Fantasy Football Today — Episode Summary

Episode: JUSTIFY IT! Explaining Our Draft Picks, Plus Micah Parsons Reaction

Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off a massive fantasy football draft weekend with a deep dive into strategy, draft reactions, and roster construction in expert leagues. The FFT crew (Adam, Dave, Jamie) reacts to the shocking Micah Parsons trade (Cowboys to Packers), unpacks its fantasy impact, and then puts their own real draft selections under the microscope in the popular “JUSTIFY IT” segment. Listeners get actionable tips for upcoming drafts, advice on FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) management, and an inside look at high-level roster-building.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Micah Parsons Trade: NFL Realities, Fantasy Fallout

• Trade Details: Cowboys trade Parsons to Packers for two first-round picks and Pro Bowl DT Kenny Clark.
• Cowboys’ Perspective: Frustration about losing a generational player over protracted contract disputes. Jamie:

  “Don’t give up generational players in their prime over a contract dispute that could have been handled months ago.” (04:21)

• Packers’ Defense Ascends:
  • Dave: “Packers DST is absolutely worth drafting. If it’s not the best in the league, it’s the second best behind the Steelers.” (08:26)
  • Dave moved Packers’ pass rush rating to 10/10, says Cowboys drop to 4 (“the worst in the league”). (09:12)
• Cowboys’ Offense Outlook:
  • Adam notes: Poor defense doesn’t always mean more passing volume—Cowboys are the exception. (07:40)
  • Expect very pass-heavy game scripts in Dallas, boosting the volume for Dak, CeeDee Lamb, Pickens, Jake Ferguson, etc.
• Fantasy Draft Adjustments:
  • Dave: “Dak is now just behind Baker Mayfield, Lamb is WR2, George Pickens up a couple of spots, Ferguson into Top 12 TE mix.” (09:39)
  • Jamie: “This is definitely the reset button for the Cowboys.” (12:18)
• Risk with Drafting Cowboys (Adam):

  “Does that come into play at all? Do we want to attach ourselves to this circus of a team?” (12:20)

  • General consensus: Passing floor is so high that you can draft Lamb, Pickens with confidence, but there is risk if the offense implodes.

2. FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) Strategy for Season-Long Leagues

• Adam’s Advice:
  • Don’t blow FAAB early, especially on speculative players.
  • “These dollars, they matter… later into the season you’re gonna wish you had those dollars back.” (05:34)
  • Use $0 bids on kickers/Def/ST and only make significant bids on high-demand waiver targets.
• Enable Full FAAB Report in CBS Leagues—it helps managers gauge league bidding tendencies and foster better trash talk and learning. (06:24)

3. News & Notes — Quick Player/Team Updates

• Jalen Coker (Panthers’ rookie slot WR):
  • Jamie makes the case for him as a late-round target or low FAAB add:

    “He’s my second favorite Panthers receiver…someone to look for in that round 8-9 range.” (16:34)

• Chris Godwin Injury: Will miss at least first month.
  • Jamie: “Middle of the season, wouldn’t shock me if he’s their best receiver.” (19:17)
  • Dave is skeptical, referencing Godwin’s prior recovery timeline.
• Jalen Wright Injury (Miami):
  • Jamie recommends 12-15% FAAB on Ali Gordon, who could get real usage. (20:55)
• Harrison Smith (Vikings S): Personal health absence; team less formidable without him.

4. JUSTIFY IT! — Breaking Down & Defending Expert Draft Picks

Format: 12-team, full PPR, three WRs, real draft (not mock), with top industry pros.

A. Dave Richard’s Team (Pick 3)

• 1.03 Jameer Gibbs (RB)
  • Dave: “Almost figured that [his 19 PPR points per game in 14 games with Montgomery] is a floor… ceiling is top RB overall.” (26:15)
• 2.10 Tee Higgins (WR)
  • Signals value of #2 receiver on elite offenses—Dave prefers this to “#1s” on lesser teams. (28:09)
• 3.03 Trey McBride (TE)
  • McBride > Bowers for Dave in full PPR; best flexibility/value at TE. (31:07)
• 4.10 Jameson Williams (WR) (over Metcalf, Wilson)
  • “Limitless upside…could be the #2 receiver in fantasy.” (32:34)
• 5.03 Chuba Hubbard (RB)
  • Flexible due to RB depth, waited to draft QB.
• 6.10 Matthew Golden (WR) & 7.03 Keon Coleman (WR)
  • Targeted high-upside WRs for depth. Dave: “The heart wants what the heart wants,” referring to his Keon Coleman pick. (35:46)
• 8.10 Travis Etienne (RB3) and 9.03 Baker Mayfield (QB)
  • Carefully tracked opponents’ needs to ensure getting Mayfield later rather than earlier (36:49)
• Late Round “Shots”: Basil Tootin (RB), Tucker Kraft (TE2, high-upside), Jerome Ford (RB), Keenan Allen (WR5).

Notable quote:

“[WR depth is] very unproven stuff at WR3 and WR4…I’m hoping between the two, one becomes a weekly starter. If the other fizzles, so be it.” (39:53, Dave)

B. Jamie Eisenberg’s Team (Pick 4)

• 1.04 CeeDee Lamb (WR)
  • No-brainer for Jamie as his No. 3 overall.
• 2.09 Josh Jacobs (RB) & 3.04 Kyron Williams (RB)
  • Jamie: “I like the combo of Lamb and Jacobs… I have Jacobs ahead of Bowers.” (44:09)
  • Kyron still carries solid potential despite talk of slightly lighter workload:

    “If you take away two or three touches per game…still drafting him as a 10-12 RB.” (47:10)

• 4.09 Tyreek Hill (WR), 5.04 Joe Burrow (QB)
  • Grabbed value when it fell—Hill was a “gift.” Would have prioritized Burrow if top WRs gone. (50:06)
• 6.09 George Pickens (WR)
  • Jamie snipes Pickens late, a player both hosts love. Dave: “Maybe the best pick in the entire draft.” (52:31)
• 7.04 David Montgomery (RB)
  • Jamie: “Obviously I would prefer a high end receiver at flex, but Montgomery was too good to pass up.” (53:26)
• Mid-Late Rounds:
  • Targeted high-upside depth: Braylon Allen (RB), Christian Kirk (WR), Darnell Mooney (WR), Brian Robinson (RB), Romeo Doubs (WR).
  • Waited on TE successfully, landing TJ Hockenson in Round 11.
  • “If you see the draft board, all picks 1, 2, and 3 have already taken a TE…so I know I can wait.” (55:31)

C. Adam & Others Discuss Builds/Pivots

• Jake Ciely’s Team (Adam’s take):
  • McCaffrey–B. Thomas Jr.–Kamara was likened to an “Adam Aizer start.”
  • Adam, Jamie, and Dave would have taken Evans at 3.09 (rather than Kamara) in three-WR leagues—emphasizing need to build WR core early in this format. (62:41)
• Heath’s Team (Pick 12, “Risky Build”):
  • Started with Nico Collins, Devon Achane, Jaden Daniels, and George Kittle—only one startable WR through six rounds.
  • Jamie: “He may by the end of the season be the best team by far—he could have two holes in his lineup though.” (68:29)
  • Early QB/TE means living with risk at WR depth.

5. General Draft Philosophy Takeaways

• Wide Receiver Scarcity in Three-WR, Full PPR:
  • Focus on securing two (if not three) startable WRs early.
  • #2 WRs in high-power offenses can outscore mediocre “#1s” on lesser teams (Higgins over McConkey or JSN).
• Monitor News for Value Opportunities:
  • Injury/Camp news (Tyreek Hill, Chris Godwin, Ali Gordon, etc.) may create league-winners late in drafts or off waivers.
• Flexibility, Adaptability:
  • Even “unconventional” roster builds can work if you target upside talent.
• Know Your League Tendencies:
  • Expert leagues are extremely WR-heavy compared to most home leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jamie on Cowboys' Mistake:

  “Don’t give up generational players in their prime over a contract dispute that could have been handled months ago.” (04:21)

• Dave on Packers DST:

  “Packers DST is absolutely worth drafting. If it’s not the best in the league, it’s the second best behind the Steelers.” (08:26)

• Dave on Gibbs Selection:

  “Almost figured that’s a floor for Jameer Gibbs…ceiling is top RB overall.” (26:15)

• Adam on FAAB Bidding:

  “These dollars, they matter…later into the season you’re gonna wish you had those dollars back.” (05:34)

• Dave on Receiver Depth:

  “I’m hoping that between the two [Golden and Keon Coleman] one will step up and be a weekly starter—and if the other fizzles, so be it.” (39:53)

• Jamie on Letting Draft Fall:

  “There was not…one player in this draft that I felt like I reached for. Everything just kind of fell the right way.” (54:41)

• Dave on George Pickens as Best Value:

  “Maybe the best pick in the entire draft.” (52:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Micah Parsons Trade Reaction & Fantasy Impact: 02:23–13:55
• FAAB Spending Advice: 05:32–06:49
• Cowboys/Packers Passing Game Adjustments: 08:26–13:55
• Jalen Coker Waiver Talk: 16:34–18:11
• JUSTIFY IT! Draft Review — Dave’s Picks: 26:03–42:15
• JUSTIFY IT! Draft Review — Jamie’s Picks: 43:24–60:06
• General Roster Construction/QB-TE Debates: 60:06–70:00

Summary

This episode is essential listening for fantasy drafters prepping for the biggest draft weekend of the year. The FFT team delivers sharp, actionable insights on real draft room strategy, explains why/when to chase upside, discusses risk tolerance, and highlights the importance of understanding positional runs—especially at wide receiver in full PPR, three-WR formats. The fallout from the Micah Parsons trade provides a prime example of adapting projections quickly in response to real NFL news. Throughout, the crew models flexible, informed, and pragmatic drafting—putting theory into practice for listeners hoping to win their leagues.

For more advice and live Q&A, tune in to their Sunday morning YouTube show or catch the Saturday mailbag episode!