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Jackson Sparks' deeper-league waiver wire pickups and fantasy football sleepers for Week 8. His top free agent options for 14-team fantasy leagues or deeper.
We're close to the halfway point of the 2023 NFL season, meaning our deep league waiver wire options are as thin as ever. This will be the shortest column of the season, and the pickings are extra slim ahead of Week 8. That's just the name of the game in deep formats.
The top waiver wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10 and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 people or more. Some of these Week 8 deeper-league waiver wire suggestions will have value right away, while others are simply bench stashes that could help your fantasy team in the future. We won't cover chalk pickups like Rashee Rice and D'Onta Foreman in this article.
Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 8, including Jeff Wilson Jr., Royce Freeman, Jalin Hyatt, Tyson Bagent, Will Levis, Malik Willis, and more.
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Running Back Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Jeff Wilson Jr. did not have a rushing attempt and caught just one pass for four yards in his first game of the 2023 season. However, he should start getting run ahead of Salvon Ahmed as he returns to form off of the Injured Reserve list. If he's available in your deep league, add him immediately. He should have RB2 upside in the Dolphins' explosive offense.
Tyjae Spears is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has played on 51.3% of the Titans' offensive snaps this season. Tennessee just traded Kevin Byard, and Ryan Tannehill is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. This organization might be ready to look toward the future, so Spears could get more run down the stretch. Derrick Henry has also been in trade rumors.
Ezekiel Elliott has scored a touchdown in two straight games for New England. While it's tough to trust this Patriots offense, deep league fantasy managers know that any running back production is appreciated. Elliott won't be a weekly fantasy stud, but he's a veteran who gets weekly touches.
Devin Singletary saw a season-high 12 rushing attempts against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. Coming off a bye, he could be more involved since Dameon Pierce (2.9 YPC) has struggled mightily.
Royce Freeman saw 12 carries in his first game of the season. Darrell Henderson saw 18, but Freeman posted 66 rushing yards to Henderson's 61. Henderson scored a touchdown which makes him the obvious waiver-wire pickup, but Freeman should be rostered in deep leagues. This Rams' backfield touch distribution could be a fluid situation.
Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell should both be rostered in deep leagues. Christian McCaffrey has already been banged up this season, and there's a real chance he will miss a game or two down the stretch. Mitchell and Mason would compete to have RB2 upside.
Zach Charbonnet missed Week 7 due to a hamstring issue, but the injury isn't expected to hold him out any longer. Assuming he's healthy, he remains a premier handcuff running back.
Rico Dowdle isn't worth starting yet, but given the struggles of Tony Pollard (3.9 YPC), he could see more work soon. If not, he's at least a strong handcuff RB.
Tank Bigsby is simply worth stashing because he'd likely see a full workhorse role if Travis Etienne has to miss any time this season. The Jaguars offense is getting on track, so that would be a valuable role.
Note: Any direct backup running back, especially one in a good offense, should be considered a bench stash in deep leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Tyler Boyd doesn't have weekly value since he shares a field with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, both young receivers have missed multiple games over the last two seasons, making Boyd a premier "handcuff" wide receiver. He should always be stashed in deep leagues.
Robert Woods leads the Texans with 43 targets and found the end zone for the first time in Week 6. This offense led by C.J. Stroud is quietly one of the best passing games in the NFL, so Woods is worth a pickup in deep PPR leagues.
Brandin Cooks found the end zone for the first time as a Cowboy in Week 6. After a Week 7 bye, the veteran could be more involved in Dak Prescott's offense. Dallas desperately needs a pass-catcher to step up to complement CeeDee Lamb.
Jayden Reed has three touchdowns through his first six NFL games. While touchdowns aren't usually sticky, the Packers should get him more involved since its offense is sputtering. He played a season-low 48% of the team's snaps in Week 7. That should see an uptick.
Jalin Hyatt saw a career-high five targets in Week 7, catching two of them for 75 yards. He has flashed his big-play upside a few times in his rookie season, and the Giants desperately need a spark on offense. He looks to have beaten out Isaiah Hodgins on the depth chart, so he could start becoming fantasy-relevant.
Jauan Jennings caught five of his nine targets for 54 yards on Monday Night Football in the absence of Deebo Samuel (shoulder). Samuel is expected to be out next week against the Bengals, so Jennings can be flexed for fantasy managers in a pinch.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Gerald Everett suffered a quad injury in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Assuming he's fine, he should be picked up in deep leagues after securing touchdowns in two straight games. He has benefited from the absence of Mike Williams (torn ACL).
Michael Mayer's breakout was stalled by Brian Hoyer being awful against the Chicago Bears. However, the potential return of Jimmy Garoppolo (back) could put the Notre Dame product back on track.
Trey McBride now has 11 targets over the last two weeks. If Kyler Murray (knee) returns soon, why can't he enter the fantasy radar? Look for the Cardinals to begin playing him ahead of Zach Ertz in preparation for the future as its record puts them out of playoff contention.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues/2-QB Leagues
Desmond Ridder posted two straight games of at least 19.1 fantasy points before his Week 7 underwhelming performance. His turnover woes aren't sitting well with Falcons fans, but he's been a relatively productive fantasy option. In favorable matchups, he has plenty of upside surrounded by a ton of stud skill players.
Gardner Minshew will have the starting QB job in Indianapolis for the rest of the season after Anthony Richardson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. The 27-year-old has a career passing touchdown-to-interception ratio of 49 to 19, so he could be a solid fill-in for Superflex and two-QB leagues. He has posted over 650 total yards in his last two games.
Malik Willis or Will Levis will start at quarterback if Ryan Tannehill (ankle) can't play in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. Willis has been Tannehill's backup this season, but Levis could earn the starting job at some point this season as the Titans look toward the future. Both are worth picking up because it's tough to know which direction Mike Vrabel will go.
Tyson Bagent is expected to start again for the Bears in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, so he's a fine two-QB and Superflex league option.
P.J. Walker might draw more starts for the Browns this year since Deshaun Watson seems to suffer a new injury or setback every week.
Tyrod Taylor remains on the 2-QB league fantasy radar if Daniel Jones (neck) remains out in Week 8.
Mike White would be given the keys to the Dolphins' explosive offense if the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa gets banged up this year. That makes him worth stashing in Superflex and two-QB leagues.
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