FFT Express - Vikings activate RB Aaron Jones from IR + Beat the Waiver Wire! (10/23 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

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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.

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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)

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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]

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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

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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.

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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.

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Transcript

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[Host 1]

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[Host 2]

Got four teams on by next week. Let's beat the waiver wire right now on FFT Express.

[Host 3]

All right.

[Host 2]

Welcome back. Very cringe, Very cringe. Dave is cringing. Sorry. Listen, before we get into beat the waiver wire, we got Thursday Night Football and we have Aaron Jones.

[Host 3]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Host 2]

Aaron Jones expecting to play. Yeah, get it out.

[Host 3]

Aaron Jones. What does it mean for him? What does it mean for Jordan Mason? That's what you're about to ask? Or should we talk about Aranda Gadsden some more? Look, I. I think the whole concept of Thursday Night Football stinks for players because they just played on Sunday. Now they got to turn around and here's Aaron Jones with fresh legs. And so to me, it would make sense that the Vikings use him and use those fresh legs. We don't know how healthy he is, but the fact that he's been sidelined for so long encourages me that he could be certainly used in passing down situations and maybe get a little run on top of it. So I don't think it's particularly great for Jordan Mason. Mason kind of becomes a touchdown dependent running back in week number eight, but there aren't a lot of running backs that we want to start. So by default, Mason's still a number two fantasy running back. Aaron Jones probably right behind him. Both of these guys probably in the neighborhood of like RB 20 to 26. For fantasy managers, it doesn't mean that they're going to go off. It's the Chargers. Their run defense runs hot and cold. But I, I do think that Aaron Jones will have slightly a slight advantage because he hasn't played in a while and his legs are fresh compared to everybody else on the field. Okay.

[Host 2]

And let's not forget the chargers are 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. We expect them to improve, but this has been as of late a great matchup.

[Host 3]

Right? Some pretty great running backs that they've gone up against.

[Host 2]

Well, Jacori Crosby, Merritt, yeah, he's the best one. And Devon H and Jonathan Taylor, but still it' all right, who's the headliner for beating the waiver wire?

[Host 3]

How about a running back that's not even playing in week number eight? It's Bam Bam night. Week nine, taking on the Dallas Cowboys, available in about half of CBS Sports leagues. And I, I, I suspect that more people will drop him going into the buy, but if you see him on your waiver wire, pick him up. Love the matchup for him against the Dallas Cowboys. And, and the main reason why it's him instead of somebody that you could use in week eight or week nine is because there are a lot of wide receivers that are decent stashes, none that are great stashes. There are some tight ends that are some pretty good stashes, none that are amazing. So because there's some good depth at wide receiver and tight end and especially for those people that are just absolutely scrambling for starters in week number eight, we've got names. You don't have to worry about them, but they're not the best name that you could stash going into week nine.

[Host 2]

All right, well, you want to start with quarterbacks or DSTs?

[Host 3]

I'll follow your lead.

[Host 2]

Let's go to DS quarterbacks. Let's go to quarterbacks.

[Host 3]

Okay. Not a lot of quarterbacks are available overall. So a lot of the players that I'm going to give you are available in around like 25 to 33% of fantasy leagues, hoping that one of these guys will be there for you. You can use Joe Flacco or Aaron Rodgers in week eight, potentially in week nine. In the case of.

[Commercial Announcer]

Of.

[Host 3]

Of Aaron Rodgers against Indianapolis. Brock Purdy could be back this week, but he's already rostered in too many leagues. Sam Darnold, his number is rising because people are cutting him. He's got Washington in week nine. They've allowed a bunch of fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. And then the one that is probably widely available, man, he, he hasn't looked great. But Trevor Lawrence, he's available in about half of CBS sports leagues. He takes on the Raiders and their defense just has not been able to get it together. I suspect that they won't be able to get it together. Trevor Lawrence might be okay as a bye week replacement in week nine. So if you've got one of the quarterbacks that are on by in week nine, it's Baker Mayfield, it's Jalen Hurts, it's Dylan Gabriel, it's Justin Fields. Just kidding on those last two. Then you can go and get Trevor Lawrence now, stash him for the week, let him play in week nine, and then you can cut his butt as soon as week nine's over and go back to your main starter.

[Host 2]

Okay. Looking at Sam Darnold's schedule, because he does feel like a guy that's played so well this year. Not necessarily for fantasy, just in irl.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sure.

[Host 2]

You know, he doesn't have the best schedule. Washington is a good matchup. Arizona is eighth. Against quarterbacks, the Rams are six, the Titans are 10th, the Vikings are seventh, the Falcons are second. So those are his next six matchups. I don't know that all of those teams are actually that good against quarterbacks, but a lot of it is pass attempts and he may not need to throw that much against the Cardinals. Against the Titans, the Falcons are legitimately good. The Rams are legitimately good. So it's. He's not someone that I'm dying to stash, even though he's playing at a very high level.

[Host 3]

No, it's a one week stash type of a deal. And it's just like Trevor Lawrence. It's whichever one you like better. Of the two, I'll probably have Darnold ranked ahead of Lawrence if they're available on your waiver wire come Saturday night. Adam, Then whoever you're dropping, you might be able to get back on Tuesday, depending what happens on Sunday. And then you just carry them through the week. You start them in week nine and then they're off your team as soon as week nine's over.

[Host 2]

Let's take a break. We'll come back and we'll talk about the rest of the Beat the waiver wire players after this.

[Host 3]

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[Host 2]

Learn [e-mail] okay, let's go to running back Donovan Knight. Anyone else?

[Host 3]

There are some other names. Kyle Menungai is still out there in about a third of CBS sports leagues. Tajie Spears Blake Corum in week nine gets New Orleans, so maybe he gets a little extra run. And we always get accused of oh, those guys, they're. They're already rostered my leagues. Well, here's some guys that might not be. Isaiah Davis, 76, available at Cincinnati in week number eight and then the jets are on by before the trade deadline. So if they do trade Breeze Hall, Isaiah Davis is going to be the next guy up for them. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to stash a player who could become maybe an RB2. I mean, I know the jets offense really isn't anything to write home about, but I'd say a Davis is a pretty decent prospect. A couple more running backs that are stash only BAE Shaltin is starting to get cut across the board. Jags are on by this week so his number is rising. Just like Trevor Lawrence. Available in about half of CBS sports leagues, he's got Vegas in week nine. Ali Gordon we heard the Dolphins talk about how they wanted to get him a little bit more involved. He's available in 65% of the leagues. He would not be available in any leagues. If Devon H.N. were to miss some time, he would be the lead running back for the Miami Dolphins. A couple of Other running backs, Burchard Smith and then a gross one, Jerome Ford. That's for the desperate fantasy managers who just need some running backs that have a pulse. Might get around 10 touches in the game. Smith obviously better than Ford, but those are the two on that list.

[Host 2]

You like any wide receivers.

[Host 3]

I've got too many wide receivers and I know that people are desperate for wide receivers for week eight, so I'm only going to focus on wide receivers that you can use. Now, these are not Stash wide receivers. I will give you the name of one stash wide receiver who you've been talking about for a couple of weeks. I'll do that after I go through this list. But you're desperate for a wide receiver in week eight. This is week eight only for Darnell Mooney, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Josh Reynolds. This list is suddenly getting really gross. Xavier Legate and Sterling Shepard. In the case of Reynolds, he's available in pretty much every league. All of these wide receivers are available in at least half of CBS sports leagues. And I think that Mooney especially has the chance to have a good game in week number eight.

[Host 2]

Okay, and who is the staff?

[Host 3]

The stash is Darius Slayton, who I know that you're excited to talk about. I. I wouldn't use him in week eight, but week nine against the 49ers. If that niner secondary is still banged up, we know their pass rush is going to be banged up. Could be a really good game for Slayton. He's available in 80 of leagues.

[Host 2]

Okay. Yeah, I think Christian Kirk's a decent stash too. 29. You know what?

[Host 3]

I'm kind of tired of talking about it. I think Jalen Noel isn't a bad. He's a better stash at this point than Christian Kirk. Maybe he's out there in like 90 of leagues. I just don't know if I have the guts to start Jalen old this week because I. I don't really know what to expect. I'd have to be pretty desperate. And then next week, same exact thing against Denver tight ends. Okay, David A joker is going to be the top name here. He's available in 41 of leagues. It looks like he's got a chance to play against New England and then he's on by. He's also a trade candidate, so David Najoku could see some real upside moving forward. Other tight ends for week eight only. Kate Otten, Evan Ingram, Mason Taylor. 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. But he does play against cincinnat in week number eight, a deep play for week eight and usable for week nine. 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, this is the player that I think C.J. stroud is going to lean on the most in this passing game. He's got the most time spent with him. They are on the same page. I don't think he's necessarily going to go off for like 16 PPR points, but I think he'll be okay this week. Okay. Next week. And so if you're streaming tight ends, Dalton Schultz is a name to look at.

[Host 2]

Do you, do you care at all about the Bears tight ends against the Bengals next week?

[Host 3]

As a stash, it would be Colson Loveland. Because Cole Come Back is on the injury report this week. I can't recommend adding him when I don't know if he's going to play. I know Loveland will play. He did have some timing issues with Caleb Williams when I went back and watched the Bears offense this week. So I, I just, I don't know what to expect. I don't know if he'll see a huge target volume. Maybe I'd be more encouraged if something bad were to have happened. Where DJ Moore makes mistakes, Luther Burden makes mistakes, but otherwise I, I think if you're starting Loveland, it's kind of like as a streaming what the heck type play. And I think we can do better than that when it comes to week nine.

[Host 2]

All right, go ahead. And I'm going to say stash the Rams DST. They're on a buy this week. They're now 61% roster. They're good and they get the Saints next week at home. Saints have really struggled on the road. Any other DSTs you want to stash?

[Host 3]

You can stash the Seahawks DST and the Lions DST. But I agree with you that the Rams DST in that match against New Orleans is pretty good. One last thing, if you're desperate for a DST in week number eight, these aren't necessarily stashes for beyond week eight, but the Bucks, the Bills and yes, the Bengals, they're playing the Jets. It's the only reason those three DSTs might help you pull off a dub in week eight.

[Host 2]

Yeah, I mean, look, we got Cleveland and Philadelphia on a buy next week. Your Dave's talking about week eight. But for Week nine Cleveland, Philadelphia on a buy. The Bills and the Chiefs are facing each other. You're not going to want a DST there. You're not. Yeah, Denver, you're good. Houston against Denver, you're probably good there. But there is going to be a need. So I think really, the, the Rams look like a great stash if you've got the right. It's tough to stash guys this week because you're already, like, dealing with all these bye weeks. You picked up all these players that have to start. But if you can stash the Rams dst, I think that'd be pretty cool. All right, party on. We will talk to you next. We'll talk to you tomorrow. Tomorrow on Fantasy Football Today with starter sit for the NFC home games and a recap of Thursday Night Football. See you later, everyone.

[Host 3]

Paramount Podcasts.