Fantasy Football Today (CBS Sports)

Episode Title: Terry McLaurin signs new deal with Commanders + Bold Predictions!
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts/Analysts: Jamie Eisenberg, Dave Richard, Dan Schneier
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the fantasy football implications of Terry McLaurin’s new contract with the Commanders, navigates major preseason storylines, and features a roundtable of bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season. The hosts discuss player values, injuries, training camp developments, and offer actionable draft strategy for fantasy managers, capped by their own boldest calls for breakout and bust candidates.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Terry McLaurin’s New Deal: Fallout and Fantasy Impact

[01:42–04:54]

• Announcement: Terry McLaurin signs a 3-year, $96 million extension with the Commanders after a preseason “hold in.”
• Immediate Fantasy Reaction:
  • Dave Richard: McLaurin is again safe as a top-4 round fantasy WR, but caution is needed for the first 2 weeks. “When you draft Terry McLaurin, assume the first two weeks of the season might not be peak Terry McLaurin, but after that…he’ll kick things into high gear.” [02:42]
  • Dan Schneier: Calls McLaurin a “prime touchdown regression candidate,” especially with Deebo Samuel joining the team and a possibly more crowded target share. “He will not get a heavy volume enough to justify what I think is a pretty high ADP.” [04:23]
  • Jamie Eisenberg: Cautions that past hold-ins/outs (non-Ja'Marr Chase) have struggled, sometimes due to lingering injuries. He worries touchdown luck could swing the other way, putting “trouble” in play if TDs fall to the 5–6 range. [04:54]
• Draft Advice: Watch for news-fueled ADP spikes and draft soberly.

2. 49ers Situation: Jennings’ Injury, Ricky Pearsall’s Rise, Brian Robinson Trade

[05:57–08:54]

• Jauan Jennings’ Status:
  • Reports of a possible injured reserve stint versus him being ready for Week 1; Pearsall surges on draft boards.
  • Dan: “I feel like the ADP…just the draft buzz for Pearsall has maybe exceeded the upside…” [06:47]
  • Dave: Sees bargain value in Pearsall if Jennings is out, citing past efficiency. Highlights Jennings as a late-round stash. [07:27]
• Brian Robinson Jr. Trade:
  • Acquired by SF to be the #2 behind CMC.
  • Dave: Endorses Robinson as a round 10 handcuff, low risk/high upside. [08:54]
  • Dan: No major impact on CMC’s value—“McCaffrey has never been a player who relies on that [massive volume]. He relies on passing game targets and touchdowns.” [09:31]

3. Running Back Injury Updates & Backfield Battles

[09:56–14:31]

• Dolphins Backfield:
  • Devon Achane’s injury clouds his outlook.
  • Ollie Gordon is a “riser”—draws comparisons to DeMarco Murray; worth late single-digit round picks.
  • Dan: Avoids Achane (“Don’t go drafting the guys already injured.”), targets Gordon. [10:35]
• Chargers:
  • Najee Harris’ status uncertain, but Omarion Hampton emerging as lead back—still worth drafting in round 2–3 range even if Najee returns, per Dave Richard. [12:08]
• Cowboys:
  • Jaden Blue (low ankle sprain) is an “upside stash” for deeper benches.
  • Dan: “He can give the Cowboys the impact a player like Tony Pollard has given them in previous seasons down the stretch…” [14:00]

BOLD PREDICTIONS: (with Timestamps & Notable Quotes)

Dave Richard’s Bold Predictions

[16:02–24:17]

1. Breece Hall & Tyreek Hill Shine After Getting Traded

“Breece Hall and Tyreek Hill are two guys that fantasy managers tend to gravitate toward because of their names. … If they change teams, they could end up in much better situations.” – Dave [16:20]

• Both are falling in drafts due to uncertainty, but could be league-winners post-trade.

2. Terry McLaurin is an “In-Season League Winner”

“Terry McLaurin finishes as a top 12 wide receiver from Halloween through New Year's.” [18:22]

• Especially strong down the stretch as Commanders pass more.

3. Tyler Warren will lead the Colts in all receiving categories

“…I love the talent. … We saw him make plays not just inside of 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, but down the field.” [20:13]

• Opportunity boosted by injuries (Downs, Pittman).
• Round 8 “massive value.”

4. Jackson Dart Becomes Top 12 QB; Caleb Williams Does Not

“I think he’s [Jackson Dart] their best quarterback right now… He’s a running quarterback on top of a good thrower, so I think he could be actually excellent for fantasy.” [22:11]
- Dart offers rushing upside with upside for a spark in the Giants offense.

5. Rashee Rice is a Bust (Lengthy Suspension), Xavier Worthy Top-15 WR

“The NFL tries to come down hard on him [Rice]; I’m worried…it’s going to come at a point in the fantasy season where fantasy managers are going to want this guy available…” [24:18]

• Worthy’s speed and deep threat potential make him the KC receiver to target.

Dan Schneier’s Bold Predictions

[27:14–39:02]

1. James Cook: Top 10 Fantasy RB

“What I see with James Cook is an elite player…he reminds me of one player. It’s Dalvin Cook, his brother.” [27:26]

• Elite vision/efficiency + increased trust in the offense.

2. Trevor Lawrence: Top 6 Fantasy QB

“This is a bet a lot on the coach here…There is still that number one overall pick talent with Trevor Lawrence. Think he still has the arm talent.” [30:04]

• New OC Liam Cohen’s scheme is the key.

3. Garrett Wilson: Finishes Outside Top 25 WRs

“He loses Aaron Rodgers… he gets Justin Fields, who really may not be somebody who we can rely on for more than 200 yards passing a game… So, where are the fantasy points coming from?” [32:54]

4. George Pickens: Top 12 Fantasy WR

“He’s steadily improved…Dak Prescott is just the perfect quarterback fit for him. I think he’s going to allow him to unlock his ability…” [35:02]

5. Colston Loveland: Top 6 Fantasy TE

“Loveland separated all three levels on tape. He made plays extending away from his frame…this is a breakout season immediately for Loveland and he’s somebody I’ve drafted in almost every league.” [36:54]

Jamie Eisenberg’s Bold Predictions

[40:50–44:55]

1. Justin Fields Will Lead All QBs in Rushing Yards

“He’s going to run for 900-plus yards and he’s going to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback.” [40:50]

2. Backfield Upheaval:

Jordan Mason, Zach Charbonnet, and Braylon Allen will each be their teams’ best back “even without injury.”

• “The bold prediction…is they will be the best running backs on their teams without injury. So at some point we see these guys take over.” [42:57]

3. TEN Rookie RBs Finish Top 30 PPG

“10 guys, 10 guys will be in the top 30 for PPR points per game this year.” [44:55]

• Names include Ashton Gentee, Amari Hampton, Treveon Henderson, RJ Harvey, Jaquori Merritt, Jaden Blue, Bashael Tutin, Ollie Gordon, Dylan Sampson, Woody Marks.

Notable Quotes & Exchanges

• Dan on Achane: “Injuries will find you in your fantasy season. Don’t go drafting the guys already injured.” [10:35]
• Dave (on Brian Robinson as CMC’s backup): “You can now get him in round 10, and I think that’s a fair price to pay for a guy that would see a lot of work in a really good offense for running backs if something were to happen to Christian McCaffrey.” [08:54]
• Jamie (on running QB value): “He was averaging over 24 fantasy points per game last year in the final four starts…” (on Justin Fields) [42:00]
• Dave (on rookie RBs): “Let’s talk about Tutin, Gordon, Sampson—three running backs that are absolutely worth a pick, round nine or later.” [44:28]
• Dan (on Pickens): “He’s become this excellent winner on in-breakers…the quick slants, the quick ins…and a lot of that has to do with what he’s been able to do after the catch. He forced 10 missed tackles in the open field last season…” [35:02]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:42] – McLaurin contract news and immediate implications
• [06:47] – 49ers WR landscape with Jauan Jennings’ injury
• [08:54] – Brian Robinson’s new role in SF backfield
• [10:35] – Dolphins RB injury update; rookie riser Ollie Gordon
• [12:08] – Chargers RB pecking order: Omarion Hampton versus Najee Harris
• [16:02] – Dave’s Bold Predictions Start
• [27:14] – Dan’s Bold Predictions Start
• [40:50] – Jamie’s Bold Predictions Start
• [45:50] – Fantasy mailbag: Listener Q&A

Practical Draft Takeaways

• Be cautious of overreacting to McLaurin’s contract news; slow start possible, touchdown regression likely.
• Monitor late camp injuries and “hold ins” for value in rookie RBs and handcuffs.
• Value rookie breakouts from this exceptionally strong RB class; don’t be afraid to target them post-round 8.
• Use bold predictions as “ceiling scenarios” for late-round targets, but don’t chase every hot take in early rounds.
• Keep an eye on roles in backfields with injury-prone or underperforming veterans.

Closing Thoughts

The episode distills the late-August chaos of NFL training camps, contract resolutions, and injury news into actionable fantasy draft advice. The diverse but evidence-backed bold predictions offer listeners with varying draft philosophies points of attack and targets for finding competitive edges—especially among rookies and late-round breakouts.

As always, the hosts’ banter and direct responses in the mailbag segment make their advice feel personal and highly actionable as the fantasy season draws near.

For optimal draft prep, check the full Fantasy Football Today feed for continued preseason updates, deep dives, and the upcoming Draft-a-Thon event.