FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 3 Players Andrew Erickson Will NEVER DRAFT AGAIN! (Ep. 1952)
Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Warmley & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

In this candid and thought-provoking episode, Ryan Warmley and Andrew Erickson break down the three NFL players who, in Andrew's words, he will "never, ever, ever under any circumstances draft again." The episode dives into why these household fantasy football names now come with far more risk and why smarter, forward-looking fantasy managers should pivot elsewhere—even as early as February for next season’s drafts. Not only does Andrew highlight the flaws and future downside, but he also recommends viable alternatives for each position.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christian McCaffrey – The Case Against a Perennial First-Round Pick

[01:25 – 05:14]

• Erickson’s Stance:
  “For me, it's going to be Christian McCaffrey...I am very concerned about what he's going to do in 2026 and if I'm not going to draft him 2026, what does that mean for him in 2027 when he's going to be 31 years old?” (01:26)
• Main Arguments:
  • Heavy Usage Red Flag: McCaffrey’s workload in 2025 was sky-high—413 regular season touches, 450 if you include playoffs—the most in his career, at age 30.
  • Declining Efficiency: “We saw the rushing efficiency fall off dramatically this past season. Not nearly as efficient, didn't have nearly the same type of juice.” (01:51)
  • Historical Precedent: Compares McCaffrey to Dalvin Cook and Austin Ekeler—elite backs who quickly fell out of fantasy relevance after heavy workloads.
  • Risk of Cliff Drop: History shows only one RB in the last 13 years finished as a top-5 fantasy RB after a 400+ touch season.
  • ECR Ranking Disconnect: Despite risks, McCaffrey is RB3 in early expert consensus rankings, which Erickson finds too high.
• Erickson's Preferred Alternative:
  • James Cook: “I want guys in their prime that have a three-down skill set that play for an offense like Joe Brady that I know is going to be efficient with Josh Allen as the starting quarterback. So give me James Cook over Christian McCaffrey...” (04:06)

Notable Quote:

“If he disappoints in 2026, I’m very concerned about where he would be drafted in 2027. So for that, he's probably a guy I'm probably not going to end up drafting again.” (04:54, Andrew Erickson)

2. Jalen Hurts – A Once-Elite QB Losing His Edge

[05:53 – 15:28]

• Erickson’s Stance:
  “My quarterback that I may not draft again, I'm definitely not drafting this year is Jalen Hurts.” (05:53)
• Main Arguments:
  • Coaching Instability: “Another year where, okay, brand new offense coordinator. What is this, the sixth or seventh year in a row?...It was crickets when it came to who wants to be the offensive coordinator for Jalen Hurts.” (05:54)
  • Scheme & Talent Concerns: Worries about new OC Sean Mannion's inexperience, possible additions to QB room to "push" Hurts, and key departures like A.J. Brown and possibly Dallas Goedert.
  • Fizzling Fantasy Production: Past two seasons—QB8 overall, QB7 in PPG, dipping below the 20 PPG threshold that fantasy managers crave.
  • No More Outlier Rushing TDs: The infamous “tush push” could be banned; without it, Hurts loses a unique fantasy weapon.
  • Draft Cost Not Justified: “Right now at QB6, I just feel like he's being propped up by those rushing touchdowns in the rushing production when...there were times this year where this Eagles offense was unwatchable.”
  • Long-Term Dynasty Lens: Hurts ranked behind Jackson Dart, Justin Herbert, and Caleb Williams in dynasty consensus; Erickson suggests, "If we're ranking those guys ahead long-term, why not just do it in redraft now?"
• Ryan’s Chime-In: Agrees strongly with avoiding that “top of tier 2” zone at QB; would prefer waiting or shooting for higher-upside, cheaper QBs.

Notable Quotes:

“He is clearly a limited quarterback. And Lane Johnson, another year older, which you hit on. Saquon Barkley, another year older. AJ Brown, who knows what's going on there?” (12:19, Ryan Warmley)
“You really want to get that 20 points per game type of threshold...Jalen Hurts just hasn't really been that guy over the last two seasons...” (14:14, Andrew Erickson)

• Alternatives Erickson Would Draft:

  • Jackson Dart, Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams
    “If we’re going to be drafting and ranking those guys ahead of them in Dynasty, why would we not do that in Redraft?” (09:09)

• Herbert Over Hurts:
  “Five games with Joe Alt, 2025. Herbert averaged 24 fantasy points. 12 games without him, 16.2.” (15:28)

3. Brian Thomas Jr. – Wide Receiver’s Cinderella Story Looks Over

[16:23 – 21:42]

• Erickson’s Stance:
  “This one probably pains me the most...but as long as he remains attached to Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, I think it’s really hard to be overly optimistic about Brian Thomas Jr.” (16:23)
• Main Arguments:
  • Chemistry Issues: Despite opportunity, “it never seemed at any point when he was healthy and on the field that he was becoming the focal point of this passing attack.”
  • Lowered Expectations: Unlike quick chemistry with Christian Kirk, Jacoby Myers, and others, Lawrence & Thomas Jr. never clicked.
  • Scheme Concerns: Don’t fall for the “if Lawrence improves, Thomas will too” narrative—Erickson sees the chemistry gap as real and lasting.
  • Diminished Draft Value: Once a fringe first/second round pick, now slipping to WR30 (approx. 66th overall), he’s only draftable if his situation changes (e.g., gets traded).
• Ryan’s Pushback: Not a “forever-fade” for him; cost is now low enough that he’d consider some exposure.
• Erickson’s Swift Retort: “If he gets traded, that kind of changes the equation here. But as long as Trevor Lawrence is his quarterback, I am very, very concerned...” (18:17)

Notable Quotes:

“...They seemed like they were never on the same page...I get concerned about buying into that type of narrative because again, the same thing with Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. Like the guys just never seem like they saw eye to eye. And what we've seen the last two years with Trevor Lawrence where with Brian Thomas Jr. They're not really connecting. I am concerned that that's never really going to come to fruition.” (17:10, Andrew Erickson)

• Alternative Receiver:
  • Ricky Pearsall, SF 49ers
    • Cites four 85+ yard games, led 49ers in receiving yds/game, and set for WR1 role due to Ayuk likely departing and Kittle’s injury.
      “Just barring health, I think that Pearsall would be set up much better than Brian Thomas Jr. in 2026 and beyond.” (21:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Avoiding the ‘Middle Tier’ at QB:

  “The first thing I do every year when I'm building out not my draft rankings but my draft like plan...is I basically cross off the first couple names in tier two at quarterback. I have no interest.” (11:54, Ryan Warmley)

• On McCaffrey's Fantasy Legacy:

  “You don't have to go back that far to see players like Dalvin Cook ... two years later, they're gone, like they're not even drafted anymore ... We just see this happen with running backs very, very often.” (01:37, Andrew Erickson)

• On Dynasty Rankings Guiding Redraft:

  “If we're going to be drafting and ranking those guys ahead of them in Dynasty, why would we not do that in Redraft?” (09:10, Andrew Erickson)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:25] Christian McCaffrey – Heavy usage, historical falls from grace
• [04:05] James Cook named as prime McCaffrey alternative
• [05:53] Jalen Hurts – New OC, declining fantasy value, dynasty redraft debate
• [09:44] Tier 2 QB avoidance and further Hurts analysis
• [15:28] Justin Herbert – Value, supporting case as Hurts alternative
• [16:23] Brian Thomas Jr. – Souring on WR due to lack of chemistry with Lawrence
• [19:45] Cost versus ceiling for Thomas Jr. and slight pushback
• [21:15] Ricky Pearsall as a sleeper WR alternative
• [21:42] Hosts wrap with reflections on early fantasy planning

Summary

This episode is a must-listen for proactive fantasy managers ready to separate from past loyalties and chase new value trends. Andrew Erickson brings strong takes—arguing for avoiding aging or misused stars like Christian McCaffrey, quarterbacks stuck in unstable offensive systems like Jalen Hurts, and pass-catchers with poor chemistry in stagnant offenses like Brian Thomas Jr. Instead, he champions younger, ascending talents—like James Cook, Justin Herbert, and Ricky Pearsall—who are set up for both immediate success and long-term value. The episode combines deep data insights, some dynasty-to-redraft logic, and a dose of recommendation pragmatism, perfect for getting ahead of the herd in your 2026 fantasy drafts.