Orleans. That helped produce season highs in targets (four) and route rate (63%) for Loveland.

What’s the Outlook?

HC Ben Johnson gave a vague update on Kmet on Monday. We’ll seek out more info throughout the week, as Loveland’s upside would grow considerably without his teammate. 

The Bears travel to Baltimore in Week 8 to take on a struggling Ravens defense. They sit bottom-3 in points and yards per game allowed.

We’ll see if the Week 7 bye marks a turning point. (LB Roquan Smith appears ready to return from a hamstring injury, for one thing.) Regardless, Loveland’s the type of athlete who can thrive with a larger role. 

Treat him as a potential TE1-level streamer if Kmet’s out.

Deep-League Plays

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Not much beyond a surprise cameo from Pat Freiermuth. Rodgers fed him six targets -- tying a team high -- for 111 yards and two scores. Freiermuth entered the week with 76 scoreless yards on the year.

Otherwise, Rodgers stayed efficient in the plus matchup against Cincinnati. Rodgers threw for 249 yards and 4 TDs, giving him 20+ fantasy points in back-to-back outings.

What’s the Outlook?

You know Rodgers doesn’t run much. So it’s comforting when he enters a favorable stretch in Pittsburgh’s schedule.

That looks to be the case in the short term with matchups vs. the …

• Packers
• Colts
• Chargers
• Bengals

Green Bay just allowed a 279-2 line to Jacoby Brissett, on a 69.4% completion rate. The Colts will be without top CB Charvarius Ward (concussion), while the Chargers have surrendered 20+ fantasy points to three of the past four QBs they’ve faced.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Commanders

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

What Changed?

Jayden Daniels left Week 7 with a hamstring injury, leaving him iffy for Week 8.

What’s the Outlook?

It’s a small sample, but Mariota has proven useful as a spot starter. 

He reached 18 fantasy points in each of the two games Daniels missed earlier this season. The veteran is a capable rushing threat with 90 yards and a TD on just 10 rushing attempts this year.

Week 8 turns up a road matchup with the Chiefs, one the Commanders enter as 10.5-point road underdogs. That'll boost Mariota’s potential for pass volume and scrambles. There’s a chance he’ll get at least one of Deebo Samuel or Terry McLaurin back, too.

Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers 

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-8%

What Changed?

Legette finally assembled an efficient game: 9 catches, 92 yards, and 1 score. The catch and yardage totals marked career highs.

The Jets game also turned up a QB change, as Bryce Young departed with an ankle injury. Legette caught 4 of 5 targets from backup Andy Dalton, who attempted only seven passes.

What’s the Outlook?

Young is expected to miss at least Week 8. That’ll put Dalton under center against a Bills squad that struggled to defend the pass prior to a Week 7 bye. They slot last in average separation allowed to pass catchers (4.2 yards), per Next Gen Stats.

We’ll also keep an eye on any potential increase in role for WR Jalen Coker, who made his 2025 debut on Sunday. The second-year pro finished well behind Legette in route rate (47% to 92%). 

Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, WRs, Texans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 8-10%

What Changed?

Nico Collins left in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game with a concussion. Christian Kirk sat out the game with a hamstring injury.

As a result, both rookies set season highs in route rate: 61% for Higgins and 48% for Noel. Higgins didn’t catch any of his three targets. Noel, meanwhile, turned seven targets into 4 catches for 77 yards. Noel’s highlight came on a 29-yard deep ball in a contested situation.

What’s the Outlook?

Expect Collins to miss at least one game with his concussion. Consider Kirk questionable at best for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers.

Despite increased opportunity, there’s no clear answer on which WR to pursue. Higgins held the clear edge in production entering last night, and then watched Noel post a breakout line. Again, Noel lagged behind his teammate in route rate. And consider that Xavier Hutchinson (78% route rate, 9% target share) and Braxton Berrios (48% route rate, 7% target share) remain involved.

The playing time trend suggests you should give a slight edge to Higgins, but both WRs bring some speculative value.

Upside Stashes

Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-8%

What Changed?

Smith set season highs in target share (15%), snap share (36%) and carry share (41%) in a blowout win over Vegas.

Sure, the easy win distorts his numbers. But keep in mind that Smith tallied eight touches by the early third quarter, when Kansas City still played starters. The rookie garnered four schemed-up targets on screens/quick-hitters.

HC Andy Reid praised Smith after his Week 7 performance.

“He’s catching the ball well, and I like where he’s at now. He’s in a good frame of mind, and he’s picking things up.”

What’s the Outlook?

Be realistic here. Smith still has to contend with veterans Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.

Right now, though, the rookie’s proving he can handle a specialty role that’s predicated on designed touches. There’s utility there, particularly in full PPR setups. And he could be just a Hunt or Pacheco injury away from regular double-digit touch counts.

Devin Neal, RB, Saints

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

What Changed?

The Saints lost RB Kendre Miller to an ACL tear. His absence vacates 9.2 touches per game.

What’s the Outlook?

Neal should slide into the Saints’ No. 2 RB role behind Alvin Kamara. 

The Round 6 rookie is a bit of a wild card after totaling only three carries to date, but he’s at least approaching handcuff status. Just be aware that Taysom Hill lingers as a potential goal-line threat. He handled two carries on Sunday, his third game back from knee surgery. Hill scored on a goal-line rush in Week 6.

So stash Neal if you’re RB-needy with space on your bench. But do so with a low bid, given the Saints’ offensive environment (24th in total yards; 29th in scoring) and the backfield competition.

Chimere Dike, WR, Titans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

What Changed?

Calvin Ridley sat out Week 7 with a hamstring injury. That allowed Dike to step into a 67% route rate, third among Titans behind Elic Ayomanor and Van Jefferson.

Ridley didn’t practice at all last week, suggesting a potential absence in Week 8.

What’s the Outlook?

Dike’s upside is tied to the progress of QB Cam Ward. We saw him convert on some impressive throws in Week 7, including a deep score to Dike. And as Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky pointed out, Ward showed progress in several other areas, including completion rate and yards per attempt.

Ward figures to remain inconsistent given his supporting cast. But we could certainly see the Titans giving more reps to their third-round rookie in a lost season.

Dike now has a shot to build off the Week 7 positivity against a Colts unit that’ll be without top CB Charvarius Ward (concussion).

RB Handcuff Top 10 

Injuries to Watch

• Jayden Daniels (hamstring)
• Lamar Jackson (hamstring)
• Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot)
• Nico Collins (concussion)
• Garrett Wilson (knee)
• Deebo Samuel (heel)
• Terry McLaurin (thigh)
• Chris Godwin (fibula)
• David Njoku (knee)
• Darren Waller (pectoral)
• Cole Kmet (back)

Top Streaming Defense

Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins

The Falcons looked good in limiting Buffalo to 291 total yards and 14 points two weeks ago. They didn’t fare quite as well at San Francisco on Sunday night, but the 49ers’ 324 yards in that contest marked a season low.

Atlanta has at least one takeaway in five straight outings, and now they get a flailing Dolphins offense.

Tua Tagovailoa leads the league in INTs after tossing three of them in each of the past two games. His team managed only 6 points in Sunday’s loss at Cleveland, the second time this year Miami has fallen short of 10. And the Dolphins have yet to exceed 276 yards through four road contests.

The Falcons just might wind up as this week’s best defensive play.

Top Streaming Kickers

1. Will Lutz, Broncos
2. Cairo Santos, Bears
3. Andres Borregales, Patriots

Drop Candidates

Bryce Young, QB, Panthers

Young could miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain. Besides, he sits just 25th in fantasy points per game.

Hassan Haskins, RB, Chargers

Haskins played behind Kimani Vidal for the second consecutive week. That resulted in just an 8% carry share.

Michael Carter, RB, Cardinals

Zonovan “Bam” Knight outcarried Carter 14-7 in Week 7. The pair posted matching route rates (33%), with Knight topping Carter in targets (4-2). 

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots

The Pats won in a blowout on Sunday. And still, Henderson managed only a 14% snap share and two carries. He’s fine to hold as a handcuff in deep leagues, but there’s no reason to believe a breakout is near.

Jordan Whittington, WR, Rams

Whittington busted as a spot-starter, posting only 2 catches for 9 yards on a 12% target share. The Rams enter a Week 8 bye, and Puka Nacua should return for Week 9.

Next Up

Week 7 Wide Receiver Preview: Tetairoa McMillan’s Hot Streak Meets a Tough Matchup

Next Article  

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15+ years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). He finished 1st in FantasyPros Draft Accuracy competition in 2024. Kevin's work has been featured in The Mercury News, NBC Sports/Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.