The Fantasy Footballers – The Fantasy MVP Episode!
Podcast: Fantasy Footballers
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Air Date: August 28, 2025
Theme: The ultimate Fantasy MVP episode: The hosts and a star-studded panel of fantasy football experts reveal their picks for this year's most valuable fantasy football players, break down key news, and deliver critical draft-weekend advice.
Episode Overview
With fantasy drafts peaking over Labor Day weekend, the Fantasy Footballers put together their annual MVP show, where they and guest experts reveal who they believe will be this season’s top fantasy league-winners ("MVPs"). The episode also includes important news and injury updates to guide listeners for their final pre-season drafts, and clarifies some popular show inside jokes, notably “the pants store.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Big Draft Weekend & Showhouse Banter (01:03–06:57)
- It's peak draft season, with the Fantasy Footballers prepping for their own highly competitive "league of record."
- Light-hearted banter includes an explanation of the recurring “pants store” joke, symbolizing ultimate fantasy success when a player or prediction is so good you metaphorically "don’t need pants anymore."
- Mike Wright: “The pants store is where you buy pants.” (05:14)
- The tradition: When things are going really well, you never need to “go back to the pants store” because you're celebrating.
2. Injury Updates and Fantasy Impact (07:19–15:08)
Jaden Reed (Packers WR)
- Suffering from a Jones fracture in his foot, which is risky and historically problematic for wide receivers.
- Mike Wright: “If he’s really playing with a Jones fracture... it's going to be horrific, like horrifically painful to play through.” (07:47)
- The group is pessimistic about his fantasy outlook, suggesting a move away from him in drafts.
Matthew Golden (Packers WR)
- Rising in projections as he benefits from Reed’s injury; now seen as a Week 1 starter and valuable late-round pick.
Additional News Highlights:
- 49ers WR Jauan Jennings: Questionable for Week 1, not a trade candidate.
- Marvin Mims Jr. (Broncos WR): Groin injury, opening the door for potential upside from rookie Troy Franklin and others.
- Khalil Shakir (Bills WR): High ankle sprain, but possibly returning in time for the season. Opinions mixed—called “fantasy quinoa” by Jason.
- Jason Moore: “He’s like fantasy quinoa—supposed to be the super healthy food ... it’s not as good as you think.” (12:03)
- Carolina Panthers WR roles: Jalen Coker highlighted as a valuable slot option; Tet McMillan has re-injury risk but a clear path to relevance.
Other Quick Updates:
- Tyreek Hill's preseason was neutral-to-negative, but he's still a special talent.
- Malik Nabers’ back injury minor; still draft-worthy.
3. The Main Event: Fantasy MVP Picks from the Experts (16:08–38:12)
Matt Harmon (Yahoo/Reception Perception)
- MVP: DRake London (ATL WR)
- Massive target share ceiling, new dynamic offense, potential for top-3 WR finish.
- Matt Harmon: “Target hog... weaponized in motion... dark horse to be the WR1 overall and maybe even push for the triple crown.” (17:08)
Rich Rebar (Sharp Football)
- MVP: Tetairoa McMillan (CAR WR, rookie)
- Elite college profile, heavy projected target share, favorable offense under Dave Canales.
Nathan Jahnke (PFF)
- MVP: Jordan Mason (MIN RB)
- Early-down role in Minnesota, explosive, could be a touchdown machine.
- Nathan Jahnke: “5050 split with Aaron Jones, but Mason has the early-down back which typically scores more fantasy points.” (22:43)
J.J. Zachariason (Late Round Podcast)
- MVP: TreVeyon Henderson (NE RB, rookie)
- High PPR upside as explosive pass-catcher, could hit rare usage thresholds, strong historical precedents for production.
Kyle Borgononi (Fantasy Footballers Dynasty Podcast)
- MVP: Tyler Warren (IND TE, rookie)
- “Absolute terror” and mismatch nightmare for defenses; outperforms ADP if you don’t wait too long.
Matthew Betts (Injury Expert)
- MVP: Travis Hunter (LV WR/CB, rookie)
- Two-way star; huge talent; will get enough offensive snaps to be highly relevant, especially if deployed 80% on offense.
Jamie Eisenberg (CBS Sports)
- MVP: Christian McCaffrey (SF RB)
- If healthy, arguably unmatched upside. “Hopefully by the end of the year, we're talking about Christian McCaffrey leading a lot of people to championships.” (36:16)
Rich Eisen (The Rich Eisen Show)
- MVP: Jameer Gibbs (DET RB)
- Predicts a major usage hike and explosive, league-winning fantasy season.
4. The Fantasy Footballers’ MVP Picks (39:19–56:36)
Jason Moore: Caleb Johnson (PIT RB, rookie)
- Film darling, elite college production, “workhorse back” in the making.
- “He’s a really good running back ... I think he has the chance to be a workhorse back here and a league winner.” (43:19)
- Expecting eventual starter status over Jalen Warren, especially for goal-line and between-the-tackles role.
Andy Holloway: DK Metcalf (PIT WR)
- Huge target share incoming on a thin depth chart; could break career highs in targets.
- “Mathematically almost impossible to not be a super relevant fantasy football receiver with the targets I think DK Metcalf will get.” (46:20)
- Draft value as a possible top-5 WR who you can land in the 4th round.
Mike Wright: Kenneth Walker III (SEA RB)
- Defends running it back after last year, citing Walker’s workhorse rating, elite talent, and a new run-heavy blocking scheme.
- “You just don't like 14.4 points per game, which is what Kenneth Walker did last year.” (48:40)
- Believes the new system and Walker’s talent could fuel a top-10 season if healthy.
5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the risk of Jaden Reed’s injury: “If you're really playing with a Jones fracture... it's going to be horrific, like horrifically painful to play through.” – Mike Wright (07:47)
- On DK Metcalf’s opportunity: “It's almost impossible to not be a super relevant fantasy football wide receiver with the targets I think DK Metcalf will get.” – Andy Holloway (46:20)
- Risk profiles and “types”: “Mike has a type—they’re great when they're on the field; you just don't know if they'll be out there.” – Jason Moore (53:02)
- On Kenneth Walker: “If Walker plays 15 games, he'll be a top-10 running back.” – Mike Wright (56:27)
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------|--------------| | Banter, “Pants Store” joke explained | 05:11–07:00 | | Jaden Reed injury analysis | 07:26–08:45 | | Matthew Golden/WR depth in GB | 08:28–09:26 | | News: Mims, Shakir, Panthers slot WR | 10:10–14:10 | | Fantasy MVP guest picks begin | 16:08–38:12 | | Footballers’ own MVPs | 39:19–56:36 | | Kenneth Walker defense / risk talk | 48:39–56:36 |
Tone
Light-hearted, occasionally zany, but anchored in deep fantasy analysis and data. The trio's chemistry creates a blend of expert advice and running in-jokes, making even detailed statistical breakdowns approachable.
Summary/Takeaways for Drafters
- Draft for High Ceilings – The experts are united: this is the year to shoot for breakout upside in your mid/late rounds, not just safety picks.
- Monitor Injuries Closely – Last-minute changes (e.g., Jaden Reed’s foot) could warrant removing injured players from preferred lists.
- Don’t Rely Too Heavily on ADP for Breakout Picks – If you want high-upside rookies like Tyler Warren or Travis Hunter, don’t risk trying to “time the market” right at ADP—they’ll go much earlier in sharp leagues.
- Know Your Draft Room – Understand your own appetite for risk, especially with "boom/bust" picks like Kenneth Walker or McCaffrey.
Final MVP Roll Call
- Drake London (ATL WR) – Matt Harmon
- Tetairoa McMillan (CAR WR, rookie) – Rich Rebar
- Jordan Mason (MIN RB) – Nathan Jahnke
- TreVeyon Henderson (NE RB, rookie) – JJ Zachariason
- Tyler Warren (IND TE, rookie) – Kyle Borgononi
- Travis Hunter (LV WR/CB, rookie) – Matthew Betts
- Christian McCaffrey (SF RB) – Jamie Eisenberg
- Jameer Gibbs (DET RB) – Rich Eisen
- Caleb Johnson (PIT RB, rookie) – Jason Moore
- DK Metcalf (PIT WR) – Andy Holloway
- Kenneth Walker (SEA RB) – Mike Wright
Essential Listening for any fantasy drafter prepping for a decisive draft weekend, with league-winning upside picks, injury pivots, and all the banter and data the Fantasy Footballers are famous for.