Jonah Coleman and Rachaad White should be added in all leagues. Both have the chance to be difference makers in Week 8 and beyond.
Now, you are not going to see them mentioned as running backs to add below because both are rostered in more than 65 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. But we know they are widely available on other platforms, and you should be prepared to spend plenty of your FAAB on each running back.
Coleman (68 percent rostered on CBS Sports), who was on injured reserve due to an ankle injury for four games prior to Week 7, led Denver's running backs with nine carries for 54 yards and added two catches for 15 yards on two targets against Arizona. After the game, Sean Payton told reporters that they "got to get him (Coleman) more touches. Definitely."
That's the tricky part because the Broncos still have J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. But it's clear watching Coleman -- and knowing Dobbins' injury history -- that it's only a matter of time before Coleman is leading this backfield on a consistent basis.
He is worth adding for at least 25 percent of your remaining FAAB. I would use Coleman as a flex in Week 8 against Kansas City, and he could emerge as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues if he does well against the Chiefs.
White (72 percent rostered on CBS Sports) was on bye in Week 7, but he has at least three more games as the lead running back for the Commanders with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) on injured reserve. White should be added in all leagues for at least 20 percent of your remaining FAAB, and he's a borderline starter in all formats in Week 8 against Philadelphia.
In the first game without Croskey-Merritt in Week 6 against San Francisco, White had seven carries for 27 yards and four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown on five targets. He will share touches with Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols until Croskey-Merritt returns to action, but White has the most upside of the trio, especially in PPR. He has scored at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his past four games.
Both of these running backs should be the most coveted players off the waiver wire in Week 8 -- if they are available. And we'll cover plenty of other free agents to add in what should be a busy week on the waiver wire.
We have four teams on a bye (Houston, New Orleans, the Giants and San Francisco) and plenty of injuries. You might have to spend a lot of FAAB to make sure your lineup is ready to go.
Editor's note: For this waiver wire column, we are only looking at players rostered in less than 65 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
Week 8 Waivers
On a bye: Brock Purdy, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence and J.J. McCarthy
Injuries: Lamar Jackson (ankle)
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Kirk Cousins (76 percent rostered) and Aaron Rodgers (70 percent). Cousins will remain the Raiders' starting quarterback for Week 8, which means he's a low-end Fantasy starter against the Jets. Cousins has scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in five of his past six games. He should have another solid outing against New York. ... Rodgers only scored 15.1 Fantasy points in Week 7 against New Orleans, but he scored at least 20.1 points in each of his four previous games, including Week 4 against the Browns with 27.9 points. I would use Rodgers as a low-end starter in deeper leagues in the rematch with Cleveland in Week 8.
Drop candidates: Tyler Shough (93 percent rostered) and Sam Darnold (60 percent). Shough has been a quality Fantasy quarterback this season, but he has scored 17.9 Fantasy points or less in three of his past four games heading into a bye in Week 8. Since he's off this week, you can drop him if you need a roster spot. ... Darnold has scored 17.3 Fantasy points or less in four games in a row, but he's faced a difficult schedule against the Chargers, 49ers, Broncos and Chiefs over that span. He's about to face Chicago, Arizona and Las Vegas in the next three games, but Darnold is tough to trust in one-quarterback leagues given his recent level of play.
Add in this order:
Week 8 Waiver Priority List
WAIVER WIRE
Running Backs
On a bye: Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Woody Marks, David Montgomery, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller
Injuries: Saquon Barkley (back), Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), Breece Hall (quadriceps), Jeremiyah Love (ankle), Aaron Jones (knee), Cam Skattebo (hamstring), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring), David Montgomery (groin), Kyle Monangai (thumb), Zach Charbonnet (knee), Jadarian Price (chest), Travis Etienne (hamstring), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring), Jonathon Brooks (groin), Tyjae Spears (knee), Jaylen Wright (quadriceps), Tank Bigsby (abdomen), Will Shipley (foot), Isiah Pacheco (back) and James Conner (foot)
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Emanuel Wilson (81 percent rostered), Rico Dowdle (79 percent), Jadarian Price (74 percent), Rachaad White (72 percent), Jonah Coleman (69 percent) and Mike Washington (68 percent). Seattle could have Charbonnet and Price back in Week 8 — or not. If both remain out against Chicago, then Wilson is in play as a borderline starter in all leagues. He has scored at least 13.2 PPR points in three of his past four games. It's also a good idea to stash Price if he's on the waiver wire. Even though this is a crowded backfield now, he could still end up leading the Seahawks in carries to close the season. ... Dowdle is the No. 2 running back in Pittsburgh behind Jaylen Warren, but Dowdle can still be productive in that role. He just had nine carries for 41 yards and six catches for 45 yards on six targets in Week 7 against New Orleans. That kind of volume, especially in the passing game, will keep Dowdle in play as a flex option in all leagues. ... White, as referenced above, has scored at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his past four games. Croskey-merritt is out for at least three more games. ... Coleman, as referenced above, could be the best running back in Denver after his performance in Week 7 against Arizona, where he led the Broncos backfield in snaps, routes and touches. ... Washington played through foot and back injuries in Week 7 against the Rams but still managed to lead the Raiders with six carries for 27 yards. Ashton Jeanty had eight carries for 15 yards but added eight catches for 61 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Keep an eye on Washington's health heading into Week 8 at the Jets, but he might start getting more carries if he continues to run better than Jeanty moving forward.
Drop candidates: Tyler Allgeier (55 percent rostered), Kendre Miller (55 percent) and MarShawn Lloyd (54 percent). Allgeier has failed to capitalize on Love being out for the past two games, with 7.9 PPR points or less in each outing against the Rams and Broncos, and Zonovan Knight has been the best Arizona running back over that span. Even if Love remains out in Week 8 against Dallas, Allgeier is just a borderline flex option at best in most leagues. ... Etienne is eligible to come off IR in Week 9 against Cleveland, so there's little reason to roster Miller heading into the bye in Week 8. He had 38 carries in the past three games with Etienne out and turned that into 106 yards and a touchdown, along with five catches for 22 yards on seven targets, but he scored 9.0 PPR points or less in each outing. ... Josh Jacobs returned in Week 7 at Detroit, and Lloyd was the No. 2 running back. He had six carries for 20 yards and two catches for 15 yards on two targets, but Lloyd will have minimal Fantasy value moving forward while Jacobs is active.
Add in this order:
Week 8 Waiver Priority List
Handcuffs to stash: These are handcuffs to stash on your bench if you have an open roster spot. They could be league winners if the starter ever got hurt, but these running backs mostly have minimal Fantasy value as backups. They are listed in the order that I want to stash them on my bench.
Emmett Johnson - 49 percent rostered
Samaje Perine - 27 percent rostered
Brian Robinson Jr. - 65 percent rostered
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - 38 percent rostered
Tyler Goodson - 2 percent rostered
Ray Davis - 8 percent rostered
Justice Hill - 27 percent rostered
Sione Vaki - 3 percent rostered
On a bye: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk, Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins, Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Jordyn Tyson, Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields and Darnell Mooney
Injuries: Jaylen Waddle (chest), Emeka Egbuka (concussion), DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), Jaylin Noel (toe), Davante Adams (hamstring), Mike Evans (Achilles), Rashee Rice (hamstring), D.J. Moore (shoulder), Ladd McConkey (concussion), Romeo Doubs (shoulder), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Tre Harris (hamstring), Michael Pittman (foot), Roman Wilson (finger), Alec Pierce (heel), Mack Hollins (calf), Pat Bryant (ankle), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), Jalen McMillan (knee), Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Calvin Ridley (hip)
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Omar Cooper Jr. (81 percent rostered), Deebo Samuel (79 percent), Chris Godwin (79 percent), Keenan Allen (76 percent), Ja'Kobi Lane (75 percent), Jakobi Meyers (69 percent), Keon Coleman (69 percent), Demario Douglas (69 percent) and Courtland Sutton (68 percent). Cooper has been great in his past two games with 11 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets, and he scored at least 22.3 PPR points in each outing against New England and Miami. He should be added in all leagues. ... Samuel has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury and is on bye in Week 8, but he could return in Week 9. Prior to getting hurt in Week 5, Samuel had scored at least 15.4 PPR points in three of his first four games, and he could have an increased role if Evans remains out. ... Godwin would be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 8 against Atlanta if Egbuka can't play. Godwin nearly had his first touchdown of the season in Week 7 at Carolina but it was negated by a penalty. ... Allen had a rough game in Week 7 at Minnesota with 6.1 PPR points, but he scored at least 16.2 PPR points in two of his previous three games. He should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues heading into Week 8 at Jacksonville. ... I'm excited to see what Lane can do with a healthy Lamar Jackson (ankle), who should play in Week 8 against Buffalo.
In two games since returning from a four-game absence with a wrist injury, Lane has seven catches for 65 yards and no touchdowns on 10 targets, but that's with Tyler Huntley. ... Meyers had five catches for 83 yards on 10 targets in Week 6 against Houston before Jacksonville's bye. Hopefully, he'll stay hot in Week 8 against the Colts. Meyers has two games in his past four outings with at least 13.3 PPR points and should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues against Indianapolis. ... Moore should play in Week 8 after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury. Still, if he remains out, then Coleman should be a starter in three-receiver leagues. He has scored at least 12.3 PPR points in three of the four games Moore has either missed or left early this season, and he has a touchdown in three games in a row. ... Douglas only scored 5.3 PPR points in Week 7 against Chicago, but he had at least 19.6 PPR points in each of his two previous games against Las Vegas and the Jets. I'd still consider starting Douglas in three-receiver leagues against the Dolphins. Hopefully, he'll continue to be a go-to option for Drake Maye. ... Sutton has scored one touchdown this season and has no games with double digits in PPR, but he could see a boost in production if Waddle is out in Week 8 against the Chiefs. I would consider Sutton a starter in three-receiver leagues if Waddle can't play.
Drop candidates: Josh Downs (76 percent rostered), Jaylin Noel (50 percent) and Christian Kirk (42 percent). Downs has scored 8.7 PPR points or less in four games in a row, and he's only averaging 5.2 targets per game over that span. Keenan Allen is the only receiver to consider in three-receiver leagues for the Colts right now, and you can drop Downs, who has yet to score a touchdown this year. ... Noel had scored at least 11.9 PPR points in three games in a row prior to Week 7 against the Giants when he injured his toe. Houston is on bye in Week 8, so we won't know his status until Week 9. Given the uncertainty, it's safe to drop Noel in the majority of leagues. ... Kirk had no targets in his 2026 debut in Week 7 at Atlanta, and the 49ers are on bye in Week 8. Samuel could return in Week 9 from his two-game absence with a hamstring injury, and Evans could also get back on the field. There's little reason to hang onto Kirk in most leagues.
Add in this order:
Week 8 Waiver Priority List
On a bye: George Kittle, Isaiah Likely, Juwan Johnson and Dalton Schultz
Injuries: Tyler Warren (groin), Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and David Njoku (leg), Tyler Warren (groin), T.J. Hockenson (concussion), Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and David Njoku (leg)
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Pat Freiermuth (67 percent rostered). Freiermuth has been a disappointment in each of his past two games against Tampa Bay and New Orleans, with a combined four catches for 31 yards and no touchdowns on seven targets, but he did score 10.7 PPR points in Week 4 at Cleveland. Hopefully, Freiermuth can have similar success in the rematch, and he's worth using as a starter in deeper leagues.
Drop candidates: Mark Andrews (61 percent rostered), Jake Ferguson (53 percent) and Dalton Schultz (44 percent). I hope Andrews performs better once Lamar Jackson (ankle) is healthy, but it's not like Andrews was playing great before Jackson was injured. For the season, Andrews has one touchdown and has scored double digits in PPR just twice, including none in the past three games. Ferguson had his worst game of the season in Week 7 at Philadelphia with no catches on just one target. He has combined for eight catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns on 14 targets in his past four games, and he needs to score touchdowns to help Fantasy managers. Since he has not scored since Week 3 it's easy to send Ferguson back to the waiver wire in all formats. ... Schultz had a productive game in Week 7 against the Giants with five catches for 45 yards on six targets, and his 9.5 PPR points was the second-best mark on the year. But Schultz has yet to score a touchdown, and he's not worth keeping on most rosters in Week 8 with the Texans on bye.
Add in this order:
Week 8 Waiver Priority List
DST streamers
- Jaguars (44 percent rostered) at IND
- Bengals (39 percent rostered) vs. TEN
- Bears (60 percent rostered) at SEA
Kicker streamers
- Cam Little (57 percent rostered) at IND
- Chris Boswell (52 percent rostered) vs. CHI
- Matt Gay (58 percent rostered) at NYJ
