FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast — The 10 BIGGEST Fantasy Football Questions | 2025 NFL Season Preview (Ep. 1681)

Date: September 1, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley, Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitz”), Derrick Brown (“Dbro”)

Brief Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast delivers the annual preseason deep dive: “The 10 BIGGEST Fantasy Football Questions” for the 2025 NFL season. The hosts tackle the macro fantasy questions readers are asking heading into drafts—from the coaches most likely to change the game, to the overlooked players who could win leagues, to hot rookie debates. Throughout, Ryan plays moderator, giving Pat and Derrick room for honest, insightful, and sometimes heated debate with actionable takeaways for fantasy managers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Offensive Masterminds: Ben Johnson (Bears) vs. Liam Coen (Jaguars)

[03:49]

• Pat: Picks Liam Coen for Jacksonville. He likes the fit with Trevor Lawrence plus Coen’s history of unlocking offenses, especially the running game and slot receivers. He expresses some worry about the “vibes” with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson, specifically, the unknown chemistry and adjustment to Johnson’s system.
  • Quote: “I just don’t have unwavering confidence the Caleb Williams–Ben Johnson marriage is going to work. … There have been some weird vibes with Caleb. Like he and DJ Moore just don’t seem to have much chemistry together.” — Pat (05:02)
• Derrick: Agrees with Pat, doubling down on Jacksonville’s improved offensive design. He points to all the moving parts in Chicago (rookie QB, injuries, new weapons) and credits Dan Campbell for Detroit’s past offensive success too.
  • Quote: “If we zoom out and get the 100-foot view of this, there’s a lot of moving parts and pieces that all have to gel extremely quickly for Ben Johnson.” — Derrick (06:12)
• Ryan: Reinforces that people are too quick to write off Trevor Lawrence, and he’s giving him one final “prove it” year under new coaching.
• Vibe Check: All agree the “positive vibes” are with the Jaguars and Coen, not the Bears and Johnson.

2. Players Flying Under the Radar

[09:43]

• Question: Who haven’t you talked about enough on shows this year?
• Derrick: Cortland Sutton (Broncos WR). He outlines how Sutton’s camp usage and preseason, plus lack of serious target competition, make him a possible WR1 at WR2/3 price.
  • Quote: “He could be a WR1 this year that you’re drafting as a WR2—heck, maybe even as a WR3. If he has that type of season, he could define some leagues.” — Derrick (12:25)
• Pat: Pushes back, skeptical Sutton has top-20 upside due to role, depth, and Bo Nix’s preference for shorter throws.
  • Quote: “His best career finish in fantasy points per game is WR26...I think he’s being like, I have no beef with his price, I just don’t think he’s like a screaming buy.” — Pat (13:42)
• Pat’s Pick: Mark Andrews (Ravens TE). He warns against betting on past red-zone luck, notes declining yardage/catch stats, and increased competition from Isaiah Likely.
  • Quote: “If you strip away the 11 TDs Andrews had last year, things were pretty bad—3.2 catches, 39.6 yards a game. … I think we should heed the drop off in catches and yardage and steer away from this rather shaky fantasy profile.” — Pat (15:55)
• Ryan & Derrick (Counter): Defend Andrews’ red zone role, reminding that he’s Lamar’s top target and there’s room for TDs even if the offense regresses.

3. Who is This Year’s “Bengals” Fantasy Bonanza Team?

[23:56]

• Derrick: Dallas Cowboys. Explosive passing, poor RB depth, consolidated target tree, Dak-as-fantasy-stud, upside for CeeDee Lamb, Pickens, Ferguson.
  • Quote: “This is going to be an offense that’s probably top-5 in passing attempts. … CD Lamb as the alpha, he’s going to challenge Jamar Chase as the WR1 overall.” — Derrick (24:18)
• Pat: Carolina Panthers (“poor man’s Bengals/Cowboys”). High volume passing, improving offense under Dave Canales, and “alpha receiver” Tet McMillan stepping in, plus underrated O-line and Chuba Hubbard.
  • Quote: “It’s so strange to say this about the Panthers, but this could be a pretty potent offense.” — Pat (26:32)

4. Biggest Fantasy Letdown Team (Non-Injury)

[27:45]

• Pat: Houston Texans. Bad O-line, backfield mess, defense will depress pass volume. Only Nico Collins as a reliable fantasy pick.
  • Quote: “I don’t want any of the other pass catchers in redraft… No thank you.” — Pat (28:29)
• Derrick: Pittsburgh Steelers. Mix of Rodgers-Arthur Smith schemes, mismatched personnel, capped pass volume, concerns about DK Metcalf’s usage (“doing the same with DK as we did with Pickens and Titans receivers before”), and a mess at tight end and RB after Caleb Johnson.
  • Quote: “This could be a dumpster fire by week seven…personalities squawking in the media and nothing is going right.” — Derrick (32:35)
• Ryan: Quips that it’s hard to be disappointed when expectations for Pittsburgh are already low.

5. Tight Ends Outside Tier 1 to Beat Bowers/McBride/KD in Points

[37:11]

• Derrick: Tucker Kraft (Packers). Hyper-efficient, possibly leads team in target share, great after the catch. If the scheme features him, massive upside.
  • Quote: “The real answer is freaking Tucker Kraft here.” — Derrick (38:41)
• Pat: Tyler Warren (Steelers, rookie). Complete player, nearly never leaves the field, creative usage, “George Kittle and Taysom Hill had a baby,” with a fantasy-friendly skillset.
  • Quote: “He is a monster—like George Kittle with the ball in his hands.” — Pat (39:39)
• Consensus: If you’re not paying up for an elite TE, these are the two late-round targets.

6. Best Draft Value at Any Position

[41:29]

• Pat: J.K. Dobbins (Broncos RB) — Role likely to mirror old Mark Ingram role under Sean Payton, RB33 ADP, overlooked upside with only durability as concern.
  • Quote: “If he’s healthy, Dobbins is going to give us a thousand combined yards…right now he’s going RB33/95th overall—sign me up.” — Pat (42:33)
• Derrick: RJ Harvey (Broncos RB) — “Why can’t he be an RB1?” Great system fit, Payton will manufacture touches for the backfield, pass-catching upside, undervalued as RB22.
  • Quote: “I really don’t understand it…when we get to week five or six, people will say, ‘We really should’ve been drafting RJ Harvey as an RB1.’” — Derrick (44:41)
• Shared Take: Broncos’ system supports RB production—get Dobbins or Harvey late.

7. Rookie You’re LEAST Interested In Drafting at Cost

[46:18]

• Pat: Caleb Johnson (Steelers RB). ADP too rich for a rookie in Arthur Smith’s offense, lack of passing-down/TD upside (Aaron Rodgers likely to throw at the goal line).
  • Quote: “I just don’t want to ride the Arthur Smith running back merry-go-round again.” — Pat (47:19)
• Derrick: Colston Loveland (Bears TE). Too much target competition (DJ Moore, Kmet), missed time in camp, echoes “Dalton Kincaid rookie year” in likely role.
  • Quote: “I don’t see him breaking out as a rookie. … I just don’t see where he carves out enough target share in this offense.” — Derrick (48:24)
• Both: Will draft high-upside rookies (like McMillan, Henderson, Igbuka, etc.) even as their ADP rises.

8. Favorite Sleeper Late-Round Quarterback

[50:21]

• Pat: Drake Maye (Patriots). Elite rushing ability (projected 600+ yards/season based on 2024 use), upside for big red-zone role, improved supporting cast, poor man’s Josh Allen.
  • Quote: “There is big-time rushing upside with Drake Maye… he is the late round QB to draft.” — Pat (52:34)
• Derrick: JJ McCarthy (Vikings). Kevin O’Connell’s system will remain pass-heavy, recent upgrades, McCarthy has volume and supporting cast for top-12 finish.
  • Quote: “In four of his six play-calling seasons, KOC’s offenses are top-12 in pass attempts. … JJ McCarthy is going to get the volume.” — Derrick (54:50)
• Ryan: Jordan Love (Packers). Already a top-five fantasy QB at age 24, offense ascending, passing upside, undervalued (QB17 ADP).
  • Quote: “I think the ceiling is a top-five quarterback because we’ve literally seen him do it before.” — Ryan (55:33)
• Consensus: Wait on QB and grab one of these three — all are high-upside at minimal cost.

9. Are We Underestimating Patrick Mahomes’ 2025 Ceiling?

[58:14]

• Pat: YES. Falling to Round 7 in drafts. Now has multiple real WRs in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown. LT Josh Simmons, a rookie, locks down Mahomes’ blindside. “For the first time since 2018, he’s a value at ADP.”
  • Quote: “Patrick Mahomes with his blind side secured and abundant pass catching weaponry—I think he’s a big-time draft value for the first time since his second NFL season.” — Pat (59:54)
• Derrick: Skeptical due to volatility and weapons’ injury risk. Can’t pay the round six price, still sees Mahomes as QB10–12 in projections.
  • Quote: “If he bounces back, he’s going to absolutely bury me… I still can’t pay a QB6 ADP price tag.” — Derrick (60:20)
• Ryan: Agrees with Derrick on positional depth, but flags Mahomes as “the only early quarterback worth paying up for if you are.”

10. The One Player Who Will Define the 2025 Fantasy Season

[61:51]

• Pat: Brock Bowers (Raiders TE, rookie) — Predicts he “takes over” and justifies top-3 ADP at the position for years.
  • Quote: “At the end of the season I am going to demand a formal written apology from Debro for ranking Trey McBride ahead of Brock Bowers.” — Pat (61:51)
• Derrick: Tet McMillan (Panthers WR, rookie). Huge McMillan believer. “Could be this year’s Malick Nabers”—someone you’re starting as WR3 or WR2, but he produces as a WR1 value-winner.
  • Quote: “If Carolina is the NFC Cincinnati…it’s Tedro McMillan. … He could define some leagues.” — Derrick (62:34)
• Ryan: Applauds the boldness: “You’re not getting this in any other show—picking a tight end and a rookie as THE players to define the season.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Cortland Sutton...could define some leagues." — Derrick (12:25)
• "If you strip away the 11 TDs the Mark Andrews had last year, things were pretty bad." — Pat (15:55)
• "CD Lamb as the alpha, he's gonna challenge Jamar Chase as the WR1 overall." — Derrick (24:18)
• "This could be a dumpster fire by week seven." — Derrick on the Steelers (32:35)
• "The real answer is freaking Tucker Kraft here." — Derrick (38:41)
• "He is a monster—like George Kittle with the ball in his hands." — Pat on Tyler Warren (39:39)
• "If he's healthy, Dobbins is going to give us a thousand combined yards." — Pat (42:33)
• "I really don't understand it…people will say, 'We really should've been drafting RJ Harvey as an RB1.'" — Derrick (44:41)
• "If you had to pick one QB outside the top 6–8 who could be THE QB1, I'd pick Drake Maye." — Ryan (52:43)
• "Patrick Mahomes…for the first time since 2018, he's a value at ADP." — Pat (59:54)
• "At the end of the season I am going to demand a formal written apology…for ranking Trey McBride ahead of Brock Bowers." — Pat (61:51)
• "Tedro McMillan could be this year's Malick Nabers." — Derrick (62:44)

Quick Reference: Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:49: Ben Johnson vs. Liam Coen discussion
• 09:43: “Player we haven’t talked about enough” segment (Sutton/Andrews)
• 23:56: “This Year’s Bengals” (Cowboys/Panthers)
• 27:45: “Most Disappointing Team” (Texans/Steelers)
• 37:11: Tight Ends to Beat Bowers/McBride/KD (Kraft/Warren)
• 41:29: Best Value Pick in Drafts (Dobbins/Harvey)
• 46:18: Rookie to Avoid at Cost (Johnson/Loveland)
• 50:21: Late-Round QB Debate (Maye/McCarthy/Love)
• 58:14: Mahomes Ceilings and Chiefs Offense
• 61:51: Player Who Will Define the 2025 Season (Bowers/McMillan)

Takeaway Summary

• Elite upside late at QB and TE (Maye, McCarthy, Kraft, Warren), and mid-late round RB values (Dobbins, Harvey) are pillars of value strategy.
• Panthers and Cowboys are favorite teams to generate league-winning fantasy production.
• Brock Bowers and Tet McMillan identified as fantasy’s possible “must-have” league-winners.
• Strong skepticism of Steelers, Texans, and certain rookie “hype” picks at ADP.
• Key focus: Seek talent with proven volume and coaching histories behind them, trust camp and usage data, and don’t just chase last year’s results.

This episode is essential listening for managers prepping for late drafts, needing clarity on team trends, rookies, and high-upside targets. The fast-paced banter, clear arguments, and willingness to go against consensus provide actionable opinions for the 2025 fantasy season.