FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Biggest Fantasy Football Takeaways For EVERY NFC West Team (Ep. 1938)

Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Ryan Warmley
Guests: Andrew Erickson, Jake Seeley

Episode Overview

This episode completes a two-week series covering key fantasy football takeaways for every NFL division, focusing here on the NFC West. Host Ryan Warmley, joined by analysts Andrew Erickson and Jake Seeley, discuss the major lessons learned from the 2025 season for the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, and Cardinals, with actionable insights for future fantasy drafts, dynasty formats, and weekly management.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Seattle Seahawks: Decoding the Offensive Paradox

[00:40] Erickson:

• Key Takeaway: Don’t overrate “run-heavy” offense concerns if the target share is exceptional.

• Seahawks had the third lowest passing rate (50%) but JSN (Jackson Smith-Njigba) still led the NFL in receiving yards due to an outsized target share.

• Statistics: JSN posted a league-high 35.8% target share. The gap between him and #2 Amon-Ra St. Brown (31.3%) was larger than the gap between #2 and #8.

  "Anytime an analyst talks about and I've been guilty of this in the past... they're going to be too run heavy. No, just, just stop, take out your earbuds and stop listening because I think that that just doesn't pan out." — Andrew Erickson [00:40]

• Context: Seattle ranked top two in vacated air yard and target share heading into the season, clearing the way for JSN to dominate.

[03:43] Seeley:

• Compared JSN’s breakout to public enthusiasm for Drake London in similar situations but explained he favored JSN due to:

  • Vacancy at WR (DK Metcalf gone, only Lockett left initially)
  • The projection of Sam Darnold as a stable QB (even if “mid-level”)

• Bold Take: Both Walker and Charbonnet can be RB1s, but not together; hopes Walker lands elsewhere to unlock value for both.

  "Dear Lord baby Jesus, I just pray right now can Kenneth Walker not be a Seattle Seahawk next year?... Both being healthy, it's just us banging our head against the wall." — Jake Seeley [05:05]

[06:45] Warmley:

• Universal consensus: “Yes, please just get Walker somewhere else and give us fantasy goodness from, from both of these guys.”

Los Angeles Rams: Changing Perceptions of Running Back Timelines

[07:22] Erickson:

• Key Takeaway: Don’t write off rookie RBs after a quiet year—second-year surges are real and cheap in dynasty/late best ball.

  • Blake Corum is the poster child. After a quiet rookie year behind Kyren Williams, seized a bigger role in year two and boosted value.

• Corum’s standalone value increased—the offense became more efficient as a result.

  • “It's rookie running backs that usually don't do that much. They enter their second season and it doesn't take a lot necessarily for them to move the needle.” — Andrew Erickson [07:22]

• Price Check: Corum at RB29 “feels pricey,” but if he’s in a 'David Montgomery-esque’ split and offers injury upside, it’s justifiable.

[09:57] Seeley:

• Key Takeaway: Timeshare backfields are not automatically bad—lead roles (60–65%) on good offenses can be valuable.

  • Only seven RBs saw 70%+ snaps this past year; e.g., Travis Etienne (69%), Bijan Robinson (68%), Kyren Williams.
  • “If they're on the right team, if they're the lead options ... it's not a death knell to the lead option.”

• Kyren Williams Value: Being ranked RB17 is “too low”; even in a timeshare, he remains the majority goal-line back and finished RB8 in half-PPR.

  “Now people want to kick him even further down the RB2 ranks... it's just crazy because he's still produced.” — Jake Seeley [12:07]

San Francisco 49ers: Embracing Upside and Recognizing Offensive Environments

[13:51] Erickson:

• Key Takeaway: Always prioritize league-winning upside, even with injury risk—Christian McCaffrey is the ultimate example.
  • The CMC “injury fade” logic has proven less valuable than betting on his unique ceiling, especially given his heavy receiving work.
  • “I think that more often than not, if you just chase upside ... that's going to lead you to more championships than being overly concerned about, well, what if he gets hurt?” — Andrew Erickson [13:51]
• Process Notes: Erickson acknowledges two competing philosophies (fade dangerous workloads vs. chase upside); will likely still “fade” CMC again next year due to the process but credits his unique role.

[16:29] Seeley:

• Key Takeaway: Stop disrespecting Brock Purdy or, more generally, any primary player in a Kyle Shanahan system.
  • Purdy has been a top-10 QB in points per game for three straight years.
  • Shanahan offenses routinely support fantasy production, often making secondary options relevant in injury/inactivity scenarios.
  • “If I miss on quarterback... Brock Purdy is going to be one, if not my only quarterback, one of two. And if maybe just my only quarterback at this point, that's three straight years he's been disrespected...” — Jake Seeley [17:43]

Arizona Cardinals: Know When to Quit on Bad QB-WR Chemistry

[18:32] Erickson:

• Key Takeaway: Don’t stubbornly hold out hope for misaligned veteran QB–WR combos.
  • Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray “bad vibes” were evident early (Kyler: “not my job to get MHJ the ball”). Their skillset mismatch showed from week one.
  • Development is possible with young QBs, but entrenched veterans’ chemistry (or lack thereof) is usually clear early.
  • “I don't think it takes like so much time for an entrenched veteran quarterback to establish rapport with a wide receiver that's... super talented.” — Andrew Erickson [19:20]

[20:30] Seeley:

• Key Takeaway: Quarterback style shapes fantasy outcomes more than most realize.
  • Referenced Brian Thomas and Trevor Lawrence: Lawrence preferred slot options like Parker Washington over Thomas outside.
  • Highlighted how Jacoby Brissett briefly unlocked more in the Cardinals’ passing game than Kyler could.
  • “Quarterbacks matter more than people would think. You people might think. The peasants, you peons. Thank you for supporting the show.” — Jake Seeley (jokingly) [23:12]

[23:14+]

• Value Check for 2026:
  • Marvin Harrison Jr. at WR34 (“too low,” per Seeley—still believe in talent)
  • Michael Wilson at WR36 (too closely ranked; needing major change to trust both)
  • Missing coaching clarity: “I am TBD on my Cardinals receiver takes here. TBD on January 12th.” — Erickson [24:13]

Selected Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Erickson [00:40]: “Anytime an analyst talks about ... they're going to be too run heavy. No, just ... stop listening.”
• Warmley [03:25]: “The gap between JSN and number two, Amonra St Brown at 31.3%, is larger than the gap between Amon Ra at two and Chris Olave at eight.”
• Seeley [05:05]: “Dear Lord baby Jesus, I just pray right now can Kenneth Walker not be a Seattle Seahawk next year?”
• Erickson [07:22]: “It's rookie running backs that usually don't do that much. They enter their second season and it doesn't take a lot necessarily for them to move the needle.”
• Seeley [12:07]: “Kyron [Williams] just went from being disrespected as, like RB 10, 11 ... now people want to kick him even further down... it's just crazy because he's still produced.”
• Erickson [13:51]: “If you just chase upside ... that's going to lead you to more championships than being overly concerned about, well, what if he gets hurt?”
• Seeley [17:43]: “Brock Purdy is going to be one, if not my only quarterback, one of two. And if maybe just my only quarterback at this point, that's three straight years he's been disrespected...”
• Erickson [19:20]: “I don't think it takes like so much time for an entrenched veteran quarterback to establish rapport with a wide receiver that's... super talented.”
• Seeley [23:12]: "Quarterbacks matter more than people would think. You people might think. The peasants, you peons."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Seattle Seahawks Analysis: 00:40–07:12
• Los Angeles Rams Analysis: 07:22–12:42
• San Francisco 49ers Analysis: 13:47–18:27
• Arizona Cardinals Analysis: 18:32–24:44

Final Thoughts

This episode provided sharp, practical takeaways for each NFC West team using statistical insight, eye for context, and a blend of actionable dynasty and redraft strategy. Hosts emphasized the importance of opportunity, the hidden value in certain backfields, quarterback impact specificity, and the principle of always prioritizing upside—even when it feels uncomfortable.

Listen for:

• Fresh takes on timeshare RBs
• Nuanced breakdowns of target shares and QB styles
• Dynasty and redraft recommendations for 2026
• Entertaining, candid banter and in-depth fantasy process discussion