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

Summary

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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

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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.

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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?”

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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

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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 |

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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.

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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.

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Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human Max softness, Max energy, max run. Go on a run that never runs out. In the new Brooks Glycerin Max 2 dual cell DNA tuned cushion is optimized for soft landings and powerful toe offs while a glide roll rocker helps provide a more fluid step through. To help you truly tune out and max your run, shop the Glycerin Max [e-mail] hello everybody. Welcome into the Fantasy Pros Football podcast. I'm Ryan Wormley, joined by Andrew Erickson and by Jake Seely from the Athletic and we are talking takeaways for every NFC team. Today we are doing the NFC south. If you missed it, we've already done the north and the east and all the AFC teams last week, so be sure to check those out if you have missed them and be keep an eye out for every division that we're doing here throughout these two weeks. The surprise winners of this division, Erickson, the Carolina Panthers, maybe not so much of a surprise to you. That's where we're starting here for our takeaways. What's your big takeaway in Carolina this year?

[B]

Carolina Panthers plus ten and a half was the lock of all locks. Although my, my hard rock best bet was the Philadelphia Eagles unfortunately last week. So that one didn't shake up. But after Saturday, after that first game, I was on cloud my Carolina Panthers. But my takeaway here, besides the Carolina Panthers winning the NFC south was that you can lose your job because of an injury, especially if the backup is capable. So, so we saw this play out with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle where Chuba Hubbard got paid by the Carolina Panthers was their starter to open the year. He got banged up, he missed time and what happened? By the time he came back, he didn't have his starting job anymore. It was Rico Dowdle and Rico Dowdle was the RB one in the offense. Now it did kind of change a little bit as the season progressed and the team kind of went away from Rico and it just kind of morphed into a really frustrating backfield when everything kind of ended for the Carolina Panthers in their season. But I think it's just worth always kind of when you're looking at backfields evaluating team by team and kind of asking yourself going through the exercise like, you know, what would it take for this guy to actually lose their job? I get that we can kind of attach ourselves to, well, they got the contract right. He's, he's impervious to losing his job. But Rico Dowdle, man, he Showed up pretty well in Dallas. Like, he rushed for over 1,000 yards. I kept pointing out in the offseason like, both these guys are good. Like Rico and Chuba Hubbard are both good running backs. And I think that always just creates a sense of caution where I'm all in on chuba Hubbard in 2025. I think Rico Dowdle is Zero Burger. That's not really how you should be approaching it, in my opinion. Like, you need to evaluate each player and how good they can be. And Rico took his opportunities and ran with it and ran with his starting job. It made Chuba Hubbard a guy that was a glorified handcuff essentially, and definitely not worth where you drafted him in, you know, the fourth or fifth round. So that's just something that I try to think about when I'm looking at backfields, especially when you have a talented backup like a Rico Dowdle. And we're going to see a lot of shakeup this year in free agency. Rico Dowdle, he's going to be a free agent. No Chuba Hubbard, is he going to be the starter again this year? What about Jonathan Brooks? Like, is he going to have a role in this offense coming off his season ending injury? What about Rashad White? Is he going to reunite with Dave Canales in Carolina after their time spent together in Tampa Bay? So true. Chuba harbor already lost his job once, right? Are we going to just like forget about that and just go all in on Chuba Harbor? He's the guy again. Or is there going to be another backfield committee potentially in Carolina?

[A]

Jake, what do you expect out of this backfield in 2026.

[C]

If everybody is gone and it's just Juba Hubbard again and some random backup, like maybe they hope Jonathan Brooks is healthy, then I would say you could get Hubbard back into that mid RB2 conversation. Because I think the one part that Ericsson left out about that is that the contract kind of doesn't mean as much as people thought. Because that was part of the argument, was like, look at all that money that they gave Chuba Hubbard. This is, they love him. That's there.

[B]

He's the guy.

[C]

And like that was the biggest argument. And then the injury and everything changed. And when he came back, it was a split backfield. So I think he'll still have the opportunity to do everything he can to be the lead. Like, I wouldn't be surprised if Dowdle's gone. Dowdle's already talked about how he didn't love his workload towards the end of the season and like I mean understand who you are in the NFL. It's, it's okay to be a timeshare piece like you're still a successful running back in the NFL. But he, he's probably going elsewhere. He's going to try and chase something else. But if Hubbard is getting even 55, 60% of the touches next year he'll be a mid upper RB2 again. It's just really going to determine everything Erickson said after that is what is this backfield? If it's just Jonathan Brooks in some random piece then I'll get back in on Chuba Hubbard. If it's a significant like Rashad White. That's why I went is because I know he has the familiarity with Canalis is that we're right back to a timeshare. This is and I'm staying away. I don't want to deal with this again.

[A]

Jake, let's stick with you. What's your takeaway for the Panthers here?

[C]

Can I do my victory lap in my seat here? Do you remember last year at this time when we were doing our shows together? Worm who did I compare Teddaroa McMillan to? I said two names. I said what if he's just Calvin Ridley or zay flowers in 2025? And I said that's not a bad thing was my follow up is that's not a bad thing. And technically I was wrong because I was off by three touchdowns. But the yards and receptions were almost dead locked into what they were around 70 cat around 1,000 yards. And I said admittedly four or five touchdowns. He did get seven. But what it comes down to is that Tedromangmillen was wide receiver if you eliminate neighbors and somebody else with four games, if you elaine both of them and put him, you know, basically qualified wide receivers. He was 24 in points per game at 10.5. Again, that's okay. That's a really good rookie debut season. But my biggest point about it was like just because you're walking into what we expected and what exactly it was was a potential Drake London timeshare or target share, all that workload, all the targets all understand what the offense and the quarterback still are and like so it's okay that Tedro McMillan was wide receiver 24 and I think he was like 16 overall in the season once you cut out all the people who got hurt, which isn't a bad thing. My pushback on McMillan last year was the people that wanted to make him a fringe wide receiver one and there were some people who wanted to do that because of the talent, admittedly one of the best talents. But Bryce Young is still the quarterback. The Panthers are still the Panthers offense. Now be in on McMillan next year if the disappointment is hit enough that now he's going in that range as a wide receiver too because I would say that's his floor. He's got much more to do now. But I just want to point that out again like if we have quarterbacks next year, we don't know the quarterback as of right now. If they take Mendoza with the first pick. But what if they run Geno Smith back one more year and take Dante Moore and we're like oh look, but they drafted a wide receiver who's going to walk in and be the number one alongside Brock Bowers for the Raiders. It's still understand the quarterback position and we have to factor that in with some of these situations and that it's going to effect like Kyler Murray going to Jacoby Brissette was the difference in Trey McBride. I know not a wide receiver. But you get my point is that quarterbacks matter for the top target earner.

[A]

Erickson, what do you think about all this for Panthers perspective?

[B]

TMAC is so fascinating because I understand because I had him on a lot of teams and I definitely understand the ebbs and flows of his season when he wasn't scoring touchdowns is really frustrating. But he did provide a level of consistency which was that of a wide receiver too. He's also going to probably win offensive rookie of the year which is kind of crazy to think about when he had a dis because you mentioned disappointment. And then he also wins offensive rookie of the year which I think is more about just how the rookies played, especially the running back. I mean no running back had a thousand rushing yards like this. Oh my God, this is the greatest rookie running back class ever. And none of them crest a thousand yards. And TMAC is the only guy that does it and he does it as a receiver. So I think his ADP is going to be interesting to kind of wear it aligns. I'm not sure where he is in the ECR but I just love what I see watching him play. He looked like an alpha out there.

[A]

And 14 by the way.

[B]

And when he got double digit targets. So he had four games, double digit targets, 18 points per game. So when he got fed volume and they weren't trying to run the football they were just like let this guy eat. He was blowing up and putting up high ceiling games. And I get and maybe this jailing Coker thing like Coker blew up in the playoffs. Maybe that's enough where yeah maybe I don't want to draft tmac. You know Coker's getting into it and I like Jalen Coker too like super talented player. But I still think that McMillan is the alpha and I think that he has the alpha prototype build. And I mean nearly 1100 yards, 7 touchdowns, 75 catch, 126 targets, nearly 2 yards per out run as a rookie wide receiver in the first round. Like it's pretty good.

[C]

Same go ahead. But as a wide receiver like his ADP was what wide receiver 14. You just said 14.

[A]

That worm.

[C]

That's about what he was last year. And that was my point. My pushback for last year is like we're overrating his situation as like as good as he can be. And he was like it's just that's that you have to understand the risk.

[A]

Of the quarterback wide receiver in this range is really does not feel deep. As I look at these early 2026 rankings like he's wide receiver 14. AJ Brown is one spot ahead of him. The names behind him, T. Higgins, Garrett Wilson, Devonte Adams, Jameson Williams, Jalen Waddle, Lad McConkey, Zay Flower. Like I think where he's ranked is fine because I think you could easily make a case for him ahead of those other names given some of the ages and quarterback situations that those names are dealing with. So I like I don't know but.

[C]

You can get that same value around or two later is the concern here is like he's still with Bryce Young. I still expect him to be better next year. I would still put him like where you have them with those names is fine, but why take them there when you can take if Lab McConkey is going at wide receiver 20. Why take him when you can take lad McConkey there or why do it when you here we'll go all the way back to that show. You ready for this? You're telling me McMillan at 14 or Zay Flowers at wide receiver 21. Zay Flowers 100 at a hundred times.

[A]

Well, we know, we know Erickson agrees with that. Yeah, it's one of those things where it's like yes, he's ranked in the right spot, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you want to draft him there if that's where the ADP is. Even if rankings wise it makes sense. Sort of a small difference there. Let's go to the Bucks. Jake, what's your takeaway here for Tampa.

[C]

Injury Domino Effect, I mean, and this was actually when it comes to the Buccaneers, you almost say like a house of cards because it was everything it was to start the year. Chris Godwin wasn't ready for week one. Hell, he wasn't even ready for week four. Like that was a big thing that we talked about in July. People were speculating whether he'd be week one and it wasn't. And it opened up the door for Ibuka to start the year. And it was Mike Evans at Ebuka and Ibuka was gangbusters. It was amazing. Then Baker Mayfield gets hurt and Mike Evans gets hurt and then the backfield deals with injuries with Bucky Irving and then like it was up and down this roster. But the bigger thing here is that you have to watch also, especially when it comes to wide receivers who got hurt and who it affects because I think that the Buccaneers are the best example of this is like a lot of times we've seen injuries and we could do a whole show on listing all the opportunities where it happens. The Jaguars were a good one with the injuries to Brian Thomas and then of course like with Parker Washington stepping up, like what position is getting hurt? So Ibuka with Mike Evans was amazing. I said it was gangbusters. It was cool because Godwin was not a factor. He was out of the equation. The slot option, Ibuka, as soon as he was asked to be the one outside with no Mike Evans and get that outside attention from the top corners and Godwin came back is the beginning of the downfall for Ibuka's rookie season. And then by the time Mike Evans and Godwin were both 100%, Abuka wasn't even really needed at that point. But you see like, so it's not just the domino effect of like who gets hurt and who's immediately stepping up as the next option. Like let's just go to the next option. We bring up Chuba Hubbard or Rico Dowdle situation. But also what kind of wide receiver specifically honing in on the wide receivers getting hurt is this. You got to understand X, Y and Z the wide receiver roles that they play. And we talk about it without using those names a lot of time because it's easier to point out like where they play outside and all that type of stuff is sometimes the fill in isn't positioned to handle what that attention brings.

[A]

Erickson, you have Egbuka on your takeaways here too. So kind of tying in which I.

[C]

Love his take by the way.

[B]

Yeah, like we could buy low just like James copy and pasted But I only cut off the. The last three words of your takeaway for my takeaway, but all the preamble. I just think that this is the best way to approach the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield hurts his shoulder, and he's never the same. Midway through, Igbuka hurts his hamstring, doesn't miss any games, right? This is first reported as, oh, it looks like he's got a major hamstring tear. He's gonna miss a couple games, and then he plays the next week. He is terrible. The thing with Egbuka that's so weird is you saw his efficiency. Like, Jake was talking about gangbusters when Mike Evans is playing. And then in the second half of season, the guy can't stop getting targets, right? It's like 30% target share. 30% target share. 30% Target share. 3 catches, 4 catches, no yardage in the first game that Mike Evans came back. Igbuka had one of his highest yardage games in like six weeks, but he had it on two catches. So I think his whole season is very bizarre. And it's not like we're used to seeing, right, what's the custom or the. The common arc with rookie wide receivers. Luther Burden, like, that's usually what happens is you're stuck behind some dusty veteran because the coach doesn't put you in because of veteran indifference or whatever. And then you go on the field and what do you know? You're really good, you're really efficient. Whereas Egbuca was the opposite, where week one immediately hits and we talk about him. Was he a sell high? Right? All these Buccaneers receivers are coming back, so it was very weird that he's. He fell off so much in the second half where we saw Jaylen McMillan come back from a neck injury and surpass him on the depth chart in terms of routes run. And we're thinking, like, what is going on? So I really don't want to take a lot away from the Buccaneers second half because, I mean, this team was dysfunctional offensively. They were one of the worst teams against the spread. They kept being favored every single week, and they kept losing every single game. Trenton's Tristan Wurfs was injured, their stud tackle. So I almost want to write it all off. And the reason I'm doing that is because Igbuka ceiling that he showed in the first half, that's what you're drafting him for in 2026. You're drafting for that elite ceiling that he showed immediately from the jump as a rookie wide receiver in the NFL. He came in to the NFL with the prospects of this guy has a really, really high floor. You know, the question was the ceiling? He immediately answered what his ceiling could be in the NFL. So I think Ibuka is definitely one of the best buy lows. And I hate to admit this but when I did it was like six weeks ago. They made me do or I got to do a social short for, you know, projecting the first round. End of my first round I had Egbuka in there. Now obviously that's not going to be the case, but at the time I felt like, okay, based on this upcoming schedule, Igbuka could have a monster finish to the year. Didn't pan out that way, but it wasn't so galaxy brain to think that he could have been a first round pick in 2026 and now he's going to be nowhere near the top of fantasy football drafts.

[A]

Do you know where he is in early rankings for wide receivers?

[B]

Is he behind with their burden?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So he's outside the top 24.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

See that's a layup for me.

[C]

I think part of that might have to do with whether or not Evans is back.

[B]

True.

[A]

He's wide receiver 29. Evans is wide receiver 25 for what it's worth. But yeah, I'm not.

[C]

This isn't coming for this feels like, like hedging. We don't know as of today. We don't know if Evans is back one more year. We don't know if Igbuka like that kind of thing.

[A]

Totally. We're going live during another NFL playoff game this week. Join Joe Pizza Pia and Scott Bogman at 4:15pm Eastern this Saturday for a first half betting live stream. We don't know which game is yet. We know which games are on Saturday but I don't think they've actually announced the times yet. So we don't know which game that's going to be yet. But you can join Joe and Boggs there. We're tracking line movement in real time, breaking down live odds and calling out bets as the game unfolds. Get in before kickoff and catch us live on The Betting Pros YouTube channel. And by the way, I'm sure when people are actually listening to this episode, we we will know what game is there. So just as a heads up for anybody in case anything changes, we're taping this on Monday. So if anything changes between now and when you are hearing this episode later in the week and you say, oh, why didn't they mention that? That is why we are taping here on Monday when it comes to managing your money, you've got to think like a fantasy gm. It's all about making smart moves. That's where the Klarna Card comes in. It's like that perfect waiver wire pickup for your everyday finances. You can pay in full now or to pay later so you stay flexible and always in control of your budget. It's your debit card upgraded, no credit impact to apply, no annual fees and it works anywhere Visa is accepted. Think of it as a game winning play for your everyday finances. Sign up for the Klarna card by downloading the Klarna app or learn [e-mail] US Klarna card and take control of your purchases your way. Klarna Card Pay later Plans issued by web bank deposits in your balance account are held at webbank Member FDIC anywh Visa is accepted. Certain merchant product good and service restrictions apply. Some merchants do not accept virtual cards. Physical card only included with a paid Klarna membership plan Picture this A serene run where you feel like you can go forever. There's soft cushion in every step. Your energy never runs out and you reach a form of flow state. That's what it feels like to run in The Brooks Glycerin Max 2, the newest addition to the Glycerin series featuring max softness, Max energy, max run with dual cell DNA tuned cushion to optimize soft landings and powerful toe offs for a seamlessly tuned experience. Plus the Glide roll rocker helps provide a more fluid step through for an optimal and effortless heel to toe transition. Now you can truly tune out and max your run. Go on a run that never runs out in the new Brooks Glycerin Max 2. Shop the Glycerin Max [e-mail] let's run there.

[B]

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[C]

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[B]

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[C]

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[B]

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[A]

Bam. Let's go to Atlanta. Erickson, what's your takeaway for the Falcons?

[B]

2 a year too early on Drake London as a potential wide receiver one overall finisher. He was wide receiver three before his injury and before Michael Pennock's injury. In terms of points per game at 16.3, I was really bullish on Drake London. We talked about him on the Bold Predictions show last week where we were kind of recapping some of our predictions and I was kind of hard on myself, I think for London in that call. Oh, he could be the wide receiver one overall. Then as I dove into him like, okay, like, this wasn't like a terrible call. The injury kind of derailed him and I think that obviously played into his finish lackluster. But I mean, wide receiver three is still really, really good. Now the question marks are, you know, who's the quarterback going to be next year for the Falcons? Michael Pettic's coming off another torn acl. The Falcons and Kirk Cousins, they had a modified contract. Some people are saying that he's like, totally gone. Others are saying that, oh, well, there's a potential chance for they could reunite. I don't know what's going to happen with them, but they're going to have another quarterback in the building for Kirk or for, for Drake London. I think big thing too is Kyle Pitts is a free agent. So if he leaves in free agency and it's just Drake London and like Darnell Mooney, like, as the two pass catchers, like, how is that not. Drake London loaded up for like 150 targets. So that's enough volume for me to say, hey, this guy could be a top five, top three wide receiver in fantasy. So if he's going a little bit later just because of his injury question marks about the quarterback in Atlanta, I think I'm going to scoop up the discount. Drake London.

[A]

Well, you mentioned the questions about like, Kyle Pitts and the quarterback, also the coach. Like, we don't know who the play caller is or what this offense is going to look like.

[B]

And that isn't Zach Robinson still there?

[A]

Well, I mean, I assume whoever the coach comes in is going to make their own decisions about what the staff's gonna look like. Even if he still hasn't technically been fired yet. I don't, I don't.

[C]

That's gonna be interesting, by the way, to see if that happens. And then Zach Robinson backdoors into an OC somewhere where we're like, oh, wow, like, we're now excited about that.

[B]

Could they promote him to head coach technically too?

[C]

They could, they could, but I don't know.

[A]

Have they talked about interviewing him? I haven't seen anything with his name. Yeah, but just, you know, a lot of question marks is the point. I. I'm totally with you on Andre Klondon the player, but it's hard for me to like really plant my flag there yet until we see like the quarterback and the pits of it all and, and the coaching too. He is, by the way, early rankings wide receiver six, just behind kind of the obvious five of Puka, Chase, JSN Lamb and Amonra. So, you know, ranked aggressively. I will be totally comfortable paying that price unless, you know, whatever happens with this off season makes me feel, you know, come off that. But I do think, like, he's a good person to be very excited about. Jake, you have Kyle Pitts mentioned in your takeaway.

[C]

I do. And this actually regardless of what happens with by the way too, what we were talking about earlier with the quarterbacks and Erickson brought this up. That actually is a more experienced, older quarterback in Penix. And I don't know why I'm putting that in a quote. He legitimately was one of the oldest rookie quarterbacks in a long time that we've ever seen. And success for Drake London, unlike the other situations we were talking about of being those number ones. So I don't mind the Drake London opinion at all, depending of course on what happens. But the Kyle Pitt success is meaning that like, yeah, that was fun. It finally got it. It was like, hey, when nobody wants them, it's the year. The problem is I don't want him next year. Like, I don't care because of what you just brought up. It's funny also, maybe he's going to score six touchdowns next year because it's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and he's going to be in the sixth year he's legitimately scored. The years he's been in the NFL, the number of touchdowns every single season. But the success here is even if he's back with the Falcons, it's not even. Have I already looked Worm? I don't have any problem with him being the ninth tight end. It's the fact that that's usually that second tier of tight ends that's going in like that seventh round range. I'm just like, no, I'm not doing it because we're paying for arguably that was peak Pitts and I feel like even if he's not with the Falcons, it's going to be a situation where like oh my God, this team paid up for him. And now look at Kyle Pitts on this team and it's going to be all. You still have to understand what the biggest takeaway I have from this and I talked about it on the Rank show. You know, this worm because we talked about it with Fitz is the thing that really broke Pitts out this year is a testament to Zach Robinson and it's the fact that they stopped asking Kyle Pitts to run routes. He is not a good route runner. They said, you know what, you're a matchup problem. And he played like a power forward. He ran routes into defenders rolled off of him and that's how he got open. Watch a lot of his routes this year. It's basically initiating contact on some of them and you need somebody who's going to use them that facet and that facet is the way that it's going to be touchdown Reliant and it's going to be not big play but it's going to be somewhat volume in the fact that like he needs six, seven, eight targets because a lot of those plays are sometimes 50, 50 balls because he's using his body so much. So where he goes might be regardless of like what his production ends up being and I don't want him in that range. If he was going still as a 10th rounder, cool, sign me up. But that it's more of that. The fact of where he's going to go next year is why I'm out on Kyle Bits.

[A]

Yeah. You mentioned tight end nine already. That's in tier two in our early consensus rankings which I mentioned earlier when we were talking about Tucker Kraft in the NFC north show. That is a big tier two. It's Kraft, Loveland, Kittle who will fall out now with the injury. Warren Fan and LaPorta and Pitts. And Pitts is at the end of that list.

[C]

So saying like you didn't mention like I'll wait and take Strange, I'll take his boy Dalton Kincaid, I'll take Gadson at the end of drafts.

[B]

Like did I have a prediction where he could go? Kyle Pitts, Washington Commanders David Blau.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Familiar with Kenny Golladay, a guy that also wasn't really no, no.

[C]

You know why I'm laughing? Because you know what's immediately going to happen. Remember Vernie Davis on the Commanders? Remember I guess Washington at that time?

[B]

Yeah, but I mean they need other guys. So Zach Ertz, I mean he's not coming back as a tight end. They need weapon. They need someone that has youth on their team. And Kyle Pitts again, still pretty young guy. So commanders book it.

[A]

Let's go to the Saints here to wrap up the NFC South. Erickson, what's your takeaway for Nollins?

[B]

What is my takeaway from Nolan's? If you take, if you take an injury risk on a talented player, make sure it's coming at a discount. And I think that's kind of one of the selling points for a player like a Chris Olave where even last year or 2024 when he was dealing with a bunch of concussions, his efficiency was still really, really high. He was averaging over 2 yards per outrun a player that had consistently put up a thousand yard seasons because I don't think that him being lower in rankings was wrong. He has Spencer Rattler slash Tyler Schuck as his quarterback. Rashid Shahid has shown that he can match Chris Olave in terms of per game production. Now it ended up working out in the best possible way for Olave that they traded Shahid so he had less target competition and they went to Shook or to Tyler Shock and he played like more like Bonix Jane Daniels did as rookies where they come in, they're not overwhelmed. So I think Olave, even if you acknowledge the risk of hey, this is kind of a shaky offense, well now he's going like the seventh round and that was too, too cheap for a player of Olave's talent even considering, oh well, he gets one more concussion, he's never going to play again. We do this all the time when, oh, this guy's never going to play, he's going to get one more concussion. And then, I mean Brandon Cooks, he's still one concussion away. He still hasn't gotten that final concussion. So I wish I was right about Olave. I faded him and didn't even consider him even when he continued to fall and fall in drafts. So that's something I'm trying to be more open to with certain players that are deemed can't draft this player because of injuries or the situation is so, so bad. And I think too, and Jake, maybe you can shed some light on this because I know you do your projections, I think projections help a lot when you're evaluating a player in a bad situation because it's like I'm baking that all in to the numbers that I'm putting into the system. And even when I break in the Tyler Shuck is terrible. Chris Olave still spits out as wide receiver 25 and now he's going said wide receiver 35 and that's still too cheap. So that's kind of one of my takeaways with the Saints.

[A]

He do you think like because of the nature of the injury risk is concussion related that like are you going to be really hesitant to take him? He's he's at top 12 receiver right now in early rankings. Are you gonna be hesitant about that this year?

[B]

Erickson I still think so because all of the I didn't say all of the risk but last year everything was baked in to the all the risk was baked into his price. Well now it's also still there. I mean Tyler Schuck is still a young quarter again not a young court but a second year quarterback. I do have concerns about him having like a Bo Nicks type of year two where we don't see significant growth for him and he kind of just is what he is. So Olave, obviously it's much harder for him to exceed expectations this year and we'll see what else they do at wide receiver because again they didn't have any else behind Juwan Johnson really. So I don't know. I guess I'm probably a little bit more gunshine and is like a top 12 guy because that's where we've been drafting him except for last year and he usually hasn't paid off when you've drafted him that highly.

[A]

Jake, what do you think of the Saints?

[C]

I want to get in on the Saints for next year, but more so whoever ends up being the lead running back and potentially the wide receiver too. I feel like Olave is coming off like you just talked about. His cost is kind of in what we just saw as his breakout from a touchdown department and because before this Chris Olave was sitting in that Zay Flowers, Jacoby Myers, the names I brought up earlier whereas like 1100 yards, 1200 yards but 3, 4, 5 touchdowns and that was even with better offenses than we thought that the Saints would be this year. So turning into more of the talking about poor offenses which just kind of seemed to be like a theme of a lot of the nfc which is weird. So how top heavy they were. But to go back to the Panthers like even that like that lead running back situation when we knew who it was going to be was productive. Ted O. McMillan was productive as a wide receiver, too, even in what was a bottom 10 offense. I think the Saints are telling us of what we saw this year go to the Titans. The Titans, when Tony Pollard was. The guy was a fine RB2. And this is coming from somebody. They didn't want Tony Pollard anywhere. But you also saw with the Titans and the Jets, Garrett Wilson and Breece hall, that you can be a bad offense and still have two or three successful fantasy options if they're the lead. So that's where I bring it up. I want the lead running back for this team because I think it's going to come at a discount because a lot of the questions now, of course, if they draft somebody or something changes where they spend a lot of money in free agency. Not that they have any, but my point being is like, I could see it going sideways, but as of right now, I feel like this offense is going to be depressed for the second straight year because it's going to be slow. Still, it was okay. And I feel like some of these opportunities present to get the lead running back like Brace hall on a bad team doesn't mean you can't be a good fantasy product producer if you're getting 60% of the touches. So I think the number two against the lave, whoever it might be, we saw Vlee kind of clip in there for a little bit because they needed him. But I think there's an opening for the wide receiver too in the lead running back next year.

[A]

Erickson, just quickly, what do you think about the lead running back in this offense?

[B]

Rico Daddle, saddle up, baby. It's gonna see a lot of carries in that offense. I believe that they had time overlap him and Kellen Moore in Dallas, so that could be an option, especially as like a.

[C]

There you go.

[B]

I mean, I know Rico doesn't want to share the backfield with anybody, but if they're still committing to Alvin Camara in some way, shape or form.

[C]

No, I think Camara's done. I think that doubt. Do you bring up that name? I smile. That's why I was smiling. I actually would be invested in that because I think or Devin Neal would be like he would get 50% and they would just chip away like as in timeshares to get the rest of the 50%.

[A]

Erickson's favorite time of year is these next couple of months because he loves fighting these connections of like, oh, this coach used to be here when this player was there and that's going to be the connection for free agency. I think. I think he likes it more than fantasy draft season, honestly.

[C]

One time he was seen shopping at a food line in Topeka, Kansas and a few weeks later.

[A]

All right, we'll go ahead and wrap up the NFC south there. Thanks everybody for tuning in. Be sure to check out all of our division takeaways here across the AFC and nfc. For Erickson, I'm Jake. I'm not for Erickson and Jake, I'm Worm.

[B]

Thanks everybody. You wish. You wish.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Podcast. If you love the show, the best free way to support us is by leaving a positive review on apple [e-mail] review or on Spotify. Follow us on X Instagram and TikTok Antasypros and subscribe to our YouTube channel at YouTube.com fantasypros.

[C]

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[A]

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[C]

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