Don’t say we didn’t warn you. The most devastating bye week for fantasy football managers is now at hand – with six NFL teams taking the week off and leaving bunches of open starting spots all across the fantasy landscape.
WEEK 8 BYES: Arizona, Detroit, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams, Seattle
The big issue is not only finding replacements to fill the void, but also figuring out which players are most expendable to make sure you have a legal roster.
Although you’re probably going to have to dig deep, here’s who might be worth picking up this week:
Fantasy football players to add for Week 8
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. If you have bye week issues, feel free to go the extra dollar. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (7% rostered)
Who’s fantasy stock is rising quickly? This (Monan)gai right here!
Splitting time almost evenly with starter D’Andre Swift (35 snaps to 31), the rookie racked up 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in his most extensive work of the season vs. the Saints. Granted, the Bears had the game well in hand and Swift missed some practice time during the week with a groin injury, but Monangai is showing he’s capable of handling more work the rest of the way. (Suggested FAAB bid: $11)
TE Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers (6%)
Gadsden has emerged as yet another excellent receiving option for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. His presence does make wideouts Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen a bit more risky to start, but if you need a fill-in at tight end this week, you have to be encouraged by Gadsden’s seven catches for 164 yards and a TD against the Colts. He has the potential to be a consistent top-10 option at the position going forward. (FAAB bid: $10)
WR Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17%)
Mike Evans’ season-ending broken collarbone makes Johnson even more valuable than he was in last week’s roundup. After snagging a 45-yard TD in Week 6, Johnson added an electrifying catch-and-run score against the Lions on Monday night. He finished with four receptions on nine targets for 58 yards, but expect those numbers to rise significantly with Evans out. Sterling Shepard is a decent fallback option. (FAAB bid: $9)
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (7%)
After a dreadful start, Legette has now scored in two of his last three games. Sunday’s outing at the Jets may finally signal a breakout for last year’s No. 32 overall pick. Hauling in nine of his 11 targets, Legette racked up a career-high 92 receiving yards. Even with Jalen Coker activated off the PUP list, Legette is the clear No. 2 receiver behind 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan. (FAAB bid: $5)
WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (10%)
Stepping up with Josh Downs sidelined by a concussion, Pierce saw a season-high 10 targets in the shootout against the Chargers, with five catches for 98 yards. Keep an eye on Downs’ progress during the week as the Colts have an enticing matchup at home against the Titans. If he’s questionable, Pierce could have another good outing. (FAAB bid: $5)
WR Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans (2%)
Sensing a theme here … With Calvin Ridley out, Dike – the Titans’ primary return man – got an extended look on offense. He wasn’t on the field as much as Elic Ayomanor or Van Jefferson, but he did make the most of his opportunities with four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. But let’s not call him Dike Metcalf or anything just yet. (FAAB bid: $3)
RB Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (6%)
Perhaps it was only due to the Chiefs blowing out the Raiders, but the rookie seventh-rounder had by far his busiest day as a pro in Week 7. He was on the field for 28 snaps (15 more than Kareem Hunt) and he turned those into 14 carries and five receptions for 81 total yards. He’s had at least three catches in each of the past four games, too. (FAAB bid: $3)
TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (7%)
Don’t forget about the Thursday shootout against the Bengals in which Freiermuth caught five passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. QB Aaron Rodgers does love his tight ends, even though he has at last three to choose from there in Pittsburgh. (FAAB bid: $3)
TE Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals (1%)
In that same TNF game, Fant had four catches for 44 yards and a score. With Mike Gesicki on injured reserve, Fant becomes the Bengals’ primary tight end. And we also know how much Joe Flacco likes throwing to his tight end. (FAAB bid: $2)
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (11%)
If your league allows pickups of injured players, Watson is a great speculative add this week if you have the roster space. He’s been cleared to practice after sitting out all season with a knee injury, and his first game could come this week at Pittsburgh. If you’re looking for potential upside, Watson does have 14 TD receptions in his first three NFL seasons. (FAAB bid: $1)
Fantasy football quarterbacks to stream for Week 8
QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (42%)
With three touchdowns through the air and one on the gound in a shootout vs. Denver, Dart finished as the QB2 for the week (behind the Broncos’ Bo Nix). He’ll have a fairly high floor every week because of his running ability. But still, he connected on just 15-of-33 passes (45.5%) so the rough edges haven’t been completely smoothed out. The Giants are at Philadelphia this week. (FAAB bid: $5)
QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (11%)
Flacco has been great at getting the ball out quickly to his talented crop of receivers. Throwing for 342 yards and three scores against the Steelers on a short week, he should have more than enough time to prepare (and succeed) this week against the Jets. Feel free to hang onto him another week even with a home date against the Bears in Week 9. (FAAB bid: $4)