5 Must-Have Breakouts? Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 8

by Andy Smith

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Are these 5 players must-have breakouts? Andy's Week 8 fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for unexpected boom performances from Kyle Monangai, Joe Flacco, Rhamondre Stevenson, others.

In This Article hide

2. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE - RB (vs. TEN)

3. Kyle Monangai, CHI - RB (vs. NO)

4. Xavier Legette, WR - CAR (@ NYJ)

5. Daniel Bellinger, TE - NYG (@DEN)

6. Who Should I Start Tool

8. More Fantasy Football Analysis

Every week, some under-the-radar player enjoys massive performances and likely leads several fantasy managers to victories. In this weekly piece, we look at five of the most promising performances and determine if they are something to monitor or just fool's gold.

This week, we will look at a veteran QB who looks quite comfortable with his new club and a breakout running back in the Windy City.

Should fantasy managers add these players to the waiver wire and plug them into the starting lineups for Week 8? Let's dive in!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Joe Flacco, CIN - QB (vs. PIT)

After starting the season in Cleveland, the Browns opted to trade Flacco to Cincinnati in exchange for draft capital. Flacco was immediately put into the starter's role with Joe Burrow (toe) sidelined and performed quite well. Through two games, Flacco has tossed five touchdown passes.

In Week 7, Flacco was very impressive, tallying 342 passing yards with three touchdowns in their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With two elite wide receivers at his disposal and a weak defensive unit on the other side, expect Flacco to continue to push the ball downfield at a high rate.

Verdict:

This weekend, Flacco will face the New York Jets, who enter this game allowing the 16th-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season. Even though the matchup is not ideal on paper, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as his top pass catchers, Flacco should have a safe floor going forward. With the number of high-end QBs off in Week 8, Flacco is a solid streaming option in all standard leagues.

Joe Flacco In Play As Streamer For Week 8 https://t.co/yyKWeCmwaf

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 22, 2025

Rhamondre Stevenson, NE - RB (vs. TEN)

The 27-year-old has typically been given the lead role in the New England backfield, despite sharing time with rookie TreVeyon Henderson. However, this past weekend, Stevenson enjoyed the most efficient game of the campaign. During the victory over the Titans, Stevenson led the way, totaling 88 yards and a score on just 18 rushing attempts.

Entering this game, Stevenson averaged just 3.1 YPC. In addition, on Sunday, Stevenson logged a season-high 79% of the snaps while Henderson saw just 14%, which was a season-low for him.

Verdict:

Given Stevenson's near workhorse opportunity share, he should be viewed as a viable FLEX/low-end RB2 in all formats going forward. While he may not have as much upside this weekend, facing a potent Cleveland defense that has allowed the fewest PPR points to posing RBs, his volume should provide him a safe enough floor as a FLEX option.

Kyle Monangai, CHI - RB (vs. NO)

The other running back we will look at in this week's piece is a rookie. After being deployed as the clear RB2 behind D'Andre Swift throughout most of the opening weeks, Monangai nearly matched him in snap share in Week 7. During their victory over the Saints, the Rutgers product took 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.

In this game, he logged 46% of the snaps compared to Swift's 53%. Before this contest, he had only seen over 40% of the snaps on one occasion.

Verdict:

While Swift will continue to limit his overall upside, it appears Ben Johnson may be looking to take a committee approach with the Chicago backfield. In favorable matchups (like in Week 7), Monangai will hold viable FLEX upside. In Week 8, he is primed to enjoy another solid day, facing the Ravens, who have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing RBs.

Kyle Monangai To See More Work Going Forward? https://t.co/lN98YtZHGZ

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 22, 2025

Xavier Legette, WR - CAR (@ NYJ)

After a disappointing rookie season and slow start to his sophomore campaign, the former first-round pick may finally be turning the corner. On Sunday, Legette led the way as he brought nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. This was his second touchdown over his last three games.

While he has only surpassed 35 yards in one game, he has averaged 6.2 targets per game, which suggests the Panthers are actively turning to make him a key contributor in the passing attack.

Verdict:

Even with star rookie Tetairoa McMillan serving as the top wideout and Jalen Coker returning from the IR, Legette figures to have a firm grasp on the No. 2 WR spot on the depth chart. While Andy Dalton is expected to get the start this weekend, seeing Legette earn double-digit targets in Week 7 is a very positive sign.

Facing the Bills in what could be a game in which the Panthers may have to play catch-up, Legette carries a sneaky FLEX appeal.

Daniel Bellinger, TE - NYG (@DEN)

While Theo Johnson may be the TE1 on the depth chart, Daniel Bellinger enjoyed the more productive showing on Sunday. In their devastating loss to the Denver Broncos, Bellinger caught three of his four targets for a season-high 88 yards and a touchdown.

Before this game, Bellinger caught just seven total passes (from seven targets) for a mere 85 yards with no touchdowns.

Verdict:

While Jaxson Dart appears to be budding into the next young breakout QB in the league, Bellinger is fool's gold. Given that Bellinger did not earn a single target the previous week and only caught five passes from Dart in each of his first three starts, it suggests he has a minor role in the passing attack.

Seeing Johnson continue to log over 80% of the team's possible snaps, Bellinger is best left as a desperation play in the deepest 14+ team formats in a Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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