FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Top 5 NFL Draft LANDMINES (Ep. 1993)
Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Joey P. (Joe Pisapia)
Guests/Co-Hosts: Dbro (Derrick Brown), Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode explores NFL Draft "landmines": prospects who could end up setting back the teams that draft them and fantasy managers who take them too early. The hosts identify risky prospects, analyze their red flags, and discuss the latest NFL news—including coach quotes and trade rumors. Alongside hard-hitting fantasy football analysis, there’s plenty of the usual FantasyPros banter, 90s movie nostalgia, and friendly debate.

Key NFL News & Analysis

Baker Mayfield’s 2025 Struggles and the Bucs’ Future

[04:20]

• Levonte David revealed how hurt Baker Mayfield was last season—ankle, oblique, knee, shoulder injuries—shedding light on Tampa’s struggles.
• Joey P.: "He was playing MVP-level football the first five or six weeks... I think it was really the injuries that were the biggest negative.”
• Dbro: “The war of injury attrition last year was terrible for Tampa Bay. If we get more health, does Tampa Bay look like, I don’t know, a dark horse Super Bowl favorite? Dare I say?”
  [06:31]
• The hosts agree the Bucs were the 4th most-injured offense, and any bounce-back is more about health than talent moves.

Vikings’ QB Controversy: J.J. McCarthy vs. Kyler Murray

[09:00]

• Blake Corum (on Good Morning Football): “He still has the pencil in his own hand. He's still writing his story. God, that was really poetic.”
• Erickson: “I do not think that there is an open competition. Kyler Murray would have to get injured. Carson Wentz would probably have to get injured too.” [10:32]
• Dbro: “Young quarterbacks don’t fail franchises. Franchises fail young quarterbacks... and yet after 10 starts, [O’Connell] just tosses [McCarthy] for Kyler Murray... This is not a competition at all." [12:41]

Dexter Lawrence Trade Rumors (Giants DT)

[15:00]

• Lawrence is seeking a trade and holding out of offseason programs.
• Dbro: “I think this gets hammered out… Give him another moderate extension; the guy’s not too old.” [16:25]
• Erickson: Raises caution—paying Lawrence may set a bad precedent for Harbaugh’s new regime and the Giants’ recent struggles stopping the run despite Lawrence playing.

Main Segment: NFL Draft Prospect Landmines

1. Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)

[19:30]

• Why He’s a Landmine:
  • Very few college starts, age comparable to QBs with more experience
  • Injury history
  • Undersized (just over 6', 211 lbs)
  • Not great against zone coverage; erratic performance after injury
• Erickson: “He just has a lot of red flags… not a lot of experience… He’s 23, he’s not gonna get much younger. Does he need to sit more? Does he need to start more? He sat already a ton at Alabama.” [22:23]
• Dbro: "[If Ty Simpson] wasn’t at Alabama we wouldn’t be talking about him as a first-round QB... Absolute landmine. My comp: Jake Browning." [26:00]
• On draft spot: Simpson could salvage his projection if drafted by a team like Arizona or Cleveland, but first-round is a mistake.

2. Jordan Tyson (WR, Arizona State)

[31:11]

• Why He’s a Landmine:
  • Persistent injuries: ACL, collarbone, hamstring
  • Inconsistent YAC; only 5.1 yards after catch per reception over 2 years
  • Mediocre contested catch rate (under 44%)
  • Late-season soft tissue concerns persist
• Dbro: “He’s also not a fully formed player… not a consistent catch-point winner.”
• Erickson: Still points to Tyson’s elite college production and target share, but acknowledges the health gamble: “He’s always come back from all these injuries. Kind of like the Undertaker...” [37:46]
• Consensus: Huge upside, but a high risk that he’s a bust due to durability and technique concerns.

3. Chris Bell (WR, Louisville)

[40:31]

• Why He’s a Landmine:
  • Overly simple college route tree, limited to short/horizontal routes (<10 yard ADOT)
  • Tore ACL in November, just now rehabbing
  • Late bloomer—a breakout only in 2025 against moderate competition
• Dbro: "Sure, he’s athletic. But can he threaten all three levels of the field, or just run horizontal routes? I just feel like he’s more Chase Claypool than he is A.J. Brown.”
• Ericson: "Boom-bust profile... When I watched him, I was expecting more. Had heard the hype, but wasn't impressed. The big slot thing only works if you’re truly explosive post-injury.” [44:18]
• **Landing spot and role are critical. Consensus: Only worth a value pick if he falls due to injury discount.

4. The "RB2" of the 2026 Draft Class

[47:51]

• Why It’s a Landmine:
  • After the consensus RB1 (Jeremiah Love), all other top RB prospects have significant profile concerns—be it athleticism, college usage, or injury.
  • Multiple RBs projected for Day 2 (round 2-3) have holes in resume, and situation/draft capital will get them overdrafted in fantasy.
• Dbro: "Whoever the RB2 ends up being… could be a landmine. None are bulletproof."
• Erickson: "The easiest fade in rookie dynasty drafts is whoever everyone loves the most as the RB2… Don't overreact to where the RB lands; instead, chase value."

5. Michael Trigg (TE, Baylor)

[53:02]

• Why He’s a Landmine:
  • Analytics friendly profile not matched by tape: lacks blocking strength, detailed route running, reliable hands
  • Journeyman: three schools, late breakout, off-field questions (disciplinary suspensions)
  • Limited athleticism (poor vertical), productivity often “fraudulent” (manufactured on highlights, not consistency)
• Dbro: “Every analytics department is going to love him, but it’s the most fraudulent production profile... Drops, can’t block, freelance route running.”
• Erickson: "He’s just a big basketball guy playing football. Takes plays off, checked out at his pro day, commitment questions." [56:23]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dbro, on QBs with few college starts:
  “If he’d have gone to another college not named Alabama, we wouldn’t be talking about Ty Simpson as a first round quarterback.” [26:00]

• Erickson, on injury discounts:
  “If you do get a discount on some of these rookie drafts because [Chris Bell] is coming off a torn ACL, that does make him a bit more of an option.” [44:47]

• Joey P., on the RB2 trap:
  “Whoever everyone loves the most as the RB2—the price is going to go up, and I’m not sure it’s worth the value.” [53:02]

Segment: Which Team MUST Crush the Draft?

[58:45] Joey P., Erickson, Dbro:

• Miami Dolphins:
  Joey P. picks Miami—11 total picks, new regime, playoff drought since 2000. “If they don’t get these 11 picks right, in two years, you’re looking at a whole new coach and QB.”

• New York Jets:
  Erickson: "The players have to contribute this season or else Aaron Glenn is cooked. His job is over." Cites a power shift away from the coach after trading defensive stars.

• Baltimore Ravens:
  Dbro: 11 picks, but recent classes haven't delivered; late-round magic dipping; pressure's on Eric DeCosta to hit after passing on Max Crosby:
  “If they don't turn those picks into really good players... Eric Decoster is going to look like a fool.” [64:42]

Fun Moments & Pop Culture Banter

• 90s Action Movie Tangent:
  Ongoing throughout—recommendations include Demolition Man, Under Siege, Desperado, The Crow, Point Break, and debates about Jean Claude Van Damme movies' appropriateness for family viewing.
• Quotes:
  “I wasn’t as impressed with Chris Bell after watching him.” (Erickson, [45:57])
  “He has a knack for overcoming injuries a la The Undertaker.” (Erickson, [37:46])

Episode Timestamps

• NFL News & Quotes: [04:20] – [18:54]
• Main Draft ‘Landmines’ Segment: [19:13] – [57:40]
  • Ty Simpson: [19:13] – [29:41]
  • Jordan Tyson: [31:11] – [38:12]
  • Chris Bell: [40:31] – [46:51]
  • RB2 Trap: [47:51] – [53:02]
  • Michael Trigg: [53:02] – [57:40]
• Draft Needs & Pressure Teams: [58:45] – [65:05]
• Pop Culture Tangents: Sprinkled throughout, especially [01:16]-[04:20], [38:26]-[40:31], [45:56]-[47:13]

Summary

This deep-dive, snappy, and pop-culture-laced episode arms listeners with sharp insight into risky draft prospects—quarterback Ty Simpson, injury-prone receiver Jordan Tyson, and possible busts lurking at RB2 and TE—while warning dynasty and redraft fantasy drafters to peer past draft capital and college brand names. The hosts also weigh the massive pressure for teams like the Dolphins, Jets, and Ravens to crush the draft, and offer these reminders:

“Don’t overreact to RB landing spots; chase value.”

— Andrew Erickson, [53:02]

“If [Jordan Tyson] tests on April 17 and rips off a sub 4.5, we’re back, baby!”
— Andrew Erickson, [37:46]

“Analytics departments will love him, but it’s the most fraudulent production profile… I’m out on Michael Trigg.” — Dbro Derrick Brown, [53:46]

For Further Listening

• Subscribe to Tailgate NFL on YouTube for draft giveaways & more (details at [19:13]).
• Engage in the fan conversation: “Which team is under the most draft pressure?” Drop your answer and your favorite 90s action movie in the comments (details at [65:05]).

Missed the episode? This summary provides all the fantasy-relevant red flags, memorable quotes, draft strategy warnings, and a dash of movie nostalgia.