FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: The Best of the Fest: Breakouts, Busts, Rankings & Sleepers From Fantasy Football's Top Analysts (Ep. 1658)
Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Joe Pisapia (Joey P), with guests including J.J. Zachariason, Andrew Erickson, Andy Behrens, Debro, Tara Roberts, Dan from DraftKings, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg, Justin Boone, and others.

Overview

This “Best of the Fest” episode of FantasyPros compiles top analysis, strategic advice, breakout picks, and key debates from the Fantasy Fest 2025 livestream. The episode brings together many of fantasy football’s sharpest minds to discuss wide receiver and running back depth, breakout candidates, busts and landmines, key rankings debates, and late-round league-winning sleepers to prepare listeners for their drafts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wide Receiver Depth & Draft Strategy

Andrew Erickson and J.J. Zachariason tackle the perennial question: "Is wide receiver really as deep as people say?"

• Erickson: It's "deep at the top," but after the top 10–12 wideouts, tiers get murky and less reliable.
  • Emphasizes avoiding lottery tickets late—better to have secured reliable WRs early and load up on RBs and TEs late.
• J.J. Zachariason: Agrees, sees a "giant tier" of WRs in the mid-rounds with plenty of upside, but many (e.g., Zay Flowers, Cortland Sutton) lack clear paths to elite finishes.
  • Suggests anchoring with one WR in the first two rounds, then chase upside in the middle rounds.

“The depth is maybe overstated in previous years... I want to be scooping up running backs late.” – Andrew Erickson (03:25)

“Drake London... would we be shocked if London ends up as the overall wide receiver 1 this year? It’s in his range of outcomes.” – J.J. Zachariason (08:40)

Favorite WR Duos (Early Round)

• Nico Collins + Drake London highlighted by both Zachariason and Erickson as ideal early picks if the board falls right.

Potential Breakouts with Value:

• Puka Nacua: Overlooked for his TD upside, potentially due for a big season.
• George Pickens: Huge yardage player, just needs TD regression.

Other Notable Names Discussed:

• Marvin Harrison Jr.: Upside, but with unanswered questions on team changes.
• JSN, Mecca Igbuka, Ricky Pearsall: Mid-round upside targets.

2. Running Back Breakouts for 2025

Andy Behrens & Andrew Erickson’s RB Take

• Jakori Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders):
  • Described as the potential "late-round league-winner" of 2025, well above his ADP by the panel.
  • Brian Robinson likely to move on/trade, paving the way for Croskey-Merritt’s "revenge tour."
  • Talent, opportunity, and camp buzz all align.

“He’s checking off every single box...pull him up your board and make sure you get him with one of your later round picks.” – Andrew Erickson (24:45)

“I’m shocked he’s still available at this price; he should already be ranked in the 30s at the position.” – Andy Behrens (27:22)

• Austin Ekeler: Quietly a high-value target in later rounds for PPR leagues, with potential for strong receiving usage.

3. Wide Receiver Breakouts and Values

Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers)

• Andy Behrens & Andrew Erickson:
  • Called the "easiest click" in fantasy football this year: a likely WR2 output from a player available at WR40 in ADP.
  • Niners’ #1 WR by default with major injuries elsewhere.
  • Athletic traits and late-season 2024 breakout cited as evidence.

“I think he’s giving us 1100 yards this year... These are very solid WR2 numbers.” – Andy Behrens (32:15)

4. "Would You Rather": Key Player Face-Offs

Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams

• Debro:
  • Sides with Adams for volume, talent, and system fit, relative lack of decline, even with Stafford’s sketchy health.
• Tara Roberts:
  • Leans Tyreek for ceiling, citing better schedule, potential for league-winning playoff heroics, and bullish on the offense shifting after a less optimal 2024.
• Both acknowledge both players' risk profiles (age, health, quarterback uncertainty), but Hill’s upside overrules safety for Tara.

“As a volume bet, as a talent bet... I am totally fine taking Devonte Adams.” – Debro (44:10)
“The upside for all of the Dolphins players...would be literally league winning in the playoffs.” – Tara Roberts (49:00)

5. Landmines & Busts to Avoid

Ladd McConkey (Chargers, WR11 in early ranks)

• Dan from DraftKings & Debro:
  • Once viewed as a borderline WR1, now likely more of a mid-WR2/WR3.
  • Concerns: Offense likely to be bottom 10 in pass attempts, efficiency unsustainable, new competition (Keenan Allen, heavier run game), OL injuries.

“He’s more of a mid-WR2 for me... I landed him right at like WR28.” – Dan (57:31)
“If I can’t consistently answer ‘Ladd’ to the target question, then how can I rank him as a WR1?” – Debro (61:45)

Baker Mayfield (QB7 in ADP)

• Dan, Debro, others:
  • Overvalued due to unsustainable TD rate, low depth of target, change in OC; plenty of cheaper QBs in same tier with similar (slightly less) upside.

“I will have [Baker] in zero leagues... I would just expect regression.” – Ryan (65:15)

6. Running Back Rankings & Fades

David Montgomery (Detroit) & DeAndre Swift (Chicago)

• Panel consensus: Both are a bit overrated.
  • Montgomery: He’s a safe RB2/floor play, but the offense is changing (Ben Johnson gone), OL (Frank Ragnow) retired, and Jameer Gibbs threatens touch share.
  • Swift: Could lose goal-line work, not convinced by the Bears’ offense, likely competition.

“He’s clearly the second best back in this backfield for an offense we’re maybe worried could tail off.” – Pat Fitzmaurice on Montgomery (76:45)
“Not certain... Swift gets a ton of meaningful targets or goal line looks.” – Dave Richard (78:10)

Miles Sanders (Dallas) & Austin Ekeler (Washington)

• As deep-league RB darts outside the top 36, both highlighted as cheap touch-earners with clear upside if situations break right.

7. Wide Receiver Tiers 25-36 & Breakout Candidates

Tetaroa McMillan (Carolina Panthers)

• Pat Fitzmaurice & Jamie Eisenberg:
  • Potential to lead the team in targets and finish as a WR2 or even challenge WR1 value.
  • Heavy target projection due to weak defense, positive passing script, and limited WR competition.

“It’s obvious TMAC will be Bryce Young’s top receiver right away...I have him in the teens.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (91:05)
“He’s a borderline top-20 guy for me... if he can get over his hamstring, he could be a draft steal.” – Jamie Eisenberg (93:00)

8. First-Round Picks & Rankings Debates

Christian McCaffrey Debate

• Nick Ercolano:
  • Fading CMC outside the first round for age/decline risk, despite acknowledging league-winning upside.
• Pat Fitzmaurice:
  • Admits ranking CMC outside the first, but makes the case he's "undervalued" if healthy—he's always an elite per-game producer.

“When has Christian McCaffrey ever been healthy and disappointed anyone?” – Pat Fitzmaurice (102:18)

9. League-Winning Sleepers

Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings)

• Justin Boone:
  • High on Mason with Aaron Jones’ injury history and Minnesota’s improved OL.
  • Projects potential RB3 with RB2 upside; if Jones misses time, Mason could be a weekly top-12 RB.

“Masterclass in value... if Aaron Jones misses time, we’re putting Mason right inside the top 12.” – Justin Boone (110:50)

• Erickson adds:
  • Bet on Mason leading the NFL in TDs at 75–1. Goal-line opportunity looms large.

Keon Coleman (Buffalo Bills)

• Boone:
  • Classic Year 2 WR breakout bet; big-bodied red zone threat for high-ceiling offense with uncertain target tree.
  • Especially valuable with injuries to competitors and lots of preseason buzz.

“Coleman is the kind of guy that could put up a double-digit touchdown season.” – Justin Boone (116:15)

• Erickson:
  • If choosing between Coleman and Josh Palmer (both late, both in Buffalo), leans Palmer for pure value/chance, but urges: “Draft both for best shot at the Bills’ #1 WR.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Who scores more TDs, Mason or Aaron Jones? Give me Mason at 75-to-1.” (Erickson, 112:15)
• “If Drake London gets the target share he had with Michael Penix, it’s wheels up.” (Zacharison, 12:20)
• “When you look at Tyreek’s risk, it’s high, but so is the upside. He was nearly setting the all-time receiving record just recently.” (Ryan, 52:34)
• “Ricky Pearsall is just one of the easiest clicks you can make in your fantasy draft this year.” (Erickson, 34:35)
• “If you anchor at WR early and throw mid-round darts, you’ll break through more often.” (Zacharison, 14:50)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Wide Receiver Depth & Draft Strategy: 03:10–17:30
• RB Breakouts (Croskey-Merritt): 24:10–30:00
• WR Breakouts (Ricky Pearsall): 31:50–36:00
• Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: 43:55–54:15
• Landmines/Busts (Ladd McConkey, Baker Mayfield): 56:30–67:30
• RB Rankings & Fades (Montgomery, Swift): 76:00–80:00
• Deep RB Sleepers (Miles Sanders, Austin Ekeler): 82:30–87:25
• WR Tiers 25–36 & McMillan breakout: 89:40–97:15
• 1st-Round Rankings (CMC debate): 101:10–106:25
• Sleepers (Jordan Mason, Keon Coleman): 110:20–119:35

Tone and Style

Lively, opinionated, and sharp, but consistently actionable and audience-focused. The analysts speak directly to the typical fantasy manager, weaving stats, anecdotes, and inside camp news into their arguments. The spirit: Win your league by being prepared, thinking differently about tiers and league-winning upside, and not falling for the wrong consensus narratives.

Final Summary

This episode distills the best analysis from FantasyPros’ industry experts on how to attack your 2025 fantasy draft. Takeaways:

• Prioritize security at WR early and chase RB/Lotto tickets late.
• Don’t blindly chase “depth”—hammer tiers for true upside.
• Loads of mid-round WRs can break out, but only a few have WR1 ceilings: target them strategically.
• RB names like Jakori Croskey-Merritt and Jordan Mason are prime late-round lottery tickets.
• Fade hype and price tags on Ladd McConkey and Baker Mayfield.
• Be willing to zig when others zag—“easy clicks” like Ricky Pearsall present massive value.

For a full masterclass on tiers, targets, fades, and league-winning sleepers, this “Best of the Fest” has you covered.