Footballguys Fantasy Football Show – Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets (10/21/25)

Episode Overview

Hosts Alfredo Brown and Dave Kluge break down their top fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 8 of the 2025 season. With the waiver landscape looking thin due to injuries, bye weeks, and a lack of obvious pickup priorities, the hosts emphasize the importance of vigilance and creative roster management. The tone is equal parts analytical and humorous, as the Footballguys dissect lesser-known options and discuss the rest-of-season upside for a range of running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. This episode is especially valuable for players in deep leagues or managers seeking speculative adds with handcuff or breakout potential.

Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Stage – A Shallow Waiver Week (03:19)

• Alfredo: “This is a week that looks very different… it’s not the obvious top guy… it’s go find some of those gems that are a dollar in fab.”
• Dave: “It might not have the super high-end value… but definitely some people worth picking up.”

[03:19] The hosts establish that there are no “league winners” this week, but plenty of players with potential value, especially for managers needing bye week fill-ins or looking to stash handcuffs.

2. Top Waiver Wire Add – Arande Gadsden II, TE, Chargers (04:36–08:37)

• [04:36] Alfredo: “I look at him as he’s the full-time starter, 80%+ snapshare… young athletic guy… good offense… if I’m going to take a chance… I’m going to take a chance on him.”

• [05:59] Dave: “I’ve already put this guy at TE13 in my rest of season rankings… but that’s more of an indictment on how bad the tight end landscape is right now.”

• [07:22] Alfredo: “You don’t want to stop believing in waiver wire tight ends… I can’t do it this week.”

  • Gadsden is a converted WR with pedigree and athleticism.
  • Historic performance last week, snap count is strong.
  • Chargers offense is high-volume, but with many mouths to feed.
  • Upside is real but so is week-to-week volatility.

Notable Quote
Dave: “There’s going to be some boom/bust tendencies here… we saw the upside last week, but I think that there could be these games where he’s going to have three targets for 12 yards.” [07:09]

3. Comparing Evan Engram vs. Arande Gadsden (08:37–09:54)

[08:37] Dave: “Evan Engram still available in 52% of leagues… I might go with Ingram because there’s a path to more consistency… albeit with a much lower ceiling.”

[09:26] Alfredo: “Given how bad tight end is, give me the guy who can win me my week, because pretty much everyone else is going to lose me my week.”

• Engram = consistent floor
• Gadsden = boom potential

4. Tier Two Waiver Options: Running Backs & One WR

a. Kyle Manungai, RB, Bears (11:11–13:48)

[11:23] Dave: “I’m looking at Manungai the same way I’m looking at a Taji Spears… the younger back in a split backfield… but what we saw was them just taking Swift out for entire drives and putting Kyle Manungai in.”

• Not much receiving work but trending up in workload
• Bears have history of splitting backfields late in the season
• Good handcuff/stash, especially for Swift managers

b. Devin Neal, RB, Saints (14:16–17:35)

[14:16] Alfredo: “Jumps into that backup role after Kendre Miller’s injury... not so great offense... pure handcuff appeal.” [15:27] Dave: “If Alvin Kamara misses any time, there’s nobody else there… this is just purely a stash.”

• Saints’ RB room is thin; Neal is next man up if Kamara sits/traded
• Bad schedule in near term, but long-term potential if Kamara sits or is traded
• Neal is popular among dynasty scouts as a well-rounded back

c. Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs (18:16–21:18)

[19:30] Dave: “3.13 yards per route run leads the league... this guy is pulling targets at an elite rate... very intentional about when they put him on the field.”

• RB3 on depth chart but impressive pass-catching efficiency
• Chiefs coaches have history of slow rookie ramp-up (see Jerick McKinnon, Rashee Rice), with late-season roles increasing
• Could fill a Jerick McKinnon-type role in an explosive offense

d. Tez Johnson, WR, Buccaneers (21:18–25:07)

[23:29] Alfredo: “He pressed every single button on the controller… looked fantastic… adds a dynamic to the Bucs offense that hasn’t been there for a while.”

• Major opportunity with Mike Evans (collarbone) and Godwin (injury) probably out
• Elite after-catch ability, despite poor combine measurables, has shown he can produce
• Could inherit volume and rest-of-season upside tied to Baker Mayfield

[25:07] Dave: “It doesn’t matter who Baker Mayfield is throwing the ball to… he elevates the talent around him.”

5. Deeper Tier Three Waiver Options (27:05–37:00)

a. Isaiah Davis, RB, Jets (27:05–33:17)

• Snap share rising, Jets’ RB room in flux (trade rumors for Breece Hall)
• If Hall is moved, Davis could see RB2/flex usage despite a poor offense

b. Alec Pierce, WR, Colts (33:17–35:10)

• Occasional usage spikes, recently hit 10 targets; more of a boom/bust “deep league” stash
• May slide back in target pecking order when Josh Downs returns

c. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seahawks (35:10–37:36)

• Rookie, increased snap share/routes recently, flashes after-catch skills
• Split time with A.J. Barner; path to volume not immediate but could develop post-bye

6. Deep League Fliers – WR Stashes (Tier 4, 37:36–41:39)

• Jack Bech, WR, Raiders – Fits Jacoby Meyers’ role; may benefit if Meyers is traded
• Jaylen Noel, WR, Texans – Flashed when pressed into action via injuries; reminiscent of a young Golden Tate
• Both have talent but limited by overall offense (Raiders/Texans both struggling, QB flux)

[39:19] Dave: “Jaylen Noel… looked like a dominant NFL wide receiver last night. But… still tempering expectations.”

7. Super-Deep Stashes (Tier 5, 41:39–44:50)

• Chris Moore, WR, Commanders – Flexible fill-in, but Commanders’ offense is a mess; low-value add unless desperate
• Chimere DK, WR, Titans – Athletic, occasionally flashes big-play ability but on a poor offense
• Only consider in very deep or dynasty formats

[43:45] Dave: “I remember talking about DK in the preseason… got drafted before Alec IO Menor… probably not clamoring to get him on many of my fantasy teams.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You don’t want to stop believing in waiver wire tight ends… I can’t do it this week.” – Alfredo [07:22]
• “It feels like it’s getting late in the year here. So maybe this growing role we’re seeing for Kyle Manungai is intentional…” – Dave [11:50]
• “If Alvin Kamara misses time, we could be looking at some nice spot starts from Devin Neal.” – Dave [16:54]
• “Andy Reid gets a little bit weird with these utility players and it often comes late in the year when we need it most.” – Dave on Brashard Smith [21:09]
• “Tez Johnson… looked fantastic. This is a guy I think adds a dynamic to the Bucs offense that hasn’t been there for a while.” – Alfredo [23:29]
• “Jaylen Noel and Jack Bech… deep, deep league waiver wire stashes. Especially with trade rumors… they become fun.” – Alfredo [40:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:19] – Framing of Week 8 Waivers: No clear top adds
• [04:36]–[08:37] – Ronde Gadsden II, TE, Chargers (debate over #1 add)
• [08:37]–[09:54] – Evan Engram vs. Gadsden as TE adds
• [11:11]–[13:48] – Kyle Manungai, RB, Bears
• [14:16]–[17:35] – Devin Neal, RB, Saints
• [18:16]–[21:18] – Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs
• [21:18]–[25:07] – Tez Johnson, WR, Buccaneers
• [27:05]–[33:17] – Isaiah Davis, RB, Jets and RB turnover speculation
• [33:17]–[35:10] – Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
• [35:10]–[37:36] – Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seahawks (rookie upside speculation)
• [37:36]–[41:39] – Jack Bech, Jaylen Noel (deep WR stashes)
• [41:39]–[44:50] – Chris Moore, Chimere DK (super-deep “break glass” pickups)

Episode Takeaway

This week’s waiver wire is thin on clear difference-makers, but smart fantasy managers can still find valuable stashes and speculative plays. Running backs like Manungai, Neal, Smith, and Davis offer handcuff or upside appeal, particularly as the season gets deeper and injuries pile up. Tez Johnson stands out as an exciting WR pickup with rest-of-season upside, while Arande Gadsden II headlines the tight end landscape with volatility but tantalizing potential. The hosts encourage patience with deep stashes and emphasize trade activity given the lackluster waivers.

[44:42] Alfredo closing:
“We suckered you into watching this episode. Gotcha.”
[45:02] “With it being a bad week for waivers… look at some trades. We’ll be back with our Week 8 trade episode.”

Summary Table of Top Waiver Targets

| Player | Position | Team | Availability | Key Upside | Tier | |------------------------|----------|------------------------|--------------|------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Arande Gadsden II | TE | Chargers | 89% | High snap %; athleticism; boom weeks | 1 | | Kyle Manungai | RB | Bears | 89% | Handcuff; growing role; power runner | 2 | | Devin Neal | RB | Saints | 99% | Only real backup to Kamara; opportunity knocks | 2 | | Brashard Smith | RB | Chiefs | 91% | Pass-catching upside; Andy Reid’s rookie ramp-up | 2 | | Tez Johnson | WR | Buccaneers | 78% | Volume spike; athletic “jitterbug;” Evans/Godwin out | 2 | | Isaiah Davis | RB | Jets | 89% | Could start if Breece Hall traded/sits | 3 | | Alec Pierce | WR | Colts | 87% | Big target games with injuries; deep league stash | 3 | | Elijah Arroyo | TE | Seahawks | 94% | Athletic rookie; possible post-bye boost | 3 | | Jack Bech | WR | Raiders | 93% | Opportunity if Meyers traded; talent | 4 | | Jaylen Noel | WR | Texans | 96% | Flashed playmaking; team injuries | 4 | | Chris Moore | WR | Commanders | 97% | Injuries to starters; deep desperation only | 5 | | Chimere DK (Shamir DK) | WR | Titans | 98% | Athletic, big-play flashes; dynasty/deep flier | 5 |

Final Thoughts

It’s not a week for splashy pickups, but those who dig deep might catch rising opportunity or future flex value—especially if injuries and trades create chaos. The hosts’ banter and honest assessments (“This week sucks for waivers. Okay.” [44:42]) will keep listeners entertained and encouraged to play the long game. If your roster needs immediate help, target Gadsden and Johnson; if you can afford a stash, prioritize RB handcuffs. And consider working the trade market while your leaguemates grumble over this barren waiver landscape.