FAABulous Football Week 8: Rookies Win Championships
Welcome to Week 8, where things start to get fun! We’ve reached that time of year when some of our favorite rookies begin to emerge and make their presence felt in fantasy football. Most of us have spent the better part of the last several months drafting and are intimately familiar with this rookie class by now. We made big bets on our favorite prospects, and our draft percentages reflect just how heavily we invested in these players.
Historically, we often see rookie wide receiver roles expand following their teams’ bye weeks. These breaks provide opportunities for coaching staffs to make adjustments, and the result can be what we like to call the post-bye rookie bump. As we enter the second half of the fantasy regular season, this is the time to identify which rookies are ready to take the next step.
When I say these players can win championships, that upside is relative to a few important factors.
First, draft capital matters. Sure, a rookie may be performing well, but if we drafted that player at their ceiling, the return on investment isn't nearly as significant as hitting on a late-round gem. The real league-winners are often the players who outperform their draft cost by a wide margin. Fortunately, this year's class has given us several late-round darlings who are shaping up to be absolute steals, with legitimate potential to become top options in their respective offenses.
Second, not all offenses are created equal. That said, we're seeing some offenses we were less than enthusiastic about drafting still produce enough efficiency to support viable fantasy assets. Every year, the market gets better at identifying these opportunities, and player prices increasingly reflect that knowledge. As a result, finding value isn't always as easy as it once was, making it even more important to recognize emerging roles before the rest of the field catches up.
Finally, talent and efficiency still matter. A favorable draft price and an expanding role can only take a player so far. Wide receivers must demonstrate that they can earn targets, create opportunities, and turn those opportunities into fantasy production. Opportunity is important, but the ability to capitalize on it is what separates a temporary breakout from a potential league-winner.
For a deeper dive into the profiles and common traits of rookie wide receivers who have helped win best ball leagues, check out Pat Kerrane's original article: Rookie Wide Receivers Are Winning Best Ball Leagues.
Now, let's turn our attention to Week 8. We're facing another four-team bye week, with the New Orleans Saints (NO), New York Giants (NYG), San Francisco 49ers (SF), and Houston Texans (HOU) all out of action.
With several fantasy-relevant players unavailable, roster depth and smart lineup decisions become even more important. At the same time, this is an ideal week to identify emerging rookies before their roles—and their fantasy value—take another step forward.
Let's dive into the Week 8 rookie landscape and find the players who could help put us one step closer to a championship.
All stats and data for FAABulous Football are pulled from Fantasy Life, PFF, NFL Next Gen Stats, ETR, rbsdm.com, Rotoviz, and Stealing Signals.
A Look Back at Week 7: Ship Chasing Team Standings and Waiver Wire Wins
I went through team by team, listing the players we won on waivers week 7, followed by the next highest bid in our individual league, and finally what the average bid was for those players across Main Event Leagues.
I also included some of the top players that we did not win and shared the average bid those players went for in Main Event Leagues.
I will then recap our team performances of the week for better and worse.
Top Waiver Targets
Tanner McKee
Average Bid: $1
J.J. McCarthy
Average Bid: $29
Roschon Johnson
Average Bid: $45
Corey Kiner
Average Bid: $15
Pierre Strong Jr.
Average Bid: $16
Tyler Goodson
Average Bid: $7
Seth McGowan
Average Bid: $25
Austin Ekeler
Average Bid: $4
Jeremy McNichols
Average Bid: $7
Devin Singletary
Average Bid: $31
Trevor Etienne
Average Bid: $2
Jaylin Wright
Average Bid: $7
Nicholas Singleton
Average Bid: $6
Jaylin Noel
Average Bid: $86
DeMario Douglas
Average Bid: $127
Jalen Royals
Average Bid: $3
Malachi Fields
Average Bid: $17
Savion Williams
Average Bid: $20
Brandin Cooks
Average Bid: $8
Ted Hurst
Average Bid: $6
Jahan Dotson
Average Bid: $22
Jauan Jennings
Average Bid: $4
Jerry Jeudy
Average Bid: $15
Colby Parkinson
Average Bid: $25
AJ Barner
Average Bid: $16
Darnell Washington
Average Bid: $29
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Average Bid: $5
Will Mallory
Average Bid: $2
Josh Cuevas
Average Bid: $21
Tommy Tremble
Average Bid: $21
Framemoggers (Ship Chasers Minisodes Draft)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Tank Bigsby: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $2
Christian Kirk: $53
Next Highest Bid: $9
Average Bid: $35
Travis Hunter: $53
Next Highest Bid: $42
Average Bid: $52
Evan McPherson: $6
Next Highest Bid: $5
Average Bid: $11
CHI Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Won (6-1)
1039.70 Pts. (3rd)
The Framemoggers squeaked by with a big time win this week, but still slipped into the 3rd seed as a team with a losing record put up a big score to pull ahead in points. Framemoggers is still positioned beautifully, tied for best record and only 20 points behind the top score.
Despite my optimism moving forward and the team positioned in playoff contention, I am a disappointed in two critical start/sit errors that almost cost us the matchup. We started Juwan Johnson at tight end and Josh Downs at wide receiver over Harold Fannin and KC Conception, which amounted to a 34.3 point differential aka cost us the top seed.
Looking ahead to this week, the team has a big challenge to overcome at running back with Christian McCaffrey on bye, as we remain hopeful he can return healthy after getting banged up in the week 7 game. We have Juwan Johnson on bye as well, but at this point that maybe more of a blessing than detriment. In Week 9 we have a lighter bye week overall, with only 2 teams missing in TEN and PIT, which only effects Carnell Tate here.
Looksmaxxers (Ship Chasers First Live Draft)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Deshaun Watson: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $3
Alvin Kamara: $106
Next Highest Bid: $61
Average Bid: $165
Travis Hunter: $52
Next Highest Bid: $17
Average Bid: $52
DAL Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Loss (3-4)
982.25 Pts. (4th)
Looksmaxxers was able to retain their place as the 4 seed despite losing this week, thanks to it's solid point total. The team performed well this week, but faced a difficult opponent and lost the matchup. Thats the nice thing about FFPC, even when falling on the wrong side of variance at times in these H2H matchups, having a strong point total can keep you in playoff contention.
The team played through some big obstacles in week 7 with Jaylen Daniels on bye, Breece Hall missing yet another game and benching Emmanuel Wilson, who ended up scoring the best of our running backs. The Panthers did absolutely nothing, which included a disappointing Tmac week, and I think it is time our kicker goes back to the kitchen.
Entering week 8 we do have a couple of bye week and injury challenges to face. At running back, we have newly acquired Alvin Kamara on bye, and Saquon Barkley looked far from 100%, now he is facing a back injury leading to uncertainty if he plays this week. I am hopeful we get the return of Breece Hall, who appeared close to playing this week as the Seahawks backfield should get Zach Charbonnet as well.
The other big challenge is at tight end where we have George Kittle out, as Jake Ferguson looks to be an after thought in the Cowboys offense at this point. It looks like it is time to get cooking on the waiver wire here.
ASU Frat Leader (Ron Stewart)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Bo Nix: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $22
Travis Hunter: $48
Next Highest Bid: $25
Average Bid: $52
Deshaun Watson: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $3
DAL Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Won (4-3)
942.75 Pts. (5th)
The ASU Frat Leader team is one that fell on the right side of matchup variance this week as it was able to record a win despite putting up a middling score at best in week 7. Currently, the team is standing firm in 5th place just outside of playoff contention, and has a clear path to moving up over the next few weeks of the season.
Brock Bowers remains one of the most reliable options in fantasy when healthy, and even his down games are pretty awesome. Bo Nix stepped up big in a favorable matchup, which included an insane scramble for a touchdown run, and now we should get Lamar Jackson back this week. D'Andre Swift has been another solid running back option for us this entire season.
The wide receivers on this team have been disappointing, from injuries to unreliable fantasy options even when playing... yes, I am looking at you A.J. Brown. The good news is the team has some bench stashes already rostered with Caleb Douglas, Antonio Williams, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Travis Hunter. There are no players on bye for the next two weeks here, I think the team's best days are ahead.
Bonesmashers (Sam Sherman)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Tyrone Tracy: $429
Next Highest Bid: $124
Average Bid: $188
Antonio Williams: $166
Next Highest Bid: $106
Average Bid: $160
Wil Lutz: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Loss (4-3)
888.70 Pts. (6th)
The Bonesmashers are in a difficult spot in the current league standings. While they do maintain a winning record, which ties the record of 3 other teams, the team has not been putting up the points.
Currently, the team is 90.25 points behind the 4 seed. This team will need to start winning and scoring points to have a chance to move into playoff contention and will need some big upsets to occur with the teams near the top. The dream is not dead, but there is little room for error moving forward.
The Ascendants (Shawn Siegele and Ben Gretch)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Zonovan Knight: $22
Next Highest Bid: $17
Average Bid: $31
Chase McLaughlin: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $3
Travis Hunter: $117
Next Highest Bid: $20
Average Bid: $52
TEN Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $7
Matchup:
Won (7-0)
1050.40 Pts. (1st)
True to the name, the Ascendents continue to ascend as all this team does is win. The team didn't just win in week 7, it smashed. Beginning with some bounce back performances featuring Bucky Irving and Ceedee Lamb, and some less predictable encores from a second usable Blake Corum week and Tre Tucker balling out, and then we finally get the entirety of the roller coaster that is the Jameson Williams experience.
I don't see this team slowing down any time soon as it is set up well for the next couple of weeks, with only C.J. Stroud out for week 8 and no one out week 9.
Jestermaxxers (ADP Chasing)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Omar Cooper: $258
Next Highest Bid: $207
Average Bid: $259
DAL Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Won (6-1)
1052.35 Pts. (1st)
Yes, I think we will have another first place team. Heading into the season this may have been my favorite team drafted and I love watching it bounce back after a slightly rocky start to the season.
The Jestermaxxers are on fire and they are doing it in spite of a second consecutive King Henry dud. Luther Burden showed up as Chicago finally decided to feature some of their best players, and rookie Omar Cooper is continuing to look like an absolute stud on the field.
Heading into week 8 I expect the Big Dog to eat against the Bills (sorry, not sorry Schopp) and even with Malik Nabers on bye here the team is deep at the wide receiver position. There is a lot to be excited about with the Jestermaxxers rest of the season outlook.
Cortisol Spikers (My team)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Tank Bigsby: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $2
Travis Hunter: $53
Next Highest Bid: $32
Average Bid: $52
Jake Bates: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $5
Matchup:
Loss (3-4)
949.90 Pts. (8th)
Now for a moment of truth, it brings me no joy to report that my team is our worst main event team in the standings after week 7. We are currently 44.95 points and 1 win behind the 3rd and 4th seeded teams. This week was by far our worst performance. We could still bounce back, but the team needs to score big over these next few weeks to have any shot of making the playoffs.
The team had some major struggles from the start heading into week 7, especially at running back. We were forced to choose between Aaron Jones with Jordan Mason returning, Kendre Miller in one of the league's worst ranked rushing attack, and Dylan Sampson in his first came back with a seemingly healthy Quinshon Judkins, all because Breece Hall and Jeremiyah Love missed yet again with injury and Rachaad White was on is bye week.
If running back remained the only struggle maybe the team would have overcome, but the entirety of the starting lineup outside of Ceedee Lamb and Harold Fannin had disappointing performances.
Now we get back all our Commanders heading into week 8 with only Kendre Miller and C.J. Stroud on bye followed by DK Metcalf in week 9. The good news is we maybe down, but we are not out yet, and I will keep fighting until the end.
Crankular (CrakRok)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Travis Hunter: $52
Next Highest Bid: $8
Average Bid: $52
Evan McPherson: $4
Next Highest Bid: $2
Average Bid: $11
Matchup:
Won (5-2)
1037.65 Pts. (2nd)
The Crankular team is another strong team that is sitting in a top 2 seeded position heading into week 8. The team put up a solid fantasy performance, despite some uncertainty on Puka Nacua and navigating our best options for coverage.
Ultimately, it felt appropriate to crank purple as we celebrated national tight end week by playing 3 tight ends on the CrakRok team, despite Higbee getting touchdown mogged by Davis Allen.
Looking ahead to week 8 we will attempt to correctly start the right quarterback, we are terrible at this game, and only have Kendre Miller missing. Then in week 9 maybe we get back a really fun first round rookie off the bye. There is a lot of fun to look forward to for the Crankular team.
Stat Chads (Stat Chasing)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Omar Cooper: $642
Next Highest Bid: $626
Average Bid: $259
Michael Penix: $6
Next Highest Bid: $1
Average Bid: $22
Trey Smack: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $2
Matchup:
Loss (3-4)
981.90 Pts. (8th)
The Stat Chads are barely ahead of my team in the running for our current worst performing main event team, with a tied record but a few more points. The Stat Chads trail the 4 seed by 36.3 points and 3 seed by 2 wins, again the team is down, but not out.
The boys had a lot of money saved up and decided to spend big with a $642 bid on Omar Cooper last week as we watched a fantasy friendly performance from the first round rookie from the bench. I tried to talk the guys to spend up with Will Reichard at kicker, and they ended up with Trey Smack.
Ultimately, even if the Stat Chads bid what I wanted they would have been short as this league remains one of our most aggressive in pricing up of players. Smack was a disappointing as he missed multiple kicks, but as Drico pointed out, even if he made all his kicks, the team still would have lost this week.
Moving forward into week 8 and 9 the team will only be missing one wide receiver each week of the next couple of byes; however week 11 could be a bit more challenging. I will keep fighting til the end here for our Stat Chad team.
Spite Draft
Gays of Hormuz (Jakob Sanderson)
Winning Waiver Bids
Tyrone Tracy: $402
Next Highest Bid: $169
Average Bid: $188
Matchup:
Won (3-4)
860.00 Pts. (10th)
Jakob had another win this week in the Spite Main as he continues to improve and fight his way up the standings. The Bears with Colston Loveland and Christian McCaffrey were enough to secure another win. I do have some big concerns for Jakob's team heading into week 8, with Christian McCaffrey on buy and now Tyrone Tracy, who Jakob spent $402 waiver dollars on, lands on I.R. The running back position is going to be difficult to mend.
Subhuman (Pete Overzet)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Dylan Sampson: $169
Next Highest Bid: $110
Average Bid: $75
Aaron Rodgers: $9
Next Highest Bid: $7
Average Bid: $28
Matchup:
Won (3-4)
920.75 Pts. (7th)
Pete had a win this week in the Spite Main as well, with all his players doing just enough to get him there. I do worry about Pete's team this week with George Kittle and Alvin Kamara on their bye week. Pete has only Charlie Kolar currently in his roster to help at tight end and as much as I want to beleive in the Kolar bear, I have less faith in the Charger's offense as a whole.
Look What You Made Me Do (Davis Mattek)
Waiver Winning Bids:
Justice Hill: $12
Next Highest Bid: $7
Average Bid: $14
Jake Bates: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $5
Matchup:
Loss (3-4)
918.05 Pts. (8th)
Davis is the only one of the group to lose his Spite Main matchup this week and now he sits right behind Pete in the standings. Davis started off hot with a nice Rhamondre Stevenson and Luther Burden game before the rest of the team failed to impress and the Panther's defense scored -2 points in a blow out loss. Davis does not have any bye week obstacles this week and his roster should be close to full strength.
Spite Chasing (Pat Kerrane)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Travis Hunter: $69
Next Highest Bid: $34
Average Bid: $52
TEN Team Defense: $3
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $7
Evan McPherson: $2
Next Highest Bid: $1
Average Bid: $11
DAL Team Defense: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $1
Matchup:
Won (4-3)
997.60 Pts. (4th)
Finally, Spite Chasing has moved into a top 4 seed and is at least in contention for a playoff run. Pat's team had a strong finish thanks to a solid Monday night performance from Ceedee Lamb and Makai Lemon. Pat's team feels like it finally fixed its running back issues with the return of Josh Jacobs, and several young receivers are showing up to help offset the Ladd McConkey issues.
Shark Jumping (5K Big Payback w/ Mike Leone and Ben Gretch)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Omar Cooper: $312
Next Highest Bid: $154
Average Bid: $259
Konata Mumpfield: $106
Next Highest Bid: $56
Average Bid: $39
Travis Hunter: $32
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $52
Evan McPherson: $6
Next Highest Bid: $4
Average Bid: $11
Matchup:
Loss (3-4)
891.85 Pts. (10th)
The 5k Shark Jumping team had another difficult week, and I am getting worried about this team recovering. The team had Amon Ra St. Brown return from bye to try and salvage the roster, but Ken Walker, Garrett Wilson, and Sam LaPorta having awful games offset that help. The team gets back Bhayshul Tuten this week as it badly needs help at running back. The Shark Jumping team cannot afford anymore mistakes or it might be game over.
Cos and Steph (Big Gorilla)
Winning Waiver Bids:
Sione Vaki: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $4
TEN Team Defense: $16
Next Highest Bid: $12
Average Bid: $7
WAS Team Defense: $2
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $6
Chris Boswell: $1
Next Highest Bid: none
Average Bid: $3
Matchup:
Won (5-2)
1061.85 Pts. (3rd)
My Big Gorilla team had another huge week, and while it did not move up in the standings, it still gained ground making up points. The team is positioned well to move into a top seed if the top seed loses or after another week of big scores. Our team had almost 150 points with Brock Bowers and Ken Walker still to go, unfortunately, we had the worst Walker performance of the year in what I hoped was a big revenge game. This week we have Tyler Shough and Devaughn Vele on bye, but with a bench stacked with Omar Cooper, Antonio Williams, and Ja'Kobi Lane we are feeling pretty good... I almost forgot to mention we could see Jordyn Tyson return after his week 8 bye, this team is heating up at the perfect time.
Week 8 Waiver Priorities for FFPC
Below are all the players I like for week 8 for FFPC leagues. I break down all players into tiers with FAAB suggestions, followed by player analysis and a list of players to consider dropping.
This article is also intended to provide value for those of you who play in deeper league formats and dynasty leagues.
Please note that with a drop list, you do not have to drop these players and all suggestions are general as it is impossible to cover all nuances of individual leagues.
