Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Midseason Review + Trade Targets, TNF Preview

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Episode Overview

In this high-energy midseason special, Andy, Jason, and Mike review the fantasy football landscape at the season's halfway point, providing actionable takeaways, rest-of-season predictions, and keen trade advice. The trio also previews Thursday Night Football and highlights under-the-radar backup options that can help managers survive tricky bye weeks and injuries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Backup Options and Waiver Reactions

[Starts ~05:05]

• Trending Waiver Drops:

  • Kirk Cousins and Joe Flacco topped drop lists due to injury or bye week fills.
  • Mike is shocked at Flacco getting dropped:

    "People dropping Joe Flacco is insanity to me." – Mike [05:50]

    • Argument: Flacco had two great games and one good game this year. Andy and Mike view him as rosterable, unless you’re super-solid at QB already.

• Underrated Pickups:

  • Brashard Smith (now valuable with Isaiah Pacheco’s MCL injury; likely out at least a week).
  • Mike on Brashard Smith:

    "He has juice... we've seen Jerick McKinnon have dominance on a small amount of touches. If [Smith] got dropped, he should be picked up." – Mike [08:06]

  • Indianapolis Colts Defense (top-3 in many formats, facing favorable matchups vs. Pittsburgh and Atlanta coming up).
  • Cleveland Browns Defense (good to stash, even though entering bye week).

• Deep Bye Week Starters:

  • Nick Chubb (described as a “gross” but logical backup option for the desperate).
  • “If I have that many guaranteed touches, something good can happen.” – Jason [11:58]

2. NFL News & Injury Updates

[Starts ~13:39]

• Quarterbacks:
  • Joe Flacco (AC joint sprain, day-to-day). Bengals owners should be nervous about skill players if Flacco misses time.

    "If you have any Cincinnati Bengals skill player, you better be lighting prayer candles." – Mike [14:20]

  • Backup: Jake Browning steps in if Flacco sits.
• Running Backs:
  • Isaiah Pacheco: MCL sprain, "week-to-week".
• Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
  • Michael Penix likely returning for ATL, Drake London expected to practice.
  • George Pickens (DAL) contract talk: Unlikely to re-sign, likely to chase top market value.
• Other:
  • Deonte Johnson working out for the Giants ("Super desperate" move).

3. Thursday Night Football Preview: Ravens vs. Dolphins

[Starts ~18:37]

• Matchup Overview:

  • Ravens favored by 7.5, over/under 51.5.
  • “This is a juicy one, the highest [O/U] of the week.” – Jason [19:05]

• Key Fantasy Plays:

  • Must-starts: Lamar Jackson, Devon Achane, Derrick Henry, Jaylen Waddle.
  • Zay Flowers: Solid WR2 with upside in this shootout.

• Notable Notes:

  • Both teams are last in pace; still a likely high-scoring game.
  • Dolphins’ rush defense is bad, but can surprise (recently stymied Bijan Robinson).

• Tight End Speculation:

  • Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely both viable; Lamar’s return may sway target distribution.

    "We're going to see what they might have planned coming into the season." – Andy [22:04]

• Deep Flex Consideration:

  • Ollie Gordon: Good insurance for Achane, but not enough volume to trust as starter unless Achane is out.
  • Malik Washington: Pure desperation play; raw speed but not consistent.

4. Midseason Review – Positional Leaders & Surprises

Quarterbacks

[Starts ~25:29]

• Top 5 in Points/Game:
  1. Patrick Mahomes ("Unbelievable" year)
  2. Lamar Jackson
  3. Josh Allen
  4. Jalen Hurts
  5. Drake Maye (impressively historic completion % and YPA for a rookie)
• Drake Maye Praise:

  “There’s no hole in his game right now.” – Andy [26:36]

• Bo Nix as a Rollercoaster:
  • “He can do more on the move than he can [in the pocket].” – Jason [29:02]
  • Preference: All would take Jaden Daniels, Justin Herbert, or even Dak Prescott over Nix rest-of-season.

Running Backs

[42:42]

• Top 5 in Points/Game:
  1. Jonathan Taylor (“Anti-curse,” league-winner) [33:17]
  2. Christian McCaffrey
  3. Bijan Robinson
  4. James Cook
  5. Josh Jacobs
• Trade Takes:
  • All would currently prefer Taylor over McCaffrey.

    “Jonathan Taylor, just because… nothing more fun than this.” – Jason [33:17]

• Surprising Standouts:
  • Javonte Williams: Top 10, dominating snaps.
  • Bucky Irving: Hoping for post-bye return, was 15.6 PPG before injury.
• Rest-of-Season Risers:
  • Kamani Vidal, Ashdon Genti, Rico Dowdle, and Breece Hall as potential top-15 finishers.
  • Derrick Henry highlighted as a must-buy/trade-for as NFL weather turns colder.

Wide Receivers

[Continued ~47:53]

• Top in Points/Game:
  • Puka Nacua & Jaxon Smith-Njigba (both 18.6 PPG)

    “[JSN] has a 38% target share… you just can’t cover him.” – Andy [48:38]

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (“My confidence level — highest of any receiver,” – Andy [49:20])
  • Ja’Marr Chase – But high volatility tied to Flacco’s health.
  • George Pickens, Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams
• Trade Talk:
  • Despite injury and QB issues, Justin Jefferson favored over Pickens, Adams, and Garrett Wilson rest-of-season.
• Notable Sleepers For Second-Half Jump:
  • Devonta Smith, Tetairoa McMillan (“He will come through…,” – Andy [55:06])
  • Rashee Rice as a small-sample leader (20.4 PPG in 2 games).

    “Rice is averaging 20.4 in two games. Super small sample, but… currently the number one in points per game.” – Andy [55:59]

Tight Ends

[57:23]

• Leaders:
  1. Tucker Kraft
  2. Trey McBride
  • Others: Dallas Goedert, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Warren, Travis Kelce (Kelce expected to surge second half).
  • Darrick Gadsden (high “belief” score among hosts for strong finish).
• Outside Looking In:
  • Brock Bowers & Fant likely to enter end-of-year top 5.

Trade Targets & Strategy

• Rest-of-Season Buys:
  • Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry highlighted given cakewalk schedule across all positions for Baltimore.

    “Rest of season… Number one easiest schedule for QBs, seventh for RBs, 10th for WRs, number one for TEs. Juicy.” – Andy [19:53]

• High-Volatility Players:
  • Chase (Tied to Flacco’s health; JSN may be safer).

    “The odds of Flacco finishing the season… I’d be really surprised. So… this is JSN for me.” – Andy [60:44]

• Fair-Value Trades:
  • Ashdon Genti for Emeka Egbuka seen as “fair,” but depends on team needs.
• Caution:
  • Don’t leave trade offers pending during active games—can cause disputes if a player gets hurt mid-game and trade is accepted.

    “Do not let trade offers be sitting for players who are actively playing.” – Mike [69:07]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Injury Risk/Backup Importance:

  “If you have any Cincinnati Bengals skill player, you better be lighting prayer candles.” – Mike [14:20]

• On Puka Nacua & JSN:

  “When they throw the ball, it runs through JSN… you can’t cover him.” – Andy [48:06], [49:06]

• On Indy Colts Defense:

  “They’re the number three defense right now…getting it done every week…” – Andy [09:12]

• On Jonathan Taylor's Dominance:

  “He carries your team. He is the anti curse. He’s the anti ring.” – Jason [33:18]

• On Fair Play in Trades:

  “If a trade offer was made and then a player gets injured… and then you accept it—oh no, no, no. That’s pure bush league.” – Andy [68:37]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |---|---| | Baseball Banter / Intros | 01:13 – 03:06 | | Backup Options/Waiver Recap | 05:05 – 13:30 | | News & Notes | 13:39 – 18:37 | | TNF Preview: Ravens vs Dolphins | 18:37 – 25:29 | | QB Midseason Review | 25:29 – 32:34 | | RB Midseason Review | 42:42 – 47:12 | | WR/Tight End Midseason Review | 47:53 – 57:23 | | Notable Trade/Mailbag | 59:07 – 66:24 |

Tone & Energy

Upbeat, humorous, and insightful, with classic Ballers banter and inside jokes (“triple nasty Nick Chubb,” “button mash better”), but always circling back to actionable advice with a streak of realism and commiseration with fantasy managers’ pain and stress points.

Summary Takeaways for Listeners

• Backup options matter more than ever through injuries and bye weeks—don’t be afraid to get “gross” if it guarantees touches.
• Now is the time to target stars on teams with easy schedules—especially Baltimore players.
• Several fantasy “stars” may regress (Pickens). Others like JSN, Rashee Rice, and even backup RBs could smash the second half.
• Don’t leave trade offers hanging during games, and play fair—it’s what keeps your league fun for everyone.
• Actively manage your IR and bench, and use smart waiver stashes to get through the chaos of November and December.

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