FantasyPros: The Extra Point

Episode 1691: Week 1 Lineups, Survivor Picks, & Amari Cooper’s Retirement
Date: September 6, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson

Overview

This episode of FantasyPros' “The Extra Point” marks the kickoff for the 2025 NFL season. Recorded live on Discord with audience participation, Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson provide hard-hitting, crowd-driven fantasy football analysis. Main themes include key lineup decisions for Week 1, breaking news on Amari Cooper’s retirement, actionable survivor pool picks, and a cascade of detailed listener Q&A covering start/sit dilemmas, dynasty trades, and positional strategy.

Episode Highlights & Key Insights

1. Amari Cooper’s Surprise Retirement

• [02:03] Breaking News: Andrew Erickson confirms live that Amari Cooper has retired… Again.
  • Welsh jokes about being fooled by a fake Schefter account previously.
  • Quote: “He took one look at Dante Thornton and was like, yeah, I’m good.” — Andrew Erickson [02:59]
• Fantasy Impact:
  • Immediate lesson: Deontay (Dante) Thornton is named as the startable rookie to watch.
  • Discussion about Cooper showing up for “camp,” but clearly wasn’t in top shape (“Maybe he was pounding down on the Buffalo wings” [03:20]).

2. Week 1 Start/Sit Questions and RB Debates

• [05:45] Listener Q&A:
  • RB2 decision: Scatterbo vs. Jordan Mason.
    • Easy consensus: Jordan Mason (red zone role, higher upside, better offense).
    • Quote: “Jordan Mason is going to lead the league in rushing according to Erickson.” — Welsh [06:09]
    • “Mason is the easy bet... Better projection for overall red zone opportunities.” — Erickson [06:35]
  • Aaron Jones vs. Jordan Mason: Close, ranked back-to-back, uncertainty remains until usage is seen.

3. Dynasty Trade Talk: Garrett Wilson's Value

• [09:43] Caller Trade Query:
  • Debate: Trade away Garrett Wilson for Tetaroa McMillan (slam dunk yes), for Emeka Egbuka (less certainty).
  • Quote: “If you can get Tetaroa for Garrett Wilson, I’m slamming that.” — Welsh [09:59]
    • Andrew agrees: Selling Wilson before week 1 is wise due to anticipated negative sentiment after a tough matchup.

4. Roster Management in Shallow and Deep Leagues

• [12:02] 8-Man, PPR Cut Question:
  • Candidates: Bill, Colson Loveland, Najee Ali.
  • Advice: Drop Loveland (backup TE not needed) + Najee (just a handcuff).
  • “Najee has the least amount of value.” — Erickson [13:29]
  • In shallow leagues: Always prioritize upside, avoid excess depth at TE/RB.

5. Wide Receiver Start/Sit & Depth Chart Intrigue

• [15:31] Bateman, Xavier Leggette, or Bill Crosby Merritt?
  • Solution: Play the receivers (Bateman, Leggette); avoid RBs with murky depth/usage.
  • Commanders' RB depth chart explained: “Anthony Lynn...has A backs...B backs... the website doesn’t let you construct the depth how it’s actually used.” — Erickson [17:34]
• Packers’ WR Room (Matthew Golden): [31:24]
  • Reed expected to play through his injury, limiting Golden’s upside to flex-only.
  • “I think Reed is playing...I think that’s what he’s going to do all year. I’m never going to practice. I’m just going to play.” — Erickson [32:08]

6. Tight End Strategy: Tucker Kraft vs. Tyler Warren

• [39:14] Rest of Season Outlook:
  • Kraft favored due to stable QB play (Jordan Love) vs. Warren’s uncertainty (Daniel Jones/Anthony Richardson).
  • “Ultimately, the quarterback decides it for me. It’s Kraft.” — Erickson [41:16]
  • Kraft's consistent involvement likelier than the rotational WRs in Green Bay.

7. Survivor Pool Strategy: Denver the Top Pick

• [43:03] Survivor Picks:
  • Team consensus: Denver Broncos over Titans is the week’s safest survivor play.
  • Avoid division games to sidestep unpredictability.
  • “Try to avoid division games...that’s where weird things always happen.” — Erickson [44:34]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On dynasty risks:
  “You just got to make the decision based on those guys are healthy. Najee I would say has the least amount of value.” — Andrew Erickson [13:29]

• Lineup philosophy:
  “In [eight]-team leagues play upside. There’s just such incredible depth...” — Chris Welsh [14:30]

• On Cooper Kupp’s season outlook:
  “He’s probably going to miss a lot of games...not hopeful for Cooper Kupp attached to Sam Darnold.” — Andrew Erickson [27:03]

• Tucker Kraft’s consistency:
  “The constant too is Kraft over those wide receivers. …Craft is the one that's always going to be out there.” — Chris Welsh [41:16]

• Survivor pools:
  “How often [will] you use the Broncos? You don’t need to save the Broncos.” — Chris Welsh [44:54]

Rapid Fire Listener Q&A Segments

Flex/Start-Sit Priorities

• Flex Rankings Example [20:08]:
  • Mason > Olave > Travis Hunter > ETN (Mason, for TD upside. Hunter is “fun,” Olave & ETN are safer PPR options).
• Rashad Bateman and Xavier Legette over Bill Crosby Merritt [15:45]
• RJ Harvey > Ricky Pearsall for Flex [28:08]

Trade & Waiver Advice

• Trade McLaurin/Blue for Cooper Kupp/McMillan?
  • “It’s all about Tetaroa McMillan.” — Do it if you want Tetaroa. Ignore Kupp’s name value [23:06].
• Jacoby Myers as a buy-low
  • “I think he’s probably a pretty sharp buy-low candidate…” — Andrew Erickson [35:23].

Streaming Defense

• Buffalo D for Week 1?
  • Drop and stream matchups, targeting Rams, 49ers, or Commanders defenses [29:09].

Drop/Add & Roster Moves

• Drop Keon Coleman (over Ollie Gordon) for a kicker if you have Achane [48:44].
• Drop Devin Neal over Bryant for a kicker in dynasty.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------|------------| | Amari Cooper Retirement | 02:03 | | RB2 Debate (Scatterbo vs. Mason) | 05:45 | | Dynasty Trade Analysis | 09:43 | | Roster Cuts in Shallow Leagues | 12:02 | | Bateman/Leggette/Crosby Sit/Start | 15:31 | | Commanders RB Depth Chart Explained | 17:34 | | Tight End Debate: Kraft vs. Warren | 39:14 | | Survivor Pool Picks | 43:03 | | Quick-Fire Start/Sit and Waivers | Throughout |

Final Takeaways

• Amari Cooper’s retirement clears paths for young WRs, especially Deontay Thornton.
• In small leagues, always cut backup TEs and aim for high-upside RBs/WRs.
• Sell Garrett Wilson for elite prospects before his tough Week 1 matchup tanks value.
• Jordan Mason is a strong Week 1 upside play in a complicated RB slate.
• Denver Broncos are the safe Survivor pick, especially in non-divisional matchups.
• Tucker Kraft has long-term TE stability; Jacoby Myers remains a sharp buy-low.
• Defense and bench management: Always be aggressive in shallow leagues, streaming D/ST weekly, and chasing breakout rookie WRs only if opportunity/targets are clear.
• The show is highly interactive, with Discord listeners helping drive the entire format—prompting live, actionable answers.

For full analysis, live interaction, or to ask your own questions, join the FantasyPros Discord at fantasypros.com/chat. Good luck in Week 1!