FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Biggest Fantasy Football Takeaways For EVERY NFC South Team (Ep. 1936)

Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Ryan Wormley
Guests: Andrew Erickson, Jake Ciely

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the most important fantasy football takeaways for each NFC South team, with analytical insight, spirited debate, and forward-looking recommendations. Host Ryan Wormley is joined by analysts Andrew Erickson and Jake Ciely, dissecting what fantasy managers need to know from 2025 and how it could shape early 2026 draft strategy.

Carolina Panthers: Injuries, RB Volatility, and WR Realities

Main Takeaway: Don’t Overcommit to RB “Job Security”

• Andrew Erickson (01:02): Stresses that “you can lose your job because of an injury, especially if the backup is capable.”
  • Chuba Hubbard started the year strong but lost his job to Rico Dowdle during an injury absence.
  • By season’s end, the backfield devolved into a “frustrating committee.”
  • Rico Dowdle, despite past performance (over 1,000 yards in Dallas)—now a free agent—took over as RB1, making Hubbard a “glorified handcuff.”
• Key Quote:

  “Are we going to just like forget about that and just go all in on Chuba Hubbard? Or is there going to be another backfield committee in Carolina?”
  — Andrew Erickson (02:56)

2026 Outlook:

• Jake Ciely (03:30):
  • If Hubbard is alone, he’s a “mid-upper RB2.”
  • If Carolina brings in someone like Rashad White (who played for Dave Canales in Tampa), it’s “right back to a timeshare. I don’t want to deal with this again.”
  • Key Quote:

    “This is... I’m staying away. I don’t want to deal with this again.”
    — Jake Ciely (04:33)

Wide Receiver Notes: Tetairoa "TMAC" McMillan

• Jake Ciely (04:49):

  • Compares McMillan’s rookie output to Calvin Ridley and Zay Flowers (“around 70 catches, 1,000 yards, 7 TDs”).
  • Warned against overhyping him to “fringe WR1” status given the limitations of the Panthers QB situation (Bryce Young, or maybe a rookie next season).
  • Key Quote:

    “Quarterbacks matter for the top target earner.”
    — Jake Ciely (06:55)

• Andrew Erickson (07:01):

  • Praises McMillan’s rookie year (“alpha out there,” nearly 1,100 yards, 7 TDs).
  • Noted the offense’s inconsistency, especially when TMAC wasn't scoring TDs.
  • Points out high ceiling games with double-digit targets (07:51).

• ADP Concerns:

  • TMAC ranked WR14—fair, but if similar value is available later (e.g., Zay Flowers WR21), it might not be worth reaching.
  • Jake Ciely (09:16):

    “Why take him there when you can take Lad McConkey or Zay Flowers a round or two later?”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Injury Dominoes and Igbuka’s Tale

Main Takeaway: Injuries Change Everything

• Jake Ciely (10:05):
  • Recaps the “house of cards” of Bucs injuries; Godwin, Evans, Baker Mayfield, and Bucky Irving all missed time, affecting Ebuka Igbuka’s production.
  • Context matters: When asked to step in for Evans on the outside, Igbuka struggled; with Evans and Godwin healthy, his role and production faltered further.
  • Key Quote:

    “You have to watch also...which wide receiver got hurt and who it affects, because I think the Buccaneers are the best example of this.”
    — Jake Ciely (10:36)

Emeka Egbuka: A Puzzling Rookie Year

• Andrew Erickson (12:04):

  • Early in the year, Igbuka “hits immediately,” but after a hamstring injury (which he played through), his efficiency collapsed.
  • By the end, his role diminished, even as he earned a high target share.
  • Buccaneers offense “dysfunctional,” so don’t overreact to his second-half fade.
  • Key Quote:

    “I really don’t want to take a lot away from the Buccaneers second half because...this team was dysfunctional offensively.”
    — Andrew Erickson (13:36)

• Buy-Low Window:

  • Igbuka is now a “best buy low” for 2026. Early WR ranking outside top 24 (WR29), presenting an “absolute layup” if Mike Evans leaves via free agency.

Atlanta Falcons: London’s Leap & the Perpetual Pitts Debate

Main Takeaway: Drake London’s Breakout Was Real (But Injuries Stung)

• Andrew Erickson (18:43):
  • “A year too early” on Drake London as WR1 overall—he was WR3 before injuries.
  • QB and TE uncertainty for 2026:
    • “Who's the quarterback going to be next year for the Falcons?”
    • “If [Kyle] Pitts leaves...how is that not Drake London loaded up for 150 targets?”
  • London is ranked WR6, behind an obvious elite tier.
  • Key Quote:

    “That’s enough volume for me to say, ‘Hey, this guy could be a top-5, top-3 wide receiver in fantasy.’”
    — Andrew Erickson (19:54)

Kyle Pitts: The Perpetual Enigma

• Jake Ciely (21:23):
  • Celebrates last year’s value, but is “out” on 2026 unless the price plummets.
  • Pitts’ “peak” may have already come, with production tied to matchup exploitation (not route running).
  • Regardless of landing spot, will likely be overdrafted.
  • Key Quote:

    “We’re paying for arguably that was peak Pitts and I feel like even if he’s not with the Falcons, it’s...‘Oh my God, this team paid up for him’...you still have to understand what the biggest takeaway I have from this...the thing that really broke Pitts out this year is a testament to Zach Robinson and...they stopped asking Kyle Pitts to run routes.”
    — Jake Ciely (22:47)

New Orleans Saints: Discount Shopping & Opportunity in Bad Offenses

Main Takeaway: Capitalize on Discounted Talent, But Don’t Ignore Risk

• Andrew Erickson (24:47):

  • If you take a risk on an “injury-prone” player, ensure it’s reflected in their price.
  • Example: Chris Olave—low ADP because of concussion history and a “shaky offense”; excelled when healthy in 2025, but future outlook clouded by QB uncertainty (Tyler Shough).
  • Key Quote:

    “That was too, too cheap for a player of Olave’s talent even considering, oh well, he gets one more concussion, he’s never gonna play again.”
    — Andrew Erickson (25:13)

• 2026 Hesitation:

  • Olave now WR12; risk remains (injury and weak QB); feels “gun-shy” paying up again unless price falls.

Saints Value Opportunities: RBs and WR2s

• Jake Ciely (27:42):

  • The “lead running back” in a bad offense can still be productive (cites Breece Hall, Tony Pollard, etc.).
  • The Saints are likely to be undervalued; whoever wins the starting RB job is a target “if they’re getting 60%+ of the touches.”
  • Also sees potential for the WR2 spot to break out if the opportunity is right.

• RB Speculation:

  • Andrew Erickson (29:34): “Rico Dowdle, saddle up, baby. [If Camara is done, Dowdle could lead this backfield.]”
  • Jake Ciely agrees, suggesting even a timeshare (with, for example, Devin Neal) could still be fantasy relevant.

Notable Quotes & Debate Highlights

• “You can lose your job because of an injury, especially if the backup is capable.”
  — Andrew Erickson on RB volatility (01:09)
• “Quarterbacks matter for the top target earner.”
  — Jake Ciely on WR production (06:55)
• “That’s enough volume for me to say, ‘Hey, this guy could be a top-5, top-3 wide receiver in fantasy.’”
  — Andrew Erickson on Drake London (19:54)
• “We’re paying for arguably that was peak Pitts...and I feel like even if he’s not with the Falcons, it’s gonna be a situation [where he’s overhyped].”
  — Jake Ciely on Kyle Pitts market hype (22:47)
• “If you take an injury risk on a talented player, make sure it’s coming at a discount.”
  — Andrew Erickson on Chris Olave and similar players (24:47)

Key Timestamps

• Panthers RB Takeaways: 01:02 – 04:45
• McMillan as WR2, Panthers QB debate: 04:49 – 09:45
• Buccaneers injury ripple and Igbuka: 10:05 – 14:55
• Falcons: Drake London & Kyle Pitts discussion: 18:43 – 24:06
• Saints: Olave discount and 2026 risk: 24:47 – 27:40
• Saints RB/WR2 speculation: 27:42 – 30:24

Summary Table: Team Takeaways

| Team | Main Fantasy Lessons/Advice | Notable Players/Scenarios | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Panthers | Beware RB “job security”—depth charts are fragile; don’t overhype WRs in shaky offenses | Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Tetairoa McMillan | | Bucs | Injuries change value instantly; context around roles is crucial | Emeka Egbuka, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin | | Falcons | Don’t lose faith in talent—London is ascending; tread carefully with “breakout” TEs | Drake London, Kyle Pitts | | Saints | Embrace discounted risk, monitor RB/WR camp battles closely | Chris Olave, possible emergence at RB/WR2 |

Tone & Style

The hosts mix sharp data-driven analysis (“his ADP is wide receiver 14...about what he was last year”; “nearly 1,100 yards, 7 touchdowns, 75 catch, 126 targets”) with candid, conversational banter and the occasional tongue-in-cheek jab. They’re unafraid to question fantasy assumptions but keep the spirit competitive and fun.

Bottom Line:
This is the ultimate “lessons learned” episode from 2025 for all NFC South fantasy situations. Managers should be ready to pounce on discounted talents in ambiguous or “boring” situations (Panthers, Saints), be wary of overpaying for “sexy” breakouts whose situations haven’t tangibly improved (McMillan, Pitts), and always remember that quarterback and role context are king—no matter how tempting the raw talent or stats.