FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: "5 Moves You Need to Make Ahead of Week 9" (Ep. 1802)

Date: October 28, 2025 | Hosts: Ryan & Tara Roberts

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced and actionable episode, Ryan and Tara break down the five most important roster moves fantasy football managers should consider going into Week 9. Coming off the chaos of Week 8’s "bipocalypse" and a landmine of injuries, the hosts identify who to buy, sell, and "shop" on your rosters—backed by stats, schedule analysis, and sharp expert reasoning. The conversation is lively, practical, and focused on helping you shore up your team for both the playoff push and long-term upside.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buy: Jalen Warren (PIT RB)

• [01:33] Tara’s Take:
  • Warren is "consistently undervalued," providing a reliable floor even if the ceiling isn’t massive.
  • Fantasy players might undervalue him after a single-digit fantasy week and a seeming letdown versus Cincinnati.
  • Importance comes from his receiving work, with a shallow Steelers receiver corps and a quarterback who checks down frequently.
  • "You can pretty much feel comfortable with Jaylen Warren as a strong RB2 on a weekly basis. He's never finished outside of a high end RB3."
• [03:28] Ryan’s Analysis:
  • The schedule has enticing mid-season matchups (Buffalo, Baltimore, Miami: Weeks 13–15) but tough draws in fantasy playoff weeks (Detroit, Cleveland).
  • Warren’s weekly finishes are between RB10 and RB26, making him a classic mid-tier RB2.
  • "At this point in the fantasy season, maybe you just lost Camp Scatter Boo… sometimes that floor does become a little bit more helpful."
• [05:15] Tara’s rest-of-season rank:
  • RB20: ahead of ambiguous backfields but behind big-upside guys.

2. Buy: Emeka Egbuka (TB WR)

• [05:31] Tara’s Take:
  • Despite a hot rookie start, Egbuka has been in a "buy low" spot, likely playing through injury and on a bye this week.
  • Targets remain high (21 over last 2 weeks), but production is lacking—presents a prime value window.
  • "It is very possible that his lack of recent production has maybe put his fantasy managers who were relying on him in a tough spot."
  • Ideal target if his current manager is desperate for immediate points due to the bye.
• [07:11] Ryan’s Analysis:
  • Early season performance was “running hot with touchdowns”—now potentially an overcorrection.
  • Rest-of-season rankings have him at WR9, which feels high but difficult to challenge given the shaky alternatives.
  • "Maybe 9 is the right range, but it just sounds maybe more aggressive…but, logically, it probably does make sense."
• [08:41] Tara on WR9 ranking:
  • Slightly high, but appropriate given countless question marks among peers.
  • "If it was apples to apples and everything was trustworthy, yeah, we’d probably push him a little further back here…"

3. Sell: Tyrone Tracy (NYG RB)

• [10:29] Tara’s Take:
  • "I feel like a little bit of a hypocrite…he is definitely worth an add if he is on waivers. But if you already roster him …now would be the time…to sell and upgrade."
  • Tracy is slated for lead-back work, but his recent rise is more about opportunity than talent; has struggled all season.
  • Concerns over potential backfield additions, lack of goal-line trust, and Brian Daboll potentially shifting to a more run-heavy, yet unpredictable, approach.
  • "[Tracy] straight up lost his job to Cam Scaboo …hasn’t looked particularly good this season."
• [13:00] Ryan’s Analysis:
  • Consensus ros rank: RB18–RB19. Feels fair, but if you don’t need RB help, now is your best chance to sell high.
• [13:45] Tara’s rank:
  • "Feels a little high…I think there are guys that are kind of flowing right behind him that end up…superseding him."
  • Names like Isaiah Pacheco, Chase Brown as preferred alternatives.
  • "I would trade Tyrone Tracy [for] Chase Brown like very, very quickly.” (Ryan, 14:21)

4. Sell: Tetairoa McMillan (CAR WR)

• [14:31] Tara’s Take:
  • "Who I love. I don’t want to sell him…but…"—coming off a big game, might be max value for McMillan.
  • QB situation is settled with Bryce Young, who offers capped passing volume.
  • McMillan is the clear WR1, but only one 100+ yard game and touchdown opportunities are inconsistent.
  • Suggests packaging him post big game to upgrade at RB.
• [16:22] Ryan’s Analysis:
  • "I just like the player so much and rookie receivers…tend to take that next step and really become league winners."
  • Feels WR18 is fair; selling comes down to the return you get.
  • "Who is the type of player you think you would get back for a tet a Roa McMillan right now?"
• [17:30] Tara’s suggested trade:
  • Package McMillan and a RB like Tracy to snag a low-end RB1 (e.g., Derrick Henry).
  • "That’s potentially one that you could maybe look at."

5. Shop: Tyjae Spears (TEN RB)

• [18:31] Tara’s Take:
  • “I’m cheating a little bit here. I’m using the word ‘shop’ because you can like shop around Tyjae Spears if you roster him…or you can shop for Tyjae…”
  • The Titans’ backfield remains murky. Trade rumors (Tony Pollard possibly leaving, etc.) could open opportunity.
  • Both Spears and Pollard have similar skill sets, so predicting week-to-week leaders is hazardous.
  • "If we can whittle down this backfield and Pollard does exit, Tyjae Spears then does become a valuable asset."
  • Depending on your team needs:
    • If Spears is a bench stash, consider selling for immediate help elsewhere.
    • If desperate at RB, Spears is the ultimate high-upside swing as a trade acquisition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tara on Jalen Warren’s Value:
  “If you just need a guy that you can rely on on a week to week basis, Jalen Warren is a good one.” [03:07]
• Ryan on Egbuka Rest-of-Season Ranking:
  “Maybe 9 is the right range, but it just sounds maybe more aggressive…but, logically, it probably does make sense.” [09:33]
• Tara on Tyrone Tracy:
  “He straight up lost his job to, to Cam Scaboo …he hasn’t looked particularly good this season.” [11:36]
• Tara, Echoing Circumstantial Strategy:
  “If you are already set at running back, this is just a great opportunity to go ahead and sell him high to someone who actually truly needs to take this swing…” [12:39]
• Tara’s Strategic Framework:
  “You package [McMillan] up with a running back…maybe you target a Derrick Henry.” [17:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:33] Buy: Jalen Warren deep dive
• [05:31] Buy: Emeka Egbuka and the rest-of-season WR1 tier debate
• [10:29] Sell: Tyrone Tracy and RB committee concerns
• [14:31] Sell: Tetairoa McMillan, QB outlooks, and rookie WR surge
• [18:31] Shop: Tyjae Spears based on trade speculation and committee volatility

Takeaway

Ryan and Tara’s five moves for Week 9 blend tactical insight with pragmatism—identifying undervalued stashes (Warren, Egbuka), cashing in overhyped or situational players (Tracy, McMillan), and recognizing the importance of roster flexibility in light of byes, injuries, and NFL trade rumors. Expect fortunes to shift quickly, but deploying these buy/sell/shop strategies could be the difference in making a playoff run or avoiding the dreaded fantasy “loser toilet seat.”