Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
FantasyPros — Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster (Ep. 1769)
Date: October 14, 2025
Hosts: Joey P. Zappia, Pat Fitz Morris, Derek Brown (Dbro)
Overview
This episode of FantasyPros, hosted by Joey P., Pat Fitz Morris, and Derek Brown, dives into the most urgent and strategic waiver wire pickups for Week 7. With major injuries, surprising performances, and shifting depth charts, the trio breaks down must-add running backs and wide receivers, analyzes the fantasy implications of depleted offenses, and arms listeners with spending strategies as bye weeks and injuries stack up. The episode balances fast-paced, data-driven advice with their signature humor and friendly banter.
Key Discussion Points
1. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers: Emerging NFC Favorites?
[00:32–03:54]
- Joey P. opens with Baker Mayfield's surging MVP odds (+950 to +350 after beating the 49ers) and boldly claims the Bucs as the best NFC team.
- Pat cites two upcoming high-profile games (notably against Detroit) as “prove-it” moments for Mayfield, especially if he’s down key weapons:
“If he can beat the Lions on the road with depleted weaponry, that’s going to...it might be even money at that.” (Pat, 01:52)
- Dbro lauds Mayfield’s “moxie and dog” mentality amid injuries:
“No receiving weapons, doesn’t matter. No offensive line, doesn’t matter. Starting running back out, doesn’t matter. Baker Mayfield’s just like, come on, boys, get on the back. Let’s go.” (Dbro, 03:20)
2. RB Waiver Wire Breakdown
Kamani Vidal (Chargers) — The Top Pickup
[04:50–10:21]
- Massive usage in Week 6 (18 carries, 124 yards, 3 rec, 1 TD), vastly outsnapped Hassan Haskins.
- Pat pegs Vidal’s FAAB value at $13, possibly $25+ for desperate teams:
“For a good four or five week run out for Vidal, we’re recommending a thirteen dollar bid as the true value. But in a league where it’s competitive...you might have to go up to like 25.” (Pat, 07:09)
- Dbro notes the “runway to prove himself” with a favorable schedule (Indy, MIN, TEN) pre-deadline.
- Joey P. cautions against overreacting to Dolphins-inflated numbers.
- Both hosts agree Vidal is a “clear RB2 for the next three weeks.”
Bam Knight (Cardinals) — Tread Carefully
[10:21–13:14]
- Snap and touch split (slightly led over Michael Carter) but both Pat and Dbro call him a committee “trap,” especially with a Green Bay matchup then a bye.
- Pat:
“He is a committee back...not going to add a lot of pass-catching value. Tricky matchups, then Dallas after the bye...close to Brooks returning.” (12:44)
RB Stashes: Isaiah Davis & Bershard Smith (Jets, Chiefs)
[13:14–15:06]
- Isaiah Davis is the preferred deep stash, especially if Breece Hall gets dealt or injured:
“A buck or two and you could possibly have yourself a featured back...not a very good offense, but the Jets’ O-Line isn’t trash.” (Pat, 13:55)
- Bershard Smith has juice, but Andy Reid “doesn’t want to run the ball.”
Drop Candidates at RB
[15:56–16:56]
- Drop: Kenneth Gainwell (handcuff only), Amari DiMercado, and Hassan Haskins (“no backfield to himself” even if Vidal is hurt).
3. Wide Receiver Moves Amid Injury Chaos
Kendrick Bourne (49ers) — Last Call or Mirage?
[18:56–23:15]
- Back-to-back 140+ yard games, strong rapport with Mac Jones.
- Caution: Role could change fast with potential returns (Kittle, Pierceall, Purdy).
- Both recommend a modest FAAB bid (5–7%) for WR3/flex potential.
Josh Downs (Colts) vs. Bourne
[23:15–24:55]
- Downs: Consistent target share when on the field, but snap counts (~60%) concern Pat.
- Dbro likes him as a flex, but not over-hyping future production.
Isaac Tesla (Raiders) — Dynasty/Deep Watchlist
[25:07–25:35]
- Snap share trending up (season-high 46%), but few targets. “That’s how it starts.”
Patriots WRs: Booty Rising, Douglas Fading?
[25:35–29:49]
- Kayshon Booty: Exciting upside, “getting better in real time” with a rainmaker QB (Drake May).
“Good things happen when you get this guy the ball and he is paired with a quarterback who is increasingly looking like he is going to be a rainmaker...I kind of want to pick up Booty.” (Pat, 29:18)
- Dbro: Worth pickup, especially due to good upcoming matchups (TEN, CLE), but volatility expected.
- Demario Douglas: Little enthusiasm (“one big play made up his day”).
- Joey P. delights in Booty jokes, and the crew agrees to add him as a cheap speculative play.
Buccaneers WR Scramble
[31:42–34:53]
- Injuries to Evans and Egbuka open up opportunities, but who to pick?
- Sterling Shepard (“steady, boring”), Tez Johnson (“big play” upside), and Cameron Johnson mentioned as deep streamers.
- Dbro: “If you’re shooting for upside, ceiling — Tez is your flyer for $2.”
- Joey P. notes Bucks have one plus matchup (DET) before difficult schedule and bye.
Jordan Whittington (Rams) — Next Man Up?
[35:23–36:48]
- “If Puka Nakua is out, Whittington is the guy you pick up over any Bucs WR.”
“Whittington could be in for eight plus targets...could be the guy that goes for less FAB than the Bucs receivers.” (Dbro, 35:56)
- Good for a short-term Band-Aid, especially with multiple offensive injuries.
Houston and Deeper League Flyers
[37:35–39:56]
- Christian Kirk, Troy Franklin, Jalen Coker, Jaden Higgins, all floated in deeper formats due to injury woes and favorable matchups.
- Pat and Dbro show slight preference for Coker, then matchups-based picks for others.
Drop Considerations: Mooney & Slayton
[39:56–41:05]
- Pat prefers to keep Darnell Mooney if possible due to high snap share; Dbro would keep Slayton for his late-season schedule.
4. Waiver Streaming Recommendations
Quarterback
- Sam Darnold (Seahawks) — “Playing inspired football, two straight 295+ yard, 2 TD games.” (Dbro, 41:10)
- Joe Flacco (Bengals) — “29 completions off the street, 219–2 vs Packers. Next up: Steelers.” (Pat, 41:51)
Tight End
- Mason Taylor (Matchups: Panthers, Bengals) — Excellent two-week window for productivity.
- Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns) — Emerging as a top target due to WR/TE injuries. (“If you need a streamer...he’s a fantastic pick.”)
Defense
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. Texans) — “Sacked Lawrence 7 times, Texans’ O-line is one of the worst.” (Pat, 43:41)
- New England Patriots — Held for the Titans matchup.
Kicker
- Michael Badgley (Colts) — Stepping in for injured Schrader in a productive offense.
- Eddy Pineiro (Panthers) — Four games with double-digit points.
5. Top 5 Waiver Adds: Hosts' Lists
[45:09–46:12]
Pat Fitz Morris
- Kamani Vidal
- Bam Knight
- Kendrick Bourne
- Mason Taylor (TE)
- Kayshon Booty
Derek Brown
- Kamani Vidal
- Bam Knight
- Kendrick Bourne
- Mason Taylor (TE)
- Harold Fannin Jr. (TE)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “No receiving weapons, doesn’t matter. No O-line, doesn’t matter. Starting RB out, doesn’t matter. Baker Mayfield’s just like ‘Come on boys, get on the back. Let’s go.’” — Dbro (03:20)
- “For a good four or five games for Vidal…in a league where competitive, you might have to go up to like 25 [FAAB].” — Pat Fitz Morris (07:09)
- “He is paired with a quarterback who is increasingly looking like he is going to be a rainmaker…” — Pat Fitz Morris on Kayshon Booty and Drake May (29:21)
- “If you’re shooting for upside, ceiling — Tez [Johnson] is your flyer for $2.” — Joey P. (34:53)
- “[Jordan] Whittington could be in for 8+ targets this week...and goes for less FAB than Bucs receivers.” — Dbro (35:56)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Baker Mayfield & NFC Landscape: 00:32–03:54
- Kamani Vidal Waiver Prioritization: 04:50–10:21
- Bam Knight Outlook: 10:21–13:14
- Deep RB Stashes / Drops: 13:14–16:56
- WR Pickups Amid Injuries: 18:56–25:35
- Patriots WRs & Booty Breakout: 25:35–29:49
- Bucs/ Rams Injury Scramble: 31:42–36:48
- Deep League WR Flyers: 37:35–39:56
- Who to Drop: 39:56–41:05
- Streamer Recommendations (QB, TE, DEF, K): 41:10–44:47
- Top 5 Waiver List: 45:09–46:12
Conclusion
This episode is packed with actionable fantasy advice for managers navigating the treacherous waters of Week 7 waivers. From stone-cold must-adds like Kamani Vidal, to tricky speculative WRs and deep league options, the hosts’ blend of sharp analytics and entertainment makes it a must-listen (or read) for any fantasy player in 2025. Bold opinions, sharp statistics, and clear don’t-miss recommendations (with tongue-in-cheek side banter) define an episode laser-focused on helping fantasy players get a crucial midseason edge.