New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Fantasy football Week 8: Five players set to smash projections

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 11:12 AM ET

Week 8 in fantasy football will separate the savvy owners from the lazy ones. With six NFL teams on their bye week, here are some under-the-radar players who could be worth a start.

New York Jets QB Tyrod Taylor vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Taylor is on track to start ahead of QB Justin Fields in Week 8, which instantly makes him a viable starter in fantasy. The Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (30.6), 30th in passing yards allowed per game (257.1) and 25th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Taylor scored 16.68 fantasy points in his lone start this season, and he could easily clear that against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Tennessee Titans RB Tyjae Spears vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Titans want to get Spears more involved in the offense. Over the last two weeks, Spears has played 59 snaps to Tony Pollard's 56. Pollard is coming off back-to-back season-low marks in carries, while Spears continues to be more efficient with the touches he receives. This is projected to be a high-scoring game against the Colts, making Spears a solid flex play in PPR formats.

Houston Texans RB Woody Marks vs. San Francisco 49ers

Woody Marks vs. Nick Chubb in week seven fresh off the Texans bye:

63% snap share / 25% snap share

10 carries / 5 carries

5 targets / 3 targets

Seems like the shift has begun… pic.twitter.com/UMWOua4ORN
— Hutchinson Brown (@hutchinsonb_ff) October 23, 2025

Marks has finally usurped Nick Chubb as the starting running back in Houston. Coming off the bye week, the rookie out-snapped Chubb, 48-19, and scored 12.5 PPR points against the Seattle Seahawks. That's exactly what you've been waiting for as a patient Marks holder all season. Running backs have torched the 49ers in the passing game all year, and that's what Marks does best.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson vs. New Orleans Saints

Johnson has an opportunity to prove himself with WR Mike Evans expected to miss extended time with a broken clavicle. He got off to a good start last week with a season-high 47 snaps, nine targets and 15.8 PPR points against the Detroit Lions, and the Saints rank 27th in the NFL in points allowed per game (26.6) and 24th in yards allowed per pass (7.5).

Baltimore Ravens WR Mark Andrews vs. Chicago Bears

Andrews and Lamar Jackson were just getting going when the star quarterback suffered a hamstring injury that cost him two weeks. In the two games before QB Cooper Rush took over, Andrews put up a combined 13 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. If Jackson returns in Week 8, Andrews is a must-start.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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