It's rare to have this many RBs among the top Week 8 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds who aren't there because of in-game injuries, but clearly, the 2022 season isn't a normal season. Past injuries, a huge trade, surprise benching, and confusing committees have pushed Gus Edwards, Isiah Pacheco, Chuba Hubbard, D'Onta Foreman, and Lativius Murray into prominent roles, and you can expect the waiver claims and FAAB bids to be flying this week as owners try to acquire these RBs.
Our full free agent list features more than just RBs, though. Parris Campbell and Marquise Goodwin are obvious pickups, but Wan'Dale Robinson, Mecole Hardman, Greg Dulcich, and Donovan Peoples-Jones shouldn't be forgotten about either. Once again, though, streamer suggestions take up the bulk of our list. Week 8 only features two teams on bye (Chiefs, Chargers), but we have plenty of potential QB, WR, TE, and D/ST fill-in suggestions that are grouped by position and located at the end of the list.
MORE WEEK 8 WAIVER PICKUPS: Full list
Edwards, Pacheco, Foreman, and Hubbard, depending on reports about his injured ankle, will command high waiver claims this week. All figure to see 10-plus touches for at least the next few weeks, and that always yields value in fantasy leagues. Similarly, Murray and Rams RB Kyren Williams could see enhanced roles in the near future, so they could also merit low waiver claims.
Guys like Campbell, Goodwin, Robinson, and Dulcich likely aren't worth waiver claims unless you're in deep leagues, but there are cases to be made for all of them. As far as the streamers, you can usually wait until free agency to make your moves because there are always several players with similar outlooks. That could change later in the season and in the fantasy playoffs, but for now, there's no need to give up waiver position for a boom-or-bust WR or TE.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 8
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens. In his first game since 2020, Edwards quickly established himself as the Ravens' lead back, running 16 times for 66 yards and two TDs. The playing time was a bit of a surprise, but the output was not. For his career, Edwards has averaged 5.2 yards per carry. JK Dobbins (knee) is out until at least Week 12, so Edwards will lead Baltimore's backfield for at least three more games. Given Dobbins' issues this year, there's a good chance that Edwards remains the starter even after Dobbins returns. Edwards is a must-own in all leagues and will likely be this week's consensus top pickup. Edwards will be an easy RB2/flex next week against Tampa's suddenly struggling run defense.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers. Hubbard started and saw a majority of the early carries for Carolina in Week 7. He finished with an impressive 63 rushing yards and a TD on just nine carries, but an ankle injury knocked him out in the second half. The severity of the injury is unknown, but it paved the way for D'Onta Foreman to steal the show with 118 yards on 15 carries. The bulk of his yards came on a 60-yard dash, and the bulk of the carries came late in the fourth quarter when Carolina was running out the clock, but if Hubbard is healthy, this should still be viewed as a committee. We think a healthy Hubbard has slightly more value, but both backs should be considered flexes going forward, including in next week's matchup against the Falcons.
MORE WEEK 8 WAIVER PICKUPS: Full list
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Panthers. Foreman led the Panthers in carries (15) and rushing yards (118) in Week 7, but it's important to note that Chuba Hubbard (nine carries, 63 yards, TD) received the majority of carries early before exiting because of an ankle injury. Foreman ripped off a 60-yard run, which inflated his total, and he was also used as the clock-killer late, inflating his carry total. Right now, it appears that Hubbard has slightly more value when he's healthy, but clearly, Foreman will see enough carries to merit flex consideration most weeks. He's bigger and more explosive, and he could be the preferred option around the goal line. Either way, he's worth picking up ahead of a neutral matchup next week in Atlanta.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco drew the surprise start for the Chiefs in Week 7, and while he didn't have a big game (eight carries, 43 rushing yards, no targets), it's clear Kansas City wants to give the rookie more opportunities. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (six carries, 32 yards, TD, one target) and Jerick McKinnon (two carries, 12 yards, three targets) will still be involved, which slightly dims Pacheco's outlook, but he needs to be owned in all formats, even with a bye coming up in Week 8.
Parris Campbell, WR, Colts. Alec Pierce has received a lot of buzz lately, but Campbell has vastly outproduced him over the past two weeks. After his 10-catch, 70-yard, one-TD performance in Week 7 against Tennessee, Campbell has caught 17-of-23 targets for 127 yards and two TDs over the past two games. With a favorable matchup against the Commanders on deck in Week 8, Campbell is going to be in a lot of fantasy lineups.
UPDATE: Campbell's outlook dims a bit with Sam Ehlinger starting in place of Matt Ryan (shoulder), but if he keeps getting consistent volume, he can have value.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including a host of potential streaming options, check out our full Week 8 list.
