Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8: Cade Otton, Hunter Henry, Cedric Tillman

With week 7 officially in the books, there are more names you need to know on this week’s waiver wire. You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle players out on your bench. Whatever it is, the waiver wire is there to help. Let’s take a look at some of the best players that should be added this week on waivers.

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall (SF)

The 49ers just lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season with a torn ACL and MCL in their loss to the Chiefs. On top of Aiyuk’s injury Deebo Samuel was hospitalized with an illness on Monday and his status going into week 8 is worth monitoring. Both Jennings and Pearsall will be in line for more opportunities down the stretch for the 49ers. Jennings will likely return in week 8 after missing this week with an injury. We have seen what Jennings can do this season as he is currently leading the 49ers in receiving yards and 2nd on the team in touchdowns.

Pearsall on the other hand is more of an unknown. A 2024 first round pick, Pearsall made his debut this week 50 days after being shot in an attempted robbery. In his debut he had 3 catches for 21 yards on 5 targets while leading all 49ers receivers in snaps. Right now, Jennings is rostered in 39% of leagues while Pearsall is rostered in 7% of leagues. Both receivers are enticing pickups with Jennings being the safer of the two with his production this season.

Cade Otton TE (TB)

In the Buccaneers’ loss to the Ravens, they lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries. Evans is projected to be week to week, while Godwin will be out for the season. With both star receivers potentially out, Cade Otton will likely be the biggest beneficiary in the passing game for the Bucs. Otton ranks 3rd on the team in receiving yards and 2nd in receptions. He is also coming off his best performance of the season on Monday Night with 8 catches for 100 yards on 10 targets. Currently available in 33% of leagues, Otton is one of the best waiver wire pickups of the week.

Hunter Henry TE (NE)

Henry led all Patriots pass catches in catches, targets, and yards in their loss to the Jaguars. He is now the TE6 on the season and in the last two weeks has posted a total of 30.3 PPR points. Since Drake Maye took over at quarterback, Henry has a 20% target share suggesting his high floor in fantasy. The return of Demario Douglas and a matchup with the Jets clouds his ceiling in week eight but his performances with Maye suggest he is a TE1 that needs to be started weekly.

Cedric Tillman WR (CLE)

After being rostered in 1% of leagues before week seven, Tillman will find himself on at least a quarter of fantasy teams after this waiver period. After the departure of Amari Cooper, there was a void to fill at the receiver position for the Browns. Tillman stepped up with a career-high 8 catches for 81 yards on 12 targets in a tight game with the Bengals. He also notably played the 2nd most snaps of Browns receivers only behind Jerry Jeudy while receiving a 31.3% first read percentage. With Jameis Winston potentially at quarterback, it is worth taking a look at Tillman this week.

Ray Davis RB (BUF)

Davis is starting to make a name for himself becoming one of the premier handcuffs in fantasy football. In the last two weeks, he has 25 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown resulting in 29.9 PPR points. James Cook continues to average 55% of snaps for the Bills while Ty Johnson and Ray Davis sit right around 25% each. If Davis continues to produce like he has the last few weeks he could eat into Ty Johnson’s snaps by forcing James Cook into that 3rd down role more often. For now, he remains someone James Cook owners need to own and is worth a bench stash going forward.

Los Angeles Chargers DEF

The Chargers were an under-the-radar streamer last week against the Cardinals and did not live up to expectations in the loss. In the next three weeks, they have matchups against the Saints, Browns, and Titans making them a valuable waiver wire pickup. Those three teams on average allow opposing defenses to score 13.5 points weekly against them. The upside of the 11th-ranked defense in fantasy football the next three weeks is as good as any unit in the NFL.

Top Priority (If Available)

Tua Tagovailoa QB (MIA)

43% Rostered

The practice window has opened for Tua Tagovailoa, and he will likely return in week eight against the Cardinals. The Dolphins offense in his absence has been one of the worst in the NFL, generating no value in fantasy from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Cardinals are allowing the 6th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season providing an intriguing matchup in Tua’s return.

Jaylen Warren RB (PIT)

51% Rostered

Warren logged his most touches (14) and yards (59) in Russell Wilson’s Steelers debut. Warren is in a time split with Najee Harris and tends to play more on 3rd down situations. Last season Wilson led the NFL in running back targets and the biggest beneficiary of that down the stretch will be Warren.

Romeo Doubs WE (GB)

44% Rostered

Outside of Jayden Reed, the other Packers receivers continue to take turns on who has a big week. Since returning from his team suspension two weeks ago he has posted 11 catches for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns with 37.3 total PPR points. Out of all the Packers wide receivers he has played the most snaps this season and has the opportunity to be a nice FLEX option the rest of the season.

Honorable Mentions

Drake Maye QB (NE) rostered: 18%

Russell Wilson QB (PIT) rostered: 9%

Kimani Vidal RB (LAC) rostered: 16%

Tyler Goodson RB (IND) rostered: 12%

Roschon Johnson RB (CHI) rostered: 16%

Jalen Tolbert WR (DAL) rostered: 20%

Jalen McMillan WR (TB) rostered: 3%

Troy Franklin WR (DEN) rostered: 3%

Zach Ertz TE (WAS) rostered: 42%

Will Reichard K (MIN) rostered: 13%

Houston Texans DEF rostered: 41%

Green Bay Packers DEF rostered: 41%

Week 8 Waiver Grade: D-

For a deep dive into the best waiver pickups this week check out this video

Be sure to check out our full rankings ahead of week 8