Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary Episode: Preseason Week One Risers and Fallers: The Rookie RBs are On the Move (08/11 Fantasy Football Podcast)
Release Date: August 11, 2025

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Adam Aizer, alongside analysts Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings, delves into the performances from Preseason Week One. The primary focus centers on identifying preseason risers and fallers, especially among rookie running backs (RBs), and assessing how injuries and preseason performances might influence fantasy football rankings.

2. Preseason RB Performances: Risers and Fallers

Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby: A Double-Edged Sword

Dave Richard opens the discussion by analyzing Travis Etienne’s extensive preseason play. "Travis ETN played every snap with the first team offense," he notes ([02:12]). Despite his high usage, concerns arise about Etienne's consistency and workload management.

Tank Bigsby emerges as a focal point, with Dave asserting, "I moved Bigsby behind ETN. It was interesting. ETN for all of Trevor Lawrence snaps and then Bigsby came in" ([16:14]). This positioning reflects Bigsby’s potential as a valuable RB2 with significant upside, especially if Etienne's role fluctuates during the regular season.

Isaiah Pacheco and R.J. Harvey: Overreactions and Opportunities

Heath Cummings brings up Isaiah Pacheco’s minimal preseason impact, stating, "He had one carry for 8 yards and of course did not have a rushing touchdown" ([03:05]). This limited usage sparks debates on his preseason value versus potential regular-season opportunities.

R.J. Harvey’s role is also scrutinized. Dan Schneier argues, "I think Harvey's usage we're going to see," suggesting that Harvey could carve out a niche as a reliable RB2 if the Jaguars stabilize their running back committee ([05:15]).

Travion Henderson: Rising Amidst Uncertainty

Travion Henderson is highlighted as a preseason riser. Dave mentions, "Question though. James Cook signs a contract tomorrow and he's back. You're really going to stick with Harvey and Henderson ahead of Cook?" ([04:05]). Despite James Cook’s potential return, Henderson’s multifaceted role in both rushing and receiving keeps him ahead in draft rankings.

3. Impact of Injuries on Fantasy Rankings

Key Injuries to Monitor

The panel extensively covers the impact of injuries on fantasy player values:

• Taj Spears: "Spears going to miss a few weeks with a high ankle sprain" ([06:26]). His absence elevates Tony Pollard’s value as the primary RB.
• Tyreek Hill and Jaden Reed: Tyreek Hill's oblique injury raises concerns about his availability, while Jaden Reed’s foot sprain puts his contributions in doubt for the Packers.
• Matthew Stafford: "Matthew Stafford. Supposed to practice today, so we're going to update you on everything you need to know" ([02:12]).

Dave emphasizes, "If Spears misses a couple of weeks, Pollard is easily in the RB2 conversation" ([07:35]), underscoring Pollard’s importance in the Cowboys’ offense during Spears’ absence.

4. Rankings and Player-Specific Analysis

Balancing Young Talent and Veteran Reliability

The discussion navigates the balance between high-upside rookies and consistent veterans:

• Breece Hall: Despite a subdued preseason, Heath notes, "Sky's the limit for him. He's incredibly talented" ([05:38]), advocating for his potential to break into RB1 statuses.
• Bruce Hall: Dave expresses disappointment in Bruce Hall's performance, citing, "He needs to go to his right. There is such an obvious enormous cutback lane" ([11:22]), leading to his ranking drop.
• Drake May: Jamey Eisenberg praises Drake May’s preseason throws, stating, "He ran for a short yardage touchdown... he keeps talking about how we're not gonna have a ton of design runs" ([34:43]).

Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks Insights

The panel also touches on wide receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Calvin Ridley, discussing their preseason performances and potential impact on fantasy rankings. Additionally, quarterbacks like Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson are evaluated for their fantasy relevance, with Dave noting, "All three of those guys can be safe QB2s with upside to be borderline QB1s" ([38:48]).

5. Listener Engagement: Mailbag and Q&A

The episode features a mailbag segment where listeners’ questions are addressed:

• Draft Strategies: Jay from Raleigh asks about draft strategies in a 12-team PPR league, receiving advice to prioritize running backs early due to scarcity.
• Player Evaluations: Pete from Oregon seeks reasons to draft Marvin Harrison Jr., leading to a deep dive into his route-running skills despite questioning his speed and explosive playmaking.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave on Jeff Wilson’s signing with the 49ers: "Here's what the Colts are going to do in Week two" ([30:16]).
• Jamie on Caleb Johnson’s preseason performance: "He didn't really look that good this past weekend" ([50:34]).

6. Conclusion and What's Next

As the episode wraps up, the analysts summarize their standings and reiterate key takeaways from the preseason performances. They tease future episodes focused on sleepers, breakouts, and busts, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for updated rankings and strategies.

Adam Aizer concludes by promoting upcoming live streams and additional content on CBS Sports Network, ensuring fans remain engaged as the fantasy football season approaches.

Notable Quotes

• Heath Cummings: "Understanding why Trayvon Henderson's being viewed as a, as a, you know, week one winner, which is risky anyway" ([05:15]).
• Dave Richard: "There's also a world where both Henderson and Stevenson can be decent, if not both good" ([06:05]).
• Jamey Eisenberg: "I'm encouraged by how he threw the ball in practice" ([34:43]).
• Dan Schneier: "I think Harvey's usage we're going to see" ([05:15]).
• Jamie (Surname not provided): "Good fumble was a stupid play" ([34:43]).

This comprehensive analysis from Fantasy Football Today provides listeners with in-depth insights into preseason performances, player rankings, and strategic considerations essential for dominating their fantasy leagues in the upcoming season.