The good news is there weren't any major relevant fantasy injuries, outside of potentially a shoulder injury to Brian Thomas, which we unfortunately won't get any clarifying information about with Jacksonville having a bye this week. The bad news is six teams have byes this week, and while a handful are hardly relevant for fantasy purposes, the following two weeks will also have a critical number of players missing. So, let's do something unorthodox and open this article up to you, the reader.
(Writer's note: this portion was written before crucial injuries to Mike Evans and Nico Collins that naturally significantly affected his teams)
I'll recommend a handful of players I think should be picked up, but the reality is that your individual roster is going to look far different than what I might imagine. So, whether you leave a message here in the comments section below, or reach out to me on JBFantasySports on X, or if you want a more immediate answer on RotoWire's Discord just message me there too, but I want to help how I can. This is going to be a challenging week, and I'm going to make myself available to everyone with a difficult roster week ahead.
Looking to upgrade your roster? Check out our trade analyzer and stay in the know with breaking news that drives every deal.
For the audio and video component of the article, I also went through a fully developed list on the RotoWire YouTube channel that you can view below.
Teams with Week 8 Bye: 
Cardinals, 
Lions, 
Jaguars, 
Raiders, 
Rams, 
Seahawks
Tuesday Update: Tez Johnson, Jaylin Noel
Wednesday Update: Chimere Dike, Colston Loveland, Jaylin Lane
Thursday Update: Marcus Mariota, Brandon Aiyuk
Quarterback
Michael Penix, Falcons - We're back on the saddle again. It hasn't been pretty, but Penix has compiled more than 16 fantasy points in standard leagues in each of the last three weeks and gets a Miami team that appears to have completely quit. I expect the firing of Mike McDaniel by the end of this article cycle, and while I do believe in the coach-firing-deadcat bounce, there's nothing that can salvage this team now. FAAB: 7 percent if you need a starter this week
Tyrod Taylor, Jets - I'm expecting Taylor to be announced the starter over Justin Fields. I don't really understand why New York would do that since they aren't making the playoffs anyway. You should be trying to develop or squeeze whatever value you can out of the younger QB. But if it's an issue of the team outright quitting if Fields is under center, then it's not really a question at all. Even without Garrett Wilson (knee), Taylor could produce against this Bengals defense, but this is about as desperate a play as you could make. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Joe Flacco, Bengals - On the flip side, I have confidence Flacco can produce against New York's defense, and if this game is at all competitive he will have to. Cincinnati can't just bleed out the clock with their beleaguered rushing attack, so don't be surprised if Flacco has to once again chuck it around. You could also potentially play the veteran the following week against the Bears too, so it's possible Flacco isn't just a one-week streamer. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Marcus Mariota, Commanders - Jayden Daniels (hamstring) predictably won't play Monday, but of the potential streaming candidates Mariota probably ranks near the bottom for me. Obviously with six teams on bye it's going to be hard to be choosy, but Kansas City's defense has been tremendous and certainly figures to be a difficult matchup. It helps that Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) is expected to return after a four-game absence and Deebo Samuel (heel) should be back after missing a game as well, but it's still a bleak outlook.
Running Back
Trey Benson, Cardinals - Benson is still rostered in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues, but I'm noting this because it's possible the second-year back could be dropped by folks during Arizona's bye. We're a little over halfway through the reported return date for Benson after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in early October. Bam Knight and Michael Carter have not been inspiring options and I have some confidence Benson can be re-established as the guy in that backfield even if the offense isn't as explosive as some hoped entering the year. FAAB: Post-waiver pickup in shallow leagues
Kyle Monangai, Bears - The rookie saw a massive bump in opportunity in part because of game script, but also due to a D'Andre Swift groin injury that had the veteran close to a game-time decision. Even if Swift emerges from the win over the Saints completely unscathed, there's an argument to be made that the upcoming schedule (against Baltimore, Cincinnati, NYG) is favorable for future offensive shootouts in which Monangai is bound to get some work. Perhaps most important in this equation, Chicago is also past its bye. FAAB: 4 percent of budget
Brashard Smith, Chiefs - The rookie had at least three receptions in each of his previous four games before exploding for 19 touches in a game that was comically out of reach against the Raiders by the end of the first quarter. I like Smith a lot, but Kansas City is easily one of those teams that could make a big splash at running back closer to the trade deadline. If roster space is tight (and I have to imagine it will be for everyone this week), I'd value Smith almost as a one-week flex play with the upside to become a bit more if a handful of things break his way. FAAB: 2 percent of budget
Isaiah Davis, Jets - I'd be stunned if Breece Hall isn't traded from this dumpster fire. Davis is going to be the main ballcarrier in that instance, and even if it means you can then trade him to a desperate manager after the fact, it's still value in a waiver-wire period that just doesn't have projectable upside. FAAB: Roster if you can afford to do so
Wide Receiver
Malik Washington, Dolphins - It's worth pointing out the hellish conditions Sunday against the Browns likely meant Tua Tagovailoa wasn't in a position to throw down field. Washington as the team's main bubble-catching specialist would then naturally lead the team in targets. I don't know what level of desperation would have someone consider playing anyone on Miami outside of De'Von Achane or Jaylen Waddle, but I suppose there's leagues deep enough where someone might be subject to that level of torture. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Xavier Legette, Panthers - Bryce Young reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain, which would presumably keep him out Week 8 against the Bills. I think Andy Dalton is as reliable as Jacoby Brissett or the Joe Flacco's of the world, but I don't know how different the offense will look with the veteran under center, which is my only reservation recommending Legette. Jalen Coker probably will get more work in the coming weeks too, so while it was nice to see the former first-round pick finally have a great day, I'm not counting on that continuing. FAAB: 3 percent if you need a starter next week
Josh Reynolds, Jets - Similar to Malik Washington above, I don't know what level of desperation would require someone to play Reynolds, but he looks like the main target without Garrett Wilson (knee). Maybe Tyrod Taylor, if he even starts, can bring more consistency to the offense, but let's just say I'm uncomfortable assuming that will occur. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Tez Johnson, Buccaneers - The dual Monday Night contests unfortunately added a bit more volume to the waiver wire article. With Mike Evans (collarbone) now done for the year, I'm pretty comfortable committing to getting whatever of the ancillory pieces I can of the Tampa Bay passing attack. If Chris Godwin (fibula) ever returns to form, I expect that would cut into Sterling Shepard's workload, so Johnson's utility as a deep-league WR3 play is dependent on the potential return of Jalen McMillan, who has had effectively no update for over a month on a neck injury suffered during the preseason. Johnson elevates to the top of a very barren WR waiver wire heap this week. FAAB: 5 percent of budget
Jaylin Noel, Texans - Nico Collins suffered a concussion in the loss Monday to the Seahawks, and while conventionally an absence would open up more playing time for second-round rookie Jayden Higgins, or potentially more frustrating red-zone touchdowns for Xavier Hutchinson, I think everyone is looking in the wrong direction. Noel, a third-round pick this year, always projected to be the heir apparent in the slot for Christian Kirk (hamstring), but given the veteran is perpetually injured, I think the rookie is officially developing into a certifiable option in this meager Houston passing attack. The upcoming two games (home against SF/DEN) will be bleak prospects for an offense that's absolutely hemorrhaging due to poor offensive line play, but if you can afford to stash Noel, I'd absolutely recommend it. FAAB: 1 percent of budget
Chimere Dike, Titans - I still think Elic Ayomanor will be a bigger factor in this passing attack by the end of the year, but at least last Sunday it was Dike who benefitted in the absence of Calvin Ridley, who again didn't practice Wednesday. There's a bunch of gross offenses just in general to pick from if you're in need of a waiver wire option, so I suppose it's a pick-your-poison type of deal Week 8. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Jaylin Lane, Commanders - Similarly, everyone presumed Chris Moore would see a greater uptick in targets with both Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Deebo Samuel (heel) out against the Cowboys, but it was the rookie Lane who compiled 60 receiving yards on six targets while doubling up his snap count. If I'm ranking bad passing offenses that I have to start Week 8, Washington might be at the very bottom of my list sheerly due to a difficult matchup (Kansas City) and backup QB situation. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers - I don't know if it's even possible to stash Aiyuk with six teams on bye, but for the first time all season there's optimism about his season debut. It's possible with two home games in three weeks, Aiyuk could be in the range of returning to the field Week 10, but if you're fortunate to be in a spot where you can roster him, now's probably the time to do so.
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden, Chargers - Gadsden had a massive day in a game in which the Chargers were playing from behind basically from the rip. We've mentioned the rookie tight end multiple times in past articles, including just last week, but if you're new to discovering the fifth-round gospel, come join us. I just want to caution everyone that Gadsden's workload is far more due to Los Angeles' injury-plagued offensive line, which had third-string tackle Austin Deculus and starting guard Mekhi Becton leave at various points during Sunday's drubbing, than a massive schematic change. Gadsden is really good after the catch, and if Justin Herbert's only counter to an unrelenting pass rush is getting the ball out quickly, the rookie and Keenan Allen are going to continue having very high floors. Good news is Los Angeles has a short week, meaning the offensive line will continue to be banged up. Bad news is a difficult matchup against the Vikings, who have stymied TEs for much of the season. FAAB: 12 percent of budget
Jonnu Smith or Pat Freiermuth, Steelers - I'll default to Jerry Donabedian's Box Score Breakdown article posted later Tuesday to determine who is outright playing more, but I do think I'll pick up and play one of these guys in a pinch next week against a Packers defense that has allowed at least six catches or 60 yards receiving to every TE this season. You know Aaron Rodgers is going to be motivated to play well, but I'd argue Green Bay's defense will have a bit more fire too. It's really a flex-play recommendation at best with so many teams on bye. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Theo Johnson, Giants - Johnson has benefited significantly with Jaxson Dart under center as the second-year tight end has TE1 performances in two of the last three weeks. Johnson's touchdown against the Broncos was incredibly fluky, but he does have 23 targets since the QB change and appears to be a legitimate weapon for a burgeoning offense. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Colston Loveland, Bears - We'll have to see the status of Cole Kmet (back) who failed to practice Wednesday, but if the veteran is unable to play against the Ravens this week I think it's all but guaranteed Loveland will be poised for a breakout. I was already trying to roster the rookie with the assumption Chicago would feature him more towards the end of the season, but I have some degree of faith the genie won't be put back into the bottle if Loveland has the type of game you'd expect for a top-15 draft pick. FAAB: 4 percent of budget
