Week 8 QB/TE Waiver Wire Targets: Russell Wilson, Jonnu Smith, Drake Maye, Zach Ertz, Tua Tagovailoa and More

Identifying some quarterback and tight end waiver wire targets as week 7 of the NFL season winds down.

Week 7 is nearly over, which means it’s time to get those week 8 waiver wire claims in!

We’ll check out quarterbacks and tight ends worth possibly adding in this article!

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Quarterback Options

Russell Wilson, Drake Maye, Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa are the quarterbacks I want to talk about this week.

Wilson made his season debut in week 7, completing 16 of his 29 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Jets. He added a rushing touchdown and three yards on three carries.

Wilson has certainly been a good fantasy asset in the past, and he goes into Monday night’s doubleheader with the highest fantasy score among quarterbacks. Don’t get used to Wilson leading the way as a fantasy performer, but he could absolutely be an average or better starting option.

Maye made his second career start on Sunday. He completed 26 of his 37 passes for 276 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Maye added 18 rushing yards on three carries.

It was a better showing pretty much all the way around for Maye. He avoided a turnover, threw for more yards and had a higher completion percentage than in his first start. 

The Jaguars were the worst defense coming into the week when it came to slowing opposing fantasy quarterbacks, but that still shows that Maye is a capable fantasy starter, especially in the right matchups.

Rodgers was 24-of-39 passing for 276 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against the Steelers. He didn’t add anything as a runner.

The overall line was not great for Rodgers, but the high number of passing yards has him just outside the top 10 fantasy QB slots for the week. It’s also the second straight week that Rodgers has had at least 275 passing yards, and fifth straight game that he’s topped 225 yards.

Tagovailoa hasn’t played since week 2, when he suffered a concussion. He was placed on injured reserve and is eligible to come off IR this coming week.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel said he expected Tagovailoa to practice this week, and then hopefully be ready for week 8 against the Cardinals.

In his one full game this season, Tagovailoa threw for 338 yards and a touchdown, while avoiding a pick. He threw three picks and for just 145 yards and a touchdown in his second game before suffering his concussion.

Now it’s time to rank the four waiver options in terms of being a streaming option for week 8, and then a season-long addition.

In week 8, Wilson and the Steelers play on Monday night against the Giants. Maye and Rodgers will face off, while Tagovailoa takes on the Cardinals.

The Cardinals are a very favorable matchup on paper, while the Giants are a pretty favorable matchup too and the Jets and Patriots have been better than average.

So for the week 8 streaming options, I like Wilson the best of this quartet. He looked good in his first start and should settle in even more as time passes. I like his matchup and think he’s headed toward another solid fantasy showing.

It’s risky to stream Tagovailoa, but the matchup is just too good to not try. He could be in store for a monster game if he doesn’t have any limitations.

I like Maye over Rodgers for the last streaming spot. The Jets’ defense was just torched by the Steelers, and I think Maye can put up a good showing with his offense after what he’s shown through two starts. I don’t expect Rodgers to throw this much next week in a game that should be much closer, and that will really hurt Rodgers’ fantasy value.

As for the season-long starting options, Tagovailoa is the best quarterback of this bunch. He was looked to as a pretty solid fantasy option before the season before his concussion slowed him. His offense is the best and he’s capable of monster games.

I like Wilson for the No. 2 spot. He’s got some favorable games ahead, and I think he could put up average or better numbers in each of his starts.

Rodgers has an even better schedule ahead, but I simply do not trust the Jets or anything they are doing right now. The team could really blow things up if they lose again this coming week.

I really wanted to take Maye higher, but he’s got the toughest upcoming schedule of this quartet. Plus, the Patriots’ offense is the worst among these quarterbacks. Maye might outperform a couple of these quarterbacks, but that will be on high-volume passing numbers alone.

Tight End Options

Jonnu Smith, Zach Ertz, Hunter Henry and Noah Gray are the tight ends I’m going to discuss this week.

Smith went for 96 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions and targets in week 7. It was his second straight game over 60 yards and third time this season that he’s topped 50 yards. 

With Tagovailoa returning, Smith’s fantasy value will rise. He’ll have to contend with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but there’s still enough room for Smith to produce quality numbers most weeks.

Ertz had 40 yards and a touchdown on four catches and five targets this week. He had the same amount of catches and targets in week 6, but with 68 yards and no touchdown. He’s had four or more catches and over 35 yards in four games now.

Jayden Daniels got banged up early in week 7, but Ertz still produced with Marcus Mariota. It’s not expected to be a long-term injury for Daniels, but Ertz showed he’s a decent fantasy option regardless of who is throwing to him in that offense. 

Henry tallied 92 yards on eight catches and nine targets in week 7. He had 41 yards and a score on three grabs and five targets in Maye’s first start.

The Patriots’ offense needs pass catchers to step up, and Henry is absolutely capable of replicating these kinds of numbers each week. 

Gray led the Chiefs in receiving yards in week 7, tallying 66 on four catches and targets. It was his third time over 35 yards this season, and first time over 50 yards.

With Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown out, veteran Travis Kelce slowing down, rookie Xavier Worthy still getting adjusted and JuJu Smith-Schuster battling an injury, Gray could be near the top of the pass catcher list for a bit.

The week 8 matchups for these for tight ends are all average or slightly worse. Smith’s matchup is slightly more favorable than the other players.

It’s a tough call between Smith and Ertz for the top spot, but given the slightly better matchup, I prefer Smith. The big risk is of course the return of Tagovailoa, but that also probably makes Smith’s ceiling higher.

Ertz is who I’d take second then. I like what he’s done lately, and think he keeps it rolling in week 8.

I’d try Henry after that. I think he’s just a bit behind Ertz, but his ceiling could also be slightly higher depending on who is available for both of the TE’s offenses.

That leaves Gray as the final streaming option. I don’t think he’ll continue to lead the Chiefs in receiving yards, but the intrigue is definitely there.

As for season-long streaming options, I prefer these tight ends in the same order.

Smith’s ceiling is just too promising with Tagovailoa not to take first. He could be one of the better fantasy TEs by the end of the season if Tua can stay healthy.

Ertz and Henry are pretty close, but I give Ertz the edge because of his offense being better. Gray could change my opinion with another big performance this week, but I just don’t see it happening. I’d avoid Gray as a waiver option outside deeper fantasy leagues.

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