FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Fantasy Football League Winners To Target (Ep. 1673)

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Ryan Wormley
Analyst: Andrew Erickson

Main Theme & Overview

This episode is one of the most vital and anticipated of the preseason: the annual "League Winners" show. Hosts Ryan Wormley and Andrew Erickson break down the players—primarily drafted outside the first two rounds—who can become fantasy football difference-makers, either by vastly outperforming their average draft position (ADP) or by dominating when it matters most during the fantasy playoffs.

The discussion covers early and mid-round targets, late-round stashes, risky upside picks, and listener responses. The hosts aim to help listeners cut through buzzwords like "sleeper" and "breakout" and focus on identifying true “league winners” for the 2025 season.

Defining a "League Winner"

• The hosts clarify the often-blurred terminology between “sleeper,” “breakout,” and "league winner” ([02:57]).
• League Winner: Generally, a player drafted after the first couple rounds who dramatically outperforms their ADP—especially those who shape the playoff landscape in December ([01:38], [02:57]).
• The “Who will go in Round 1 next year?” test: A fun way to forecast the type of breakout required for someone to enter elite fantasy status ([04:20]).

Quote:
"League winners, like the guys who literally do reshape the fantasy season, are what it is about at the end of the day." — Ryan ([00:35])

Key Targets: Early/Mid-Round League Winners

(Rounds 3-6, and some standout values even later)

1. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

• Tremendous value as a top-10 draft pick currently being undervalued in home leagues ([06:18]).
• ECR around WR20 but ADP as low as WR26 in home leagues ([08:19]).
• Projected to be Bryce Young’s clear WR1 under Dave Canales, drawing Mike Evans comps for usage ([06:18]).
• "This is the cheapest I believe he will ever be going in drafts. I am really confident that this guy is going to be a top 15 wide receiver next year, if not even higher." — Ryan ([08:19])
• Noted for strong endorsements from college peers (e.g., Travis Hunter) ([10:28]).

Memorable Moment:
"If I could plant my flag on one player this year, it’s I think that Tetairoa McMillan is going to be a top 12 receiver in drafts a year from now." — Ryan ([10:50])

2. Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

• Slipping into Rounds 4–5 due to injury fears and committee speculation with Zach Charbonnet ([11:29]).
• Walker poised for RB1 volume in a run-heavy Kubiak scheme that elevated Alvin Kamara to #1 in expected fantasy ppg last year ([11:29]).
• "The upside case with Kenneth Walker is that he is the RB one and bell cow of the Seahawks offense ... you have the recipe... for a top five fantasy football running back." — Andrew ([11:29])
• Concern strictly about durability, but upside justifies risk at current price ([14:08]).

Packers Passing Game: Where Is the League Winner?

(Discussed across [21:50]–[32:49])

Jaden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

• Falling well past WR40 due to a foot injury ([21:50], [22:27]).
• Asserted as a value for his efficiency and target share, but health/usage remains uncertain ([22:29], [24:28]).
• Slot role and motion looks offer high-efficiency upside ([23:28]).
• "This is just a bet on talent, right? He ... led the Packers in receptions and yards for two straight seasons." — Andrew ([22:29])

Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

• First-round rookie with great camp buzz, climbing swiftly in ADP ([24:28]), with a “top-15 overall prospect” profile per film analysts.
• Hosts increasingly view him as the most likely breakout among Packers WRs, especially given Jaden Reed's health ([26:10]).
• "I don’t think he should be outside the top 40 receivers and I think the upside is significant.” — Ryan ([27:39])

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

• Top late-round tight end option; yards after catch leader; drawing George Kittle/Smith breakout comparisons ([29:21]).
• Potential to lead Green Bay in red zone targets and capitalize as best TE talent on the roster ([31:19]).
• "If I get Tucker Kraft to be this year’s Brock Bowers or Jonnu Smith, that's such a significantly better hit for my fantasy team..." — Andrew ([29:21])

Other Mid-Round League Winners

Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings

([32:49])

• Expected to be the lead rusher for Minnesota, even with Aaron Jones healthy; goal-line role likely, plus standalone value and RB1 upside if Jones misses time ([33:07]).
• "I’m just way more confident in his role in the Vikings offense." — Andrew ([33:07])

Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

([37:19])

• Dual-threat skillset, floor/ceiling combo; week 1–2 schedule sets up immediate usability ([37:19], [38:45]).
• Compared to a poor man’s Josh Allen; high rushing output gives built-in safety net ([38:45]).
• "If he hits [his] ceiling ... Maye could be the league winner and I think there is a difference there." — Ryan ([39:59])

Late-Round/Bench League Winners (“Lottery Tickets”)

(Targets going after round 10 with massive upside, should opportunity arise)

Bashel Tootin, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars ([42:27])

• Day 3 rookie; flashed elite speed and tackle-breaking ability.
• Getting drafted in the 12th round+ ([44:42]).
• Investment by new coaching regime suggests possible in-season emergence as top option.

Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos ([45:52])

• Uber-efficient in limited 2024 usage; will week 1 snap share finally arrive?
• Clear pivot: “If Sean Payton decides nope, Marvin Mims back to your 27% snap share, then you can cut him ... but if he comes out and has a full-time role ... you're looking at a potential WR3 that you can start.” — Andrew ([45:52])

Braylon Allen, RB, New York Jets ([48:35])

• 240-lb battering ram, flashing in Jets camp. Could have a standalone TD-driven role, plus contingent upside ([48:35]).
• “I think that there’s a real opportunity that he’s going to see goal line touches in the Jets’ backfield.” — Andrew ([48:35])

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns ([52:16])

• High-upside rookie with major runway after Quintean Judkins’ off-field issues ([52:36]).
• "I genuinely think there’s a non-zero chance he is the best draft pick you can make this season." — Ryan ([54:49])

Luther Burden, WR, Chicago Bears ([56:57])

• Second-rounder drafted by new regime; quietly slides to WR59 after injury-plagued summer ([56:57]).
• “If he’s end up playing the slot role in a Ben Johnson offense ... I think that he could provide a lot of upside.” — Andrew ([56:57])

Josh Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills ([58:43])

• “Fifth-year WR breakout” candidate, attached to Josh Allen and unique as a separator among Bills’ weapons ([58:43]).
• “Palmer is going to have a full-time starting role and is free across every single draft. So worth taking the shot in week one.” — Andrew ([58:43])

Listener League Winners and Rapid Reactions ([60:31]–[63:32])

• Listeners suggest: Bashel Tootin, Ricky Pearsall, TreVeyon Henderson, Jameson Williams, Calvin Ridley, DJ Moore, Omarion Hampton, Courtland Sutton and others.
• Rookie RBs (Henderson, Hampton) called out by Andrew as the class that could truly redefine leagues this year:
  "This rookie running back class is special, and I think that we’re going to see it from week one … as hyped as we think we may be on them, we may not be high enough." — Andrew ([61:07])
• Ricky Pearsall spotlighted by Ryan as a potential surprise top-10 WR if the opportunity opens up ([62:32]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “[On Kenneth Walker] … If you guaranteed me health, I think this is a first-round pick. Honestly.” — Ryan ([14:08])
• “When in doubt, click the button on one of these [rookie RBs]. I feel you’re gonna benefit in the long run for it.” — Andrew ([62:32])
• “Draft all of [the Packers pass-catchers] when you have the opportunity to do so.” — Andrew ([27:39])
• “Don’t waste your bench—these are the types of guys… Don't waste your bench, draft these sort of players because we’re only caring about the upside and guys that could end up, if [the] situation breaks right, becoming league winners for you.” — Ryan ([40:24])

Quick Reference: Timestamps for Core Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |---------|-------|------------------| | Defining League Winners | [00:35]–[04:52] | | Tetairoa McMillan Deep Dive | [06:18]–[10:50] | | Kenneth Walker Deep Dive | [11:29]–[17:28] | | Packers mid/late round breakdown (Golden, Reed, Kraft) | [21:50]–[32:49] | | Jordan Mason RB profile | [32:49]–[36:36] | | Drake Maye QB upside | [37:19]–[40:24] | | Late-round stashes section | [42:27]–[55:39] | | WR lottery tickets: Burden, Palmer | [56:57]–[60:30] | | Listener submissions discussion | [60:31]–[63:32] |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The hosts deliver energetic, knowledgeable, and actionable advice. They emphasize the importance of upside in the late rounds, the value of being aggressive on rookies and first-year starters, and knowing when to bet on ambiguous situations (like the Packers’ pass catchers). The spirit is fun yet competitive—reminding listeners, “We’re not here to finish in third place. We’re here to win our fantasy championships.” ([63:52])

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive but concise gameplan for targeting league-winning value in their 2025 fantasy drafts.