When the early waiver wire projections came out last week, few would’ve predicted the names Kyle Monangai and Brashard Smith would dominate the conversation. Yet here we are — two players who were once fantasy afterthoughts now look like potential league-savers for managers hanging on the playoff bubble.

The rookie out of Rutgers was another running back who had a career day. Monangai nearly doubled his previous high in carries, commanding 13 totes for 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 13 yards. Monangai totaled 17.4 fantasy points and benefitted from a ground-and-pound Bears game plan. Overall, Chicago rushed for a season-high 222 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Monangai is one of the best handcuffs in fantasy at the running back position, but may have some value over the next couple of weeks. The Bears play the Ravens and Bengals. They rank No. 2 and No. 1, respectively, in fantasy points allowed to running backs per game in 2025.

Kareem Hunt left the Chiefs’ game vs. the Raiders with an ankle injury, opening the door for the rookie running back out of SMU. Smith’s usage has increased as the season went on, but it finally led to a breakout game. He rushed 14 times for 39 yards and caught 5-of-5 targets for 42 yards. The former wide receiver boasts a skillset that meshes perfectly with Kansas City’s offense. The severity of Hunt’s injury is still unclear, but it can open the door for Smith to establish a more prominent role. The Chiefs face the Commanders and the Bills the next two weeks. Washington ranks No. 14 in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs, while Buffalo ranks No. 7.

Calvin Ridley was ruled out with a hamstring injury ahead of the Titans’ Week 7 contest. That opened the door for one of their pass-catchers to step up. It wasn’t Elic Ayomanor or Chigoziem Okonkwo, but rather Dike who made the most of the opportunity. The rookie out of Florida entered the game with just nine receptions for 26 yards. He finished the contest with a 4-70-1 stat line, featuring the first TD of his career. Dike led the team in receiving as Cam Ward played one of his better games this season. It’s hard to trust any pass catchers in Tennessee’s offense, but Dike may be worth a flyer.

It’s the kind of twist that makes fantasy football less a game of skill and more a test of faith. And those who believed early are now reaping the rewards.

Monangai’s rise has been nothing short of cinematic. Coming into Week 8, he was barely rostered in 10% of leagues. But a single explosive performance — marked by breakaway speed, second-effort runs, and a red-zone touchdown that felt inevitable — changed everything. Watching him bulldoze through tacklers wasn’t just impressive; it was inspiring.

“He plays like he’s running for something bigger,” said one analyst during the postgame segment. “There’s a hunger in his style that you can’t fake.”

For fantasy managers, Monangai represents hope — the hope that even in the thick of bye weeks and injuries, someone can still rise from obscurity and become a hero. The waiver wire has always been the heartbeat of fantasy football, and this week, it’s pounding louder than ever.

On the other hand, Brashard Smith’s story reads like a comeback arc. Written off after inconsistent performances early in the season, Smith’s latest showing silenced doubters. His precise footwork and explosive acceleration left defenders flat-footed, while his confidence seemed to grow with every target.

Fans noticed too. Social media feeds filled with clips of his highlight catches, memes about his speed, and screenshots of fantasy managers bragging about their “preemptive pickup.” For many, Smith’s rise was personal — a reminder that patience still pays off in a league obsessed with instant results.

Coaches were quick to recognize his maturity. “He’s been grinding,” said his offensive coordinator. “What you’re seeing now is just the payoff of hours no one else saw.” That invisible work ethic, now on full display, has suddenly made him one of the hottest adds of the week.

The emotional core of this story, however, lies in what both players symbolize — the thrill of redemption and timing. Every fantasy season tells a story: of those who started strong, those who faded, and those who came alive just when hope was slipping away. Monangai and Smith are that last group, the ones who make Week 8 feel like a turning point.

Fantasy analysts warn against chasing “fools’ gold,” but in this case, the data supports the hype. Monangai’s workload trend points upward, while Smith’s route participation has doubled since Week 6. They’re not just flashes in the pan — they’re the real deal.

As the playoffs approach, fantasy managers are already slotting them into lineups, hoping this surge continues. “If you get either of them, don’t hesitate,” said one prominent fantasy insider. “These are league-winning players, plain and simple.”

In the unpredictable theater of fantasy football, it’s rare for two unheralded players to rise in tandem and shift the balance of leagues nationwide. Yet that’s exactly what’s happening.

Week 8’s waiver wire doesn’t just bring new names — it brings new belief. For those still fighting for a playoff spot, this could be the week that changes everything.