Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Start or Sit (AFC) – Rashee Rice, Kimani Vidal, Tetairoa McMillan

Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Erdahl, Heath Cummings
Focus: In-depth “Start or Sit” analysis for AFC home games in Week 7, with a spotlight on Rashee Rice, Kimani Vidal, Tetairoa “Tedro” McMillan, rookies, injury news, and lineups.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into crucial "Start or Sit" debates for a pivotal Week 7, featuring hot-start rookies, tricky injury situations, and shifting NFL depth charts. The team debates upside, risk, and opportunity for fantasy managers, breaks down confusing backfields, discusses injury ripple effects, and fields tough listener questions. The analysis is direct, numbers-driven, and perfect for fantasy managers seeking an advantage in a wide-open season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

League Parity & State of the Season

• Heath on Season Parity:
  “75% of the league is between 2-4 and 4-2. It’s kind of like the season starts now.” (02:17)
  Takeaway: It’s a must-win time for many managers; every lineup edge counts.

Top Starts – Running Backs, QBs, WRs

• Jalen Warren (PIT) vs. CIN:

  • Great spot: Bengals give up big points to RBs (8 RBs with 14+ PPR points this season).
  • “Warren is in a great spot ... Cincinnati has allowed 10 TDs to the position.” (03:01 - Jamie)
  • Kenneth Gainwell as a flex if you need cheap volume.

• Jared Goff & Jameson Williams (DET) vs. TB:

  • Goff’s home splits: over 30 fantasy PPG at home last year when opponents scored 23+.
  • “If the Bucs do their part, Goff should do his part.” (04:44 - Dave)
  • Jameson Williams is finally seeing a bump in targets and could pop.

• Kimani Vidal (ATL) vs. IND:

  • High-end RB2 for this week, dominated the backfield last game.
  • "He had a 67% rush share in that game, 21 total touches ... clear number one." (05:42 - Heath)

• Chris Olave (NO) at CHI:

  • Averaging 10 targets/game; Bears give up 2+ fantasy points/target to WRs.
  • "That math suggests a boom week for Olave." (05:42 - Heath)

Top Sits & Fades

• Chase Brown (CIN) & Tony Pollard (NE):

  • Both losing touch share, tough defenses.
  • “Don’t want to start Chase Brown... Pollard is not a workhorse anymore.” (07:10 - Heath)

• Darren Waller (NYG) vs. CLE:

  • Cleveland quietly limiting TE yardage; Waller lining up mostly as outside WR.
  • “He’s basically their WR2, but WR2s haven’t been good against the Browns.” (08:38 - Dave)

• Matthew Stafford (LAR) at JAX:

  • “If you don’t have Puka Nakua, it’s hard to trust Stafford.” (09:41 - Jamie)
  • Tough to trust coming off bad games, matchup is dicey.

• Tedro McMillan (ARI) at NYJ:

  • Gets Sauce Gardner coverage, rarely delivers without a TD.
  • “If Sauce follows him … maybe we’re looking at just 11-12 points at best.” (10:18 - Jamie)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Tedro McMillan’s Future Upside

• “First downs per route run are predictive, McMillan’s top 10 … just hasn’t produced fantasy points yet. He’d be a top-12 WR in a neutral matchup.” (12:35 - Heath)

On Rashee Rice’s Workload Coming Off Suspension

• Chiefs beat report: “A team source says Rice will be, quote, full bore this week.” (62:44 - Jamie quoting ESPN)
• Andy Reid’s response: “Go ask Jeremy Fowler,” not denying Rice’s expanded role. (63:01 - Jamie)

Key Injury News, Updates & Practice Reports (19:36+)

• Rapid Fire QB Updates:

  • Brock Purdy practiced for SF; situation “fluid” vs. ATL
  • J.J. McCarthy questionable ankle for MIN
  • Kyler Murray limited (Keep an eye); Chuba Hubbard back for CAR

• Key WR Injuries:

  • Calvin Ridley, Josh Downs, Josh Reynolds, Puka Nakua (expected to play), Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Jacoby Myers all with limited/missed practice
  • Big ripple effect on startable options (especially for Pittman, Pittman is “the only WR to start in IND if Downs is out.”)

• TEs:

  • David Njoku, Brock Bowers out/limited. Jatavion Sanders limited.
  • George Kittle practiced.

• Offensive Line/Defense:

  • Several teams missing key linemen (Giants, Cowboys, Jags).
  • IDP note: Eagles, Lions getting back defensive studs.

One Big Question/Key Start-Sit Debates for Each AFC Home Game

Rams at Jaguars (47:44+)

• Brian Thomas Jr.:
  “Number one WRs have done well against the Rams. Opportunity for Thomas to build off last week.” (25:03 - Jamie & Heath)
• ETN vs Kyren Williams:
  • Kyren favored for pass game role if Puka is out, ETN targets up with Brenton Strange out.
  • Both are starts, but with caveats due to tough run D’s.

Colts at Chargers (39:09+)

• Tier Maker: Who’s a Must-Start?
  • Tier 1: Jonathan Taylor only.
  • Tier 2: Kamani Vidal, Tyla Warren, Justin Herbert if desperate.
  • Tier 3: Pittman, all Chargers WRs (questionable since Quentin Johnston status is key).
• “If Quentin Johnston is out, Ladd McConkey is a Tier 2 auto-start.” (41:28 - panel agreement)

Miami at Cleveland (52:28+)

• Quinshon Judkins: Tier 1 “automatic,” as Dolphins allow big RB games.
• Harold Fannin: Legit streaming tight end, top 8 for Heath; Miami giving up 65+ yards or TD to TEs in 5/6 games.
• Jerry Judy: “WR40ish, if not now, never.” (26:15, 54:35 - Jamie & Heath)

Las Vegas at Kansas City (58:31+)

• Rashee Rice: All in, likely a mid/low WR2 with full workload.
• Worthy vs Tucker (Raiders): Worthy preferred due to Mahomes’ offense.
• Michael Mayer: Fringe TE1/2, but volume game if Vegas chases.

Giants at Broncos (66:39+)

• J.K. Dobbins: “If he doesn’t score, he’s a dud. He’s more RB2, depends on TD.” (67:30 - Heath)
• Wandale Robinson: Preferred over Jerry Judy; volume, snaps clear.
• Giants RB “Scatter Boo”: Viable RB2/FLEX play.

Patriots at Titans (74:59+)

• Drake Maye: Top 6 QB for most, volume concerns but superflex lock.
• Stefon Diggs: Rest-of-season debate—volume down, but “still a buy-low, if cheap.”
• Chig Okonkwo & Hunter Henry: Both streamable, Chig slightly preferred for upside.

Carolina at Jets (79:36+)

• Breece Hall: Still startable RB1/2, even with Carolina’s improved run defense.
• Chuba Hubbard/Rico Dowdle: If Hubbard is out, Dowdle is a “smash start.”
• Tedro McMillan, Mason Taylor: Both discussed as WR2/3s and low-end TE1s, depending on roster needs.

Notable Quotes by Timestamps

• On league competitiveness:
  “75% of the league is between 2-4 and 4-2. It’s kind of like the season starts now.”
  Heath Cummings (02:17)

• On Jalen Warren’s matchup:
  “Cincinnati has allowed 10 total touchdowns to the position.”
  Jamie Erdahl (03:01)

• On McMillan’s peripherals:
  “First downs per route run are predictive … McMillan’s top 10 in those categories.”
  Heath Cummings (12:35)

• On Rashee Rice’s comeback:
  “Rice will be, quote, full bore this week.”
  Jamie Erdahl quoting ESPN (62:44)

• On Wandale Robinson vs. Jerry Judy:
  “Oh, Wandale.”
  Heath Cummings (67:59)

• On Jerry Judy’s lifeline as a starter:
  “He’s got a shot—if not now, never.”
  Heath Cummings (16:16, 26:16)

• On TE streamers in a deep week:
  “Fannin, Kraft, Mayer—all in the streaming tight end cauldron.”
  Panel, various (55:33, 83:24)

Key Fantasy Takeaways by Player

• Rashee Rice (KC):
  Start as a WR2. Full-go, big opportunity. Chiefs won’t limit snap count off suspension.

• Kimani Vidal (ATL):
  High-end RB2, dominant workload expected, should see 20+ touches.

• Tedro McMillan (ARI):
  Risky WR2/3—talented, but tough sauce Gardner matchup. Great underlying metrics, but low raw output.

• Jalen Warren (PIT):
  Start. Bengals weak vs. RBs. Good pass game floor.

• Jared Goff (DET):
  Start. Home splits, Tampa secondary allowing yardage.

• Harold Fannin (CLE):
  Sneaky top-8 TE play. Miami bad vs. TEs.

• Chuba Hubbard/Rico Dowdle (CAR):
  Whoever is active is a FLEX, great spot. Monitor Hubbard’s practice status.

Most Important Timestamps

• Top Plays & Fades Rundown: 03:01 – 07:10
• In-depth Injury/Practice Report: 19:36 – 23:33
• Rashee Rice “Full BORE” Workload: 62:44
• AFC Home Game Quick-Hit Start/Sit: 25:03 – 76:01
• Rapid Fire Q&A (High Value): 76:01 – 84:54

Listener Q&A Highlights

• Fan favorite: “Judkins, Dowdle, Javonte and Henderson – start two?”
  “Judkins and Javonte easy. Even if Hubbard’s out—Dowdle only if dire.”
  (57:30-57:38)

• Mason Taylor vs. Tucker Kraft at TE:
  “Slight lean Kraft, but both are fine. Taylor over Mayor.”
  (83:29-83:51)

• Breece Hall vs. Dowdle:
  “If Hubbard is in, Hall over both. If Hubbard’s out, Dowdle’s a smash.”
  (79:55-80:02)

Final Takeaways

• The depth of injuries and returning players (Rice, Johnston, Puka) will define Week 7 decisions.
• Rookie RBs (Judkins, Vidal) and emerging pass-catchers (Fannin, Tedro McMillan, Mason Taylor) are strong upside plays in an uncertain week.
• Wide receiver rankings will shift on Friday with practice updates, especially for the Chargers.
• Several “dead zone” RBs (Pollard, Dobbins, Chase Brown) are on the bench bubble and only playable if roster-constrained.

Tone:
Direct, stat-driven, occasionally laced with playful jabs and competitive anecdote, always focused on actionable fantasy advice.

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