Fantasy Football Today: "What Happened?! Worst 2nd Half Fantasy Performers of 2025"

Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Jamie Eisenberg, Dave Richard, Heath Cummings
(Adam Aizer out sick)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Today (FFT) dives into the most disappointing second-half fantasy performers from the 2025 NFL season (Weeks 10–18). Jamie, Dave, and Heath break down several notable players who let down fantasy managers down the stretch, analyze the reasons behind their drop-offs, and discuss their outlook for 2026 drafts. The conversation ranges across quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, citing recent mock draft results to determine early 2026 values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter & Offseason Vibes

• [03:24] Jamie jokes about Adam Aizer's absence and snowstorm.
• [04:29] Dave and Heath banter about hockey overtime rules.
  • Quote: “You know Jamie, that it’s the offseason because we’ve talked more hockey to start this show than at any point in our lives on this show.” (Dave, 04:29)
• [06:00] Each host recaps their youth sports coaching weekends.

News and Notes

Javonte Williams’ New Contract with Cowboys

• [07:47] Javonte Williams signs a 3-year, $24M deal, $16M guaranteed.
  • Heath: “This is fantastic news for dynasty managers who have Javonte Williams — if you’re a contender, it gives you an RB2 for next year and quite possibly for the next two years. And if you’re rebuilding, this is a great time to sell.” (08:15)
• Mock draft value: Round 5, possibly the “last best RB2.”
  • Dave: “He can easily handle the same roles... Short yardage, goal line, passing downs. So it’s a valuable role in a really good offense with a lot of continuity.” (09:35)

Zach Charbonnet ACL Surgery

• [12:49] Surgery timeline unclear, minor dynasty/2026 draft implications.

Cam Ward, Titans, QB injury update

Sad news: Former NFL WR Rondale Moore passes away at 25.

Deep Dive: WORST SECOND HALF FANTASY PERFORMERS (2025)

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts (QB15, 18.2 PPG Weeks 10–18)

• [17:26] Jamie & Heath: Is he still elite? Does the trend matter after a strong four-year track record?
  • Heath: “With Jalen Hurts, we’ve got basically five years of him being a borderline elite fantasy quarterback... some of it was just the fact that he didn’t score as many touchdowns... probably a little bit of randomness.” (18:21)
• Dave highlights Hurts’ annual 2nd half drop-off:
  • 2023: 26.7 PPG (first 12 games) → 16.4 (final 5)
  • “We have not seen Jalen Hurts finish strong in a long time and that might rattle around in the back of your head when you go to draft him.” (20:02)
• Value if A.J. Brown leaves: Dramatically drops.
• Current mock: Hurts taken Round 8/9.

Bo Nix (QB18, 17.6 PPG, Weeks 10–18)

• [22:45] Touchdown drought and flat passing efficiency (6.5 YPA career).
  • Heath: “I’d view him as a mid QB2… probably not somebody I’m targeting and definitely not somebody I’m ranking as a starter.” (24:24)
  • Dave: “Probably someone that could go undrafted in one QB leagues.” (25:14)

Baker Mayfield

• [26:40+] Injuries (himself, OL, and breakout WR) tanked production.
  • Dave: “I felt like Baker Mayfield’s season did a hard U-turn when he got hurt and then the offensive line got hurt and… breakout receiver behind a bad offensive line.”
  • Heath: “He’s soared to great heights and just completely fallen apart in the past. … I’m not targeting him as a starter.” (27:46–28:42)
• Worth a late backup in deep (2QB/Superflex) leagues, not a safe starting option.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams

• See above, additional stat breakdown:
  • [10:29] 252/1,201/11 on the ground, 35/137/2 through the air (16 games)
  • First half: 91 total yards & 9 TDs in 8 games; back half: 76.5 yards/per, 4 TDs.
  • “He stopped scoring touchdowns and that’s really all I can see.” (11:10, Dave)

Saquon Barkley (RB19, 13.1 PPR/G)

• [28:42+] 2024: Massive season. 2025: Touches, but fewer receptions/goalline opportunities.
• Dave: “If I can get him in late round two, I’d feel pretty good about it.” (30:39)
• Heath: “He had four games with zero catches in last five — maybe it was just that ‘Hey, we’ve got to throw the ball to A.J. Brown enough to where he stops complaining.’” (31:57)

Breece Hall (RB25, 12.1 PPR/G)

• [34:01+] Inconsistent, true committee, uncertain OL and playcalling.
  • Dave: “We need to see him change franchises... I don’t want him to be a top 24 pick” (34:48)
  • Heath: “The quarterback will matter a lot there… Is he playing with a quarterback who might give him that opportunity?” (36:12)
• Jets’ evolving backfield keeps enthusiasm in check.

Wide Receivers

CeeDee Lamb (WR19, 13.8 PPR/G)

• [38:29+] Curtail in targets post-Pickens addition.
  • Heath: “I am definitely worried about CeeDee Lamb being a top two or three WR in fantasy. … I’m a little bit worried about taking him in round one if George Pickens is back.” (39:12)
  • Dave: “He’s not getting enough targets to warrant being a top three wide receiver or a top five pick.” (41:00)
• Only a first-rounder if Pickens leaves.

Courtland Sutton (WR26, 12.4 PPR/G)

• [46:35+] Emerging younger WRs and TD regression cap upside.
  • Heath: “Probably the safest way is to just view what he did in the second half as pretty close to what you’re going to get.” (46:35)
  • Dave: “I might go Sutton over DK Metcalf, but McLaurin/Smith over Sutton.” (47:45)

Ladd McConkey (WR43, Chargers)

• [49:35+] Target share/moving parts in LAC offense may limit ceiling.
  • Heath: “It’s just that he was, he caught 73% of his targets as a rookie and got 63% last year… I think he’s a WR2; I like him better than Sutton but I’m not expecting rookie-year efficiency.” (51:00)
  • Jamie: “Type of player I’m generally very interested in because … you get what could be superstar caliber production at a discounted price.” (52:19)

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers (TE5 in PPR, Weeks 10–18)

• [54:52+] Injuries, QB/offensive volatility with Raiders in 2025.
  • Dave: “Can’t do it [take over McBride] in PPR.” (55:45)
  • Heath: “I’ve got Bowers ahead of McBride in projections, but advice is to just wait until McBride’s taken.” (55:47)
• Bowers and McBride consensus two top TEs, going Rounds 2–3.

Tyler Warren (TE17, 8.8 PPR/G)

• [58:12] Early season with Daniel Jones was promising, then injury chaos.
  • Dave: “His numbers were great with Daniel Jones… he averaged 13.1 PPR points per game … I think he’s a good fit, and he’s an easy short area target for any QB there.” (59:20)
  • Heath: “I’ll just take whichever of the top 6/7 TEs goes last, they’re all fairly close.” (61:14)

Arande Gadsden II (TE35)

• Chargers’ offense struggled, buzz about 2026 rebound under Mike McDaniel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We have not seen Jalen Hurts finish strong in a long time and that might be something that rattles around in the back of your head when you go to draft him.” (Dave, 20:02)
• “This is fantastic news for dynasty managers who have Javonte Williams...and if you’re ready to rebuild, this is a great time to sell.” (Heath, 08:15)
• “Are we chasing [CeeDee Lamb’s] 2023 year?... Or is he more just a very good, borderline #1 WR who could be great but just needs to A) stay healthy, B) have every target going in his direction.” (Jamie, 40:30)
• “I probably can name 16 QBs I would take ahead of Bo Nix.” (Dave, 25:14)
• “I’ve learned that kids and people generally stop listening to me around the age of 13. So that’s why I’ve limited my basketball coaching to that age and below.” (Heath, 05:48)

Early 2026 Draft Insights

• Javonte Williams: Round 5, could move up to be “last best RB2.”
• Jalen Hurts: Rounds 8–9, no longer surefire elite; be wary of late-season fades.
• CeeDee Lamb: Round 1 if Pickens is gone; late Round 1/early 2 if he stays.
• Saquon Barkley: Late Round 2, usage and targets in flux.
• Tyler Warren/Arande Gadsden: Value in waiting for the right tier drop in 2026 TEs.
• WR1 landscape: Only 3–4 WRs clear Round 1, questions abound after top tier (Chase, Smith-Njigba, Nakua).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:47] Javonte Williams Dallas contract & RB tiers
• [11:10] Williams 2nd half drop-off analysis
• [17:26] Second half QB busts: Hurts, Nix, Mayfield
• [28:42] Barkley & Breece Hall RB letdowns
• [38:29] WR busts: CeeDee Lamb, Sutton, McConkey
• [54:52] Tight end letdowns: Bowers, Warren, Gadsden

Tone & Style

Laid-back, knowledgeable, analytical with a friendly, bantering tone — very much the vibe of friends breaking down fantasy news for dedicated hobbyists and pros.

Takeaways for 2026 Drafters

• Monitor personnel changes closely (OL, QBs, offensive coordinators) for potential “bounce back” players.
• Don’t overreact to second-half fades from established stars, but do weigh if the trend seems systemic (e.g., Hurts’ late-season fades).
• There’s value in targeting players coming off disappointing years, especially if situational improvements are clear.
• The mid-round “next tier” of RBs, WRs, and new crop of exciting TEs will be hotly contested — know your tiers and risk appetite.

For questions, advice, or league disputes, tune in every week and join the crew!

(For full draft results referenced, see CBS Sports draft recap.)