FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Are We Buying Trey Benson or Cam Skattebo? | Week 4 Buy Low + Sell High Running Back Targets (Ep. 1728)
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Warmley & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on identifying buy low and sell high running back targets going into Week 4 of the fantasy football season. Ryan and Andrew break down which rookie RBs are poised for a breakout, who fantasy managers should be targeting for trades, and which veterans may be primed for a downturn in value. They also tackle the psychological side of trading in fantasy, assess weekly performance, and argue about how to approach backfields with rising or declining usage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reactions to Monday Night Football and Ravens' Outlook

• Ravens' Frustrations: Both hosts open with reactions to the Ravens' loss, noting recurring late-game fumbles by Derrick Henry and ongoing problems with the Ravens' supporting cast.

  • "You wait all off season dreaming of big things, and now it's already like, oh, boy, they're staring down…the possibility of one in three…not feeling great about it." —Ryan Warmley (00:34)

• Lamar's Value & Team Struggles: Praise for Lamar Jackson’s individual play despite his team’s poor performance, especially against tough defensive lines. (02:00-03:11)

• Fantasy Notes:

  • Mark Andrews (6 for 91, 2 TDs) and Rashod Bateman (5 for 63, 1 TD) finally had good games.
  • Zay Flowers’ performance dipped due to Lions' defense but is regarded as a high-floor, spike-week player.

2. Trade Strategy: Macro Perspective

• Targeting Rookie RBs: Andrew recommends taking advantage of managers frustrated by underperforming rookie RBs, especially on 0-3 teams.

  • "Look at the rookies. That's who I'm going to talk a lot about trying to go after and trade this week." —Andrew Erickson (08:30)

• Key Strategy:

  • Seek out opportunity where rookies' slow starts are matchup or schedule-driven, not talent-based.
  • Injuries can rapidly shift opportunity (e.g., RJ Harvey behind J.K. Dobbins in Denver).

• Actionable Advice:

  • Don’t view missed rookie breakouts as lost opportunity; other breakouts can still come if you act in time.
  • "Use the Hampton breakout...as a reminder like, hey, this can still happen. These rookie running backs can still break out this season." —Andrew Erickson (10:06)

3. Buy Low: Rookie Running Backs to Target

A. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State Raiders)

• Why Buy?: Quiet start but leads NFL rookies in forced missed tackles and improving each week; faces the porous Chicago Bears in Week 4—a prime “breakout” matchup.
• Managerial Psychology:
  • Some managers struggle to sell disappointing early picks; focus proposals on 0-3 teams more likely to make moves.
  • "If you're going to go after Jeanty, you have to do it before week four because I think this is going to be his breakout game." —Andrew Erickson (11:51)
• Trade Example: Consider offering someone like Travis Etienne (RB14, comparable value) to get Jeanty (RB11). (14:49-14:57)

B. TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots)

• Why Buy?: With Patriots’ other RBs (Stevenson, Gibson) fumbling, Henderson is slated for more work — his chance for a breakout comes vs. Carolina’s poor run defense.
• Usage Notes: Despite low box score stats, he’s a known pass-catcher, and Patriots have future favorable matchups.
• Trade Candidates:
  • Tony Pollard or Keenan Allen as appropriate price points. (17:30)
  • "I think this has to be the game for Henderson to really hit." —Andrew Erickson (16:01)

4. Sell High: Veteran Running Backs to Move

A. Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars)

• Usage Trend: Shifted to a three-man committee in Week 3 (snaps down to 54%). Rookie La'Quint Allen and Bashel Tootin both took work.
• Efficiency Worries:
  • Great early schedule (Panthers, Bengals), but about to face 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs—tougher matchups ahead.
  • Success rate ranks low; big gains skew his stats.
• Outlook: Cash out now—he may not hold RB1 status as the season progresses.
  • "I think right now is a time to, hey, I can really cash out for a strong return." —Andrew Erickson (24:25)

B. Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans)

• Red Flags:
  • Volume is there, but no passing game work (Cam Ward doesn’t throw to RBs). Titans are last in RB target share.
  • Tyjae Spears returning from IR in Week 5 could trigger committee, lowering Pollard’s floor and ceiling.
• Trade Timing: Try selling now, while the role is strong and Spears is still out.
  • "If you can get a little bit more for him right now, again chasing some upside with some of these rookie players...that have been underperforming for Pollard." —Andrew Erickson (27:56)

5. Hot-Seat Buy/Sell/Hold Game (31:01)

Ryan challenges Andrew to rapid-fire calls on notable RBs with similar values.

A. Alvin Kamara / Chuba Hubbard / Chase Brown (31:35)

• Sell: Chase Brown (offensive line is atrocious; production unlikely).
• Hold: Alvin Kamara (volume confidence, upside when schedule improves).
• “I don't particularly like buying any of these running backs…making my own rules.” —Andrew Erickson (32:41)

B. Trey Benson / Cam Skattebo / JK Dobbins (33:00)

• Sell: J.K. Dobbins ("just a matter of when...the wheels fall off").
• Buy: Trey Benson (better offense, big upside post-Conner injury).
• Hold: Cam Skattebo (Giants' crowd favorite, decent floor, but prefer Benson’s ceiling).

C. Jacory Croskey-Merritt / Quinshon Judkins / David Montgomery (35:27)

• Sell: David Montgomery (best game is likely behind him; usage declining vs. 2024).
• Hold: Quinshon Judkins (uncertainty with possible suspension — not tradeable).
• Buy: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (could emerge as Denver's clear RB1 at a discount).

6. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On rookie RB trading psychology:
  “It's definitely hard to get the players that were drafted so highly because those Managers want to see the ROI. They want to see this pick work out.” —Andrew Erickson (13:31)

• On what matters more: RB floor vs. ceiling:
  “There's a lot of, like, data out there about how high floor players don't actually really matter as much as you think they do. In fantasy, all that really matters is getting the ceiling guys and, you know, spike weeks and things like that.” —Ryan Warmley (28:50)

• Trey Benson vs. Cam Skattebo:
  “We've seen the Cardinals be one of the better running offenses in the NFL. Again, did not work out last week against a tougher 49ers defense...But I believed [Benson] could be a league winner if he takes on this James Conner role.” —Andrew Erickson (34:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ravens MNF Recap & Fantasy Impact: 00:34–03:54
• Macro Trade Strategy–Targeting Rookies: 08:30–10:06
• Ashton Jeanty Buy Low Case: 10:53–12:17
• TreVeyon Henderson Buy Low Case: 15:08–16:39
• Travis Etienne Sell High Breakdown: 22:10–24:25
• Tony Pollard Sell High Breakdown: 26:56–28:50
• Buy/Sell/Hold Lightning Round: 31:01–36:50

Final Notes

• Target rookie RBs that haven't broken out yet, especially on losing fantasy teams.
• Sell RBs with red flags (emerging committees, losing targets, declining usage and hard schedules).
• Buy low on high-upside rookies before their breakout matchups.
• Use current and future schedules, usage trends, and offensive context to make sharper trade decisions.
• Avoid clinging to “floor” RBs if your roster needs a home run.

This summary covers all actionable fantasy insights, player values, and strategic advice from the episode without ad or sponsor content.