Fantasy Football Today (Oct 3, 2025)

Start or Sit (NFC): Ranking Replacement RBs, Jaylen Waddle, Kyler Murray, AJ Brown, Etc.

Hosts: Adam Aizer (moderator), Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings
Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the NFC Week 5 matchups with a focus on start/sit advice, especially for replacement running backs, wide receiver dilemmas, and quarterback streaming in light of major injuries. The crew ranks backup RB options, debates how to handle stars in tough matchups (e.g., A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith), and discusses desperation plays for managers decimated by injuries or byes. They run through each major NFC home game, highlight key takeaways from Thursday’s Rams–49ers matchup, and close with their positional rankings. Game-by-game analysis includes strategy, analytics, and a good dose of fantasy banter.

Key Topics & Insights

Thursday Night Football Recap – Rams vs. 49ers

• Decision Making: The crew analyzes Sean McVay’s play-calling and whether the run on 4th down was justified, considering Stafford's hot hand and Kyron Williams’ performance.
  • Memorable Quote: "You put the ball in your best player's hand at that point." – Jamie (03:09)
• Rams Fantasy Outlook: Matt Stafford’s passing volume and Puka Nacua’s record-breaking start are highlighted.
  • "Puka Nakua is the first wide receiver in NFL history with more than 50 catches in his team's first five games." – Heath (04:18)
• RB Uncertainty: Fumble issues with Kyron Williams and Blake Corum spark debate about potential waiver claims for Jarquez Hunter.

Replacement Running Backs: Who to Start, Who to Stash

• Priority RB Adds: The team ranks backups as pivotal plug-ins for Week 5.
  • Jamie & Dave: “Dowdle 1, White 2, Carter 3, Demercado 4, Tucker 5 for this week.” (29:08)
• Rico Dowdle (DAL):
  • Top-20 status, strong matchup vs. Miami, expected heavy workload.
  • “Unless you fear Trevor Etienne taking a lot of work away... Dowdle should dominate.” – Jamie (12:34)
• Rashad White (TB):
  • Elevated to RB2 status due to matchup with Seattle’s weak passing D vs. RBs, especially if Bucky Irving is out.
  • “Five-plus catches for Rashad White. He’s a No. 2 RB in PPR.” – Jamie (19:19)
• Cardinals RBs: Carter/DiMercado ranked below Dowdle & White; long-term value depends on Chuba Hubbard’s (CAR) injury.

Wide Receiver & TE News & Debates

• Jaylen Waddle (MIA):
  • "Top-12ish receiver this week" – Dave (60:09)
  • Big opportunity with Tyreek Hill sidelined; strong history when Hill is out.
  • “He scored 28 fantasy points in the only game he played without Tyreek Hill.” – Heath (22:20, repeated 59:45)
• A.J. Brown & Devonta Smith (PHI):
  • Faded due to Denver’s stingy pass defense, Patrick Surtain likely shadowing; considered ‘bye-low’ after this week.
  • “It’s easy to get away from A.J. Brown this week.” – Jamie (38:13)
  • All three rank Brown in WR19–24 range (38:13–38:20).
• Chris Godwin (TB):
  • Positive on volume and usage, especially as Bucs trail; possible top-24 play.
  • "I'm a fan. I'm trying to get him into my top 24." – Dave (50:55)
• Tight Ends:
  • Darren Waller: Most added TE; discussed as a must-start/top-12 option (62:09).
  • Tommy Tremble (CAR): “Great desperation play” with heavy targets last week (67:05).

Notable Game-by-Game Start/Sit Questions

[18:32] Denver @ Philadelphia

• Philly WRs vs. DEN RBs:
  • “Brown’s still at the top, Dobbins right there, but Devonta Smith behind those guys.” – Dave (18:32)
  • Jalen Hurts remains a must start, but only behind the very top QBs (35:33–36:44).

[19:19] Tampa Bay @ Seattle

• Rashad White:
  • Elevated with Irving out; recommend over Michael Carter but behind Dowdle (19:19–20:19).
• SEATTLE WRs: Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN); Cooper Kupp as desperation in deeper leagues.

[21:03] Giants @ Saints

• WR Order: Olave > Slayton > Wondale Robinson > Shaheed (21:03)
• Giants RB Cam Scatteboo: “Hard to get away from 27 touches; he’s a start” (55:04)
• Saints RB Camara ahead of Dowdle and most RB2s (56:52).

[22:15] Miami @ Carolina

• Waddle over McMillan and Dowdle; strong WR play recommended (22:15, 59:45–60:09).
• Desperation Flex: Carolina’s Luke McCaffrey, Tommy Tremble notable if injuries hit.

[22:38] Houston @ Baltimore

• RB: Woody Marks (“ahead of them all” among replacements – 22:45, 23:03).
• WR: Zay Flowers, Nico Collins are safe plays (68:49+).

[25:00] Tennessee @ Arizona

• Beyond McBride & Kyler Murray, not much enthusiasm; Kyler is a risky but high-upside play (25:00–27:35).

Rankings & Debates – Replacement RBs (29:08+)

• Order: Dowdle, White, Carter, DiMercado, Tucker
• Long-term vs. One-week upside: Preference for Dowdle in Week 5, potential for Cardinal RBs to outpace after a few weeks if their situation stabilizes.

Desperation & Deep-League Plays

• Kendrick Bourne (NE): Worth a hold, especially if WRs are out (05:02).
• Trey Tucker (LV): Consider stashing in deep leagues if Bowers is out (15:54).
• Tommy Tremble (CAR): Great TE/Flex (67:05).
• Michael Carter/Amari DiMercado: Deep league appeal for Cardinals, but monitor roles.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You put the ball in your best player's hand at that point.” – Jamie (03:09)
• “I just enjoy busting your balls. It's fun.” – Jamie to Heath, on trades (08:32)
• “AJ Brown is easy to get away from this week.” – Jamie (38:13)
• “Dowdle 1, White 2, Carter 3, DiMercado 4, Tucker 5.” – Jamie on RBs (29:08)
• “Baker Mayfield has scored nearly 20 points in 10 straight games.” – Heath (43:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:09] TNF Play-calling Debate
• [05:54] Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne Fantasy Outlook
• [12:28] Rico Dowdle & Replacement RB Rankings
• [19:19] Rashad White’s Value vs. Seattle
• [21:03] Ranking Giants/Saints WRs
• [29:08] Replacement RB Consensus Rankings
• [38:13] AJ Brown Start/Sit Debate
• [50:55] Chris Godwin WR2/WR3 Case
• [55:04] Cam Scatteboo Touches/Start Bandwagon
• [59:45] Jaylen Waddle as a WR1 w/o Tyreek
• [60:09] Waddle, Tua Rankings for Week 5
• [67:05] Tommy Tremble as Desperate/Flex TE

General Advice Summarized

• Prioritize Rico Dowdle and Rashad White as the top RB replacements for Week 5; Cardinals RBs for longer-term upside.
• Fade A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith in tough matchups, but be ready to buy low post-week.
• With Tyreek Hill out, Jaylen Waddle is a WR1; Tua remains startable, but not a must.
• Kyler Murray is a volatile but high-upside QB streamer vs TEN.
• Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble are must-start or top streaming tight ends given volume and matchup.
• Desperate? Look to Kendrick Bourne, Trey Tucker, and Luke McCaffrey for possible PPR relief.

[End of Summary]

This recap covers all actionable insights, key debates, and lineups/waiver strategies for a busy, injury-driven NFL week. For full rankings and last-minute updates, tune in to the FFT Express shows all weekend.