Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.
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Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 8.
Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements
All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.
Bo Nix (QB – DEN) vs. Carolina Panthers (32.7% Rostered)
While the Broncos’ passing attack has been hit or miss, the rookie quarterback has been surprisingly good for fantasy players lately. Nix has averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 20.7 or more twice. Furthermore, he has scored 19.3 or more fantasy points in three of his past five games despite totaling only five passing touchdowns in those contests. Nix has been outstanding rushing this season, averaging 6.7 rushing attempts for 36.4 yards, 0.43 touchdowns, and 6.2 fantasy points per game on the ground.
Last week, the former Oregon star had 10 rushing attempts for 75 yards, both career highs. More importantly, Nix has an outstanding matchup on Sunday. The Panthers gave up 19.6 fantasy points to Marcus Mariota last week following Jayden Daniels‘ exit from the game because of a rib injury after totaling 50 rushing yards and 5.2 fantasy points on 10 snaps. Carolina surrendered 84 rushing yards to the Washington Commanders quarterbacks. Furthermore, they have given up 23.2 or more fantasy points to quarterbacks in two of the past three weeks.
Ray Davis (RB – BUF) vs. Seattle Seahawks (16.8% Rostered)
Fantasy players saw Davis shine in Week 6 against the New York Jets. The rookie stepped in for an injured James Cook, totaling 20 rushing attempts for 97 yards and three receptions for 55 receiving yards, scoring 16.7 half-point PPR fantasy points in the win. While many expected him to have little impact with Cook back in the lineup, that wasn’t the case. Davis scored 11.2 fantasy points in Week 7, totaling six touches for 47 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against a talented Tennessee Titans defense.
The rookie has earned a role alongside Cook. More importantly, Davis has an appealing matchup on Sunday. The Seahawks have surrendered 23 fantasy points per game to running backs, the 10th-most in the NFL. They have given up over 110 rushing yards to running backs in four consecutive games. Seattle has allowed running backs to total at least 118 rushing, one touchdown, and 28.5 fantasy points to running backs in three of their past four matchups. Don’t be surprised when Davis has his third consecutive double-digit fantasy point performance.
Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI) vs. Washington Commanders (11.7% Rostered)
Chicago is coming off their bye week, meaning everyone should have fresh legs. Johnson is the RB47 for the year, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite not playing an offensive snap over the first two weeks. The second-year running back has averaged 7.5 rushing attempts and 8.9 fantasy points per game over his past four contests, scoring 8.2 or more in every contest. More importantly, he has locked up a role around the goal line, scoring three rushing touchdowns over his past three games.
Meanwhile, the Commanders’ defense has played better the past few weeks after struggling to start the season. Yet, they have had their issues with opposing rushing attacks. Washington has surrendered 20.3 fantasy points per game to running backs, slightly above the league average. However, they have given up 114.4 rushing yards per game to running backs, allowing 86 or more in every contest. Furthermore, running backs have averaged 5.4 yards per rushing attempt and one touchdown per game in their past five matchups against the Commanders.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL) vs. Cleveland Browns (20.9% Rostered)
Hopefully, fantasy players listened to me and added Bateman off the waiver wire last week. The veteran was outstanding in the Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the week as the WR2, scoring 20.1 half-point PPR fantasy points. Bateman only had four targets but caught all of them for 121 receiving yards and a touchdown. More importantly, the former Minnesota star has been the WR8 over the past three weeks, averaging 14.3 fantasy points per game, totaling 9.1 or more in every matchup.
Unfortunately, Zay Flowers didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday (ankle), putting his status for Sunday’s matchup in question. Therefore, Bateman could see an uptick in targets. Meanwhile, the Browns have surrendered 31.2 fantasy points per game to wide receiver, the fifth-most in the NFL. They have been awful at stopping wide receivers lately, giving up 174.3 receiving yards, 1.7 touchdowns, and 34.6 fantasy points per game on only 10 receptions per contest over the past three weeks. Cleveland has given up two receiving touchdowns to wide receivers in back-to-back contests.
Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE) vs. Baltimore Ravens (13.3% Rostered)
The Browns’ wide receiver core looks dramatically different than it did two weeks ago. Amari Cooper got traded, leading to many expecting Jerry Jeudy to step up as the No. 1 wide receiver. However, Tillman was the one who shined with Cooper out of town. He ended Week 7 as the WR14, totaling 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points. The second-year wide receiver had eight receptions on 12 targets for 81 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading the team with a 36.7% air-yards share (per Fantasy Points Data).
More importantly, Jameis Winston will start after Deshaun Watson suffered a torn Achilles in Week 7. Tillman had an 18.2% target share in Winston’s lone drive last week. Meanwhile, the Ravens have surrendered 35.8 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have given up 201.7 receiving yards, 2.3 touchdowns, and 43.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past three weeks. Cleveland is likely chasing points most of the game, giving Tillman plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy points.
Noah Fant (TE – SEA) vs. Buffalo Bills (8.5% Rostered)
Thankfully, the tight end position has improved for fantasy players over the past few weeks. However, fantasy players still might need a last-minute injury replacement or streaming option in deeper leagues. Fant is the TE17 for the year, averaging 5.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he hasn’t scored a touchdown in 2024, the veteran tight end has played well lately. Fant has caught all 10 targets for 128 receiving yards and 17.8 fantasy points over the past two weeks, totaling 63 or more yards in both matchups.
Meanwhile, DK Metcalf is dealing with an MCL sprain, which could open more target opportunities for the veteran tight end. More importantly, Fant has an appealing matchup this week. After holding tight ends to 6.9 fantasy points per game over the first six weeks, the Bills surrendered 11 receptions for 109 receiving yards and 16.4 fantasy points to the Tennessee Titans unit in Week 7 with Mason Rudolph under center, all season highs. Don’t be surprised when Fant scores double-digit fantasy points for the first time this season on Sunday.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.