Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Start or Sit (NFC): Ricky Pearsall, Javonte Williams, Seahawks RBs and More
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg (Heath Cummings off)
Theme: Deep Start/Sit analysis for NFC matchups and key fantasy storylines for Week 2, with a focus on actionable advice and player rankings.

Episode Overview

The crew delivers start/sit analysis and insight for major NFC-centric matchups (plus a couple cross-conference tilts), focusing on emerging storylines like the fallout from Austin Ekeler’s injury, the rise of Tucker Kraft, questions surrounding key backfields, and sleeper pass catchers. The tone is lively, analytical, and sometimes teasing, with quotes capturing the banter and the depth of research each analyst brings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers vs. Commanders Recap & Takeaways

• Packers’ Defense: Rapidly becoming a “stay away” for fantasy matchups, especially with Jaire Alexander and their pass rush. Dave notes, “This is rapidly becoming the toughest defense for people to start players against in fantasy.” (03:28)
• Tucker Kraft’s Ascension: Craft notched 100+ yards for the first time ever (including college), leading to “Kraft yak and cheese” jokes. Dave says, “For now Tucker Kraft is their best pass catcher…he’s reached must-start status.”
• Matthew Golden’s Upside: Showed flashes and remains a hold – Dave: “If you’ve got Golden, hang on to him…potentially a much bigger part of the Packers’ passing game.”
• Jaden Reed Injury: 6–8 weeks out (broken collarbone) opens doors for Romeo Doubs and DonTayvion Wicks. Dave: “I don’t think Kraft is going to get 100 yards very often, but seven targets might be the case in the short term.” (07:03)
• Jordan Love: Has moved into weekly QB start territory.

2. Washington Commanders: Passing, Running Concerns

• Jaden Daniels Fantasy Outlook: Finished with 23.7 points (against a tough Packers D), but hosts want more, especially on the ground. Adam: “You didn’t draft him to get 23.7 fantasy points…but we're fine.” (10:37)
• Terry McLaurin: Still a “buy low”; timing improving with Daniels. Dave: “He’s going to need time to ramp up because he didn’t really have a training camp. I’m telling you, McLaurin’s going to be fine. He’s a buy low candidate.” (10:54)
• Zach Ertz: Two straight strong games, trending as a borderline TE1.
• Eckler Injury Fallout (Commanders’ RBs): Could force an ugly 3-way committee between Croskey Merritt, McNichols (receiving), and Chris Rodriguez. Adam: “I don’t see how this doesn’t increase the workload in some capacity for Jacory Croskey Merritt.” (13:41)

3. News & Notes — Injury Rundown

Major injury highlights and usage notes affecting fantasy lineups:

• Brock Purdy OUT; Mac Jones to start for SF.
• Numerous OL injuries league-wide (49ers especially beat up).
• Bucs’ Chris Godwin back at practice but likely OUT.
• Dallas Goddard, Brock Bowers uncertain; Jam-packed TE conversation coming.
• Noted: Vikings, Lions, Rams, Dolphins, Saints all dealing with O-line concerns.

4. Quick Start/Sit Hits for Each Featured Game

Each matchup gets one pointed “start or sit” question. Key highlights:

Chicago at Detroit

• “Saint Brown for sure. Jameson Williams is my second favorite…those guys are flexes.” – Dave (22:20)
• DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are Bears’ WRs to watch, but QB trust lacking.

Atlanta at Minnesota

• JJ McCarthy a “maybe” start; likes his growth. “I liked what I saw from him in the fourth quarter and I wonder if the Vikings can build on that.” – Dave (23:06)
• Mooney injury could push Kyle Pitts into startable range.

Rams at Titans

• “Bounce backs from Davante Adams and Calvin Ridley? Yeah, I think we do.” – Dave (25:53)
• Adams preferred; Ridley and Adams both considered WR2/3 plays.

San Francisco at New Orleans

• Ricky Pearsall: “He’s got a huge opportunity…it’s just with Mac Jones throwing to him.” – Dave (27:00)
• Both Pearsall (SF) and Chris Olave (NO) see target upswings, but QB play a concern for both.

Giants at Cowboys

• Javonte Williams, George Pickens “close” as secondary starters; Williams gets slight edge in non-PPR, Pickens in PPR. Later, Dave flips: “If it’s full PPR, I think Pickens is the answer, not Javonte.” (29:44)
• Dallas likely to control game script (“They’ve won 13 straight vs. NYG” – Adam)

Seattle at Pittsburgh

• Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet over Kenneth Walker right now. “I’d rather start Charbonnet over…Javonte and Tracy.” – Dave (30:57)
• Steelers: Jalen Warren preferred by Jamie for his pass-catching upside (67:06).

Carolina at Arizona

• “I don’t love [Kyler Murray]. He’s startable, but I think I’d rather go with McCarthy, certainly would rather go with Baker, Lawrence, and Mahomes.” – Dave (71:07)
• Jamie much higher on Kyler: “I think Kyler’s gonna be one of the best quarterbacks this week.” (72:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “For now, Tucker Kraft is their best pass catcher. But you can start to see it with Matthew Golden.” — Dave (06:16)
• “It's kind of egregious that they didn't use [Croskey Merritt] more in the first half.” — Dave (14:23)
• “This is rapidly becoming the toughest defense for people to start players against in fantasy.” — Dave (03:28)
• “You didn’t draft [Jaden Daniels] to get 23.7 fantasy points…But we're fine.” — Adam (10:37)
• “He’s going to need time to ramp up…McLaurin’s going to be fine. He’s a buy low candidate.” — Dave (10:54)
• “Saint Brown for sure. Jameson Williams is my second favorite [WR in this game].” — Dave (22:20)
• “I think Kyler’s gonna be one of the best quarterbacks this week.” — Jamie (72:59)
• “If it’s full PPR, I think Pickens is the answer, not Javonte.” — Dave (29:44)
• “Zach Charbonnet, who seems like the best running back for Seattle right now.” — Dave (30:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:54 — Cold open/ads (skip)
• 03:00 — Packers’ defense, Tucker Kraft, Commanders recap
• 06:16 — Packers’ pass-catching shifts, Jaden Reed injury
• 09:27 — Commanders/Jaden Daniels, McLaurin, Zach Ertz value
• 12:01 — Washington RB situation post-Ekeler injury
• 16:11–19:38 — News & notes: Major injury rundown around NFL
• 22:20 — Chicago at Detroit: Which WRs to trust?
• 23:06–24:26 — Atlanta at Minnesota: QBs/Tight ends, McCarthy vs. others
• 25:48–26:40 — Rams at Titans: Adams & Ridley bounce-back status
• 27:00 — 49ers at Saints: Pearsall vs Olave, Pearsall’s start/sit status
• 28:28–29:53 — Giants at Cowboys: Rank Javonte, Pickens, Tracy
• 30:13–31:00 — Seattle at Pittsburgh: Charbonnet over Walker, Warren’s value
• 32:06 — Chicago at Detroit full start/sit analysis
• 36:03 — Jared Goff ranking (8th), confidence vs. Bears
• 38:28 — Atlanta at Minnesota deep dive: Vikings RBs & tough calls
• 40:43 — Jamie joins: “Game of the Week” banter
• 43:02 — Streaming Hawkinson alternatives: Juwan Johnson/B. Strange/Hunter Henry over Hock
• 52:27 — Rams at Titans continued: Pollard, Ridley, streaming Stafford
• 54:01 — 49ers at Saints deep dive: Kamara, Olave, Pearsall
• 60:52–62:37 — Giants at Cowboys: Dak’s trust level and WR/TE rankings
• 67:06 — Seattle at PIT: Warren > SEA RBs (Jamie)
• 75:33 — Carolina at Arizona: Marv Harrison Jr., McBride, Connor, DST

Position Battles & Waiver Highlights

• Tucker Kraft: Must-start TE (especially after Jaden Reed’s injury)
• Romeo Doubs/DonTayvion Wicks: Doubs preferred, but not a weekly WR3 yet
• Croskey Merritt: Flex in favorable matchups; messy usage expected in WAS
• McCarthy, Jamey Eisenberg: Potential streamer at QB if injuries/waivers hit
• Ricky Pearsall: Top-20 WR for Jamie, flex for Dave/Heath – strong play with SF’s WR injuries

Hot/Cold List (Start/Sit Temperature Gauge)

HOT STARTS:

• Tucker Kraft (GB TE: 100+ yards, red zone threat)
• Ricky Pearsall (SF: huge target share incoming)
• Jameson Williams (DET, solid WR2/Flex)
• Zach Charbonnet (SEA in a timeshare tilt)
• Davante Adams (bounce-back spot; preferred WR2 over Ridley)
• Sam LaPorta (auto-start at TE)

COLD/CAUTIOUS:

• Calvin Ridley (drops, shadow coverage risk, outside top-40 for Jamie)
• Tony Pollard (Rams run D improved, needs TD)
• Kenneth Walker (foot not 100%, losing work to Charbonnet)
• Vikings RBs (Jordan Mason > Jones, but neither inspiring)
• Kyle Pitts (if Mooney active, risky start)

DEEP FLEX/STREAMER BUYS:

• Juwan Johnson (NO TE, top streamer—start over Hawkinson/Andrews)
• Jalen Warren (pass-game use vs. SEA D)
• McCarthy (MIN QB) vs. shaky ATL pass rush

Listener Mailbag & Rapid Fire Start/Sit Calls

Frequent comparison questions and the crew’s takes on some tight ones:

• Charbonnet vs. Javonte vs. Tracy: Charbonnet preferred (Dave)
• Ridley vs. Hollywood Brown: Brown (both Jamie & Dave)
• Dak vs. McCarthy: Split (Jamie likes McCarthy, Dave prefers Dak)
• Juwan Johnson vs. almost any TE except elite: Start Johnson

Final Takeaways

• Tucker Kraft and Ricky Pearsall are two of the “must-discuss” fantasy options for Week 2 in light of recent injuries.
• Expect the Commanders’ RB situation to be volatile; only Merritt worth using as a flex, and even that is dicey.
• Trust Jalen Warren’s pass game role, but monitor Seattle’s split with Charbonnet now the favorite.
• SF and Saints have steep start/sit calls with injuries and backup QBs impacting Olave, Pearsall, and Kamara’s ceilings.
• Assess your WR2/3 and flex situations extra closely this week as several of the usual mid-tier names face unexpectedly tough matchups or team/role uncertainty.

Listen for: Quick reference one-question-per-matchup speed rounds (from 22:00 onward), consistent banter and humor (“Kraft yak and cheese”), and in-depth analysis on every notable NFC fantasy-relevant storyline for Week 2.