Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Crazy Trades + Week 7 Start/Sit, TNF Preview
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on navigating mid-season fantasy football chaos: evaluating "crazy" trades, making tough backup and start/sit decisions heading into Week 7, previewing Thursday Night Football (Steelers vs. Bengals), and addressing listener mail on trading strategies, injury fallout, waiver wire moves, and rest-of-season outlooks. The trio brings high energy, sharp analysis, and their signature wit to help listeners win their leagues in style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chopped League & "The Brock Bowers Curse" [01:17 - 03:00]

• The hosts share their ongoing troubles in a guillotine-style league where picking up Brock Bowers has “cursed” several managers, quickly leading to their elimination after placing high FAAB bids.
• Andy: “I wanted to be integrous and put a claim in on him…$31, and I got him. We'll see if you survive.” [02:41]
• Good reminder to pay attention to waiver wire drops, not just pickups.

Backup Options & Waiver Strategy [05:06 - 12:50]

Most Dropped Players – Do We Care?

• Rapid-fire “care/don’t care” assignments for recent drops (e.g., Matthew Stafford, Hassan Haskins, Michael Carter, Darius Slayton, Taewon Thornton, Calvin Ridley).
  • Jason: “It's too early on Haskins.”
  • Mike: “Ridley has been stinky doo doo, but I’m optimistic about what’s going on with Jackson.”
• Key advice: Watch for dropped, “boring” but useful assets, especially after waivers run, as managers make room for temporary solutions.

Backup Options to Pivot to if Waivers Were Unkind:

• Dalton Kincaid (Bills, TE):
  • A surprise drop in many leagues due to injury and bye, but a top-5 tight end on a good offense with a soft schedule.
  • Jason: “He leads the Bills in targets per route run and has two red zone TDs… I would still scoop up Dalton Kincaid.”
• Christian Kirk (Texans, WR):
  • Healthy, seeing more usage, and likely to exceed platform projections, especially in double-flex formats.
  • Mike: “It’s not exciting, but I think he’s an actual option, especially in deeper leagues.”
• Alec Iomanor (Jaguars, WR):
  • Rostered in <50% of leagues; expected to see a volume boost with Calvin Ridley injured and a favorable schedule ahead.
  • Andy: “He could get the interim coach bump… next two weeks are juicy for WR spot starts.”

News and Notes: Key Injury & Status Updates [12:59 - 17:36]

• DJ Moore: Hospitalized with groin injury; status uncertain.
• Puka Nacua: In serious doubt for this week; likely sitting with a bye looming.
• Emeka Egbuka: Hamstring could keep him out until after Monday night; listeners discouraged from risky "wait and see."
• CeeDee Lamb: Chance to return in Week 7, but not a certainty.
• David Njoku: Not expected to practice.
• Rico Dowdle & Chuba Hubbard (Panthers RBs): Both will get touches; unclear usage split.
• Anthony Richardson (Colts QB): On IR; team signs Brett Rypien.
• Humor: The hosts riff on "Brett Rypien farts" (Jason: “Any chance to get a Brett Rippin’ Farts in here, you gotta take it.” [17:01])

Thursday Night Football Preview - Steelers vs. Bengals [18:00 - 26:47]

• Setting: "The Geriatric Icy Hot Bowl" – a battle of veteran QBs.
• Fantasy Angles:
  • Steelers: Hot streak (4-1), great rest-of-season schedule for all skill positions; heavy favorites.
  • Key Playables:
    • Aaron Rodgers: Steady; “not amazing but getting it done.”
    • Joe Flacco (Bengals): Debut provided hope for Jamar Chase and T. Higgins.
  • Running Backs:
    • Chase Brown: Slight hope based on volume, but modest output (RB20 last week, 7.9 pts). Weighing starts vs. players like Etienne or Stevenson.
    • Kenneth Walker: Still the higher-upside play despite volatility.
    • Caleb Johnson: Jason makes a bet on a surprise “breakout”; co-hosts incredulous (“Do not listen to anything Jason is saying right now.” – Mike [23:41])
  • Jalen Warren (Steelers RB): Backfield leader, “should be a very good play.”
  • DK Metcalf: Emergence continues; “Top 10 weeks in a row.”
  • Schedule Watch: All major Steelers skill positions enjoy a favorable stretch.

Mailbag: Trade Triage, RB/WR Valuation, and Overthinking Moves [28:15 - 54:41]

• Big Trade Questions:
  • Saquon Barkley for Rashee Rice?
    • Hosts (consensus): Too steep; “You’re not getting value.” Unless you get another solid RB in the deal.
    • Quote: “Saquon is worth a lot more than Rashee Rice… depth can evaporate fast. A disproportionate trade doesn’t help you win.” – Andy [30:08]
  • Rice vs. Emeka Egbuka ROS?
    • Mike: “Because he’s healthy, I’ll take Rice.”
    • Jason: “Rice is my rest of season WR10.”
  • Dowdle for Derrick Henry?
    • Immediate “yes.” Rico’s elite run likely to end soon.
    • Quote: “Do that trade, Derrick Henry… This is a temporary elite Rico Dowdle.” – Andy [39:12]
  • Dowdle for J.K. Dobbins?
    • More hesitation; most hosts still slightly prefer waiting on Rico.
  • Dowdle for Scatterboo?
    • Hosts prefer Scatterboo, emphasizing trade value peak for Rico.
• Overthinking Trades:
  • Jason recounts declining a deal (Saquon Barkley and two 2nd-round picks for struggling Austin Ekeler) and living to regret it; reminder to sometimes “just pull the trigger” and accept losses.
    • “You won’t win every trade. Eventually you’ll make one and think: holy crap, that was stupid.” – Mike [48:31]
• Rest of Season Stashes:
  • Trey Benson (RB): Decent stash, potential late-season value.
  • Woody Marks: “Not an afterthought;" could see a rookie bye-week bump.
• Rest-of-Season RBs/WRs:
  • Jalen Warren vs. DeAndre Swift: Slight preference for Warren due to steadier role and schedule.
  • George Pickens (WR): Still a great play even if his hot streak dips with CeeDee Lamb returning; both could be top-12 WRs.
  • Chris Olave or Bill in the flex? Bill, due to matchup-based confidence.
  • Jonathan Taylor for Justin Jefferson + Derrick Henry? Very fair trade; depends on team needs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jason (on Dalton Kincaid):
  “He currently leads the Bills and targets per route run, yards per route run... I would still scoop up Dalton Kincaid. I’ve got to find the answer or answers." [09:07]

• Mike (on trade philosophy):
  “You have to be willing to lose trades. You will not win every single one…eventually you’ll make a trade and think holy crap, that was the stupidest thing I could have done.” [48:31]

• Andy (on Rashee Rice’s value):
  “To me, Saquon is worth a lot more than Rashee Rice.” [30:08]

• Jason (on regretting trades):
  "Me and my co-manager...dug as deep as we could possibly dig, gave it most information overload we could and decided we didn't want to go for the [Saquon] trade...from that point on, not only was Saquon better, but [Ekeler] fell apart.” [46:01]

• Jason (humor):
  "Any chance to get a Brett Rippin’ Farts in here, you gotta take it." [17:01]

• Mike (trade offer on Rico Dowdle):
  “What did you eat the night before to get that feeling in your gut?” [38:31]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brock Bowers Chopped League Curse: 01:17 - 03:15
• Backup Options - Who Was Dropped/Who to Add: 05:06 - 12:50
• Injury/News Roundup: 12:59 - 17:36
• TNF Preview & Start/Sit Decisions: 18:00 - 26:47
• Mailbag & Key Trade Debates: 28:08 - 54:41
• "Overthinking Trades" Anecdotes: 45:06 - 49:19
• Rest of Season Stash/Start/Sit Questions: 49:22 - 54:41
• Show Wrap-Up, Fun Banter (Split-Screen Football Watching): 54:41 - End

Conclusion

This episode offers sharp perspective on hitting the midseason reset in fantasy football, recognizing when to hold, when to trade, and how to capitalize on both value swings and the unpredictable nature of the NFL. With a blend of savvy football sense and relatable “we’ve-all-been-there” moments, Andy, Jason, and Mike deliver a show that prepares listeners for the rollercoaster weeks ahead.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on your waiver wire post-waivers, sell at value peaks, and don’t get paralyzed by over-analysis—sometimes you need to take (calculated) swings to win.