Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Mid-Round Fantasy Steals You NEED to Draft! (05/21 Fantasy Football Podcast)
Release Date: May 21, 2025

Introduction to Mid-Round Picks

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Adam Azer, along with analysts Dave Richard and Jamie Eisenberg, delve into the strategies for identifying and drafting mid-round fantasy football steals. Despite Heath Cummings' absence due to illness, the trio continues to provide valuable insights based on Heath's curated list of favorite values.

Top Mid-Round Steals: Godwin, Ayuk, and Montgomery

Adam Azer kicks off the discussion by highlighting three standout players who have consistently delivered exceptional value in the mid-rounds over the past three seasons:

1. Chris Godwin

   • Current Rank: 53rd overall (Consensus Rankings - Fantasy Pro)
   • Performance: Twice out of the last three years, Godwin emerged as a top-three wide receiver on a per-game basis.

2. Brandon Ayuk

   • Current Rank: 84th overall
   • Notable Insight: "Brandon Ayuk is currently the highest-ranked San Francisco wide receiver in the consensus rankings," says Dave Richard at [03:45].

3. David Montgomery

   • Current Rank: 61st overall
   • Performance: Last season, Montgomery ranked as RB20, showcasing consistent production both in rushing and receiving yards.

Analyzing the Mid-Round Landscape

• Definition of Mid-Round Picks: Adam defines mid-round picks as rounds five through eight in a 12-team draft, corresponding to picks 49 through 96.

• Strategic Focus: The common theme among successful mid-round picks is targeting players from high-powered offenses. "We get really really good players in this range, and I'm trying to find the common theme is it just targeting great offenses," Adam notes at [02:30].

Blockbuster Trade Analysis: Justin Jefferson for Xavier Worthy and Future Picks

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting a major trade in the Big Burger Dynasty League:

• Trade Details: Justin Jefferson is traded for Xavier Worthy along with first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

• Jamie Eisenberg's Take: At [09:17], Jamie rates the trade as a "C plus in favor of the Jefferson manager," expressing concerns about the late first-round picks and Worthy's dependency on team performance.

• Dave Richard's Perspective: Contrarily, Dave appreciates the trade, especially favoring the Worthy side. "I like the Worthy side," he states at [11:24], emphasizing Worthy's potential as a top receiver if given the opportunity.

Rule Changes and Their Implications

• Tush Push Potential Ban: The hosts discuss the possibility of banning the Tush Push, a recent strategy that has significantly contributed to Jalen Hurts' rushing touchdowns.

  • Statistics Highlighted: "Jalen Hurts scored 42 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons, with 27 involving Tush Pushes," Adam shares at [13:06].

• Onside Kick Proposal: Jamie informs listeners that the NFL has approved a new onside kick rule allowing declarations anytime a team is trailing, not just in the fourth quarter. "The owners have voted to pass the new onside kick proposal," Jamie explains at [13:43].

Team-Specific Discussions

Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders

• Eagles: Known for frequent near 1-yard carries, led by Saquon Barkley who led the NFL with nine carries in the red zone last year.

• Commanders: Similar trend with Brian Robinson and Eckler managing near 1-yard zones but with less consistent touchdown outcomes.

Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard vs. Tajie Spears

• Tony Pollard:

  • Concerns: "Tony Pollard is one of those settle for in the mid-round RB2s," Dave remarks at [18:44].
  • Performance Issues: Last season's disparities when Tajie Spears was unavailable raise concerns about Pollard's reliability.

• Tajie Spears:

  • Potential: Jamie sees Spears as the more explosive back, potentially a more valuable asset if he secures a consistent role.

Wide Receiver Insights

Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Recent Developments: Harrison has added muscle to improve contested catches and yards after the catch.

• Strategic Implications: Dave emphasizes the need for Harrison to focus on shorter targets to enhance his efficiency. "They've got to use them differently," he notes at [25:29].

Jerry Jeudy and Cleveland Browns QBs

• Jeudy's Situation:
  • Current Rank: 61st overall
  • Concerns: Stability at QB for Jeudy, with whispers about Joe Flacco's tenure being short-lived.
  • Jamie’s Insight: "If you're telling me Jerry Jeudy versus Chris Olave, I'm taking Jerry Jeudy all day long," Jamie shares at [28:55], highlighting Jeudy's target potential despite uncertain quarterback play.

Rookie Running Backs: Travion Henderson and Caleb Johnson

• Travion Henderson:

  • Rank: 71st overall
  • Dave's Take: "He's a borderline number two, number three fantasy running back," citing concerns over competition with Ramadri Stevenson's role.

• Caleb Johnson:

  • Rank: 95th overall
  • Prospects: Jamie regards Johnson as a potent value pick, emphasizing his receiving skills and offensive involvement.

Additional Value Picks

• DeAndre Swift:

  • Current Rank: 74th overall
  • Performance Review: Last season deemed a bust with RB24 ranking and only six touchdowns. "He stunk," Jamie concurs at [43:06], reflecting on his underperformance relative to draft expectations.

• David Najoku:

  • Rank: 90th overall
  • Outlook: Dave appreciates Najoku’s upside but advises caution until further development is evident.

Final Recommendations and Rankings

• Patrick Mahomes and Xavier Worthy:

  • Mahomes' Potential: "He could end up being the number two quarterback in fantasy," Dave muses at [50:04], contingent on Worthy's explosive contributions.

• Jameson Williams vs. Jordan Addison vs. Travis Hunter:

  • Rankings by Jamie: "Hunter, Jameson Williams, Jordan Addison," reflecting a preference for dynamic playmakers with high target potential.
  • Concerns: High dependency on touchdown production and the improvement of their respective quarterbacks.

• Chuba Hubbard and RJ Harvey:

  • Hubbard's Stability: Dave favors Hubbard as a safe RB option, ahead of other rookies despite potential competition.
  • Harvey's Opportunity: Jamie is enthusiastic about Harvey's role and potential, expecting him to exceed his current draft range.

Closing Remarks

Adam Azer wraps up the episode by emphasizing the importance of tracking player developments and making informed mid-round decisions. Upcoming episodes will continue to explore late-round picks and provide further analysis to help listeners dominate their fantasy leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Richard [03:45]: "Brandon Ayuk is currently the highest-ranked San Francisco wide receiver in the consensus rankings on Fantasy Pros."

• Jamie Eisenberg [09:17]: "I'll say it's a C plus in favor of the Jefferson manager."

• Dave Richard [11:24]: "I like the Worthy side."

• Adam Azer [13:06]: "Jalen Hurts scored 42 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons, with 27 involving Tush Pushes."

• Jamie Eisenberg [28:55]: "If you're telling me Jerry Jeudy versus Chris Olave, I'm taking Jerry Jeudy all day long."

• Dave Richard [50:04]: "He could end up being the number two quarterback in fantasy."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the Fantasy Football Today podcast episode, providing listeners with actionable strategies and player evaluations to enhance their fantasy football endeavors.