FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Stashes To Target Ahead of Week 1 (Ep. 1682)
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Joe Pisapia ("Joey P")
Guest: Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

Overview

This episode focuses on actionable and undervalued fantasy football waiver wire stashes to target ahead of Week 1. Hosts Joe Pisapia and Jake Ciely break down draft and early waiver targets that can give fantasy managers a head start on the competition, emphasizing cheap/free pickups with significant upside, especially in deeper leagues.

Key Waiver Wire Stash Targets & Insights

1. Ollie Gordon (RB, Miami Dolphins)

• Role: Emerging as a complimentary back with possible flex or higher value in Miami’s two-headed RB system.
• Preseason: 26 carries, 126 rushing yards; 3 receptions, 48 yards; "looked comfortable" running the offense. (00:47)
• Why Now?
  • "If you said he kind of set it up, we know this backfield is a two-headed monster… They use both. This is like the Lions. We want that second piece. He can be David Montgomery for the Dolphins." – Jake (02:40)
  • Injury worries for De’Von Achane; Jalen Wright struggled and got hurt.
• Upside: Flex at worst, Top 20 RB if Achane misses time.
  • “Best case scenario, Achane misses any time, and now you’re talking about top 20, even potentially better.” – Jake (03:26)

2. Dylan Sampson (RB, Cleveland Browns)

• Situation: Competing in a crowded, uncertain backfield (Ford, Judkins, Raheim Sanders).
• Role: Passing-down complement, ‘Jalen Warren’ type for Browns; secure role regardless of the lead back.
• Analysis:
  • "Dylan Sampson has some, like, Tyjae Spears to his game… Similar to Tees number five. His role is secure, whether it's Jerome Ford or Judkins… as the passing down complement Jalen Warren in this offense." – Jake (04:47)
• Browns Offense: Belief in Joe Flacco’s competency as a passer boosts upside.
  • “Over his last 17 starts, 4,400 passing yards. This offense is going to do things. I would take it over the Saints. I would take it over the Giants as of today." – Jake (05:13)
• Ideal For: RB3, particularly if you went WR heavy in drafts.

3. Cedric Tillman (WR, Cleveland Browns)

• Opportunity: Deontay Johnson released; path cleared for #2 WR role next to David Njoku.
• Quote:
  • "You saw a short window there over, like, a four-game stretch where Tillman was very useful… he’s a free square. And I think you and I see eye to eye on Cedric Tillman as well." – Joe (06:46)
• Volume: 40 targets in that short sample; real chance to be top-two on the team in targets.
• Flacco Factor:
  • "If I said, there's a world, Joe, where … we get to Week 17, and … Tillman outspoken, I would not fall out of my chair shocked… He's a productive wide receiver… now he has Joe Flacco." – Jake (07:09)
• Value: Cheaper than similar “breakout” WR picks (e.g., Jerry Jeudy)

4. Marvin Mims (WR, Denver Broncos)

• 2024 Surge: Ended last season with a flurry of TDs, stuck behind other receivers, now clearly #2.
• Prospect Profile:
  • “Marvin Mims, he's a possession wide receiver, which people don’t want to accept… but like Cedric Tillman, I want that big playability. I want the number two on the offense.” – Jake (10:13)
• Role:
  • “If you tell me that Mims and Tillman both walk into 110, 120 targets as the number twos this year, I actually think they're going to be very similar in production.” – Jake (11:17)
• Draft Cost: Still mostly free; high-upside bench/WR4 pick.

5. Austin Ekeler (RB, Washington Commanders)

• Availability: Under 60% rostered in Yahoo leagues at recording time; a possible overlooked RB3 in 10-12 teamers.
• Role: Reliable floor, especially in half or full-PPR; potentially first in line for volume with Robinson Jr. gone.
• Quote:
  • “The one thing that doesn’t matter for [Rodriguez or Merritt] is Austin Ekeler. Is Austin Ekeler. Yes, last year was a disappointment because he got hurt but… he was productive… He’s just that reliable. Hey, you know what? I’m going to go out there and get double-digit points every single game.” – Jake (13:18)

6. Deep League Stashes & Sleepers

• Elijiah Ayo Manor (WR, Tennessee Titans)
  • “At some point, I think he's going to work his way up the depth chart and I think he and Cam Ward are going to make some beautiful music together at some point in the second half.” – Joe (14:14)
  • Noteworthy moment: Dominant preseason performance against Colorado and “mossed” Travis Hunter. (14:54)
  • Jake: “He only has to pass the deteriorating Tyler Lockett and Van ‘I make two big plays a year’ Jefferson.” (14:33)
• Isaac Tesla (WR, Detroit Lions)
  • “I compared [Tesla] to last year’s Jauan Jennings: needs injury in front but if any of the three get hurt… everybody is scrambling to the waiver wire to get him.” – Jake (15:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jalen Wright:
  • “Jalen Wright did everything he could to look like the worst running back in the NFL in the preseason.” – Jake (02:19)
• On the importance of depth picks:
  • “This is where you can really gain an advantage too because if you talk about, you know, sometimes people don’t have the attention span. Like the draft starts to get away from a lot of the normies and the casuals out there…” – Joe (11:42)
• On Joe Flacco’s effect on Browns fantasy value:
  • “Joe Flacco, by the way, I don't know if you know this, Joe, over his last 17 starts, 4,400 passing yards. This offense is going to do things.” – Jake (05:11)
• Nugget:
  • “He has Joe Flacco as his quarterback at least to start the season, if not at least 10, 12 games before they start thinking about 2026.” – Jake (07:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and show purpose: 00:32
• Ollie Gordon deep-dive (Miami RB): 00:47–03:39
• Dylan Sampson analysis (Browns RB): 04:19–05:44
• Cedric Tillman conversation (Browns WR): 05:53–08:24
• Marvin Mims upside discussion (Denver WR): 10:00–11:39
• Austin Ekeler’s fantasy fit (Washington RB): 12:33–14:02
• Deep stash recommendations (Manor, Tesla): 14:04–15:43

Conclusion

The hosts reinforce the value of being proactive on waivers and in late rounds—these players are essentially free and offer substantial upside. They emphasize using FantasyPros tools (e.g., Draft Assistant) for an edge in both drafts and waiver activity, and close with a reminder that capitalizing on undervalued players is where leagues are won.

Summary By: FantasyPros Podcast Summarizer
For full details, listen to the episode for in-depth analysis and rationale on each suggested player.