Week 8 Waiver Wire Breakout Fantasy Football Pickups from Sunday's Box Scores

As the 2025 NFL season nears its midway point, and fantasy managers scramble to find replacements for injured or under-performing players on their rosters, the importance of nailing the waiver wire every week enhances exponentially.

Ahead of a potential turning point Week 8, who are the players all managers should keep their eyes on as potential replacements and/or fill-ins, ready to elevate managers' teams and put them in a position to compete for a fantasy league championship?

Find out in this preview.

All stats via FantasyPros.com unless otherwise noted.

Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

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In his first full start with the Bengals, Joe Flacco proved there was plenty still left in the tank, especially with the playmakers he has at his disposal in Cincinnati.

The former Super Bowl winner bested Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing 31-of-47 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over and had his highest passer rating of the season at 108.6.

A veteran player whose arm is still a cannon, he has the potential to be a breakout star, not unlike he was two seasons ago, when he led the Browns to the postseason. That is possible because of stud wide receivers like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Look for him to start that postseason push in Week 8 against the New York Jets, ninth worst in fantasy against opposing quarterbacks and a truly bad team.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

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Bears rookie Monangai exploded onto the scene Sunday after a few flashes of potential stardom leading into Week 7.

Against the New Orleans Saints, Monangai carried 13 times for 81 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and scoring his first touchdown. He also caught two passes for 13 yards.

Head coach Ben Johnson is famous for his double-headed run attack in Detroit, which saw David Montgomery and Jamhyr Gibbs find tremendous success while serving as the centerpiece of the Lions' offense.

It is unlikely that Monangai will steal a ton of snaps from D'Andre Swift this season, but the more he shows out when given opportunities like Sunday, the more he will impact the Bears' offense and potentially serve as an even greater fantasy breakout candidate.

For now, he is at the very least a worthy stash candidate for managers in deeper leagues, especially with a Week 8 match-up against a bad Ravens defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing teams.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons

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The second-year quarterback has been anything but explosive in 2025, and his numbers do not necessarily support him remaining the starting signal-caller when there is a seasoned veteran like Kirk Cousins waiting on the bench.

He has also not been the fantasy superstar some expected, but that could change in Week 8 against a Miami Dolphins team giving up the second-most fantasy points per game.

The Dolphins allow 22.79 points to quarterbacks, which would be the second-most points accumulated by Penix this season.

He is not worth dropping your existing quarterback for, unless they have woefully under-performed and there is no better free agent or waiver options, but for one week against a bad Miami team, he is worth picking up as a fill in for starters on a bye.

Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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The rookie out of SMU exploded onto the scene Sunday, rushing 14 times for 38 yards and catching five balls for 42 yards. While his 13.1 points will not wow anyone, the possibility of what he will bring to the defending AFC champions should.

A fast, shifty, potentially electric running back with the ball in his hands, he adds another element of speed behind wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice.

Against a middle-of-the-road Washington Commanders defense, giving up the 15th most fantasy points to the position, Smith will have an opportunity to have another big day.

That is, if he has the opportunity.

While that stipulation may scare some managers away, his upside in an offense that is finally finding its footing entering the midway point of the season, is enough to make him a worthy addition to any manager's bench.