FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast: The Extra Point

Episode 1704, September 12, 2025 Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson
Main Topics: Brock Purdy Replacements, Tyreek Hill’s Value, Running Back Trade Targets

Episode Overview

In this week’s Extra Point episode, Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson host a live, interactive Q&A with their Discord audience. The discussion focuses on actionable fantasy football strategy in the wake of big Week 1 developments, including how to handle Brock Purdy’s injury, Tyreek Hill's outlook amid team rumors, prime running back trade targets, and nuanced start/sit advice for Week 2. The hosts blend sharp analysis, real listener questions, and their signature easy banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Fallout: Brock Purdy’s Injury & Streaming Options

• Purdy’s Turf Toe: Out 2-5 weeks, Mac Jones starting for the 49ers (08:00)

  • Welsh (07:41): “It had been floating around…nope, he’s out two to five weeks. Turf toe. Mac Jones is going to be in.”
  • Mac Jones isn’t “worst-case” for 49ers skill players, but uncertainty around new connections (Piersall, Jennings).

• Streaming Replacements Debate (05:22)

  • Question: Start Drake May or McCarthy in place of Purdy?
  • Welsh & Erickson: Drake May by a wide margin. Both rank May top-10 for the week.
  • Welsh (05:29): “I am Drake May on this one. Big time.”
  • Erickson (05:51): “Yep. Drake May for me too.”

• Start/Sit: May vs. Dak Prescott

  • Both like May (Welsh has him at QB7, Erickson at QB10), but still comfortable with Dak (59:02).

2. Impact on SF 49ers Offense

• Ricky Pearsall Outlook with Mac Jones (08:49, 10:45):

  • Both hosts express more skepticism—Piersall remains a WR3/flex, but with increased risk due to QB and O-line questions.
  • They see Christian McCaffrey as locked in; Brian Robinson is a cheap play; less interest in Joann Jennings for now.

• Erickson (10:45): “Piersall just brings an extra layer of more boom or bust...connection between Mac Jones and Piersall…additional risk.”

3. Buy-Low Trade Targets and Player Valuations

• Marvin Harrison Jr. as a Buy Target (06:15):

  • Erickson: “Marvin Harrison is probably the least talked about buy candidate after Week 1...I would be sending out offers.”
  • Harrison had a solid game, but hype is muted compared to other breakouts.

• Running Back Trade Targets

  • Receivers with RB depth: Use surplus WRs to target RBs who had rough Week 1 (James Cook, Dolphins’ HN/Achane).
  • Welsh (12:48): “Love the idea of trading one of those wideouts for those running backs...Tet for an HN right now.”
  • Erickson: Advocates for James Cook but “don’t overpay...Cook or Achane are comparable after Week 1 struggles.”

• Debo Samuel’s Market (15:00, 15:20):

  • Recognized as a potential sell-high; likely returns a low RB2 (Charbonnet, Mason, RJ Harvey) rather than a top option.
  • Erickson: “After one strong week, if you don’t need him immediately, flip Debo for a RB with upside for later.”

• George Pickens as Trade Chip (17:59):

  • Must wait for a boom game to sell; you won’t get value right after a dud.

4. Tyreek Hill: Value & Season-long Outlook

• Listener Question: Start Emeka Egbuka over Tyreek Hill or T. Higgins? (36:42)

  • Both hosts agree: you can't bench T. Higgins for Egbuka, even after a rough Week 1 for Bengals.
  • Erickson (37:28): “I wouldn’t start him over T. Higgins...the Bengals go ‘brr’ this week at home. Wheels up.”
  • Even with Tyreek’s off-field issues and WR27 ECR consensus, they heavily favor proven studs unless dire circumstances.

• Season Outlook for Tyreek (36:42–38:23):

  • Baggage and uncertainty, but talent still outweighs most alternatives.
  • Erickson: “So much stuff going on…so much baggage with him.”

5. Week 2 Start/Sit and Tier Breakdowns

• RB Tiers for Start Decisions (Afro Pikachu Q, 29:03):

  • Warren, Charbonnet, Samson, Harvey in that order (Welsh).
  • Erickson moves Sampson above (especially in PPR): “If he’s going to catch 8 passes a week…so confident about his role.”

• Javonte Williams vs. Egbuka for Flex (42:30–44:44):

  • In standard, touchdown equity leans toward Javonte, but Welsh ultimately favors Egbuka due to Evans likely being locked down by Stingley and high volume.

• Baker Mayfield or Justin Fields at QB? (44:47):

  • Fields’ upside prevails, despite Bucs fandom.

• Drake May vs. QB Wire Options

  • Both hosts agree: No need to force a trade or drop positional depth for QB after a single rough week; trust the roster for now (45:16, 46:20, 47:20).
  • Focus on bye weeks and matchups as they approach.

• TE Streaming in a “chopped” league (50:10):

  • Kraft, Hunter Henry, Brenton Strange are discussed; Thursday plays avoided if possible.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mic Drop Moment (Skim Milk, 04:48):

  • Welsh (04:48): “That was like having a boss…he bullied me around, then asked a kicker question. Biggest mic drop anyone’s ever seen.”

• Erickson on Niners O-line Woes (08:49):

  • “Trent Williams looked a lot more like a 37-year-old left tackle than a Hall of Fame all-pro.”

• On Buy-Low Running Backs (13:44):

  • “If you’re buying any type of Dolphins, you gotta be getting a deal...the floor could bottom out.”

• On Recency Bias (41:41):

  • “With these boom-or-bust receivers, you gotta ride the highs and lows. Prices fluctuate so much with them.”

• On Start/Sit Logic in Standard (43:17):

  • “For standard leagues, look at who has the higher odds to score a touchdown—touchdowns are the majority of your points.”

• Erickson’s Trade Heist Story (51:38):

  • “Turned garbage into something...we traded James White twice for profit after he got cut. Can you name a time you did that?”

• Welsh Reminisces on Men In Black/Jump Street Crossover (40:11):

  • “That might have been the greatest movie of all time...all I wanted in the world.”

• Erickson on Emotional Management (19:39):

  • “People don’t want to trade for receivers after they bomb...one week it’s ‘is this guy worth it?’ next week you want to start him.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:14] Purdy Injury, Drake May vs. McCarthy Streaming
• [06:15] Marvin Harrison Jr. Trade Value
• [08:49] 49ers Offense Outlook with Mac Jones
• [12:28] Trade WR Depth for RB Help
• [15:00] Debo Samuel Trade Value
• [17:59] Pickens as a Trade Chip
• [29:03] RB Start/Sit: Warren, Charbonnet, Sampson, Harvey
• [36:42] Tyreek Hill vs. Egbuka/Higgins, Tyreek Rest of Season
• [42:30] Standard League Flex: Javonte Williams vs. Egbuka
• [44:47] QB Start: Fields vs. Mayfield
• [45:16–47:20] Handling May, QB Wire & Trade Philosophy
• [51:38] Erickson’s Two-Time Trade “Heist”

Summary Table: Key Player Recommendations

| Situation | Suggested Move | Rationale | |---------------------------------|----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Purdy Out/Need QB | Add Drake May | Defensive matchup, dual-threat, high upside for Week 2 | | Mac Jones at SF | CMC Up, Piersall Risk| Offense will run more, Piersall more volatile, unknown QB connection | | Buy-Low WR | Marvin Harrison Jr. | Improved play, muted Week 1 hype, schedule upcoming favorable | | Trade WR for RB | Target HN/Achane, Cook | Exploit Week 1 letdowns for value | | Sell Debo Samuel | Target mid-RBs (Charbonnet, RJ Harvey) | Use Week 1 to sell high, age/injury history | | Tyreek Hill Start/Sit Decision | Start if possible | Despite off-field, talent is still superior | | Start/Sit RBs (Warren, Charbonnet, Sampson, Harvey) | Warren/Charb/Sampson > Harvey | Floor and PPR roles over home run play | | Egbuka v. Javonte (Standard) | Egbuka (lean)/Javonte| More targets, but TD equity with Williams | | Streaming TEs | Prefer Kraft, Henry | Offense context, target upside |

Conclusion & Tone

Welsh and Erickson’s tone is lively and fun, mixing sharp analysis with unique insights on team and player trends past the surface stats. The show’s interactivity shines in its live Discord questions, with both hosts tailoring advice for deep leagues, unusual formats, and nuanced trade dilemmas. They remind listeners to avoid overreacting to Week 1, look for strategic trade pivots, and not panic into burning key depth. Their advice, rich in expertise but accessible in delivery, proves an invaluable resource for fantasy managers navigating the early chaos of the season.

For more advice, join the FantasyPros Discord live every Thursday at 2pm ET, and watch for new podcast drops weekly wherever you get your podcasts.