Week 8 Waiver Wire: Pick Up These Rookies and Veterans Before They Break Out

No teams are on bye in Week 8 but there are plenty of injuries to overcome with fantasy football waiver claims and pickups.

Week 7 was a tough one. If you pulled off the win, congratulations!

With no teams on bye this week, most managers will be looking to the waiver wire for depth rather than necessity. On that note, whether you need a replacement or not, check who could be available and keep your bench fresh. Some good players were dropped last week, as many managers had to make tough decisions to field a complete team so don't pass up the opportunity to scoop a promising player.

Now, let's get down to business and jump into this week's top waiver wire pickups.

Kyler Murray, quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Murray practiced last week, opening his window to return as soon as this Sunday vs. Baltimore. More likely, however, the Cardinals will take their time and activate him in November. Either way, there is no quarterback on the wire with a more considerable potential to deliver you a Top 10 outcome for the rest of the season. There's a wide range of outcomes with Murray considering he's returning from injury, we have not seen him with this coaching staff, but Murray finished as the fantasy QB3 in 2020, QB10 in 2021, and the fantasy QB9 in 2022 on a per-game basis before tearing his ACL. Sure, some of his rushing numbers may be affected, but he could also get a boost in this non-Kliff Kingsbury offensive scheme.

FAAB up to 11%

Get up to $100 from SI Sportsbook in Colorado, Michigan and Virginia

Bet $5 on FanDuel and get $200 in Bonus Bets if not in those states

Josh Downs, wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts

Last week, we mentioned Downs, and after this Sunday's performance, it's likely the last chance you'll have to grab him off the waiver wire. With Gardner Minshew officially under center for the Colts for the remainder of the season, Downs becomes a priority add at the position. The slot receiver has only seen fewer than four receptions in the games started by Anthony Richardson. Across the past three weeks with Gardner Minshew at QB, Downs has 16 catches, 243 yards, and two touchdowns. That's the same catches and yards as Michael Pittman, but one more touchdown and a much better 80% catch rate, and Downs can be scooped up on the waiver wire.

FAAB up to 11%

Darrell Henderson, running back, Los Angeles Rams

Henderson got the start for the Rams on Sunday, and he led the team in carries with 18. He ran for 61 yards and a touchdown. Henderson has the most familiarity with the offense and should be the favorite to lead the backfield vs. Dallas.

FAAB up to 8%

Dalton Kincaid, tight end, Buffalo Bills

Bills rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid will see an uptick in usage going forward / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Kincaid led the Bills with eight catches and 75 receiving yards on Sunday, commanding a 20% target share. The opportunity is there for Kincaid to be a top target on this Bills team, especially with Dawson Knox expected to miss some time (wrist).

FAAB 3%

Chuba Hubbard, running back, Carolina Panthers

On Sunday before the bye, Hubbard had the best performance of the year for a Panthers running back with 88 yards and a score. Sanders continues to deal with injuries, and Hubbard may have earned himself a bigger role. He gets a favorable matchup at home vs. Houston this weekend.

FAAB up to 7%

Gardner Minshew, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Minshew finished as the QB3 for the week heading into Monday Night Football after passing for 305 yards and scoring four total touchdowns (two rushing) vs. what was supposed to be a tough Cleveland defense. We have seen Minshew's magic before. Now that the job is his, there's a possibility Shane Steichen will help Minshew become a good fantasy quarterback option for Superflex leagues this season.

FAAB up to 4%

Devin Singletary, running back, Houston Texans

Dameon Pierce has lost his luster in this Texans offense, averaging only 2.9 yards per attempt this season, even as the offensive line has improved. Singletary split snaps equally this week with Pierce on first and second downs, and he was also used to close the game out. He finishes the day averaging 4.8 yards per carry to Pierce's 2.6. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers are allowing the second-most points per game this season to opposing runners. This week is a good week to stream Singletary if you need a replacement at running back.

FAAB up to 5%

Kendrick Bourne, wide receiver, New England Patriots

Kendrick Bourne is leading the Patriots in receiving yards and receptions :: Eric Canha/USA Today network

Bourne has earned the WR1 job for New England, and he has now put up three Top 15 PPR finishes. In each game the Patriots have finished with 20 or more points, Bourne finished Top 15 at the position.

FAAB up to 9%

DeMario Douglas, wide receiver, New England Patriots

Bourne led the Patriots with seven targets, but Douglas came in right behind him with six, gaining 54 yards and helping the Patriots move the chains at critical moments in the game vs. Buffalo on Sunday. He played 100% of snaps in 11 personnel on Sunday, mostly from the slot. The rookie can potentially put up some more significant numbers in the second half of the season. He's a great bench stash.

FAAB up to 4% 

Marvin Mims, wide receiver, Denver Broncos

We've mentioned Mims a lot before in our articles, but he gets another entry today as there are rumors the Broncos may trade either Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton. If that happens, Sean Peyton will surely have no choice but to start the talented rookie with only 40 fewer receiving yards than Jerry Jeudy, despite being targeted only 13 times to Jeudy's 34 times this season.

FAAB up to 4%

Royce Freeman/Myles Gaskin, running back. Los Angeles Rams

Freeman looks like the next man up after Henderson in Los Angeles if you're in desperate need at the position. He carried the ball 12 times for 66 yards on Sunday. However, as it's Sean McVay, and we can never predict what the committee will look like, it could also be worth stashing Myles Gaskin for future games once he becomes more familiar with the offense.

FAAB 2-3%

Jake Ferguson, tight end, Dallas Cowboys

Ferguson is averaging 31 receiving yards per game, and his target share ranks third on the team, just a smidge behind Michael Gallup. Ferguson is catching 75% of his targets, and he played a season-high 87% of the snaps in Week 6. This week's matchup with the Rams is favorable, too, as Los Angeles has allowed the fifth-most points per game to the position.

FAAB 4%

Other Players To Consider Adding

QB: Daniel Jones, Desmond Ridder

RB: Kareem Hunt, Emari DeMarcado, D'onta Foreman, Jaleel McLaughlin, Chris Rodriguez, Jr., Ezekiel Elliott, Tyjae Spears

WR: Rashee Rice, Jaylin Hyatt

TE: Michael Mayer