FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 12 Buy Low + Sell High Running Back Targets (Ep. 1851)
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcock, Andrew Erickson

Overview

In this episode, Seth Wilcock and Andrew Erickson break down the most pivotal running back buy-low and sell-high targets ahead of Week 12, marking the last trade-focused show of the Fantasy Football season. The hosts analyze recent performances, rest-of-season value, and strategies for leveraging remaining trade deadlines—with a focus on maximizing playoff rosters. Highlights include recaps of Monday Night Football, discussion of shifting backfield dynamics, and detailed mailbag Q&A on listener trade dilemmas.

Monday Night Football Reaction & Key Takeaways

[00:35 - 05:07]

• Cowboys 33, Raiders 16:

  • Star of the game: George Pickens (9/11, 144 yards, 1 TD, 29.4 fantasy points).
  • Dak Prescott performs with four passing TDs; Geno Smith finds Trey Tucker late.
  • RB production is flat—Ashton Genti & Javonte Williams have serviceable floor days, but neither scores.

• Dallas offense & shifting defense:

  • Flournoy cements himself as WR3, no emergent rookie RBs.
  • Cowboys defense improving post-trade deadline acquisitions, notably with Quinnen Williams.
  • “I don’t think the Cowboys are quite the layup they were when we started this season.” – Seth Wilcock ([05:07])

• Fantasy implications:

  • Pickens climbs to low-end WR1 status rest-of-season.
  • “If he starts cooking, you know you’re going to be glad that you started him.” – Andrew Erickson ([06:22])
  • Javonte Williams maintains top-10 RB value; looks fully recovered from injury.

Rest-of-Season RB Value Discussion

[06:48 - 09:33]

• Ashton Genti:

  • Receives increased passing-game work (“Six catches were really nice for him.” – Seth Wilcock [06:48])
  • Raiders O-line injuries and tough schedule cap his upside, but Week 17 (Giants) could be a league-winner.

• Javonte Williams:

  • Workload remains stable even without touchdown; top-10 RB ROS.
  • “He looks like the tackle breaking machine that he was at the beginning of his career before that devastating knee injury.” – Andrew Erickson ([07:32])

Buy-Low Running Backs

[09:33 - 15:44]

1. Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)

[09:42 - 13:49]

• Usage spike:

  • Exploding snaps with Samaje Perine sidelined (above 80% last week).
  • “He’s played basically every single snap for the Cincinnati Bengals this past week.” – Andrew Erickson ([09:45])
  • Heavy pass-catching work: 14 catches, 73 yards on 22 targets over last two games—25% target share.

• Matchup-friendly schedule:

  • Weeks 14-17: Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, Cardinals.
  • “That game is going to be a scoring bonanza, all plus matchups.” – Erickson ([10:48])

• Coach trust & efficiency:

  • Second-highest explosive run rate: shows conversion of opportunity to production.
  • Even with tougher matchups (e.g., Patriots), receiving volume offers safety.

• Burrow effect?

  • Unlikely to hurt value, might improve it via offensive efficiency.
  • “Ultimately it’s the matchups that really excite me the most.” – Erickson ([13:02])

2. RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos)

[14:12 - 15:44]

• Recent disappointment = opportunity:

  • Week 11: Not the “smash spot,” but solid underlying usage.
    • 61% snap share, 14 touches, heavy red zone role.
  • “He’s one of the few players this year that has a three touchdown game on his resume because of how much they like using him in the red zone.” – Erickson ([15:12])

• Team context:

  • J.K. Dobbins out for extended period, opportunity for Harvey to be unleashed post-bye.
  • Receiving work and red zone usage keep floor high.

• Playoff strategy:

  • Best for managers in strong position—“You have to be in a winning position to absorb RJ Harvey here.” – Wilcock ([15:44])
  • Few ceiling matchups, but very strong RB2 floor.

Sell-High Running Backs

[20:19 - 30:27]

1. Tyrone Tracy (NY Giants)

[20:26 - 24:53]

• Red zone & schedule concerns:
  • Committee with Devin Singletary; Tracy’s touches and yardage up, but Singletary dominates high-value work (9 red zone attempts last week).
    • “The high value touches were so lopsided in favor of Singletary.” – Erickson ([20:57])
  • Giants have the worst remaining RB schedule, plus Week 14 bye.
  • “He’s probably going to be more in that RB3 range rest of season, maybe low-end RB2.” – Erickson ([22:38])
• Trade strategy:
  • Target RB-needy teams, possibly for a WR2 or package deal.
  • “Sometimes it’s not targeting players per se with certain trades, it’s targeting certain managers.” – Erickson ([24:03])

2. DeAndre Swift (Chicago Bears)

[25:10 - 30:27]

• Split backfield, challenging schedule:

  • Bears playing more competitive games, but schedule: Packers (twice), Browns, Eagles, Steelers before Week 17.
  • “I just think getting there is going to be tough if you’re going to be riding heavily on Chicago Bears.” – Erickson ([26:46])
  • Touches and floor there, but red zone work split with rookie Manungai.

• Best trade return options:

  • Try for a higher-tier WR (“Trade a running back, usually get a better wide receiver straight up”—Erickson [28:55]).
  • Potential move: swap for Kenneth Walker, banking on Seattle’s late-season adjustments; or a steady WR like DK Metcalf.

• Playoff upside focus:

  • “What wins championships, right? It’s upside.” – Erickson ([30:16])

Listener Mailbag

[31:29 - 37:04]

Bijan Robinson: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

• Q: With all Falcons injuries, trade Bijan?
• Erickson: Firm hold. “He’s too talented of a player to sell low on, in my opinion... you got to have firepower... and Bijan obviously has that week to week upside.” ([31:49-32:21])

Trade Evaluation: JT for JSN & Henry

• Q: Traded Jonathan Taylor for Jackson Smith-Njigba and Derrick Henry in a 10-man, first place.
• Erickson: “I think objectively it probably was [a good deal]. I don’t think you were being swindled in any way.” ([33:10])

Seattle RBs, Puka Nacua, and Blockbuster Offers

• Q: Puka Nacua, DJ Moore, Kenneth Walker for Jamar Chase, James Cook, Tyrone Tracy Jr.—smash accept?
• Erickson: “I think this is a fine trade but I would just, obviously, keep the context of hey Chase is suspended... but I think that you’re putting the right pieces here.” ([34:50])
• Wilcock adds: James Cook’s playoff schedule is tough, but the overall value may lean in favor if you’re set up and have depth.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On targeting managers, not just players:

  • “Sometimes it’s not targeting players per se with certain trades, it’s targeting certain managers.” – Andrew Erickson ([24:03])

• On RBs with league-winning upside:

  • “Are these players I’m acquiring... can you envision a game where they put up 30 points? I want to get as many of those guys.” – Erickson ([31:49])

• On Playoff Strategy:

  • “What wins championships, right? It’s upside. It’s fantasy football upside that wins in the championships...” – Erickson ([30:17])

• On Chase Brown’s potential in Cincy:

  • “He’s played basically every single snap... the pass catching has gone absolutely nuclear... it’s really just wheels up all the way for Chase Brown.” – Andrew Erickson ([09:45-10:48])

Key Timestamps

• Cowboys/Raiders MNF Recap: 00:35 – 05:07
• Pickens, Lamb, and Dallas Offense: 05:07 – 06:48
• RB Rest-of-Season Takeaways (Genti, Javonte): 06:48 – 09:33
• RB Buy-Low Targets (Chase Brown): 09:42 – 13:49
• RB Buy-Low Targets (RJ Harvey): 14:12 – 15:44
• RB Sell-High Targets (Tyrone Tracy): 20:26 – 24:53
• RB Sell-High Targets (DeAndre Swift): 25:10 – 30:27
• Listener Mailbag: 31:29 – 37:04

Final Take

This finale of FantasyPros’ trade specials delivers deep analysis on running back trends, actionable buy-low/sell-high advice for playoff pushes, and direct, relevant trade counsel for listeners. The tone is lively, attentive, and strategic—balancing analytics with the realities of mid-season roster management.

Next up: Wide receiver, cornerback, and tight end trade targets in Part Two, and prediction-centric shows for the fantasy postseason.

“You got to have firepower because you’re going to be facing the best teams in the fantasy playoffs...unless you can see a path where a guy can get 30, then I just think you’re going to be cooked.”
— Andrew Erickson ([31:49])