Fantasy Football Today (FFT) – August 30, 2025

Episode: Mailbag and Fantasy Cops!
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer, Dan Schneier, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode is the FFT crew’s last big mailbag and league dispute-solving "Fantasy Cops" session before the fantasy football season kicks off. Adam, Dan, and Jamie go rapid-fire through listener mailbag questions, break down ambiguous NFL backfields, debate keeper/draft dilemmas, trade advice, and settle a couple of spicy league controversies. There's a breezy, banter-heavy energy throughout as they mix expert fantasy insights with plenty of off-topic shenanigans (notably sandwiches and college football hot takes).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. PPR Draft Strategies & Draft-Round Dilemmas

• Tight End & QB Early in 10-team Leagues ([05:21])

  • Question: Take TE/QB in the 2nd/3rd round in a 10-team, 2 WR, full-PPR?
  • Jamie: "I don't have a problem with that. Be flexible... You may get someone that falls to you." ([06:00])
  • Dan: Flexibility is key—don’t be pigeonholed by pre-draft plans.
  • Adam: Avoid rigid draft sequences; evaluate best value round-by-round.

• Drake London vs. A.J. Brown Debate ([07:00])

  • Question: Who’s better value at pick 18—Drake London or A.J. Brown?
  • Jamie: London’s situation might be better, but A.J. Brown has the proven track record. "I just think to judge Drake London with the first two years... is not fair... I like London’s situation just a little bit better..."
  • Dan: "Michael Penix's skill set specifically fits London... But I understand, A.J. Brown has produced and London hasn’t, but we're projecting forward."
  • Adam (decisive): “I’m still taking A.J. Brown—easily. It’s really not even close for me... If I had to pick three WRs to lead the NFL in yards per route run, it’s A.J. Brown, Nico Collins, and Puka Nacua.” ([09:07])

• Keeper Decision: Mooney or Coker? ([10:55])

  • Jamie: “Mooney in round 12.”
  • Dan: “Mooney’s health projection is better. Should be ready for Week 1.”
  • Sidenote: Tangent on Jamie overtaking Adam's rankings re: Mooney/Coker.

• Jordan Addison’s “Suspension Discount” ([13:41])

  • Question: How would Jordan Addison’s ADP look with no suspension?
  • Dan: He’d be going 6th–7th round with no suspension.
  • Jamie: “You may not be starting Addison until Week 7... It just might not have the want to get Addison into your lineup until post-bye.”
  • Adam: Thielen is cited as an odd, productive veteran who may muddy the target share early, but Addison is viable after the bye.

2. Superflex & Two-QB League Strategy

• When You Miss the “Top 5 QBs” ([17:56])
  • Question: In 12-team superflex: with a late pick, can I punt early QB and go Tua/Penix?
  • Jamie: “If a Top 5 QB falls, you take him. If not, I think you can get away with waiting and double up at the position later.”
  • Dan: “Take the two best skill position players, then be the first to your QB3.”
  • Adam: “In superflex I try to draft many quarterbacks... as soon as there’s a QB injury, you’re holding the cards.” ([21:59])
  • Key lesson: Caution about shallow WR benches if you hoard QBs; think about trade leverage, not just immediate starters.

3. Backfield Chaos: Sorting Out the Committees ([22:41])

Quick-hits on NFL teams’ RB depth chart clarity:

• Browns: “Sampson & Ford share the job.” – Jamie
• Cowboys: “Javonte Williams early, Jaden Blue sprinkled in. But it’s a mess. I think they’ll trade for a RB at the deadline.” – Dan
• Steelers: “Clarity: Jalen Warren starts, Kenneth Gainwell 2nd, Caleb Johnson has to work his way in.” – Jamie
• Jaguars: “Three guys touching the ball early, Basil Tootin eventually takes over.” – Jamie; Dan less sure, cites three-back committee all year.
• Giants: “Tyrone Tracy’s gotten almost every first team rep... not a great situation for fantasy but much more defined.” – Dan
• Commanders: Eckler doesn’t project a bigger role; Jacory ‘Crossgamer’ Merritt is seen as the first back to draft.

4. Defense Quality & Fantasy Production ([28:24])

• Listener Question: Defenders of "targeting players on teams with bad defenses" vs. "good defenses."
• Jamie: “If you have a good offense, it doesn’t matter... Bengals last year had an awful defense and it led to great [offensive] production.”
• Adam: Stats: Over the last 4 years, only 6 of 20 teams with the worst defenses finished Top 10 in pass attempts—so studly fantasy output isn’t automatic with bad defenses.

5. Ranking Backup & High-Upside RBs ([30:17])

• Rank order among: Ray Davis, Braylon Allen, Basil Tootin, Ollie Gordon?
• Jamie: “Allen, Tootin, Gordon, Davis.”
• Discussion about which situations lead to “rocket-ship” upside if starters go down, tandem roles, and handcuff tiers.

6. “Grade the Trade” + Keeper Regrets

• Trades Evaluated ([36:29]):

  • Travion Henderson & Brock Bowers for Bucky Irving & George Kittle: “C+” – about even
  • Malik Nabers, Puka, A.J. Brown, Ken Walker → Bucky Irving, Chase Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., Drake London: “Small upgrade” – Jamie, Dan
  • Garrett Wilson for James Connor: “B/B+” – Connor is ranked higher by Dan

• Keeper Regret ([34:03])

  • Drafted Stefon Diggs over Emeka Egbuka in full PPR—all analysts would now take Egbuka especially with Godwin’s injury timeline.

7. Fantasy Cops: League Disputes & Etiquette

• Autodrafter: Boot him? ([43:40])

  • Dan: “Why would you want a league-mate who never drafts?”
  • Adam/Jamie: “He pays, sets his lineup—so what? Don’t kick him.”
  • Consensus: Annoying but not a boot-worthy offense.

• Draft Keeper Mistake Solution ([45:00])

  • Keeper was set to round 16 instead of 9, giving a manager unfair advantage.
  • Jamie recommends: “If you don’t want to redraft from round nine, impose a keeper penalty next year—move it up two rounds or something. Maybe the commish loses a round, too.”
  • Adam: Redrafting from the mistake is ideal if only a couple rounds have lapsed.

• Guillotine League Trade—Veto? ([48:12])

  • 950 FAB (of 1000) + Golden for Chase & James Cook; commish vetoed.
  • Consensus: “Should NOT be vetoed; FAB is arguably more valuable than Chase in guillotine leagues.”
  • Jamie: “I don’t think there should be trading in guillotine leagues, but that’s not a veto reason for this actual deal.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

Sandwich Banter (Opening, [02:16]–[04:18]):

• Jamie (about Adam’s sandwich): "Let me say this before we start. You need to be roasted for this start."
• Dan (re: adding prosciutto): “About 11 years ago, I think I actually created the addition of prosciutto on a chicken cutlet sandwich. I feel like I was a pioneer.”

College Football/Carson Beck Debate ([39:19]–[41:58])

• Adam: "Carson Beck is a dark horse candidate to be the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft."
• Dan: "This take is so beyond biased, so littered with just homerism... He won’t even be a first-round pick. I’ll side bet you on that!"
• [41:58]: "Carson Beck was the most coveted quarterback in the portal... Georgia led the nation in drops last season... You watch, he’ll be a first-rounder."
• Jamie: (in chat) “O and O on your fridge for the Giants record, Dan?”

Listener Q&A: Rapid Fire (50:19+)

• Drop for Dalton Kincaid? (Tom): "Just go one tight end in that scenario." – Dan
• Two-QB League Strategy: (Shaggy) Discussion about if the league undervalues QBs. “I’m not sure we’re all right about superflex sometimes; how does a team with Allen and Hurts not win?” – Dan
• Players Fading in Non-PPR: (Bill): “Not drafting Kamara or Garrett Wilson in non-PPR.” – Adam
• Barkley/Pickens or Genti/McLaurin?: Both Jamie & Dan take Barkley & Pickens.

Fun & Light Moments

• Chicken Cutlets Recipe Riff: ([57:36]) Adam describes his homemade chicken fingers. Dan: “So, meat chicken cutlets, is what you’re saying.”
• Pizza Topping Debate: ([61:01]) Dan: “My favorite pizza topping? Bacon. Second, buffalo chicken.” Adam: “Ham and pineapple, or grilled chicken and mushrooms.”
• Dead & Company/Concert Tangents: ([59:04]) Dan wants to time-travel for a Grateful Dead + Allman Bros show.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:21] – Early round QB/TE strategy in 10-team leagues
• [07:00] – Drake London vs. A.J. Brown
• [10:55] – Keeper: Mooney or Coker
• [13:41] – Jordan Addison ADP with/without suspension
• [17:56] – Superflex QB strategy with late pick
• [22:41] – Breaking down uncertain NFL backfields
• [28:24] – How defensive quality impacts fantasy
• [30:17] – Ranking handcuff/backup RBs
• [34:03] – Keeper regret: Diggs over Egbuka
• [36:29] – Trade Grades
• [43:40] – Fantasy Cops: Autodraft etiquette
• [45:00] – Keeper round mistake resolution
• [48:12] – Guillotine league trade veto
• [57:36] – Cooking/light banter segment
• [61:01] – Pizza topping showdown

Conclusion

This fast-paced, info- and laugh-packed episode is FFT at its best: answering diverse draft dilemmas, scrutinizing ambiguous RB committees, giving actionable superflex advice, and tongue-in-cheek league policing. It’s equal parts sharp fantasy insight, personal banter, and the sort of mailbag back-and-forth that helps listeners feel a part of the FFT community. If you’re prepping for Labor Day drafts, it’s a must-listen for strategy, roster construction, and fantasy etiquette.

Memorable Quote:
"In superflex, as soon as there’s a quarterback injury, you’re holding the cards." — Adam ([21:59])

Listener shout-out:
"Shout out to Lindsay Wolf, two-time breast cancer survivor and Bills fan!" ([04:53])

Hosts frequently referenced: Adam Aizer, Dan Schneier, Jamie Eisenberg, with Dave Richard and Heath Cummings mentioned.

(Ads, promos, and off-topic reading skipped as requested.)