Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - "FantasyPros - Jake Seeley’s Top Targets In The First 10 Rounds (Ep. 1625)"

Release Date: July 29, 2025
Host: Ryan
Guest: Jake Seeley (The Athletic)

Introduction

In Episode 1625 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Ryan welcomes Jake Seeley from The Athletic to discuss Jake’s top fantasy football targets across the first 10 rounds of fantasy drafts. The conversation centers on selecting players based on their projected performance, consistency, and potential upside, irrespective of team composition or prior round selections.

Round 1: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Top Target: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Alternative: Christian McCaffrey

Jake initially considered Christian McCaffrey but ultimately selected Amon-Ra St. Brown as his first-round target. He highlights St. Brown’s consistent performance and safety as key factors despite recent pushback.

• Risk Assessment: Concerns about Ben Johnson’s departure and the impact of new quarterback Morton led some to question St. Brown’s value.

• Jake’s Confidence: “Even if he finishes between last year and the year before, that would still put him inside the top five... one of the safest floors” (01:24).

Ryan acknowledges the comparison between St. Brown and Puka Nuku, emphasizing the latter’s higher risk due to injury history: “...the injury history with a guy like Puka” (02:39).

Round 2: Drake London

Top Target: Drake London
Alternative Options: Puka Nuku, Malik Neighbors, Nico Collins, Ashton Genti

Jake advocates for Drake London as a top-tier second-round pick, emphasizing his role as the primary offensive option.

• Performance Consistency: London’s central role in his team’s offense ensures a steady stream of targets, making him a reliable pick.

• Jake’s Endorsement: “If you want to go down that road too, Drake London should be a lock for the top 10... I am hammering every time I see him in the second round” (03:43).

Ryan concurs, noting strong consensus within Fantasy Pros: “We are very heavy on Drake London this year” (05:02).

Round 3: James Cook

Top Target: James Cook
Concerns: Touchdown regression, contract uncertainties

Jake addresses the skepticism surrounding James Cook, particularly regarding a potential decrease in touchdowns. He argues that drafting Cook in the third round mitigates risks while still capturing significant upside.

• Risk Mitigation: “You baked in all the risk. I can now just take him in the third round and potentially still get that round one value” (05:18).

Ryan supports the strategy, emphasizing the balance between risk and reward: “Even if you chop off four or five touchdowns, he’s still going to be producing as a top six seven running back” (05:18).

Round 4: Kenneth Walker

Top Target: Kenneth Walker
Potential Move to Round 3

Initially uncertain about Walker due to questions about his role, Jake re-evaluates after consulting with Seahawks expert Michael Shawn Duger. He now views Walker as a bell cow with high workload potential.

• Increased Value: “I have a feeling he’s going to climb into the third” (07:03).

Ryan echoes Jake’s confidence, highlighting Walker’s ascending ranking and reliability: “He is the only question, there is health” (08:01).

Round 5: Marian Hampton

Top Target: Marian Hampton
Concerns: Rookie integration, team dynamics

Marian Hampton is recommended as a valuable pick in the fifth round, especially with potential increased touches if Najee Harris’s role diminishes.

• Upside Potential: “If Coach is a full blown committee... I would consider him in round 10 with Cooper Cup” (09:46).

Jake suggests that embracing Hampton’s role transition could yield significant returns, positioning him ahead of some higher-ranked running backs.

Round 6: Jalen Waddle

Top Target: Jalen Waddle
Concerns: Leg injuries, offensive stability

Jake shifts his stance on Jalen Waddle, now endorsing him as a sixth-round pick despite previous hesitations due to injury concerns. He emphasizes Waddle’s potential to deliver top-20 fantasy value if healthy.

• Health Considerations: “If Waddle is healthy, we’re talking about somebody who was considered in the conversation with Devontae Smith and Jameson Williams” (11:29).

Ryan agrees, highlighting the balance between upside and injury risk: “I think Jalen Waddle is a perfectly reasonable pick here” (12:13).

Round 7: Chris Godwin

Top Target: Chris Godwin
Concerns: Second procedure, injury history

Jake recommends Chris Godwin as a seventh-round gamble, banking on his prior performance and potential resurgence despite recent injury setbacks.

• Value Proposition: “You’re getting Chris Godwin in the seventh round... he could start on your bench” (15:36).

Ryan expresses caution but acknowledges the discounted value: “It is a legitimate discount... I do think it’s a good pick” (17:24).

Rounds 8-9: Quarterbacks Justin Fields and Dak Prescott

Top Targets: Justin Fields (Round 8) and Dak Prescott (Round 9)

Jake introduces quarterbacks into his top 10 targets, breaking down his rationale for selecting both Justin Fields and Dak Prescott in consecutive rounds.

• Justin Fields:

  • Performance: Strong dual-threat capabilities, consistent starting role.
  • Jake’s Quote: “I just need him to be okay as a passer... you're going to be a top 10 quarterback” (18:16).

• Dak Prescott:

  • Upside: Potential for significant passing and rushing yardage.
  • Jake’s Insight: “If Dak Prescott goes 5,000 yards passing and rushing... he could be QB3” (20:18).

Ryan supports both selections, highlighting their potential to outperform their draft positions: “He’s a great target if you are waiting on quarterback” (20:18).

Round 10: Cooper Kupp

Top Target: Cooper Kupp
Concerns: Recent performance decline, injuries

Jake endorses drafting Cooper Kupp in the tenth round, viewing him as a high-upside bench player who could break into a top 25 role if revitalized by a refreshed Seahawks offense.

• Opportunity: “He’s going to be in the Seattle offense with a revitalized, hopefully offense with Kubiak opening things up” (21:18).

• Jake’s Strategy: “You’re getting Cooper Kupp on your bench... top 20, 25 upside” (22:46).

Ryan initially hesitates but ultimately agrees with the potential upside: “It's very fair” (23:15).

Bonus Picks: Late-Round Speculations

Players Considered: Jaden Blue, Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby

Jake suggests considering players with potential RB2 value or high upside in the final rounds, emphasizing the importance of lottery ticket picks that can become league winners.

• Jaden Blue: Potential RB2 value with 14-15 touches per game.

• Travis Etienne Jr.: Although navigating a committee backfield, Etienne’s explosive playstyle makes him a viable late-round option.

Jake emphasizes selecting players who offer significant upside rather than filling bench spots with low-impact options: “These last four spots should essentially be lottery tickets... top 20, 25 upside” (25:26).

Conclusion

Ryan and Jake wrap up the discussion by encouraging listeners to engage with Fantasy Pros through various platforms, including Twitch livestreams and practice drafts using the Draft Simulator. The episode underscores the importance of balancing risk and reward in fantasy football drafts, advocating for strategic picks that offer both consistency and potential breakout performances.

Notable Quotes

• Jake Seeley on Amon-Ra St. Brown:
  “Even if he finishes between last year and the year before, that would still put him inside the top five with what I think is one of the safest floors.” (01:24)

• Jake Seeley on Drake London:
  “Drake London should be a lock for the top 10. So I am hammering every time I see him in the second round.” (03:43)

• Jake Seeley on James Cook:
  “I’m willing to say I’m in on James Cook in the third round.” (05:18)

• Jake Seeley on Cooper Kupp:
  “You’re getting Cooper Kupp... he’s going to be a free top 25 upside pick.” (21:18)

Final Thoughts

Jake Seeley’s insights provide a strategic roadmap for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to optimize their drafts within the first 10 rounds. By prioritizing consistency, potential upside, and informed risk-taking, traders can assemble competitive teams poised for success throughout the season.

For a comprehensive list of Jake Seeley’s top targets and additional fantasy strategies, listeners are encouraged to visit FantasyPros.com and explore their Extensive Coverage Rankings (ECR).

This summary captures the essential discussions and recommendations from Ryan and Jake Seeley, offering valuable guidance for fantasy football drafts without unnecessary interruptions from advertisements or non-content segments.