The Herd with Colin Cowherd – FantasyPros: Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets | Expert Picks For EVERY ROUND! (Ep. 1663) Date: August 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this content-rich episode of the FantasyPros podcast (featured on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”), hosts Ryan Wormley, Andrew Erickson, and Tom Strachan go deep into their “must-have” fantasy football picks round-by-round for the 2025 season. From the first to the fifteenth round, each analyst highlights their top target, reveals data and process behind their choices, and discusses trending risers and sleepers.

The discussion is fast-paced and cuts straight to business, serving fantasy managers looking for expert guidance on high-upside or undervalued players for every phase of the draft. The trio debates top-tier WRs, rookie RBs, late-round tight ends, and breakout candidates, with plenty of actionable insight, real-world ADP context, and a mix of established stars and emerging names.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Round 1: Early Versus Late Picks, NFL Receiving Elite

[01:26 - 06:33]

• Erickson’s Top Pick (Outside Top 5): Nico Collins, WR, HOU

  • “If you’re nervous about back-end round one running backs, lock and load with an alpha stud WR who’s going to put up 1,500 yards if healthy. Nico Collins is The guy for me.” — Erickson [01:26]
  • Emphasizes Collins' massive yardage ceiling, target volume, elite efficiency, and C.J. Stroud’s continued progression.
  • Wormley: Collins is often available a few spots later than his ranking suggests; only worry is Texans' O-line, but Collins has already produced in less-than-perfect conditions.
  • “Even if they didn’t improve the O-line, I don’t think it matters. I love Nico this year and I’m so happy to get him late in the first every single time.” — Wormley [03:18]

• Tom’s Best (If Picking 1.01): Jamar Chase, WR, CIN

  • “Last year was the first year T. Higgins wasn’t hampering Jamar Chase’s upside… I don’t doubt him at all. Bengals defense is worse, so Chase should be even busier.” — Strachan [04:06]
  • Cites Chase’s massive red-zone usage, production even when T. Higgins plays, and perfect convergence of QB, team need, and offensive situation.
  • Wormley: “Barring a fluky, not-predictable injury for Chase or Burrow, I don’t understand the case against Chase being the no. 1 player in fantasy again this year. Such an easy 1.01 for me.” [05:25]

Round 2: Targeting Red Zone Monsters and Early WR Doubling

[06:33 - 12:36]

• Erickson: Drake London, WR, ATL

  • “He’s number one in WR red zone target rate since entering the NFL... top five in red zone targets, yardage is there, only thing missing is TDs.” — Erickson [06:42]
  • Touts London’s production despite mediocre TD totals, plus Michael Penix as a QB who elevates WRs.
  • Acknowledges some concern with tackle injury, but overall “wheels up.”

• Wormley & Strachan both agree—London is ideally priced and a slam-dunk early-second-round target.

• Tom: Brock Bowers, TE, LV

  • “Brock Bowers… a true superstar for the next seven/eight years... generationally good TE prospect. Offense much more efficient now, big upgrade at QB with Geno Smith.” — Strachan [09:48, 11:22]
  • Panel concurs: Unlike TEs coming off fluky, high-TD rookie years, Bowers produced elite volume independent of scoring, and the new Raiders offense fits him perfectly.

Round 3: Rookie RB Value, Elite QBs

[14:08 - 20:22]

• Erickson: Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC (rookie)

  • “First-round rookie RBs tend to be really productive from the get-go. Hampton can catch passes, workload ceiling is very high, Najee Harris is a non-factor now.” — Erickson [14:35]
  • Wormley is less bullish: Unclear if Greg Roman will grant true bellcow opportunity, and volume for RBs in this scheme is shaky, but acknowledges the ceiling.

• Tom: Jaden Daniels, QB, WAS

  • “There’s still some meat on the bone. Only three QBs average over 50 rush yards per game—Lamar, Justin Fields, and Jaden Daniels… now gets Deebo Samuel, plus McLaurin may return.” — Strachan [17:30]
  • Points to Daniels’ calm under pressure, solid passing chops, and reasonable TD upside compared to Hurts or Allen.
  • All agree: elite QBs are worth paying a round premium if they offer 1,000-yard rushing upside or multi-season elite performance.

Round 4: Running Back Value, Bouncebacks, Veteran WR Trading Places

[26:05 - 31:23]

• Erickson: Kenneth Walker, RB, SEA

  • “Upside case in Clint Kubiak’s offense is RB5 finish. Bet on explosive guys who catch passes; if healthy, top five is in play.” — Erickson [26:05]
  • Wormley: His only risk is injury (not competition), and real-time ADP discounts that risk sufficiently.

• Tom: Davante Adams, WR, LAR

  • “Unlocks Puka Nacua, unlocks Stafford, unlocks Rams offense... Double-digit TD upside with Stafford healthy.” — Strachan [29:39]
  • Cites Adams’ ability to get open and red zone dominance versus declining Kupp.

Round 5-6: Rookie WRs with Huge Opportunity; Veterans Who Could Bounce Back

[31:32 - 39:44]

• Erickson: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR (rookie) [Round 5]

  • “Being drafted at his floor. Could be a fantasy WR1 right away... Panthers offense is perfect fit, defense is bad, draft capital is high.” — Erickson [31:32]
  • Wormley: Analogizes to Malik Nabers—this is “the cheapest he’ll ever be in fantasy.”

• Tom: Xavier Worthy, WR, KC [Round 5]

  • “All set up for another big year. Rashee Rice will be suspended, Mahomes primed for more deep shots, opportunity for Worthy to become a volume hog.” — Strachan [34:28]

• Erickson: Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA [Round 6]

  • “Jettisoned all the competition—Waddle is Miami’s only legit option if Tyreek is moved. Can’t forget his first two years.” — Erickson [36:11]

• Tom: Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN

  • “Been undervalued all offseason. Ridley’s productivity tanked due to poor QB play last year. He’ll be Levis’ top target and is being drafted way too late.” — Strachan [38:26]

Round 7-8: Breakouts, Late Opportunities

[41:05 - 51:33]

• Erickson: Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF

  • “Pierceall has been camp’s breakout star, will be 49ers WR1 early. Attached to Brock Purdy (a proven fantasy QB-creator).” — Erickson [41:05]

• Tom: Jalen Warren, RB, PIT

  • “Can’t believe people jumped off Warren this year. Still offers receiving upside and could see increased touches, especially early as rookie Caleb Johnson gets up to speed.” — Strachan [44:06]

• Erickson: Jordan Mason, RB, MIN [Round 8]

  • “Auto pick late—offers stand-alone value and huge contingent upside if Aaron Jones is hurt.” — Erickson [48:29]

• Tom: Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB

  • “I’m moving him up to WR30. Given injuries in TB receiver room, plays the slot, early path to big targets. Don’t overthink landing spot—he’s good and will play.” — Strachan [48:52]

• Panel consensus: “He could be a top 24 WR this year, and is a screaming value.”

Round 9-10: Late TE/Quarterback Gems and Lottery Pick Running Backs

[53:44 - 61:51]

• Erickson: Tucker Kraft, TE, GB

  • “Alpha upside—yards-after-catch monster; only reason I don’t have more Tyler Warren is taking Kraft first.” — Erickson [53:44]

• Tom: Justin Fields, QB, PIT

  • “Hasn’t had system stability, but still averaged 38 rush yards/game with Pittsburgh, and tiny passing numbers once got him a QB5 finish. Massive late-round upside.” — Strachan [55:11]

• Erickson: Drake Maye, QB, NE [Round 10]

  • “He’s the late-round QB I’m obsessed with. Offers rushing upside, improved weapons, easy early schedule. If I’m betting on a late-round QB1, it’s him.” — Erickson [58:37]

• Tom: Zach Charbonnet, RB, SEA

  • “RB35—when he touches the ball 15+ times, is a top-8 back. Elite receiver. Contingent upside as one of NFL’s top backup RBs.” — Strachan [61:02]

Rounds 11-15: Deep Sleepers, Lottery Tickets, and Rapid Fire Must-Haves

[62:17 - 66:39]

• Erickson’s rapid-fire picks:
  • 11. Bilal “Krosky” Merritt, RB, WAS
    Risers alert: “Still moving up the board fast as Brian Robinson could be cut; upside is the explosive version of that role.” [62:17]
  • 12. Bischel Tut, RB, JAX
  • 13. Braylon Allen, RB, NYJ
  • 14. Marvin Mims, WR, DEN
  • 15. Josh Palmer, WR, BUF
    “Fifth-year breakout bet, annual tradition.”
• Tom’s rapid-fire picks:
  • 11. Colston Loveland
  • 12. Austin Ekeler
  • 13. Tyler Allgeier
  • 14. Cam Ward
  • 15. Wan’Dale Robinson

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Jamar Chase as 1.01:
  “It’s maybe the most perfect position situation a fantasy WR has ever been in—marrying talent, quarterback, defense… I just don’t get the case against him.” — Wormley [05:25]

• On Drake London’s underrated status:
  “Can’t understand why he’s currently 16th in expert consensus… his ADP is the same as last year.” — Wormley & Erickson [08:04]

• On Brock Bowers:
  “Never seen any evidence he isn’t going to be an elite TE… a generationally good prospect who had a record-setting rookie season and now a QB upgrade.” — Wormley [11:22]

• On McMillan:
  “This is the cheapest Tetairoa McMillan will be in fantasy for the next 8–10 years. He’s going to be a star.” — Wormley [32:50]

• On Real-Time ADP:
  “Omarion Hampton in real-time ADP is RB13, right in the middle of Round 3. That difference can give you a real draft edge.” — Wormley [21:15]

• On rookie receiver inflation:
  “Don’t worry about landing spots. Year after year we say ‘I loved this player, but I can’t draft him’... just draft the good players.” — Tom [48:52]

Notable Timestamps by Segment

• 00:32–01:26: Intro, episode format, diving straight into picks
• 01:26–06:33: Round 1 debate: Collins vs. Chase, who is the “must-have” late-first WR?
• 06:33–12:36: Rounds 2–3: Value on London, Bowers, rookie RB debates
• 14:08–20:22: Round 3/4: Hampton, Daniels & elite QB tiering logic
• 26:05–31:23: Round 4: Why Walker/Adams are top values
• 31:32–39:44: Rounds 5–6: Rookie WR gems; Waddle and Ridley’s rebound cases
• 41:05–51:33: Rounds 7–8: Pearsall’s upside, Warren/Mason/Egbuka picks
• 53:44–61:51: Rounds 9–10: Late breakout tight ends/QBs, Charbonnet’s real role
• 62:17–66:39: Rounds 11–15: Rapid fire, rising helium picks, and instant value watch
• 66:00–67:50: The “one player I want in every draft” finale

Final Takeaways

• Elite receivers dominate the top rounds, with consensus around Jamar Chase and Nico Collins as early-draft foundations.
• Analysts strongly support aggressive targeting of rookies in traditionally “dead” fantasy draft zones (Hampton, McMillan, Egbuka, Mason, etc).
• Late-round picks with contingent upside and/or elite athletic traits (Tucker Kraft, Justin Fields, Drake Maye, Charbonnet, etc) are highlighted as potential league-winners.
• Emphasis throughout on using real-time ADP to accurately target risers and avoid “lagging” pre-draft lists.
• Tucker Kraft and Drake Maye emerge repeatedly as “guys to have everywhere” at cost; Jamar Chase is the ultimate first-round prize if you can get the 1.01.

For listeners: This episode is a blueprint for squeezing every ounce of edge from your draft—whether you’re swinging for the fences in the early rounds or stacking high-upside breakouts in the double-digit rounds. If you want more statistical backing, player comps, or a feel for draft-room psychology, this is an essential listen (or read) as you prepare for your league’s draft.