The Herd with Colin Cowherd – FantasyPros: Week 3 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Chris Welsh
Analysts: Andrew Erickson, Pat Fitz Morris (“Fitzy”)

Episode Overview

This episode of FantasyPros zeroes in on wide receiver (WR) rankings and decision-making for Week 3 in the fantasy football season. The hosts dissect the effects of quarterback (QB) injuries, analyze player performances, and offer nuanced guidance on start/sit dilemmas involving both studs and speculative sleepers. The team shares its own ranking rationales, highlighting variances and consensus, while touching on volatility and matchup-based concerns for high-profile and emerging receivers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Impact of Quarterback Injuries on WR Value

• (01:12–02:47) Only two weeks into the season, multiple starting QBs have been lost, dramatically shifting WR outlooks.
  • Andrew Erickson: "All the quarterbacks are hurt... that's obviously going to have a lot of implications on their top pass catchers." (01:12)
• The lack of stability at QB is making certain WR options riskier, especially where backups are untested.

2. Shoutouts and Rankings Contest Updates

• (02:47–04:17) Chris Welsh gives recognition to top rankers for the week, emphasizing how ranking accuracy can fluctuate and highlighting contributors Jamie Calandro (No. 1), Patrick Thorman, and Jacob Gibbs.
• Chris Welsh: “This is probably the only week all season long that I may have finished higher than both of you guys...” (03:33)

3. Top 12 Wide Receiver Rankings & QB Volatility

• (04:17–10:13)
  • Top WRs in ECR (as of recording):
    1. CeeDee Lamb
    2. Ja’Marr Chase
    3. Justin Jefferson
    4. Malik Nabers
    5. Puka Nacua
    6. Nico Collins 7-12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Drake London, Brian Thomas, Zay Flowers, Davante Adams
  • Justin Jefferson with Carson Wentz: Both Erickson and Fitzy knock Jefferson slightly in their ranks due to risk associated with a new, unproven connection with Wentz.
    • Drew Franklin (Fitzy): “Wouldn’t it be sort of funny if Justin Jefferson went off with Carson Wentz at quarterback after two somewhat quiet games with J.J. McCarthy? ...he is capable of having a big day with any quarterback who can throw a spiral.” (06:21)
    • Andrew Erickson: “Anytime you're throwing a brand new wide receiver with a brand new quarterback, there's always going to be inherent risk involved because we've never seen these guys play together... at least there's a sample size of Jake Browning with Ja'Marr Chase.” (08:02)
  • Consensus: Jefferson is still a must-start, but his typical blow-up potential is capped by the unknown QB play.

4. Underperformance, Injury, and Matchup Worries: Brian Thomas

• (10:13–14:13)
  • Brian Thomas faces skepticism regarding his injury status and Houston's challenging matchup.
    • Fitzy: “Should he be in the top ten or not? ...I'm starting him ...but am I a little bit nervous about it? Yeah.” (12:04)
    • Erickson: “I also have moved him down a little bit... I don't think you can just completely ignore that... I think it's justified to move him down a couple spots but not enough to where you're going to outright bench Brian Thomas Jr.” (12:42)

5. Wide Receiver 2 Tier (WRs 13–24): Usage, Roles & Team Offenses

• AJ Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, No. 13 ECR)

  • Erickson: “You have to look at the last two matchups... the Eagles know that when they're not being pushed by the other team, they don't need to be aggressive... there's a picture where this is a ceiling game for AJ Brown.” (15:24)
  • Fitzy: “I'm just forging ahead with aggressively ranking a great wide receiver above consensus... there are really no issues with AJ Brown himself, it's just a matter of the Eagles jump starting their passing game.” (17:25)
  • Both regard AJ Brown as too talented to bench despite a slow start, with hopes pinned on a solid Rams matchup and possible teammate injuries funneling more targets to him.

• Rōma Odūnzē (Chicago Bears)

  • Notable split: Erickson (WR 17), Fitzy (WR 27).
    • Fitzy: “I cannot imagine the target split between Rōma Odūnzē and DJ Moore continues to be so one-sided... but I do still have Odūnzē ranked ahead of DJ Moore.” (19:15)
    • Erickson: “He's doing what he did last year in terms of just gobbling up all the high value opportunities... I think that we're starting to see a guy just go on a full-fledged breakout.” (23:32)
  • Erickson is convinced a breakout is underway; Fitzy is wary of target regression.

• Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals)

  • Erickson: “I think he's going to be extremely boom or bust... We've seen this before with Higgins being very boom or bust last year... If he's not scoring touchdowns, then what is he doing in your lineup?” (26:32)
  • Fitzy: “But I am worried—this is not an easy matchup for the Bengals in Minnesota... I think Higgins can still work with Browning in the lineup.” (28:43)
  • Erickson sees serious risk and moves him down; Fitz sees some route to value but admits doubt.

6. Wide Receiver 3 Tier (WRs 25–36): Deep Dives & Flex Fodder

• George Pickens (Dallas Cowboys)

  • Fitzy: “I like the offensive environment in this game... Bears’ defense is just kind of a mess... I think Dallas is going to move the ball through the air this week.” (32:45)
  • Erickson: “If the Dallas Cowboys score 40 points, you're gonna start George Pickens... all of those circumstantial things are there for him.” (33:46)
  • Both optimistic; agree the matchup is a golden opportunity for a signature Pickens performance.

• Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans)

  • Erickson: “Having more second thoughts about how good Calvin Ridley actually is... The gap between Ridley and [Elijah] ‘A’ Manor should not necessarily be super massive... he's a wide receiver three, maybe you can find more upside elsewhere.” (35:46)
  • Fitzy: “I'm still optimistic; he has a 25% target share so far... but Cam Ward hasn’t thrown for 200 yards or multiple touchdowns yet. Until Ward gets going a little more, I think Ridley is more of a borderline start than a confident start.” (38:08)
  • Both analysts express mounting skepticism; not a must-start, especially with improved rookie involvement.

• Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Keon Coleman, and others

  • These names are mentioned as speculative plays, with special “Jennings Week” hype by Chris Welsh and resignation that wide receiver depth decisions are complicated and fluid.

7. Below-the-Radar & Injury Risk: Jaylen Waddle

• Fitzy: “Jalen Waddle... has a career average of 2.05 yards per route run. You don't average better than 2 yards per route run over four plus NFL seasons unless you're a really good receiver.” (39:58)
• Erickson: “He does not play through injuries very well... I'm terrified of playing him on Thursday night because... he gets knocked out... I think that I'm more afraid of the floor bottoming out on Thursday night for Waddle than actually buying into the ceiling.” (40:51)
• Outlook: If healthy, Waddle is a start, but his recent shoulder injury and history of playing short-handed raise major “goose egg” risk in primetime.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Justin Jefferson with Wentz:

  • “Jefferson's amazing... He is capable of having a big day with any quarterback who can throw a spiral. And I think Carson Wentz can still throw a spiral, but who knows.” — Drew Franklin (Fitzy), (06:21)

• On A.J. Brown’s Talent vs. System:

  • “There are really no issues with A.J. brown himself. It's just a matter of the Eagles jumpstarting their passing game.” — Drew Franklin (Fitzy), (17:25)

• On the Risky “Bench” Play:

  • “But am I a little bit nervous about it? Yeah.” — Drew Franklin (Fitzy, discussing Brian Thomas), (12:04)

• On the Thursday Night Jalen Waddle Dilemma:

  • “I'm terrified of playing him on Thursday night because... he does not play through injuries very well.” — Andrew Erickson, (40:51)

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

| Segment | Detail | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | QB Impact on WRs | Loss of QBs, WR risk | 01:12–02:47 | | Weekly Rankers' Shoutouts | Rankers, accuracy contest | 02:47–04:17 | | Top 12 Wide Receivers | Rankings, Jefferson/Wentz | 04:17–10:13 | | Brian Thomas Analysis | Injury/matchup risk | 10:13–14:13 | | A.J. Brown Deep-Dive | Eagles offense, usage | 15:24–18:28 | | Roma Odunze Debate | Target split, breakout case | 19:15–25:15 | | T. Higgins Floor vs. Ceiling | Cincy QB play, red zone | 26:32–30:06 | | WR3/Flex Options | Pickens, Ridley, Pearsall | 32:45–39:36 | | Jalen Waddle Start/Sit | Injury, TNF caution | 39:58–42:50 |

Tone, Language, and Style

The analysts’ tone is energetic and conversational, balancing football nerdery and actionable fantasy advice. There’s frequent good-natured ribbing between the hosts, a willingness to admit uncertainty, and a focus on process over results.

Summary Takeaways

• WR Rankings in Chaos: Quarterback injuries have thrown the top-36 WR landscape into flux. Must-starts come with more caveats than usual.
• Be Aware of Changing Roles: New QBs mean new risk, and even the most talented receivers (Jefferson, Chase, A.J. Brown) aren't immune to drops in projections.
• Emerging Trends Matter: Watch for target share shifts (Odunze passing DJ Moore; Eli A’Manor pushing Calvin Ridley).
• Matchups & Health are Everything: Injury status and opponent strength are particularly important for tiebreakers among WR2/3s and deep-field flexes.
• Don’t Chase Names Over Process: Be willing to downgrade big names based on usage trends and emerging evidence, but don’t overreact too quickly.
• Thursday Night Trap: Exercise caution with injured players like Jaylen Waddle in early games.
• Ranks are Fluid: These rankings will evolve as the week progresses; always cross-check the latest ECR before locking lineups.

For full rankings, live Q&A, and to ask about your specific WR start/sit conundrums, visit fantasypros.com or their Thursday live stream on YouTube.