FantasyPros Podcast: "6 Must-Start Players for Week 8 | The Primer (Ep. 1794)"

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcock & Derek Brown

Episode Overview

This “Primer” episode is all about equipping fantasy football managers with crucial Week 8 sleeper picks, especially ideal for navigating “bye-mageddon”—a week with six teams off and a rash of wide receiver injuries. Derek Brown, author of the weekly FP Primer, joins host Seth Wilcock to break down six must-start players flying under the radar. The recommendations focus on favorable matchups, actionable advice, and some good-natured banter for fantasy managers desperate for starting options.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

(1) Quarterback Sleeper Start: Joe Flacco (CIN @ NYJ)

Timestamp 02:38 – 04:39

• Why Flacco?

  • Derek touts Joe Flacco—ranked QB14 in Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR)—as a “QB1 play this week,” willing to start him above the likes of Jordan Love and Caleb Williams:
    • “The Jets can't pass rush, man… Sauce Gardner might not play… all roads lead back to Joe Flacco and I feel good about it.” (Derek, 02:38)
  • Flacco’s protected by the 10th lowest pressure rate defense, facing a Jets secondary allowing the 12th highest yards per attempt and 8th most passing TDs.
  • Even if Sauce Gardner plays, Derek expects him to travel with Jamar Chase, further benefitting Flacco and T. Higgins.

• Notable Banter:

  • “In the year of our Lord 2025 and Week 8, all roads lead back to Joe Flacco and I feel good about it.” (Derek, 03:31)
  • Seth adds that Joe Flacco’s recent performances, plus the soft matchup, make him a reliable option, reinforcing confidence in Bengals pass-catchers.

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(2) Running Back Sleeper Start: Tyler Allgeier (ATL vs. MIA)

Timestamp 04:39 – 06:25

• Key Arguments:

  • Allgeier (RB28 in ECR) is labeled “the secret sauce and the easy button” for managers due to favorable team game script and matchup.
  • “If you think the Falcons are going to win… Flex Tyler Allgeier. In Atlanta's wins this year… 14.6 touches, 56.3 total yards, three touchdowns.” (Derek, 05:06)
  • The Dolphins have given up the most rushing yards/game, highest explosive run rate, and struggle with contact before attempts.
  • Allgeier has strong upside, especially if the Falcons win comfortably and lean on the run late.
  • Derek values Allgeier as a strong RB2 for Week 8 if healthy.

• Seth’s Take:

  • “Falcons are fourth in team run plays per game… Tyler Allgeier, top 36 in carries. He’s been sneaky.” (Seth, 06:54)

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(3) Wide Receiver Sleeper Starts

a) Josh Reynolds (NYJ) [If Garrett Wilson Sits]

Timestamp 07:51 – 10:54

• Opportunity & Usage:

  • With the Jets WR corps decimated, Reynolds (sitting on waivers in most leagues) would inherit lead-volume if Garrett Wilson is inactive.
  • Last week: 26.5% target share, 46% air yard share, nearly 37% first-read share on 9 targets.
  • “If Wilson is out, Josh Reynolds is going to see a lot of [volume] this week.” (Derek, 09:38)
  • High reward given byemageddon; volume over pedigree for desperation plays.

• Quotes & Banter:

  • “Kind of feels like… going to Taco Bell after midnight: rolling the dice a little bit.” (Seth, 10:54)
  • “Don’t you hate on Taco Bell…” (Derek, 10:59)

b) Troy Franklin (DEN @ DAL)

Timestamp 11:36 – 13:06

• Matchup & Red Zone Usage:
  • Troy Franklin, WR33 in ECR, ranks 5th in NFL red zone targets, 3rd on team in deep targets.
  • Has three Top-36 finishes already, saw 10 targets last week.
  • Facing Dallas, league leaders in most deep passing yards/touchdowns allowed and most PPR points per target to perimeter WRs.
  • “If [volume and trailing game script] comes back… Hello, Troy Franklin.” (Derek, 12:57)
  • Seth predicts a pass-heavy game script, flags Franklin as a high-upside WR3/flex.

c) Tez Johnson (NO)

Timestamp 14:22 – 16:47

• Role & Upside:

  • Perfect streaming candidate, especially if other pass-catchers (e.g., Emeka Egbuka, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin) are out.
  • Saints run single-high coverage (59% snaps, last 2 weeks), and Johnson has elite numbers there: 18% targets/route run, 2.06 yards/route.
  • Fourth-most PPR points per target to perimeter WRs allowed by Saints.
  • “If Bake's gonna be targeting people downfield, it's gonna be Tez Johnson, man. So definitely worth a flex play.” (Derek, 15:41)
  • Noted for his target separation (3rd in NFL), efficiency, and chemistry with Baker Mayfield.

• Seth’s Efficiency Snapshot:

  • “17th in fantasy points per target. Also number 12 in quarterback rating per target. So Baker has had success targeting this rookie…” (Seth, 16:08)

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(4) Tight End Sleeper Start: Colston Loveland (CHI vs. BAL)

Timestamp 17:02 – 19:59

• Key Points:

  • If Cole Kmet is out (back injury), Loveland is a “wonderful streaming target.”
  • High route share and target numbers in relief: 70% route participation, 22.2% target share, 33.3% first read share last week.
  • Ravens allow 6th most yards/game and 13th most adjusted fantasy points to TEs.
  • “Colston Loveland could easily be a tight end one for this week.” (Derek, 18:23)
  • Emphasized as a waiver wire add with rest of season upside if Kmet’s injury lingers.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Back injuries get fickle really quick, dude… if Cole Kmet misses any more time or… gets shoved in the Colston Loveland role… maybe [Loveland is] a tight end one for the rest of the season.” (Derek, 19:49)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fantasy Football’s Swings:

  • “You take the good with the bad… you gotta have a thick gut for this game.” (Derek, 01:03)

• On Bye Week Desperation:

  • “We’re following again. We don’t have to make it this freaking hard… Volume is king.” (Derek, 09:38)

• On Starting Boom/Bust WRs:

  • “You could wake up Monday smiling you started Josh Reynolds, or… your stomach might be a little upset.” (Seth, 11:14-11:22)

• On Fantasy Football Process:

  • “At the point in the season, we have to put the draft takes… aside and we have to look at opportunity.” (Seth, 14:22)

• On Tight End Streamers:

  • “We’re not getting enough people talking about Colston Loveland as a really strong streamer this week.” (Derek, 18:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Player | Timestamp | |--------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------| | QB Sleeper | Joe Flacco | 02:38 – 04:39 | | RB Sleeper | Tyler Allgeier | 04:39 – 06:25 | | WR Sleeper | Josh Reynolds | 07:51 – 10:54 | | WR Sleeper | Troy Franklin | 11:36 – 13:06 | | WR Sleeper | Tez Johnson | 14:22 – 16:47 | | Tight End Sleeper | Colston Loveland | 17:02 – 19:59 |

Tone and Takeaways

Derek and Seth balance actionable advice with humorous banter, never sugarcoating the reality of relying on “dice rolls” in such a rough bye/injury week. They emphasize the importance of opportunity and volume over name value and encourage managers to pivot quickly when depth is tested. By episode’s end, listeners are provided with six specific player names, logic for each, and broader process tips for Piecing together a competitive lineup in tough weeks.

Bottom Line:
If you’re desperate for spot starts in Week 8, this episode arms you with upside options and sharp rationale—while making you laugh about the inevitable gambles you’ll take along the way.