Fantasy draft season has arrived, and if the latest episode of the podcast is anything to go by, Wade and Ryan are already several beers deep into draft-strategy chaos — and honestly, that’s exactly how it should be, in this Final Fantasies podcast. With NFL Week 1 kicking off Wednesday, September 9th, fantasy managers everywhere are dusting off their Sleepr apps, running mock drafts, and trying to figure out whether this is finally the year they avoid “running back hell.” Spoiler: Ryan says no more.
The Running Back Problem
Ryan came into this episode with a manifesto. After years of getting burned chasing running backs mid-draft, he’s committing to running back, running back with his first two picks — no matter where he lands in the draft order. His reasoning is simple: receiver depth is forgiving, but once your lead back goes down, you’re stuck hoping a backup scores “one yard touchdowns.” He’s also steering clear of any committee backfield — think Kyron Williams and Blake Corum sharing touches in LA — because splitting carries means splitting fantasy points, and nobody wants to “live in a thruple” with two other running backs on the same roster spot.
Quarterbacks: Wait Longer Than You Think
One of the most useful nuggets from this episode is Ryan’s read on the quarterback position. Even with his personal soft spot for Josh Allen, he’s arguing the value gap between elite and mid-tier quarterbacks has narrowed so much that grabbing a passer in round two or three might not be worth it anymore. His logic: you can land a Dak Prescott-type option several rounds later and use those early picks to double up on a strong running back and receiver instead. It’s the kind of contrarian, data-meets-gut-feel thinking that makes the podcast worth following if you’re building a draft board this month.
The “Toxic Ex” Players
This is where the episode really leans into the fun, inquisitive format the show is known for. Wade asks Ryan to name a player he equates to a “toxic ex” — someone he keeps drafting despite years of disappointment — and Ryan doesn’t hesitate: Garrett Wilson. Talented, stuck in a bad situation, and heartbreak season after season. They also work through “fantasy Viagra” players (guys who look dead in the water and then explode), early-season fade candidates, and a rapid-fire “draft or pass” round covering names like Stefon Diggs, DK Metcalf, and Aaron Rodgers. It’s the sort of banter that makes fantasy prep feel less like homework and more like arguing with your smartest, funniest friend about who’s actually worth a roster spot.
Tight End Strategy (Or Lack Thereof)
Ryan’s advice here is refreshingly low-stress: outside of the top three or four tight ends, the difference between the fifth-ranked option and the fifteenth is barely worth stressing over. Rather than reaching early for a name, his approach is to wait, let the position sort itself out, and avoid the annual trap of drafting a tight end expecting a breakout that never comes.
Rookies to Watch — Cautiously
The rookie roulette segment covers three names fantasy managers are buzzing about heading into Week 1: a rookie running back who may not see real volume until the back half of the season, a rookie quarterback likely to sit behind an established starter for at least a month, and a rookie receiver who could deliver explosive plays in flashes without full-time snaps. None of them are locks — and Ryan’s take on each is a good reminder that draft-day hype doesn’t always match Week 1 reality.
Why You Should Actually Listen
What makes this episode worth a full listen rather than just skimming a recap is the back-and-forth. Wade and Ryan don’t just rank players — they interrogate each other’s logic, throw in “would you rather” match-ups (Daniel Jones or Cam Ward? Justin Herbert or Jaxson Dart?), and argue about draft-clock etiquette from the days of six-hour pub drafts to today’s ninety-second digital picks. It’s opinionated, occasionally chaotic, and never boring — which is the whole point of a show built around NFL fandom that spans London, Europe, and everywhere in between.
If your fantasy draft is coming up this week or next, this episode is essentially a cheat sheet disguised as a conversation between two mates who genuinely disagree with each other. Whether you’re drafting in a 10-team keeper league or a casual 12-team pool with friends, there’s a strategy note, a sleeper pick, or at least one good laugh in here for you. Catch the full episode here:
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