The Week 8 Fantasy football waiver wire: Expert recommendations for your top waiver targets

27 October 2026

The Week 8 waiver wire saw several key names emerge as must-adds for fantasy managers looking to bolster their rosters. Rookie wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion Jr. stood out, while other rising stars also caught the attention of fantasy experts.

Rookie WRs drive waiver wire interest

KC Concepcion (WR, Cleveland Browns) emerged as the top waiver wire target after an eight-catch, 129-yard performance with three carries for 23 rushing yards. He had six or more targets in five of his last six games and was averaging 6.6 fantasy points per game before his Week 7 breakout.

Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, New York Jets) was a close second at the receiver position, described as a "big-play machine" while teammate Garrett Wilson was "largely silenced." Rostered in just 48% of Yahoo leagues, Cooper was the top Yahoo waiver priority for Week 8.

Other freshman wideouts also made waves, with FantasyPros recommending Antonio Williams, Ja'Kobi Lane, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon as noteworthy WR stashes. A Reddit fantasy football discussion further emphasized Caleb Douglas, Concepcion, Lane, and Tyson as attractive options for deep league managers.

Running backs offer intriguing options

Denver Broncos rookie RB Jonah Coleman led his backfield in snaps and carries in Week 7, even while not being fully healthy. With three appearances of 35% or more playing time, Coleman appears to be pushing for Denver's starting job.

Elsewhere, Pro Football Focus and Fantasypros pointed out Rico Dowdle (RB, Cowboys), Dylan Sampson (RB, Browns), and Seth McGowan (RB, Colts) as RB targets, while Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports highlighted San Francisco 49ers' RB Kaelon Black.

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Quarterbacks and Defense/ST provide further intrigue

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold was listed as a "sneaky option." The Seahawks' upcoming matchups against the Bears, Cardinals, and Raiders, all favorable for QBs in fantasy, made Darnold an attractive waiver option before a bye and a tough 49ers game.

The Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals D/ST also ranked among the top options, suggesting defensive teams should be on fantasy radars.

Experts highlight fantasy stock beyond the wire

FantasyPros recommended targeting OL OFFIE GORDON and Jared Goff as buy/trade options, while Pro Football Focus and NFL.com pointed out the positive impacts of Hunter Henry and Rico Dowdle.

Whether managers choose to add these waiver targets or save space for more volatile options, these picks offer a good starting point for improving fantasy rosters in 2026.