Fantasy Football Today Express

Episode: “Vikings activate RB Aaron Jones from IR + Beat the Waiver Wire!”

Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer (Host 2), Dave Richard (Host 3)

Episode Overview

This tight, action-packed episode of FFT Express focuses on the immediate fantasy football impact of Aaron Jones returning from injured reserve for the Vikings, key strategies for navigating four upcoming Week 9 bye teams, and a comprehensive Beat the Waiver Wire segment. The crew breaks down which players you need to stash now for the next two weeks, with special attention on running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, and DSTs, all while maintaining their reliably playful, irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Aaron Jones Returns – Instant Fantasy Impact

[02:18 - 03:31]

• The Vikings have activated Aaron Jones ahead of Thursday Night Football.
• Dave Richard:
  • “Thursday night football stinks for players because they just played Sunday. Now here’s Aaron Jones with fresh legs…So to me, it would make sense that the Vikings use him and use those fresh legs.” ([02:24])
  • Unsure about his workload, but likes him as a passing-down back with upside.
  • Jordan Mason becomes a touchdown-dependent RB2; “Both of these guys probably in the neighborhood of like RB 20 to 26 for fantasy managers.” ([03:10])
• Stat Drop: Chargers' recent struggles against the run – “allowing 6.5 yards per carry to running backs in their last three games. They’ve given up 29 or more points to three straight running backs.” ([03:31], Host 2)
• Cautious optimism: Great matchup, but unclear roles.

2. Beat the Waiver Wire: RB, QB, WR, TE, DST Stashes

[03:56 - 12:39]

• The guys deliver a rapid-fire list of stash candidates for the next two weeks, particularly relevant with four teams on bye in Week 9.

Running Backs

• Top Headliner:
  • “How about a running back that’s not even playing in Week 8? It’s Bam Bam Knight...for Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys...if you see him on your waiver wire, pick him up.” ([03:56], Dave Richard)
• Other Notables:
  • Kyle Menungai (33% available)
  • Tajie Spears, Blake Corum (Week 9 vs New Orleans – possible expanded role)
  • Isaiah Davis: “If they do trade Breece Hall, Isaiah Davis is going to be the next guy up for them.” – Dave Richard ([08:13])
  • Ali Gordon (65% available): Dolphins want him more involved, huge upside if De’Von Achane misses time.
  • BA Shelton, Burchard Smith, Jerome Ford (“the desperate fantasy managers who just need running backs with a pulse” – [08:54], Dave Richard)

Quarterbacks

• Not a strong group, mostly deep-league/streamer options.
• Trevor Lawrence (about 50% available): Good bye-week fill-in vs Raiders in Week 9. “Might be okay as a bye week replacement in Week 9...cut his butt as soon as the week’s over.” ([05:47], Dave Richard)
• Sam Darnold: “It’s a one-week stash type of deal...Whichever one you like better of the two, I’ll probably have Darnold ranked ahead of Lawrence.” ([06:37], Dave Richard)
• Others: Flacco, Aaron Rodgers (fringe options, check matchups).

Wide Receivers

• Week 8 Only Options:
  • Darnell Mooney (“has the chance to have a good game in week number eight” – [09:34], Dave)
  • Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Josh Reynolds, Xavier Legette, Sterling Shepard
• Stash Option:
  • Darius Slayton (“Could be a really good game for Slayton [in Week 9]...He’s available in 80% of leagues.” – [09:42], Dave)
  • Mention of Christian Kirk (29% available), Jalen Noel (90% available), but both are speculative.

Tight Ends

• Week 8-9 Streamers:
  • David Njoku: “He’s available in 41% of leagues...also a trade candidate, so could see real upside.” ([10:44], Dave)
  • Dalton Schultz: “This might actually be my favorite non-running back to add and possibly start this week. Adam, it’s Dalton Schultz, 69% available for the Texans. This is the player I think C.J. Stroud is going to lean on the most in this passing game.” ([11:08], Dave)
  • Others: Cade Otton, Evan Engram, Mason Taylor (“I had to apologize to someone for recommending Mason Taylor two weeks in a row. They were so upset about it.” [10:59], Dave, displaying the show’s self-deprecating humor)
• Super Deep Stream: Bears’ Colston Loveland if Cole Kmet is out; only for the desperate.

DSTs (Defenses/Special Teams)

• Best Stash:
  • “Stash the Rams DST...They’re good and they get the Saints next week at home. Saints have really struggled on the road.” ([12:04], Host 2)
• Other Suggestions: Seahawks DST, Lions DST for future weeks.
• Week 8 Streamers:
  • Buccaneers, Bills, Bengals (vs. Jets) – “it’s the only reason” (to use), says Dave ([12:29])
• Strategic Outlook:
  • “It’s tough to stash guys this week because you’re already, like, dealing with all these bye weeks...But if you can stash the Rams DST, I think that’d be pretty cool.” ([12:53], Host 2)

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• On Thursday Night Football’s toll:
  • “Thursday night football stinks for players because they just played Sunday. Now here’s Aaron Jones with fresh legs.” – Dave Richard [02:24]
• On speculative adds:
  • “I think the whole concept of Thursday Night Football stinks...but I do think Aaron Jones will have a slight advantage because he hasn’t played in a while and his legs are fresh compared to everybody else on the field.” – Dave Richard [02:24]
• On waiver wire frustration:
  • “We always get accused of, ‘Those guys are already rostered in my leagues.’ Well, here’s some guys that might not be.” – Dave Richard [07:50]
• On Mason Taylor recommendation backfire:
  • “Am I really going back to him? You know, I had to apologize to somebody for recommending Mason Taylor two weeks in a row. They were so upset about it.” – Dave Richard [10:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:18] – Immediate fantasy fallout from Aaron Jones’ activation, + Chargers matchup breakdown
• [03:56] – “Beat the Waiver Wire” segment begins
• [05:11-06:59] – QB stashes and analysis
• [07:39] – RB deep stashes and trade speculation
• [08:57] – Week 8 WR options + deep stashes
• [10:05/10:44] – TE streamers/stashes
• [12:04] – DST stashes and week-specific recommendations

Tone and Language

The hosts keep the mood light with a dialogue full of self-aware jokes and candid commentary. Their banter is personable and direct (“party on,” “dropping him, you might get him back,” “I had to apologize to somebody for recommending Mason Taylor”), making the advice both accessible and actionable.

Summary Takeaways

• Aaron Jones is expected back but is only a borderline RB2/FLEX due to uncertainty. Favorable matchup against the Chargers.
• Jordan Mason remains startable but touchdown-dependent.
• Top Beat the Waiver Wire Stashes: Bam Bam Knight (RB), Trevor Lawrence or Sam Darnold (QB streamers), Darnell Mooney and Darius Slayton (WRs), Dalton Schultz (TE), Rams DST.
• Tailor your stashes to your bye week/injury needs, lean heavily toward teams with Week 9 byes or exploitable matchups.
• Expect more “decent” than “league winner” options on waivers right now.

Fantasy managers should act now to get ahead of byes—especially at DST and TE—while taking calculated risks on RB upside plays that could emerge after the trade deadline.