Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode 1619
Title: FantasyPros - Full Send on These Players! | TOP TARGETS in Every Round of 2025 Fantasy Football Drafts
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Warmley, Pat Fitzmaurice, Heath Cummings
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Introduction
The episode kicks off with host Ryan Warmley welcoming listeners to the FantasyPros Football Podcast, joined by Pat Fitzmaurice and special guest Heath Cummings from CBS Sports. The trio sets the stage for an optimistic discussion focused on identifying top fantasy football targets across all 14 draft rounds for the 2025 season.
Round 1: Bijan Robinson vs. CD Lamb
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Heath Cummings' Top Pick: Bijan Robinson Heath expresses a preference for Bijan Robinson over consensus picks, highlighting his consistency and high upside.
"Bijan just passes every eye test. He's fast, powerful, has really good patience and vision. Falcons play at a fast pace and they have a strong offensive line. There are no holes in Bijan's profile."
(03:45) -
Pat Fitzmaurice's Choice: Bijan Robinson Pat aligns with Heath, emphasizing Bijan's reliability and stellar performance history. He notes Bijan's impressive stats from his first two seasons, emphasizing his safety as a first-round pick.
"Bijan just, he passes every eye test. He's fast, powerful, has really good patience and vision."
(05:04)
Round 2: Drake London vs. Devon Achane
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Drake London Pat selects Drake London due to his breakout performance last season, citing his high target volume and solid connection with quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
"London is just a fabulous second-round pick."
(08:50) -
Heath Cummings' Perspective: Devon Achane Heath opts for Devon Achane, projecting him as a top-scoring running back assuming both he and his quarterback remain healthy. He underscores Achane's involvement in the Dolphins' passing game.
"Achan is a surefire top ten pick for me."
(10:59)
Round 3: Chase Brown vs. T. Higgins
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Heath Cummings' Top Pick: Chase Brown Heath champions Chase Brown as a workhorse running back in the Bengals' high-powered offense, appreciating his consistent snap shares and offensive role.
"Chase Brown is a workhorse and you just have to love that."
(13:20) -
Pat Fitzmaurice's Choice: Chase Brown & T. Higgins Pat supports selecting Chase Brown and additionally picks T. Higgins, anticipating Higgins to outperform his peers given the Bengals' offensive dynamics and potential quarterback performance.
"T. Higgins is really a good receiver paired with one of the top two pure passers in the game."
(15:10)
Round 4: Alvin Kamara
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Alvin Kamara Pat values Alvin Kamara as a fourth-rounder, focusing on his dual-threat capability as a runner and pass-catcher despite concerns about the Saints' offensive performance.
"Kamara is a value in the fourth round because of what he can give you as a pass catcher in addition to his rushing yards."
(18:16) -
Heath Cummings' Steal: Kenneth Walker Heath selects Kenneth Walker, praising the changes in the offensive scheme under new coaches that favor a run-heavy system, enhancing Walker's prospects.
"Kenneth Walker has top 12 upside without a doubt."
(20:41)
Round 5: DeAndre Swift vs. Devonte Smith
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Heath Cummings' Top Pick: DeAndre Swift Heath defends DeAndre Swift's consistent performance, arguing that despite critics, Swift remains a top-24 running back with potential for high-end production.
"DeAndre Swift has been a top 24 running back on a per game basis every single year of his career."
(22:00) -
Pat Fitzmaurice's Choice: Devonte Smith Pat opts for Devonte Smith, valuing his route-running prowess and potential for increased targets alongside A.J. Brown in the Eagles' pass-heavy offense.
"Devonte Smith offers a sturdy floor and a high ceiling if the Eagles are forced to throw more this year."
(25:05)
Round 6: Calvin Ridley vs. Trevion Henderson
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Calvin Ridley Pat selects Calvin Ridley, anticipating increased target share with a new and more competent Titans' quarterback, despite past inconsistencies.
"There's a great chance Ridley sees significantly more than the 120 targets he saw last year."
(27:27) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Trevion Henderson Heath chooses Trevion Henderson, highlighting his role as a pass-catching asset in the Patriots' offense and potential for increased rushing opportunities as the season progresses.
"Trevion Henderson has a chance to be the number one guy for an improving Patriots offense."
(28:50)
Round 7: Jerry Juke vs. Travis Kelsey
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Heath Cummings' Top Pick: Jerry Juke Heath takes Jerry Juke, believing his chemistry with veteran QB Joe Flacco could yield significant offensive production.
"Juke has top 15 upside for as long as he's playing with Joe Flacco."
(37:35) -
Pat Fitzmaurice's Choice: Travis Kelsey Pat surprisingly selects Travis Kelsey in round seven, arguing that Kelsey's unparalleled consistency and elite performance justify his late-round value, barring injuries.
"Travis Kelce has not missed more than two games in any season since his rookie year. He is an elite tight end and a must-have."
(38:25)
Round 8: Brock Purdy vs. Brock Bowers
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Brock Purdy Pat chooses Brock Purdy, emphasizing his efficient passing metrics and the strong system under coach Kyle Shanahan, despite some concerns about touchdown rates.
"Purdy is averaging 8.9 yards per attempt, which is better than some of the best QBs like Tom Brady."
(42:18) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Ricky Pearce Heath selects Ricky Pearce, viewing him as a high-upside receiver who could become the number one target in his offense once established.
"Ricky Pearce has big time upside and could establish himself as the number one receiver."
(48:38)
Round 9: Ricky Pearce vs. Juwan Jennings
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Ricky Pearce Pat supports drafting Ricky Pearce over Juwan Jennings, citing Pearce's proven performance in the last two games and higher reliability.
"Pearce gave us a pretty good audition in the last two weeks of 2024."
(49:31) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Ricky Pearce Heath concurs, expressing confidence in Pearce's potential to take over as the primary receiver in his offense, especially mid-season.
"Pearce has big time upside and is a solid choice at this stage of the draft."
(49:39)
Round 10: Cooper Kupp vs. Jordan Mason
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Heath Cummings' Top Pick: Cooper Kupp Heath opts for Cooper Kupp, despite his age, valuing his elite performance and central role in the 49ers' offense.
"Kupp has been elite too recently to fall this late in drafts."
(50:48) -
Pat Fitzmaurice's Choice: Jordan Mason Pat selects Jordan Mason, highlighting his strong performance in an improved Vikings' run-heavy offense and potential to climb the ranks if Aaron Jones faces injuries.
"Mason averaged 120 scrimmage yards a game and 5.1 yards per carry before getting hurt."
(51:23)
Round 11: Keon Coleman vs. Tank Bigsby
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Keon Coleman Pat drafts Keon Coleman, recognizing his big-play ability and potential for increased targets in the Bills' offense.
"Keon Coleman has substantial target upside and can produce significantly in Year two."
(53:34) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Tank Bigsby Heath chooses Tank Bigsby, appreciating his efficiency as a rusher and potential to excel within the Jacksonville backfield despite concerns about his role shares.
"Tank Bigsby is the Bucky Irving and worth a chance in round 11."
(54:36)
Round 12: Austin Ekeler vs. Bonser Brown
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Austin Ekeler Pat selects Austin Ekeler, valuing his involvement in the Chargers' dynamic offense and his ability to produce high PPR points when healthy.
"Eckler plays in an exciting up-and-coming offense with an electric quarterback."
(58:54) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Austin Ekeler Heath agrees, emphasizing Ekeler's efficiency and value at his draft position.
"Ekeler is an incredible value, especially at this cost."
(59:35)
Round 13: Juwan Jennings vs. Marvin Mims Jr.
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Marvin Mims Jr. Pat selects Marvin Mims Jr., intrigued by his explosive play potential and improved rapport with the Packers' offense.
"Mims possesses two hands and can function as a true number one receiver in Green Bay."
(62:31) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Marvin Mims Jr. Heath joins in, appreciating Mims' potential despite concerns about coaching strategies.
"I am definitely interested in drafting Mims at this point and be optimistic."
(63:40)
Round 14: Roshan Johnson vs. Isaiah Likely
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Pat Fitzmaurice's Top Pick: Isaiah Likely Pat opts for Isaiah Likely, betting on him as a potential breakout if Mark Andrews faces any injuries, despite uncertainties about his role and performance consistency.
"Isaiah Likely has a chance to produce almost 900 yards and 11 touchdowns."
(66:10) -
Heath Cummings' Choice: Roshan Johnson Heath selects Roshan Johnson, projecting him as a touchdown scorer in a high-powered offense with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams at the helm.
"Roshan could definitely get to double-digit touchdowns if the offense leaps forward."
(65:13)
Conclusion
The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with fantasy football through various platforms and promote upcoming charitable events like the St. Jude Draft-a-thon. They emphasize the excitement and strategic depth involved in the upcoming fantasy draft season, wishing listeners luck as they navigate their drafts.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Heath Cummings on Bijan Robinson:
"Bijan just passes every eye test. He's fast, powerful, has really good patience and vision."
(03:45) -
Pat Fitzmaurice on Drake London:
"London is just a fabulous second-round pick."
(08:50) -
Heath Cummings on DeAndre Swift:
"DeAndre Swift has been a top 24 running back on a per game basis every single year of his career."
(22:00) -
Pat Fitzmaurice on Travis Kelsey:
"Travis Kelce has not missed more than two games in any season since his rookie year... he is an elite tight end and a must-have."
(38:25)
Key Insights
- Consistency vs. Upside: Both hosts prioritize players who offer consistent performance with high upside, especially in the foundational rounds.
- Balanced Team Building: While focusing on top targets, there's an emphasis on balancing positions across rounds to build a robust team.
- Late-Round Steals: The importance of identifying high-potential players in the later rounds, such as Marvin Mims Jr. and Roshan Johnson, is highlighted as a strategy to gain competitive edges.
- Injury and Team Dynamics: Consideration of players' health and their team's offensive dynamics play a crucial role in determining their draft value.
Conclusions
The episode provides a comprehensive and optimistic guide for fantasy football enthusiasts, offering expert opinions on top targets across all draft rounds. By blending consistency, potential upside, and strategic team building, Ryan Warmley, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Heath Cummings equip listeners with the insights necessary to navigate their 2025 fantasy drafts successfully.
