Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
Fantasy football players get a break from byes in NFL in Week 8, but many significant injuries are continuing to create extra challenges when attempting to build lineups. We recommend the best waiver wire pickups with our full rankings and highlight recommended starters who should get the nod when facing tough decisions.
You will see many rookies in this week's rundown of featured players, as NFL newcomers are making more statistical noise or will very soon. The wide receiver waiver wire rankings are deeper this week due to widespread injury issues at the position. Analysis is based on Points Per Reception (PPR) scoring.
NFL Week 8: Running Back Starters
START Jordan Mason
San Francisco's injury issues on offense will push Mason into a large role in a matchup with Dallas. The Cowboys rank 29th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Mason can also help the 49ers control the clock and maintain offensive balance.
START Kareem Hunt
Hunt's matchup points to him being a must-start fantasy football RB this week. The Raiders rank 25th in FFPG allowed to RBs, and he should be locked into lineups after rushing for two TDs in Week 7.
START Javonte Williams
Williams is coming off the first game of his career in which he rushed for two TDs. The Denver RB also finished with 111 scrimmage yards in Week 7. Carolina allows the most rushing yards to RBs in the NFL and players at the position have rolled up a league-high 13 rushing TDs against the Panthers.
The fourth-year Broncos RB is displaying versatility as a pass-catcher, too. Make sure he is in your lineup at an RB2 or flex spot.
START Najee Harris
Pittsburgh seems to have found new life on offense, scoring 37 points against a Jets defense that has a strong defensive reputation in Week 7. Harris rushed for 103 yards and found the end zone in the past two games as a runner. This week, the Steelers face the Giants, who rank 25th in the NFL in rushing defense.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Waiver Wire Running Backs
- Alexander Mattison: The ex-Viking is working as Las Vegas' lead RB, and he totaled 123 yards from scrimmage in Week 7. Mattison is a viable add as a fantasy RB4.
- Jaylen Warren: The Pittsburgh RB is healthy again and should be added for fantasy RB depth.
- Tyler Goodson: A versatile lineup plug-in if Jonathan Taylor misses any more time.
- Ray Davis: Buffalo's rookie RB rushed for his second TD in Week 7. He is the essential fantasy insurance add for those who roster James Cook.
- Roschon Johnson: Before Chicago's Week 7 bye, Johnson rushed for three TDs in three games.
- Zach Charbonnet: Fantasy players who depend on Kenneth Walker III as one of their top starters simply must roster Charbonnet for quality depth.
- Khalil Herbert: Add and stash Herbert now, who could end up on a team that is looking to improve its RB outlook through a possible trade.
- Jaylen Wright: Watch Miami's first-year RB showcase his upside if and when he is pressed into an expanded workload.
- Kendre Miller: If you roster Alvin Kamara, this second-year RB is the fantasy backup that should be rostered in case of an injury.
- JaMychal Hasty: He caught five passes for 49 yards in Week 7 and could potentially contribute in deeper leagues in the weeks ahead. Byes will become a factor and Hasty might be a guy who will be worthy of consideration.
NFL Week 8: Wide Receiver Starters
START Jayden Reed
Green Bay's offense is deep with playmakers, which is good for the team in real life, yet the ball gets spread around a lot among several playmakers. That situation creates some additional fantasy unpredictability. However, this is a week to pinpoint Reed as a quality fantasy starter.
Jacksonville's 31st-ranked pass defense also ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs. Reed leads the Packers in receptions (29) and receiving yardage (452). Start him with confidence in Week 8.
START Zay Flowers
Baltimore is known for its outstanding running game, yet the Ravens also rank sixth in the NFL in passing offense this season. Cleveland ranks 27th in FFPG allowed to WRs. The Ravens featured Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman as pass-catchers last week, and Flowers may get a turn to shine against the Browns as Lamar Jackson makes sure to keep him involved.
START Keenan Allen
Washington has allowed an NFC-high 10 TD receptions to WRs. Allen caught two TD passes in Week 6 and then had a bye week to get rest while the rising Chicago offense likely began to plan in advance for Week 8. Allen appears to be past a heel injury from earlier in the season and can be started at a WR3/flex spot.
START Courtland Sutton
Denver's most established WR still commanded defensive attention in a win over New Orleans last week, even though he did not catch a pass. I expect that Bo Nix and the Broncos' coaching staff will make it a point to get Sutton the ball early and often against Carolina's 25th-ranked pass defense.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
- Jauan Jennings: San Francisco's WR group needs Jennings to step forward again because of the team's problematic injury situation at WR. Check the status of his hip injury, but Jennings should still be a top fantasy football waiver wire pickup for Week 8.
- Romeo Doubs: In Week 6, Doubs caught two TD passes, and in Week 7, he finished with eight receptions for 94 yards. The Green Bay WR can be added and immediately put into fantasy lineups.
- Rashod Bateman: The current version of the Baltimore offense looks like the best of the Lamar Jackson era. Bateman posted a career-high 121 receiving yards on Monday Night and he is operating as a frequent TD threat.
- Ricky Pearsall: The 49ers rookie might get his first opportunity to make an impact in a Week 8 Sunday night matchup with the Cowboys.
- Jalen McMillan: Tampa Bay is also being hit hard by WR injuries and might need this first-year WR to take on a larger role.
- Ladd McConkey: Bet on the potential of the Chargers rookie to provide increased fantasy production during the upcoming weeks.
- Cedric Tillman: The Cleveland WR caught eight passes on 12 targets for 81 yards in Week 7 and may be Cleveland's No. 1 WR in terms of fantasy production going forward.
- Keon Coleman: Another promising Buffalo rookie, Coleman totaled a career-high 125 receiving yards in Week 7. He can benefit from the Bills' acquisition of Amari Cooper.
- Jerry Jeudy: Along with Tillman, Jeudy should continue to be rostered for potential increased production after the Browns traded Cooper to Buffalo.
- Jalen Tolbert: In a busy Dallas passing game, Tolbert has some promise as a fantasy streamer.
- Tyler Lockett: A longtime model of reliability and durability, Lockett was targeted eight-plus times in three of the past five games.
- Demario Douglas: Drake Maye is already settling in as New England's starting QB. Douglas will often function as his top target.
- Troy Franklin: As Nix continues to progress as a pro, his former Oregon teammate may emerge as a respectable statistical producer. Franklin finished with five receptions for 50 yards in Week 7.
- Dontayvion Wicks: TDs are his specialty, as Wicks is up to four so far this season.
- Tutu Atwell: He can remain a respectable option for fantasy purposes until the Rams' WR corps has all its personnel back and healthy again.
- Mason Tipton: New Orleans is dealing with significant injury issues at WR. Tipton was targeted nine times in Week 7.
NFL Week 8: Quarterback Starters
START Caleb Williams
The 2024 No. 1 overall pick is living up to the billing, Before Chicago's bye, he logged a 306-yard outing and a four-TD game. Washington's 12 TD passes allowed are the most surrendered among NFC teams.
START Anthony Richardson
The 4-3 Colts will face the 5-2 Texans in a key AFC South matchup this week. Houston has allowed the second-most TD passes (15) to QBs and ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed to the position. Richardson passed for two TDs and rushed for another score in the first meeting with Indianapolis this season.
If you drafted Richardson as a starter and do not roster another top 10 fantasy QB, then keep him in your lineup this week.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
- Tua Tagovailoa: The Dolphins' starting QB may return as soon as this week, so check your league's free agent list to see if Tagovailoa was cut by another team while he is out.
- Jameis Winston: There is a good chance Winston might be Cleveland's starter for much of the rest of the season, and he was a productive fantasy QB in past seasons. Do keep a watch on the situation, though, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson is also in the picture.
- Drake Maye: In his first two NFL starts, Maye has passed for five TDs, and he is a worthy add as a fantasy QB2.
- Russell Wilson: In his first start for Pittsburgh, he passed for two TDs and rushed for another score. You can vote for Wilson as one of your Top 50 Seahawks Players of all time right now.
NFL Week 8: Tight End Starters
START Cade Otton
He is our top TE waiver wire pickup below, and is an option right away for those who have been scrambling for quality fantasy production at the position. Otton may take on a primary role in the Tampa Bay passing game this week.
START Noah Fant
Opposing defenses are heavily concerned with Seattle's WRs, which can benefit Fant, who finished with a season-high 65 receiving yards in the win at Atlanta. In the previous game, he finished with 63 yards. Fant can be picked up as a free agent, as indicated in the waivers section, and started if you need a TE plug-in.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Waiver Wire Tight Ends
- Cade Otton: Asked to take on a larger role in the Tampa Bay passing game on Monday night, Otton came through with the best performance of his career so far. The third-year TE finished with eight receptions for 100 yards.
- Hunter Henry: For the second time this season, Henry topped 90 receiving yards in Week 7. His fantasy value is rising with Maye at QB for New England.
- Noah Fant: The Seahawks TE has topped 60 receiving yards in his last two games and should certainly be considered as a pickup at the thinnest position in fantasy football.
- Jonnu Smith: He caught all seven of his targets for 96 yards in Week 7, and with Tua Tagovailoa nearing a return, Smith should be added. He displayed some big-play ability with the Falcons last season.
- Ja'Tavion Sanders: Fantasy players must take notice of this 2024 pro newcomer after he caught all six of his targets for 61 yards on Sunday.
- Zach Ertz: Washington's TE registered his first TD reception of the season in Week 7. Ertz can post adequate fantasy stats when you need a bye week or injury replacement.
NFL Week 8 Defensive Streamers: Green Bay (vs. Jacksonville), Detroit (vs. Tennessee), Atlanta (vs. Tampa Bay).
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons
On travel day, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon heads to the team buses for the trip to Atlanta.
Loyal 12s send off the team as the buses depart the Virginia Mason Athletic Center headed for the airport.
On game day, receiver DK Metcalf departs the team hotel and heads to the buses.
Seahawks fans were everywhere in Atlanta, and stopped to salute the convoy of team buses from a diner near the stadium.
These loyal 12s show off their Seahawks spirit.
Running back Zach Charbonnet makes his way through the tunnel to the field.
Seahawks Jason Myers and DK Metcalf lean into the team huddle on the field during pregame warmups.
Head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive lineman Leonard Williams get fired up during warmups.
Defensive backs coach Karl Scott talks with cornerback Josh Jobe before Jobe's first start.
Newly acquired Roy Robertson-Harris gets ready to make his Seahawks debut.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde talks with Leonard Williams before the team leaves the locker room.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace tapes his fingers in the locker room before the game.
Offensive linemen Laken Tomlinson and Anthony Bradford pump each other up before pregame introductions.
Starting quarterback Geno Smith leads the Seahawks onto the field.
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba launches a 35-yard pass to teammate DK Metcalf on a trick play in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf leaps between Falcons defenders to haul in a 35-yard reception from teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf expertly splits Falcons defenders for a touchdown catch from Geno Smith just before halftime.
At halftime, defensive coordinator Aden Durde talks to his players in the locker room.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb gives instructions to the offense at halftime.
Running back Kenneth Walker III celebrated his birthday with a pair of touchdowns, including this one in the third quarter.
Seattle's Dre'Mont Jones sacks Atlanta's Kirk Cousins as Derick Hall flies in as well.
Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe swats the ball away from Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, resutling in a fumble.
Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe hits Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, resulting in a fumble recovered and taken for a touchdown by teammate Derick Hall.
Seattle linebacker Derick Hall scoops up the loose ball caused by teammate Boye Mafe and heads for the end zone.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall celebrates in the end zone after his scoop-and-score touchdown after recovering a fumble caused by teammate Boye Mafe in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe makes a pass defense in front of the sideline.
Seahawks safety Julian Love returns an interception off of Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is all smiles after converting a 59-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant intecepts a pass late in the game.
Seattle's Derick Hall sports the "Win" glasses on the field after the victory.
12s were loud and abundant all game, and cheered the team as players headed to the locker room after the win.
Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider excitedly greets quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, left, brings the team up after receiving a game ball from head coach Mike Macdonald in the locker room after the game.
