FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast – Week 14 QB & TE Rankings: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1878)

Release Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Week 14’s quarterback and tight end rankings for fantasy football, focusing on start/sit decisions, streaming options, and the latest injury impacts. The hosts break down the top 12 at each position, highlight volatile situations at the back end of the starter tiers, and have candid debates on polarizing players like Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Justin Herbert, Brenton Strange, and Darren Waller.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Quarterback Rankings & Debates

The Lamar Jackson Conundrum

• Context: Jackson is currently the ECR QB8, but has struggled recently and is coming off injury.
• Both hosts debate whether to "go down with the ship" and stick with Lamar or gamble on a streamer like Jacoby Brissette.
  • Andrew Erickson (06:35):
    “I'm back in again. I'm still being kind of modest with my projection of him in ranking. I still have him QB6. ...But I'm not going to the waiver wire to replace Lamar Jackson this week. That's just how I'm playing it.”
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (07:29):
    “No, I'm going to Titanic with him, Welsh. I will play on the deck, play my trombone on the deck while the ship goes down. If it goes down...”
  • Eye-popping stat: Lamar is QB31 in fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, yet both experts argue he’s still a must-start due to talent, upside, and the Steelers’ vulnerable defense.

Justin Herbert: Managing Injury Anxiety

• Status: Coming off surgery on a non-throwing hand fracture, facing the tough Eagles defense.
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (09:24):
    “I'm very nervous about him, Erickson.”
  • Andrew Erickson (10:16):
    “I'm probably going to move him down... I don't feel confident just starting him. And I don't think anybody really knows what's going to happen with Justin Herbert in this offense.”
  • Both see Herbert as a backend QB1 but worry the Chargers will use a run-heavy approach to protect him.

Daniel Jones: Declining Rushing, Shrinking Appeal

• Question: Is he a streamable option in a "pass funnel" matchup versus the Jaguars?
  • Andrew Erickson (12:20):
    “He's another quarterback where I don't think he's the guy that you want to go for on waivers this week or someone that you're feeling confident starting. Even if he has a lot of passing volume...”
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (13:54):
    “He's hurt. He's got this fibular fracture and 17 rushing yards in his last two games. ...So maybe that sort of influences the play calling...”
  • Both recommend against starting Jones, reiterating diminished upside due to injury and role.

Tight End Rankings & Hot Takes

Brenton Strange: Waiver Wire Wonder?

• Strange’s meteoric rise places him in the top 5 for the week, above stalwarts like Kyle Pitts and Jake Ferguson.
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (17:18):
    “Sell for me, I guess, because I have him behind Jake Ferguson. But I've been debating that. I think it's kind of like a tie with those two guys..."
  • Andrew Erickson (17:58):
    "I think I'm going to buy [Strange as a top 5 TE], so I gotta move him up my ranking…"
  • Key insight: Much of Strange’s appeal hinges on his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence and a favorable matchup versus the Colts.
  • Erickson (19:00):
    “I feel so confident Ferguson is going to catch a touchdown... but Strange, I mean, checks up all the boxes. ... So yeah, wheels up for Strange.”

Kyle Pitts: Trust Issues Continue

• Context: Ranked around TE7, with volatility tied to Drake London's health.
  • Andrew Erickson (19:52):
    “He's been Kirk Cousins' number one target... should be at least somewhat efficient in a pretty positive matchup. ... He'll get downgraded though if Drake London suits up.”
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (20:54):
    “London has missed two games and ... We kind of saw [the spike] in his last game... but man, we're just, we're not getting any touchdown juice from Kyle Pitts at all.”

Darren Waller: Ultimate Boom/Bust Option

• Remarkable Return: Waller ranks around TE12, but both analysts admit the evaluation is fraught.
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (22:32):
    “No, he's such an interesting guy to try to evaluate because he's not really a full time player... He's basically the Dolphins’ number two wide receiver right now.”
  • Andrew Erickson (23:35):
    “But when he was healthy and playing, he was scoring touchdowns left and right. ... I think he was put on this universe to catch touchdowns and I think he's going to do that against the New York Jets two weeks in a row or two games in a row. So give me Waller.”
  • Insights: Waller is used in high-leverage situations, but inconsistent usage limits floor; upside is red zone targets and big plays.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lamar Jackson’s struggles:
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (07:29):
    “I will play my trombone on the deck while the ship goes down. If it goes down.”
• On streaming QBs vs. trusting stars:
  • Chris Welsh (06:35):
    “You're kind of going down with the ship regardless of what's being played and not trying to be cute with it.”
• On Justin Herbert’s hand injury:
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (09:24):
    “He was having trouble with handoffs last week. Like, I think he was using his opposite hand to hand the ball off. ... putting him in a lot of shotgun.”
• On Brenton Strange’s breakout:
  • Andrew Erickson (17:58):
    “I think I'm going to buy it [top 5 TE]... I might move him out of Travis Kelsey against the Texans.”
• On Darren Waller’s boom/bust profile:
  • Andrew Erickson (23:35):
    “I think he was put on this universe to catch touchdowns and I think he's going to do that against the New York Jets two weeks in a row...”
• Lighthearted banter:
  • Pat Fitzmaurice (25:11):
    “Would you say Darren Waller's musical career is more about ability or availability?”
  • Chris Welsh (25:16):
    “Availability, probably some big similarities there for sure.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lamar Jackson Debate: 01:18 – 08:42
• Justin Herbert Dilemma: 08:42 – 11:56
• Daniel Jones Analysis: 11:56 – 14:47
• Tight End Rankings Overview: 16:23 – 17:53
• Brenton Strange Hype Discussion: 17:53 – 19:31
• Kyle Pitts Evaluation: 19:31 – 21:39
• Darren Waller Breakdown: 21:39 – 25:16

Episode Takeaways

• Stick with Your Studs: Even underperforming stars like Lamar Jackson remain top-12 options due to ceiling, not to be benched for questionable streamers.
• Monitor Injuries & Offensive Philosophy: Justin Herbert and Daniel Jones are less appealing due to injuries and likely team-level conservatism.
• Tight End is Volatile and Matchup-Driven: Be aggressive with adds like Brenton Strange if the targets and matchup align; don’t be afraid to fade names (e.g., Gadsden) in bad spots.
• Know Your Boom/Bust Guys: Waller embodies the “swing for the fences” TE12 play—sometimes that’s what you need for a playoff push.

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