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Anthony breaks down his must add fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season. Add these players now off the waiver wire and win more.
RotoBaller drops our top 2025 fantasy football Week 8 waiver wire pickups for RB, WR, TE, and QB. This week's top picks include a breakout rookie tight end who is emerging as a league winner and several wide receivers who have begun to earn large target shares. This may be your last chance to add them off waivers.
This week's must-add fantasy football free agents are hand-picked to ensure you make the right picks -- waiver wire winners heading into Week 8 for running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and quarterbacks. Win more in 2025 with RotoBaller!
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2025 Fantasy Football: Week 8 Waiver Wire Adds
Oronde Gadsden, TE - Chargers
After seeing a hefty seven targets in his NFL debut, Gadsden immediately made his mark in the fantasy world. However, the rookie would see just four total targets in the next two games and take the backseat in a crowded offense.
Despite playing alongside three high-end WRs, Gadsden has slowly emerged as a prominent contributor. In Week 6, Gadsden caught seven of his eight targets for 68 yards. Then, in Week 7, Gadsden caught seven passes once again, this time for a season-high 164 yards and his first career touchdown.
While Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen will continue to limit his overall weekly workload, as there will be games he does not see many targets, playing in an offense led by Justin Herbert, who consistently throws the ball at a high rate, would make Gadsden a low-end TE1.
Given his upside, Gadsden is worth viewing as a top target. He will carry top-12 upside at his position going forward.
Kyle Monangai, RB - Bears
The 23-year-old rookie was typically deployed as the clear No. 2 option behind D'Andre Swift throughout his first four games of the campaign. However, Monangai saw his largest workload this past weekend and made this backfield look more like a committee. Monangai took a season-high 13 carries for 81 yards and a score in their victory over the Saints.
In the air, he also brought in two of his three targets for 13 yards. Swift was just as productive in this game, totaling 124 yards and a touchdown. However, seeing Monangai log 33% of the snaps in Week 6 and then a hefty 46% of the snaps in the past Sunday suggests the Bears are slowly leaning towards a 50/50 split.
Monangai is no longer a pure handcuff. He could carry low-end FLEX upside in favorable matchups, making him a priority target at the RB position this weekend.
Kyle Monangai Records Season-High 94 Scrimmage Yards, First NFL Touchdown https://t.co/7u3EnZsBv9
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 20, 2025
Tez Johnson, WR - Buccaneers
Tez Johnson was already slated to play a larger role in Week 7, with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) listed as questionable. Even though both were able to play, Johnson still had a significant role as Evans exited this game with another injury, which is feared to be season-ending.
On Monday, Johnson caught four of his nine targets for 48 yards and a score. This was his second-straight game finding the back of the end zone. In Week 6, Johnson caught an impressive 45-yard TD throw from Baker Mayfield.
Even though Egbuka is back in action, Chris Godwin (fibula) is in danger of missing another contest, leaving Johnson as the team's WR2 in Week 8. Given his role in a pass-heavy offense, he should be viewed as a top target and carry a viable WR3 upside in all formats this weekend.
Darnell Mooney, WR - Falcons
After tallying 992 yards last season, Mooney was a popular late-round sleeper during draft season. However, he suffered a hamstring injury, which kept him out of Week 1 and limited him to the opening month. In Weeks 2 through 4, he caught only seven passes before being sidelined again in Week 6.
However, Mooney looked quite comfortable in his return this past Sunday evening. In their loss to the 49ers, the veteran wideout caught three of his five targets for 68 yards. This was the first time this season that Mooney tallied at least 50 yards in a single contest.
While he will continue to play as Drake London's clear WR2, seeing him nearly total 1,000 yards last season despite having subpar QB play, Mooney could be a viable FLEX option in favorable matchups. He will continue to look to find his footing facing a struggling Miami defense in Week 8.
Brashard Smith, RB - Chiefs
The Chiefs' backfield has been a disappointing unit to trust in fantasy. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have operated in a near split, significantly limiting their ceilings and floors. However, rookie Brashard Smith has begun to carve out a larger role and could eventually take over the lead role.
In Week 6, Smith caught three of his targets for 21 yards. This was his third-straight game catching at least three passes. Then, in Week 7, Smith caught all five of his targets for 42 yards and added a season-high 14 carries for 39 yards. While most of the rushing usage came late in the game, seeing Smith continue to play a prominent role in the passing attack is a positive sign.
Managers and deeper PPR leagues looking for a high-end RB3 to stash should look to target Smith on the waiver wire.
Brashard Smith Earning Expanded Role in Chiefs' Offense? https://t.co/Cn3VmDJX40
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 20, 2025
Tre Tucker, WR - Raiders
After posting a monster 40.9 PPR point haul in Week 3, Tucker was likely cut in most leagues shortly after, as he tallied 4.2 PPR points the following week. However, in each of his last three games, Tucker has been a viable FLEX option, averaging 10.5 PPR points per game with 55.0 yards per game.
With Jakobi Meyers (knee) and Brock Bowers (knee) both battling injuries and Meyers in trade discussions, Tucker could operate as the team's WR1 for the foreseeable future. Given that the Raiders will likely continue trailing in most games, he will have a positive game script in most matchups.
Kayshon Boutte, WR - Patriots
The final player we will look at also showed flashes earlier in the campaign but hit a bit of a cold streak, likely resulting in numerous managers cutting ties. In Weeks 1 and 2, Boutte averaged 12.4 PPR points per game and caught seven passes. Then, in Weeks 3 through 5, Boutte averaged just 5.0 PPR points per game and was viewed as an afterthought in the New England passing attack.
In Weeks 6 and 7, Boutte has begun to find his footing once again, tallying 148 total yards with three touchdowns. In Week 7, Boutte found the back of the end zone on a 39-yard TD pass from Drake Maye. While he will continue to compete for targets with Stefon Diggs, given Maye's MVP-caliber play, Boutte could continue to hold high-end WR3 upside going forward in an offense that continues to improve each week.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Tez Johnson, Oronde Gadsden, Kayshon Boutte, Tre Tucker, Kyle Monangai, Brashard Smith. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Tez Johnson, Oronde Gadsden, Kayshon Boutte, Tre Tucker, Kyle Monangai, Brashard Smith. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
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Popular Waiver Wire Searches. Curious to see some tough waiver wire decisions for 2025? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Pickup? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Tez Johnson, Oronde Gadsden, Kayshon Boutte, Tre Tucker, Kyle Monangai, Brashard Smith:
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