FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 3 Fantasy Football Trade Advice (Ep. 1717)
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Joey P.
Guests/Analysts: Derek Brown (“D Bro”), Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode is FantasyPros’ signature blend of fast-paced, highly interactive fantasy football trade advice, streamed live with a sharp focus on Week 3’s hot names and shifting depth charts. Joey P. is joined by analysts Derek Brown and Andrew Erickson, fielding dozens of listener Super Chats on trades, player rest-of-season outlooks, and how to react to the latest injury news across the NFL. The team provides actionable, direct answers with their trademark mix of fantasy expertise and keep-it-real banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening: Setting the Scene & Latest NFL News

• Injuries & Return Updates
  • Jalen Wright “good to go”
  • Jalen Waddle expected to play Thursday Night Football
  • Joe Burrow “probably out for the year” (01:17)
• Analysts stress: “A lot of news still flying in from practice,” and, “If you’ve got Super Chats, you go right to the top!” (01:17, Joey P.)

Trade Strategy: Buy Low & Sell High (Main Themes)

Holding & Patience for Underperforming Rosters

• Don’t Panic if You’re 0-2:
  • “This is the kind of team that’s finally turned the corner… Why would you want to trade Drake London when he plays the Panthers this week? … Stay put.” (01:25, Joey P.)
  • D Bro and Andrew likewise advise holding onto key assets even if the team has started slowly.

RB Handcuff Swaps & Upsides

• On Handcuff RB Trades:
  • Derek Brown: “I think Benson looks like he’s emerging right now. But if we're living in a world three weeks from now and Tutin’s getting more of the backfield and has an equal share with Etienne, I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d probably sit pat.” (03:55)
  • Andrew: “If you’re really trying to shoot for maximum upside, keep the other player's handcuff.” (04:18)

Kittle for Ken Walker?

• Quick Take:
  • “Yep.” (02:47, Andrew)
  • “Easy, easy, easy peasy. Done.” (02:48, Joey P.)
  • Kittle’s injury risk makes Walker a preferred target.

Quarterback Questions: When to Hold, When to Cut

• Multiple Solid QBs? Don’t Worry

  • On whether to grab waiver QBs if you already roster Herbert and Prescott:
    • “No, just stay put. Stop wasting roster spots.” (05:19, Joey P.)
  • Superflex or not? If not, “Just ride Herbert and Prescott” (Consensus, 05:19)

• Pros on Trading Mahomes for Henry in PPR:

  • “Good job.” (05:42, Andrew)

WRs vs. RBs: Value Comps and Trade Targets

• Mike Evans Buy-Low Alert
  • “People need to go out and buy low on Mike Evans. His target share and stuff, he is still the clear number one.” (12:02, Derek Brown)
• Trading for Ken Walker:
  • “Worth trading Omari and Hampton away for KW3?”
    • "Yep... Even better if you have Charbonnet." (19:37-19:40)

Who’d You Rather? Rapid-Fire Comparisons

Rapid Trade Decisions

• Trade Deebo Samuel for Jordan Mason?
  • “Yes, if you need RB help.” (45:56, Derek; 45:55, Andrew)
• Swift for Brian Thomas Jr.?
  • “Yes.” (11:17, Andrew & Derek)
• Trade Pollard & Nico Collins for Lamb?
  • “Yes. If you can do it: great. Done.” (20:06, Joey, Andrew & Derek)
• Chase Brown or Jamar Chase to trade away?
  • “If I had to pick one, I’d trade away Chase Brown first.” (55:47, Andrew)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On risky, “just do it” deals:
  • "I went full Jake Browning once in high school. It’s not pretty." (20:11, Joey P.)
• On age & RBs fading:
  • “Those guys seem like they’re on… you look at the milk, and it’s like, this expired yesterday.” (09:36, Andrew, re: aging RBs like Sutton, Connor)
• On trading for running backs:
  • “Don’t be a tool. Use the tools like the Trade Analyzer.” (33:39, Joey P.)
• On fantasy trade angst:
  • "This is like—the most dangerous trade stream of the year is Week 3. People are making moves they’ll regret." (43:42, Joey P.)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Opening, panel intros, K-Pop Demon Hunters joke | 00:38–01:17 | | Latest NFL injury updates (Wright, Waddle, Burrow) | 01:17 | | Kiki’s "I’m 0-2, Do I Panic Trade?" | 01:25 | | Kittle for KW3 trade verdict | 02:47 | | RB Handcuff Swap Discussion | 03:23–04:49 | | Mahomes for Henry, QB stashing debate | 05:14–05:44 | | Mike Evans Buy-Low mention | 12:02 | | Nico for A.J. Brown, Gibbs, and trade breakdown | 11:18–11:43 | | Buy Low, Sell High philosophical debate | 19:09–20:01 | | Pollard & Nico for Lamb | 20:06 | | Deebo for Mason trade response | 45:55–45:56 | | Churn of risky mid-tier moves and trading anxieties (Week 3 Danger) | 43:42 | | Favorite Hold: Jordan Mason verdict | 56:00–56:04 |

Consensus Guidance & Analyst “Co-signs”

• Don’t overreact if you’re 0-2.
• Be aggressive buying bellcow RBs (Ken Walker, Gibbs, Mason) if you can trade a tier below.
• Keenan Allen is now “must-hold” except for a QB1 in superflex.
• Fade late-20s RBs and receivers on bad offenses (Sutton, Connor, Chubb, DJ Moore).
• Mike Evans is a sharp buy-low.
• Use the FantasyPros Trade Analyzer to sanity-check trade ideas, especially in a panic.
• Be careful trading for injury-prone or older pieces—upside wins leagues, but stability defines floors in September.

Trade-Specific Advice (Selected Examples)

• Kittle for Ken Walker: "Easy peasy. Take KW3." (02:48)
• Deebo for Mason: “Yes, if you need RB help.” (45:56)
• Swift for Brian Thomas Jr.: “Yes.” (11:17)
• Nico & Pollard for Lamb: “Do it. Done.” (20:06)
• Omari & Hampton for KW3: "Yep, especially if you have Charbonnet." (19:37)
• Bower vs Craft sell-high: “Craft’s value will never be higher than it is right now.” (07:29)
• Trading both QBs (Purdy and Fields) in a 10-team: "Drop both...add Tutin and Rice." (31:43)
• Best “hold” RB: “This is like what we waited for with Jordan Mason.” (56:00)

Analyst “Disagreements” & Different Perspectives

• Willingness to Ditch QB Depth:
  • Derek and Andrew quickly advocate cutting surplus QBs in shallow leagues (31:44), a recurring theme.
• Who’s the real “sell high”—Bowers or Craft?
  • Joey: "You’ll get more for Bowers."
  • Derek: "But the injury and coming off a quieter game…" (07:26)
• Chuba/Pacheco/Fades:
  • Strong avoidance of “just okay” RBs unless desperate at the flex (17:53).

Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Don’t Sell Low on Premium WRs/RBs in September. Hold your studs unless you’re getting league-changing value.
• Take advantage of managers in panic mode about slow starts or injuries—swoop on perceived “down” studs like Mike Evans or Ken Walker.
• Don’t waste bench spots on excess QBs or TEs in smaller leagues.
• Handcuff swaps only make sense if there’s a clear shot to lead-back work.
• Keep exploiting the Trade Analyzer for impartial projections.

Closing

The panel emphasizes patience over panic and prioritizing upside over “lateral” trades. There’s a clear theme of not making rash moves, even if teams start 0-2 or 0-3, and of targeting RBs on the rise due to injury or uncertainty while unloading aging/trending-down assets. Use tools, trust the depth charts, and don’t let September box scores determine your season outlook.

Final reminder:
"Don’t be a tool. Use the tools like the Trade Analyzer." (33:39, Joey P.)

Next up:
Start/Sit discussions in tomorrow’s episode.

(All timestamps in MM:SS; ads/intro/outro skipped per instructions)