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FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast - Top Fantasy Football Draft Picks | Targets for EVERY ROUND (Ep. 1642)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Published: Sun Aug 10 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast - Top Fantasy Football Draft Picks | Targets for EVERY ROUND (Ep. 1642)

Title: Top Fantasy Football Draft Picks | Targets for EVERY ROUND
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: August 10, 2025
Duration: Approximately 63 minutes

Introduction

The episode kicks off with hosts Chris Welsh and Derek Brown welcoming listeners to the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast. They introduce their special guest, Mason Dodd from Block Fantasy, emphasizing the episode's focus on identifying top fantasy football draft targets for every round of the draft.

Round-by-Round Draft Targets

The trio delves deep into their strategies for each round of the fantasy football draft, providing detailed insights and rationale behind their player selections. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of their discussions:

Round 1: Elite Wide Receivers and Running Backs

  • Chris Welsh's Pick: CeeDee Lamb ([04:57])

    "CD Lamb is in a really good spot to potentially be the wide receiver one overall that you can get a pick six."

    • Chris argues for Lamb based on his consistent performance and his quarterback's stability. He highlights Lamb's average of 22.1 points per game over the past two seasons with Dak Prescott.

  • Derek Brown's Pick: Christian McCaffrey ([05:56] – [09:47])

    "Christian McCaffrey has been a reliable top-tier running back with immense upside, despite injury concerns."

    • Brown emphasizes McCaffrey's dual-threat capabilities, making him a valuable first-round pick despite the risks.

  • Mason Dodd's Contrarian View: Ashton Genti ([06:22] – [09:47])

    "Genti's pass game utility is not getting talked about enough, making him a strong candidate for a high draft position."

    • Mason prefers Genti for his receiving prowess, comparing his potential to Christian McCaffrey in terms of volume and touchdowns.

Round 2: High-Upside Running Backs and Wide Receivers

  • Mason Dodd's Pick: Devon Achan ([10:49] – [13:00])

    "Achan led college football in receiving two years ago at the running back position, making him a top target in round two."

    • Mason highlights Achan's impressive receiving metrics and his potential in a PPR format.

  • Derek Brown's Insight on Achan ([12:17] – [13:29])

    "Achan is close to being a league-defining player with his efficiency and pass game upside."

    • Brown concurs with Mason, noting Achan's ability to mesh efficiency with high target volume.

  • Chris Welsh's Alternative Pick: Drake London ([13:34] – [16:19])

    "Drake London could lead the NFL in targets and potentially be the top wide receiver this season."

    • Chris advocates for London based on his target share and red zone opportunities, positioning him as a first-ranked wide receiver.

Round 3: Running Backs and Tight Ends

  • Mason Dodd's Pick: Chase Brown ([16:28] – [18:22])

    "Chase Brown offers significant pass-catching abilities and a solid role in the Bengals' offense."

    • Mason underscores Brown's versatility and receiving utility, making him a valuable third-round target.

  • Chris Welsh's Focus: Trey McBride ([18:48] – [21:29])

    "Trey McBride could be a game-defining tight end with his volume and touchdown potential."

    • Chris emphasizes McBride's elite performance metrics and his role in the Cardinals' passing attack.

  • Mason Dodd's Agreement: McBride vs. Wide Receivers

    "McBride outscores every wide receiver going in round three."

    • Mason validates Chris's choice, positioning McBride as a must-have tight end in the third round.

Rounds 4-10: Building a Balanced Roster

The discussion transitions into identifying key targets from round four to ten, focusing on quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs with high upside and strategic importance.

  • Round 4: Elite Quarterback - Jalen Hurts ([25:16] – [27:20])

    "Jalen Hurts is comparable to Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in terms of fantasy points, making him a solid fourth-round QB pick."

    • The hosts agree on Hurts' dual-threat capabilities, projecting increased passing volumes and touchdowns.

  • Round 5: Wide Receiver - Xavier Worthy ([30:34] – [32:59])

    "Xavier Worthy's potential breakout and his role in the Chiefs' improved offense make him a valuable fifth-round target."

    • Mason and Derek discuss Worthy's opportunity, factoring in Rasheed Rice's potential suspension.

  • Round 6: Running Back - Trevon Henderson ([36:16] – [37:32])

    "Trevon Henderson presents a better value than RJ Harvey in the sixth round due to his prospects and offensive role."

    • Mason prefers Henderson for his elite prospect profile and potential role in New England's offense.

  • Round 7: Wide Receiver - Calvin Ridley ([39:35] – [41:12])

    "Calvin Ridley's free volume and upside make him an ideal seventh-round WR3 pick."

    • Chris highlights Ridley's target share and his potential to lead the NFL in targets.

  • Round 8: Wide Receiver - Jacoby Myers ([42:26] – [43:29])

    "Jacoby Myers offers consistent role and production in the Raiders' passing attack, making him a solid eighth-round pick."

    • Derek and Chris agree on Myers' value based on his target share and role in the offense.

  • Round 9: Wide Receiver & Quarterback - Josh Downs & Dak Prescott ([43:37] – [46:10])

    "Josh Downs is a flash receiver with potential upside, while Dak Prescott remains a floor QB1 option."

    • Mason discusses Downs' efficiency improvements under different quarterback scenarios, and Chris reinforces Prescott's reliability and potential for top-tier fantasy performance.

  • Round 10: Running Back - J.K. Dobbins ([46:23] – [49:08])

    "J.K. Dobbins serves as a premium handcuff with high upside in Denver's valuable backfield."

    • Chris emphasizes Dobbins' role and efficiency, positioning him as a key tenth-round RB target.

Rounds 11-15: Late-Round Gems and High-Upside Picks

In the later rounds, the hosts focus on high-upside rookies and interchangeable players who can provide depth and potential breakout performances.

  • Round 11: Running Back - Tyler Warren ([49:38] – [50:16])

    "Tyler Warren's collegiate production and athleticism make him a promising eleventh-round RB6 pick."

    • Mason highlights Warren's immediate role and snap count, reinforcing his value in late rounds.

  • Round 12: Quarterback - JJ McCarthy ([50:16] – [51:00])

    "JJ McCarthy is poised to be a locked-in QB1 with talent and situation advantages."

    • Chris supports McCarthy's potential in the Chargers' revamped offense, emphasizing his upside.

  • Round 13: Running Back - Jerome Ford ([51:00] – [52:22])

    "Jerome Ford offers flexibility as a starter or a valuable waiver wire pickup, making him a versatile thirteenth-round RB3."

    • Mason discusses Ford's potential role and adaptability within his team's backfield.

  • Round 14: Running Back - Bashard Smith ([54:35] – [55:24])

    "Bashard Smith's explosive ability in the Broncos' offense makes him a strong fourteenth-round RB pick."

    • Chris emphasizes Smith's role as a potential game-winner and his pass-catching capabilities.

  • Round 15: Running Back - Jarquez Hunter ([56:33] – [57:32])

    "Jarquez Hunter's explosive upside and role in the Rams' rushing attack make him a valuable fifteenth-round RB5."

    • Derek and Chris agree on Hunter's potential to provide significant fantasy points if given a lead role.

Key Insights and Strategies

  1. Value Over Average Draft Position (ADP):
    The hosts repeatedly emphasize targeting players who offer high value relative to their ADP. For instance, Drake London and Jacoby Myers are highlighted as must-draft players who may be undervalued in their respective rounds.

  2. Dual-Threat Running Backs:
    Players like Christian McCaffrey and Ashton Genti are praised for their ability to contribute both in rushing and receiving, providing a higher floor and ceiling in PPR formats.

  3. Flexibility and Role Consistency:
    In the later rounds, selecting players with interchangeable roles or high potential for increased usage (e.g., Trey McBride and Ryan Downes) can provide significant fantasy advantages without heavily impacting the overall draft.

  4. Risk Management:
    The hosts discuss balancing high-upside picks with safer options, especially in the later rounds. For example, drafting players like JJ McCarthy as late-round quarterbacks ensures a stable QB option without sacrificing early-round depth.

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Chris Welsh and Derek Brown reiterate the importance of strategic drafting, encouraging listeners to utilize FantasyPros' tools such as Draft Assistant and Draft Wizard for real-time suggestions and optimized draft strategies. They also promote their collaborative efforts with Mason Dodd from Block Fantasy, urging listeners to engage with both platforms for comprehensive fantasy football insights.

Notable Quotes:

  • Chris Welsh ([04:57]):
    "CD Lamb is in a really good spot to potentially be the wide receiver one overall that you can get a pick six."

  • Derek Brown ([09:47]):
    "I still would go McCaffrey over Ashton Genti. Personally, I 100% agree with everything Debro said."

  • Mason Dodd ([12:17]):
    "I think Trey McBride outscores every wide receiver going in round three."

  • Chris Welsh ([16:19]):
    "Jalen Hurts is comparable to Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in terms of fantasy points, making him a solid fourth-round QB pick."

  • Derek Brown ([29:51]):
    "He's been ranked right at the top of this round, but he's going more mid-round."

Conclusion

This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers an in-depth analysis of fantasy football draft strategies, providing listeners with a comprehensive guide to selecting top players across all rounds. With expert insights from Chris Welsh, Derek Brown, and Mason Dodd, fantasy managers are well-equipped to make informed decisions and optimize their draft performance for the upcoming season.

Stay Connected:

This summary aims to encapsulate the key discussions and insights from Episode 1642 of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast, providing valuable information for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.

No transcript available.