As we move into Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy managers are gaining a clearer picture of which early breakouts were real and which were mirages. injuries, offensive shifts, and unpredictable game scripts are shaking up player values every week. This column highlights the latest fantasy football risers and fallers, with a focus on usage trends and performance sustainability. For deeper roster context, check out the Rotowire NFL team depth charts to monitor evolving player roles across the league.
Fantasy Football Risers
Quarterback
The Bengals can now run much of their original offense with Joe Flacco replacing Joe Burrow. While the execution isn't as crisp, Flacco's quick decision-making from shotgun formations has helped neutralize opposing pass rushes. He's kept Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins relevant even in tough matchups against the Packers and Steelers. With a shaky Cincinnati defense forcing high passing volume, Flacco has emerged as a borderline fantasy starter in 12-team leagues despite offering no rushing upside.
Running Back
Brown's fantasy stock is rebounding as defenses must once again respect the downfield passing game with Flacco under center. Against Pittsburgh, he rushed for over 100 yards and looked far more comfortable in space. Defenses can no longer crowd the line of scrimmage, which opens up room for Brown to operate as both a runner and receiver. He may not reach preseason expectations, but his arrow is finally pointing upward.
Pacheco's explosiveness is returning after a quiet early season stretch. His snap rates have climbed as Kansas City's lead back, and while he briefly ceded work in a Week 7 blowout, he's clearly the primary runner when games are competitive. Even with Kareem Hunt taking some goal-line touches and Brashard Smith handling passing downs, Pacheco has scored and produced steady yardage in recent weeks. He's rounding into low-end RB2 form and looks far more trustworthy than he did in September.
Wide Receiver
After missing more than a year, Rice returned and immediately reclaimed his spot as Patrick Mahomes' top receiver. He drew 10 targets in his first game back while no other Chiefs pass catcher had more than four. Rice's command of the short and intermediate passing game is exactly what the offense had been missing. With Mahomes leaning on him heavily, Rice projects as an elite WR1 the rest of the way.
Boutte's season began with promise, but his opportunities have been inconsistent. After eight Week 1 targets, he's seen only 17 over the last six games, though he's scored four touchdowns in that span. Despite limited usage, Boutte has averaged 64 yards and one touchdown over his last three contests. If New England expands his role, he could quickly become a fantasy starter down the stretch.
Tight End
Gadsden entered the league as a hybrid tight end with receiver-like skills, and that versatility is paying off. He's carved out a consistent short-area role for Justin Herbert, catching seven passes in each of the last two games. His 164-yard, one-touchdown explosion against the Colts highlighted his mismatch potential. While that performance isn't sustainable, Gadsden may have earned a steady role in the Chargers' passing rotation and could stay fantasy-relevant.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Quarterback
Love remains a capable real-life quarterback but an unreliable fantasy one. He's thrown exactly one touchdown in three of his last four games and has been held under 190 yards in half his starts. Outside of a Week 4 shootout versus Dallas, he's lacked ceiling performances. Love is a marginal fantasy starter at best in standard one-quarterback leagues.
Running Back
Etienne's talent remains unquestioned, but the Jaguars' offense has lost its rhythm. After averaging 98 rushing yards and two scores through four games, he's fallen to nine carries and 40 yards per game since. The unit's lack of identity under new coordinator Liam Coen has limited his efficiency and red-zone work. A post-bye adjustment could help, but for now, Etienne's value is slipping.
Pollard was a steady floor play early in the year but has faded since Tyjae Spears returned. His snaps and carries have dipped significantly, leaving him in a timeshare within one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses. After posting at least 59 scrimmage yards in each of his first five games, his recent production has cratered. Pollard is trending toward being a desperation flex rather than a weekly starter.
Wide Receiver
Thomas' Week 6 breakout was followed by his worst game of the season and a shoulder injury. While the Jaguars' bye may give him time to recover, he's struggled with concentration drops and limited versatility across the field. His production now relies heavily on perimeter routes, which caps his consistency with Jacksonville's erratic passing attack. Thomas' stock has dropped back to its early season lows.
Worthy hasn't done much since his strong Week 4 return from injury, averaging fewer than 40 total yards per game over his last three contests with one touchdown during that stretch. The new problem is simple: Rashee Rice's return pushed Worthy into a secondary role. He'll still pop for the occasional deep play, but consistent target volume looks unlikely.
Tight End
Henry's early season hot streak has cooled quickly. After four touchdowns and two 60-yard games through Week 4, his targets have been cut in half since Stefon Diggs regained form. The emergence of Kayshon Boutte has also redirected opportunities in New England's passing attack. Henry remains a capable red-zone threat but has slipped from reliable starter territory in fantasy leagues.
Conclusion
Week 8 marks a turning point in the fantasy football risers and fallers 2025 landscape as injuries and offensive adjustments reshape player value. Staying ahead of these shifts means tracking snap shares, route participation and red-zone usage closely. Whether targeting rising assets like Rice or fading names like Pollard, informed timing is key. Keep tabs on player projections using the RotoWire weekly projections to identify the next wave of breakout candidates as midseason approaches.
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