FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 6 Must-Start Players for Week 3 | The Primer (Ep. 1719)
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Seth Wilcock
Guest/Analyst: Derek Brown
Summary Prepared By: [Your Name]

Episode Overview

In this week's "The Primer" episode, Seth Wilcock and Derek Brown deliver actionable insight for fantasy football managers as they reveal six must-start (and too often overlooked) players for Week 3 of the NFL season. They focus on value plays and sleeper picks at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end—specifically those ranked surprisingly low in expert consensus rankings (ECR) despite favorable matchups, usage, or emerging trends. The show is packed with data-driven commentary, practical lineup decisions, and a few fun asides to keep listeners entertained.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Quarterback Must-Start

Aaron Rodgers (QB, New York Jets)

• Why He’s a Must-Start:
  • Currently a low ECR (QB26), but performing as QB14 in points per game.
  • Faces a Patriots defense allowing the most passing yards per game, eighth-highest passer rating, and lowest pressure rate—ideal conditions for Rodgers.
• Insights:
  • "New England cannot stop the pass, man...they can't pressure the quarterback and that's huge for Aaron Rodgers." — Derek Brown [03:23]
  • Both Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa torched New England for 300+ yards in previous weeks.
• Notable Quote:
  "I'm not in on the old man every single week, but he's going to look younger this week, dude." — Derek Brown [03:53]

Running Back Must-Start

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, New England Patriots)

• Why He’s Undervalued:
  • Ranked RB29 in ECR despite 65% backfield snaps, 84.5 total yards per game, and RB19 fantasy PPG.
  • Faces a struggling Steelers defense allowing the third-highest explosive run rate, fifth-most rush yards/game, and second-highest missed tackle rate.
• Analytical Edge:
  • "[The Steelers] cannot stop the pass, they cannot stop the run...way too much talent on this defense to play as bad as they're playing, but they're playing really terrible so we could take advantage in fantasy." — Derek Brown [05:38]
• Additional Talk:
  • Trayvon Henderson (NE) seen as a stash or desperation flex, but Stevenson is the clear start.
• Notable Quote:
  "The fact that I could even bring up Rhamondre Stevenson's name as a player not ranked inside the top 24 is kind of ridiculous." — Derek Brown [05:09]

Wide Receiver Three-Pack: High-Upside Options

1. DJ Moore (WR, Chicago Bears)

• Why He’s a Must-Start:
  • Too low at WR32 in ECR.
  • Faces Dallas; excels against two-high coverage (Dallas uses it at a 64% rate).
  • Stats against two-high: 27.3% target share, 3.32 YPRR, 36.8% first-read share.
  • Dallas gives up the highest PPR points per target and most perimeter WR yardage.
• Notable Quote:
  "You're buying into total, you're buying into coverage shell matchup and you're buying into a talented player. DJ Moore: Smash this week." — Derek Brown [10:40]

2. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, New York Giants)

• Why He’s a Must-Start:
  • ECR at WR45 is far too low. Showed WR9 PPG in two weeks with 98 yards/game.
  • Chiefs have been torched by slot WRs (seventh highest PPR points per target).
  • His aDOT (11.0) shows he’s not just a safety valve; his first-read share jumps to 37% against too-high looks.
• Notable Quote:
  "This could be the week where Wan’Dale Robinson at WR45 really pops. Everything lines up: coverage, matchup, usage." — Derek Brown [11:54]

3. Elic Ayomanor (WR, Tennessee Titans)

• Why He’s a Must-Start/Sleeper:
  • WR55 in ECR, but should be considered a WR3/flex.
  • Has quietly outperformed veteran Calvin Ridley in targets, routes, and first-read shares.
  • Colts allow the 6th most PPR points/target to perimeter WRs; Indy uses single-high coverage, which bumps his usage and market share.
• Notable Quote:
  "This could be the week where Elic Ayomanor says to everybody, 'I'm the real wide receiver one for the Tennessee Titans.'" — Derek Brown [14:48]
  • Elic's usage, field time, and matchup all trending up.

Tight End Must-Start

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Cleveland Browns)

• Why He’s a Must-Start:
  • ECR at TE13, but getting top-10 usage: 15% target share, averaging 55.5 yards/game, 1.9 YPRR, plus red zone looks.
  • Packers allow 5th-most fantasy points and 11th-highest yards/reception to TEs.
• Strategic Roster Talk:
  • "If you got Harold Fannin Jr. and are comparing him with guys like Mark Andrews or Hunter Henry, the answer this week is probably Harold Fannin Jr." — Derek Brown [19:20]
  • Dynasty outlook: Fannin now clearly ahead of Colston Loveland.
• Notable Quote:
  "He's going to be inside probably my top 10 tight ends for the week... Harold Fannin Jr. needs to be above him [Loveland] in redraft and in Dynasty." — Derek Brown [19:45 & 20:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On lineup flexibility for Week 3:
  "You're kind of dividing up—who am I going to play in my flex? It’s probably going to be a wide receiver." — Derek Brown [08:40]

• On betting angles for Ayomanor:
  "Alec Ayomanor’s prop market: over 35.5 yards at -115, anytime TD at +325—give me both." — Derek Brown [18:14]

• Fantasy Football Philosophy:
  "The way that teams attack certain coverage shells matters... Are they going to go underneath? Are they going to stretch the field? This all matters, dude." — Derek Brown [15:25]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Intro, banter | Bacon talk & audience shoutout | 01:17-02:03| | QB Start Recommendation| Aaron Rodgers sleeper analysis | 03:01-04:44| | RB Start Recommendation| Rhamondre Stevenson deep dive | 04:49-07:34| | Flex Talk | WR vs RB in lineup decisions | 08:40 | | WR Start #1 | DJ Moore vs DAL, coverage breakdown | 08:40-10:51| | WR Start #2 | Wan’Dale Robinson vs KC, usage shift | 11:54-13:38| | WR Start #3 | Elic Ayomanor’s upside vs IND | 14:48-17:25| | Tight End Start | Harold Fannin Jr. trust at TE | 18:14-20:49| | Dynasty Talk | Loveland vs Fannin Jr. rest-of-season value | 20:49-21:41|

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for managers seeking high-upside starters or waiver-wire gems for Week 3, particularly at RB, WR, and TE. Derek Brown’s data-driven analysis and set/start confidence, paired with Seth Wilcock’s contextual observations, provide listeners with easy-to-follow and actionable takeaways for fantasy success. As always, the hosts keep things lively and entertaining—making even deeper statistical breakdowns both accessible and fun.

Summary compiled based on actual episode content, preserving speaker tone and practical fantasy advice.