With no byes on the Week 8 NFL slate, the need for streaming pickups is little lower, so I went lighter at some positions this week.
However, with San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out for the season after suffering an ACL injury, the Seattle Seahawks' DK Metcalf listed as week-to-week (knee), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) both suffering injuries and the Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams possibly facing a two-game suspension, we need to look at the pass-catchers today. And there are options here, including some in San Francisco who have the ability to produce in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
I also have couple quarterbacks who can step in this week, along with multiple running backs and tight ends. Plus, we'll wrap it up with a widely available defense in a prime matchup.
Players listed below are deeper-league targets, rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues entering this week's waiver period. Although you might notice overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are solely for this week's matchups and not based on the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Wide receivers
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (68.7% rostered; at Jaguars)
Since missing the Week 5 game because of a team suspension, Doubs has scored at least 17 points in each of his past two. And he just caught eight of a team-high 10 targets for 94 yards in the Week 7 win over the Houston Texans. We know the Packers' wide receiver room is deep, right? But with Jordan Love's aggressive throwing mentality and a really strong Week 8 matchup versus the Jacksonville defense, I like Doubs here as a deeper-league flex play. He was scooped up in a large percentage of leagues this week, so hopefully he's still out there for you to pick up.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (56.1% rostered; at Seahawks)
The rookie had his best day as a pro in the Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans, catching four of seven targets for 125 yards (16.5 points). With his big-play ability -- he posted a 57-yard reception Sunday -- and rising target volume (16 targets over his past three games), Coleman can be played as a flex this week against the Seahawks.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (21.3% rostered; at Browns)
Bateman scored a season-high 22.1 points in the Monday night win over the Bucs, catching all four of his targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. Bateman, who has emerged as a perimeter option for Lamar Jackson, has now posted double-digit fantasy production in four of his past five games. While Bateman is averaging only 4.4 targets per game, he is cashing in on the opportunities as a second- and third-level route-runner in the Ravens' pass game.
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (13.6% rostered; at Ravens)
In Cleveland's first game after trading Amari Cooper to the Bills, Tillman saw his role jump, as he caught eight of 12 targets for 81 yards (18.1 points) in the Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Tillman has the physical style and sturdy frame to log targets inside of the numbers, plus he's a chain-mover who can create separation on in-cuts. Tillman fits as a deeper league option this week with either Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) or Jameis Winston starting at quarterback versus the Ravens.
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (17.2% rostered; at Cowboys)
The injury status of Jauan Jennings (hip) plays a role in Pearsall's value this week, but I like the rookie here as a inside/outside target in a 49ers pass game that needs a boost with Aiyuk out. Pearsall caught three of five targets for only 21 yards in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but we know he has the route savvy to uncover in the quick passing game with the low 4.4 speed to get loose. Pearsall is a deeper-league target with some upside if Jennings is still down.
Jacob Cowing, 49ers (0.3% rostered; at Cowboys)
Staying with the 49ers, Cowing is another rookie who saw reps in Week 7. Cowing ran only seven routes in that game, but he caught two of three targets for 50 yards, which included a 41-yard reception on a double move. At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Cowing is a sudden mover with the short-area burst to accelerate after the catch. And he can be schemed in Shanahan's offense on manufactured touches, too. Keep Cowing on the radar as we await the injury reports on Jennings.
Jalen McMillan (37.3% rostered), Sterling Shepard (9.2%), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Falcons)
The Bucs' offense took a major hit in the Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens with Evans and Godwin both going down, so we need to look at the replacements here for the Week 8 matchup versus the Falcons. McMillan saw eight targets on Monday, catching three for 15 yards, and he also added a rushing attempt (on a jet sweep) for 11 yards. The rookie has a playmaking element from slot alignments, and he can stretch the middle of the field. Shepard has caught eight of 12 targets on the season and has also been schemed on manufactured touches, logging four carries for 31 yards. Given the throwing mentality of Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, both McMillan and Shepard can be played this week in deeper leagues. Tampa Bay will still be aggressive in the pass game.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (2.4% rostered; vs. Panthers)
Let's take a shot here on Franklin. The matchup versus a Panthers defense allowing 7.9 YPA (most in the league) is really tough to pass up, and Franklin has scored at least 10 points in each of his past two games. Plus, in the Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints, Franklin caught five of a team-high six targets for 50 yards. Franklin has the vertical stretch ability to work the third level, and Sean Payton can scheme him open on crossing routes to run after the catch.
Quarterbacks
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (33.6% rostered; vs. Panthers)
I thought Nix looked jumpy at times in the Week 7 win over the Saints, which led to some rushed throws and poor footwork. However, Nix is more than willing to pull the ball down as a runner (10 carries, 75 yards in Week 7), and he did throw for multiple touchdowns in both Weeks 5 and 6. Given his dual-threat traits (six or more carries in three straight games), Nix is a solid streamer this week with a very favorable home matchup against the Panthers' defense.
Running backs
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (53.1% rostered; at Chiefs)
Mattison has emerged as the lead back in Las Vegas, as Zamir White's return in Week 7 didn't impact his volume. Mattison saw 23 carries in the Week 7 loss to the Rams (compared to only three for White), and he finished with 92 yards rushing. Mattison also added 31 yards receiving on three catches. With at least 17 touches in each of his past three games and double-digit production in five of seven, Mattison is a high-floor play for the Week 8 game versus the Chiefs. And I expect the Raiders to run the ball here given their lack of production at the quarterback position.
D'Ernest Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars (8.9% rostered; vs. Packers)
If Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) remains out for the Week 8 matchup versus the Packers, then we can look at Johnson as the No.2 in the Jags backfield behind Tank Bigsby. Johnson saw 12 touches in the Week 8 win over the New England Patriots, totaling nine carries for 38 yards and three receptions for 32 yards. While Bigsby will continue to pace the Jags run game, Johnson can give deeper league managers an anticipated 10-plus touches, which includes the pass-game reps.
Tight end
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (40.2% rostered; at Jets)
I wrote on Henry here last week as a underneath outlet with seam-stretching ability for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Henry caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards in the loss to the Jaguars (17.9 points) and has now scored double-digit fantasy points in Maye's two starts. And while he gets a tougher matchup versus the Jets' defense this week, I still like the veteran tight end as a middle-of-the-field target for Maye.
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (8.6% rostered; vs. Bills)
We need to look at Fant after his past two games. During that stretch, Fant has caught all 10 of his targets and posted double-digit points in each game. Fant will still operate as an underneath option for quarterback Geno Smith, but he'll get the occasional schemed throw to attack the intermediate levels of the field, Fant can give managers some upside in deeper formats.
D/ST
Kansas City Chiefs (79.1% rostered; at Raiders)
The Chiefs might be a lock this week in the matchup versus a Raiders pass game that lacks juice. Remember, with Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell now on IR (thumb), Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gets to game plan for Gardner Minshew, who has thrown multiple interceptions in each of his past two games. The Chiefs just had three interceptions in the Week 7 win over the 49ers, and I expect Spagnuolo to turn up the heat versus Minshew in this one. This unit is among the most-added options this week, so it's very possible you missed the window, but definitely worth a look.
Green Bay Packers (39.5% rostered; at Jaguars)
If you missed out on the Chiefs, I'd take a shot on this Packers defense that averages 10.0 PPG, as they get set to face Jacksonville on Sunday. Green Bay has forced multiple turnovers in six of seven games played, and they have racked up 20 sacks on the season. This is an aggressive unit with a ball-hawking secondary -- and that creates points for your lineup.