Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players returning from injury, and defenses to consider in advance.
Week 8 Byes: Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Welcome to bye-magedon! With six teams on a bye this week, most with several fantasy-relevant players on their roster, hopefully you planned ahead! This week's article will include some last-minute options if you were unable to fill your roster early, as well as players to snag with the future in mind. There are many highly rostered players on this list this week, so not everyone will be available in your league. But it never hurts to check.
Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers
In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you're fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (71% rostered on Sleeper)
The Rams have their bye this week, meaning Stafford could be dropped. If you have room, grab him. He currently has the third-highest passing yards (1866) and the most touchdowns (17). The Rams have a few solid matchups coming up, and being clearly in the hunt for the NFC West, you know they will continue to push the ball downfield.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (50% rostered on Sleeper)
Aaron Rodgers looked close to his old self last week in their loss to the Bengals, throwing for 249 yards and four touchdowns. Every week won't be like that - he was the QB8 on the week - but with bye weeks coming at you fast, he is worth consideration. The Steelers have the third-best remaining schedule for quarterbacks (and other positions, too), with the only less-than-ideal matchup in the next five weeks being a Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (23% rostered on Sleeper)
Carson Wentz has been holding down the fort for McCarthy as he recovered from his ankle injury, but it seems like there has to be a moment when McCarthy returns under center. After the Chargers in Week 8, the team has a run of great matchups through the end of the year. Sure, he might not turn into anything, but there is a chance that head coach Kevin O'Connell can mold him into a true QB1.
QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (57% rostered on Sleeper)
Don't count out the old guy just yet. After a 342-yard, three-touchdown night against the Steelers, Flacco works his way into the streaming conversation, especially if he continues to target his best receiver on the field, Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals have a Week 10 bye, but sandwiched around it are Chicago and a rematch with Pittsburgh - both teams that are great matchups for the quarterback position.
Just a reminder to check your waiver wire for: Jaxson Dart (74%)