Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit: Isaiah Davis, waiver wire adds, QB/WR/TE/DST tiers

If you’re racing to set lineups on Sunday morning, here’s a clean, no-nonsense cheat sheet for Week 8 fantasy football—built around late injury news, usage trends, and matchup edges. Headliners include a fresh look at Isaiah Davis, a tight-end streamer boost, and where the Vikings defense sits among DST plays.

Week 8 waiver wire pickups (last-minute adds)

• Isaiah Davis (RB, Jets) — Trending up on touches and explosive plays; viable Flex if you’re thin at RB. The role is growing, and he’s earned schemed looks in the pass game.

• Cade Otton (TE, Buccaneers) — A volume safety valve and red-zone option; strong streamer with multiple recent games of 5+ catches.

• Deep cut: Oronde Gadsden II (TE/WR, deep leagues) — TE eligibility in some formats plus downfield usage = upside stash. Check platform position tag before adding.

• Spot DST streamers — Units facing backup QBs or banged-up lines move up; consider Vikings D/ST as a mid-tier play rather than a must-start.

Start ’Em, Sit ’Em (PPR lean)

Start ’Em

• Isaiah Davis (Flex/RB3) — Play if you need 10–14 touch upside with receiving involvement.

• Cade Otton (TE streamer) — Expect quick-game targets and play-action leak routes; top-10 TE odds today.

• High-volume slot WRs — In two-high heavy matchups, underneath targets pile up.

Sit ’Em

• Committee RBs with <40% snaps — Unless you’re desperate, fade the roulette.

• Boom-or-bust WR4s vs. press-man corners — If they don’t see schemed touches, the floor is scary.

• Low-pressure DSTs on the road — Prioritize defenses that can actually create sacks/turnovers.

QB rankings — Week 8 (1–12)

1. Patrick Mahomes

2. Josh Allen

3. Jalen Hurts

4. Justin Herbert

5. C.J. Stroud

6. Joe Burrow

7. Tua Tagovailoa

8. Dak Prescott

9. Kyler Murray

10. Jared Goff

11. Jordan Love

12. Baker Mayfield

Note: If your QB is a game-time call, default to a healthy top-15 option in the late window to preserve flexibility.

WR rankings — Week 8 (PPR top 20)

1. Justin Jefferson

2. Ja’Marr Chase

3. CeeDee Lamb

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown

5. Stefon Diggs

6. Puka Nacua

7. Davante Adams

8. Garrett Wilson

9. DeVonta Smith

10. Brandon Aiyuk*

11. Jaylen Waddle

12. Mike Evans

13. Nico Collins*

14. Chris Olave

15. Deebo Samuel

16. Drake London

17. Tank Dell

18. Calvin Ridley

19. Keenan Allen

20. Michael Pittman Jr.

* If either is downgraded near inactives, bump the next five names up one slot and elevate their teammates.

TE rankings — Week 8 (top 12)

1. Travis Kelce

2. Sam LaPorta

3. George Kittle

4. Mark Andrews

5. T.J. Hockenson

6. Trey McBride

7. Dalton Kincaid*

8. Cade Otton

9. Dallas Goedert

10. Evan Engram

11. David Njoku*

12. Jake Ferguson

* If Kincaid or Njoku are limited, slide them 2–3 spots and consider a streamer (Otton/Ferguson).

D/ST rankings — Week 8 (top 12)

1. 49ers

2. Cowboys

3. Ravens

4. Bills

5. Browns

6. Jets

7. Chiefs

8. Eagles

9. Steelers

10. Dolphins

11. Vikings (mid-tier streamer)

12. Saints

Vikings defense ranking: firmly streamable, not elite—pressure is inconsistent, but the matchup can carry them into the back end of the top 12.

Rapid Q&A: “Who should I start in Week 8 PPR?”

• Isaiah Davis vs. fringe WR4: take Davis if you need floor with receiving usage; pivot to the WR only if you’re chasing ceiling in a projected shootout.

• Cade Otton vs. low-target TE: start Otton—route rate + recent volume beats touchdown hope.

• Vikings D/ST vs. waiver option: keep Vikings if your waiver choice lacks sack upside; otherwise chase the defense facing the weaker QB/offensive line.

Final checklist before lock

• Re-check inactives 90 minutes pre-kick.

• Prioritize healthy volume over name value.

• In PPR, favor target share and routes; in standard, lean into goal-line roles and team totals.

Set it, breathe, and enjoy Week 8. If news breaks late, follow the tiers above and bump the safest volume options to the top of your flex decisions.