Seven weeks are now in the books for the NFL and fantasy football. It can be safely said that this has been one of the wildest and weirdest seasons in both the real and fantasy worlds in recent memory. Star players are not playing like star players. Players that came into the season with little or no fanfare have exploded across the league. Of course, there have been tons of injuries that managers have to deal with. Still, decisions on which players to pick up off the waiver wire must be made. To make those choices easier, this fantasy football premier waiver pickups for week eight edition is here to help, as always.

Fortunately, there are only two teams on bye this week (Chiefs/Chargers), which means more players will be available for fantasy lineups. Let’s take a look without taking another second and see which players rise to the top. As always, please note all ownership percentages are taken from ESPN.

Top Running Back Waiver Pickups for Week Eight

D’onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers, 34% Owned

Obviously, everyone in both the NFL and fantasy worlds have heard about the trade of Christian McCaffrey to San Fransisco last week. Equally obvious, someone has to absorb the massive number of touches that CMC takes with him to the West Coast. May I introduce D’Onta Foreman? As a fantasy manager myself, I went ahead and picked up Foreman as soon as I heard the news about CMC.

Right from the outset, Foreman produced. I didn’t expect much from him going against the Bucs’ defense, but as has been the case throughout much of this season, the result of this game was a massive surprise.

In the game, Foreman ran the ball 15 times, gaining 118 yards, an eye-popping 7.9 yards per attempt. Proving he can do more than just carry the football, Foreman also caught two passes for an additional 27 yards. Best of all, he finished with 18 fantasy points.

Next on the schedule is the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons actually have a better run defense than Tampa Bay, but just by 10 yards per game. Foreman should be able to recreate his magic going forward. It should also be noted that Carolina doesn’t have their bye until week 13, meaning Foreman can be a staring mainstay for some weeks to come, depending on the matchup.

There is someone else that will be getting touches in the Panther backfield (see below), but for the time being, Foreman goes to the top of this week’s pickup list. However, don’t wait to make the move. His ownership percentage went up 30 points in just three days.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, 13.1% Owned

When talking about players that appeared out of nowhere, Gus Edwards has to go to the head of the class. Edwards was on the IL for the first six weeks of the season but was activated for the game against Cleveland Sunday. It was recommended before the game to keep fantasy expectations in check for Edwards as he would likely be eased back into the lineup.

However, those managers that ignored that advice and started him were rewarded big time. Edwards rushed 16 times for 66 yards, a good 4.1 YPC. However, what set him apart were the two touchdowns he scored on the day. Last week’s darling, Kenyan Drake, was five carries behind. Having demonstrated he is fully healthy managers can expect big workloads from Edwards moving forward.

Perhaps with a short turnaround with a game on Thursday against Tampa, Edwards may not see the same volume next time out. However, that shouldn’t stop managers from making a claim right now as he won’t be on the wire past Wednesday.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers, 25.8% Owned

Amazingly, Foreman wasn’t the only Panther running back to impress Sunday. Of course, the other player was Chuba Hubbard. He actually got the start against Tampa and produced numbers as well, gaining 63 yards on nine carries. Hubbard also caught two passes. The significant difference between the two was that Hubbard scored a touchdown.

For the game, Hubbard scored 15 fantasy points. That was more points than he had earned during the season entering the game. He did leave with an ankle issue but could have returned if needed. There should be no concerns moving forward. As with Foreman, Hubbard’s ownership percentage spiked in a major way, going up almost 22 points since last Friday.

After one game, it is clear that both Foreman and Hubbard can live in the same backfield moving forward. It is just a question of which player a manager wants more. On this fantasy football premiere waiver pickups week eight edition, Foreman gets the top spot.

However, Hubbard is no fallback option. If he is your preferred player, then by all means, pull the trigger. It certainly appears there is no false move to be made with either selection here.

Top Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups for Week Eight

Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints, 0.6% Owned

Without question, the New Orleans Saints’ medical staff has been busy this season. Michael Thomas hasn’t played since week three because of a foot issue. Jarvis Landry has been out since week four because of an ankle problem. Adam Trautman was ruled out of Thursday’s game against Arizona, also because of an injured ankle. Even when he is active, Trautman isn’t a fantasy consideration as he hasn’t had more than three targets in a game this season.

Where does that leave us? Consider picking up Tre’Quan Smith, that’s where. In the game against the Cardinals, Smith was targeted six times, catching five for 59 yards. Over the past two weeks, Smith has been extremely consistent with 13 and 10 fantasy points.

There’s no telling when the injured players will return, but for the time being, Smith is a good wide receiver pickup that is widely available, which is the name of the game in fantasy. If, and when, the players do return, other arrangements can be made. For now, Smith is a good bench piece.

Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs, 21.1% Owned

When it comes to players that have improved from one week to the next, Mecole Hardman gets the top spot. In week five against the Raiders, Hardman caught four passes for 74 yards and scored 11 fantasy points. In week six, he caught three passes for 42 yards and scored a touchdown against a tough Buffalo defense. He finished that game with 13 fantasy points.

This past Sunday against a strong 49ers’ D, it all came together. Hardman caught all four targets for 32 yards and scored another TD. However, it was in the run game that Hardman really left his mark, as his two carries both went for scores. Hardman finished the game with a staggering 27 fantasy points.

He disappeared from the radar from weeks two through four but is now a valuable member of an explosive Chiefs’ offense. Without doubt, Hardman has shown he is steady and will provide loads of fantasy benefits for those that pick him up.

If a manager decides to make a claim on Hardman, do it with the knowledge that such a move will pay nothing this week, as Kansas City is on bye. However, if there is roster space, stashing him this week could pay off big coming down the stretch and into the fantasy playoffs.

Marquise Goodwin, Seattle Seahawks, 0.1% Owned

When talking surprises, the Seattle Seahawks certainly qualify. Not only do they have a winning record after seven weeks, but they are also in first place in the NFC West. Raise your hand if you predicted that. I can’t and I am as big a Seahawk fan as can be found. Unfortunately for them, DK Metcalf suffered a knee injury and did not return. As of now, his return is unknown.

In a surprising (there’s that word again) turn of events, Marquise Goodwin stepped right in and heavily contributed to the Seahawks’ defeat of the Chargers. In the game, Goodwin was targeted five times, catching four for 67 yards. However, it was the two TD receptions that shot him near the top of the WR fantasy leaderboard for week six.

Seattle’s pass offense is ranked just outside the top ten in the NFL and there’s no reason to believe that will change under the leadership of a certain quarterback named Smith. With as many injuries and ineffective play as there has been in the WR fantasy corps to this point, adding a player in a top offense, even if for only a couple of weeks makes sense.

Goodwin is that player. Trust when I say that I am not wearing rose colored glasses when making this recommendation. Goodwin deserves his place on this fantasy football premier waiver pickups.

Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts, 2.8% Owned

As hard as it may be to believe, there is a receiver widely available that has seen 23 targets the last two weeks. He also has a touchdown in each of the last two games. Even as Indianapolis has been extraordinarily inconsistent, Parris Campbell has stood tall.

First against Jacksonville in week six, Campbell caught seven of 11 targets for 57 yards and a score. This past Sunday, Campbell received 12 targets, catching 10 for 70 yards and another touchdown. Managers that started him (there weren’t many) were awarded with 18 and 23 fantasy points.

The Colts figure to continue to throw the football, even with Matt Ryan’s apparent benching for Sam Ehlinger with the Commanders and their bottom half passing defense next on the schedule. Campbell looks like he will be heavily involved moving forward. He clearly is worth a look and a waiver claim if WR is a team need.

Top Tight End Waiver Pickups for Week Eight

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints, 2.4% Owned

Just like Smith above, Juwan Johnson is in play as a waiver pickup because of all the injuries in the Saints’ receiver room. While some may return soon, Johnson looks to maintain the playing time he has displayed so far this season.

No question, that statement will be true if Johnson puts up the numbers he did against the Cardinals Thursday night. Johnson was targeted five times in the loss, catching all five for 32 yards.

Nothing to get excited about there, of course, until one considers he turned two of those catches into touchdowns. Even with all-everything tight end Taysom Hill in the fold, Johnson has been targeted five or more times four times this season, including each of the last two.

There are rumors swirling around the Saints that they will be a team that will trade assets before the deadline this year. If that does come to pass, Johnson’s value will only increase.

As is always the case, tight end is a lean position and claiming Johnson now makes all the sense in the world on this fantasy football premiere waiver pickups for week eight edition.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins, 43% Owned

For those fantasy owners waiting for Mike Gesicki to break out, it happened in week six against Minnesota. Gesicki didn’t score just one touchdown, he finished with two, his first TDs since week two. In the game, Gesicki was targeted seven times, catching six for 69 yards. The targets matched what he had received in the previous three weeks combined.

In week seven, the Dolphins faced off against Pittsburgh. In that game, Gesicki also received seven targets. He didn’t quite come away with the same production against the Steelers, catching just three passes for 27 yards.

Even so, the main reason for this recommendation is week eight’s opponent, the Detroit Lions. There are only six teams in the NFL that are worse defending against tight ends than the Lions are this season. That stats shouldn’t surprise anyone, as the Detroit defense has been largely invisible since the first game.

They looked better against the Cowboys, but that had more to do with the Dallas offense being out of sync than anything the Lions did defensively. As is frequently noted in these articles, there simply isn’t much to pick through at the tight end position in fantasy.

If Gesicki is available and tight end is a position of need, he receives a high recommendation on this fantasy football premiere waiver pickups article.

Top Quarterback Waiver Pickup for Week Eight

Daniel Jones, New York Giants, 28.3% Owned

Trust me, I am as shocked as anyone that a New York Giant, let alone their quarterback, is featured in this article. However, one must set aside emotion when making decisions and, in this case, Daniel Jones needs to be included.

Let’s start with the fact that the Giants travel next Sunday to Seattle and will face a Seahawks’ defense that has been just downright bad this year. Granted, they have played better in recent weeks, but are a long way from even middle of the pack in the NFL.

Even as that is the case, Jones’ play of late must go into the surprising (I promise that is the last time I will use that word) category and demands his inclusion here. Against the Jaguars, Jones completed 19 0f 30 passes for 202 yards, highlighted by a 32-yard touchdown pass. No question, those are not eye-opening stats.

However, look at his rushing totals and a completely different picture emerges. Jones carried the ball 11 times, which is quite a total for a quarterback. He finished with an astonishing 107 yards and also had a one-yard TD run.

That is quite a day for a player that has seen far more criticism than praise in his career. Jones now has thrown for a TD in two straight and has three rushing TDs on the season. If in a two QB league or simply needing a streamer this week, Jones will answer the call.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football premier waiver pickups for week eight edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Tune in for the Belly Up Fantasy Live Preview Show every Sunday morning at 11 AM EST on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or BellyUpTV. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! 

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