FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets | Expert Picks For EVERY ROUND! (Ep. 1663)
Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Ryan Warmley
Guests: Andrew Erickson, Tom Strachan

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Ryan Warmley is joined by analysts Andrew Erickson and Tom Strachan to deliver their “must-have” fantasy football draft targets for every round (Rounds 1–15). The show focuses on identifying the players most likely to outperform their current average draft position (ADP), with robust discussion around positional value, changing roles, and team situations. The hosts cite expert analysis, betting odds, and personal draft tendencies to make the case for their handpicked players. Rounds 1–10 receive deep dives, while rounds 11–15 are covered in rapid-fire fashion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rounds 1–2: Building an Elite Foundation

Round 1 Targets

• Nico Collins (WR, Houston Texans)

  • [01:26] Andrew Erickson: “If you want a lock-and-load alpha stud wide receiver who’s gonna put up 1,500 yards this season if he stays healthy, Nico Collins is the guy for me.”
  • Collins is going just outside the top five picks. With CJ Stroud at QB, Collins has been top-five in receiving yards per game over the past two years and projects as a volume play with a sky-high ceiling.
  • Concern over Houston’s OL is “overblown;” Collins has produced through adversity.
  • [03:25] Ryan Warmley: “Every time I’m on the board in the second half of the first, Nico is there and I’m like… he is my seventh pick and he’s usually available a couple spots later.”

• Jamar Chase (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

  • [04:04] Tom Strachan: “There’s good reason why he is the consensus 101… Barring a fluky, not predictable fluky injury for Chase or Burrow, I don’t understand what the case is against Chase being the number one player in fantasy.”
  • Elite, “layup” #1 overall pick in most formats given his talent, team context, and red zone usage.
  • Strachan points out a possibly even weaker Bengals pass defense in 2025, which could mean more shootouts and target volume for Chase.

Round 2 Targets

• Drake London (WR, Atlanta Falcons)

  • [06:41] Andrew Erickson: “Drake London, that’s the guy for me in round two… He’s top five in red zone targets… everything else is wheels up for Drake London to be a top five wide receiver, if not put his hat in the ring for wide receiver 1 overall.”
  • London’s elite usage in the red zone, combined with expected QB improvement (Michael Penix), puts him in breakout territory.

• Brock Bowers (TE, Las Vegas Raiders)

  • [09:46] Tom Strachan: “Brock Bowers… a true superstar for the next seven or eight years.”
  • [11:21] Ryan Warmley: “A generationally good tight end prospect coming out of college who had a record-setting rookie season...”
  • Massive upgrade at quarterback (now Geno Smith) and offensive scheme; Andrews and Warmley both mention that Bowers never relied on unsustainable TD spikes, making him a safe elite option.

Notable Exchange

• [13:10] Andrew Erickson (on Bowers): “He plays tight end, but he’s really more of a slot receiver… If he scores the touchdowns, well, that’s when you see him being a round one pick next season.”

Rounds 3–4: Chasing Value & Upside

Round 3

• Omarion Hampton (RB, LA Chargers)

  • [14:34] Andrew Erickson: “I just want to make a bet on a first round rookie running back with elite draft pedigree...”
  • Immediate opportunity, four-down skill set, likely to be a “bell cow.”

• Jayden Daniels (QB, Washington Commanders)

  • [17:20] Tom Strachan: “Only three quarterbacks who… average over 50 rushing yards per game: Lamar, Justin Fields, and Jayden Daniels.”
  • High ceiling/rushing floor, with new weapons (Deebo Samuel). But Warmley/Erickson note they prefer the proven Allen/Lamar or waiting for Hurts.

Round 4

• Kenneth Walker (RB, Seattle Seahawks)

  • [27:12] Andrew Erickson: “If he stays healthy he’s going to be a top five fantasy running back. I’m very convinced of that.”
  • Elite offensive scheme fit under Clint Kubiak; high volume and pass-game potential.

• Davante Adams (WR, LA Rams)

  • [30:45] Tom Strachan: “He is the perfect kind of piece to unlock this Rams offense… I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he hit double digit touchdowns this year.”
  • Adams projected as a much-needed red zone and target magnet for Matthew Stafford; significant “value gap” at his current ADP.

Rounds 5–6: Rising Young Talent & Post-Hype Sleepers

Round 5

• Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers)

  • [32:38] Andrew Erickson: “He could be a Fantasy WR1 — that would not surprise me at all… he’s being drafted closer to his floor than his ceiling.”
  • Immediate WR1 for Bryce Young in a WR-friendly Dave Canales offense.

• Xavier Worthy (WR, Kansas City Chiefs)

  • [35:34] Tom Strachan on Worthy’s deep-ball volume, potential during Rashee Rice suspension: “I’d be comfortable pushing him even a couple picks higher among wide receivers.”

Round 6

• Jaylen Waddle (WR, Miami Dolphins)

  • [37:18] Andrew Erickson: “If we’re expecting Tyreek Hill, which I do, to take a step back or if the Dolphins move on… there’s no chemistry issues with Jaylen Waddle and Tua.”
  • Returning to the well due to talent, existing chemistry, and pending Tyreek uncertainty.

• Calvin Ridley (WR, Tennessee Titans)

  • [39:32] Tom Strachan: “He’s just been undervalued… When he did have the ball, he ranked 15th in missed tackles forced, 8th in yards per reception.”

Rounds 7–10: Filling Out Starters & Key Backups

Round 7

• Ricky Pearsall (WR, San Francisco 49ers)

  • [42:12] Andrew Erickson: “Showed out at the end of last year… getting someone that’s attached to Brock Purdy in round seven...”
  • Highlighted as a training camp star and possible immediate impact WR in a strong system.

• Jalen Warren (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers)

  • [45:12] Tom Strachan: “If he’s able to average more touches per game, then we know he can be explosive.”
  • Strong PPR floor, opportunity for increased workload.

Round 8

• Jordan Mason (RB, Minnesota Vikings)

  • [48:09] Andrew Erickson: “He’s gonna have a big role… red zone opportunities… auto pick every time I’m drafting.”
  • Expected to be the “early down grinder” and red zone weapon in an improved run-blocking scheme.

• Emeka Egbuka (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

  • [49:58] Tom Strachan: “Incredibly talented… easy to see him having a really good run of games where Rashaad Rice is out and he becomes a volume hog.”
  • Big opportunity with WR injuries ahead of him; late-round value with WR2/3 upside.

Round 9

• Tucker Kraft (TE, Green Bay Packers)

  • [54:51] Andrew Erickson: “He could be a top five tight end when we’re drafting next year… a YAC monster.”
  • Warmley notes: “If one of Craft or [Tyler] Warren goes, I’m taking the other — both are excellent late tight end picks.”

• Justin Fields (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers)

  • [56:18] Tom Strachan: “If you’re looking for a massive upside swing at quarterback, Justin Fields… it’s hard to go past him.”
  • Noted for rushing ability and high weekly ceiling; risk due to volatile situation.

Round 10

• Drake Maye (QB, New England Patriots)

  • [59:43] Andrew Erickson: “He offers the rushing upside… higher ceiling as a passer than Justin Fields does.”
  • Early soft matchups, significant upgrades to offensive cast, dual-threat ability.

• Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seattle Seahawks)

  • [62:09] Tom Strachan: “Charbonnet at cost at RB35… The contingent upside with Charbonnet is about as high as any backup running back in the league.”

Rounds 11–15: Rapid Fire Favorites

Andrew Erickson’s Picks

• Round 11: Bill “Crosskey” Merritt (RB, Washington Commanders)
  • [63:23] “He could take over that Brian Robinson role, but maybe get a little bit more and be the more explosive version... I want to buy into that upside.”
• Round 12: Bishell Tut (RB, Jaguars)
• Round 13: Braylon Allen (RB, Jets)
• Round 14: Marvin Mims (WR, Broncos) — “Devon Bailey season is over. Marvin Mims is about to take over the world.”
• Round 15: Josh Palmer (WR, Bills) — “My bet on a fifth year wide receiver breakout. Annual tradition like no other.”

Tom Strachan’s Picks

• Colston Loveland (TE, Titans)
• Austin Ekeler (RB, Patriots)
• Tyler Allgeier (RB, Falcons)
• Cam Ward (QB, Dolphins)
• Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, Giants)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:14] Tom Strachan: “You don’t care about your offensive line and you just pass the ball.”
• [05:25] Ryan Warmley: “I don’t understand what the case is against Chase being the number one player in fantasy again this year. I really don’t — maybe the most perfect situation a fantasy receiver has ever been in.”
• [33:57] Ryan Warmley: “This is the cheapest that Tetairoa McMillan will be available in fantasy drafts in his entire career.”
• [54:09] Ryan Warmley (on Emeka Egbuka): “I would take Egbuka over all four of those guys right now... seems like a pretty clean sweep.”
• [67:06] Tom Strachan: “Tucker Kraft... I can’t understand why he’s going outside the top 12 tight ends... shown us everything we need to see.”

Positioning & Strategy Themes

• Favor high-upside, ascending young talent over “safe” veterans in the mid-to-late rounds.
• Don’t ignore offensive line concerns, but don’t let them override elite WR/RB talent.
• Chase contingent upside and ambiguous backfields in the double-digit rounds (e.g., Merritt, Mason, Allgeier, Allen).
• Wait for value at QB if you miss the elite tier, but be willing to pounce on upside swings like Fields or Maye.
• Leverage real-time ADP shifts, especially with preseason and late August injuries affecting value.
• Target tight ends with after-the-catch skills and established volume if you miss on top guys (Bowers, Kraft, Warren).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:26 — Round 1: Nico Collins argument
• 04:04 — Round 1: Jamar Chase case
• 06:41 — Round 2: Drake London reasoning
• 09:46 — Round 2: Brock Bowers deep dive
• 14:34 — Round 3: Omarion Hampton upside
• 17:20 — Round 3: Jayden Daniels dual-threat appeal
• 27:12 — Round 4: Kenneth Walker opportunity
• 30:45 — Round 4: Davante Adams as Rams WR
• 32:38 — Round 5: Tetairoa McMillan rookie WR breakout
• 35:34 — Round 5: Xavier Worthy deep-ball upside
• 37:18 — Round 6: Jaylen Waddle bounce-back
• 39:32 — Round 6: Calvin Ridley post-hype value
• 42:12 — Round 7: Ricky Pearsall Niners WR
• 45:12 — Round 7: Jalen Warren PPR floor
• 48:09 — Round 8: Jordan Mason as Vikings RB
• 49:58 — Round 8: Emeka Egbuka Bucs opportunity
• 54:51 — Round 9: Tucker Kraft breakout TE case
• 56:18 — Round 9: Justin Fields late swing at QB
• 59:43 — Round 10: Drake Maye as best late QB
• 62:09 — Round 10: Zach Charbonnet’s hidden value
• 63:23 — Round 11: Bill Crosby Merritt helium
• 67:06 — Favorite “leave every draft with” player: Tucker Kraft (Tom), Drake Maye (Erickson)

Conclusion

This episode is a comprehensive, rapid-fire guide to identifying the most critical draft targets for 2025 across all 15 rounds, with a strong focus on turning ADP, late-offseason news, and player profile analysis into a winning fantasy football strategy. The team collectively champions chasing genuine upside, not overreacting to recent trends, and trusting process over preseason noise.

For more analysis, rankings, and draft tools, visit FantasyPros.com.