Waiver Wire Week 8: Next Men Up
Evaluating snap shares and roles to replace injured starters ahead of Week 8.
Heavy injury turnover has fractured the depth charts across the league, forcing offensive coordinators to lean on unproven backups. With cornerstone players like Lamar Jackson and DeVonta Smith sidelined, identifying the next men up is paramount. We break down the precise snap distributions and target shares from Week 7 to isolate the true beneficiaries on the waiver wire.
01Top adds
QB
QB · BAL
Tyler Huntley
- FAAB
- 8-12%
- Rostered
- 4.3%
With Lamar Jackson out, Huntley took 100% of the offensive snaps in Week 7. He delivered 298 passing yards and a touchdown on 34 attempts, stabilizing the offense and proving he can run the system effectively.
RB
RB · DEN
Jonah Coleman
- FAAB
- 12-15%
- Rostered
- 24.2%
Coleman is establishing himself as a reliable asset, logging a season-high 49% snap share against Arizona. He handled 9 carries for 54 yards and caught 2 of 2 targets for 15 yards, showing dual-threat capability.
RB · IND
Seth McGowan
- FAAB
- 5-8%
- Rostered
- 4.0%
His involvement continues to climb, hitting a 33% snap share in Week 7. He took 11 carries for 46 yards against Minnesota, marking his highest utilization of the season in a tight rotation.
WR
WR · PHI
Makai Lemon
- FAAB
- 15-20%
- Rostered
- 37.4%
DeVonta Smith is out, and Lemon instantly absorbed the primary read responsibilities. He secured 7 of 8 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown, commanding a massive 24.2% target share in the offense.
WR · MIA
Caleb Douglas
- FAAB
- 10-15%
- Rostered
- 9.7%
Douglas flashed extreme upside on a 68% snap share in Week 7. He turned his 3 targets into 2 receptions for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns, demanding attention as a potent red-zone threat.
TE
TE · LA
Colby Parkinson
- FAAB
- 4-6%
- Rostered
- 6.6%
Parkinson maintained a 69% snap share while catching 5 of his 6 targets for 48 yards. With a 20.6% target share in Week 7, he provides a stable floor at a volatile position.
TE · WAS
Chig Okonkwo
- FAAB
- 3-5%
- Rostered
- 4.9%
Okonkwo has seen his snap share steadily increase, peaking at 76% in Week 6. He has compiled 20 targets through four active games, making him a reliable volume play in deeper formats.
02Stash
RB · ARI
Bam Knight
- Rostered
- 17.1%
With Jeremiyah Love sidelined, Knight rushed 7 times for 48 yards in Week 7. He provides immediate depth with 25 carries on the season.
WR · WAS
Antonio Williams
- Rostered
- 7.1%
Williams has maintained a stable role, logging a 67% snap share in Week 6. He has secured 26 targets for 205 yards on the season.
03Streamers
QB · PHI
Tanner McKee
- Rostered
- 6.0%
McKee stepped in for 100% of snaps in Week 6 and threw 35 times for 211 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. He plays Washington next.
DST · DET
Lions D/ST
- Rostered
- 22.5%
Detroit draws a favorable matchup against Minnesota next week after resting their starters.
04Drops
RB · NE
Corey Kiner
- Rostered
- 0.7%
Kiner is being phased out of the offense. His snap share plummeted to 11% in Week 7, and he produced just 13 yards on 4 carries.
05Rookie report
Standouts
WR · CLE
KC Concepcion
- PPR
- 23.2
The R1 #24 pick played 79% of snaps, catching 8 of 10 targets for 129 yards. He continues to dominate man coverage with precise route running.
WR · NYJ
Omar Cooper Jr.
- PPR
- 22.5
Drafted R1 #30, Cooper hauled in all 5 of his targets for 115 yards and a touchdown on a 64% snap share, demonstrating explosive vertical ability.
WR · PHI
Makai Lemon
- PPR
- 19.7
The R1 #20 selection seized the moment with Smith out. He caught 7 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, operating seamlessly in tight windows.
TE · NE
Eli Raridon
- PPR
- 14.6
Drafted R3 #95, Raridon secured 3 of 4 targets for 56 yards and a touchdown on a 54% snap share, flashing excellent body control.
Disappointments
WR · CHI
Zavion Thomas
- PPR
- 0
Drafted R3 #89, Thomas was completely erased from the game plan, logging a mere 7% snap share and zero targets.
Caleb Douglas is the rookie to watch next week as his role expands in Miami.
TE · PHI
Eli Stowers
- PPR
- 0
The R2 #54 pick continues to struggle with NFL processing speed. He earned just 1 target and failed to secure a catch against Dallas.
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