Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Episode: Week 2 Waivers & Streamers + Drop Candidates
Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode, the Fantasy Footballers trio (Andy, Jason, and Mike) break down everything fantasy managers need for Week 2: waiver wire priorities, drop candidates, streamers for each position, and insightful analysis of Week 1 performances. The hosts mix astute football discussion with their trademark banter, setting listeners up for actionable moves in their fantasy leagues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monday Night Football Recap & Early Takeaways

Timestamp: 03:22–09:00

• Vikings Comeback vs. Bears:
  • JJ McCarthy’s frazzled start, comparison with Caleb Williams' hot opening, and how Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell let McCarthy battle through mistakes.
    • “Kevin O’Connell just doesn’t overcoach. He lets his players figure things out because that was the only way they’re going to win that game...” —Jason (06:08)
  • Caleb Williams’ inconsistent play despite impressive early stats.
• Bears’ Coaching and Fan Frustration:
  • Ben Johnson’s press conference, managing emotions after a tough loss.

2. News & Notes

Timestamp: 10:05–19:44

• Tank Bigsby Trade:
  • Bigsby moves from Jacksonville to Philadelphia, changing RB depth charts and opening opportunity for Travis Etienne and Bashaw Tootin in Jacksonville and possibly Will Shipley in Philly (13:10–13:41).
  • “Tank Bigsby departing Jacksonville also gives you ... pretty darn clear…like Travis Etienne in a Liam Cohen offense...” —Jason (12:27)
• 49ers Injury Pile-Up:
  • Brock Purdy (shoulder/toe), George Kittle (hamstring, potential IR), and Juan Jennings injury updates.
• QB Mess in New York & New England:
  • Russell Wilson’s future, Brian Daboll’s struggles with management, and the potential trickle-down for receivers like Malik Nabers.
• Kyler Murray's Performance:
  • Discussion on his poor play likely due to illness.

3. Waiver Wire Philosophy – Approaching Early Waivers

Timestamp: 22:03–23:57

• Season Opening Waivers Matter:
  • Andy details a study showing early season waivers score more points per game than later pick-ups.
    • “The first two week pickups are worth so much more than the rest of the season... this is where you see the emergence of certain players, whether it’s snap percentage or just quality of how they’ve leveled up.” —Andy (22:37)
• Fewer Must-Have RBs This Year:
  • No “can’t-miss” backs like previous years; caution urged on RB spending.

4. Running Back Pickups & Drop Candidates

Timestamp: 23:57–29:29

• Top RB Pickups:
  • Bashaw Tootin, Trey Benson — most likely to be flex-worthy.
  • Dylan Sampson (pass-catching in CLE), Will Shipley (watch injury status), DJ Giddens (Jonathan Taylor’s backup), Kareem Hunt (snaps but not major production).
  • “To me, it's Tootin and Trey Benson that you're hoping are flexed with benefits.” —Andy (24:25)
• Caution at the Position:
  • Jason is hesitant to spend big; “I don't see anybody I can guarantee start next week.” (24:49)
• Drop Candidates:
  • Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Ollie Gordon, Braylon Allen, some backup RBs — Andy and Mike agreed they should go for roster flexibility.
  • Jerome Ford: “Tough call, may want to hold for one more week” (28:35).

5. Wide Receiver Waivers – Go HARD at WR!

Timestamp: 29:02–39:10

• Top WR Adds:

  • Keenan Allen: If available, the top waiver add.
  • Quentin Johnston (Chargers): “Must add.” Only 10% rostered; high upside (29:23).
  • Cedric Tillman (Browns): Immediate impact, possible #1 WR value with Amari Cooper out (32:34).
  • Kayshawn Booty (Patriots): 8 targets, clear #1 in NE — past LSU star pedigree.
    • “Kayshawn Booty is a must add. I mean, this is where I say I'm going hard in week one. It's at wide receivers. Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnson, Cedric Tillman, Kayshawn Booty...” —Andy (34:49)
  • Hollywood Brown: Good rental while teammates injured; “not over QJ or Keenan Allen.”
  • Ella Iomana (TEN), Kendrick Bourne (SF), Darnell Mooney (ATL), Romeo Doubs (streamable), Taekwon Thornton (bold TD guarantee by Jason at 31:57).

• Key Insights:

  • Target ascending No. 1 or 2 WRs on depth charts.
  • Go after high target share young WRs in ambiguous rooms.
  • WR is the position to be aggressive on waivers—much more than RB this week.

6. Tight End Targets

Timestamp: 43:00–48:44

• Must-Add TEs:

  • Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE): 9 targets, “rookie tight end breakout candidate.”
    • “He had 117 receptions in college as a tight end... The fact that week one, right off the bat he's nine targets. This is... he will be involved.” —Andy (45:03)
  • Juwan Johnson (NO): 11 targets, 8 rec, 76 yds, converted WR in a pass-happy role.
  • Isaiah Likely: Still relevant with Mark Andrews out.
  • Jonnu Smith (ATL): Consistent role, especially while returning from injury.
  • Brenton Strange (JAX): Deeper leagues/TE premium
  • Hunter Henry (NE): For deeper rosters.

• Waiver TE Philosophy:

  • If you don’t have a locked-in top option, don’t be afraid to block your league by stashing high-upside breakout candidates.

• Drop Candidates:

  • OK to drop Mark Andrews (injury risk) or Evan Engram (if injury lingers).

7. DEF and Quarterback Streamers

DEF: 48:52–50:10 | QB: 52:29–56:44

• Top DEF Adds:
  • Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Patriots, Dallas
• QB Streamers:
  • Justin Fields (NYJ): Top pick if available; rushing floor.
    • “Let’s use it while we can. Justin Fields versus Buffalo...he runs a ton...he looked good.” —Mike (52:55)
  • Justin Herbert (LAC): Andy’s preferred add; “buying in after week one because he was incredible.”
  • Drake Maye (NE): Facing weak Miami D; all rookie QBs are somewhat viable in superflex/2-QB.
  • Noted that after this week, Fields and Herbert will likely be unavailable on waivers.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Early Waivers Philosophy:
  “Week one and week two waivers are exceptionally important… the first two week pickups are worth so much more than the rest of the season.”
  —Andy Holloway (22:37)

• On Tootin and Benson’s Role:
  “To me, it’s Tootin and Trey Benson…they still have that insurance policy where if the starter goes down now, they’re real fantasy gold.”
  —Andy (24:25)

• Wide Receiver Aggression Advice:
  “This is where I say I’m going hard in week one. It’s at wide receivers. Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnson, Cedric Tillman, K, Sean Booty…”
  —Andy (34:49)

• Funniest Moment:
  Jason’s ultra-specific “touchdown guarantee”:
  “Taekwond Thornton Wow. Of the Kansas City Chiefs will score this week. The touchdown will be 42 yards exactly.”
  —Jason (31:57)

• On Tight End Breakouts:
  “Harold Fannin is a must add to me… we already had two [rookie TEs] in week one. Like Harold Fannin, Tyler Warren, both of these guys made a big impact… Fannin is a great, great [upside shot].”
  —Jason (45:03)

• Light-Hearted Banter:

  • Extended riff on fantasy “drop” candidates as “take a book, leave a book” (Romeo Doubs) — Mike (38:36).
  • Side jokes about coffee, oversized helmets, coach mistakes on NFL rules, and awkward analogy of the Ultimate Dashboard being “better than a car crash” (51:56).

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Section | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Monday Night Recap & Lessons | 03:22–09:00 | | News & Notes | 10:05–19:44 | | Waiver Philosophy: Making Early Moves | 22:03–23:57 | | RB Waivers & Drop List | 23:57–29:29 | | WR Waiver Priorities | 29:02–39:10 | | TE Streames/Breakouts | 43:00–48:44 | | DEF & QB Streamers | 48:52–56:44 |

Summary Takeaways

• Prioritize WR over RB this waiver cycle: Multiple high-upside, high-target options are emerging; spend big early.
• RB pickings are thin: Go after Tootin, Benson, Giddens (if you need help), but don’t blow all your FAAB.
• Don’t neglect tight end: Fannin Jr. and Juwan Johnson look like breakout candidates; worth stashing even if you’re set.
• Drop non-essential handcuffs & underperformers: This is the rare week for “bold cuts” (Bigsby, Shipley, etc.).
• Stream QBs and Defenses wisely: Several electric options (Fields, Herbert, Rams, Dallas) are available in many leagues and could headline strong Week 2 rosters.

Final Word

The hosts close with a reminder to use their tools and resources—including the Ultimate Dashboard—for maximizing waiver decisions, and to not be shy about aggressive moves early in the season, especially at WR and TE. Fun, informative, and packed with Week 2 ammunition, this is a “can’t-miss” episode for fantasy managers.