Fantasy Football Week 8: Key Players to Consider for Your Lineup

NEW YORK, NY — As the 2025 NFL season progresses, fantasy football managers face challenges from injuries and bye weeks. Every Friday, ESPN’s Matt Bowen highlights potential player pickups, focusing mostly on those rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues. This week, six teams are on bye, leaving a narrow pool of good options for deep leagues.

At quarterback, veteran Joe Flacco could be worth consideration, having passed for over 45 attempts in both his starts. He scored 18 or more fantasy points in each game and is expected to continue that trend against the winless Jets this week.

Another intriguing option is Aaron Rodgers, now set to face the Green Bay Packers, the team that moved on from him. Following a strong Week 7 where he tallied four touchdown passes, Rodgers’ performance will be one to watch, especially considering he’s had multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games.

At tight end, Dalton Schultz is a potential pickup after a strong showing last week against the Seahawks. He recorded nine receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, capitalizing on injury troubles in the Texans‘ receiving corps. If Schultz can continue this form against the 49ers, he could prove to be a valuable asset.

Luke Musgrave, also a tight end, has shown consistent performance with at least four receptions in his last three outings, producing reliable fantasy points. Though the Packers face a tough matchup against the Saints, Musgrave remains a solid option given their current injury situation.

Running back Montrell Washington is building momentum after a breakout performance, where he had season highs in both touches and points. With an increase in usage, he could offer the Bears significant offensive strength against a vulnerable Ravens defense this week.

Fantasy managers should also consider adding wide receivers like Michael Wilson and Rashid Shaheed, who have demonstrated good chemistry with their quarterbacks and are poised to take on larger roles, particularly given their competitive matchups this weekend.

Finally, the Tennessee Titans‘ defense, which remains under 3% rostered, has a favorable matchup against the Colts this week. They’ve consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, making them a sneaky streaming option for those looking to fill the void left by injuries or bye weeks.

This week’s lineup decisions will heavily depend on the ongoing injury reports and player performances, so continuous monitoring will be crucial as games approach.