Week 8 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

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The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB Deshaun Watson, HOU (waiver wire: 25-50% 2QB/SUPERFLEX, 10-20% 1QB)
2. QB Carson Wentz, IND (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. QB Joe Burrow, CIN
4. QB Derek Carr, LV (waiver wire: 10-20%)
5. QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. QB Mac Jones, NE (waiver wire: 7-15%)
7. QB Tyrod Taylor, HOU (waiver wire: 7-15%)
8. QB Matt Ryan, ATL (waiver wire: 5-10%)
9. QB Case Keenum, CLE (waiver wire: 10-20% or more in 2QB/Superflex)
10. QB Kyle Allen, WAS (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
11. QB Joe Flacco, NYJ (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS (waiver wire: DROP IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
2. QB Patrick Mahomes II, KC
3. QB Zach Wilson, NYJ (waiver wire: HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
4. QB Sam Darnold, CAR (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
5. QB Justin Fields, CHI (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
6. QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (waiver wire: HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB Elijah Mitchell, SF (waiver wire: 50+%)
2. RB Myles Gaskin, MIA (waiver wire: 25-50%)
3. RB Kenyan Drake, LV (waiver wire: 20-40%)
4. RB Khalil Herbert, CHI (waiver wire: 15-30%)
5. RB Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (waiver wire: 12-25%)
6. RB DErnest Johnson, CLE (waiver wire: 10-20%)
7. RB Damien Harris, NE
8. RB Samaje Perine, CIN (waiver wire: 7-15%)
9. RB Devontae Booker, NYG (waiver wire: 5-10%)
10. RB DAndre Swift, DET
11. RB Boston Scott, PHI (waiver wire: 3-5%)
12. RB Brandon Bolden, NE (waiver wire: 1%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB Miles Sanders, PHI (waiver wire: HOLD)
2. RB Damien Williams, CHI (waiver wire: DROP)
3. RB Mike Davis, ATL (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
4. RB Darrel Williams, KC
5. RB A.J. Dillon, GB (waiver wire: HOLD)
6. RB Josh Jacobs, LV
7. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. WR Rashod Bateman, BAL (waiver wire: 20-40%)
3. WR Van Jefferson, LAR (waiver wire: 15-30%)
4. WR Michael Pittman, IND
5. WR A.J. Brown, TEN
6. WR Jarvis Landry, CLE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
7. WR Allen Lazard, GB (waiver wire: 5-10%)
8. WR Kalif Raymond, DET (waiver wire: 5-10%)
9. WR Russell Gage, ATL (waiver wire: 3-5%)
10. WR Tee Higgins, CIN
11. WR Darius Slayton, NYG (waiver wire: 3-5%)
12. WR Randall Cobb, GB (waiver wire: 1%)
13. WR Dante Pettis, NYG (waiver wire: 1%)

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE
2. WR Odell Beckham, CLE (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
3. WR Tyreek Hill, KC
4. WR Darnell Mooney, CHI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
5. WR Allen Robinson, CHI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
6. WR Davante Adams, GB
7. WR Antonio Brown, TB (waiver wire: HOLD)
8. WR Julio Jones, TEN (waiver wire: HOLD)
9. WR Tim Patrick, DEN (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE C.J. Uzomah, CIN (waiver wire: 12-25%)
2. TE Kyle Pitts, ATL
3. TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS (waiver wire: 10-20%)
4. TE Mike Gesicki, MIA
5. TE Robert Tonyan Jr, GB (waiver wire: 7-15%)
6. TE Evan Engram, NYG (waiver wire: 5-10%)
7. TE Hunter Henry, NE
8. TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND (waiver wire: 3-5%)
9. TE Foster Moreau, LV (waiver wire: 3-5%)

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE O.J. Howard, TB (waiver wire: DROP)
2. TE Jonnu Smith, NE (waiver wire: DROP)
3. TE Darren Waller, LV
4. TE Travis Kelce, KC

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Kyle Allen, WAS - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - With the news that Ryan Fitzpatrick is still on crutches, Allen becomes worth carrying in 2QB/Superflex as the option for Ron Rivera (who likes Allen) if he is getting tired of Taylor Heinicke's limitations.

QB Joe Burrow, CIN - Burrow has something special going in Cincinnati this year. JaMarr Chase and C.J. Uzomah did most of the damage, but Tee Higgins is rounding back into form and the running game helped finish the big win at Baltimore. Burrow is a high floor QB1 going forward with the Jets up next.

QB Derek Carr, LV - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Carr was fine without Darren Waller. Completing 31 of 34 passes and mostly sticking to high percentage choices, Carr led the Raiders to an easy win over the Eagles. He heads into his bye as a high floor QB1.

QB Joe Flacco, NYJ - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Flacco should get at least two starts while Zach Wilson recovers from a knee injury. He's a desperation play in 2QB/Superflex but could improve the value of Jets receivers in the meantime.

QB Mac Jones, NE - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Jones was much better passing downfield than he was in the first win over the Jets. He is getting more comfortable by the week and has at least high floor fantasy backup value heading into a matchup with Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

QB Case Keenum, CLE - (waiver wire: 10-20% or more in 2QB/Superflex) - Keenum looked very comfortable in Kevin Stefanski's offense, as he should considering his extensive experience in it. We might not see Baker Mayfield again for a while, so Keenum has potential lasting value in 2QB/Superflex.

QB Matt Ryan, ATL - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Ryan had a strong day against the withering Dolphins defense, finally giving Kyle Pitts chances to make plays downfield and even hitting Russell Gage on a long touchdown. He'll be a middling play against the Panthers this week but can at least serve as a high-floor backup in 1QB leagues.

QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Tagovailoa had a predictably huge game against the weak Falcons defense. This week vs. the Bills will be a different story, but with a marginal running game and wide receiver group that is hopefully getting healthy, Tagovailoa's fantasy arrow is still pointing up.

QB Tyrod Taylor, HOU - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Taylor will hopefully return this week for a matchup against the Rams. He'll definitely practice, and we'll see about the game. He shouldn't be on any 2QB/Superflex waiver wire and might have some value in 1QB leagues.

QB Deshaun Watson, HOU - (waiver wire: 25-50% 2QB/SUPERFLEX, 10-20% 1QB) - Ian Rapoport reports that a trade of Watson is getting closer on the heels of reports that the league won't suspend Watson if he is traded to another team. We might see Watson start this year, but not for the Texans.

QB Carson Wentz, IND - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Wentz had a solid fantasy game in a monsoon at San Francisco. He is entering the easier part of his schedule with the Titans up next and should be considered a low-end QB1 going forward.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Sam Darnold, CAR - (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Darnold was benched, but lucky for him, P.J. Walker was even worse. Darnold will take back over this week against Atlanta and might even work out as a streamer, but a possible trade for Deshaun Watson looms.

QB Justin Fields, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Fields had a miserable day against Tampa even though the Bears trailed throughout. The coaching has let him down and he doesn't have the ability to rise above it - yet.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS - (waiver wire: DROP IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Fitzpatrick is reportedly still on crutches and won't be ready to return to the field any time soon.

QB Patrick Mahomes II, KC - Everything was difficult for Mahomes in what should have been a successful game against the bottom half of the league Titans defense. He could bounce back against the Giants this week, but he hasn't looked himself for a sustained period of weeks yet this year.

QB Baker Mayfield, CLE - (waiver wire: HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Mayfield isn't practicing yet following the Thursday night win and he won't be able to play until he heals some more. He hasn't been placed on injured reserve yet, so Mayfield is worth holding in 2QB/Superflex.

QB Zach Wilson, NYJ - (waiver wire: HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Wilson left the game with a PCL injury in his knee and will miss 2-4 weeks

Running Back Upgrade

RB Brandon Bolden, NE - (waiver wire: 1%) - With Rhamondre Stevenson inactive, Bolden played a bigger role in the backfield and scored on one of his six catches. He can be emergency PPR running back depth if he maintains this role.

RB Devontae Booker, NYG - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Booker didn't exactly impress in the win over the Panthers, but he did score a clinching touchdown. Saquon Barkley probably isn't going to be ready for Week 8 against the Chiefs, so Booker will have RB2/Flex value.

RB Kenyan Drake, LV - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Drake looked good in relief of Josh Jacobs after the Raiders starting running back left with a chest injury. Early word is that Jacobs avoided major injury, and the Raiders on bye in Week 8, so we might not see Drake get a start, but he has already boosted his value in a limited role, and Jacobs has already missed time once before this year.

RB Kenneth Gainwell, PHI - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Gainwell split the work with Boston Scott after Miles Sanders went out and actually scored before Sanders got hurt. He'll be the more valuable part of the Eagles committee until Sanders comes back.

RB Myles Gaskin, MIA - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - The waiver wire tango with Gaskin is getting tiring. This time it was an injury to Malcolm Brown that opened the door, and Gaskin ran through it. His late score tightened up the game and he was clearly the best runner on the team. Hopefully this time the staff will release that and make him the lead back against the Bills.

RB Damien Harris, NE - Harris ran strong against the Jets and scored twice. There were three other running back scores that didn't go to him, so the Patriots offense is rounding into form for creation of scoring opportunities. He'll face the feeble Chargers run defense in Week 8.

RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Herbert ran well in a losing effort against a very tough run defense. Damien Williams didn't return to the committee-sized share he had before going on the covid list, and you have to wonder if Herbert will continue to be the lead back until David Montgomery returns, likely after the team's Week 10 bye.

RB DErnest Johnson, CLE - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Johnson was outstanding in his start against the Broncos. Chubb is back, but Johnson showed his upside if Chubb goes down again, and the RB2 role in Cleveland can give us flex value in good matchups until Kareem Hunt returns.

RB Elijah Mitchell, SF - (waiver wire: 50+%) - Mitchell resoundingly showed that he's still the clear lead back in San Francisco and was very productive against the Colts. If he was dropped out of impatience, he's the top pickup of the week with Jeff Wilson not due back any time soon.

RB Samaje Perine, CIN - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Perine scored the finishing blow against the Ravens and contributed in the passing game. He's still technically the backup to Joe Mixon, but he has emergency play value with upside even when Mixon is healthy, and of course he has a high Mixon injury upside ceiling.

RB Boston Scott, PHI - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Scott split the work in the backfield with Kenneth Gainwell after Miles Sanders went out, and scored in garbage time. He'll be suitable emergency depth against the Lions with some upside because of the matchup.

RB DAndre Swift, DET - Swift was explosive on his numerous receptions even though he continues to get less opportunity as a runner playing on a losing team. It appears that the team is getting comfortable with him as the top option in the passing game.

Running Back Downgrade

RB Mike Davis, ATL - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - Davis is still getting on the field, but he's not getting many touches with Cordarrelle Patterson now the lead back coming out of the bye. He only has Patterson injury upside, and that's not very significant.

RB A.J. Dillon, GB - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Dillon fumbled and otherwise barely got to touch the ball as the Packers chose to take on the weaker side of Washington's defense by abandoning the running game. He still has a sky-high Aaron Jones injury ceiling, so don't drop him.

RB Josh Jacobs, LV - Jacobs left the Week 7 game with a chest injury, but it is not believed to be serious. The Raiders have a bye this week, so he might not miss a game.

RB Miles Sanders, PHI - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Sanders went down with an ankle injury that will likely cost him a game or more, but not land him on injured reserve.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - Stevenson was a surprise inactive in a spot that might have gotten him the multiple scores that JJ Taylor harvested in garbage time. Bill Belichick said both Stevenson and Taylor will have roles going forward, so he's not necessarily the clear backup to Damien Harris.

RB Damien Williams, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP) - Williams was able to return from the covid list for Week 7, but it's clear that Khalil Herbert has passed him on the depth chart and David Montgomery will be back soon, so Williams value is dwindling.

RB Darrel Williams, KC - Williams gets a downgrade with the rest of the Chiefs offense as they looked very mortal against a middling Titans defense. He's still the clear lead back and worth playing as your RB2 against the Giants.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Rashod Bateman, BAL - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Bateman was the clear #2 receiver, getting downfield targets and almost as many targets as Mark Andrews in the loss to the Bengals. He should benefit from the offense being centered around Lamar Jackson's arm instead of the running game.

WR A.J. Brown, TEN - Brown looked like himself, clearly over any food poisoning and dominating the Chiefs secondary. He may be one of the 3-5 most valuable fantasy receivers from here on out with teams selling out to stop Derrick Henry.

WR Randall Cobb, GB - (waiver wire: 1%) - Cobb will be a good one-week fill-in if Davante Adams misses Week 8 because he was placed on the covid list.

WR Russell Gage, ATL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Gage caught a long score when he got behind the defense and looked good in his return from injury. He'll be good emergency bench depth going forward.

WR Tee Higgins, CIN - Higgins got 15 targets, and while he didn't make a huge fantasy day out of them, this offense is going to give him more opportunities to make big plays out of them with Ja'Marr Chase breaking records.

WR Van Jefferson, LAR - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Jefferson was basically a full-time player with #2 tight end Johnny Mundt out for the season and the Rams employing a lot more three-wide sets. Jefferson scored and he also carries some injury upside if either of the Rams' top two receivers go down.

WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - This is just another reminder to pick up Jeudy, especially in PPR leagues. He could return this week against Washington.

WR Jarvis Landry, CLE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Landry was back in Week 7, but got a little banged up. He is a low ceiling, but reasonable emergency floor option in PPR with Odell Beckham injury upside.

WR Allen Lazard, GB - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Lazard's production actually came in just one drive, so while that shows theoretical upside for an entire game, it also shows that he wasn't involved throughout. However, with Davante Adams on the covid list and possibly out in Week 8, Lazard could be a good play against the Cardinals.

WR Dante Pettis, NYG - (waiver wire: 1%) - Pettis scored and actually threw a completion to Daniel Jones in the win over the Panthers. If Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney are both out for Week 8 against the Chiefs, Pettis will be a solid WR3/Flex PPR play.

WR Michael Pittman, IND - Pittman was able to have a 100-yard game with a score in a monsoon. He'll be in lineups against the Titans this week no matter the weather.

WR Kalif Raymond, DET - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Raymond continues to show speed and skill and has emerged as the top wide receiver option in the Lions pass offense, which will dominate the picture because of the constant losing game scripts they find themselves in.

WR Darius Slayton, NYG - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - It's hard to say exactly where Slayton will fit in when everyone is healthy in the Giants passing game, but it's also hard to say if everyone will get healthy at any point this year. He'll be startable against the Chiefs this week.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Davante Adams, GB - Adams was placed on the covid list on Monday and could miss Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

WR Odell Beckham, CLE - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - Beckham was slipping and dropping balls and otherwise adding another chapter to his frustrating 2021. If it makes you feel better to drop him, go for it.

WR Antonio Brown, TB - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Brown missed Week 7 with an ankle injury. He was ruled out on Friday, so he's questionable at best for Week 8.

WR Tyreek Hill, KC - Hill was only saved from a disastrous fantasy day by some garbage time catches. He should have a few more blow-up games and is worth riding through the ups and downs, but the shocking blowout loss to the Titans has dimmed the outlook for every part of this offense.

WR Julio Jones, TEN - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Jones didn't do much in the win over the Chiefs, but he didn't need to. The important thing is that he came through the game healthy and A.J. Brown was back to his ascendant self, which should draw attention from opposing safeties.

WR Darnell Mooney, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - Mooney and the Bears offense suffered through a long afternoon in the 38-3 loss to the Bucs. Even a full second half of garbage time didn't create much in the way of fantasy value, so it's hard to know if we will trust Mooney in our lineup at any point this year.

WR Tim Patrick, DEN - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - Patrick was quiet in the loss to the Browns, and with Jerry Jeudy coming back, his role in the passing game is going to shrink.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - Peoples-Jones hurt his groin before the game and gave everyone who relied on him in fantasy leagues a big fat zero. We'll see if he can be ready for Week 8 on a long week of rest, but it looks like Odell Beckham is going to play through his shoulder injuries, lowering the upside of both.

WR Allen Robinson, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - Robinson is still a very good football player, but this putrid Bears offense just isn't going to give him a chance to show it. It's understandable to drop him even though his talent could win out eventually.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Alie-Cox had yet another touchdown in the rain in Santa Clara. With the Colts schedule getting easier and the chemistry between him and Carson Wentz growing, Alie-Cox is becoming a solid weekly streamer heading into a matchup with the Titans.

TE Evan Engram, NYG - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - It's not exactly what the Giants had in mind when they took Engram in the first round back in 2017, but he did show dependable hands and helped move the sticks against the Panthers. He's an adequate PPR tight end option as long as the Giants wide receiver group is thinned by injury.

TE Mike Gesicki, MIA - Gesicki is not slowing down, with his fourth big fantasy game in the last five. He is on pace to be a top five fantasy tight end and with the state of the Dolphins offense, he may finish there.

TE Hunter Henry, NE - Jonnu Smith's shoulder injury should open up more opportunity for Henry, who scored in his fourth straight game in Week 7.

TE Foster Moreau, LV - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Moreau had a terrific highlight-reel touchdown catch and was a steady part of the Raiders pass offense with Darren Waller sitting. The Raiders are going into a bye, so Waller should be ready for Week 9, but Moreau is carrying in deep leagues just to be sure, and maybe through Week 9 in case there is a recurrence of injury.

TE Kyle Pitts, ATL - Pitts breakout extended over the bye as he was lethal on downfield throws against the Dolphins, including against Xavien Howard in one-on-one coverage. He's an every-week start going forward and may end up being a top-two tight end this year after all.

TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Seals-Jones compiled some catches in garbage time and showed again that he should be treated as an established TE1 for as long as Logan Thomas is out. He'll be a solid TE1 play against the Broncos this week.

TE Robert Tonyan Jr, GB - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Tonyan had his first big fantasy game of the season, and he'll be right back in lineups with Davante Adams likely sitting in Week 8 because he was placed on the covid list ahead of a Thursday night game.

TE C.J. Uzomah, CIN - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Uzomah caught two scores for the second time in four games, and he also scored in Week 6. He is one of Joe Burrow's favorite downfield targets and Burrow is hitting him in stride to set up these run after catch touchdown opportunities. The ups make the downs more than worth it, keeping him in lineups this week against the Jets.

Tight End Downgrade

TE O.J. Howard, TB - (waiver wire: DROP) - Howard was quiet in the Week 7 romp over the Bears, diminishing his possible status as a must-start while Rob Gronkowski is on the mend. He's only a desperation even if Gronkowski isn't back for this week's contest with the Saints.

TE Travis Kelce, KC - Like the rest of the Chiefs offense, we can't see Kelce in quite the same light after the team's pathetic afternoon in Nashville. He's still the #1 fantasy tight end but has only scored once in the last five games.

TE Jonnu Smith, NE - (waiver wire: DROP) - Smith was just getting going with a couple of plays downfield when he hurt his shoulder in Week 7.

TE Darren Waller, LV - Waller missed Week 7 with knee/ankle issues. He has a well-timed bye, but we will need to monitor his status in Week 9 practices.