Overview of FantasyPros - 3 Players Andrew Erickson Will NEVER DRAFT AGAIN! (Ep. 1952)
Hosts Ryan Warmly and Andrew Erickson identify three NFL players they’re extremely hesitant to draft in upcoming fantasy seasons (with caveats for dynasty and potential trades). They explain the reasons—age/usage, coaching instability, QB chemistry and injuries—and recommend safer alternatives and draft strategies to consider heading into 2026 redraft/dynasty drafts.
Key takeaways
- Andrew Erickson labels Christian McCaffrey, Jalen Hurts, and Brian Thomas Jr. as players he won’t draft (or is strongly avoiding) moving forward—primarily because of workload/age, offensive uncertainty, and lack of QB chemistry respectively.
- The hosts emphasize drafting context: age, historical decline after extremely high workloads, coaching/OC stability, offensive personnel changes, and QB-receiver rapport.
- They recommend alternatives at similar ADP ranges who present clearer paths to production or longer-term upside.
Player breakdowns
Christian McCaffrey — Running back
- Why Erickson is avoiding him:
- Massive workload in 2025: ~413 regular-season touches (about 450 including playoffs) — a career-high for a player turning 30.
- Rushing efficiency fell noticeably in 2025; durability/decline concerns after such heavy usage.
- Fantasy RBs often fall off after seasons with 400+ touches (examples cited: Dalvin Cook, Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley).
- Team is already talking about potentially splitting the backfield going into 2026.
- Dynasty/redraft implication: risk he won’t be a first‑round/five‑star fantasy asset in 2027.
- Recommended alternative: James Cook — younger (26), led NFL in rushing yards in 2025 (1,621), three‑down upside in a stable Bills offense with Joe Brady/Josh Allen.
Jalen Hurts — Quarterback
- Why Erickson is avoiding him:
- Continual offensive coordinator turnover; this will be ~his sixth/someth year with a different OC.
- New OC Sean Mannion is an uncertain hire; narrative that no prominent OC wanted the job created red flags.
- Loss of key skill players (AJ Brown uncertain to return, Dallas Goedert free agent) and concern about Lane Johnson’s durability.
- Hurts has been in that “middle tier” of QB scoring (around QB6), which gives little advantage vs. other QBs drafted near him.
- Dependence on rushing TDs and short-yardage mechanics (tush push / QB sneak) that could be reduced or restricted.
- Draft strategy implication: avoid committing early pick value to a QB who is likely to finish closer to the guys behind him than the elite QB1s.
- Recommended alternatives:
- Justin Herbert — upside if offensive line healthy and with Mike McDaniel in place; historically shows much higher fantasy output when OL intact.
- Younger/dynasty targets: Jackson Dart (as discussed on the show), Caleb Williams among dynasty considerations.
- Hosts’ broader advice: prefer a top‑tier QB or wait and target late-round breakout QBs; avoid “tier two” QBs that cost mid-rounds but don’t reliably produce elite output.
Brian Thomas Jr. — Wide receiver
- Why Erickson is avoiding him:
- Troubled sophomore season—didn’t develop chemistry with Trevor Lawrence in the new Liam Coen offense.
- Injuries were a factor, but even healthy it didn’t look like he became the offense’s focal WR.
- Other pass-catchers (Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, midseason addition Jakobi Myers) produced more immediate chemistry with Lawrence.
- Concerns this quarterback/receiver fit may never materialize; trade would change the evaluation.
- ADP/placement context: slipped a lot from being a high pick as a rookie; sits around WR30 / ~66th overall in early 2026 rankings (hosts note it varies by league).
- Recommended alternative: Ricky Pearsall — played with Brock Purdy in San Francisco, high receiving yards per game when healthy, potentially better immediate role if Pearsall stays healthy and offseason moves don’t push him down the depth chart.
Actionable draft advice (from the episode)
- RBs: be cautious drafting aging RBs coming off massive workloads—look for younger backs in stable offenses or draft handcuffs/splits that protect value.
- QBs: either target Tier 1/top-tier QBs or wait to draft a late-round high-ceiling QB. Avoid spending mid-round capital on “middle-tier” QBs (QB6-ish) who give little separation.
- WRs: prioritize quarterback chemistry and offensive scheme fit. If a WR’s production seems tightly tied to one QB’s comfort, a lack of rapport is a red flag.
- Dynasty note: start thinking ahead—players rising in dynasty consensus (rookies/young QBs) will eventually supplant older, riskier veterans; consider that when evaluating redraft picks.
Notable quotes / soundbites
- On McCaffrey: “I’m very concerned… he had 450 total touches, which is bonkers for a player turning 30.”
- On Hurts: “Nobody wanted to be the offensive coordinator for Jalen Hurts… that was a red flag.”
- On Brian Thomas Jr.: “As long as Trevor Lawrence is his quarterback, I am very, very concerned about drafting Brian Thomas Jr.”
Quick reference — Alternatives suggested
- Instead of Christian McCaffrey → James Cook
- Instead of Jalen Hurts → Justin Herbert (plus dynasty targets like Jackson Dart, Caleb Williams)
- Instead of Brian Thomas Jr. → Ricky Pearsall
Final notes
- Hosts stress this is early-February thinking—plenty can change in the offseason (trades, free agency, injuries, coaching hires).
- Caveat: some picks are “avoid this situation as-is” rather than literal “never draft again” (Brian Thomas Jr. could be viable if traded; McCaffrey’s draftability could shift if workload or health changes).
- The episode blends redraft and dynasty perspectives—apply advice based on your league format and your risk tolerance.