Fantasy Focus Football: Field Yates’ Fantasy Favorites 🔥 (August 20, 2025)

Overview

In this episode, ESPN’s Field Yates is joined by Daniel Dopp and Stefania Bell to deep-dive his annual "Field’s Fantasy Favorites" list—a curated set of players he consistently finds himself drafting thanks to their value, upside, or unique circumstances. The discussion focuses on draft strategy, value picks, changes in player situations, and late-round quarterback flyers, with Stefania providing medical and injury analysis throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Are "Field’s Favorites"? (01:41)

• Not Sleeper Picks: This is not a sleeper or “deep cut” list, nor is it a ranking of the top fantasy players (“not trying to outsmart you…These are not sleepers. These are not the most obvious candidates. It is not, you know, Bijan Robinson and Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley.” – Field Yates, 01:58)
• Repeated Draft Value: These are players Field has gravitated towards (50-60 real/mock drafts), those who offer recurring value or an edge for where they’re being selected in drafts—even if their ADP has shifted.

1. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (03:36–07:15)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Nabers is being drafted at the back/high-second round, about a full round later than other “Tier 1” wide receivers (Jefferson, Chase, Lamb).
• Last season: 170 targets (2nd most in NFL) with poor QB play. Expecting improved quarterback situation this year (Russell Wilson, Jackson Dart, Jameis Winston now in the room).
• Giants didn’t add serious pass-catching competition.

Quotes & Moments:

“Malik Nabers, to me, is a Tier 1 wide receiver this year but is being drafted later than everybody else who is in that Tier 1. … It doesn’t matter if you know they’re going to him. And I love guys like that.”
— Field Yates & Stefania Bell (04:12 & 05:34)

“If you told me I could potentially still get the wide receiver one and… at the end of the first round… I love the ability to get this guy.”
— Daniel Dopp (06:44)

Timestamp: Detailed discussion begins at 03:36.

2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (07:15–12:03)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Of the “big four” QBs, Hurts is going a full round later in ADP despite a similar ceiling.
• Bankable rushing touchdowns (at least 10 for four straight seasons), Tush Push remains a huge floor elevator.
• Passing volume isn’t necessary for fantasy return—rushing “is the floor.”

Quotes & Moments:

“Jalen Hurts is one of the steadiest players in all of fantasy football. The Tush Push being back this year—gigantic for Jalen Hurts.”
— Field Yates (08:29)

“Over the last four years, the player that has led the entire NFL in rushing touchdowns is… Jalen freaking Hurts.”
— Daniel Dopp (11:17)

Timestamp: Segment begins at 07:15.

3. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins (12:03–16:10)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Waddle’s ADP has slipped to WR32 (as of recording), offering large return if Tyreek Hill drama escalates or injuries occur.
• Versatile and talented, with three 1,000-yard seasons out of four.
• Draft narrative: Peak upside for Waddle might be higher than WRs taken around him (e.g., Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice, Devonta Smith).

Quotes & Moments:

“The possibility of him being wide receiver one of the Miami offense… is too good to ignore.”
— Field Yates (12:56)

“He’s much closer to the first two seasons guy [WR14, WR11] than I do the last two seasons guy [WR33, WR50].”
— Daniel Dopp (15:57)

Timestamp: Segment begins at 12:03.

4. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots (18:43–21:57)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Henderson’s ADP has soared (from 82.2 to 60.2 in two weeks), reflecting buzz over his preseason performance (including a 100-yard kick return TD).
• Offers explosive upside, though monitoring for how much work Ty Montgomery and Rhamondre Stevenson might siphon.
• Value line: If he climbs above backs with “guaranteed” roles, the risk may overtake reward.

Quotes & Moments:

“He is hashtag very good… You’re constantly looking for the upside players… At some point this is going to get too high for TreVeyon Henderson.”
— Field Yates (19:42, 20:23)

Timestamp: Segment runs 18:43–21:57.

5. Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (22:24–27:01)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Pacheco’s “boring but bankable” as Chiefs’ clear lead back, with little real backfield competition.
• Returned from fibula fracture mid-2024, but full health and role project much closer to his RB12-15 pre-injury form.
• Stefania emphasizes returning RBs regain burst after a year of recovery—compared to Tony Pollard.

Quotes & Moments:

“He seems like kind of a boring option… But when he is good to go, he seems to be pretty clearly the Chiefs lead back.”
— Field Yates (23:13)

“Broken bones heal really well… It makes it actually stronger…”
— Stefania Bell (25:22)

Timestamp: Starts at 22:24.

6. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans (27:04–29:39)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Pollard’s ADP (up to 86.1 from 100.3) is still depressed compared to workhorse peers.
• Last year was a volume RB: “6th in rushing attempts, 9th in touches, 12th in yards…top 20 RB in 9 of 16 games.” Offers weekly floor, not just volatile ceiling.
• Thin competition (Taj Spears, Khalil Mullings) means strong, dependable workload at an ADP discount.

Quotes & Moments:

“This is a guy who, when my RB2 goes down… I’ve got Tony Pollard waiting in the wings… I can probably count on 12 to 16 points.”
— Field Yates (29:04)

Timestamp: 27:04–29:39.

7. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants (29:39–32:35)

Why He’s a Favorite:

• Entering the year as Giants’ likely starter, seeing uptick in ADP as Cam Skattebo (rookie) deals with injury.
• Strategy: At his draft slot (end of 10th), Tracy only needs to produce for ~4–8 weeks for the pick to pay off; then you pivot as roles change.

Quotes & Moments:

“If you can get four, six, maybe eight games of Tracy being the guy that you want to start… it’s just flat worth it.”
— Field Yates (30:57)

Timestamp: Segment starts at 29:39.

Three Late Round Quarterback Flyers (32:37–38:57)

• Drake Maye (New England Patriots): Moving up ADP, projects for rushing upside (7.8 yards/carry last year); potential for red zone/rushing TDs could spike value if he wins starting job.
• J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings): Vikings’ QB1 track record under Kevin O’Connell is stellar (top 12 production for multiple QBs); Stefania notes improved confidence, athleticism, and opportunity due to early camp competition.
• Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): Thumb surgery (non-throwing hand) shouldn’t threaten season start. Packers confident, Stefania explains timeline/impact.

Quotes & Moments:

“If the rushing really hits… you could see some major, major rushing upside.”
— Field Yates on Drake Maye (34:39)

“I want whatever Kevin O’Connell… this is how you mentor and develop a QB.” — Stefania Bell on Vikings’ coaching (40:22)

Timestamp: Quarterbacks covered from 32:37–38:57.

Injury and Depth Chart Updates (Throughout)

• Stefania breaks down return-to-play timelines for various RB injuries (Pacheco’s fractured fibula, Pollard’s leg injury, soft tissue vs. bone), rookie RB situations (Cam Skattebo’s hamstring), and situational awareness for WRs dealing with injuries (Justin Jefferson, Chris Godwin).
• Stefania’s “favorite” surprise pick: Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay) as a potential early-season breakout if Godwin isn’t ready to return.

Notable Quotes, Humor & Memorable Moments

• On Hurts’ rushing TDs:
  “Six…is more than four.” — Stefania Bell, (11:44)
• Stefania’s favorite unheralded player:
  “I didn’t know. Mecca Igbuka… I think he could really be a nice surprise for fantasy managers out of the gate.” (43:23)
• Bouncing segment ideas:
  “Doods or something like that.” — Daniel Dopp (01:09), joking about making his own “favorites” list.
• Catching Rohan Davey’s passes:
  “It was like catching a Randy Johnson fastball in every playoff… the skin would, like, tear off.” — Field Yates (37:11)
• On preseason bias:
  “There’s such recency bias for the population in general when it comes to preseason football.” — Stefania Bell (31:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction, premise discussion: 00:43–02:58
• Malik Nabers: 03:36–07:15
• Jalen Hurts: 07:15–12:03
• Jaylen Waddle: 12:03–16:10
• TreVeyon Henderson: 18:43–21:57
• Isaiah Pacheco: 22:24–27:01
• Tony Pollard: 27:04–29:39
• Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 29:39–32:35
• Late round QB flyers: 32:37–38:57
• Coaching & NFC North context: 40:33–41:36
• Stefania’s favorite pick: 43:23–45:25

Conclusion

This episode serves as an energetic and detailed run-through of “Field’s Favorites” for the 2025 fantasy football season. The picks are all about draft value, roster construction, and anticipating shifts in player roles. Injury context from Stefania enriches the analysis, while Daniel supplies perspective and banter. The late-round quarterback flyers segment and listener Q&As close out the show—leaving listeners equipped for savvy, adaptable drafting.

For the complete list and more in-depth player notes, listeners are encouraged to check the written version at ESPN.com.