Podcast Summary: Fantasy Football Today – "Dan's FADE List! 5 Big-Name Fantasy Stars Who Could CRASH in 2025" (Release Date: June 14, 2025)

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Jamie Eisenberg sits down with fantasy football analyst Dan Schneier to discuss Dan's notorious FADE List for the 2025 season. The FADE List highlights five prominent fantasy players Dan advises against drafting at their current Average Draft Positions (ADPs) due to various concerns ranging from performance unpredictability to unfavorable team dynamics. The discussion delves deep into each player's potential pitfalls, supported by insightful analysis and notable quotes from both hosts.

1. Introduction to Dan's FADE List

Jamie Eisenberg opens the episode by introducing Dan Schneier's FADE List, which comprises five players he is likely avoiding in the upcoming fantasy football season unless they become available at significantly lower draft positions.

Jamie Eisenberg [00:00]:

"We're looking at Dan's bus list. Five players he's probably avoiding, I guess, unless they fall to the right spot."

2. Chase Brown – The Top Candidate on the FADE List

Overview: Chase Brown tops Dan's FADE List due to concerns about his sustainability and role within his team's running back hierarchy.

Dan Schneier [00:31]:

"Chase Brown scares me; the perfect everything had to break perfectly for him to have the season he had last year."

Key Points:

• Injury and Team Dynamics: Brown's impressive performance last season was contingent on a series of favorable circumstances, including injuries to key teammates like Zach Moss.
• Team Strategy Shifts: The Bengals' acquisition of Taj Brooks and alterations in their backfield plan may limit Brown's opportunities.
• Draft Value: With Brown's ADP in the mid-40s, Dan argues that drafting him at this price might mean buying him at his peak without significant upside.

Jamie Eisenberg [01:35]:

"Round five, six, he's never gonna get there. So yeah, probably not getting chased."

Conclusion: Dan suggests that Chase Brown may still hold potential if drafted in the later rounds, but as a borderline top 10 running back, he remains cautious about his future performance.

3. Seahawks’ JSN and Ken Walker – Doubts Amid Team Concerns

Overview: Both JSN (presumably a Seahawks wide receiver) and Ken Walker find spots on the FADE List due to broader team issues, including offensive line weaknesses and quarterback uncertainties.

Dan Schneier [02:29]:

"The Seahawks are a big fade team for me."

Key Points:

• Offensive Line Issues: The Seahawks have not sufficiently addressed their offensive line, which was a significant weakness last season.
• Quarterback Concerns: The transition from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold is seen as a downgrade, with doubts about Darnold's performance in the new offensive system.
• Player-Specific Concerns:
  • JSN: Last year's strong performance was somewhat system-dependent, and with potential changes in offensive focus, his target share might decrease.
  • Ken Walker: Despite flashes of talent, frequent injuries and competition within the backfield (e.g., Charbonnet) raise doubts about his consistency and availability.

Jamie Eisenberg [03:33]:

"If Seattle's not going to win many games, we're gonna take a quick break here on FFT Express."

Discussion: Jamie provides a counterpoint, acknowledging JSN's potential in a high-end wide receiver role but agrees with Dan's concerns about the overall team environment affecting both players' fantasy value.

4. Alvin Kamara – Aging and Team Instability

Overview: Alvin Kamara is flagged for fading due to his age (30 years old) and the uncertainty surrounding the New Orleans Saints' offensive strategy following the departure of Derek Carr.

Dan Schneier [05:50]:

"It's across the board fade. Alvin Kamara is one of my bigger fades, though, across the board this year."

Key Points:

• Age Factor: At 30 years old, Kamara is entering the later stages of his career, which may impact his performance and durability.
• Quarterback Transition: The Saints' uncertainty at the quarterback position after Derek Carr's exit raises questions about Kamara's target volume and offensive effectiveness.
• Competition and Role: With potential competition from players like Devin Neal and Taysom Hill, Kamara's role in the offense may be diluted, limiting his fantasy prospects.

Jamie Eisenberg [06:50]:

"I try to avoid Camara... you know, tend to avoid guys that are 29, 30 years old at this position."

Conclusion: Both hosts concur that despite Kamara's past successes, the combination of age and team instability makes him a risky pick at his current draft value.

5. Chris Godwin – Injury Worries and Declining Role

Overview: Chris Godwin rounds out Dan's FADE List due to his recent ankle injury, potential competition for targets, and diminishing returns in his current offensive scheme.

Dan Schneier [08:08]:

"Why am I comfortable drafting a player in the top 60... when he's been injured at multiple points of his career and is now coming off a very serious injury?"

Key Points:

• Injury History: Godwin's recent serious ankle injury casts doubt on his ability to perform at pre-injury levels consistently.
• Offensive Scheme Changes: The addition of players like McMillan and potential new targets reduces Godwin's share of targets, especially in a changing offensive coordinator landscape.
• Opportunity Cost: Drafting Godwin at his current ranking (top 60) may mean forgoing healthier, more reliable options with similar or better value.

Jamie Eisenberg [09:08]:

"Godwin was so much better than Evans last year... I just can't get past that."

Discussion: While acknowledging Godwin's talent and past contributions, Jamie agrees with Dan's assessment that his injury history and current team dynamics make him a less appealing option compared to emerging or healthier players.

6. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Dan Schneier's FADE List serves as a cautionary guide for fantasy managers looking to optimize their draft strategies. The key takeaway is the importance of evaluating players not just on past performance but also on future consistency, team dynamics, and potential risks such as injuries or unfavorable coaching changes. Both Dan and Jamie emphasize the value of waiting for these high-profile players to potentially drop in ADP rather than reaching for them early, thereby maximizing draft value and minimizing risk.

Jamie Eisenberg [End of Transcript]:

"They’re fades, not bus. They’re players that he is avoiding at their current ADPs. See where their ADP settles as we get closer to August."

Conclusion: This episode of Fantasy Football Today provides a comprehensive analysis of five significant fantasy players to consider fading in the 2025 season. By highlighting the underlying issues affecting each player's fantasy viability, Dan Schneier equips fantasy managers with the insights needed to make informed drafting decisions and ultimately dominate their leagues.