Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Dan's Favorite Players and Jacob's Advanced Stats! And Jamey is Here Too!
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dan Schneier, Jamey Eisenberg, Jacob Gibbs

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep-dive into the FFT crew's favorite players to draft for 2025, with a focus on Dan Schneier's personal targets, Jacob Gibbs' advanced analytics, and fresh analysis on ambiguous backfields and player roles. The team breaks down player values, discusses risers and fallers in ADP, and brings new statistical context to wide receiver skill. Additionally, insights on preseason developments, player health, and listener league drama add fun and practical draft advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jalen Warren and the Changing Pittsburgh Backfield

[05:21–10:10]

• Listener Email: Asks if Jalen Warren is a potential star if given true RB1 opportunities.
• Jacob Gibbs: Praises Warren's efficiency across several advanced stats, noting:
  • RB6 in yards per rush, RB4 in success rate, RB1 in avoided tackle rate among qualifiers.
  • "He just continues to get more and more work from Najee… so we’ll see what happens next." (06:24, Jacob)
• Jamie: Stresses Warren’s advantage in pass protection, crucial for playing time with an aging Aaron Rodgers.
• Dan: Skeptical about heavy fantasy investment: "Ultimately a bet against the offense and a bet against the volume here for me." (09:00)
• Consensus: Warren is preferred in PPR, with skepticism about anyone truly dominating this backfield.

2. Backfield Battles & Draft Strategies

[11:00–17:52]

• Jamie and Dan dissect backfields in Seattle, Houston, and the Giants, flagging late-camp movement (injuries/role changes) as potential value points.
• Seattle: “You’re going to get a discount on Ken Walker... Charbonnet could have a bigger role.” (12:29, Jamie)
• Giants: Jamie is "team Tracy" but likes late shots on Cam Scadaboo.
• Houston: Jamie "doesn't want much of Mixon or Chubb”—predicts RB committee with a messy outlook.

3. ADP Toss-Ups & Quickfire Rankings

[16:47–18:08] Hosts debate rapid-fire on running back decisions:

• Warren vs Tracy: Jamie leans Tracy for volume, Dan leans Warren for talent.
• Walker vs Chuba Hubbard/Travion Henderson: “Even me, I’m going Walker and I’m not a Walker guy.” (17:26, Dan)
• Jacob drops a tip: “FFT newsletter… will have a rankings update this week for sure before Friday.” (17:57)

4. Wide Receiver Deep Dive: Keon Coleman

[23:55–26:59]

• Jamie: “Early 40s” rank for Coleman. Describes Coleman's yards after catch and high aDOT as “insane, not repeatable.”
• Jacob: “Until we see Keon Coleman get slot work, I’m just out.” (25:33) Attributes lower upside to a limited route tree and outside role.
• Dan: Echoes skepticism about role/scheme: “For fantasy football, I’ve said for a long time [the Bills offense] is bad for the passing game value.” (26:11)

5. Denver-Saints Trade Impact (Vail/Mims)

[27:08–29:36]

• Jamie: Sees more opportunity for Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin, “If you have enough bench spots, [target] two of those guys. You could find gold with a late round flyer.” (28:53)
• Dan: Notes the Saints added size with Vail, but Denver's receiving core shakeup is better for clarity.

6. Dan’s Favorite Players (Dan’s Guys)

[42:43–59:05]

• Christian McCaffrey (“Unicorn back”):
  • “What I’m chasing now are what I deem to be unicorn players in fantasy … running backs who actually have a role in the pass game.” (44:57, Dan)
• Nico Collins:
  • "If there’s anyone I want to bet on besides Chase to be WR1, it would be CeeDee, but after that, it's Nico Collins … there is no way they're not going to be top three, top four in the NFL in pass attempts.” (45:07)
  • “Yards per route run over his career: elite, one of the best of all time.” (46:01)
• Malik Nabers: “Love him at cost, love the talent, freak show of a receiver.”
• Chase Brown: “One of the rare backs you can get in this range with potential workhorse role in an elite offense with a big role in the pass game.” (52:31)
• George Pickens: “The best fit he's had at quarterback by far in his career… Dak’s ability to anticipate, get the ball out… perfect for Pickens' skill set.” (53:44)
• RJ Harvey: “One of the best backs in college football last year from a yards created standpoint.” (54:21)
• Colston Loveland (TE): “I had a higher grade on him coming out than [Tyler] Warren. Loved his ability to create separation on the vertical seam.” (57:59)
• Quarterbacks:
  • Drake May: “Buying him because I think we're going to get a lot of rushing touchdowns… more of a Josh Allen type feel to him.” (61:03)
  • CJ Stroud: “I think his volume is going to be exceptional… just one year removed from being a top ten quarterback in fantasy.” (62:33)

Advanced Stats, Notable Insights & Memorable Quotes

• Jacob Gibbs drops a new stat filter ([63:51]):
  • Removes sacks, screens, scrambles, and under-center snaps to better assess wide receiver skill.
  • “Nico Collins at the very top… Denver guys in particular—Courtland Sutton within this lens looks like a true WR1.” (64:35)
  • Marvin Mims: “Not a successful short intermediate route winner. Right now it's all deep balls or screens.” (66:44)
• Jacob’s advice: “Colson Loveland has flashed elite target drawing upside… his target per route run rate was the highest of any tight end since 2017.” (59:12)
• Drafting ethos: “Don’t be afraid to pull the trigger a little bit sooner.” (56:54, Jamie)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "He just continues to get more and more work from Najee… so we’ll see what happens next." – Jacob Gibbs, 06:24
• "Ultimately a bet against the offense and a bet against the volume here for me." – Dan Schneier, 09:00
• "What I’m chasing now are what I deem to be unicorn players in fantasy… running backs who actually have a role in the pass game." – Dan, 44:57
• "Until we see Keon Coleman get slot work, I’m just out." – Jacob, 25:33
• "If there’s anyone I want to bet on besides Chase to be WR1, it would be CeeDee, but… it's Nico Collins." – Dan, 45:07
• "Yards per route run over his career: elite, one of the best of all time." – Dan, 46:01

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jalen Warren Deep Dive: 05:21–10:10
• Ambiguous Backfields (Seattle, Giants, Houston): 11:00–17:52
• Wide Receivers Rapid Fire & Keon Coleman Talk: 23:55–26:59
• Impact of Denver-New Orleans Trade: 27:08–29:36
• Dan’s Favorite Players (Detailed Breakdown): 42:43–59:05
• Advanced WR Stats with Jacob: 63:51–67:53

Overall Tone and Format

The FFT crew keeps a high-energy, banter-filled tone, balancing actionable analysis with candid debates and in-jokes about league drafting. Dan’s “rant” segments inject strong opinion, Jacob drills down into metrics, and Jamie provides pragmatic drafting context, making the episode rich for both fantasy newcomers and seasoned drafters.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you didn’t get to listen, this episode is a robust preseason resource:

• Dan’s Guy List: Clear, actionable targets with reasoning and tier context.
• Jacob’s Stats: Contextualized advanced WR measurement to better identify “true” WR talent.
• Backfield Updates: Who to fade or pounce on amid preseason injuries and role shifts.
• Listener Fun: Includes a rant from a league-mate mocking Dan’s drafting snipes and references FFT’s open community.
• Draft Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to reach for your guy, especially if they fit the “unicorn” profile in today’s shifting NFL.