The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Power Ranking Players We're NOT Thankful For, the Waddle Model, and Fantasy Court

Release Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly (DK), Craig Horlbeck

Overview

In the (not-so) festive spirit of Thanksgiving, Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck dedicate their weekly Power Hour to “players we're NOT thankful for.” Using their proprietary "Waddle Model" (explained below), the hosts vent about the fantasy football stars who have let them—and their listeners—down the most this season. They break down the power rankings of these vexing players, discuss the impact of unpredictable situations like injuries and underperformance, preview the big Thanksgiving matchups, and preside over an especially spicy session of Fantasy Court.

Main Segments

The Anti-Thanksgiving Power Rankings: Players We're Not Thankful For

(02:56–53:36)

Setting the Mood

• The episode's theme is about finding catharsis by power ranking the players who've caused the most misery. In Craig's words:
  Craig: “There’s just too much gratitude right now… it’s time to be a little negative for once.” (00:49)
  Danny Heifetz: “We wanted to just introduce a little negativity to your life, because I’m sure no one has enough.” (00:53)

The Waddle Model Explained (03:13–05:17)

• Definition: A model named after Jalen Waddle, quantifying how often a player hits their weekly fantasy projection.
• Danny Kelly: "Happiness is expectation minus reality." (04:41)
• Heifetz: "We're ranking them by how little they hit the Waddle Model — how rarely they hit their fantasy projection." (05:17)

The Top Players (and Teams) We're NOT Thankful For

1. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars WR
   (06:59–09:10)

   • Delivered on projections just 13% of the time (1 of 8 games).
   • ADP was WR8, now sitting at WR44 with 8.8 ppg.
   • Seven drops in eight games (up from six all last season).
   • Craig: "I mean, I wouldn't say people expected him to be awesome, but... exploded as a rookie... now there are legitimate questions if he's good at all." (08:30)
   • DK: “He just doesn’t feel like he has it. It almost feels like he has the yips.” (08:34)

2. The Washington Commanders (basically, everyone!)
   (09:19–11:56)

   • Teamwide disappointment, especially after high expectations following rookie QB Jayden Daniels’ electrifying debut.
   • Daniels: only beat his projection once out of six games.
   • Injuries and poor performance have cratered value across the roster.
   • DK: “He was supposed to be the chosen one… that’s not happening.” (11:04)
   • Star Wars riff: “I still believe—when Anakin was said to be the chosen one, he also got his arm cut off.” (11:08)

3. Alvin Kamara, Saints RB
   (12:14–14:50)

   • Hit his projection only twice in 11 games.
   • Averaging just 7.6 points per game (behind waiver wire-level RBs).
   • Danny Heifetz: “Surprising person in this list… this is Old Yeller territory.” (14:14)
   • Craig: “He wants to retire a Saint… I realized I don’t want loyal athletes.” (13:57)
   • DK: "Loyalty lies to my fantasy team." (13:59)

4. Saquon Barkley, Eagles RB
   (15:06–19:14)

   • Only 3 of 11 games meeting projections.
   • Yards per game halved from last season; yards before contact dramatically lower.
   • Craig: “Do I think Saquon's worse? Maybe... but I still think it all comes down to yards before contact.” (16:11)
   • Heifetz: “The line… hasn’t been the same. That’s made the whole offense worse because the line’s banged up, so Saquon can’t run.” (17:02)

5. The Vikings Offense + JJ McCarthy
   (19:20–23:53)

   • Jefferson, Addison, Hawkinson: All unplayable since McCarthy returned.
   • Justin Jefferson: Only 3 of 11 games over expectations; “fantasy purgatory.”
   • Heifetz: “You can’t bench Justin Jefferson, but he’s not going to play well. This is a nightmare.” (20:28)
   • Craig: “I was low on Justin Jefferson this year… at least I know their quarterbacks are good.” (23:08)

6. Lad McConkey, Chargers WR
   (24:03–27:54)

   • 4 of 11 on the Waddle Model; after a breakout sophomore year, regressed due to fewer explosive plays.
   • Craig: “Kind of like the ceiling was the roof for Lad… this year’s been incredibly mediocre.” (24:37)
   • Chargers’ offensive environment, not McConkey’s talent, is largely blamed.

7. Kyle Pitts, Falcons TE
   (28:02–31:59)

   • 7 of 11 games below projection; has never scored above projection meaningfully.
   • Heifetz: “Sometimes when Kyle Pitts drops a pass, I just think…I just fucking hate him.” (28:34)
   • Craig: “It’s over. We’re never going to mention Kyle Pitts’s name again in fantasy.” (30:00)
   • But the hosts admit: “If he signs with the Chiefs or the Rams, we’ll talk ourselves into him again next year.”

8. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals WR
   (32:13–35:50)

   • Only truly over projections 3 out of 11 times, one “exactly on the dot.”
   • Heifetz: “Maybe the most average receiver in the NFL.” (33:00)
   • Michael Wilson (on the same team) out-performed him in games when Marvin was absent.

9. Jordan Love, Packers QB
   (36:00–41:33)

   • 5 out of 11 on Waddle Model ("isn't terrible"), but lack of spike weeks and third lowest pass rate in the league.
   • Craig: “He’s just better in real life than he is in fantasy… the easy stuff is hard, and the hard stuff is easy.” (37:15)
   • DK/Heifetz: Debate where Love ranks among NFL QBs for “win a Super Bowl next year” hypothetical (settle on around QB12).

10. Courtland Sutton, Broncos WR
    (45:25–49:27)

    • 5 of 11 Waddle Models; red zone dominance gone (Troy Franklin now top target).
    • Craig: “All my teams are hurting me… it’s a mess.” (47:03)
    • DK/Danny Heifetz: “Do not trust Sean Payton.” (47:15) “When DK is done with someone, his hit rate is like, 96%.”

11. The Jets, Justin Fields & Garrett Wilson
    (51:01–53:36)

    • Fields: Only 5 of 9 over projection, with disastrous lows.
    • Wilson: 4 of 7, but still deeply unreliable.
    • Heifetz: “I like Fields this year in fantasy because I felt he was cheap and the upside was there… I didn’t know it was possible to start four games and fail to hit 55 passing yards." (53:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Waddle Model:
  “This exercise is about our beloved Jalen Waddle. Every goddamn week, Jalen Waddle was projected 12, 13, 14 points, and the MF never delivered.” — Craig (03:13)
• On loyalty:
  “Loyalty lies to my fantasy team.” — DK (13:59)
• The emotion of watching a star trapped with a bad QB:
  “We need to remember the emotions of what it’s like to watch a really talented, healthy player not be able to get the football… Not about them, about me.” — Heifetz (23:26)
• On Kyle Pitts:
  “Sometimes when Kyle Pitts drops a pass, I just think of that line in 8 Mile… I just fucking hate him.” — Heifetz (28:34)
• On Marvin Harrison Jr.’s talent:
  “If his name was Fred McDougall, he wouldn’t have been drafted that high.” — Craig (34:09)
• On Sean Payton:
  “Do not trust Sean fucking Payton. Do not shackle yourself to the whims of this egomaniac freaking guy that makes someone new the focal point of his offense every fucking week.” — DK (47:39)
• On fantasy misery:
  “We’re going to make sure you win again, Franco. I just love the idea of being in a league for years because you can’t stop winning. They won’t get rid of you.” — Heifetz (86:53)

Thanksgiving NFL Game Breakdowns

(53:36–80:53)

Packers at Lions

• Classic Thanksgiving rivalry.
• Both teams have been somewhat underwhelming relative to preseason Super Bowl hopes.
• Craig: "If the Lions beat the Packers’ ass, I'll be kind of happy. If the Packers beat the Lions’ ass, I’ll be sad. Can't explain why." (56:45)

Chiefs at Cowboys

• Potential ratings record-breaker (Cowboys always boost ratings; Taylor Swift effect expected).
• Mahomes has deep Texan/Dallas ties; ownership histories discussed.
• DK: “It’s one of those things people talk about a lot, but who actually cares about NFL TV ratings?” (61:28)
• Turkey leg tradition:
  “Everyone says it’s disgusting. Everyone says it’s cold, been sitting there for seven hours.” — Heifetz (64:09)

Bengals at Ravens

• Burrow returns—hosts debate if it makes Bengals a live underdog.
• Ravens favored by 7, but Lamar's banged up, offense in a funk.
• Heifetz: “I’ve used up my lifetime allotment of doubting Joe Burrow.” (72:30)

Black Friday: Bears at Eagles

• Hosts discuss NFL’s Amazon-powered scheduling and point out the Eagles never win by more than 7.
• Bears’ defense has forced most turnovers; Eagles’ offense fewest given away.
• Saquon Barkley called a “get-right game,” Bears “allow 5 yards per carry.”

Fantasy Court

(80:53–87:01)

Case: Franco, a (former) company league champ, claims his ex-coworkers are colluding to oust him after repeated titles, using fishy trades and (accidentally?) dropping Jalen Hurts.

Verdict:

• The guys agree: Franco is not crazy, this league is out to get him.
• Heifetz: “If you need help, Franco, we’re gonna help you. We’re gonna make sure you win again.”
• Craig: “I think there’s some… something is afoot.” (85:37)
• “Never leave. Never give up, Franco.”

Final Lightning Round & Easter Eggs

(87:01–end)

• Listener emails:
  • Subject lines like “Heifetz is my wife’s hall pass” (it’s a lie).
  • Fans send breakfast breakdowns.
  • Wrestling lore: Hulk Hogan’s absurd claims ("I wrestled 400 days a year").
• Hosts riff on 90s/00s movie references, Mr. Skin, and other deep dives.
• Close out on a humorous, festive note.

Takeaways & Themes

• Fantasy can be as much about the agony as the ecstasy—especially when expectations get repeatedly deflated.
• Environment > Talent, especially in unpredictable NFL seasons (bad O-lines, QB injuries, coaching changes can torpedo even the brightest stars).
• Fantasy Court is always open for tales of office league intrigue, pettiness, and accidental sabotage.
• Thanksgiving is for tradition, food, and… venting about your worst fantasy heartbreaks.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:13] Waddle Model explanation
• [06:59] Brian Thomas Jr. breakdown
• [09:19] Washington Commanders as a whole
• [12:14] Alvin Kamara sadness
• [15:06] Saquon Barkley's regression
• [19:20] Vikings’ offensive collapse & McCarthy impact
• [24:03] Lad McConkey’s mediocrity
• [28:02] Official Kyle Pitts Eulogy
• [32:13] Marvin Harrison Jr., Mr. Average
• [36:00] Jordan Love frustration
• [45:25] “Sean Payton will break your heart”—Courtland Sutton & Broncos
• [51:01] Jets / Fields / Wilson meltdown
• [53:36] Thanksgiving Game Breakdowns
• [80:53] Fantasy Court drama

If you only listen to one thing: The extended vent session about why high-drafted stars (Brian Thomas Jr., Kamara, Saquon, Pitts, Marvin Harrison Jr.) have ruined fantasy seasons (06:59–36:00) is both informative and cathartic for jaded fantasy managers. The Waddle Model alone is worth understanding for next year’s draft prep!

Summary compiled in the signature blend of analysis and banter The Ringer Fantasy Football Show fans love. For full effect, listen for the rants, digressions, and laughter that can’t be captured on paper.