Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (86) runs with the ball in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium.

Week 7 of the 2025 fantasy football season was a banner week for rookies and the elder statesmen of the NFL.

With two "Monday Night Football" games pending, four of the top seven quarterbacks are Jaxson Dart, Matthew Stafford, Joe Flacco, and Aaron Rodgers. The top 10 at running back includes rookies Quinshon Judkins, Cam Skattebo, and Kyle Monangai. At wideout, three of the top seven are Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, and Travis Hunter. Over at tight end, two of the top six are rookies (Oronde Gadsden and Tyler Warren), while 34-year-old Zach Ertz is the TE10.

Week 8 is now upon us.

Here's a look at Week 8 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 3 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Don't forget to check out the rest of our content:

Waiver wire: 9 players to add | 8 players to drop

Analysis: Week 7 winners and losers

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 8 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

  • Giants QB Jaxson Dart (42% rostered) - Since taking over the starting role in New York, Dart has put together performances of QB11, QB16, QB3, and QB3 (with MNF pending). The last two outings have come against the Eagles and Broncos, teams that are far from pushovers defensively. Mobile quarterbacks tend to have higher floors, and the rookie is no different, as he's posted at least 55 yards or a touchdown on the ground in all four starts. Dart's roster rate should be quite a bit higher than 42%.
  • Bengals QB Joe Flacco (11%) - Given the weapons at his disposal and how abysmal Cincinnati's defense is, Flacco will likely be one of the better streaming options most weeks until Joe Burrow returns. The 40-year-old has a mouthwatering upcoming schedule, as the Bengals will be taking on a bottom-10 team in points allowed to the position in six of their next eight games.
  • Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (26%) - Speaking of tasty schedules, you're going to want to check out Minnesota's upcoming slate. After a date with the Chargers in Week 8, the Vikings with face the Lions, Ravens, Bears, Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, and Lions in seven of their next nine games. McCarthy should be very fantasy-revelant in the near future as long as he gets the starting gig back.

Week 8 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

  • Bears RB Kyle Monangai (7%) - While D'Andre Swift was still the Bears' lead back in Week 7, it was a near 50-50 split with Monangai. Swift played just five more snaps (36 to 31), ran three more routes (13 to 10), and totaled five more opportinities (20 to 15). Perhaps it was related to Swift's health (he was questionable with a groin injury), but it could also be how this staff likes to operate. With the Lions, Ben Johnson had one of the most potent two-man committees in fantasy with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
  • Chiefs RB Brashard Smith (6%) - A chunk of Smith's Week 7 usage game in garbage time, but he was involved early as well. All five of the rookie's targets and three of his carries came prior two the Chiefs making it a four-possession game with nine minutes to go in the third. Jerick McKinnon was an incredibly valuable fantasy asset as the pass-catching back in this offense, and Smith could carve out a similar role. At worst, the seventh-round pick could be a useful bye week option in deep PPR leagues.
  • Titans RB Tyjae Spears (29%) - For those in PPR leagues, Spears is providing enough value to qualify as a bye week fill-in. The 24-year-old could see an increase in value if the Titans give him a larger role or if the team decides to trade veteran Tony Pollard.

Week 8 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

  • Broncos WRs Troy Franklin (21%) and Marvin Mims Jr. (25%) - With six teams on bye in Week 8, both Franklin and Mims could be worthfile plug-ins at wide receiver. The Broncos will be taking on the Cowboys, who have ceded the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts. In Week 7, Franklin and Mims finished second and third, respectively, behind Courtland Sutton in snaps and routes. Franklin led the team with 10 targets while Mims finished third with seven. A matchup with Dallas should provide both players with plenty of upside.
  • 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (41%) - 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that Aiyuk is getting "closer and closer" to his return, which means we could see him on the field within the next few weeks. With Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall battling injuries of their own, Aiyuk could play a sizable role when he's activated. He's a solid stash in leagues with an IR spot.
  • Colts WR Alec Pierce (9%) - With Josh Downs out, Pierce led the team in snaps (52), routes (35), and targets (10). The 25-year-old turned that volume into a team-leading 98 yards, which means he's now eclipsed 65 receiving yards in three of his last four healthy games. With six teams on bye, you can do worse than one of the top targets on of the league's best offenses in 2025.
  • Panthers WR Xavier Legette (6%) - Against the Jets, Legette finished second behind Tet McMillan in snaps (62 to 57) and routes (34 to 33) but led the way in targets (11 to 5). He turned that usage into a career day, catching 9 passes for 92 yards and a score. With Bryce Young expected to miss time, Legette could benefit from Andy Dalton's veteran presence behind center. Five of Dalton's seven targets on Sunday went Legette's way.

Week 8 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

  • Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II (4%) - Gadsden has seen his snap share increase every week, and the targets have followed. The rookie has garnered 17 targets over his last two games, resulting in 14 receptions for 232 yards and a touchdown. Heading into MNF, the 22-year-old ranks as fantasy's TE1 on the week. Nothing would seem to indicate that this is a fluke, making Gadsden the top waiver wire priority of the week.
  • Giants TE Theo Johnson (18%) - In Week 7, Johnson led the Giants in routes run (35) and finished second on the team with seven targets. The 24-year-old has averaged 5.8 targets over his last four games and has hit paydirt four times during that stretch. Johnson's nine red zone targets this season ranks third at the position.
  • Saints TE Juwan Johnson (30%) - Johnson had cooled off after his red-hot start to the season, but his usage in Week 7 was encouraging. The veteran finished tied for second on the team in routes (31) and targets (7). His target share could skyrocket again if wideout Chris Olave is dealt ahead of the trade deadline.

Week 8 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Early Week 8 fantasy football rankings: 14 risers and sleepers

Reporting by Elisha Twerski, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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