Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season started extra slow and not just in the touchdowns department -- there wasn't a lot of offensive total yards in the first halves of the early slate -- but things changed fast. Several key players broke out and that includes more than a few who could help you get a jump-start on your Week 9 lineups via the waiver wire. Let's take a look at early waiver wire standouts for all Fantasy football league formats It was a coming-out party for Ward and the Titans pass game in an unexpected game script and matchup.
This year, the Bengals have stepped up on defense, but Week 8 looked like an old-school Bengals shootout, and Ward racked up his first career 300-plus passing game. He finished with 304 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also expanded on his dual-threat ability by scrambling for 41 rushing yards on seven attempts.
The Titans have a bye in Week 9, but Ward is worth monitoring in one-QB leagues and should be rostered in any shallow superflex leagues where he was previously released. It has been a frustrating season for Fantasy football managers who used an early-round draft pick on top-five NFL draft pick Jeremiyah Love. After battling an ankle sprain from the preseason, Love has missed several weeks before returning in Week 8.
However, early in Week 8, Love left the game with another ankle injury. In his absence, the Cardinals finally saw Allgeier separate himself from Bam Knight in this backfield. Allgeier racked up 147 rushing yards on 11 carries with a long touchdown.
He also made a massive impact in the passing game with 44 yards and a receiving touchdown on five catches. If Love is forced to miss action, Allgeier could emerge as an RB2. While we don't expect him to take over the workhorse role, it seems likely Arizona will lean more heavily on Allgeier than Knight moving forward.
Mitchell looked awesome in Week 8 and his touchdown in the red zone featured one of the smoothest releases off the line of scrimmage that we've seen all season long. Mitchell saw constant one-on-one matchups with the defense doing its best to take away Garrett Wilson and he delivered. On nine targets, Mitchell totaled 142 receiving yards, seven receptions and that red zone touchdown.
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