Podcast Summary: 5 MUST-HAVE Fantasy Football Draft Targets | We LOVE These Players (Ep. 1668)

Podcast: FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Host: Ryan Wormley with Andrew Erickson & guest Greg Branos (Coach Speak Index)
Release Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is all about helping fantasy football managers zero in on five must-have draft targets for the 2025 fantasy season. Special guest Greg Branos—founder of the invaluable Coach Speak Index—joins Ryan Wormley and Andrew Erickson to spotlight players who, according to coach interviews and offseason statements, are in line for significant roles and breakout performances. The discussion melds coach “insider” insights with hard analytics, making for a potent strategy guide before final draft weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Draft Targets

1. Chase Brown (RB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Why Target Him?

• Bengals’ coaching staff has been vocal about their commitment to Brown as the lead back.
• Zach Moss was cut; competition is weak outside some third-down work for Samaje Perine.
• Coaches’ praise has been effusive all offseason, emphasizing his versatile skillset and increased role.

Notable Coach Quotes:

• Head Coach Zac Taylor (June 12):
  "He's done a great job edging in there with a ton of great playmakers on offense and making himself a priority. Like we got to get this guy the ball in as many ways as possible... That's just a credit to him to find his niche and force us to have to give him the ball as many times as possible." [03:28]
• Offensive Coordinator Dan Pitcher (July 23):
  "I think Chase Brown is going to by the end of the season be a household name... He's everything that Austin Ekeler was. By the time the season's over, you'll all know who he is." [03:55]

Key Analysis:

• Brown became a workhorse mid-2024, averaging 24.4 opportunities/game and ~5 receptions/game.
• Bengals’ weak defense means more pass-catching and high-game scripts for Brown.

Fantasy Draft Value:

• Was a later-round pick but now rising to late Round 2; still a value even as price increases.
• Could approach 350 touches and finish as a top-5 RB, per Erickson:
  "For this particular season, for 2025, Chase Brown stays healthy. We could see this guy get 350 touches in this backfield and just totally dominate." [08:16]

2. Tetaroa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers)

Why Target Him?

• Panthers took him with a top-10 pick and are building their passing attack around him.
• Coaches and GM repeatedly cite his red-zone threat, route-running, and “baller” mentality.

Notable Coach Quotes:

• Head Coach Dave Canales (April 24):
  "He's a baller. There's a simple way to look at it. When you watch film, the ballers show up and they make plays in big moments...” [09:41]
• Canales (June 3):
  "He has a consistent ability to win at the top of the route... Such a friendly target because he attacks the ball whenever it's thrown to him." [09:58]
• Canales (July 25):
  "He's going to get targeted a lot. He's going to be a big part of what we do." [10:48]

Key Analysis:

• Bryant Young’s development as a passer intersects perfectly with McMillan’s versatility. All types of routes designed for him.
• General manager Dan Morgan and Canales both highlight McMillan’s red zone skills and “X” receiver ability.

Fantasy Draft Value:

• Severely undervalued, going outside the top-24 WRs in most drafts despite elite rookie profile and massive role.
• Erickson brings in a quote from McMillan’s former Arizona coach calling him a “generational talent.”
• "TMAC is just... still going too cheap. At worst, he's going to finish at the back end of the WR2 conversation." [12:31]

3. Jameson Williams (WR, Detroit Lions)

Why Target Him?

• Explosive, versatile weapon who is now a key focal point in a tweaked Lions offense.
• Multiple coaches have not only praised his speed but indicated specific plans to scheme touches for him—both outside and in the slot.

Notable Coach Quotes:

• OC John Morton (May 13):
  “Jameson Williams can go from 0 to 60 fast. It's amazing. I haven't been around a guy like him... it's going to be a breakout year for him. So I can't wait.” [17:41]
• Head Coach Dan Campbell (May 30):
  “With his speed, he's gotten so much stronger... When you can run like he can run and you can stop on a dime, you're talking about a hardcover. The sky's the limit for him.” [18:37]
• (June 5): "A lot of the focal point was Jameson Williams and Jameer Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, among others..." [19:19]

Key Analysis:

• Slot usage increasing for Williams. With Ben Johnson gone, targets may be distributed differently, possibly away from Amon-Ra St. Brown as the exclusive slot threat.
• Coaches are explicitly shaping the new offense around Williams and Gibbs.

Fantasy Draft Value:

• Undervalued for his upside and potentially larger role.
• Erickson:"I love him because I think we saw a breakout last year, and now the Lions are doubling down on Jameson Williams again. It would not surprise me if Jameson Williams outscores Amon-Ra St. Brown." [20:50]

4. Tyler Warren (TE, Indianapolis Colts)

Why Target Him?

• Colts telegraphed the need for a “bell-cow TE”; missed on Brock Bowers, then aggressively drafted Warren.
• Coaches continually cite his versatility, toughness, and role as a matchup nightmare.

Notable Coach Quotes:

• GM Chris Ballard (post-draft):
  “He was an easy pick... can play multiple spots... brings an element of toughness that I thought we needed to add offensively.” [22:09]
• Branos (summarizing):
  “I think they're building the entire plane out of Tyler Warren this year. I think he's going to be a central pillar in this offense.” [23:10]

Key Analysis:

• Usage projections go beyond typical TE—expect carries, gadget/trick plays, and screen work.
• Massive volume and manufacturer touches expected even if QB play is inconsistent.

5. Tucker Kraft (TE, Green Bay Packers)

Why Target Him?

• Packers’ staff wants to feature him much more; led all tight ends in yards after the catch last season.
• Scheme is explicitly looking for ways to feed him the ball in 2025.

Notable Coach Quotes:

• Head Coach Matt LaFleur (Jan 14):
  "[Tucker Kraft] could do what George Kittle or Travis Kelce do... it's on us to make sure that we find him and feature him. When he gets the ball in his hands, you feel him." [24:47]
• OC Adam Stenavich (May 12):
  “There's a lot of opportunity for Tucker Kraft... just trying to find different ways to get him the ball.” [25:12]

Key Analysis:

• Kraft is a strong candidate to make the leap into the next “big” TE tier, given role and offensive development.
• Per Erickson, also a top late-round tight end target:
  "I do slightly prefer Kraft...but those guys are neck and neck for me in terms of when I'm looking to draft my later round tight end.” [26:32]

Late-Round Tight End Strategy

• Kraft and Warren are the late tight end targets recommended if missing on the Big 3 (Bowers, McBride, Kittle).
• Both are moving quickly up FantasyPros’ real-time ADP; keep updated if you’re targeting them.

Memorable Quotes

• Greg Branos on Coach Speak vs. Analyst Perception:
  “What a coach believes about his player is more important than what we believe about that player.” [06:43]

• Andrew Erickson on Brown’s Workload Parallels:
  “For me, when I'm looking at past successes that kind of fit maybe the Chase Brown mold, to me it's kind of Kyren Williams... Zach Taylor again comes from that Rams coaching tree.” [08:16]

• Erickson on TE Strategy:
  "I think Kraft and Warren... can make the big leaps. When we're talking about elite tight ends next year—again, this year it's all about the Big Three. Well, maybe it's a Big Five next year." [27:06]

• Greg Branos on Coach Speak Index Utility:
  “Nobody moved markets last year like Coach Speak Index.” [30:37]

Important Timestamps

• Chase Brown Discussion: [03:07–09:22]
• Tetaroa McMillan Overview: [09:33–13:48]
• Jameson Williams Analysis: [17:39–21:36]
• Tyler Warren (TE) Deep Dive: [21:42–25:54]
• Tucker Kraft (TE) Deep Dive: [25:54–28:00]
• Draft Strategy & ADP Movement: [28:00–29:15]

Final Takeaways

• The must-have draft targets this season—Chase Brown, Tetaroa McMillan, Jameson Williams, Tyler Warren, and Tucker Kraft—stand out due to compelling, actionable coach quotes and clear pathways to heavy volume.
• Real-time draft trends are moving these players higher, but value remains especially in more casual leagues.
• Plan your tight end strategy around either landing a Big 3 or double-tapping Kraft and Warren later for breakout upside.

For a curated source of press conference insights and team quotes, check out Coach Speak Index Discord and follow Greg Branos on Twitter/X.

Check out fantasypros.com/rankings for updated consensus rankings, draft tiers, and more in-depth resources.

This summary captures not only the main recommendations but also provides a blueprint on leveraging fresh coach intel for fantasy football success this season.