Waiver Wire Pickups – Guillotine Fantasy Football Week 8
Did you make it through another week of guillotine fantasy football? If you’re reading this, I’ll assume you did. So, congrats! But there’s still a long way to go. Today, we’re diving into the top waiver wire pickups for Week 8 in your guillotine fantasy football leagues.
So, who was cut from the last-place team in Week 7? Which players should you target on the waiver wire? And how much of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) should you be spending? Each week, I’ll give you my insights on how to navigate the waiver wire best. Keep reading for my top guillotine waiver wire pickups for Week 8. Let’s get started!
Top Waiver Wire Pickups for Guillotine Fantasy Football in Week 8
Another week down another team was sent to the graveyard. Hopefully, it wasn’t you. If it was, there’s still time to re-up and start another league! Guillotine leagues can be started up during any week of the season! That’s just one of the many great features of guillotine fantasy football leagues. Continue reading to check out the top waiver wire pickups for Week 8.
For those of you still alive and looking to improve, I’ve got some names for you. At this point in the season, rosters will start to look more traditional with fewer dart-throw players and handcuffs. Also, the teams that have saved their budget money may start spending it when a big name hits the waivers. In other words, it’s more likely that someone might drop a huge bid on one of the following players on this list.
QB Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
Max Bid: 11 – 14%
This past weekend, rookie Jayden Daniels exited the game early with a perceived rib injury. There was no need for him to return, as the Commanders were way ahead Panthers and there was no need to put the rookie in harm’s way. Reports on his injury showed no breaks or fractures, so we will likely see him return in Week 8.
Through the course of the season, Daniels has run for at least 39 yards in all but one game. Including an impressive 50 yards in Week 7. Additionally, he has thrown for more than in four straight games. This makes him one of the safest quarterback floors with enormous upside every time he plays. He’s near the top in one of our free fantasy football tools, the Consistency Score, as well.
As a whole, quarterbacks become less expensive as fewer teams remain in your guillotine leagues. However, Daniels is the kind of player I would spend a bit extra on due to his potential for an explosive output and reliable floor.
RB Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints
Max Bid: 10 – 13%
Many guillotine managers have been flying high with the results they’ve been getting from Alvin Kamara. He’s ran for over 75 yards in four games, hauled in five or more passes in five games and scored seven touchdowns this season. However, his 24 total yards in Week 7 probably spelled doom for a number of those squads.
His next opponents, the Chargers, aren’t easy on running backs. On the bright side, he has managed some good fantasy days against other tough run defenses. He totaled over 110 scrimmage yards against the Falcons and the Eagles and he’s always a threat to score. The uncertainty of Chris Olave and the season-ending injury of Rashid Shaheed should also garner him more targets on a regular basis.
His overall numbers have decreased in recent weeks, having not surpassed 66 total yards since Week 5, which could be a sign of his age (29 years). As expected, I’m slightly apprehensive of him going forward. However, he should still get enough touches to create a safe floor. This makes him one of the top waiver wire pickups for your guillotine leagues in Week 8.
RB Austin Ekeler – Washington Commanders
Max Bid: 5 – 8%
Austin Ekeler has been writing a wonderful “comeback” story in 2024. He’s currently third on the team with 201 receiving yards and second in rushing/receiving yards with 389 yards. His season-low 20 total yards were clearly a result of the outright domination of Carolina this past week.
It’s not likely that Ekeler will surpass Brian Robinson Jr. in opportunities in any given week. However, this week’s matchup with Chicago will require all hands on deck. In their last three contests, the Bears have allowed 4.98 yards per carry and four receptions per game to running backs. There is potential for running back production in this upcoming high-octane affair.
This could be one of the last weeks that a player of Ekeler’s caliber will be a viable option in guillotine leagues, with the available pool of players growing ever stronger. If you’re on a strict budget, you may want to consider this option above hoping for another player to fall to you at a discount. Overall, he is also a great target for the second run of league waivers and a fine waiver wire pickup for Week 8.
WR DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
Max Bid: 13 – 16%
DeVonta Smith’s disappointing performance was clear a result of the absolute rout of the Giants this past week. The Eagles took control in the second quarter and didn’t need to use the pass to move the ball down field. The 176 rushing yards from Saquon Barkley also contributed to the lack of passing production.
In each of his four games played, Smith surpassed 60 receiving yards and hauled in seven passes in three of those games. Next up will be a meeting with Cincinnati, who is more than capable of putting points on the board. In those kinds of games, Smith will always be a frequent target in the passing game.
There’s little to fear when relying on this former Alabama standout, except when the Eagles get way ahead in a game. His upside is as good as teammate A.J. Brown. Notably, Smith doesn’t usually see the same type of coverage as his counterpart. Another player I might be willing to bid a little higher on, if I’m in need of a solid wide receiver off the waiver wire.
WR Jayden Reed – Green Bay Packers
Max Bid: 10 – 12%
The only knock on Jayden Reed’s value is the number of playmakers that the Packers have in their wide receiver corps. Reed still leads his fellow receivers in targets (38), receptions (29) and receiving yards (452) and has also tallied 110 rushing yards. He’s a dynamic athlete who could be considered Green Bay’s best offensive weapon.
With all things considered, the upcoming matchup with Jacksonville is the cherry on top. Notably, the Jaguars have surrendered the most receiving yards (2020) and the most receiving touchdowns (16) in the NFL this year. Some could make the argument that any of the Packers’ top pass catchers could thrive in the Week 8 face off.
With so many explosive pass catchers on the team, there is a possibility that Reed could get lost in the shuffle. My bid price reflects that but I’m not overly concerned. Ultimately, he is still a worthwhile player to start in the guillotine fantasy football format.
TE Travis Kelce – Kansas City
Max Bid: 8 – 10%
The amount of times we’ve seen Travis Kelce on lists like this is becoming absurd. Yet, here we are again. That said, he has been targeted 24 times in the last three games with 20 catches for 176 yards. We also know that Juju Smith-Schuster has already been ruled out for Week 8, providing optimism for the future Hall of Fame tight end.
Kelce is no stranger to facing the Raiders, who he’ll meet again in Week 8. He has grabbed at least six passes in six of his last eight games against them with four performances of more than 90 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
If I wasn’t confident in my tight end, I’d be going after Kelce. We’ve seen him do great things for years and I’m willing to put my faith in him one more time.
Budget Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 8 Guillotine Fantasy Football
Every week, you’re going to see players become available that you want for your team. There are two views on this. Either wait and save your budget for when you really need it or place tiny bids on those bigger names that hit the wire. Personally, I prefer the second strategy.
I’ll put a small bid on a few players every week, maybe a little more. You won’t usually get many of them, and that’s expected. However, every so often, a player with big value becomes a cheap roster acquisition. These following players, as well as the ones previously mentioned, all fall into that category. Here are the top budget waiver wire pickups for Week 8 in your guillotine fantasy football leagues:
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins – Los Angeles Chargers
Chase Brown – Cincinnati Bengals
Raheem Mostert – Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Warren – Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams
Courtland Sutton – Denver Broncos
Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins
Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens
Stefon Diggs – Houston Texans
Darnell Mooney – Atlanta Falcons
Tight Ends
Dalton Kincaid – Buffalo Bills
T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
Ja’Tavion Sanders – Carolina Panthers
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