🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 8 Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups: Standard Leagues

Matt Terelle brings you his sleepers at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and defense/special teams for Week 8.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 8 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 8 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. Minnesota Vikings

(Ownership: 18%)

The pickings are slim as far as quarterbacks less than 20% owned go. There are a few options available, but all have injury questions surrounding them. Cutler should be ready to reclaim his starting position after Brian Hoyer broke his left arm in action on Thursday night, but Cutler playing after injuring his thumb in Week 2 is not a sure thing. To further cloud things, Cutler's matchup against Minnesota is brutal. To sum it all up, Cutler, returning from injury and going against one of the top defenses in the league, is going to be tough to trust and he should only be used if you are extremely desperate at the quarterback position.

Josh McCown (CLE) vs. New York Jets

(Ownership: 6%)

Josh McCown is another previously injured quarterback who could be making his return to the gridiron this weekend, depending on how quickly Cody Kessler is able to get cleared following the concussion he sustained in Week 7. Of course, McCown hasn't officially been cleared from his broken collarbone, but there are rumors he could be making his return to action. A matchup with a burnable Jets secondary would make him an instant streaming option if he's healthy.

 

Running Back

Zach Zenner (DET) @ Houston Texans

(Ownership: 10%)

Zenner is coming off scoring the first touchdown of his career in Week 7. He split carries with veteran Justin Forsett in the game and was able to manage just 29 yards on nine carries. Not exactly world-beating numbers, but he should remain Detroit's top goal line option for as long as Dwayne Washington and Theo Riddick are out. The Texans have been tough against the pass this season, but their run defense is ranked just 25th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders (before the start of Week 7's action). Keep an eye on injury reports as Zenner loses most of his appeal if Washington and/or Riddick return. If they aren't cleared to return, Zenner could be a solid plug-and-play option at running back.

 

Wide Receiver

Marqise Lee (JAX) @ Tennessee Titans

(Ownership: 11%)

With the Jaguars opting to use more three wide receiver sets this season, Lee has carved out a pretty solid role in the offense. He has caught at least five balls in four of six games this season and is coming off a 107-yard game against Oakland in Week 7. Tennessee's defense has been surprisingly good this season, but they still have a burnable secondary that Lee should be able to take advantage of. Lee is slated to run most of his routes against Titans defensive back Perrish Cox who has not been very effective at stopping opposing passing attacks this season.

 

Tight End

C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU) vs. Detroit Lions

(Ownership: 19%)

This will likely be Fiedorowicz's last appearance here as his ownership percentage shot up from last week. He sees another plus matchup against the Lions in Week 8 as Detroit has been one of the most generous defenses in the league when it comes to allowing fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The big tight end has garnered 20 targets from Weeks 4-6 and should remain a main part of the Texans' passing game going forward. Look for the Texans to lean on Fiedorowicz on short, safer throws considering quarterback Brock Osweiler's struggles this season.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Dallas Cowboys (DAL) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

(Ownership: 10%)

The Cowboys should be fresh coming off their Week 7 bye. They get to take on the Eagles and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz at home in Week 8 in what should be a favorable spot. Dallas' ball control, clock-killing style of play on offense has helped the defense limit the points scored by their opposition this season. The Cowboys have only allowed 20 or more points twice on the year while racking up 11 sacks and nine takeaways in six games. While Wentz began the season playing well, he has fallen on some struggles over the past two weeks and those struggles could continue in Week 8 against the Cowboys.


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Test Confirm Low-Ankle Sprain for Amon-Ra St. Brown
Anthony Davis

Available, Will be on a Minutes Restriction
Kyle Monangai

Leads Bears Backfield in Impressive Week 13 Performance
D'Andre Swift

Goes Over 100 Rushing Yards, Finds End Zone in Win Over Eagles
A.J. Brown

Goes Over 100 Yards Again, Scores Twice on Friday
Kyshawn George

Returns to Lineup After One-Game Absence
Paul George

Set To Start Friday Against Nets
Kevin Huerter

Set to Return Against Charlotte
Jarrett Allen

Back in Action on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action on Friday
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Suiting Up Against Charlotte
Trey Murphy III

Uncertain For Saturday's Matchup
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Returning Versus Knicks
Jaden Ivey

Set To Play Against Orlando
Adem Bona

Back on Friday Night
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play Versus Washington
De'Anthony Melton

Eyeing Road-Trip Return
Kristaps Porzingis

Sidelined on Friday Night
Kenneth Walker III

Good to Go for Week 13
Jonathan Kuminga

Questionable Ahead Of Pelicans Matchup
Andrew Wiggins

On Track To Suit Up Saturday
Norman Powell

Likely Available Against Detroit
Brian Thomas Jr.

Good to Go Sunday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Won't Play on Friday Night
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Questionable for Week 13
Bucky Irving

Fully Practices Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Omarion Hampton

Ruled Out for Week 13
Baker Mayfield

Practices in Full Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Kirill Marchenko

Misses Third Straight Game
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Jaden Schwartz

to Miss Six Weeks
Chris Olave

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 13 Due to Back Injury
Andre Burakovsky

Set to End Three-Game Absence
Alvin Kamara

Will Not Play in Week 13
William Nylander

Out Friday With Illness
J.J. McCarthy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Ryan Hartman

Returns to Action Friday
Brady Tkachuk

Officially Available Friday
Ja'Marr Chase

Helps Bengals Snap Four-Game Skid on Thanksgiving
Mike Matheson

Signs Five-Year Extension
C.J. Stroud

Will Play on Sunday
Anthony Davis

Reportedly Set to Return on Friday Night
DK Metcalf

Good to Go for Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Will Play in Week 13
Daniel Jones

Will be Ready to Go on Sunday
Terry McLaurin

Will be Active Against Broncos
Jayden Daniels

Officially Out for Week 13
Jarrett Allen

Nearing Return From Finger Injury
Andrew Nembhard

Questionable Entering Friday's Contest
Brady Tkachuk

Aims to Return Friday
Matthew Tkachuk

Resumes Skating
Jakob Chychrun

Stretches Point Streak to Nine Games
Matej Blumel

Expected to Miss Some Time
Marcus Foligno

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Jaden Schwartz

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Lukas Dostal

Out Wednesday Night
Sean Durzi

Available Against Canadiens
Thomas Chabot

to Remain Out Wednesday
Jared McCann

Expected to Rejoin Kraken Lineup Wednesday
Andre Burakovsky

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Mikko Rantanen

Returns to Stars Lineup Wednesday
Mark Stone

Ready to Return Wednesday
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
Josh Norris

Nearing Return
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP