The Herd with Colin Cowherd

FantasyPros - 5 Moves You Need to Make Ahead of Week 6 (Ep. 1755)

Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley & Tara Roberts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the five must-make moves for fantasy football managers heading into Week 6 of the NFL season. Ryan and Tara focus on strategic buys, key sells, and a notable drop, aiming to help listeners optimize their fantasy rosters for both immediate and long-term success. The discussion is anchored in real-time roster trends, statistical analyses, and schedule breakdowns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buy Candidates

Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens)

• Main Idea: Buy low on Derrick Henry, especially if your team has a strong record and can wait on his production.
• Context: With Lamar Jackson injured and the Ravens facing a tough initial schedule, Henry’s production has dipped, but brighter days are ahead.
• Tara Roberts (01:01):

  "The buy for him is for the future...if you can hold off to the back half of the season, it can pay off dividends for you."

• After the Ravens' Week 7 bye, the schedule softens dramatically—favorable matchups against Chicago, Miami, Minnesota, and a playoff schedule including Cincinnati, New England, and Green Bay.
• Strategy: Buy Henry if you're not desperate for a win now; great for teams with luxury to stash strength for playoff push.
• Consensus Ranking: Still RB8 for rest of season, per consensus—though general perception is lower among most managers.

Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks)

• Main Idea: Walker's production remains strong, but the fantasy community’s perception of a committee with Zach Charbonnet offers a window to buy low.
• Tara Roberts (04:53):

  "His production overall is fine, but the perception is what makes him a good buy-low candidate here."

• Despite appearances, Walker is still the lead back—13 red zone attempts (top 15 at position), still more snaps than Charbonnet.
• Unlucky timing: big runs lead to subbing out for rest, resulting in Charbonnet vulture TDs, but not an intentional split.
• Post-Week 1 (when Walker returned cautiously from injury), his worst finish has been RB26, with multiple top-12 weeks.
• Upcoming Schedule: All remaining opponents are neutral or favorable for RBs (no red-flag matchups).
• Rest-of-Season Ranking: Around RB14—a safe high-end RB2.

2. Sell Candidates

DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles)

• Main Idea: Sell high on DeVonta Smith after big weeks, due to inconsistent volume in a run-first offense.
• Tara Roberts (09:00):

  "The Eagles don't naturally want to be a pass-heavy team...when those [touchdowns] don't come, you get these nasty single-digit fantasy point performances that wreck your week."

• Points out the “squeaky wheel” phenomenon—recent passing surge due to vocal WRs, but unsustainable week to week.
• Smith’s value spike creates a chance to trade for more reliable production.
• Suggested Target: Michael Pittman—a WR1 in his own offense with more consistent weekly opportunities.
• Tara Roberts (10:32):

  "Michael Pittman for me...he's got that perception of, you know, upside being limited...but he is the wide receiver one with consistent volume."

Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions)

• Main Idea: Sell LaPorta coming off a boom game; impressive numbers mask a concerningly low floor.
• Tara Roberts (11:04):

  "He offers the star power in a trade to garner a high end asset at another position."

• Recent game: nearly 100 yards and a TD, but three straight previous weeks under 7 fantasy points, only one TD all season.
• Surrounded by numerous emerging TE options; fantasy managers likely have alternatives on their roster due to recent injuries and waiver wire pickups.
• Schedule: Difficult slate for TEs ahead (several “red” matchups, only one easy “green” spot).
• Current Ranking: Drops LaPorta into the TE7-8 range, with potential to slide further if others emerge.
• Tara Roberts (13:12):

  "He's more so kind of in that tight end seven or eight area...he's got high upside here, but there are guys that could legitimately pass him as the season goes on."

3. Notable Drop

Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns)

• Main Idea: Jeudy is droppable in most formats, especially if you need roster space for higher-upside waiver claims.
• Tara Roberts (15:15):

  "There's way too much working against Jerry Jeudy...if you need that upside and you can't afford to hold on to Jerry Jeudy, it's okay to let him go at this point."

• Despite love for Jeudy's talent, current situation (QB change to Dylan Gabriel, offense shifting toward tight ends, emergence of other WRs like Isaiah Bond) makes any significant fantasy production unlikely.
• Not a must-drop, but a justifiable move given softer matchups looming—but not benefitting Jeudy.
• Backup endorsement: Ryan Wormley agrees—no case to keep.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Henry's Future Value:

  "Rest of season I still have him top 10, but we got to get there first for him."
  —Tara Roberts (04:02)

• On Walker’s Backfield Role:

  "He's got a safe floor, he's got a high ceiling, he's a weekly top 24 running back. And right now fantasy managers are flying frustrated with that perception of Charbonnet."
  —Tara Roberts (06:29)

• On the ‘Squeaky Wheel’ Effect in Philly:

  "When both of your superstar receivers expressing their frustration...you can almost guarantee that there’s going to be more pass volume, but on a week-to-week basis that is not the goal of the Eagles."
  —Tara Roberts (09:12)

• On Sam LaPorta’s Floor:

  "When the boom games don't exist, his floor is super low...three straight games of seven or less fantasy points."
  —Tara Roberts (11:19)

• Why It’s Okay to Drop Jeudy:

  "If there's one person who is naturally going to fall a little bit to the wayside in terms of fantasy production, unfortunately, it is Jerry Jeudy."
  —Tara Roberts (16:21)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------|-----------| | Buy Derrick Henry | 01:01 | | Buy Kenneth Walker | 04:53 | | Sell DeVonta Smith | 09:00 | | Sell Sam LaPorta | 11:04 | | Drop Jerry Jeudy | 15:15 |

Summary Table of Moves

| Move | Player | Reasoning / Context | Ideal For | |------------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Buy | Derrick Henry | Easy schedule after bye, upside with returning Lamar Jackson | Teams not desperate for immediate wins | | Buy | Kenneth Walker | Frustrating perception; actual usage and schedule are favorable | Managers seeking solid RB2 value | | Sell | DeVonta Smith | Unpredictable weekly volume in run-first offense, reliant on TDs | After spike weeks, trade for stable WR | | Sell | Sam LaPorta | Volatile production, deep TE market, cash in on star value after big game | Upgrade at another position | | Drop | Jerry Jeudy | Not a must-hold, losing role, offense not conducive, better upside on waivers | Need roster space for immediate upside |

Final Thoughts

The episode provides actionable, nuanced advice for fantasy managers contemplating trade deadlines and roster optimization. Tara and Ryan’s analysis is grounded, focusing on statistical usage, schedule context, and psychology of perception—offering clear, practical guidance for both contenders and those fighting for playoff berths.