Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: FantasyPros - DON'T STEP ON THESE LANDMINES | Dangerous Players You Should Avoid in 2025 (Ep. 1585) Release Date: June 7, 2025

In this insightful episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by Ryan Wormley and featuring Andrew Erickson and Jake Seeley from FantasyPros and The Athletic Guys respectively, the trio delves into the perilous landscape of fantasy football for the 2025 season. The focus is squarely on identifying "landmine" players—those with high risk and low reward potential that fantasy managers should steer clear of to safeguard their drafts and seasons.

Introduction and Setting the Tone

Ryan Wormley opens the discussion by acknowledging the series of negative-themed episodes they've been hosting, including ones on "Do Not Draft" and "Overvalued Players." He emphasizes the importance of highlighting potential pitfalls to help listeners make informed decisions. Both Andrew Erickson and Jake Seeley express their reservations about adopting a pessimistic stance but agree on the necessity of it for the benefit of the audience.

Key Quote:

• Ryan Wormley [01:19]: "I've done a Do Not Draft episode. I've done an overvalued episode. Now it's the players we're avoiding—all these landmines."

Running Backs to Avoid

1. Kyron Williams (Los Angeles Rams)

   • Concerns: High workload but low efficiency. Last season saw 389 touches with a disappointing snap share and poor explosive run rate.
   • Discussion: Erickson highlights the risk of Kyron being overworked without corresponding production gains. Jake expresses skepticism about the coaching staff's promises to redistribute his workload.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [03:54]: "Kyron's going to sign an extension probably with the Rams, and if they want to make him last, it doesn't mean we're going to load him up every season."
   • Jake Seeley [06:09]: "I don't believe Sean McVay will keep loading him; it'll just happen after a few bad games."

2. Kenneth Walker (San Francisco 49ers)

   • Concerns: Inconsistent performance and potential for being sidelined due to health issues.
   • Discussion: While Walker has shown explosive potential, concerns over his durability and the team's possible shift to a committee approach make him a risky pick.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [11:52]: "Walker can rip off explosive plays, but with his contract year looming, they might run him into the ground."
   • Jake Seeley [09:02]: "I have him as a backend RB1, but I’m hesitant to draft him early due to these risks."

3. DeAndre Swift (Chicago Bears)

   • Concerns: Limited upside and vulnerability to being replaced by younger players or changes in coaching strategy.
   • Discussion: Erickson reiterates that Swift's consistent ranking around RB18-23 makes him a high-end bust candidate, especially with potential coaching changes under Ben Johnson.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [13:15]: "DeAndre Swift is going to be a high-end bust because he’s just waiting, holding the bag."

4. Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans)

   • Concerns: Potential shift to a committee role and declining efficiency in the latter half of last season.
   • Discussion: Pollard's performance dipped in the second half of the 2024 season, raising doubts about his consistency and ability to deliver reliable fantasy points.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [20:46]: "Pollard was RB26 and grouped with rookies. His late-season performance was subpar despite some efficiency improvements."

Wide Receivers to Avoid

1. Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)

   • Concerns: Age-related decline in speed and overall efficiency, compounded by team-wide offensive struggles.
   • Discussion: While Hill remains a fringe top receiver, uncertainties surrounding the Dolphins' offensive strategy and his age make him a risky pick.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Jake Seeley [24:42]: "I'm more positive on Hill than on Waddle, but the Dolphins' overall performance raises concerns."

2. Jalen Waddle (Miami Dolphins)

   • Concerns: Frequent injuries and potential decline in peak performance.
   • Discussion: Erickson remains cautiously optimistic about Waddle's capabilities when healthy, whereas Jake leans towards avoiding him due to injury concerns.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [29:46]: "Waddle is worth the price if his injury concerns are mitigated, but he's still on the injury reports frequently."

3. Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers)

   • Concerns: Inconsistent target share and not replicating past explosive performances.
   • Discussion: Samuel is considered a viable WR4 but lacks the reliable production to justify higher draft positions.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Jake Seeley [35:05]: "As a WR4, I'm okay with Deebo, but not willing to draft him higher than that due to limited upside."

4. Rasheed Rice (Kansas City Chiefs)

   • Concerns: Transition into a new role with Patrick Mahomes and the presence of multiple receiving options diluting his targets.
   • Discussion: Both hosts express strong reservations about Rice's ability to secure a top target role, making him a low-value pick.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Jake Seeley [37:11]: "I like the names in front of Rice better, like DK Metcalf or DJ Moore, but Rasheed Rice just doesn't make sense."

Quarterbacks to Avoid

1. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)

   • Concerns: Regression in performance due to tougher schedule, offensive line issues, and lack of consistent supporting cast.
   • Discussion: Both hosts agree that Goff lacks the upward trajectory needed for reliable fantasy production and prefer to focus on more promising quarterbacks.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [42:32]: "Jared Goff will regress and won’t be worth his ADP given the better quarterback options available."

2. General Avoidance of Non-Running Quarterbacks

   • Concerns: High dependence on passing statistics without the bonus of rushing yards makes these QBs volatile and less reliable.
   • Discussion: Excluding elite passers like Joe Burrow, other non-running quarterbacks are seen as too risky due to their dependence solely on passing performance for fantasy points.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Jake Seeley [47:23]: "I'm way out on all of these quarterbacks, so much so that I'm way above consensus too."

Tight Ends to Avoid

1. Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens)

   • Concerns: Overreliance on touchdown scoring with low consistency in weekly performances.
   • Discussion: Despite his talent, Andrews is viewed as a high-risk, high-reward tight end whose performance is highly dependent on scoring touchdowns. Both hosts agree it's safer to wait for other tight ends who might offer more consistent points.

   Notable Quotes:

   • Andrew Erickson [52:12]: "Mark Andrews is a touchdown-reliant tight end, putting him at tight end 8 in ADP is too risky."
   • Ryan Wormley [54:07]: "He will have catches but not enough yards to consistently justify his draft position."

Speed Round: Listener Submissions

In a rapid-fire segment, the hosts address listener-submitted players to avoid, providing quick agree/disagree responses:

• Ashton Gentry: Out
• Christian McCaffrey: In
• Jonathan Taylor: Out
• James Cook: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Chase Brown: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Alvin Kamara: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Davante Adams: Erickson In, Jake In
• Travis Kelce: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Rashaad Pittman: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Michael Pittman: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Chris Olave: Erickson Out, Jake In
• Kyle Pitts: Erickson Out, Jake In

Key Highlights:

• Christian McCaffrey: Reliable despite some concerns.
• Jonathan Taylor & James Cook: Mixed opinions with Erickson leaning towards avoidance.
• Davante Adams: Generally accepted despite some reservations.
• Kyle Pitts: Viewed with skepticism due to performance concerns.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Ryan Wormley concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of avoiding these high-risk players to ensure a successful fantasy football season. He encourages listeners to consider the discussions and analyses provided to make informed drafting decisions. The hosts collectively agree that while some players may have moments of brilliance, their overall reliability and consistency make them landmines in fantasy drafts.

Closing Quote:

• Ryan Wormley [60:36]: "Thanks for tuning in. We'll see you next time."

Conclusion

This episode serves as a crucial guide for fantasy football managers aiming to navigate the treacherous waters of player drafts in 2025. By highlighting the potential pitfalls associated with specific running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends, Ryan Wormley, Andrew Erickson, and Jake Seeley provide listeners with the insights needed to avoid costly mistakes and build a competitive fantasy team.