17 Must-Have Players Fantasy Football Experts LOVE to Draft (Ep. 1647)

Aug 10, 2025

Jeff Ratcliffe, a Sirius XM radio host and fantasy football analyst, joins Joey Pisapia and Scott Bogman to discuss must-have players for fantasy drafts. They highlight Bucky Irving and Isaiah Pacheco's appeals in various draft strategies. The trio delves into rookie talents like Omarion Hampton and potential Superflex QB stars like Caleb Williams. Strategies for navigating zero-RB drafts and the importance of late-round picks such as Tank Bigsby are also explored, offering insights to help fantasy managers excel in their leagues.

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INSIGHT

Contract Guarantees Affect Player Evaluation

Contract guarantees matter when evaluating player availability and long-term value.
Jeff Ratcliffe prioritizes guaranteed money over rumors when assessing roster stability.

INSIGHT

Hero-RB Can Start In Round Two

Hero-RB builds can be executed in the second round using high-upside backs outside the top five.
Jeff Ratcliffe cites Bucky Irving as a second-round hero-RB target due to role and late-season breakout.

ADVICE

Lean On Stable Offensive Roles

Target playmakers who fit stable offensive game plans rather than relying on big scheme changes.
Scott Bogman recommends De'Von Achane as a hero-RB candidate based on role continuity with Tua.

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Joey Pisapia, Scott Bogman, and Jeff Ratcliffe break down the absolute must-have fantasy football players for 2025. Learn why Bucky Irving, Caleb Johnson, and Isaiah Pacheco stand out in hero-RB and zero-RB strategies.

The guys also examine standout rookies like Omarion Hampton and Kaleb Johnson, deep dart QB picks including J.J. McCarthy and Caleb Williams, plus late-round “flag plant” upside with Tank Bigsby and Matthew Golden. Insights that help fantasy managers dominate their leagues.

Timestamps (May be off due to ads):

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:31 - What Makes a Must-Have Player
0"04:34 - Must-Have RBs for Hero and Zero RB Builds
0:05:23 - Bucky Irving
0:06:58 - De’Von Achane
0:11:13 - Isiah Pacheco
0:12:55 - Kaleb Johnson
0:15:03 - DraftKings
0:16:25 - Other Must-Have Players for Zero RB Builds
0:16:54 - George Kittle & Mike Evans
0:18:51 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba & DJ Moore
0:22:04 - Must Have Players Outside the Top 50 Overall
0:23:01 - Jameson Williams
0:24:45 - George Pickens
0:27:34 - Fantrax
0:28:45 - Superflex Must-Have QBs
0:29:16 - JJ McCarthy
0:31:58 - Caleb Williams
0:34:24 - Draft Assistant
0:35:45 - Our Guys
0:36:19 - Tank Bigsby & Trey Benson
0:39:07 - Matthew Golden & Anthony Richardson
0:45:56 - Listener Mailbag
0:49:33 - Outro

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