The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast · The Athletic

Division Previews - AFC and NFC South

·50 min·4 clips

Brandon Funston reveals how he got stuck in a sweltering elevator for an hour with the fantasy crew.

Chris Welsh and Brandon Funston preview the AFC and NFC South divisions for fantasy football. They discuss key players and draft strategies for each team, focusing on value and risk assessment. The hosts analyze the Houston Texans, noting C.J. Stroud's rookie status caps the offense's ceiling. Brandon Funston targets John Metchie as a late-round flyer, while both see Dalton Schultz as a potential safety net for Stroud. They express concern about a backfield split between Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary. DeAndre Hopkins' arrival in Tennessee significantly lowers Treylon Burks's fantasy appeal, according to Funston. He ranks Hopkins around WR17, comparing him to Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper. Calvin Ridley's high ADP (WR18) is questioned, with Funston preferring the value of Christian Kirk at WR29. Travis Etienne's goal-line efficiency was poor last season, and the addition of Tank Bigsby creates uncertainty. Anthony Richardson is discussed as a high-upside QB2 target in drafts, with his rushing ability offering top-six quarterback potential. The messy Jonathan Taylor situation leads both hosts to avoid him at his current ADP. Miles Sanders is highlighted as a primary focal point in Carolina, especially in the red zone. Rachaad White is viewed as a value pick at running back due to his pass-catching role, though Tampa Bay's quarterback play is a concern. Drake London is favored over Kyle Pitts in Atlanta's run-heavy offense. Funston is more optimistic about Drake London than Christian Watson, citing London's strong rookie finish. He expresses skepticism about both Ridley and Watson due to their respective uncertainties. The potential for a running back committee in Jacksonville with Etienne and Bigsby is a key debate point. Richardson's fantasy floor is considered relatively safe due to his projected rushing production, making him an attractive target after the top quarterbacks are off the board. The hosts note Jonathan Taylor and Josh Jacobs are both falling in drafts due to contract situations, with Jacobs presenting better late-round value. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending personal draft anecdotes with data-driven player evaluation. This episode is ideal for fantasy managers seeking detailed division previews and actionable draft advice for the South divisions. Listeners looking for breaking news or narrative-driven storytelling might find the focus on draft strategy too granular.

As heard by us

A loose South division preview that turns draft-room arguments into usable fantasy decisions.

This South division preview works best when it sounds like a draft room instead of a broadcast booth. Welsh, Funston, and the absent Jake Seeley move from rooftop-dinner chaos into the fantasy questions that matter, using Jaguars and Colts talk to frame explosiveness, backfield…

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Why you'd press play

You want Jaguars and Colts draft talk that can move your board.

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