FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: 5 Moves You Need to Make Ahead Of Week 2 (Ep. 1695)
Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Ryan and Tara Roberts
Theme: Essential actionable moves to give fantasy managers a strategic edge heading into Week 2, focusing on trades, waivers, and handcuff strategies for standard leagues.

Episode Overview

Ryan and Tara Roberts break down their immediate reactions to the Week 1 slate and deliver five key moves fantasy football managers should consider ahead of Week 2. Their advice targets standard redraft leagues (think half-PPR) and avoids advice specific to deep, premium, or highly specialized league formats. The show aims to be concise, actionable, and grounded in both week-one performances and broader seasonal outlooks.

The Five Moves to Make This Week

1. Sell High on Travis Kelce (Sell Move)

Timestamp: 01:55

• Tara’s analysis: Despite the depleted Chiefs receiving group (Rashee Rice suspended, Xavier Worthy hurt), Kelce’s usage and performance in Week 1 raise concerns.
  • He salvaged his fantasy day with a touchdown, but was only targeted 4 times and secured just 2 receptions.
  • Last season, Kelce experienced a decline in touchdowns (3 last year, 5 the season before), with year-over-year reductions in yardage and scores.
  • Tara believes his perceived opportunity makes him a perfect sell-high in the wake of injuries around him, as managers may overestimate his 2025 value.
  • There’s depth at tight end and viable streaming options.
• Quote:

  "Sell Travis Kelce. ... This might be the peak value to kind of swoop in and catch people when they're thinking there's going to be this massive increase in target." — Tara (01:58)

• Ryan’s reaction:
  • Easy to “sell” the case to opposing managers due to Chiefs’ desperate depth and the allure of Kelce as a high-volume option.
  • Use the perception of him as a “PPR monster” to your benefit.

  "It will be very easy to ... sell the upside case for him ... because of what you talked about with the, you know, other injuries in this receiving room." — Ryan (04:08)

2. Waiver Target: Juwan Johnson (TE, Saints)

Timestamp: 04:43

• Tara’s analysis: Juwan Johnson stands out among emerging streaming TEs.
  • Saints OC Kellen Moore has historically favored aggressive passing attacks (as seen in Dallas), which materialized in Week 1: Spencer Rattler attempted 46(!) passes.
  • Johnson played the most snaps and ran the most routes of any Saints player, not just tight ends.
  • Prior inconsistent usage might have been from previous coaching; the new regime could be unlocking Johnson’s potential.
  • The competition at TE is murky, but Johnson’s role in Week 1 is a strong buy signal, especially if Moore keeps up the pace.
• Quote:

  "Juwan Johnson played the most snaps of any Saints player. Obviously, other than Spencer Rattler there played the vast majority of them. He ran the most routes of any single Saints player." — Tara (05:28)

• Notable: Harold Vanit Jr. and Jonnu Smith also mentioned as streaming dart throws, but Johnson gets strong endorsement due to opportunity and coaching.

3. Buy Low: Calvin Ridley (WR, Titans)

Timestamp: 07:11

• Tara’s analysis: Ridley had a poor Week 1 against a stifling Denver defense.
  • The rookie QB Cam Ward struggled (12/28, just over 100 yards), but didn’t look overwhelmed—signs of potential as he adapts.
  • Ridley remains the clear WR1; target volume will be stable and efficiency should grow as chemistry improves and matchups soften.
  • Week 1 was always slated to be tough; use the opportunity to buy from anxious managers.
• Quote:

  "While it was an arguably terrible performance ... he didn't look overwhelmed ... the targets were there for Ridley. ... I'm willing to buy low on Ridley because ... he is the wide receiver one of that offense." — Tara (07:31)

• Ryan’s reaction: Confirms strong agreement; emphasizes this was a long-anticipated buy-low window. Notes Cam Ward “looked like he belonged” and expects improvement.

4. Buy Low: Mike Evans (WR, Buccaneers)

Timestamp: 09:52

• Tara’s analysis: Surprising Week 1 from rookie Emeka Egbuka could be prompting panic among Evans managers.
  • Atlanta’s top corner A.J. Terrell has always presented a difficult individual matchup for Evans, explaining the modest production despite 8 targets.
  • With Egbuka surging and Chris Godwin’s return imminent, some see an “offensive shift” away from Evans—Tara disagrees.
  • Baker Mayfield looked sharp, and Evans remains a high-usage veteran with a stable floor.
• Quote:

  "Now that we've got this solidified hype and we're all, all in. We're just obsessed. Right now's the perfect time to swoop in and grab Mike Evans, older veteran receiver." — Tara (09:56)

• Player ranks: Evans and Egbuka are both seen as low-end WR2s, top-24 receivers for the remainder of the season.

5. Handcuff Priority: Trade for Brian Robinson (RB, 49ers—backup to CMC)

Timestamp: 12:48

• Tara’s analysis: After a brief injury scare for Christian McCaffrey, Robinson’s cost as a handcuff has dipped.
  • CMC was healthy and productive in Week 1 (22 carries, double-digit targets), but the scare was real and demonstrates the need for insurance in this case.
  • Usually not a “must-handcuff” advocate, but for the 49ers’ backfield, it’s warranted given the step-in value if CMC is sidelined.
  • If CMC goes down, Robinson would see a 3-down workload in a top offense, with pass-catching ability pushing his value higher than most handcuffs.
• Quote:

  "This is just the perfect opportunity for you to scoop in and get your handcuff and not have to pay an arm and a leg ... You wouldn't have had that opportunity before because of the trade being so late and maybe Robinson was already on someone else's roster." — Tara (13:25)

• Ryan’s remark: Don’t fret about recent inefficiency; Seattle’s defense is legit. If the 49ers’ starting RB goes down, anyone steps into a great fantasy scenario.

Additional Notable Moments & Quotes

• On Cam Ward’s Week 1 performance (Ridley context):

  "I was really impressed just with the eye test of like, this. This guy looks like an NFL quarterback who, if they can put a better situation around him … I expect brighter days." — Ryan (08:43)

• On Baker Mayfield and Bucs pass-catchers:

  "Again, we got three touchdowns from Baker. I know people were worried about that regression there in terms of just his touchdown rate just being so high, but lo and behold, here it is, it is who he is." — Tara (11:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Show Format: 00:35–01:55
• Move 1: Sell Travis Kelce: 01:55–04:43
• Move 2: Add Juwan Johnson: 04:43–07:11
• Move 3: Buy Low Calvin Ridley: 07:11–09:52
• Move 4: Buy Low Mike Evans: 09:52–12:48
• Move 5: Handcuff Brian Robinson if you own CMC: 12:48–14:33
• Closing thoughts and rest-of-season strategy: 14:33–16:09

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers clear, actionable advice based on Week 1 reactions and lingering perceptions. Tara’s focus is on leveraging market inefficiencies—whether selling high on fading stars, targeting undervalued veterans, or making wise handcuff investments. The tone is relatable and practical, directly aimed at providing tools for league-winning moves in standard-sized leagues.

Summary Takeaway:
Use early season panic and perceived depth chart shifts to your advantage—capitalize on sell-high and buy-low windows, stream at tight end, and protect high-value investments (like McCaffrey) with timely handcuffs.

Listen to new episodes weekly for succinct, expert fantasy football guidance.