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The 2025 fantasy football season is past the midway point for the regular season and the stretch run leading into league playoffs is just about here.
Regardless of how a player has produced so far in the first half, their final fortunes lie in the balance for Week 8 and beyond.
Here's look at 13 performers across the four individual offensive skill positions to know who is bound to boost starting lineups most down the stretch, to some hold and trade for candidates to a few deep sleepers.
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Fantasy's 13 best second-half breakout candidates 2025
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Lions
Goff is only the QB17 in averaging scoring for the season. But there's hope that he can rise into top-12 status when the Lions return from their bye in Week 9.
Five of the next eight games are in Detroit, with possible high-scoring games in Washington, Philadelphia and Los Angeles (in.a revenge game vs. the Rams). At home, he still gets to rip into the Giants and Cowboys' pass defenses.
Jaxson Dart, Giants
Dart seems "matchup-proof" to some degree because of his running floor and aggressive, fearless passing to the point Brian Daboll can live with his mistakes because of his high playmaking quotient.
In counting only his starts, Dart would be the average QB5. Outside of the Week 14 bye, Dart is a viable play in most upcoming Giants games, save for maybe the 49ers in Week 9.
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 8 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em | Week 8 Sleepers | Week 8 Busts | Week 8 Waiver Wire
Running backs
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders
Pete Carroll should take more control of the offensive influence after the Week 8 bye and make sure Jeanty can get going under Chip Kelly.
Jeanty hasn't been a "bust," still ranking as the average RB1so far in half-point PPR. But he has a chance to live up more to the hype in the second half with matchups vs. the Jaguars, Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles and Giants.
De'Von Achane, Dolphins
Achane is becoming the lone consistent bright spot in Miami's offense with Tua Tagovailoa struggling without Tyreek Hill.
He is RB6 thanks to his key receiving role and explosive scrimmage play. He can have a huge second half getting force-fed, starting with the Falcons.
Chase Brown, Bengals
Brown is the rare running back who needs his team's passing game clicking to be effective. That's happened of late with Joe Flacco getting the ball to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, therefore opening up the running game and giving Brown more room underneath.
The AFC North and AFC East teams have been worst against running backs in fantasy, and the remaining schedule is full of teams from those divisions.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers
Warren also benefits from facing several teams from those aforementioned divisions.
Pittsburgh needs to get the running game going to better support Aaron Rodgers and for now, a healthy Warren is their best bet. He's been a solid RB16 because of touch volume so he's not far from getting into RB1 status.
Week 8 Fantasy Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | Half-PPR Cheat Sheet
Wide receivers
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Thomas has needed a while to adjust to the Jaguars' new offense and he hasn't been helped with Trevor Lawrence being a little off. He is the average WR38 in half-point PPR at his team's Week 8 bye, one of fantasy's biggest disappointments.
The talent, however, is there for him to go a tear like he did in the second half as a rookie. The matchups also help, starting with the Raiders and Cowboys in two of the first three remaining games.
Deebo Samuel Sr., Commanders
Samuel has been WR13 in average scoring, a pleasant surprise right there with ageless Charger Keenan Allen. He should return from his heel injury in Week 8 in Kansas City after missing Week 7 in Dallas.
The Lions, Dolphins, Giants and Cowboys are among his best spots as a vital target for the team in the second half, regardless of the QB or Terry McLaurin's (quadriceps) health.
Tre Tucker, Raiders
Jakobi Meyers is trending to be traded soon after the bye, leaving Tucker as their best experienced wide receiver who would be helped by tight end Brock Bowers returning to get coverage attention.
Tucker has good chemistry with Geno Smith and can be set up to see a spike in targets soon.
Jaylin Noel, Texans
Noel can be a valuable streamer in Week 8 with Nico Collins (concussion) unlikely to be cleared in time for the 49ers. He plays the slot and can move around well and his rise has rendered Christian Kirk as more of an afterthought.
Even when Collins plays, Noel has earned more key playing time over fellow Iowa State rookie Jayden Higgins because of his route-running and versatility for C.J. Stroud.
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Tight ends
Cade Otton, Buccaneers
Otton was an afterthought in the Bucs' passing game until Week 5, despite the team's mounting wide receiver injuries. But the past three weeks he's caught 16 of 20 targets for 197 yards.
He has yet to score a TD, but the TE14 on average from 2024 should see an uptick soon to help out Emeka Egbuka. There are plenty of good matchups for tight end ahead, including the Saints, Patriots, Cardinals, Dolphins and Panthers.
Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons
Pitts saw 10 targets in Week 7 against the 49ers and that can be a springboard to bigger things. The Dolphins, Patriots, Colts, Panthers, Jets, Seahawks, Saints and Cardinals are among the juicy tight end matchups ahead.
Let's hope Zac Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. notice these favorable spots and throw the ball to Pitts enough in those games.
Harold Fannin Jr., Browns
Fannin will need to be a bigger part of the Browns' passing game for Dillon Gabriel going forward with more wide receiver questions on top of a knee injury to David Njoku.
His schedule versus the Patriots, Bills, Jets and Raiders in a row give some hope for target momentum. The rookie is headed to be an integral target for the future franchise QB next season.
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