Fantasy Football Today: Consensus PPR #19-24 – Drake London or Tee Higgins? Josh Jacobs or Jonathan Taylor? (06/26 Fantasy Football Podcast)
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Overview
In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Adam Azer engages in a spirited discussion with analysts Dan Schneier and Heath Cummings. The focus centers on the consensus PPR (Points Per Reception) rankings for positions 19 through 24, specifically debating the merits of Drake London vs. Tee Higgins (Wide Receivers) and Josh Jacobs vs. Jonathan Taylor vs. Chase Brown (Running Backs). Additionally, the panel introduces a new segment, "Heath Has a Question," where Heath delves into concerns regarding rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
Introduction and Rankings Overview (01:00 - 05:46)
Adam Azer opens the episode by outlining the players under consideration for the 19th to 24th spots in the PPR consensus rankings:
- Wide Receivers: Drake London (19), Tee Higgins (23)
- Running Backs: Chase Brown, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor
- Tight End: Brock Bowers
- Additional: Trey McBride
Heath Cummings introduces his segment, expressing his support for Brock Bowers and questioning his placement in the rankings, especially in light of quarterback improvements and target consistency.
Notable Quote:
Heath Cummings (02:04): "I don't know why we don't love Brock Bowers."
Heath’s Concerns on Brock Bowers (02:04 - 04:19)
Heath delves into the reasons why he believes Brock Bowers deserves a higher ranking. He critiques Chip Kelly’s offensive strategies, citing historical pass attempt data and the potential for a tight end-centric offense in Oakland. Heath argues that with a quarterback upgrade and no significant target competition, Bowers should be a top-tier fantasy asset.
Notable Quote:
Heath Cummings (03:00): "Every one of those years in Chip Kelly's system that they averaged 595 passes, he had running backs with well over 300 rush attempts."
Panel Discussion on Player Rankings (05:46 - 19:42)
The hosts compare their rankings for Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. Adam Azer prefers McBride over Bowers but acknowledges the strong case Heath makes for pushing Bowers into earlier rounds. Dan Schneier aligns more closely with Heath, emphasizing Bowers' generational talent and potential offensive centerpiece.
Key Points:
- Brock Bowers: Debate over his consensus ranking vs. individual analysts' higher valuations.
- Trey McBride: Considers his target volume and potential in the Arizona Cardinals' offense.
- Heath's Preference: Jonathan Taylor as the top running back among the trio, citing his consistent performance and talent.
Notable Quote:
Dan Schneier (07:43): "If they've got Marvin Harrison Jr. more involved, is McBride's role the same and is that gonna impact his fantasy status?"
Wide Receiver Showdown: Drake London vs. Tee Higgins (19:43 - 27:37)
The panel examines the strengths and weaknesses of Drake London and Tee Higgins. They analyze last season's performances, target volumes, offensive schemes, and quarterback efficiencies. Drake London is praised for his upside and target potential, while Tee Higgins is lauded for his consistency within Joe Burrow’s prolific passing offense.
Key Points:
- Drake London: Demonstrated high target volume in critical games, potential for top-tier fantasy production if offensive pace remains high.
- Tee Higgins: Reliable in a stable and high-performing offense, slight concerns over target competition and injury risks.
Notable Quotes:
Adam Azer (22:48): "He's a good borderline number one wide receiver."
Dan Schneier (26:25): "He's a top five overall fantasy receiver and that's why I think you can take him here over Higgins."
Running Back Rankings: Josh Jacobs vs. Jonathan Taylor vs. Chase Brown (27:38 - 40:02)
The discussion shifts to the running back position, weighing the merits of Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, and Chase Brown. The analysts debate factors such as offensive line strength, rushing opportunities, receiving roles, and injury histories.
Key Points:
- Josh Jacobs: Viewed as a "safe" but "boring" option with consistent touchdown potential in a strong offense.
- Jonathan Taylor: Recognized for his elite talent and touchdown upside despite concerns about team performance and offensive line.
- Chase Brown: Considered high-risk/high-reward due to his breakout performance last season and potential for sustained production.
Notable Quotes:
Dan Schneier (36:07): "He's a boring fantasy option. I like that though. I want boring."
Heath Cummings (30:05): "Too good to be called boring."
Trey McBride’s Evaluation (44:07 - 51:07)
Trey McBride's role in the Arizona Cardinals' offense is scrutinized. The panel debates his target volume, quarterback play with Kyler Murray, and his touchdown-scoring capabilities. While some express optimism based on his receiving numbers, others remain cautious about his touchdown potential and offensive scheme compatibility.
Key Points:
- Target Volume: High number of receptions but low touchdown rate raises concerns.
- Offensive Scheme: Dependence on Kyler Murray’s ability to facilitate tight end-centric routes.
- Touchdown Potential: Skepticism due to historical performance and limited touchdown opportunities.
Notable Quotes:
Heath Cummings (46:00): "I just think there’s a little bit more risk that happens to Jacobs than DJ Giddens cuts into Jonathan Taylor's work."
Dan Schneier (48:13): "He doesn't score touchdowns, didn't score touchdowns in college, hasn't scored touchdowns in the NFL."
Audience Interaction and Additional Polls (53:37 - 58:47)
The hosts engage with listener emails and polls, discussing undervalued receivers and addressing questions about unique league formats, such as the 2025 Scott Fishbowl scoring system. They provide insights and opinions based on the diversified scoring rules, emphasizing flexibility in drafting strategies.
Key Points:
- Undervalued Receivers: Debate over players like Josh Palmer and Chris Godwin.
- Unique Scoring Formats: Considerations for drafting strategies when quarterbacks are optional starters.
Notable Quotes:
Dan Schneier (55:14): "Josh Palmer as a top 24 receiver. I think that's a mistake."
Heath Cummings (60:53): "If you got Josh Allen, what you really want to do is just see if we can run the ball 35 times a game and run as few plays as possible."
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (58:47 - 66:08)
In the closing segments, the panel wraps up their discussions, reiterating the key takeaways from their debates. They emphasize the importance of balancing upside and safety in player selections and adapting to unique league formats. The episode concludes with light-hearted banter and farewell messages.
Notable Quotes:
Adam Azer (65:55): "It's time to level up."
Dan Schneier (65:54): "Eggs are bad for you."
Insights and Conclusions
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Drake London vs. Tee Higgins: London offers higher upside with significant target potential, especially if the Atlanta Falcons maintain a high-paced offense. Higgins remains a reliable choice within a robust Cincinnati Bengals offense but carries slight risks related to target competition and health.
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Josh Jacobs vs. Jonathan Taylor vs. Chase Brown: Jacobs is deemed a safe, consistent pick with steady touchdown opportunities. Taylor is celebrated for his elite talent and high touchdown ceiling, albeit with some team-related concerns. Brown presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario based on his breakout performance and potential for sustained production.
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Trey McBride: While showing promise in target volume, concerns about his touchdown rate and offensive scheme integration temper enthusiasm, making him a more speculative pick in the tight end rankings.
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Heath’s Emphasis on Brock Bowers: Advocates for higher valuation based on rookie performance and offensive centralization, challenging the consensus rankings and encouraging listeners to consider his long-term fantasy impact.
This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of mid-tier PPR rankings, offering valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to optimize their draft strategies. By weighing player potential against risks and team dynamics, the panel equips listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions in their leagues.