Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2025-09-24

Episode Theme: Trade Targets + TNF Preview, Backup Options

Overview

Today's packed episode is all about:

• Smart fantasy trade targets: who to trade for and who to trade away
• Deep-dive backup options after waivers clear
• Thursday Night Football (TNF) preview: Cardinals vs. Seahawks
• Latest NFL news, impactful injuries, and listener questions

Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright mix sharp analysis, actionable advice, and their trademark banter to help listeners win their fantasy leagues with style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Backup Options After Waivers [05:02]

• Tip: After waivers, always check who got dropped. Some managers make impatient moves and valuable players hit waivers.
• Recent most-dropped players: Russell Wilson, Jake Browning, Dak Prescott (worth stashing!), Rhamondre Stevenson (pounce if available!), Tank Bigsby, Jaden Blue, Romeo Doubs, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims.
• Notable backup stashes:
  • Brashard Smith (Chiefs, RB) – Deep league watchlist. KC’s backfield looks unsettled. Smith has shown juice, “and it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point, they just say we got to try somebody else” (Mike, 10:42).
  • Arande Gadsden II (Chargers, TE) – Athletic rookie TE filling in for Will Dissly. If Dissly misses time, Gadsden is an intriguing deep-league stash.
  • Zach Ertz – Many leagues have dropped him. Still produced with starter QBs, “a very good play...If you are TE-needy, I think a very good pickup” (Jason, 14:35).

NFL News & Notes [15:06]

• Terry McLaurin (Quad/Core): Seeking multiple opinions—a worrying sign. “When I get the opinion from someone that I want, that’s where I stop” (Andy, 15:36). Could miss time.
• Xavier Worthy (Chiefs, WR): Might return in a limited role, will wear a harness. “Not the best sentence for confidence, for fantasy” (Andy, 17:04).
• Atlanta QB Situation: Michael Penix Jr. will start Week 4. Kirk Cousins not close to losing job—yet.
• Injury trends: Several significant injuries shaping fantasy value and trade market.

Main Feature: Trade Candidates

TRADE AWAY Candidates [18:44]

1. Javonte Williams (RB, Cowboys)

   • Analysis (Andy): “Javonte is my number one trade away...he has looked good, but has overperformed touchdowns. Do you believe he’s going to score 18 touchdowns? No.”
   • Schedule red flag: Green Bay, NYJ, Carolina, Washington—all tough run defenses.
   • Caveat: Still getting a lot of targets (“the fifth most at the RB position” – Mike, 23:45), but Andy thinks the Cowboys’ injuries will catch up and now is the time to maximize return.
   • “Trade away does NOT mean fire-sell. This is about getting max value.” (Mike, 24:15)

2. Jakori Croskey-Merritt ("Bill Crosky", RB, Washington)

   • Mike’s perspective: He’s been the best of the Washington backs but “zero snaps on third down, and possibly not the clear goal-line guy.”
   • Passing game non-factor: Only one catch on the year.
   • Schedule gets brutal, three-way timeshare looming: "If someone is interested in thinking Bill's going to take over...I might try to get out" (Mike, 28:30).

3. A.J. Brown (WR, Eagles)

   • Jason’s reasoning: After a monster Week 3, “I’m not trying to trade him away for pennies…you can trade him, plus somebody, and maybe elevate to go up a notch.”
   • Concerns: Inconsistent volume due to Eagles’ defense and running game—might see more “disappearing acts.”
   • Possible return: Consider trading for players with steadier week-to-week usage, like Marvin Harrison Jr. (A.J. Brown for MHJ straight up? Hosts would.)
   • “A.J. Brown’s consistency score is not going to be great because there’ll be disappearing acts” (Andy, 32:36).

TRADE FOR Candidates [33:12]

1. Garrett Wilson (WR, Jets)

   • Mike’s case: Sometimes you have to buy high. He’s the clear #1 option, heavily targeted, “percentage of team receiving yards, first read targets... right there with Puka and JSN.”
   • Usage change: Now running fewer low-percentage go routes, which fits his (and his QBs') skill set better.
   • Rosy schedule: “One of the easiest WR slates from here out, with juicy fantasy playoff matchups” (Mike, 35:42).
   • “Everything about Garrett Wilson right now screams he’s going to be a top 12 WR at the end of the year.” (Mike, 35:48).

2. Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders)

   • Andy's pitch: Buy low “bell cow” whose usage has stayed high despite low production. Raiders O-line has been brutal, but “it’s hard to find true every-down backs.”
   • Encouragement: “Jeanty is making the very most of a really difficult situation… I am actively looking to pick up Ashton Jeanty” (Andy, 39:28).
   • Hosts debate: No disagreement on talent, but Jason wonders if frustrated managers are ready to bail yet (40:46).

3. Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers)

   • Jason: “His usage is elite; only Saquon and Jacobs have 40% of rush attempts AND team targets in all three games.”
   • Production hasn’t matched opportunity—yet. Tough matchups (DEN, CLE) behind him, and easy schedule ahead (DAL, CIN, ARI, PIT, CAR).
   • “Josh Jacobs rest of season is a top five RB.” (Jason, 45:07).

Thursday Night Football Preview: Seahawks at Cardinals [46:25]

• Vegas line: Seahawks -1.5 | O/U: 43.5
• Key injuries: James Conner out for season; Trey Benson gets the nod. “Good RB2 play this week” (Mike, 47:39).
• WR drama:
  • Marvin Harrison Jr.: “A buy low right now—negativity way overblown due to a couple of drops” (Jason, 49:10). Mike offered Zay Flowers for Marv; debate ensues.
  • Other WRs: Cooper Kupp (Rams) vs. Torrey Horton—prefer Kupp as a spot start, but Horton’s bench appeal growing (Jason, 52:24).
• Trey McBride (Cardinals, TE): “Leading all TEs in target share. Seattle is dead last vs. TE—keep playing him” (Mike, 51:08).
• Seattle RBs: Kenneth Walker is an easy start. Charbonnet (backup) is healthy, but not recommended.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you’re going to get the maximum value for Javonte, this would be the time.” – Andy (21:12)
• “Trade away does not mean fire-sell. This is an opportunity to see who will give you maximum value.” – Mike (24:15)
• “Brashard Smith is a name you need to pay attention to. Bless you, Jason.” [Jason sneezing event, multiple call-backs] (10:34, 12:27)
• “His core is not his real problem.” – Andy, on Terry McLaurin’s injury mystery (16:45)
• “Sometimes, you gotta buy a big-boy stock.” – Mike, on trading for Garrett Wilson (33:16)
• “You are definitely getting a trade offer in your inbox.” – Mike, after Jason says he’d swap A.J. Brown for Marvin Harrison Jr. (31:32)
• [On Ken Walker/Jeanty]: “He’s been hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 57% of his attempts… It’s the challenge; the talent should overrule.” – Andy (40:11)
• “The schedule’s pretty brutal. Four of the next five on the road.” – Andy, about Washington’s RB timeshare (28:28)
• “If you ever insult me, that’s when he scores! That’s how it works!” – Andy on Jameson Williams (57:33)

Important Timestamps

• 05:02 – Backup Options segment: Key drops/stashes
• 08:49 – Deep dive: CJ Stroud’s real-life and fantasy struggles
• 14:05 – TE Stashes: Gadsden, Ertz
• 15:13 – Injury News: McLaurin, Worthy, Atlanta QBs
• 18:44 – Trade Away segment: Javonte, Bill Crosky, A.J. Brown
• 33:12 – Trade For segment: Garrett Wilson, Ashton Jeanty, Josh Jacobs
• 46:25 – TNF Preview: Seahawks at Cardinals
• 53:30 – Mailbag: Start/sit QB & WR dilemmas, Debo vs. Quentin Johnston

Listener Mailbag [53:30]

• Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield vs. Daniel Jones – Consensus for Daniel Jones thanks to volume, rushing, and a great Rams matchup (54:19).
• Start/Sit: Jameson Williams or Brian Thomas Jr.? – Jason: “It’s Brian Thomas Jr.—you can’t go away from the amount of targets B.T.J. is getting...”
• Trade: Debo Samuel or Quentin Johnston? – Split feelings; Andy prefers Debo, Mike and Jason side with the upside and usage of Johnston.

Recap & Actionable Takeaways

• After waivers, scour your league for dropped value.
• Javonte Williams, A.J. Brown, Bill Crosky—now is the peak time to get max return in a trade.
• Target high-upside buy-lows (Ashton Jeanty, Garrett Wilson) and established workhorses (Josh Jacobs) before their situation and box scores improve.
• Don’t panic on stars like Marvin Harrison Jr.—drops and down games create buy windows.
• Injuries and depth chart shifts (Trey Benson, Brashard Smith, Gadsden) are opportunities to stash lottery tickets, especially in deeper leagues.

Hosts’ Tone:
Conversational, humorous, opinionated, but always supportive of “play your way” and don’t panic. They bring statistics, film review, and realistic context to fantasy analysis, making it actionable and fun.

For those who missed the episode:
This show delivered a treasure trove of actionable trades, clever waiver moves, and sharp TNF preview analysis with the familiar Footballers mix of expert knowledge and personality. If you want to win your league, these are the trade conversations you need for Week 4 and beyond!