Footballguys Fantasy Football Show - Episode Summary
Episode Title: Players To Target Based On Your Team's Record || Fantasy Football 2025
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Main Theme:
Strategically identifying the best fantasy football trade targets before the deadline, segmented by your team's current record (desperate, in the hunt, or contender). Includes actionable advice for different league scenarios, player-specific analysis, and schedule-centric insights.
Episode Overview
Alfredo and Dave break down the optimal fantasy trade targets for teams at various stages of playoff contention:
- Desperate Teams (3–4 wins): Swing for the fences; chase high-upside, potentially undervalued stars.
- In the Hunt (5–7 wins): Secure players who will produce now and have strong short-term schedules.
- Contenders (8+ wins): Add top talent with upcoming favorable playoff schedules and stash high-upside options.
Additionally, the hosts react live to breaking player news, debate current trade values, and offer league-winning perspectives with trademark humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Breaking News: Trey Benson’s Return
[04:20-06:57]
- Trey Benson’s practice window opens just as the show begins.
- Dave: "I'd imagine that Trey Benson, like, there might be one game where he's kind of ramped up, but once he is fully up to speed, he's probably gonna be handling somewhere between like 70, 75% of the touches out of this backfield." [05:13]
- Alfredo: "No James Connor there... there's not really any part of his game where Trey Benson has a deficiency. He can catch passes, he can be out there on passing downs. He can be the bigger guy... there's not really a reason unless you're just spelling him for a... breath." [05:24]
- Consensus: Trey Benson is a top trade target for contenders who want to stash an ascending RB2/low RB1 before the news spreads.
- Advice: Move quickly on him before league mates react.
2. Category Breakdown: Trade Targets By Team Record
A. Desperate Teams (3–4 wins): Go Big or Go Home
[09:35-16:43]
i. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings WR)
- Dave: "If Justin Jefferson continues being the player he is, you're not going to make the playoffs. You're probably not going to make the playoffs anyway. But on the off chance...this is a guy who has given us multiple top three finishes in fantasy..." [09:40]
- Rationale: Buy low during the vibes dip, get a proven difference-maker. Week 14–17 schedule: Washington, Dallas, Giants, Detroit—all plus matchups.
- Alfredo: "When you're at three or four wins, like you have nothing to lose, but the league—you're already losing...Just go for it." [11:17]
ii. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles RB)
- Alfredo: "The volume's been there recently. 52 touches over the last two games, but zero touchdowns...Touchdown regression has been a killer for Saquon." [12:37]
- Rationale: The usage and matchups are ideal, and positive regression is likely. Playoff schedule favored, including Buffalo in Week 17—a defense giving up the most RB yards.
- Dave: "Saquon Barkley is starting to look a little bit more like Saquon Barkley." [15:05]
B. Teams In the Hunt (5–7 wins): Secure Short-Term Contributors
[18:30-26:17]
i. Jalen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers RB)
- Dave: "There is only one running back who has positive matchups in each of the next three weeks, and that's Jalen Warren...this guy was already giving us high end RB2 production and now we're looking at plus matchups on top of that." [19:11]
- Schedule: Chicago, Buffalo, and Baltimore—all yielding extra points to RBs; coming off a minor injury, making it a buying window.
- Notable Stat: Fifth in Ian Hartitz's RB 'splash play' metric.
- Advice: "This is a guy that if you go out and trade for him, he is going to help you get into the fantasy playoffs." [20:51]
ii. Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals RB)
- Alfredo: "What we've seen has been a very different Chase Brown over the last...five games...Yards per carry, yards after contact—everything has gotten better for him." [21:32]
- Usage spike and elite expected fantasy points. Excellent matchup run upcoming.
- Strategy: "You're gonna have to play a different angle here...Joe Burrow's coming back might not be the same offense, but I'm willing to take that risk. You don't have to." [22:55]
C. Contenders (8+ wins): Stash Upside League-Winners
[26:17-33:43]
i. Omarion Hampton (Chicago Bears RB)
- Dave: "I'm not breaking ground here. Omarion Hampton is good at football, and he's a guy that you should try to trade for if you've already clinched a playoff berth." [26:37]
- Brief injury has suppressed perception; plus matchups for playoffs (Philly, Houston, New York Giants).
- Alfredo: "It's just you need the cherry on top type of player, right? Like the one that just gets you over the hump." [27:54]
ii. Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers WR)
- Alfredo: "Very similar concept here to Omarion Hampton...I actually think that his value on the trade market might have gone down...84% of the snaps on his first week back...they're not holding back." [28:58]
- Missed targets in return game = buying opportunity. Weeks 15–17: Tennessee, Indiana, Chicago—top 12 WR matchups.
- Kyle Shanahan on Pearsall: "The way Ricky was playing before he got hurt...he was playing like a true number one receiver in this league. I don't think that just goes away." [30:56]
3. Honorable Mentions, Trade Debates, and Notable Quotes
- Michael Wilson (Arizona WR) for short-term need (if you need immediate WR points) [18:44]
- Joe Burrow (Cincinnati QB): "Go pick up Joe Burrow...He's coming back after this week...I'd much rather have Joe Burrow stashed through the playoffs than Jackson Dart." [33:53]
- Trade Speculation Segment: Debating what assets to flip for Ricky Pearsall, including Cortland Sutton, Quentin Johnston, and lower-tier RBs [33:09]
Memorable & Notable Quotes
- On Teenage Slang:
"They admit it's like, it's stupid. It doesn't mean anything. But our generation really likes making up words that don't mean anything." — Alfredo Brown [02:28] - On Desperation Trades:
"When you're at three or four wins, like you have nothing to lose, but the league—you're already losing...Just go for it." — Alfredo Brown [11:17] - On Saquon’s Resurgence:
"Saquon Barkley is starting to look a little bit more like Saquon Barkley." — Dave Kluge [15:05] - On Buying Low:
"This is a weird week for waivers, too...we were really kind of flying dark." — Dave Kluge [06:57] - On Understated League Winners:
"If you can go out and get him and just keep him stashed on your IR spot, he has all of the markings of a potential league winner." — Dave Kluge on Omarion Hampton [27:32] - On Trade Value After Injury:
"You can get Pearsall for cheap right now. And if you already clinched a playoff berth, you're not relying on Ricky Piersall this week or the next couple of weeks." — Dave Kluge [31:20]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Trey Benson News & Impact: [04:20–06:57]
- Desperate Team Targets (Jefferson & Barkley): [09:35–16:43]
- In the Hunt Targets (Warren & Brown): [18:30–26:17]
- Contender Targets (Hampton & Pearsall): [26:17–33:43]
Tone & Style
Friendly banter, quick wit, and a conversational but focused delivery. Both hosts balance sharp data points and clever humor ("I almost said it the wrong way but we gave you guys our top trade targets...We under promised, we over delivered." — Alfredo Brown [35:14]). The episode is highly accessible for fantasy veterans and newer managers alike.
Actionable Tips
- Desperate teams: Take swings on high-upside, star players who may be undervalued due to injury or team situation.
- In the hunt: Target RBs and WRs with secure volume & strong short-term matchups—don’t overthink it.
- Contenders: Use your roster/IR flexibility to stash potential league winners before their value spikes.
Final Recommendation:
Each suggested player fits a specific team situation. Pay attention to injury windows, usage trends, and upcoming matchups. Move aggressively on undervalued or recently injured stars before their value rebounds.
Next Episode Teased:
Starts & Sleepers for Week 12 – tune in for more actionable advice!