The Herd with Colin Cowherd: FantasyPros – Week 9 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers

Episode 1806 | October 30, 2025

Overview

This episode is a deep dive into wide receiver rankings and tiers for Week 9 of fantasy football, courtesy of FantasyPros. Hosted by Chris Welsh ("Welsh") with expert analysts Pat Fitzmaurice ("Fitzy") and Andrew Erickson, the trio breaks down the top WRs for the week, explains their ranking logic, and explores key debates around surging and fading players. Lively banter, holiday digressions, and league context make this an engaging, informative episode for fantasy football managers seeking an edge in their lineups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FantasyPros Rankings Contest & Halloween Banter

• Opening Vibes: The episode opens with jokes about Halloween, candy corn, and the polarizing nature of pineapple on pizza; serves as icebreakers before football talk begins (00:33–03:35).
• Rankings Contest Shoutouts: Recognition of standout FantasyPros rankers for Week 8: Dalton Del Don (1st), Pat Fitzmaurice (2nd), and Mick Chilala (3rd).
• Welsh: “Fitzy Flowers, my man, that's an incredible top two finish.” (04:56)

2. RASHEED RICE: The Skyrocketing WR1

• Current Rank: Both Fitzy and Erickson rank Rasheed Rice well above consensus due to usage, matchup, and injury context (09:28–11:32).
• Key Reasoning: The Chiefs' injury to Pacheco could mean more looks for Rice, who’s already a red-zone staple. Expect more involvement even as Xavier Worthy retains value.
• Erickson: “Rice's ceiling is, I think, one of the highest, if not the highest, in week nine.” (11:28)
• Fitzy: “The way the Chiefs use Rashee Rice, it’s kind of an extension of the running game with these quick passes...Pacheco’s absence could mean an even bigger role.” (09:37)

3. MICHAEL PITTMAN: The Reliable Option in a Great Matchup

• Positive Trend: Pittman has been a touchdown machine and is buoyed by a high-functioning Colts offense (12:39–16:03).
• Debate: Fitzy is bullish (WR7), citing target load and competitive games. Erickson is slightly lower (WR13), worried about target share competition with Downs and Pierce.
• Fitzy: “Pittman has scored six touchdowns in eight games... Pittman has eight or more targets in half of his eight games.” (12:49)
• Erickson: “...what if it's Alec Pierce that comes down with the touchdown?” (13:56)

4. MARVIN HARRISON JR.: Quarterback Carousel Woes

• Risk Due to QB Situation: Ranking is heavily impacted by whether Kyler Murray or Jacoby Brissette starts (17:36–20:18).
• Erickson: “He’s playing the Dallas Cowboys...And there is a chance that we still don't get Kyler Murray back. As weird as it sounds...the offense has looked better with Jacoby Brissette.” (17:36)
• Fitzy: “It just feels like a stretch to rank Harrison as a top 20 receiver. Even with a great matchup...” (19:22)

5. JACKSONVILLE RECEIVERS: Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Travis Hunter Debate

• Situation: Both WRs are ranked lower than consensus by Fitzy and Erickson, reflecting doubts about the Jaguars’ offensive upside and Trevor Lawrence’s performance versus zone coverage (23:55–29:55).
• Fitzy: “Not sure BTJ (Brian Thomas Jr.) is still the clear number one...with Travis Hunter’s usage surging.” (24:07)
• Erickson: “I want to put Travis Hunter ahead of Brian Thomas...but I want to be below consensus on both guys at the same time.” (28:31)
• Quick Take: Fact or fiction—Is Travis Hunter now the #1? Erickson says “Fact,” Fitzy says “Fiction.” (30:16)

6. T. HIGGINS: Decimation in Chicago

• Analysis: Fitzy is higher than consensus, citing Bears’ injured secondary (30:53–33:06).
• Fitzy: “Bengals receivers versus Bears cornerbacks is an epic mismatch this week.” (31:02)
• Erickson: “The only thing I have hesitant about pushing Higgins up higher is the volume because this offense is Jamar Chase 1, Jamar Chase 2, Jamar Chase 3.” (31:43)

7. WR3 & FLEX PLAYS: Deeper Analysis

Wandell Robinson (NYG)

• Fitzy's Take: Good matchup vs. SF, expects more involvement with Cam Scatterboo out (35:50).
• Erickson: Slightly more cautious, citing target drop-off when Slayton plays (36:41).

Quentin Johnston (LAC)

• General Concern: Both down on QJ, noting role diminishment and heavy matchup dependency. Deeper options like Gadsden have surpassed him (38:51–42:10).
• Erickson: “Johnson might be the beginning of the fall off because, like, you feel like you want to say he's the very end...I don't think so.” (39:16)

Jameson Williams (DET)

• Optimism for Week 9: Both are notably higher than consensus, citing deep-threat potential against a vulnerable MIN secondary (42:10–44:31).
• Fitzy: “Jameson Williams is good...The big plays are coming. I think they're going to come soon.” (42:31)
• Erickson: “Planets are at least aligning for this week to be a good JMO week versus the bad JMO week that we got before the bye week.” (44:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Welsh (on rankings pain): “We can't be right about all the stuff we want to be...Anyone who benched Arande Gadsden II because of where I had him ranked thinks I'm a fool regardless of the fact that I was second in the contest.” (05:00)
• On National Tight End Day: “Floating holiday. Based around George Kittle's availability.” – Erickson (16:45)
• On making up holidays: “You can just make up a national holiday. So would you like it to be officially Jameson Williams Sunday?” – Welsh (43:18)
• On Quentin Johnston’s usage: “He has a very specific set of skills that are never in play here.” – Welsh (40:58)
• On Jaguars wide receivers: “I want to put Travis Hunter ahead of Brian Thomas, but I want to be below consensus on both guys.” – Erickson (29:16)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:33 | Opening banter & Halloween | | 04:56 | FantasyPros weekly ranking contest shoutout | | 09:28 | Rashee Rice discussion | | 12:39 | Michael Pittman Jr. deep-dive | | 17:36 | Marvin Harrison Jr. & Cardinals QB issue | | 23:55 | Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Travis Hunter debate | | 30:53 | T. Higgins vs. Bears | | 35:50 | Wandell Robinson’s value | | 38:51 | Quentin Johnston fall-off | | 42:10 | Is it Jameson Williams week? | | 44:31 | Closing thoughts & YouTube livestream plug |

Tone and Language

The conversation remains fun, candid, and statistics-driven, with an easygoing rapport between panelists. Holiday jokes, playful jabs over ranking mishaps, and confidence in convictions mix with clear, logical reasoning for their WR ranks.

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Rashee Rice and Michael Pittman Jr. are prime, matchup-fueled WR1s—start them confidently.
• Monitor injury news for Marvin Harrison Jr. (QB situation) before locking him into lineups.
• Temper expectations for both Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter this week, but watch the pecking order shift.
• Higgins can exploit the depleted Bears secondary, but his target share limits the upside.
• Take shots on Jameson Williams and consider Wandell Robinson as mid-tier WR3/Flex in plus matchups.
• Move on from Quentin Johnston unless matchup context substantially changes.

For full ranks and more, listeners are encouraged to consult fantasypros.com and tune in to their start/sit livestream on YouTube every Thursday at 3 pm ET.