FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast: Week 6 QB & TE Rankings – Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts

Episode 1762 | October 9, 2025
Host: Chris Welsh
Analysts: Pat Fitzmaurice & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 6 fantasy football quarterback (QB) and tight end (TE) rankings, spotlighting studs, sleepers, and key start/sit decisions. With major shakeups at quarterback—like Joe Flacco's surprise starting gig in Cincinnati—and notable movement in tight end value, the analysts break down the top 12 at each position, highlight risers and fallers, and debate players who could make (or break) your fantasy matchup.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Rankings and QB Shakeup

• Opening banter introduces the episode’s focus (QBs & TEs) and highlights Andrew Erickson’s #1 world ranking for TE projections.
• Quick news hits:
  • No Kyler Murray at practice.
  • Joe Flacco traded to the Bengals, is projected to start.
• Playful acknowledgment of tight end “guru” Erickson:
  • “He can tell you down to the half yard how many yards Jake Tonjas is going to have this week.” (Pat, 01:29)
  • Tucker Kraft is humorously nominated as TE1 of the week, showing off the podcast's lighthearted, analytical tone.

2. Quarterback Rankings: Top 12 & Key Debates

Full Top-12 QBs This Week:

1. Josh Allen
2. Jalen Hurts
3. Jaden Daniels
4. Patrick Mahomes
5. Drake Maye
6. Justin Herbert
7. Dak Prescott
8. Baker Mayfield
9. Caleb Williams
10. Jordan Love
11. Matthew Stafford
12. Daniel Jones
    (03:52)

Dak Prescott – Differing Perspectives

• Erickson bullish, at QB7:
  “Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott are at the top [in] multiple offensive categories ... you just can't pass up a matchup against Carolina Panthers.” (Andrew, 04:25)
• Fitzmaurice cautious, at QB12:
  “I just, I wonder how many more of these ceiling games ... without CeeDee Lamb and without a couple of starting offensive linemen.” (Pat, 05:30)

Caleb Williams – A Ranking Swing

• Pat high (QB7), Erickson initially low (QB15):
  • Pat highlights Caleb’s 8 TDs in 4 games, “puts him at quarterback six in that category... coming out of the bye, you know Ben Johnson’s going to have some pretty good scripted stuff.” (Pat, 06:27)
  • Erickson admits he’s adjusting, “This is the wrong ranking of Caleb Williams, so I’m going to be moving him up.” (Andrew, 07:08)

Daniel Jones – The Case for and against Top 10

• Erickson positive, at QB9:
  “They put him in a system where he has protection [and] playmakers ... you look at Dan Jones here, he’s top 10 in points per game.” (Andrew, 08:11)
• Pat more skeptical, at QB13:
  “Jones has scored 15.8, 12.4 and 16.7 fantasy points [last three games] … a 21-point win and a 34-point win … he also had three TD runs in his first two games; he has none over the last three.” (Pat, 09:30)

Deeper QB Plays

• Sam Darnold (ECR 16) debated:
  • Erickson: “Felt better about starting him last week...think I’d rather start the 49ers QB over Sam Darnold [this week].” (Andrew, 11:16–12:26)
  • Pat: Fade based on volume, “Seattle’s running the ball in half of their offensive snaps. Darnold is only averaging 26.8 pass attempts per game.” (Pat, 12:47)

3. Tight End Rankings: Chasing Touchdowns

Top-12 TEs This Week:

1. Trey McBride
2. Tyler Warren
3. Jake Ferguson
4. Tucker Kraft
5. Sam LaPorta
6. Hunter Henry
7. Dalton Kincaid
8. Darren Waller
9. Travis Kelce
10. Kyle Pitts
11. Dallas Goedert
12. David Njoku
    (13:24)

Darren Waller – Still Worth the Start?

• Erickson: “If you've been riding the Darren Waller wave, just keep riding till the wheels fall off ... he's catching TDs, but playing a limited role, not a 100% snap share.” (Andrew, 14:01)
• Pat: “Once you get beyond the top five tight ends ... you’re shooting touchdown odds. I always like Waller’s odds, but [against Derwin James] we’re probably not getting a 6 for 80 day.” (Pat, 14:55)

David Njoku – Emerging with Dylan Gabriel

• Pat: “Brown’s tight ends combined for 13 targets last week ... Njoku seemed to be Dylan Gabriel’s favorite security blanket.” (Pat, 15:39)
• Erickson: “You could just tell Dylan Gabriel ... was much more comfortable short ... get them to the tight ends. Njoku’s kind of a streaky producer.” (Andrew, 16:16)
• Both analysts lean “start” for Njoku in a plus matchup against the Steelers.

Mason Taylor – High Volume, Maybe Low Conversion

• Pat: “14 catches and 19 targets over the last two weeks ... but targets are coming from Justin Fields ... tough matchup.” (Pat, 18:13)
• Erickson: “Could be a comically Mason Taylor stat: 20 targets, 6 catches or something for like 30 yards. Still, in PPR, you have to start a tight end getting that volume.” (Andrew, 19:10)

Deep Sleeper: Theo Johnson

• Erickson, bullish: “He is the number one read for Jackson Dart in the red zone ... real touchdown equity and with Darius Slayton out, only so many guys left for targets.” (Andrew, 21:09)
• Pat: “He is the first read for Jackson Dart in the red zone ... Nine catches, three touchdowns the last two weeks.” (Pat, 22:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We are not worthy. We are not worthy of Erickson.” – Chris Welsh (01:41)
• Pat’s quip about the Packers facing Joe Flacco again: “All this Joe Flacco in my life, it’s fantastic.” (01:29)
• Erickson, tongue-in-cheek: “Tucker Craft should be tight end one this week, and I don’t know why he’s not.” (01:53)
• On Caleb Williams’ outlook: “I think Caleb’s gonna have a good game this week.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (06:50)
• “You’re shooting touchdown odds here, and I always like Waller’s odds of a touchdown.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (14:55)
• “Mason Taylor ... could be a comically [bad] stat line ... but if you’re gonna give me 12-plus targets ... you have to start that tight end [in PPR].” – Andrew Erickson (19:10)
• The dynamic of shifting on Caleb Williams live: “This is the wrong ranking ... I’m going to be moving him up ... Fitz makes a lot of good points here.” – Andrew Erickson (07:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Quarterback Rankings Discussion: 03:52–13:24

  • Dak Prescott debate: 04:25–06:05
  • Caleb Williams argument: 06:05–07:53
  • Daniel Jones analysis: 07:53–10:30
  • Sam Darnold and other deep QBs: 10:59–13:24

• Tight End Rankings Discussion: 13:24–22:56

  • Darren Waller trust levels: 14:01–15:16
  • David Njoku outlook: 15:39–17:44
  • Mason Taylor’s volume versus outcome: 18:13–20:32
  • Theo Johnson as a sleeper: 21:09–22:56

Summary

This episode is a highly actionable breakdown of Week 6 quarterback and tight end rankings, packed with debate, self-corrections, and an entertaining tone. The hosts provide strong statistical context, match-up analysis, and player utilization notes, with special attention to shifting winds at the QB position (Joe Flacco, Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold) and how tight end landscapes are being reshaped by new quarterbacks, injuries, and exploitable defenses.

Useful for fantasy managers seeking nuanced advice, especially at the thinner positions, and for those deciding between fringy QB/TE options versus chasing upside or floor.

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