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Frank Ammirante's five fantasy football bold predictions for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season. Expert predictions for Troy Franklin, Isiah Pacheco, Colston Loveland, Tyler Allgeier, and Jaylin Noel.
Week 8 is upon us, so it's time to navigate a tough spot with so many teams on a bye week. Add in injuries, and you may be forced to start a player you wouldn't in normal circumstances.
That's where my Week 8 bold predictions will help you. I'm going to focus on fringe starters who can swing the week for you. We've got two wide receivers, two running backs, and one tight end to guide you as you deal with bye weeks and injuries. We're getting to the stage of the season where must-win games are approaching, especially if you got off to a slow start, so bold moves can turn your season around.
With that in mind, let's dive into my Week 8 bold predictions on Troy Franklin, Isiah Pacheco, Colston Loveland, Tyler Allgeier, and Jaylin Noel. Each of these players either has a good matchup or is forced into an increased role due to injuries to teammates. Some of these players are potentially available on your waiver wire.
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Troy Franklin Puts Up 100+ Receiving Yards
Franklin has cooled off after a strong start, combining for only 136 receiving yards in his last five games. However, there are reasons to be intrigued about Franklin in Week 8.
For one, we saw Franklin show signs of breaking out last week, where he racked up 10 targets and 175 air yards. It could have been a much bigger day than the 19 yards that he put up, albeit with a touchdown. We could see Bo Nix connect with Franklin downfield this time around.
You have to like the matchup against the Cowboys, who have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Dallas is allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season.
As a receiver with a higher average depth of target, Franklin is going to be a boom-or-bust type of producer. But given the matchup and recent usage, there's a chance that this is the time for a spike week.
I like going with Franklin if you're riddled with bye weeks, hoping to hit a home run on a deep threat who scores a touchdown downfield. This game has a chance to turn into an absolute shootout, so it's the right environment for a spike week.
Isiah Pacheco Rushes for 75+ Yards and 1+ Touchdown
Pacheco is in this column for the second week in a row. I'm including the Chiefs running back once again because he came close to hitting these marks last week (57 yards, 1 TD). But, more importantly, it's an even better spot for Pacheco.
That's because Kareem Hunt has been held out of practice with a knee injury, putting his status in doubt for Monday Night Football against the Commanders. While Brashard Smith is emerging as a viable pass-catcher, this would put Pacheco in line for a heavy workload.
You have to think that, at the very least, Hunt's absence would allow Pacheco more opportunities in the red zone. This spot sets up as a positive game script for the Chiefs, who are 11-point favorites, which could mean more rushing volume.
We've seen the Commanders get gashed on the ground at times this season, most recently against Javonte Williams, who went for 116 yards on only 19 carries against them last week.
Don't worry about Pacheco's disappointing overall production. Lean into this favorable matchup and fire him up because he's a viable RB2 for Week 8. Trust me, I'm a Commanders fan. This team can't stop anyone right now.
Colston Loveland Puts Up 75+ Receiving Yards
Up next is a first-round rookie who hasn't lived up to expectations in his first year, primarily due to sporadic usage. But things could change for Loveland as soon as this week, as Cole Kmet is dealing with a back injury. If Kmet were forced to miss this game, we could see Loveland get more snaps.
Cole Kmet Misses Second Straight Practice on Thursday https://t.co/Ap7yxaXny4
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 23, 2025
Remember that there was a point in the offseason when fantasy managers preferred Loveland over Tyler Warren. The Bears agreed, as they took Loveland over Warren in the draft. That's not to say they made the right decision, but it's worth pointing out to highlight Loveland's skill set.
This is the type of tight end that can win downfield and generate chunk yardage, exactly the archetype that you should covet for fantasy production.
There's an outside chance that this matchup against the Ravens turns into a shootout, as Baltimore's defense has been abysmal all year. This is reflected in the game total, which currently sits at 49.5 points.
If you missed out on Oronde Gadsden or Harold Fannin Jr., and you're trying to navigate Brock Bowers' injury or Trey McBride's bye week, give Loveland a shot. It's a bet on premium talent in a potentially increased role.
Tyler Allgeier Rushes for 75+ Yards and 1+ Touchdown
Allgeier is one of the best No. 2 running backs in the NFL. We've seen the Falcons' back show a nice ceiling at times, including 76 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Week 2. We've got the perfect combination of matchup and game script in Week 8, giving Allgeier to eat alongside Bijan Robinson.
First, it's a home game against the Dolphins, facing a defense that is giving up the most rushing yards to running backs this season, allowing 5.19 yards per carry. We've seen Quinshon Judkins, Kimani Vidal, and James Cook gash this defense throughout the season.
Then you have to factor in the game environment, as the Falcons are double-digit favorites against a Dolphins team that looks like an absolute dumpster fire right now. There's a legitimate chance this turns into a blowout, leading to more rushing volume.
Just picture a scenario where the Falcons are up 27-7 heading into the fourth quarter, allowing Allgeier to take all of the carries. Don't be surprised to see this power back rack up yardage in this terrific spot. I view Allgeier as an upside FLEX play with RB2 upside in this matchup, even with Robinson doing his thing against this abysmal Dolphins defense.
Jaylin Noel Puts Up 75+ Receiving Yards
My final pick for bold predictions is the Texans' third-round rookie wide receiver, who showed glimpses of his talent in the Week 7 loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. That was a game where Noel caught 4-of-7 targets for 77 yards.
Even though Noel has already hit this benchmark I've set last week (75+), it's still bold to say that he'll do it again, since this is a completely unproven first-year player.
However, the stars are aligning for an increased role. Nico Collins' status is in doubt with a concussion, while Christian Kirk is likely to miss another game as he nurses a hamstring injury.
Christian Kirk Fails to Practice, Status for Week 8 in Doubt https://t.co/dkhL1n6OKg
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 23, 2025
That would leave Noel as the top target, next to Jayden Higgins. That is, of course, unless Nick Caley continues to make abhorrent decisions like keeping his rookies off the field for the likes of Xavier Hutchinson and Braxton Berrios.
The Texans are facing the 49ers this week, which is a tough matchup. But I liked Noel's talent coming out of the draft, so I can't pass up a chance to fire him up in a game where he may be C.J. Stroud's top target. Let's hope that Caley comes to his senses.
