FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast — The Extra Point

Episode 1676
Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson
Main Theme: Drafting “Your Guys,” Favorite 1/2 Turn Pairings, and Week 1 Start/Sit Q&A

Overview

This lively, listener-driven episode is the last Extra Point show before the start of the NFL season. Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson field real-time draft and lineup questions from the FantasyPros Discord community. The focus: strategy around drafting “your guys” vs. value picks, optimal (and favorite) pairings at the draft’s 1/2 turn, auction league anecdotes, and nuanced week 1 start/sit and trade advice.

The tone is upbeat, conversational, and insight-packed—a blend of actionable analysis and authentic fantasy football banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drafting “Your Guys” vs. Value

Timestamp: [46:00–50:30]

• Listener Question: How do you balance picking "your guys" versus drafting for best value?
• Welsh’s Take: Absolutely draft your guys within reason—you’ll regret passing on your favorites if they hit. "You should always go with your guys because, like, how pissed are you gonna be where you’re like, well, Baker’s a value but I love Dak, and Dak is top five?" ([46:44])
• Erickson’s Advice: It’s safer to “get your guys” in later rounds; don’t reach on unproven breakouts over locked-in studs early. He shares a personal story nearly passing on DeMarco Murray for Zach Stacy—sometimes value wins.
• Example: Legit’s team is reviewed as “not egregious at all,” with choices like Dak over Baker and Tyler Warren over Njoku seen as fine swings if they’re “your guys.”

2. Strategy at the 1/2 Turn (& Late First) in Redraft and Superflex

Timestamp: [05:06–19:01], [13:45–19:00]

• Superflex Drafts: Top 5 = take a QB ("If you’re gifted the opportunity of Allen or Lamar, you should take it." – Welsh, [05:27]), but at 6+, pivot to skill position players and wait on QB until the third round.
• Drafting at the Turn (112): If top RBs (McCaffrey, Henry, Gentry) are gone, consider value at WR like Brian Thomas, Drake London, or positionally scarce RBs (Erickson leans Jonathan Taylor in half-PPR, citing massive carry upside).
• Elite QB Approach: Both Welsh and Erickson are more open than ever to taking elite QBs earlier—especially in six-point passing TD leagues—as the positional advantage is clear compared to uncertain RB/WRs there.

3. Auction and Multi-Sport League Stories

Timestamp: [07:11–10:45]

• Welsh recounts a pentathlon league:
  • Emphasizes the “studs and scrubs” approach, nabbing Jamar Chase under value, pairing with Josh Allen and McCaffrey, and Mark Andrews cheap.
  • Favorite auction move? Forcing Fitz to overspend on a third QB (Purdy)—“I forgot why I love auctions…moments like when people price enforce and you stick them, God it made me happy.” ([09:15])
• Moral: Take calculated risks, but don’t get caught price enforcing unless you’re prepared to hold the bag (or the extra QB).

4. Week 1 Start & Sit Deep Dives

Timestamps: [11:08–58:13] (various audience questions)

• RB Flex Debates:
  • Keon Coleman (favored, high game total) over Jalen Coker or Luther Burden for week 1 ([11:32])
  • RJ Harvey vs. Jordan Mason: Erickson leans Harvey, especially since he was likely drafted ahead and has a more attractive matchup ([29:01])
• Week 1 Cautions: Be mindful of injury news leading into week 1—don't lock lineups too early. ("Guys, I know you’re asking week one questions—like, we still have another whole week of…injury reports… Don’t feel like you need to set your lineup right now." – Erickson, [43:13])
• New QBs/New Receivers: Take a wait-and-see approach rather than force unknown quantities in your flexes for week 1 ("Everyone should have some reservations about new quarterbacks, new receivers in their first games playing together." – Erickson, [58:13])
• Survivor Play: Erickson touts Broncos vs. Titans as his survivor lock for week 1 ([30:18])

5. Non-Tight End Flex Leagues: Tight End Value

Timestamp: [25:17–28:59]

• Only target TEs in flex if they have genuine TD upside or are attached to high-powered offenses.
  • E.g., Dalton Kincaid as a breakout—Welsh: "Bold prediction—Kincaid finishes as a top six TE." Underlying numbers support upside: top-five in air yard share at TE, strong target %, design plays, yards after catch.
  • Erickson: "Aim for the guys that are going to catch a lot of touchdowns in these non-tight end leagues."
  • Both favor tight ends like Kincaid, Ferguson, Kincaid, and recommend double-dipping with your QB in high-powered offenses.

6. Dynasty & Deep League Draft/Trade Decisions

Timestamp: [31:16–38:15]

• Evaluating Rookie Picks vs. Established Vets:
  • e.g., Trading 1.08 for Terry McLaurin and Jordan Mason — only if you get both for that pick, otherwise hold and draft for high-upside RBs/WRs (Erickson: "I think that you should keep the ball in your court. You can make the decision, you decide because then it’s like depending on who’s there, like you might be able to ask for more.").
• Kincaid Deep Dive: Welsh provides advanced stats (top 5 in air yard share, target %, design plays among TEs) while Erickson counters he still prefers Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland, and Tyler Warren at cost.

7. Major Trade Takes

Timestamp: [38:22–42:53]

• Brian Robinson/Josh Downs for Jameson Williams (Full PPR):
  • Both hosts agree: Smash accept for Jameson Williams even if it “helps” a McCaffrey owner.
  • Robinson is a risky hold waiting for a McCaffrey injury payoff; Williams offers stash upside and roster flexibility.
  • "Brian Robinson coin is not something for the weak of heart. If you are getting a cash out option instead… I’m going to cash out on a great buyout instead of trying to moon it." (Welsh, [40:02])
• RB Handcuffs Clarity (49ers):
  • Erickson: "I get that yes, Brian Robinson Jr. should be the handcuff…but I don’t think he’s gonna have, if McCaffrey goes down, it’s going to be the Jordan Mason run out from last year... Garendo offers something the others don’t: juice." ([41:21])

8. IDP League & Deep-Roster Guidance

Timestamp: [52:14]

• IDP Draft Timing: Welsh recommends starting IDP picks in the 6th–7th rounds if you want the elite players, but 8th–10th OK for mid-tier (especially in a 26 round PPR IDP league).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Draft “Your Guys”
  • "You should always go with your guys because…how pissed are you gonna be where you’re like, well, Baker’s a value but I love Dak, and Dak is top five?"
    —Chris Welsh [46:44]
• Superflex QB Prioritization:
  • "If you’re gifted the opportunity of Allen or Lamar, I believe you should take it."
    —Chris Welsh [05:27]
• Auction League Payoff:
  • "Would you like to know what my absolute favorite moment of that auction was?...We put Purdy up, and Fitz decided to price enforce and we stuck him with Purdy. It’s my favorite moment of the whole draft."
    —Chris Welsh [09:09]
• Elite QB Impact:
  • "[With elite QB] It's just, it’s really hard to lose weekly matchups when you have a guy scoring 40 points in your lineup every single week."
    —Andrew Erickson [18:00]
• TE in Flex Spot:
  • "Aim for the guys that are going to catch a lot of touchdowns in these non-tight end leagues."
    —Andrew Erickson [27:41]
• Brian Robinson volatility:
  • "Brian Robinson coin is not something for the weak of heart. If you are getting a cash out option instead of trying to go to the moon, I'm…going to cash out on a great buyout."
    —Chris Welsh [40:02]
• Start/Sit Guidance:
  • "Don’t feel like you need to set your lineup right now."
    —Andrew Erickson [43:13]

Important Segments (Timestamps Overview)

• Intro & Show Structure: [00:35–02:12]
• Superflex Strategy & 1/2 Turn Pairings: [05:06–19:01]; [13:45–19:01]
• Auction Anecdote: [07:11–10:45]
• Flex Decision-Making & Week 1 Start/Sit: [11:08–58:13]
• Non-TE Flex Strategy (Dalton Kincaid): [25:17–28:59]; [35:08–37:43]
• Dynasty Trades & Rookie Pick Value: [31:16–38:15]
• Major Trade Evaluations: [38:22–42:53]
• Listener Q&A, Lightning Rounds, IDP/Deep League Advice: [52:14–57:55]
• Drafting Your Guys vs. Value: [46:00–50:30]

Listener-Driven Q&A Highlights

• Tough flex calls, deep-league stashes, risky handcuff stances, and rapid-fire trade/draft logic dominate the back half—showcasing the real challenges facing drafters and managers days before kickoff.

Final Thoughts & Season Preview

• Both hosts stress: trust your research, build around quarterbacks in the right formats, don't get paralyzed by ADP/value when your conviction trumps consensus, and enjoy the process.
• Anticipate more dynamic audience-driven episodes and creative new streams/content (including Madden sims and live Twitch/YouTube events) as the new fantasy football season launches.

For complete answers to many draft, trade, and start/sit dilemmas
– Join the FantasyPros Discord for live listener content every Thursday at 2PM Eastern.