FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 3 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sleepers, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley (A), Pat Fitzmaurice “Fitz” (C), Jake Ciely (B)

Episode Overview

In this Week 3 special, the FantasyPros crew delivers sharp, entertaining, and actionable advice on fantasy football lineup decisions. The focus is on waiver pickups, must-starts and sits, key position debates, and their trademark touchdown calls for the week. With a slew of injuries, roster shakeups, and unusual rookie running back droughts, the panel guides listeners through who to ride, who to be patient with, and which new faces should be trusted in starting lineups.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Injury Landscape & Roster Shakeup

• Overall Injury Update (01:25):
  • Fitz: "It's a mixed bag as far as the teams are going... we've had fewer injuries at most positions, but quarterback is a minefield."
  • Jake: "The weird run of good injury luck for running backs has gone for a full calendar year... but anyone who drafted a rookie running back has had bad luck."
  • Ryan: "No early-season 'league-winning' RB waivers so far. That's rare."
• Rookie RB Class Disappointment (02:49):
  • Jake: "The best class ever is going to be the worst fantasy season."
  • Fitz: "Omarion Hampton and RJ Harvey just haven't had chances: Give it time, this class is that good, not false advertising."

2. Popular Waiver Wire Pickups: Start or Sit?

Elic Ayomanor (WR, Titans) [04:49]

• Jake: "I'd put him in that Cedric Tillman conversation. Clearly the number two now. If Cam Ward turns it around, schedule softens, maybe he's interesting. But Titans offense, rookie QB... still just a WR4 or dart throw."
• Fitz: "Possibly, but I've got him WR53 this week. Better days coming when byes hit; not a must-start yet. Cam Ward hasn't even hit 200 passing yards this year."

Wandale Robinson (not on waivers) [06:31]

• Compared to Ayomanor and Franklin. Ranked higher than both as a WR4.

Juwan Johnson (TE, Saints) [07:49]

• Fitz: "Skeptic. Target share won't hold at 27%, likely falls to mid-high teens. Still, ranked TE11. With Kittle & Goddard uncertain, most will start him."
• Jake: "I'm 'overweight' on Juwan Johnson. Until others TEs return or they change QBs, he's in my top-10. TE7 this week!"

Daniel Jones (QB, Colts) [10:30]

• Jake: "I didn't want to submit my rankings, but he's QB10... This Steichen/Colts offense is maximizing Jones' talents, using him like Jalen Hurts at the goal line. Fantasy-wise, gotta ride it."
• Fitz: "It's frustrating for Jonathan Taylor managers. Jones is getting goal-line TDs. But the OL is fantastic (sack rate under 10%), giving him time. He's a back-end QB1 this week."

Troy Franklin (WR, Broncos) [13:19]

• Fitz: "WR52, just ahead of Ayomanor. Wait-and-see; Week 2 was encouraging, but unclear role going forward—too many variables."
• Jake: "Fringe WR4, but clearly ahead of Marvin Mims. Sean Payton risk is real. 33% of his targets are 'designed,' Debo Samuel-like, but pulls down his ADoT."

3. Plant Your Flag: Bold Must-Plays & Week 3 Upside Picks

George Pickens (WR, Steelers) [15:45]

• Fitz: "Bears down two best CBs, just allowed 7 TD passes. Pickens ready to feast."
• Jake: "TD call last week, on board again. This game should be a shootout."

Jake Browning (QB, Bengals) [17:10]

• Jake: "Top 10 in every game, except two vs. Steelers. If you lost Burrow and want upside, Browning's your shot at a Burrow replacement."
• Fitz: "Cautious; Vikings tough at home, could 'smoke' the Bengals. QB24 for me just this week."

4. Running Back Debates

Jordan Mason (RB, Vikings) vs. Ashton Gentry (RB, Raiders) [25:51]

• Jake: "Still Gentry for me. Volume, touches, talent—just needs O-line to help. Both top-15 RBs this week."
• Fitz: "Play Mason this week. Vikings have no one else—could see 20+ carries, plus a great matchup."

Jalen Warren (RB, Titans) vs. Tony Pollard (RB, Titans) [29:01]

• Fitz: "Prefer Pollard—better carry volume, clear workhorse, but needs more targets."
• Jake: "Warren RB22, Pollard RB25. Pollard is safer, Warren has done more with less. 'I'd rather take 15 touches from Warren than 22 from Pollard.'"

5. Wide Receiver Debates

Lad McConkey (WR, Chargers) vs. Rome Odunze (WR, Bears) [32:14]

• Jake: "Odunze's breakout is here. True WR1 in offense, 30% target share, high-scoring game upcoming."
• Fitz: "I trust the Lad McConkey brand more for now—target distribution still spread in LA. Odunze is in the tier, but WR26 for me, 10 spots below consensus."

Courtland Sutton (WR, Broncos) vs. Tee Higgins (WR, Bengals with Browning) [37:14]

• Jake: "Flip a coin. Both mid WR2s. Higgins slightly above, but usage and range very similar."
• Fitz: "Still like Sutton, even after down week. Higgins has produced with Browning before, but Sutton is a start-and-forget for me this week."

6. Rapid Fire Start/Sit Decisions

Jakory “Bill” Merritt (RB, Commanders) vs. David Montgomery (RB, Lions) [41:36]

• Fitz: "Montgomery—better matchup, higher game total, trusted role."
• Jake: "Merritt, barely—lead back vs. backup, but if the matchups were switched, would lean Montgomery."

Terry McLaurin vs. Debo Samuel [44:19]

• Jake: "Debo. Kingsbury’s scheme is built for him, gets more of Mariota’s looks."
• Fitz: "Had McLaurin ranked higher, but Debo fits the offense and gets quick targets Mariota can deliver."

A.J. Brown vs. Chuba Hubbard [46:37]

• Fitz: "Don't ever bench a star. A.J. Brown every time."
• Jake: "Hubbard is a bellcow, but I'm team buy-low on A.J. Brown; wouldn't actually bench, but it's close."

DeAndre Swift vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. [48:10]

• Fitz: "Swift—better touch floor, Harrison more boom/bust."
• Jake: "Swift is safe, Harrison high ceiling but a risky floor. Prefer Swift unless shooting for upside."

DJ Moore vs. Rhamondre Stevenson [49:43]

• Jake: "Stevenson is the floor, Moore is the ceiling. Depends on what you need from your flex!"
• Fitz: "Pass catchers in DAL-CHI game are gold. Slight edge to Moore for ceiling."

Nick Chubb vs. Travis Hunter [52:19]

• Both: Chubb. Touch floor is reliable; Hunter's aDOT is too low.

Daniel Jones vs. Caleb Williams (QB) [54:32]

• Jake: "Jones by a hair; both startable."
• Fitz: "Caleb Williams in a shootout, more rushing upside (QB8 for me)."

Juwan Johnson vs. Kyle Pitts (TE) [55:40]

• Fitz: "Pitts by matchup, Panthers bleed points to TEs."
• Jake: "Juwan by a hair; Pitts hasn’t shown enough despite usage boost."

7. Touchdown Calls Contest [57:31]

• RB: Fitz – Isaiah Pacheco ("Get-right game vs. Giants, league-worst run D.")
• WR: Ryan – Tetairoa McMillan ("Hasn't scored yet, commanding usage.")
• TE: Jake – Sam LaPorta ("Ravens weak vs. tight ends; due TD.")

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jake, on Daniel Jones as a fantasy asset (10:30):
  "Whether we deserve or want to give credit to Steichen... this version of Daniel Jones is fixed... For fantasy, he's a top-10 QB until further notice."

• Fitz on the state of rookie RBs (03:14):
  "I hope people give it time. This class really is just that good. I don't think it was false advertising. We just have to be patient, honestly."

• On waiver priorities (07:49, 08:32):

  • Fitz: "Juwan Johnson's target share can't hold... but with so many tight ends out, you're probably starting him anyway."
  • Jake: "I'm still overweight Juwan Johnson—he's just outside the circle of trust but I'm riding him."

• Fitz's big Week 3 call (15:45):
  "Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are both going to eat this week."

• Jake planting the flag (17:10):
  "If you lost Burrow, only QBs out there who could give you that value are Daniel Jones and Jake Browning."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:33 – Episode introduction, injury/waiver context
• 01:25 – Early season injury overview & rookie RB woes
• 04:49 – Waiver adds start/sit: Ayomanor, Johnson, Daniel Jones, Franklin
• 15:28 – Plant your flag: Must-starts with conviction (Pickens, Browning)
• 25:51 – RB debates: Mason vs. Gentry, Warren vs. Pollard
• 32:14 – WR debates: McConkey vs. Odunze, Sutton vs. Higgins
• 41:36 – Rapid fire: RB, WR, TE, and flex start/sit
• 57:31 – Touchdown calls: RB, WR, TE picks

Overall Tone & Style

The conversation is informed but lighthearted and quick-moving, mixing sharp player takes with humor and friendly debate. Jake brings strong stances and bold justifications, Fitz provides measured analysis and context, and Ryan keeps the show on track and relatable for all fantasy managers.

Bottom Line Advice

• Ride recent volume and opportunity on waivers, but don't overreact—rookie RBs need patience.
• Prioritize trustworthy roles and offenses, especially in uncertain backfield and WR committee situations.
• Shoot for upside at QB/WR, but don't get too cute at RB/TE unless depth issues demand it.
• Trust stars (A.J. Brown, Sutton) but don’t fear flexing hot hands if your lineup needs ceiling.
• Backup QBs like Daniel Jones and Jake Browning ARE viable for now, but track matchups.
• Use projected shootouts (DAL-CHI, BAL-DET) to break ties between similar players.

For full rankings and position-by-position tiers, visit FantasyPros Rankings.