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 who are returning from injury, and defenses to look at in advance. 

Week 8 Byes:  None

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.

RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle (59% rostered on Sleeper)

Charbonnet is a handcuff you want on your roster heading into the deeper portion of the season. In the two games that Ken Walker III missed this year, Charbonnet was a top-15 running back in both weeks. Walker has been on and off injury reports lately, so a world exists where the team might start to limit his carries, opening the door for more Charbonnet.

RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh (46% rostered on Sleeper)

Pittsburgh is 4-2 and looks not too shabby. Warren is a must-stash if you are looking for running back depth and who isn’t in this economy. He has stand-alone value, but if Najee Harris goes down to injury, he would be a plug-and-play starter. Warren hasn’t been extremely efficient when he has been playing, but the Steelers play the Giants in Week 8 and the Commanders in Week 10, which are both plus matchups for running backs. The 50/50 split seems to have returned to Pittsburgh, and Warren loves to catch a pass.

Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks

Bo Nix, Denver (29% rostered on Sleeper)

Bo knows football? Maybe at least enough to help your fantasy team. Nix has been serviceable the last few weeks, thanks to his tendency to run - he has over 60 yards rushing in the previous two games. Denver plays Carolina this week, which gave up almost 20 fantasy points to Marcus Mariota. If you look further down the road, they play Baltimore, which has given up the third most passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Nix also gets Atlanta and Las Vegas in Week 11 and 12.