Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
FantasyPros: 5 Moves You Need to Make Ahead of Week 11 (Ep. 1832) – November 11, 2025
Host: Ryan Warmley
Analyst: Tara Roberts
Episode Overview
This episode of FantasyPros focuses on the "Five Moves You Need to Make Ahead of Week 11" in fantasy football, honing in on strategic acquisitions and one key player to sell. Tara Roberts goes on what she calls a “buying spree,” providing insight into which underperforming or undervalued fantasy players are primed for impactful roles as the playoffs approach. Ryan Warmley moderates the discussion, offering additional perspective and context on player values, recent performances, and rest-of-season outlooks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. A Buyer's Market: Player Perceptions and Trade Opportunities
- Tara opens by framing this week as a "buyer's market," noting: "Got a couple of guys that we're feeling positive about. We've got some superstars on a downturn here that have negative perceptions." (01:35)
- She observes trade discussions featuring repeated names, often due to frustration or apprehension about playoff schedules and recent dips in performance.
2. Move #1: Buy Bijan Robinson
- Reasoning: Despite being a consensus top pick, Bijan's recent lack of consistency and increased competition from Tyler Allgeier is frustrating fantasy managers.
- Performance Trends: Fewer than 15 half-PPR points in the past four weeks.
- Playoff Schedule Worries: Many managers look at tough matchups (e.g., LA Rams in championship week) as a reason to sell. Tara disagrees: "Bijan is somebody who... could have the worst playoff matchups in the world. I still want Bijan Robinson." (03:20)
- Trade Advice:
- Consider targeting managers who are "being savvy" and trying to sell due to schedule concerns.
- Ryan suggests a straight-up trade: "You could honestly do a one for one... with a guy like Josh Jacobs." (04:51)
- Notable Quote:
- Tara: "You would be surprised how many people are willing to part ways in order to trade and look for that perceived shiny upside." (02:50)
3. Move #2: Buy Michael Pittman
- Current Perception: Despite being WR10 on the season, Pittman is not viewed as a true WR1 due to other Colts playmakers getting attention (Alec Pierce, Josh Downs).
- Recent Dip: His week 10 fade allows for a “buy low” scenario.
- Role Security: Pittman has outperformed team competition and is a consistent top-15 WR.
- Playoff Schedule Spin: Ryan notes a tough four-game stretch post-bye, which can be used as leverage in trade negotiations.
- Rest-of-Season Value:
- Tara: "I believe firmly that he should be in the top 15 rest of season." (08:21)
- Notable Moment:
- Tara on underestimation: "For some reason people just don't truly see him as a true wide receiver. One... zero reason to believe Pittman is just going to fade away." (06:00)
4. Move #3: Buy Justin Jefferson
- Underperformance & Skepticism: Recent poor effort (including a dropped TD pass), and concerns about rookie QB J.J. McCarthy have made Jefferson surprisingly available.
- Stat Profile: More floor than ceiling this season; no 20-point games, but steady double-digit scoring in half-PPR.
- Rest-of-Season Outlook: Vikings have one of the best remaining schedules for WRs; anticipated improvement from McCarthy increases Jefferson's upside.
- Buy Window:
- Ryan: "He's down at wide receiver 10 in rest of season rankings. That's as attainable as he has been since the first month of his career." (12:40)
- Notable Quotes:
- Tara: "When you look at Justin Jefferson's production this season, a lot of it has been mediocre. But you got to remember, most of that was actually not with J.J. McCarthy." (10:48)
- Ryan: "Like, he is not a guy that is ever available in trades and he might be right now." (12:55)
5. Move #4: Buy Quentin Johnston
- Situation: Chargers WR group is shifting. With Keenan Allen’s role diminishing and Arunde Gadsden’s minor injury, Johnston’s opportunity window is opening.
- Usage & Opportunity:
- "Quentin Johnston has remained the clear wide receiver too ... now you add in the potential of the injury there ... that only increases the upside for Quentin Johnston." (13:40)
- Latest News: Gadsden’s injury is less severe than feared (just a quad bruise, day-to-day per Adam Schefter during the show), which slightly tempers the immediate upside.
- Still a Value: Even if Gadsden plays, Johnston is in the “top three” targets with ascending rookie rapport.
- Notable Moment: "Hopefully people will go with me on this one. We're going to, we're going to buy Quinton Johnston. Yeah, we're, we're jumping back in here." (13:15)
6. Move #5 (Sell): Alvin Kamara
- Sell Window: Kamara just posted one of his best games of the season (22 carries, 83 yards, 3 receptions), making now the perfect "sell high" time.
- Sustainability Concerns:
- Panthers defense has been a get-right matchup for RBs, inflating Kamara’s numbers.
- Still not the clear goal line back (Taysom Hill factor).
- Described by Tara as, "We are purely depending on volume there from him." (17:21)
- Pitch to Buyers: Emphasize positive playoff schedule to maximize return.
- Notable Quotes:
- Tara: "If you don't want to deal with it, now is the time here ... It's time to get out here." (16:33)
- Ryan: "Frankly like him having this week that he did. That's a gift from the fantasy gods ... just take it and run and thank your lucky stars that he had a good game here." (18:02)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On Bijan Robinson’s buy-low status:
- Tara (02:50): “You would be surprised how many people are willing to part ways ... for that perceived shiny upside that some other running back has here.”
- On Mike Pittman’s value:
- Tara (06:00): “For some reason people just don't truly see him as a true wide receiver ... zero reason to believe Pittman is just going to fade away and disappear from this offense.”
- On Justin Jefferson’s odd performance:
- Ryan (11:57): “It was a really weird game yesterday from him ... it felt like a sleepy like lack of effort game ... I know he is trying. It was just a weird looking game ... I wouldn’t overreact to that.”
- On Alvin Kamara’s last chance to move:
- Tara (16:33): “It’s Alvin Kamara. That shouldn’t be a surprise. That’s not the first time that I’ve mentioned selling Alvin Kamara ... Now we’ve got one tiny little window if you want to get out now.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening & Buyer's Market Discussion | 00:00-01:53| | Buy: Bijan Robinson | 02:03-05:45| | Buy: Michael Pittman | 05:45-08:36| | Buy: Justin Jefferson | 09:14-13:15| | Buy: Quentin Johnston | 13:15-16:05| | Sell: Alvin Kamara | 16:33-18:21|
Tone and Style
The episode is conversational, upbeat, and straight-talking—full of practical trade advice, sharp analysis, and friendly banter. Tara’s insights cut through public perception and advocate strongly for sticking with proven talents, even amid recent struggles. Ryan brings a statistical, big-picture perspective.
Summary Table: MOVE RECOMMENDATIONS
| Move | Player | Reason | |---------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Buy | Bijan Robinson | Star talent undervalued due to recent usage, tough perceived playoff schedule | | Buy | Michael Pittman | Consistent production hidden by recency bias, not viewed as true WR1 | | Buy | Justin Jefferson | Down games, QB change create rare opportunity to trade for him | | Buy | Quentin Johnston | WR role ascendant amidst offensive changes, injury volatility enhances value | | Sell | Alvin Kamara | Volume not dependable, recent spike is sell window, schedule can be a lure |
Bottom Line:
Tara’s Week 11 strategy: get aggressive on buying star players with temporarily depressed value, target volume and upside, and don’t get trapped by singular good games on unstable veterans like Kamara. Use playoff schedules and recent performance as leverage points in your league’s trade market.
For full rankings, visit FantasyPros.com/rankings. Best of luck heading into Week 11!