FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Fantasy Football BUSTS To Avoid | Don’t Draft These Players (Ep. 1674)
Date: August 28, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia (“Joey P”) and Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)

Episode Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast is devoted to a crucial draft season topic: "Busts to Avoid in 2025." Hosts Joe Pisapia and Pat Fitzmaurice dig into the players they’re actively steering clear of at various draft points—from early picks right through to late-round fliers. They break down why expectations might be out of sync with reality for these names, drawing on preseason trends, injury history, team situations, and statistical regression. Expect sharp analysis, a few playful jabs, and actionable advice for your fantasy football draft.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early-Round Busts (Top 2 Rounds)

Breece Hall (“Why I’m Out at His Price”)

Pat Fitzmaurice [01:35]:

• Despite liking Hall’s talent and pass-catching, Pat is concerned by the Jets' new commitment to a running back committee under coach Aaron Glenn.
  • "New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has been saying all offseason he wants to use multiple backs, not just two." [01:36]
• Preseason usage confirms this: In the second preseason game, Hall played only half the snaps with other RBs (Braylon Allen, Isaiah Davis) splitting the rest.
• Jets' offense not expected to be high-scoring, further capping Hall’s upside.
  • "Like a committee back on a Jets offense that is not going to be one of the higher scoring offenses in the league. Like I'm just out on Breece Hall at a high end RB2 price." [02:22]
• Pat predicts low-end RB2 to high-end RB3 production, a poor return at his current ADP (high-end RB2 territory).

Christian McCaffrey (“Injury Worries & Value Check”)

Joe Pisapia [02:48]:

• Highlights the sharp jump in ADP: "Early ADP, when you go back to July of Christian McCaffrey and best ball, he was going around the 14th player overall... now he is the seventh player going off the board. That to me is a bridge too far." [03:45]
• Questions McCaffrey’s health: No preseason snaps, team traded for another RB.
  • "If he's so damn healthy, why didn't he play any preseason games? ... If he's so damn healthy, why are we trading for another running back?" [02:53]
• Injuries in recent seasons still linger.
• Prefers nearby, more reliable picks (“Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Derrick Henry, Amon-Ra St. Brown”), all with less volatility.
  • "I just don't feel the need to do this and to start my fantasy team this way." [03:17]

Mid-Round Busts (Rounds 5–8)

Mark Andrews (“Don’t Chase Last Year’s Touchdowns”)

Pat Fitzmaurice [05:10]:

• Warns against chasing Andrews' 11-TD season—calls it an outlier.
  • "I just never want to bet on the repetition of a big TD season." [05:18]
• Noted regression in catches and yardage (lowest since rookie season): 3.2 rec, 39.6 yds/gm.
  • "Mark Andrews did not eclipse 70 receiving yards in a single game last season." [05:36]
• Cites drop in Lamar Jackson's pass TDs and likely regression affecting Andrews' fantasy totals.
  • "I just don't think Mark Andrews is a very good value right now." [06:17]
• Preferred alternatives: Tucker Kraft (1 round later), Tyler Warren (1.5+ rounds later).

Travis Hunter (“Boom-Or-Bust Transition, Questionable Role”)

Joe Pisapia [06:37]:

• Hunter’s ADP slipping, but still being drafted as a WR3 (WR31, pick 70–72)—too high for Joe.
• Uncertainty stemming from splitting time between WR & DB, NFL wear and tear.
  • “This is not college football. This is the NFL, a whole different level of the game.” [07:20]
• Hunter isn’t even the top WR on his team (that’s BTJ).
• Route running and preseason film are red flags.
  • "Some of the route running that I've seen from him so far in preseason and some of the tape has not been the best in that transition to the NFL." [08:25]
• Likes peers in draft range more: Egbuka, Pearsall, Matthew Golden, Calvin Ridley.

Late-Round Trap Picks

Josh Downs (“Jameson Crowder Syndrome” & Diminished Outlook)

Pat Fitzmaurice [08:40]:

• Criticizes fantasy managers’ overattachment to “slot jitterbug” types—calls it "Jameson Crowder Syndrome".
  • “There is a real weakness among some people for players of that ilk.” [09:00]
• Disliking Downs even before his recent hamstring injury.
• Cites bad QB situation, competition for short-area targets (Tyler Warren), and lack of TD upside (7 TDs in 31 games).
  • "Mainly I think... Tyler Warren is going to be a big problem for Josh Downs as far as his target load..." [09:47]
• Urges fantasy players to avoid the trap.

Cooper Kupp (“Don’t Draft for the 2021 Glory Days”)

Joe Pisapia [10:26]:

• Acknowledges: "I remember when Cooper Kupp was good. It was glorious… But unfortunately we can’t keep chasing that." [10:37]
• Deteriorating durability: 9 games (2022), 12 (2023 & 2024).
• Massive change in team circumstances: New team (Seattle), drop-off from Matthew Stafford to Sam Darnold.
  • “Seattle offensive line has giant question marks. The quarterback play has giant question marks. It's JSN and Ken Walker...” [11:17]
• No meaningful preseason action or chemistry developed.
• Draft price (pick 104–113) is still too rich for his risk profile—prefers players in same range with more upside (e.g., Cam Skattebo, Drake Maye, Austin Ekeler).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Pat Fitzmaurice [01:36]:
"New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has been saying all offseason he wants to use multiple backs, not just two."

Joe Pisapia [02:53]:
"If he's so damn healthy, why didn't he play any preseason games? ... If he's so damn healthy, why are we trading for another running back?"

Pat Fitzmaurice [05:18]:
"I just never want to bet on the repetition of a big TD season."

Joe Pisapia [10:37]:
"I remember when Cooper Kupp was good. It was glorious… But unfortunately we can’t keep chasing that."

Pat Fitzmaurice [08:55]:
"I have discovered a disease within the fantasy football playing community. It’s called Jameson Crowder syndrome and it is the addiction to small jitterbug slot receiver types."

Joe Pisapia [11:17]:
"Seattle offensive line has giant question marks. The quarterback play has giant question marks. It's JSN and Ken Walker ... but I just can't see investing in Cooper Kupp."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:35] — Pat: Breece Hall as an early-round bust
• [02:48] — Joe: Christian McCaffrey, risk outweighs reward at current price
• [05:10] — Pat: Mark Andrews as a touchdown trap
• [06:37] — Joe: Travis Hunter, concerns with NFL adaptation and usage
• [08:40] — Pat: Josh Downs, why the “slot receiver” love is overblown
• [10:26] — Joe: Cooper Kupp, can’t chase old glory with new risks

Summary Table: BUSTS to Avoid (by Draft Range)

| Draft Range | Player | Main Concern | Recommended Instead | |----------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Early (1–2) | Breece Hall | Committee usage & bad offense; not worth high RB2 price | Braylon Allen (late rounds) | | Early (1–2) | Christian McCaffrey | Climbing ADP, injury history, mystery around health | Jefferson, Lamb, Henry, St. Brown | | Middle (5–8) | Mark Andrews | Unlikely TD repeat; declining volume/stats | Tucker Kraft, Tyler Warren | | Middle (5–8) | Travis Hunter | Inexperienced, uncertain offensive role, not WR1, questionable adjustments | Egbuka, Pearsall, Golden, Ridley | | Late (9+) | Josh Downs | Slot profile overvalued, poor QB, injury, no TD upside | Tyler Warren | | Late (9+) | Cooper Kupp | Past-prime, new/severe context, injury-plagued, unproven situation | Cam Skattebo, Drake Maye, Ekeler |

Final Thoughts

Joe and Pat keep things honest and actionable throughout this episode, cutting through preseason hype, nostalgia, and recency bias. They stress that draft capital should be used wisely and that it's better to pass on names with big question marks—be it due to committee usage, injury concerns, or unstable team environments. If you want a safer path to a fantasy championship in 2025, these are the players to move down (or off) your draft list.

Remember:

"Drop your comments below. Who are you absolutely not drafting? We love to hear from our audience here. Make sure you like this video. Subscribe... Ring the bell till it goes ding." [12:47]

For the full debate—including playful banter, ADP trends, and details on the A.J. Brown autographed helmet giveaway—catch the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or FantasyPros YouTube channel.