Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 6 Matchup Previews with Mike Kashuba
Date: October 10, 2025
Host(s): Dave Kluge & Alfredo Brown
Guest: Mike Kashuba

Overview

This episode features Dave Kluge and guest Mike Kashuba (Last Word on Sports, Footballguys’ rookie draft guide) previewing intriguing Week 6 NFL matchups with a focus on fantasy football takeaways. The discussion blends actionable player advice with laughs and deeper dives into team strategy, rookie usage, and changing NFL trends. Highlights include ranking tricky wide receiver rooms, dissecting ambiguous running back committees, identifying fantasy sleepers and busts, and offering nuanced, real-fan perspectives on team changes.

Segment Highlights & Key Insights

[00:19] – Opening and Introduction

• Dave welcomes Mike Kashuba, highlighting his expertise and Steelers background.
• The episode will cover six intriguing Week 6 games, player usage, fantasy outlooks, and general football observations.

[02:00] International Game: Broncos vs. Jets

Fantasy Impacts of International Matchups

• Mike notes that "well-coached, experienced teams like the Eagles and Chiefs manage the travel better. Less experienced teams, like the Jets and Broncos, concern me" (02:00).
• Both expect a possible slow start from both teams due to travel, which could limit fantasy scoring.

RJ Harvey’s Role and the Denver Backfield [03:12]

• RJ Harvey role discussed:
  • Opportunities by week: 7, 7, 5, 19 (in a blowout), back to 7.
  • "It doesn’t look like he’s earned any kind of big role... unless you're projecting the Broncos to blow out the Jets" — Mike (03:17).
• Dobbins' dominance: "It's Dobbins, it's Dobbins, it's Dobbins, and then it's a couple of other guys" — Mike (04:01).

Start/Sit: Justin Fields and Other Streamers [04:25]

• Fields is the "garbage time king," but against a good defense and with travel, Mike advises tempering expectations but also recognizes that “if you have him, you probably don't have a better option... just start Justin Fields, hold your breath, and don’t watch the game” (04:55).
• Would start Baker Mayfield and Dak Prescott over Fields this week. Also prefers Drake May if he’s available.

Memorable Quote:
“If you have him, you probably don’t have a better option... just start Justin Fields, hold your breath, and you just don’t watch the game.” — Mike Kashuba (04:55)

[07:38] Seahawks at Jaguars

Sam Darnold: Plug-and-Play or Matchup Dependent?

• Despite Darnold's recent strong outing, Mike says, “I still think he’s stuck in that churn of streamers... It’s going to be a matchup dependent thing” (07:38).

Seattle RB Split: Walker vs. Charbonnet [09:02]

• Both are usable as flex plays.
  • “Walker is more efficient with the ball... but Charbonnet just continues to get 40 to 50% of the work regardless. So start both, pray for a touchdown.” — Mike (09:02)
• Dave: “It’s infuriating for fantasy managers, but I think that split... when they’re both healthy, I think that’s what is going to maintain” (09:35).

Jags' Travis Hunter Usage [10:39]

• Routes are consistent (~27/game), but usage spikes in close games:
  • “When they're in close games that they really want to win, Travis Hunter might be doing a little bit more offense.” — Mike (11:21).

Brian Thomas Jr.: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

• Mike: “Just hold... the offense is beginning to click... Brighter days ahead” (12:12).

[13:55] Chargers at Dolphins

Running Backs in Focus: Hassan Haskins vs. Kamani Vidal

• Mike draws from last year’s usage tendencies—Greg Roman “does whatever the heck he wants.” While Haskins might seem like the default, “Vidal has been the one that shows. He gets touches, he gets passing game work. There’s some opportunity there. But I agree the right answer is neither.” (15:01)

Wide Receiver Rankings: Chargers Edition [17:49]

• Mike’s ranking for this week: 1) Quentin Johnston, 2) Lad McConkey, 3) Keenan Allen (17:49).
• Reasoning: “You’re hoping the best for all these guys... this is a fantastic matchup with a great quarterback against a terrible defense. You’re better off... rolling 3d20s and assigning them to each player” (18:41).

Dave’s Fantasy Note:
“I could look foolish having Lad McConkey third here. But it does kind of feel like his versatility has been used as a function to get the other guys open” (19:08).

Darren Waller: Top 12 TE ROS? [20:30]

• Mike: “With no research, no deep dive... yeah, probably” but notes it may not be a difference-making top 12 (20:30).

Miami Pass Catchers Behind Waller, Waddle, Achane

• Mike: Malik Washington “in a deeper league... for a desperation PPR play, maybe,” but no third piece is reliable (22:38, 23:32).

[24:30] Browns at Steelers

Browns WR Isaiah Bond: Dynasty Gem or Redraft Fade?

• Mike: Deep dynasty stash only—“If I’m in a two wide receiver, one flex league, Isaiah Bond should probably still be on waivers.” (24:30)

Tight End Usage for Cleveland

• Gabriel is “not hitting the deep throws. He’s hitting Njoku on a shallow crosser. He’s hitting Fant on a quick screen pass. Those are throws he can make... and can see the field there.” — Mike (26:46)

Steelers Backfield: Gainwell vs. Warren [28:51]

• Post-injury split may tilt slightly more toward Gainwell short term, but “Tomlin’s going to go, nope, I said [Warren] is the starter, he's the starter.” (30:11)

Memorable Quote:
“When [Tomlin] says this guy is the starter, you can believe that. True and true.” — Mike (30:11)

Steelers Pass Catchers Outside Metcalf [31:49]

• Jonnú Smith could be a desperation start if Calvin Austin (questionable) misses. Dave: “Not a smash start, but a peek.” (32:31)

Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh: Grade [32:42]

• Mike gives a “B”: “The highs have been pretty high and I haven’t felt those as a Steelers fan in a while watching an offense... To see our first four-TD game since Big Ben was fun, but I don’t know if I want to be winning games right now.” (32:42–34:09)

[35:02] Bengals at Packers

Cincy’s Fantasy Assets Post-Flacco

• Mike: “Nobody is truly saved. Maybe Chase gets hyper-targeted. It’s just maybe slightly less gross.” (35:02)
• Dave: “Jamar Chase and Chase Brown are the two to get a little excited about... Brown as a volume-based, high-end RB2. Not much hope for Higgins to rebound.” (36:44)
• Brown comped to “Alvin Kamara from the last couple of years” — Mike (38:15)

Tucker Kraft: Clear Buy? [39:01]

• Both agree he’s a top tight end: “If you can buy him, buy him. If you have him, don’t sell him. #GoodAtFootball.” — Mike (39:01), “I see a guy who should be the overall TE1 in fantasy right now.” — Dave (39:36)

Packers WR Rankings ROS [42:02]

• Mike: “I have Dobbs #1 — he’s the guy Jordan Love trusts... then Matthew Golden, then Dontayvion Wicks. Call me crazy, I like the receiver that stays on the field for the good offense.” (43:07)

[45:14] Bears at Commanders

Rookie Usage Post-Bye: Colson Loveland & Luther Burden

• Mike: “A little bit, 100%. Get a couple more snaps, a couple more routes... If you start to see a positive trend out of the bye, that’s what you want” (46:26)
• Burden could step into a bigger role if DJ Moore continues to be phased out.
• Loveland: “Probably closer to a year-three breakout tight end. There’s just a roadblock ahead with Kmet” (47:25)
• Dave on Kmet: “Fantasy people just can’t stand him... but he’s a good tight end” (48:03)

Caleb Williams: Regression Candidate at QB6?

• Both: Yes, expect some regression, but top-10 season is realistic.
• “He’s not going to get the Dallas Cowboys every week... not a lot of rushing upside, but will probably finish in a bunch of guys.” — Mike (50:31)

[52:08] Commanders RB: Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Real or Mirage?

• Mike: “Short answer, yes... He could be the guy, keep the job, and be the lead back in this offense.” (52:08)
• Dave: Sees Jaden Daniels’ mobility opening up lanes for Merritt, boosting his upside even as a lower-drafted back (54:29)
• Both: RBs with mobile QBs have increased breakaway percentages; this is a trend to monitor for future drafting (55:09)

Deebo Samuel Resurgence in Washington [55:59]

• Mike: “He’s freaking good, dude. But maybe not going to finish as WR7—touchdown rate not sustainable.” (56:24)
• Dave: “He’s just a good fit for this offense... always there, five yards off the line of scrimmage, ready to run through defenders.” (56:35)

[57:17] Hill to Die On: Fitness and Football

• Mike: “Everyone should have some sort of active hobby... Find something that makes fitness fun, and then it becomes a lifetime and a lifestyle of things.” (57:17)
• Dave reflects on his similar journey, emphasizing the importance of choosing enjoyable fitness (“beer tastes better at 14,000 feet!”) (59:22)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "If you have him, you probably don't have a better option... just start Justin Fields, hold your breath, and don't watch the game." — Mike (04:55)
• "When Tomlin says, 'This guy's the starter,' you can believe that. True and true." — Mike (30:11)
• "If you can buy [Tucker Kraft], buy him. If you have him, don't sell him. #GoodAtFootball." — Mike (39:01)
• "Call me crazy, I like the receiver that stays on the field for the good offense." — Mike (43:07)
• "Find something that makes fitness fun, and then it becomes a lifetime and a lifestyle of things." — Mike (57:17)

Actionable Advice & Breakdown by Position

Quarterbacks

• Fields: Start if no better options; prefer late-round streamers Mayfield, Dak, and May this week. (04:55–06:47)
• Darnold: Only in plus matchups, not a weekly lock. (07:38)
• Rodgers: Steelers QB play is improved, but don’t expect big swings mid-season. (32:42)

Running Backs

• Denver: Dobbins is the main guy, Harvey cannot be trusted yet. (03:12)
• Seattle: Start both Walker and Charbonnet as risky flex plays. (09:02)
• Chargers: Vidal is a desperation start, but neither he nor Haskins is recommended if you have other options. (15:01)
• Bengals: Chase Brown PPR stock up post-Flacco arrival. (36:44)
• Commanders: Croskey-Merritt is here to stay as lead back while the offensive system fits. (52:08)

Wide Receivers

• Chargers: Start all three main WRs this week, but order is a dice roll. (17:49–18:41)
• Packers: Dobbs is the “X” and top option, then Golden and Wicks for upside. (42:02)
• Browns: Dynasty stash Isaiah Bond; redraft stay away. (24:30)
• Jags: Hold Brian Thomas Jr., offense is trending upward. (12:12)
• Steelers/Bears: Rookie WR usage to tick up post-bye, but caution on immediate upside. (46:26–48:03)

Tight Ends

• Darren Waller: Borderline TE1 but not a difference maker (20:30)
• Tucker Kraft: Buy and hold—true, ascending difference maker (39:01)
• Browns: Njoku and Fant are high TE2s, but TD-reliant (28:12)
• Steelers: Jonnú Smith only an option if Calvin Austin is out (31:49)
• Bears: Kmet is solid, Loveland is longer-term project (47:25–49:42)

Final Thoughts & Fan-Focused Touches

• Mike’s Steelers perspective: Mike Tomlin embodies “my word is my bond.” Warren will reclaim the Steelers’ backfield if healthy. Steelers fans can find silver linings but have measured expectations (28:51–34:29).
• Fitness, fun & football: Both hosts encourage finding active hobbies for joy and lifelong health (57:17–60:29).
• Show closes: Mike plugs his work at Footballguys, Last Word on Sports, and the 2026 Rookie Guide; is still holding out hope for the Andrew Armstrong breakout (61:08).

Timestamps: Key Segments

• Intro: 00:19
• Broncos/Jets International Game: 02:00–06:47
• Seahawks/Jags: 07:38–12:39
• Chargers/Dolphins: 13:55–23:44
• Browns/Steelers: 24:30–34:29
• Bengals/Packers: 35:02–44:15
• Bears/Commanders: 45:14–56:35
• Hill to Die On (Fitness): 57:17
• Wrap-up: 61:08

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Temper expectations for international games unless the team is experienced.
• Fade running back committees unless clear trends develop (Denver, Chargers, Seattle).
• Likelihood of rookie breakouts increases post-bye—but don’t overcommit to Bears’ rookies yet.
• Seek out tight ends in consolidated offenses (Tucker Kraft is top priority).
• Start WRs in high-scoring offenses even if target shares seem split (Chargers, Packers).
• Don’t overrate TE8 or RB32-level “difference makers” — look for usage indicators, not just production.
• Adaptive NFL schemes (mobile QBs, heavy sets) are reshaping the fantasy landscape.

For more detailed insights, follow Mike Kashuba at @FFMikeCash and check out the Footballguys Rookie Guide.