Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – FantasyPros Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire (Ep. 1873)
Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia (“Joey P”), Derek Brown (“Dbro”), Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)
Main Focus: Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire – Must-Have Players, Top Drops, and Streamers
Episode Overview
The team brings high energy and robust debate as they break down the best fantasy football waiver pickups (and drops) heading into the last bye week before playoffs. They not only highlight the must-add players but also dig into roster strategy for teams contending for a championship. Along the way, the hosts discuss the week’s NFL coaching decisions, evaluate emerging handcuffs, and share actionable grades on every relevant player.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dan Campbell’s Coaching & Situational Football (00:35–04:16)
- Joe Pisapia opens with a passionate critique of Detroit Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive game management on Thanksgiving, questioning if the Lions can ever win a Super Bowl with his style:
“You’re down by two scores with five minutes left…you kick the field goal. There’s aggressive, and there’s stupid…and I almost let it ruin my Thanksgiving meal.” – Joe P (01:02)
- Dbro counters: sometimes you “live by the sword, die by the sword,” drawing parallels to Matt LaFleur’s similar decisions with the Packers.
- Pat Fitzmaurice adds: key aggressive play calls can either deflate or re-energize a stadium, emphasizing situational nuance.
2. Waiver Wire Adds: Top Recommendations & Analysis
A. Wide Receivers
- Adonai (AD) Mitchell, New York Jets (06:12–08:01)
- Emerging WR—rostered in just 7% of leagues.
- 24 targets in last three games; now seeing usable passes from Tyrod Taylor.
- Pat: “Mitchell’s a special athlete…if the light is switched on for him, look out.” (07:24)
- Rest of season value: WR3/flex with favorable playoff matchups except championship week (vs. NE).
- Jaden Higgins (23:01–24:20)
- “Wide receiver 3/flex. If Adonai Mitchell and Jaden Higgins are both on the wire…for me? It’s Higgins.” – Dbro (23:36)
- Higgins’ snap share sits around 60%, but his consistency and potential are praised. Both Dbro and Fitzy slightly favor Higgins’ floor over Mitchell's upside.
- Luther Burden, Devon Vale, John Metchie, Jalen Coker, Isaac Tesla
- Burden: Limited snaps, tough schedule, more of a stash for 2026 (24:31–24:54).
- Vale: “Maybe an ‘Ellic Ao Manor type’…bad offense, but with good matchups, worth a buck or two of FAAB.” – Dbro (25:23)
- Metchie: Still a strong add, particularly in full PPR, thanks to his steady target share (26:54–27:39).
- Coker & Tesla: Coker’s value tied to QB play (“my problem is with Bryce Young”), while Tesla could benefit from Amon-Ra St. Brown’s injury and Khalif Raymond’s status (29:36–32:36).
B. Running Backs
- Chris Rodriguez (Washington Commanders) (09:01–10:37)
- Two and a half stars (RB3/flex); “complete zero in the passing game,” but three TDs in his last four games.
“If he scores a touchdown, he’s probably an RB2 for the week.” – Dbro (09:27)
- Bam Knight (Arizona Cardinals) (11:04–12:12)
- 2.5 stars, with elevated value if Trey Benson lands on IR.
- Attractive matchups in weeks 16/17; possible RB2/flex in championship week.
- Blake Corum & Tyler Allgeier
- Corum: “If Kyron goes down, we’re ranking him as a top 10 RB.” – Fitzy (13:40)
- Allgeier: Eight TDs, some “standalone value,” but the Atlanta offense is less dynamic than the Rams (14:42–15:37).
- Bayshell Tootin
- Another handcuff/lottery ticket (16:09–16:58).
- Sketchy schedule and offense, would share passing downs.
- Drops: Isaiah Pacheco (“you can drop him”), Taj Speers, Rashad White, Sean Tucker – all seen as expendable for higher-upside handcuffs (16:58–18:53).
3. Debate: Sabotage Dropping Justin Jefferson? (34:03–35:21)
- Would you drop Justin Jefferson in hopes a rival picks him and gets a dud?
- General consensus: “The sort of move that could haunt you…you would never hear the end of it.” – Fitzy (35:11)
4. Streaming Options for Week 14
Quarterbacks
- Tyrod Taylor (Jets): “Two QB1 finishes… has rushing potential.” – Dbro (38:58)
- Tyler Shuck (Saints): “Buccaneers have allowed the third most fantasy points to QBs. He’s not good, but he’s put up 18+ in two of the last three.” – Fitzy (39:20)
Tight Ends
- Colston Loveland (Bears): “Talent shining through, Bears WRs are AWOL.” – Fitzy (40:08)
- Brenton Strange (Colts): “Tight ends against the Colts definitely provide.” – Dbro (40:21)
Defenses
- Buccaneers: “Quarterback can be turnover prone and good for fantasy—play the Bucs D.” – Dbro (40:49)
- Commanders: “Targeting Vikings QB…in six starts, J.J. McCarthy’s thrown 10 INTs and taken 20 sacks.” – Fitzy (41:07)
Kickers
- Will Lutz: “Three game winning field goals, 27 points in two games. Indoor matchup against the Raiders.” – Fitzy (42:30)
- Evan McPherson: “Keep your eye on the weather, but massive leg and opportunity.” – Dbro/Fitzy (42:47–43:14)
5. Top 5 Waiver Pickups for Week 14
Fitzy’s Top 5 (43:32)
- Jaden Higgins
- Buccaneers DST
- Blake Corum
- Tyler Allgeier
- Bam Knight
Dbro’s Top 5 (44:26)
- Jaden Higgins
- Adonai Mitchell
- Chris Rodriguez
- Bam Knight
- Brenton Strange
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On Dan Campbell:
“There’s aggressive, and there’s stupid… I almost let it ruin my Thanksgiving meal.” – Joe Pisapia (01:02) - On Adonai Mitchell:
“If the light is switched on for him, look out.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (07:24) - On Chris Rodriguez:
“He’s had one reception in 10 games. Far less appealing in full point PPR.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (10:08) - On Justin Jefferson sabotage drop:
“It’s the sort of move that could haunt you for the rest of your… You would never hear the end of it from your league mates.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (35:11) - On streaming Tyrod Taylor:
“I know it’s gross, man. But he’s got rushing potential, and he’s been a QB one.” – Dbro (38:58)
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|------------| | Dan Campbell/Lions situational football | 00:35–04:16| | WR Waiver of the Week: Adonai Mitchell | 06:12–08:01| | Chris Rodriguez, Bam Knight, Corum, Allgeier RB analysis | 09:01–16:09 | | Drop or Keep: Isaiah Pacheco and handcuffs | 16:58–18:53| | Jaden Higgins, WRs to target | 23:01–24:54| | Sabotage Drop Justin Jefferson Debate | 34:03–35:21| | Streaming QBs/RBs/TEs/DEF/Kickers | 38:58–43:14| | Top 5 Waiver Adds for Week 14 | 43:32–44:46|
Tone & Style
- Lively, opinionated, and banter-filled.
- Expert-focused but laid-back, with in-jokes, sports references, and some gentle ribbing.
- Clear actionable advice punctuated with quick hot takes and reality checks.
Useful Takeaways for Non-Listeners
- Jaden Higgins and Adonai Mitchell headline a thin WR crop; prioritize Higgins’ floor, but Mitchell has upside, especially with continued Jets volume.
- RB landscape: It’s handcuff season—Corum and Allgeier are “plug and play” backup lottery tickets; Chris Rodriguez and Bam Knight have short-term and potential playoff value.
- Don’t waste roster spots on slumping, low-upside RBs and WRs unless you’re holding for a clear path to touches.
- Streaming is opportunistic: Tyrod Taylor, Tyler Shuck, Will Lutz and Bucs DST all stand out as week winners.
- Never drop a superstar to “sabotage” an opponent; fantasy karma is real.
- This is the last key waiver run—get your depth and upside stashes now before playoffs hit.
For more detailed rankings and articles, the hosts direct listeners to FantasyPros.com and the Fantasy Pros YouTube channel.