Fantasy Football Today: Mailbag! Thoughts on De'Von Achane, the Browns Offense and More (08/09 Fantasy Football Podcast) Summary

Release Date: August 9, 2025

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today presented by CBS Sports, host Adam Azer, alongside analysts Jamie Eisenberg and Dan Schneier, delves into listener mailbag questions, providing insights on key players, team strategies, and draft tactics to help you dominate your fantasy leagues. Skipping the advertisements and intros, the trio focuses on pressing topics relevant to the upcoming NFL season, including De'Von Achane's prospects, the Cleveland Browns' offensive outlook, and much more.

1. Opening Remarks and Setting the Stage [01:33–03:09]

Adam Azer kicks off the Mailbag segment by acknowledging the timing of the recording: "Late night Thursday, August 7th, 10:38pm Eastern Time," ensuring listeners understand that some of the discussed news might be slightly outdated if accessed later.

2. Player Insights: Rashawn Slater and Anthony Richardson [03:09–07:21]

Rashawn Slater's Injury Impact on the Chargers Offense

• Adam Azer highlights the shocking news of Rashawn Slater's season-ending injury: "With left tackle Rashawn Slater out for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon..."
• Dan Schneier discusses the potential adjustments the Chargers might make, mentioning players like Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins: "We’ve got three weeks before the season starts so they can put a plan in place."
• Jamie Eisenberg emphasizes the offensive line's importance: "Slater stayed on his feet. This is going to go the distance."

Anthony Richardson's Dislocated Finger and the Colts' Quarterback Situation

• Adam Azer shares his thoughts on Richardson's injury and its implications: "Anthony Richardson has a dislocated finger. So we’re going to talk more about this on Friday."
• Dan Schneier provides a cautious outlook on Richardson's recovery and Daniel Jones' performance: "Daniel Jones... looked horrible out there. It’s an ugly situation."
• Jamie Eisenberg adds context about the Colts' offensive line and potential quarterback outcomes: "Their offensive line is projected to be a top 10 unit... but it's hard to project with the quarterback play being that bad."

Notable Quote:

"The coaching staff there is smart enough to overcome some of these things." — Dan Schneier [07:21]

3. Draft Strategies and Mock Draft Critique [07:21–22:57]

Listener Feedback on Mock Drafts

• Adam Azer addresses a listener's concern about the podcast's mock drafts not reflecting typical drafts: "We do drafts that are just listeners. We use average draft position for a reason."
• He experiments with a live ESPN mock draft: "I am in a waiting room 4 minutes and 22 seconds away from joining an ESPN PPR 12 team mock draft..."

Team Structure and Strategies

• Discussion revolves around different drafting strategies, including the "hero RB" approach versus balanced drafting.
• Dan Schneier emphasizes the importance of balancing risk and reward, especially concerning injured players like McCaffrey and Achane.

Notable Quote:

"It's more flexible to draft the best possible players without adhering strictly to positions early on." — Jamie Eisenberg [36:16]

4. League Formats and Strategies: Guillotine Leagues [22:57–43:37]

Understanding Guillotine League Settings

• Adam Azer explains the guillotine league format: "The lowest scoring team each week is out, eliminated from the league and that team's players become free agents."
• Dan Schneier and Jamie Eisenberg discuss optimal settings, such as waiver processes and roster limits, suggesting:
  • Dan Schneier: "Waiver wire should be fab for sure because you don't have to have people policing it..."
  • Jamie Eisenberg: "I definitely like fewer starting positions. I am curious how it would go."

Notable Quote:

"It's a more competitive way to do it with the spread." — Jamie Eisenberg [13:13]

5. Listener Questions and Detailed Analysis [43:37–76:34]

Draft Strategy Queries

• Zach's Question: Strategies for drafting heavy on running backs early and trading for wide receivers later.
  • Dan Schneier counters by suggesting a balanced approach: "I would just take the two best available players."

Keeper League Dilemmas

• Daniel's Mailbag: Choosing between Chigo Conko and George Pickens in a keeper league.
  • Jamie Eisenberg: Advocates for versatility and potential upside.

Per Game Stats vs. Total Stats

• Charles' Question: Reliance on per-game stats versus total season stats.
  • Adam Azer: "I believe in game data more so than overall data." [40:21]
  • Dan Schneier: Agrees, stating that per-game stats offer a better representation: "Like the Evans numbers… well, the top players have consistent performances." [41:05]

Notable Quotes:

"We have so much talent around those quarterbacks." — Dan Schneier [07:21]

"It's a better representation of what they did throughout the course of the season versus the total points." — Dan Schneier [40:21]

6. Mock Draft Experiences and Strategies [76:34–85:00]

Adam Azer's Mock Draft Journey

• Adam Azer shares his personal experience with mock drafting: "I have no idea who's in it. But I will be mocking and we'll take a look at it throughout our show today." [01:33]

Team Evaluations and Critiques

• Listener Ruben's Team: Evaluated by the hosts, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, especially in PPR formats.
  • Jamie Eisenberg gives a C minus rating, pointing out issues with wide receiver depth: "In this PPR format, it’s a C-minus." [46:35]

Notable Quote:

"It's better to take two tight ends or quarterbacks if the league demands." — Jamie Eisenberg [43:37]

7. Additional Listener Feedback and Final Thoughts [85:00–78:50]

Feedback on Draft Strategies

• Listener Suggestions: Discussing optimal drafting in different league settings (e.g., super flex, keeper leagues).
  • Dan Schneier emphasizes taking the best available players regardless of position: "I would still take the two best available players." [65:55]

Engaging Discussions and Humor

• The hosts engage in light-hearted banter about personal anecdotes, roommate issues, and humorous interactions, maintaining an engaging and relatable atmosphere for listeners.

Final Takeaways

• Emphasis on flexibility in draft strategies, understanding league-specific settings, and leveraging player performance data are crucial for fantasy football success.
• Adam Azer reinforces the importance of focusing on strong wide receivers in PPR leagues due to the depth available on waivers: "You can be a wide receiver three or a flex." [74:25]

Notable Quote:

"Running back is a barren waste unless there's a waiver wire breakout." — Adam Azer [74:16]

Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Football Today provides a comprehensive exploration of current fantasy football dynamics, from player injuries and their impact on team strategies to nuanced draft approaches tailored to various league formats. By addressing listener mailbag questions with expert analysis and fostering an interactive discussion, Adam Azer, Jamie Eisenberg, and Dan Schneier equip fantasy managers with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in their leagues. Whether you're adjusting to new league settings, evaluating keeper options, or fine-tuning your draft strategy, this episode offers valuable insights to help you secure those coveted fantasy football bragging rights.

For more detailed discussions and strategies, be sure to listen to the full episode and engage with Fantasy Football Today on CBS Sports.