The Herd with Colin Cowherd | FantasyPros: The Extra Point – Trade Questions, Tough Keeper Decisions, and Chat Q&A (Ep. 1665)

Episode Date: August 25, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson
Theme: A listener-driven fantasy football Q&A episode, focusing on trade dilemmas, draft and keeper strategy, and nuanced year-to-year changes in player value.
Format: Live on Discord with community questions; dynamic, interactive, conversational.

Overview

This episode of FantasyPros’ “The Extra Point” is a deep dive into real fantasy football decision-making as hosts Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson field a range of live audience questions—from convoluted keeper decisions and dynasty trade values to granular redraft strategy and emerging player trends. The duo brings trademark candor and analysis, emphasizing actionable advice for upcoming drafts and roster management, particularly as the biggest draft weekend of the year approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Keeper and Draft Strategy Quandaries

Listener: Wyatt

• Keeper Dilemma: Forced to choose between Trey McBride in the 3rd or Chuba Hubbard in the 9th after facing lost picks (no 4th, 5th; extra 6th, 7th, and 10th).
• Strategic Outcome:
  • Erickson: Advises a "0 RB" (Zero RB) build, arguing that with the missing middle-round picks, going with McBride’s positional advantage is best. “If you just go with Trey McBride, you keep him, then you go receivers in the first two rounds... McBride can be a game changer all year long.” (05:53)
  • Welsh: Agrees, emphasizing upside over safety given weaker mid-round capital. “You got to go big upside, not play it safe. McBride puts you in elite tight end territory.” (07:08)
• Draft Approach: Build foundation with WRs in early rounds, let the missing picks enforce discipline (no forced mid-round RBs), then fish for late RB upside.

2. Dynasty Tight End Trades & Asset Management

Listener: J Town

• Trade Under Consideration: Offering Jacob Crosky-Merritt + a 2nd for Tucker Kraft, with Hawkinson already rostered.
• Erickson: Sees value in leveraging hype on RBs like Crosky-Merritt for ascending young TEs; supports the move due to positional scarcity and potential for value appreciation. “I'm never going to say no to acquiring talented players whose value is going to rise in Dynasty.” (09:20)
• Welsh: More skeptical; wouldn't rush to trade major assets for another TE when Hawkinson is already solid. “If you have Hawkinson, why are you trading assets?... I don't see the value in trading for a Kraft when you have Hawkinson and you're giving away two pieces.” (10:25)
• Consensus: Fine to execute if you believe in Kraft, but maximize value—consider countering for a lesser pick, or shop Crosky-Merritt elsewhere.

Notable Quotes:

• Welsh: “I might be wrong, I might totally be wrong about this, but I think I’m on the other side of disagreement on acquiring a tight end in dynasty when you have Hawkinson.” (11:49)
• Erickson: “We all want to try to figure out when the perfect time to sell him is, right? …the list goes on and on… that peak in their rookie years but then they fizzle off.” (12:07)

3. Dealing Elite WRs in Dynasty

Listener: Father Man

• Situation: Rosters both Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown; unsure whether to trade or hold, and for what type of return.
• Welsh: Cautions against trading out of desperation. Open to a move but only for real value, preferring to sell Smith over Brown if forced. (15:11)
• Erickson: Points out both WRs' values are slightly depressed due to Philadelphia’s run-heavy attack last year—so this may not be optimal time to sell. “I still feel like you’re selling low on these two players… The stigma around the Eagles offense is they just run the ball so much.” (16:05)
• On Trade Targets: The hosts weigh potential returns like Rome Odunze plus a 2nd for Brown and also suggest cross-position swaps depending on team need (e.g., for a top RB).
• Dynasty Value: If a contender, stick with the tandem; for a retool/rebuild, explore creative, younger upside deals (e.g. Nico Collins).

Memorable Exchange:

• Welsh: “If someone’s not willing to like really push into a trade, I’d probably move away. I’m open to doing both, but clearly Devonta Smith is the one I’m probably looking to get out from.” (15:11)

4. Running Back and WR Tiers, Targeted Draft Picks

Listener: Hokey

• Dynasty Roster Decisions:
  • QB Depth: Debates whether to drop Anthony Richardson with Bo Nix, Cam Ward, Dak Prescott rostered. Both hosts say “hold”—Richardson’s ceiling and trade value if he starts again are too high to justify a drop. (29:29-30:24)
  • When/Who to Trade: If value right, Dak is a strong "sell" for a contender seeking reliable QB production. “I would trade Dak. I think he’s an easy sell high.” (31:00)
  • WR/RB Draft Technique: On rookie/free agent draft, traded up to snag Travion Henderson, Travis Hunter; hosts approve, calling his WR/bench composition ideal for flexibility and upside (33:02-35:04).
  • Best Practices: Don’t trade premium young upside in a cold market—wait for a splash performance.

5. Redraft Trade Package: Depth for Upside

Listener: Father Man / Doza

• Goal: Wants to acquire Ladd McConkey, ready to trade Kyren Williams, Courtland Sutton, Calvin Ridley for James Conner, Ladd McConkey and Tony Pollard.
• Welsh: Breaks down the swap as “a fine trade” if determined to get McConkey—no clear winner/loser, but sacrifices depth for a potentially elite WR trio in keeper or dynasty formats (Jefferson, Chase, McConkey). Notes risk as the RBs acquired have less long-term value. (41:45-43:55)
• Erickson: Co-signs—"You're getting the player you want and paying an adequate price to get said player." (41:45)
• Caveat: Confirmed later that “Chase” in their team is Chase Brown, not Ja’Marr—adjusting, hosts still find the trade fair. (43:31-44:13)

6. Draft Room: Approaches to Running Back and WR Value

Listener: Perception

• Classic Problem: Picking at the 8/10 spot, loves WR value rounds 1-2, and 5-8, but unsure how/when to attack RB.
• Welsh: Prefers “hero RB” (one elite early), then load up on WR; comfortable with McCaffrey, or Saquon if they fall; after that, back to WR and target rookie RBs or value RB shots in mid rounds (e.g. Travion Henderson round 4).
• Erickson: Leans towards risking it and pushing RB down the board. Notes that rookie RBs’ ADPs will move fast after Week 1, so upside can be found. “I want to play the long-term game… Genty is the better long-term bet for this year to be there for you all 17 weeks versus McCaffrey…” (48:15)
• Pivot Ideas: If forced to forego top RBs, target falling upside plays like Achane; if taking elite WRs, combine with RB values later.

7. Reaching for Rookie RBs in Redraft

Listener: Scooby

• Dilemma: Is it too early to pick Amarian Hampton high in the 3rd? Worried he won’t make it to 4th round.
• Hosts: Agree that early 3rd is justifiable in today’s draft landscape, especially when safer picks (QBs like Lamar or elite TEs) are off the board. “If you want the safest route, just take quarterback.” (52:10)
• Key Consideration: Only reach if missing out on clear tier drops at WR/QB; be sure you’ve got WRs locked in first.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Erickson on Dynasty Running Backs: “We all want to try to figure out when the perfect time to sell him is… The list goes on and on of these guys that were day three undrafted running backs that peak in their rookie years but then they fizzle off...” (12:07)
• Welsh on Trading Desperation: “I don’t like desperation being the lens that makes me make a move.” (15:11)
• Erickson on Nico Collins: “Fade alphas at your own risk, Welsh. Fade alphas at your own risk.” (28:40)
• Welsh on Listener Value: “You’re just bragging now. You’re just here bragging about all your amazing… No, no, I’m joking, I’m teasing you.” (35:28)
• Draft Strategy Digest: “I love the receivers at rounds one and two and I love the receivers in rounds five through eight… at 8, I’m probably like, you got to give me—it’s got to be McCaffrey. Or, like, if a Saquon fell. Saquon fell to nine in the draft we just did. That’s where I would jump on it. Then comparative to the wide receivers, it’d be hard for me to pass on Puka or Neighbors.” (45:06)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Listener Keeper Dilemma & 0 RB Build: 03:18 – 07:08
• Dynasty Tight End Trade Debate: 08:31 – 13:45
• Trading Devonta Smith/A.J. Brown in Dynasty: 14:42 – 19:55
• Nico Collins Ascent, WR Odds: 21:15 – 28:40
• Dynasty Roster Assessment (Depth, Trading QBs): 28:59 – 32:25
• Upside in Dynasty Roster Construction (Trade Timing): 33:02 – 36:09
• Depth-for-Upside WR Trade Debate: 39:01 – 44:13
• Redraft RB/WR Early Round Theory: 44:22 – 48:44
• Early Third Round RB Reach (Hampton): 49:23 – 53:10

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, interactive, and high-energy, faithful to FantasyPros’ usual style.
• Strong sense of providing community “inside baseball”—hosts don’t shy from passionate disagreement, audience is encouraged to act as “producers” of content.
• Deeply analytical but approachable; humor and real-world anecdotes abound (“Horses in the stable!”; “Fade alphas at your own risk!”).
• Focus is always on maximizing upside, with risk-reward calibrated to draft and roster context.

Summary

This was a rich, livewire episode for every kind of fantasy football manager, packed with real Discord questions and careful, actionable analysis. Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson helped listeners navigate classic dilemmas: how to extract max value from keepers and trades, optimally build (or rebuild) teams, and time risk in emerging player profiles. Along the way, they broke down some pivotal draft and trade philosophies for the 2025 season and reminded everyone of the value in trusting process over panic and staying attuned to league trends as draft season hits its peak.