As the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both deal with big-name injuries, we look at some of the top NFL Fantasy Football waiver targets ahead of Week Eight…
Ricky Pearsall – WR, San Francisco 49ers
- Points in Week Seven: 5.10
- Next game: vs Dallas Cowboys
The NFL welcomed one of its great comeback stories of the 2024 season on Sunday as San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his regular-season debut just 50 days after being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery this summer. Pearsall had been drafted with the 31st overall pick out of Florida in the first round of the Draft earlier this year.
He marked his return to action with three catches for 21 yards in San Francisco’s 28-18 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch, but could already be primed for a prominent role. Injuries continue to dent the 49ers’ receiving room, with Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Deebo Samuel is meanwhile dealing with a form of pneumonia that saw him taken to local hospital after fluid build-up in his lungs. It would result in fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing leading Niners receivers with two catches for 50 yards at the weekend, bettered only by tight end George Kittle’s six catches for 92 yards. Jauan Jennings has established himself as Kyle Shanahan’s trusted next man up, but Pearsall could see opportunities earlier than expected.
Russell Wilson – QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Points in Week Seven: 24.86
- Next game: vs New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin divided opinion this week after the decision to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields despite the veteran missing the opening six games of the season through injury and with his team sitting 4-2. Wilson had been primed to enter the year as starter before being sidelined later in the summer after both he and Fields arrived during the offseason.
Tomlin’s decision reaped the rewards as Wilson overcame a tough start to finish 16 of 29 for 264 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a score in a 37-15 win over the New York Jets, spoiling Davante Adams’ debut following his reunion with Aaron Rodgers. Wilson was brought in to offer more downfield aggression to the Steelers’ attack, as much evidenced as George Pickens reeled off a 100-yard game.
Keon Coleman – WR, Buffalo Bills
- Points in Week Seven: 16.50
- Next game: @ Seattle Seahawks
The last few weeks have been a struggle for a Buffalo Bills offense that had fallen stale after some early-season promise from a receiving group expected to share the workload after the offseason departure of Stefon Diggs. A similar story threatened to materialise during a rough first half against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, before Josh Allen rallied the troops on the way to a 34-10 victory during which Amari Cooper found the end zone on debut after his mid-week trade from the Cleveland Browns.
Among the standout positives was a breakout game for rookie wide receiver Coleman as he made four catches for 125 yards to lead all Bills receivers. It was the first time a Bills receiver had surpassed 100 yards in a game this year, and the most receiving yards by a Bills receiver since Gabe Davis put up 130 in Week 16 of the 2023 campaign. Granted, it came with a little help from some busted Titans coverages, but it still took Coleman to punch the soft spots in the defense.
Cade Otton – TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Points in Week Seven: 18.00
- Next game: vs Atlanta Falcons
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are dealing with high-profile injury setbacks of their own after seeing Chris Godwin suffer a suspected dislocated ankle and Mike Evans pick up a hamstring issue during Monday night’s 41-31 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Between them, they account for 821 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through seven weeks so far this season within the league’s fourth-ranked scoring offense.
Baker Mayfield subsequently turned to Cade Otton on Monday as the Bucs tight end caught eight of 10 targets for a career-high 100 yards, taking bruising hit after bruising hit while making a stunning one-handed helmet grab in a valiant effort in the absence of Tampa Bay’s two star weapons. The Bucs will lean on the dual threat of Rachaad White and a backfield of Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving, while Otton looks set to become Mayfield’s next favoured target on the outside.
Hunter Henry – TE, New England Patriots
- Points in Week Seven: 17.20
- Next game: vs New York Jets
Change at quarterback in New England has prompted the re-emergence of Hunter Henry as a key component within Alex Van Pelt’s offense. The tight end caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards as the Patriots were beaten 32-16 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, following up his touchdown catch against the Houston Texans the previous week amid his rise as one of rookie Drake Maye’s favourite options. He has become an ideal security blanket on crossers underneath for his first-year quarterback, as well as being in tune with Maye’s off-script play-extending ventures outside the pocket.
Kansas City Chiefs defense
- Points in Week Seven: 8.0
- Next game: @ Las Vegas Raiders
The Chiefs boast arguably the NFL’s best defense as Steve Spagnuolo’s unit continue to drive the Super Bowl champions’ unbeaten start, but it may not always show up on the numbers when it comes to Fantasy. They enjoyed one of their better weeks on Sunday as three interceptions of Brock Purdy guided them to eight points during their 28-18 win over the 49ers. They have now registered at least six points in Fantasy in each of the last three outings as they prepare to take on a stagnant Las Vegas Raiders offense ranked 25th in scoring, with question marks at quarterback and now minus Davante Adams.
Week Eight begins Thursday night when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday, live on Sky Sports NFL; Also stream with NOW.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TVstreaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.
