NFL Fantasy Podcast - AFC North Position Battles

Aug 2, 2025

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Rod Villagomez and Munaf Manji talk NFL fantasy Football AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals: Noah Fant joins Mike Gusecki in a deep tight-end room, but Gusecki remains the preferred late-round fantasy option due to existing chemistry with Joe Burrow.

Cleveland Browns: With Deshaun Watson re-injuring his Achilles and Joe Flacco (40) leading the depth chart, the quarterback situation remains murky. Shadur Sanders shows promise but needs development.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers targets DK Metcalf heavily, but the dual-tight-end approach with Pat Friermuth and Jonu Smith makes both fantasy-viable.
Baltimore Ravens: DeAndre Hopkins joins Zay Flowers, but Flowers remains the WR1. Derrick Henry anchors the backfield, with Justice Hill as a strong PPR stash.
Team context: The episode emphasized how team schemes (like Pittsburgh’s two-TE sets and Baltimore’s triple-option look) will influence fantasy outcomes.

🟢 Gusecki vs. Fant: Gusecki leads as the Bengals’ primary TE target, with 665 yards and 2 TDs last season, while Fant produced 500 yards and 1 TD.

🟠 Shadur Sanders’ upside: Reports praise his preseason performance, but the Browns may shelter him behind Flacco early.

🔵 Joe Flacco’s limited fantasy value: At QB36 with a 232 ADP, he’s undrafted in most formats.

🟡 Aaron Rodgers’ tendencies: Historically feeds his WR1 (Metcalf now), with TE-heavy sets likely boosting Friermuth and Jonu Smith.

🟣 Friermuth vs. Smith: Friermuth logged 668 yards & 7 TDs; Jonu Smith had 884 yards & 8 TDs. Both may hit high red-zone usage.

🟤 DeAndre Hopkins’ new role: Likely a secondary target to Zay Flowers, functioning as a veteran decoy and red-zone option.

⚪ Zay Flowers WR1: With 116 targets last season, Flowers remains Lamar Jackson’s top passing option.

🟤 Justice Hill’s value: As a pass-catching RB (403 yards, 4 TDs), Hill provides PPR upside late in drafts.

🔴 Derrick Henry workload: Coming off 325 carries and 16 TDs, Henry remains dominant but could cede snaps to preserve health.

🟢 ADP insights: Players like Hill (178 ADP) and Gusecki (184 ADP) offer late-round value in deeper leagues.

Opening Context (0:07 – 2:32): Munaf and Rod discuss preseason overreactions, such as Trey Lance hype, and frame the conversation on AFC North battles, noting most positions are set.
Cincinnati Bengals TE Battle (9:22 – 14:58): Gusecki vs. Fant dominates the discussion, with Gusecki’s chemistry with Burrow making him the safer pick despite Fant’s arrival.
Cleveland Browns QB Chaos (16:14 – 25:10): Deshaun Watson’s re-injured Achilles opens the door for Flacco, while Shadur Sanders shows promise but needs seasoning.
Steelers TE & WR Depth (26:38 – 33:56): Aaron Rodgers’ arrival makes Metcalf a top target, with Friermuth and Jonu Smith projected for significant red-zone work.
Baltimore WR Situation (35:32 – 44:23): Hopkins joins as a veteran WR2 while Zay Flowers remains the focal point. Likely’s injury solidifies Mark Andrews’ TE dominance.
Justice Hill’s PPR Flex Role (44:36 – 48:21): Hill is highlighted as a sneaky late-round stash with strong pass-catching skills.
Derrick Henry Durability (38:00 – 44:00): Discussion on limiting Henry’s workload after 325 carries to preserve him for playoffs.
Roster Depth Impact: Depth battles like these affect fantasy margins, particularly in competitive leagues.
Fantasy Draft Strategy: Emphasis on targeting late-round sleepers like Gusecki and Hill for roster flexibility.
Closing & Next Week (50:01 – 53:19): The hosts preview their next divisional breakdown (AFC South) and tease a listener league.

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