Fantasy Football Today Podcast: "Buy Low, Sell High, Worryometer, PIT-CIN Preview and Much More"

Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings (CBS Sports)

Episode Overview

The central theme of today’s episode is actionable fantasy football trade strategy: identifying buy-low and sell-high candidates, evaluating player worries on the "Worryometer," and previewing the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Thursday Night Football matchup. The crew provides deep analysis on trends, injury impacts, trade value, and rest-of-season outlooks for both mainstream and under-the-radar players.

Top Discussion Points & Insights

1. News & Notes (03:42-06:46)

• Injuries & Updates:
  • D.J. Moore (groin, day-to-day), Josh Palmer (week-to-week), Dalton Kincaid (day-to-day, in bye), Carson Wentz (shoulder, questionable), Brandon Aiyuk (close to returning post-Week 10).
  • Minnesota QB situation: Uncertainty if J.J. McCarthy is healthy enough to start; Max Brosmer named as likely fill-in.
  • Key IDP note: Cincy LB Barrett Carter is replacing Logan Wilson; had 10 tackles, possible add in IDP.

2. Most Traded Players – Buy/Sell/Hold (06:21-11:22)

• A.J. Brown: Buy (Heath), Hold (Jamey), Price Dependent (Dave).
• J.K. Dobbins: Generally a sell or price-dependent.
• Brian Thomas Jr.: Generally a hold/buy (recent production encouraging, but Adam suggests selling if you can fetch true value—07:29).
• Chase Brown: Not enough market for a gain on sell; mostly a hold.
• DeAndre Swift: Hold/Buy depending on team situation and schedule ("He's got the role we like, just needs to be more efficient." – Adam, 09:30).
• Lad McConkey: Sell lean (Jamey), Hold (Heath/Dave). McConkey had his breakout with Q. Johnston out and vs MIA. Debate if that's repeatable.

"If you drafted him or bought low, don’t sell just to get him off your team." – Jamey (11:24)

• Player Comparison: Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Lad McConkey
  • Jamey: “I’d rather have Thomas Jr.” (12:01)
  • Dave: “They’re both probably WR2s. I’ll take McConkey.” (12:05)

3. Buy-Low Candidates (13:05-27:31)

Heath’s List (13:05)

• James Cook:
  • Two bad games; usage worry, but seen as a top-12 RB ROS (rest of season).

  • "I can't imagine after losing that game going into a bye...that they'll continue to make that choice [low usage]." – Heath (13:52)

• Zay Flowers:
  • Ravens WR set to rebound post-bye with Lamar Jackson returning.

  • "Love the Flowers call...the stars will align for him and for a lot of Ravens after their bye." – Jamey (14:10)

• "Would you buy low on Zay Flowers or Derrick Henry?" – Adam (14:29)

  • Heath says both; Jamey notes higher price for Henry.

Jamie’s List (21:42)

• Brock Bowers:
  • Targeting injury discount; should return by Week 9/10.
• Bucky Irving:
  • Usage dependent, but explosive offense; potential split with Rashad White.

• "You’re clearly trying to acquire these players if you're in a position of strength...hoping that those teams are not." – Jamey (22:02)

Dave’s List (24:41)

• Garrett Wilson:
  • Must be "cheap" due to injury, but when healthy is a target monster.
• Kenneth Walker:
  • Efficiency far outpaces Charbonnet; Seahawks’ split likely unsustainable as playoff push nears.

  • "Their solution in Seattle is to use them both...we've seen it before though...they let their playmakers play." – Dave (25:18)

Risk Disclaimer:

"It is risky to trade for injured players...sometimes they come back and they're not the same." – Adam (28:27)

4. Sell-High Candidates (30:30-36:43)

Dave's List (30:56)

• George Pickens & Jake Ferguson:
  • Regression expected when CeeDee Lamb returns.
  • Ferguson top-5 TE ROS, but target share will drop. “If you can pair Ferguson in a deal to get Bowers, that’s an easy move.” – Jamey (31:45)
• "Pickens will have some boom games even though Lamb's back...but you have to assume a downturn in targets." – Jamie (31:00)

Jamie's List (33:55)

• Travis Kelsey:
  • Possible decrease in target share with R. Rice’s return. Package for Bowers if possible.
• Kamani Vidal:
  • Perfect “sell after waiver breakout” and combine in deals for “superstars” (34:02).

Heath’s List (35:13)

• Rico Dowdle:
  • Role likely shrinks when Chuba Hubbard returns; may become part of a committee. (36:15)
• DK Metcalf:
  • Performance peaking; may regress to low-end WR2 as season progresses.

5. Thursday Night Football: PIT-CIN Preview (43:07-54:44)

• Steelers RBs vs CIN:

  • Bengals allow strong RB production. Both Warren and Gainwell in flex discussion.
  • Jalen Warren promoted as "Start of the Week" Thursday: "He’ll be right around RB15-16" – Jamie (44:06)

• Jalen Warren Start Decisions:

  • Over Mason, over Montgomery, over Kenneth Walker in full PPR, but not over Rashid White or Mike Evans (if Evans is active). (44:50)

• Aaron Rodgers:

  • Strong streaming option but not top-12 for all. Consensus: start over Sam Darnold (48:23).

• DK Metcalf:

  • "Must start this week; probably WR20 ROS." – Heath (50:19)
  • "Could be three [consecutive games as Top 10 WR]." – Jamey (50:57)

• Tee Higgins:

  • Should be treated as a low-end WR2/high WR3.

  • "He has one game with more than 11.2 PPR points where Jamar Chase also played and Burrow didn’t." – Jamie (52:24)

  • Flacco a passable stand-in QB; expect volatility.

6. Worryometer (Worryometer) Segment (55:05-64:30)

Scale: 0 (No worry) – 10 (Panic)

• Travion Henderson: 5-6 (Dave), willing to take a chance that a rookie RB breaks out second half.
• Chase Brown: 7-9, usage and offensive woes (56:34).
• Saquon Barkley: "Zero compared to RB field, six compared to his expectations." – Heath (57:40)
• A.J. Brown: Concerned, despite targets, not producing big games.
• Xavier Worthy: Varied: 2-5. Some worry about target competition if R. Rice returns.
• Tony Pollard: "Ten." – Jamie (62:08)
• Keenan Allen: Range: 2-6.
• Jakori Crosby Merit: 0 (no worry right now).

7. Grade the Trade (64:31-68:35)

• Nico Collins & Brian Thomas Jr. for Puka Nacua, McLaurin, Kamani Vidal:
  • A+ (Dave), but others note risk as two incoming players have injury concerns.
• Pickens + Swift for Justin Jefferson:
  • Yes (unanimous); slight overpay, but worth for upside.
• Rico Dowdle + Goddard for Trey McBride:
  • "If you can, do it with haste." – Jamie (66:39)
• Michael Carter & Jamar Chase for Josh Allen + Abuka/Addison:
  • Only if desperate at QB; generally not recommended.
• Breece Hall + Rashee Rice for Nico Collins + Rico Dowdle:
  • Accept; like upside on Hall/Rice side.
• James Cook + Rashee Rice for Christian McCaffrey + Tet McMillan:
  • Lean cooking/rice side overall, though fair in shallow leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On buying Brian Thomas Jr.:

  • "I think if you've been watching, there's been signs that have been building toward this." – Heath (07:37)

• On James Cook’s Outlook:

  • "I can't imagine after losing that game...they'll continue to [limit his usage]." – Heath (13:52)
  • "It’s really dumb that he has zero catches in the last two games, and I don't like expecting NFL teams to continue to do dumb things." – Heath (15:15)

• On Trading Injured Players:

  • “It is risky to trade for injured players...Sometimes they come back and they're not the same." – Adam (28:27)

• On DeAndre Swift's Usage:

  • “The Eagles attacked the edges with him...If they continue doing that...he'll be great.” – Jamie (09:47)

• On Jake Ferguson Sell High:

  • “Try and do something with Ferguson in a deal to get Bowers...Ferguson's a sell high.” – Jamey (31:45)

• On DK Metcalf:

  • “He’s a must start wide receiver in this game. Rest of season he's probably more of a low end wide receiver two.” – Heath (50:19)

Fun/Off-Topic Moments

• Microwave/rice reheating debate (60:55–61:57):
  • Adam: “Reheating rice is such an issue, isn't it? You have to do it separately...”
  • Plastic safety PSA: “Don’t ever reheat plastic...it’s really bad for you. Don’t do it.” (63:29)

Episode Structure / Key Segments & Timestamps

• 02:21: Show open, movie trivia banter
• 03:42: News & Notes
• 06:21: Most Traded List – Buy, Sell, Hold mini-roundtable
• 13:05: Buy Low lists and detailed debate
• 30:30: Sell High lists and rationale
• 43:07: Thursday Night Football (PIT vs CIN) preview and start/sit deep dive
• 55:05: Worryometer rapid-fire
• 64:31: Grade the Trade – listener submissions
• 68:35+: Off-topic banter, show close

Summary + Ideal Listener Takeaways

This episode is must-listen for managers seeking actionable advice on key RB/WR buy-low or sell-high opportunities, deciphering trades in injury-impacted weeks, and squeezing maximum value from trending waiver adds. The crew delivers strongly justified opinions, nuanced risk assessment, and practical negotiation tips in both redraft and dynasty settings. The Thursday night preview is robust and tactical (especially regarding the Steelers’ backfield) and the show’s light banter keeps it fast-paced and approachable for all fantasy experience levels.