The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Fantasy Sleepers for 2025, Cold Soup, and Staff Sergeant Reckless
Date: July 22, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into fantasy football “sleepers” for the 2025 NFL season: players who are undervalued, overlooked, or poised to outperform their draft slot. Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck break down recent NFL news and discuss how off-field events and team changes affect key fantasy outcomes. The show then moves into an energetic, well-researched conversation about various categories of sleepers—highlighting running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks—from “dad nap” obvious picks to “coma” deep darts. The episode closes with listener emails, including a hilarious and surprisingly moving segment about cold soup punishments for fantasy leagues, horses with military honors, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rapid-Fire NFL News Update

[05:39-14:54]

• Suspensions & Legal Shifts:

  • Rashee Rice (Chiefs WR): Sentenced to 30 days in jail (to be served over 5 years), likely faces a 3-4 game suspension.
  • Jordan Addison (Vikings WR): “Wet reckless” plea (alcohol-involved reckless driving); expects a 2-3 game suspension.

    “Don’t go 140 in a 55. Don’t drink and drive. Don't do any of those things. For fantasy purposes, which is always the most awkward pivot of all...” —Danny Hyfens [11:03]

• Fantasy Draft Impact:

  • Both players drop slightly in draft value, but hosts suggest buying if ADP falls, since early-season suspensions can be managed.

    “If you can get Rashee Rice around later now ... I actually don't think it's a terrible pick.” —Craig [12:32]

• Detroit Lions Injury Woes:

  • Key injuries across O-line and defense; offensive line suddenly looks average or worse, which could alter early expectations for stars like Jameer Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
  • Coaching turnover and new O-line configuration examined.

    “Suddenly the Lions’ offensive line went from a great unit to ... is this like the Niners, where it’s Trent Williams and four guys who are fine?” —Danny Hyfens [17:10]

• Cincinnati Bengals Backfield Clarity:

  • Chase Brown emerges as a likely lead back due to last season’s end-of-year usage; Zach Moss’s presence still keeps some ambiguity about a committee.

• NFLPA Scandals:

  • Hilarious and sad reporting on union execs expensing strip club visits, leading to resignations.

    “Just get an Uber to drop you off and call an Uber when—why would you have the car wait for six hours?” —Danny Hyfens [20:58]

2. Intro Music & Podcast Tidbits

[05:22-06:26]

• The classic Ringer Fantasy Football Show intro music and graphics are back thanks to listener demand.

  “The most electric I’ve ever felt in my entire life is when the little screensaver is trying to get it to go right to the corner.” —Danny Hyfens [06:13]

3. Defining "Sleepers" & Categories

[25:17-26:15]

• Sleepers don’t have to be total unknowns:
  • “Sometimes you say ‘sleepers’ and people are like, oh yeah, guys who are going lower than they want ... some people are like the third-string running back on the 49ers ... So we have just categorized different kinds of sleepers.” —Danny Hyfens [25:17]
• The categories:
  • Dad nap sleepers: Overlooked but not obscure (you’ve heard of them)
  • REM sleep (classic sleepers): Value at current draft cost, not famous names
  • Coma guys: Extremely deep shots, super-late value picks

4. Dad Nap Sleepers — “Obvious But Undervalued”

[26:14-46:05]

Kenneth Walker (Seahawks RB)

• Role: Expected to be lead running back in new run-heavy scheme under Clint Kubiak.

  “Ken Walker, just in terms of pure running talent, one of the best... Seahawks are basically signaling ... they are going to be a run heavy team.” —Danny Kelly [26:14]

• Concerns: Health and offensive line, but proven ability and better-suited scheme.

Chase Brown (Bengals RB)

• End-of-2024 Usage: RB5 over weeks 9–17; potential 85%+ share if no committee.

  “It’s like the least sexy running back you can pick that might just have the workload of all the sexy running backs.” —Craig [33:31]

• Doubts remain about Zach Moss eating into his role.

Justin Fields (Jets QB)

• Likely to start; underrated upside due to running ability in a design-heavy run game.
• Can pair with mid-tier pocket QBs for safety.

  “It’s just hard for me to imagine the reason you won your league being like, well, I drafted Tyrone Tracy, 97th...” —Danny Hyfens [45:06] “He could suck at passing and he's very likely going to, and it won't matter.” —Danny Kelly [46:36]

5. REM Sleepers — “More Traditional Sleepers”

[48:06-63:09]

Calvin Ridley (Titans WR)

• Rationale: What if #1 overall pick Cam Ward is actually good? Ridley’s strong finish in 2024 with Will Levis, potential for huge target share, improved offensive line, and lack of competition.

  “If Cam Ward is just solid—13, 1400 yards for Calvin Ridley seems very plausible...” —Craig [48:27]

• Boring offense and team keep him off radars, but all the pieces for a breakout are present.

Jacoby Myers (Raiders WR)

• Steady Production: Finished as WR26 last year despite poor QB play; big target share remains in a Geno Smith–led offense.

  “His name just flies under the radar continually, every single year. Jacoby Myers... 40th at receiver... He’s going to get a ton of volume this year in this ... concentrated passing game in Las Vegas.” —Danny Kelly [53:45]

Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers WR)

• Rookie Outlook: Was 8th overall, little buzz due to Bryce Young’s volatile reputation; targets expected to concentrate on him given lack of WR competition; rookie WRs often outperform.

  “For a guy who went 8th overall, he is flying ... under the radar for sure.” —Craig [56:54]

Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots RB)

• Fully written off after 2024; now under-ranked; likely to start season as lead back in Josh McDaniels’ classic run-heavy committee.

  “There’s no way that’s correct—Rhamondre Stevenson is 27 and he can’t be ranked 123rd.” —Danny Hyfens [63:40]

6. Deep Sleepers & Late-Round “Coma Guys”

[63:12-76:35]

Handcuffs & RB Depth Targets

• Will Shipley (Eagles): Natural Saquon Barkley handcuff, three-down skillset.
• Isaac Guerendo (49ers): Potential McCaffrey backup with immediate handcuff value.
• Tyler Allgeier (Falcons): Proved he can be a workhorse in rookie season.
• Ray Davis (Bills): Could step into a monster role if James Cook goes down.
• Jalen Wright (Dolphins): Raheem Mostert replacement; Miami offense always produces RB value.
• Trey Benson (Cardinals): Quiet rookie year, but possible second-year leap.
• Miles Sanders (Cowboys): Nearly undrafted, could start or split in Dallas—a pure opportunity play.

Notable Mention

• Roschon Johnson (Bears):
  If D’Andre Swift stumbles (either via injury or trust/fit), Johnson becomes the likely next man up in a vastly improved Bears offense.

  “If DeAndre Swift ends up in the doghouse or just gets hurt ... Roschon Johnson probably [will] be the next man up.” —Danny Kelly [74:53]

7. Listener Emails & League Punishment Segment

[77:52-94:52]

Fantasy Punishment: The Cold Soup Challenge

• Listener Mike: Loser in his league had to eat two cans of Campbell’s chicken and rice — cold.

  “Each loss, I spent weeks agonizing over the decision of what soup I should choose. If I would eat it from a bowl, straight from the can, should I chug it from a cup?” —Listener Mike [79:57]

• The crew finds this both disgusting and “perfectly achievable,” and recommends it as a universally viable punishment.

Animal Athletes and Historical Horses

• Staff Sergeant Reckless: Listener shares an incredible true story of a highly decorated Marine Corps horse who saw combat, earned multiple medals, and was promoted—including the battlefield rank of corporal.

  “Awarded two Purple Hearts, Marine Corps Conduct Medal... Life Magazine recognized her as one of America’s 100 all-time heroes.” —Danny Hyfens [91:08]

Other Comedy and Banter

• Discussion about pet arrogance (dogs vs. Secretariat), bad website domains, and fantasy football’s odd traditions.
• Participants riff about other punishment ideas and classic movie theories (e.g., Ned Ryerson as the devil in Groundhog Day).

Memorable Quotes

• “Hot people should stop making music because they lack adversity. And we should only have ugly cars.” —Craig & Heifetz, on the dangers of “cool” in culture and football [11:03]

• “The most important part of this whole story: What does it mean for my fantasy team?” —Danny Kelly [11:26]

• “If you can get Rashee Rice around later now ... I actually don't think it's a terrible pick.” —Craig [12:29]

• “He could suck at passing and he's very likely going to, and it won’t matter.” —Danny Kelly on Justin Fields [46:36]

• “It’s soup. Like, get over it.” —Danny Hyfens on the cold soup punishment [81:55]

• “Thank you to Staff Sergeant Reckless for your service.” —Danny Hyfens [94:42]

Sleeper Pick Summary Table

| Player | Team | Position | Why Sleepy (Summary) | Draft Range | |-------------------------|------------------|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Kenneth Walker | Seahawks | RB | Run-heavy scheme, new OC, still highly skilled; less enthusiasm after O-line issues | End RB1–RB2 | | Chase Brown | Bengals | RB | Huge volume late 2024, little buzz, Zach Moss possible cut | ~RB15–RB20 (~3rd–4th rd) | | Justin Fields | Jets | QB | Rushing upside (cheat code); new offense; likely starting, huge fantasy floor | ~100th overall | | Calvin Ridley | Titans | WR | Forgotten team, high upside if Cam Ward delivers; post-Hopkins production spike | WR30–WR40+ | | Jacoby Myers | Raiders | WR | Not flashy, but extremely solid and poised for high-volume role | WR40 | | Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers | WR | High rookie pick, massive target share likely, WR1 upside | ~60th overall (WR40–50) | | Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots | RB | Written off; likely lead in committee; value better than peers being drafted | ~RB40–RB45 | | Will Shipley | Eagles | RB | Saquon handcuff with three-down profile | Very late rounds | | Isaac Guerendo | 49ers | RB | Next-in-line in Shanahan’s offense if McCaffrey gets hurt | Very late rounds | | Roschon Johnson | Bears | RB | Under-the-radar Swift backup, could fill David Montgomery role | Undrafted/last rounds |

Notable Timestamps

• [05:39-14:54] — Legal news, player suspensions, and fantasy impact
• [25:17-26:15] — Defining sleeper categories
• [26:14-46:05] — Dad nap sleepers: Walker, Brown, Fields
• [48:06-63:09] — REM sleep sleepers: Ridley, Myers, McMillan, Stevenson
• [63:12-76:35] — Deep shots & "coma" running backs
• [77:52-94:52] — Cold soup punishment, listener emails, and horse heroes

Tone & Style

Light-hearted, irreverent, and quick-witted. The three hosts riff on both real football analysis and the absurd side of fantasy culture. The show remains accessible for newcomers, with explanations, strong opinions, and running jokes.

For the Listeners Who Missed It

You’ll get a comprehensive insider’s guide to finding and exploiting undervalued fantasy football players for the 2025 season—plus a healthy dose of offbeat football culture, legal gossip, food-based punishment ideas, and legitimate animal valor. Draft wisely, don’t sleep on the boring picks, and maybe keep a can opener handy… just in case.