Fantasy Football Today (09/02/25): Preseason Awards, Buy or Sell, and Favorite Fantasy Teams

Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode drops just days before the kickoff of the NFL season, with the FFT crew gearing up for the chaos of draft week. Adam, Dave, and Jamey bring their signature banter to a wide-ranging discussion, from news updates and last-minute draft tips to their annual preseason awards and Buy or Sell debates. They also revisit recent drafts, sharing favorite teams and auction strategies to help listeners fine-tune their rosters and dominate draft day.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Pre-Draft Vibes and Strategy

• Draft Count & Approaches:
  The hosts compare draft workloads. Adam has three drafts in a day (“I would like to draft good players” – Adam, 02:03), Dave’s scaling back to focus more on quality, while Jamey's kept his circle tight (01:33).

• Target Players:

  • Adam: On the hunt for shares of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens.
  • Jamey: Looking to diversify his portfolio, mentioning a lot of Tyler Warren, Ricky Pearsall, Basil Tootin, and Braylon Allen lately (02:38).

• Draft Tips:
  FFT will be sharing nine last-minute draft tips on CBS Sports Network, including ones the group doesn't see eye-to-eye on (04:17).

News Highlights & Implications ([05:20]-[15:00])

• Rams Injury Updates:
  • LT Alaric Jackson and QB Matthew Stafford are expected to start, but wording around Stafford (“expected to start”) is concerning for long-term outlook.

    “It’s a little bit concerning that we’re still talking about this now. So one bad hit... could be bad.” – Dave (06:02)

  • If Jimmy Garoppolo steps in, downgrade receivers about 10-15% but not a disaster for fantasy (07:30).
• Quick-Hit News:
  • Puka Nacua’s ADP dropping due to Stafford worries, but hosts still “starting Puka and Adams in every league I’ve got them in” (09:34).
  • 49ers' Jauan Jennings back at practice; could be a late-round value (11:10).
  • Najee Harris, Quinton Johnston to play in Brazil Friday; relevance for drafters.
  • Micah Parsons, Darnell Mooney (day-to-day), and Mooney’s ADP slide is a “buy the dip” opportunity (14:04).
  • Steelers extend Jalen Warren; could reduce Caleb Johnson’s dynasty upside (15:00).
  • Notable defensive injuries (Trayvon Diggs, Tyler Guyton, Christian Gonzalez, etc.).

Preseason Superlatives and Awards ([19:11]-[32:02])

Fantasy MVP Picks

• Consensus Pick: Christian McCaffrey

  “Christian McCaffrey literally sold the words.” – Adam (20:02)

• Potential league-winners: Tyreek Hill as last pick who “could finish number one at his position” (21:00).

Rookie of the Year

• The panel weighs value (ADP) as the most important criteria.
• Suggestions: Matthew Golden, Tyler Warren, Colson Loveland, Travion Henderson (21:59).

Sophomore of the Year

• Neighbors, Thomas, McConkey, Jaden Daniels, Bowers, Tyrone Tracy mentioned.
• Potential leaps from candidates like Ricky Pearsall, Keon Coleman (25:00).

Bust & Breakout Picks

• Busts:
  • Saquon Barkley (Jamey, 25:49),
  • Tyreek Hill ("but, based on where he's being drafted, maybe not..." – Adam, 25:57),
  • Josh Jacobs as a first-rounder (Adam, 26:03).
• Post Hype Breakout:
  • Names: Trevor Lawrence, Chris Olave, Kyle Pitts, Michael Pittman, C.J. Stroud (“He’s still young enough to make an impact” – Dave, 28:11).

Waiver Wire Pickup of the Year

• Brashard Smith, Will Shipley, Woody Marks, Basil Tootin floated as early running back stashes (31:00).
• Emphasis: “Some panic drops after week 1 of handcuff guys will end up in great spots…” – Jamey (31:20).

Buy or Sell: Hot Takes from Listeners ([32:02]-[38:48])

• Luther Burden’s Early Role:
  Zacchaeus may hinder him for five games; Adam buys Burden as a “back half of the season pickup” (32:41).
• Veteran tight ends blocking rookie value:
  • Cole Kmet could limit Colson Loveland.
• Demario Douglas vs. Chris Olave:
  Sell, but “wouldn’t shock me” – Dave (34:11).
• Kyler Murray Top 5 QB:
  Sell for top 5, but buy for top 8 (34:24).
  Deep ball production and playmaking questions discussed.
• Rookie Receptions:
  Matthew Golden > Travis Hunter – unanimous “Buy” (36:59).
• Dylan Sampson Top 24 RB Week 1:
  No, Jerome Ford “will handle the majority” (37:49).
• Javonte Williams viability in Dallas:
  “Buy, he won’t be viable even if he leads the team in carries.” (38:30).
• Chris Godwin to lead Bucs in WR production after Week 5:
  Sell (38:46).

Auction Strategy & Favorite Teams ([39:57]-[51:36])

• Adam, Dave, and Jamey recap recent auction and IDP drafts, emphasizing their preferred strategies:

  • Adam’s Target: Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Chase Brown stack in auction—hopes to do it for $70 of a $100 budget (40:14).
  • Dave’s Favorite Team (Auction):
    • Mahomes, McCaffrey, Kamara; receivers: JSN, Pearsall, Sutton, Jameson Williams.

    “I got some guys really, really cheap because half the teams were broke and we still had 100 players to nominate.” (41:51)

  • Jamey’s Favorite Team:
    • Drake May, Trevor Lawrence, Bo Nix at QB; Chase Brown, Josh Jacobs at RB; Evans, McMillan, Worthy at WR; Travion Henderson flex; Kittle at TE (44:11).
  • Thomas’ Team Reference:
    • Proves the “three-acestars then patchwork” method: Fields, Barkley, Derrick Henry, Jamar Chase, etc.—but little bench depth (45:50).

• Auction Insights:

  • "Rounds 4-6" are consistently the best auction values as they routinely slide while drafters spend big on stars (49:17).

Roster Trends: Most Added Players ([51:44]-[58:56])

• Early-Season Waiver Priorities:
  • Brenton Strange (TE, Jaguars):
    Not a must-start yet, but could be “borderline starter throughout the course of the season...hover around those 10 PPR points per game” – Jamey (53:58).
  • Other tight end stashes: Hunter Henry, Mason Taylor, Jatavion Sanders.
  • Demario Douglas (WR, Patriots): Appearing on most added lists (57:32).
  • Running backs: Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, Jerome Ford, Basil Tootin—all emphasize handcuff and backup value.
• Kickers:
  • Tyler Loop (Ravens): Under the radar, but worth a week 1 pickup if you didn’t draft a known commodity (58:26).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overdrafting:
  “I would like to draft good players.” – Adam, deadpan (02:03)
• Concerns Over Stafford:
  “It’s a little bit concerning that we’re still talking about this now. So one bad hit…could be bad.” – Dave (06:02)
• Auction Insight:
  “Half the teams in the league were broke and we still had 100 players to nominate. So I was able to get some guys really, really cheap.” – Dave (41:51)
• RB Handcuff Panic:
  “There will be some panic drops after week one of some of these handcuff guys that will potentially end up in great spots” – Jamey (31:20)
• Buy or Sell Rapid-fire:
  “Olamide Zacchaeus keeps Luther Burden off the field for more than five games.”/“I’ll buy this… Burden is a back half of the season pickup.” – Adam (32:27)
• Draft Room Comedy:
  “...I would even put Terry McLaurin in there, because I didn’t think Jaden Daniels was going to stink, but I thought his passing numbers would be pretty low…” – Adam (30:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pre-draft Goals & Player Targets: 01:17–03:52
• Rams & NFL News: 05:20–11:00
• ADP Movement & Wide Receiver Tiers: 08:38–10:57
• Jauan Jennings and Late-Round WRs: 11:05–13:40
• Injury Updates, Dynasty Takes: 14:03–16:54
• Fantasy Superlatives (MVP, Rookie, Sophomore, Bust): 19:11–32:02
• Buy or Sell Rapid-Fire: 32:02–38:48
• Favorite Teams Drafted & Auction Strategy: 39:57–51:36
• Roster Trends, Most-Added Players, TE Sleepers: 51:44–58:56

Tone and Style

The episode maintains FFT’s signature friendly, debate-heavy, and slightly chaotic tone, blending real analysis with relatable banter and helpful fantasy storytelling. The conversation flows naturally between hard fantasy data (“Kyler Murray’s deep ball is gone,” “Puka’s ADP dipped 10 spots”) and entertaining anecdotes (pizza vs. wings, auction draft chaos, team name jokes).

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Don’t panic over ADP falls tied to vague preseason news—Puka Nacua and Adams are still starts when Stafford is on the field.
• Diversify your late-round RB handcuffs; don’t drop them hastily after Week 1.
• The “rounds 4–6” range is underdrafted in auctions—capitalize on the post-stud value drop.
• Scan the wire for WR rookies like Matthew Golden, Demario Douglas, and handcuff RBs (Sampson, Judkins, Tootin).
• At tight end, after the “veteran blob,” stash high-upside names (Brenton Strange, Mason Taylor) in deep or TE-premium leagues.
• Be open to contrarian bust/breakout calls; the usual stars (Saquon, Tyreek) carry real risk narratives.

Whether you’re heading into your own “big draft night” or analyzing waiver wire strategy for Week 1, this loaded episode delivers the season’s first must-have insights—with laughs and practical advice at every turn.