Nick Whalen said he is actively selecting Drake London over Puka Nacua at the Round-2 turn because London still has another gear to hit. London has missed only one game in three seasons, then exploded once Michael Penix started: 39 targets, 22 catches, 352 yards and two scores across Weeks 16-18, highlighted by an 18-target Week 18 against Carolina. With Darnell Mooney currently banged up and Atlanta thin behind him, London projects for alpha-level volume. Whalen believes Penix’s big arm finally unlocks London’s down-field usage, giving drafters a plausible top-five finish at a discount.

Nick Whalen said Ricky Pearsall is a first-round talent the 49ers specifically selected to become their No. 1 wideout and that the team will "give him every opportunity to be the guy" because they have the league’s easiest schedule and need a perimeter play-maker to complement Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Pearsall’s early fantasy value was suppressed by a slow start while he recovered from a gunshot wound and several middling mid-season games when San Francisco was struggling, but Whalen believes that context hides his ceiling in an offense expected to push for another Super Bowl run. With Brandon Aiyuk’s situation ("the IUC news") creating additional targets, Pearsall’s Average Draft Position has already moved up to the 7th round in NFFC drafts yet he is still available in the 8th–9th on Yahoo. Whalen urged drafters to take him a round early before that discount disappears.

Nick Whalen advised fading Cooper Kupp at his current cost, arguing the veteran offers limited upside in Seattle’s new look offense. He noted Kupp looked a step slower during the second half of last season with Los Angeles and was quietly phased out of Sean McVay’s game plans. Now paired with Sam Darnold— whom Whalen calls a major question mark—and operating under the Seahawks’ third offensive coordinator in three years, Kupp sits behind target hog Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the pecking order. Whalen sees only "a few splash weeks" if Kupp stays healthy, which he views as far from certain given recent durability issues. The conclusion: Kupp’s recognizable name is masking a profile that no longer justifies a premium Best Ball pick.

Nick Whalen suggested drafting rookie Will Shipley as cheap Saquon Barkley insurance. Barkley handled a massive workload last year, and Whalen expects the Eagles to lighten that burden. Shipley’s receiving chops should secure standalone snaps, but the real upside comes if Barkley’s body finally feels last season’s mileage—Shipley would become the every-down back in one of the NFL’s best offenses.

Nick Whalen is stashing Trey Benson everywhere because 30-year-old James Conner just enjoyed what he calls a best-case health season. Whalen grouped Conner with the Joe Mixon/Aaron Jones tier of aging backs whose wheels could fall off at any time. If (or when) that happens, Benson would step into a three-down role on an improving Cardinals offense, giving him true league-winning potential at a double-digit-round price.

Nick Whalen observed that Najee Harris has quietly become the undisputed No. 2 back behind rookie Amari Hampton in Los Angeles. The Chargers traded for Harris before drafting Hampton, and Hampton’s eye injury has limited his early reps, further entrenching Harris. In a Kellen Moore system that funnels touches to a single back, Harris would inherit a three-down workload if Hampton misses time, making him a slam-dunk late-round pick according to Whalen.

Nick Whalen reminded listeners that Zach Charbonnet became a fantasy league-winner last December when Kenneth Walker missed time and nothing has changed in Seattle’s depth chart. Charbonnet still earns enough passing-down and change-of-pace work to avoid zeroes, yet Walker’s documented injury history (multiple missed games in 2023) gives Charbonnet top-15 weekly upside if the starter goes down. Whalen is drafting him as a priority mid-round handcuff who can also serve as a desperation flex.

Nick Whalen recommended late shots on Tyrone Tracy after ESPN’s Jordan Raanan told the Rotowire crew that “there is no competition right now” between Tracy and the injured Cam Scataboe. With Scataboe sidelined, Tracy has been operating as the clear RB1 in camp. Whalen acknowledged Tracy’s fumbling history and the Giants’ brutal schedule limit upside but argued that landing a likely Week-1 starter for free is still worth the gamble at the end of drafts.

Nick Whalen promoted Jordan Mason at his 94 overall ADP (RB31) as the better Vikings buy than Aaron Jones. He argued Minnesota specifically added Mason for his power, explosiveness and red-zone efficiency—areas where Jones has slipped. Camp reports have Mason outperforming Jones, and Whalen believes the so-called "1A-1B" split could quickly become a true timeshare or even tilt toward Mason. Because Whalen expects Mason to handle most goal-line work, he is happily passing on Jones a couple of rounds earlier and drafting Mason for double-digit TD upside.

Nick Whalen said Isaiah Pacheco is a bargain at his current 72 overall ADP (RB25). Whalen reminded listeners that Pacheco was a third-round pick in 2023 before shoulder and hand injuries derailed his finish, so a sixth-round price now feels like a hefty discount. He expects Kansas City’s offense to rebound and noted that rising optimism around the Chiefs’ wide-outs should translate into more scoring chances for the lead back. With no trustworthy depth behind him, Whalen projects Pacheco to dominate touches and flirt with top-15 upside, calling him one of the safest late-round running-back targets this summer.

Nick Whalen said Ladd McConkey offers a rock-solid fantasy floor because Los Angeles did not replace Mike Williams with any proven talent. Trey Harris is the only notable addition and still faces a rookie learning curve, so McConkey is locked in as Justin Herbert’s top wideout. Whalen highlighted 15 receptions of 20+ yards and six of 30+ last season to show McConkey's medium-to-big-play profile, then noted that working with an elite quarterback/head-coach combo further insulates him. The expectation is that McConkey at least matches last year’s production with room for modest growth, making him a “safe” early-mid draft pick in season-long formats.

Nick Whalen said Tucker Kraft is one of the safest tight ends to draft because he has not missed a game through his first two NFL seasons, giving managers a dependable weekly floor. Whalen expects Jordan Love to continue having many sub-25-attempt outings—he noted Love "had plenty of games" in that range last year—and believes that limited passing volume will still flow to Kraft. Thanks to that durability plus an expanded role in a Packers offense that Whalen thinks can take another step, he sees "a world" where Kraft finishes the season as a top-5 or top-6 fantasy tight end. With Kraft going late in drafts, Whalen views him as an affordable selection offering both floor and legitimate ceiling for Season-Long and Best-Ball formats.

Nick Whalen recommended Tucker Kraft as a Round 10/11 target who blends floor with breakout potential. Kraft ranked first among NFL tight ends in yards after contact and yards after the catch last year and has not missed a game in two seasons. Although Green Bay spread targets (15% share for Kraft), Whalen projects more consistent passing volume after the Packers went run-heavy down the stretch. With no alpha receiver on the roster, Kraft could climb into the top five or six at the position while still offering steady production in best-ball or season-long formats.

Nick Whalen sees Evan Ingram as egregiously under-priced around pick 100. Sean Payton intends to "weaponize" Ingram in a barren Broncos pass-catcher room where only Courtland Sutton is established. Ingram has missed just two games in four seasons and is coming off a career-best 2023. Whalen believes his ceiling rivals Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, and Travis Kelce, yet he’s being drafted 30 spots later. The tight end’s combination of durability, target outlook, and coaching fit makes him a discount TE1 for season-long leagues.

Nick Whalen argued that Trey McBride is a justified early-round tight end. McBride posted a 28% target share—elite for any position—and finished as the overall TE2 last season despite not scoring a touchdown until Week 17. Touchdown regression alone (even five or six scores) would propel him toward Travis Kelce-level production. Arizona added no significant target competition outside of Marvin Harrison Jr., so Whalen expects McBride’s usage to remain unchanged. Because drafters can grab him in Round 3 rather than Round 2 like Brock Bowers, Whalen sees more margin for ROI if McBride misses games, calling him both elite and relatively "safe."

Nick Whalen labeled Khalil Shakir a set-and-forget bench receiver. Drafted in the 80-90 overall range, Shakir consistently supplies 10-16 PPR points without disappearing weeks. He led Buffalo by 32 catches last year and out-paced every true wide receiver by at least 45 receptions despite the Bills spreading targets. Whalen likes the Bills’ soft 2024 schedule and believes the offense will again rank near the top in scoring. If managers want stability instead of boom-bust plays in that draft zone, Shakir’s volume and role make him a "safe" selection who should slide into the weekly WR3/flex mix.

Nick Whalen advised scooping Jakobi Meyers in the seventh round because the market is over-correcting for a likely dip in volume. Meyers finished as the WR19 last year and has beaten his ADP every season, yet is being drafted as the WR39. Even if new head coach Pete Carroll installs a run-heavy approach with Geno Smith, Whalen believes the 20-spot cushion protects drafters—Meyers can regress and still outproduce cost. He sees Meyers as Derek Carr’s best quarterback to date, giving the slot specialist a high-floor path to another 90-plus targets and a top-30 receiver finish.

Nick Whalen called Garrett Wilson one of the safest picks on the board because he owns the Jets’ passing game. Wilson finished fifth in total targets and seventh in target share last year despite a revolving door of quarterbacks and still ended as the WR10. He has never missed an NFL game and has already produced 1,000-plus-yard seasons with Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, and Trevor Siemian. Whalen acknowledged volatility with new quarterback Justin Fields but emphasized that Fields has at least sustained one elite fantasy WR before. With no real target competition, Wilson projects for another 150-plus targets and a WR1 finish even if the quarterback play remains shaky.

Nick Whalen tagged Ladd McConkey as a safe second-round wideout because he already commanded a top-20 league target share as a rookie and faces little new competition after Mike Williams’ retirement. Playing with Justin Herbert and a forward-thinking coaching staff should let McConkey at least replicate last year’s 1,000-yard baseline while sprinkling in medium-depth splash plays (15 receptions of 20+ yards, six of 30+). Whalen concedes the sophomore may lack a true WR1 ceiling but views him as a locked-in high-floor WR2 for fantasy drafts.

Nick Whalen reminded drafters that A.J. Brown has delivered four top-10 finishes in the past five years and remains tethered to Philadelphia’s explosive, efficiency-driven offense. While the Eagles’ run-heavy red-zone approach may cap his top-three ceiling, Whalen views Brown’s week-to-week target share and big-play ability as one of the safest bets in the second-round receiver tier, with health concerns only marginally above the position average.

Nick Whalen said David Montgomery is the safest name in the RB22 price range. Despite a three-game absence, Montgomery finished RB18 last season with 1,015 rushing yards and double-digit scores in Detroit’s timeshare. Whalen acknowledged slight offensive line and play-caller downgrades but still projects the Lions to remain a top-10 scoring unit, meaning the bruising half of the Gibbs/Montgomery duo should clear 10 touchdowns again. Compared to injury-plagued vets (Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones) and unproven rookies, Montgomery provides the most reliable weekly floor in Round 5-6.

Nick Whalen labeled Josh Jacobs the ultimate floor play at the 2/3 turn. Jacobs has logged four top-12 fantasy finishes in five seasons and missed only seven games total. Whalen expects Matt LaFleur to feed him 275-plus carries after Green Bay leaned heavily on the ground game last year, giving Jacobs a near-certain path to 1,300 yards and 8-10 touchdowns. While limited reception upside caps his ceiling, Whalen argued that relative to boom-bust peers like Jonathan Taylor or Bucky Irving, Jacobs offers the most bankable weekly workload if health cooperates.

Nick Whalen called Derrick Henry a no-brainer safety pick in the second round. Henry has posted RB4 or better finishes in per-game scoring in five of the past six years and even in his half-season 2021 injury still landed inside the top-20. Now tethered to Baltimore’s league-best 74 % red-zone TD offense, Whalen expects Henry’s goal-line volume to spike. Age and minimal passing-game usage are the only flags, but Whalen believes Henry’s unique conditioning and unchanged explosiveness make those concerns negligible relative to his dependable rushing workload and touchdown upside.

Nick Whalen highlighted Brock Purdy as the safest quarterback in the late tier, pointing to his QB14 ADP and Kyle Shanahan’s scheme that kept Purdy near league-leading EPA per play. Whalen reminded listeners that managers aren’t chasing 23-plus fantasy points—just dependable 17-point outings—and San Francisco’s YAC-heavy weapons make that benchmark highly repeatable. Drafting Purdy allows drafters to allocate early capital elsewhere without sacrificing weekly stability under center.

Nick Whalen said Justin Herbert at QB15 ADP represents a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get" pick for drafter’s who faded the elite tier. Herbert routinely clears 4,000 yards, carries solid week-to-week volume, and now has a consolidated target tree after Mike Williams’ retirement. Whalen expects Herbert to deliver stable low-QB1 numbers without the week-killing duds that plague riskier late quarterbacks, making him a perfect anchor in builds that punt the position until the triple-digit picks.

Nick Whalen advised scooping up C.J. Stroud when waiting on quarterback because his QB17 price (after pick 100) finally matches his fantasy profile. Stroud was overdrafted a year ago as QB5, but at this discount Whalen expects managers to get exactly what they pay for: a steady 16-18 point passer with minimal weekly volatility, a locked-in starting job, and high-end weapons in Nico Collins and company. Whalen called Stroud one of the few late options who lets drafters skip the elite tier without sweating matchup-based bust weeks.

Nick Whalen placed Lamar Jackson in the same "set-and-forget" tier as Josh Allen. He acknowledged last season’s career-high 41 passing touchdowns may regress, yet emphasized the Ravens’ coaching continuity, strong offensive line and red-zone efficiency (74 % of trips ended in TDs) keep Jackson’s weekly floor extremely high. Although Jackson carries slightly more injury concern than Allen, Whalen still views him as one of the only quarterbacks worthy of an early-round pick because the rushing baseline plus improving passing totals have made him remarkably safe year over year.

Nick Whalen said Josh Allen is the single safest way to spend an early pick at quarterback. Allen has finished as a top-3 fantasy QB in five straight seasons and averages roughly 40-45 combined touchdowns every year thanks to a stable mix of passing and red-zone rushing scores. Despite his reckless running style he has barely missed time, giving managers a uniquely high floor. Whalen noted the Bills changed almost nothing schematically, will again run a receiver-by-committee attack, and have one of the league’s most forgiving schedules, so he expects Allen to crank out his usual elite weekly production with minimal risk.

Nick Whalen cautioned against chasing Rashod Bateman’s late-season splash plays, projecting touchdown regression and limited target share. Although Bateman is nominally Baltimore’s WR2, Whalen reminded listeners that the offense still runs through Lamar Jackson’s legs, Derrick Henry’s volume and a tight-end duo of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Last year that trio soaked up 52% of the team’s targets. Bateman’s 2024 TD rate of one every 7.5 catches was nearly double his career average, a pace Whalen believes is unsustainable. He pegged Bateman as a volatile WR5 who will feel like the fourth passing option most weeks, advising drafters to pivot to higher-volume receivers in the same ADP range.

Nick Whalen buried first-rounder Emeka Egbuka in Tier 7, warning drafters that the rookie likely opens 2025 as Tampa Bay’s WR4 behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Trey Palmer. Whalen emphasized that Evans and Godwin combined for 48% of the Bucs’ targets last year and both are healthy entering camp, leaving only scrap-heap volume for Egbuka barring multiple injuries. Even with elite collegiate tape, Whalen projected fewer than 40 rookie-year receptions and advised treating him strictly as a deep bench hold in seasonal leagues. He prefers to wait for inevitable mid-season waiver availability rather than spend a final-round pick now.

Nick Whalen called Darnell Mooney one of the best final-round darts on the board. He expects rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to turbo-charge an Atlanta offense that already funneled 27% of its targets to Drake London last year. Whalen argued Penix’s aggressive down-field mentality can support both an alpha (London) and a high-ADOT secondary option, forecasting Mooney for a 90-plus target season if Atlanta’s pass attempts jump from 485 to the mid-550s under new OC Zac Robinson. Because Mooney’s WR70 ADP bakes in virtually no production, Whalen sees him as a free stacking partner with London or Penix in best ball while still projecting weekly FLEX usability in season-long formats.

Nick Whalen advised treating Cooper Kupp as nothing more than a bench stabilizer rather than a ceiling swing. Whalen pointed out that Kupp is now firmly the No. 2 option behind DK Metcalf in Seattle’s pecking order and projected the 31-year-old to log only 12–13 games given his recent string of soft-tissue flare-ups. Without the 32% target share that fueled his historic 2021, Whalen doubts Kupp can crack weekly WR2 ranges in 2025 redraft or best ball formats. He urged drafters to redirect sixth-round capital to younger, full-season profiles instead of hoping for a return to production that is three to four years in the rear-view mirror.

Although Whalen likes the player, he doubts Khalil Shakir can top last year’s production now that Buffalo invested Day-2 capital in Keon Coleman. The Bills want the rookie to become their boundary alpha, which would relegate Shakir to sporadic slot work. That role downgrade, combined with Dalton Kincaid’s rising target share, pushes Shakir outside Whalen’s top-45 and makes him a hard sell in 2025 drafts.

Whalen is out on Chris Olave at current prices. Multiple concussions plus shaky quarterback play leave him skeptical that the Saints’ offense can feed Olave the down-field looks he needs. Whalen expects Derek Carr’s check-down tendencies to funnel targets toward Alvin Kamara, limiting Olave to volatile WR2 weeks while amplifying risk of another missed-time head injury.

If you want exposure to the Indy passing game, Whalen says draft Josh Downs—not Michael Pittman. He believes injuries revealed Pittman’s limitations, while Downs already profiles as the roster’s most talented wideout. Whalen gave Downs an outside chance at a top-25 finish, citing his short-area burst and likely chemistry with Anthony Richardson on quick designs that protect the quarterback and move the chains.

Whalen called himself a "Jacoby Meyers guy," noting the veteran has out-performed ADP every season of his career. Now catching passes from Geno Smith—"arguably the best quarterback he’s ever played with"—Meyers should again smash his WR39 price tag even if Antonio Pierce leans on the ground game. Whalen expects the reliable slot separator to soak up short-area volume and act as Smith’s safety blanket in a scheme otherwise built around Josh Jacobs.

Whalen warned drafters that Rashee Rice’s ADP must slide until the NFL announces discipline stemming from his July 17th incident. He was comfortable taking Rice in Round 2 prior to the news, but now views any 3- to 6-game suspension as a realistic outcome. Whalen will not make a final ranking adjustment until an official ruling lands, yet advised listeners to treat Rice as a boom-bust pick whose early-season absence could cost precious head-to-head wins.

In light of Rashee Rice’s impending suspension, Whalen bumped rookie burner Xavier Worthy up within Tier 5. He expects Andy Reid to lean on Worthy’s speed opposite Travis Kelce to keep defenses honest while Rice serves whatever ban the league hands down. Worthy now projects for an every-down role out of the gate, making him a viable upside swing in the mid-rounds of 2025 best-ball and season-long drafts.

Whalen is buying Chris Godwin at cost after a "bone, not ligament" injury. He pointed out that before Godwin went down, Mike Evans was averaging just 6–7 targets, 4 catches, and 45 yards per game, illustrating how Godwin siphons volume whenever he’s healthy. Expecting Godwin to be ready by Week 1—or shortly thereafter—Whalen sees little reason the slot maven can’t immediately reprise his chain-moving role and push for 90+ receptions in 2025.

Whalen is below consensus on Mike Evans, noting that only 11 players since 2000 have cracked 1,000 yards in their 12th NFL season. Although Evans’ 11-year streak is impressive, Whalen would "rather be out a year early" than spend a late-third-round pick on a profile that screams statistical regression. With Tampa expected to lean run-heavier and Chris Godwin back at full strength, Whalen cautioned drafters not to chase last season’s production spike.

Nick Whalen said Davante Adams is still a weekly touchdown machine even as the nominal WR2 behind Puka Nacua. He reminded listeners that the Rams finished 2024 desperate for a red-zone target and that Matthew Stafford was "one of the most inefficient quarterbacks inside the 20" last year. Whalen expects Sean McVay to funnel those high-value looks to Adams, especially in weeks when the fragile Nacua inevitably misses time. Because of that bankable TD equity, Whalen is comfortable drafting Adams ahead of several younger names in Tier 4 despite acknowledging a slight age-related dip in open-field explosiveness.

After debating whether London belonged in Tier 2 or 3, Whalen ultimately promoted him because he’s "really high on this Atlanta Falcons passing game." He thinks London could leap into next year’s top-10 overall picks if the offense hits, making him a prime 2025 breakout bet.

Whalen called Garrett Wilson the "only option" in a Jets receiving corps he ranks among the league’s weakest. He noted Justin Fields has supported a single elite receiver before, and the Jets’ heavy draft and contract investment guarantees Wilson a massive target share. With Davante Adams now elsewhere, Wilson reclaims undisputed WR1 status in New York.

Whalen likes Tee Higgins’ talent but thinks his current ADP assumes the Bengals can support two top-15 fantasy wideouts— a heavy lift. Higgins’ lengthy injury history ("you can pencil him in for at least two or three missed games") amplifies the risk. Whalen expects to draft Higgins sparingly unless his price falls.

Whalen placed Tyreek Hill at the bottom of Tier 3, labeling him the hardest player to value. While Hill owns obvious top-five upside—no one else in the tier can match it—Whalen flagged several red lights: age-related decline, nagging injuries last season, and the fact that Tua Tagovailoa is "maybe the most injury-prone quarterback in the NFL." Those factors have Whalen mostly fading Hill despite acknowledging the ceiling.

Whalen believes Brian Thomas could easily be the top name in Tier 2 if you’re chasing ceiling. He called Thomas the "clear alpha" in a Jacksonville offense expected to improve under new OC Liam Cohen. Whalen is skeptical rookie Travis Hunter will command a major target share in Year 1, leaving Thomas positioned for dominant volume in what should be a more explosive attack.

Whalen slotted Justin Jefferson third but stressed he’s still the NFL’s most talented receiver. Even with rookie J.J. McCarthy under center, Jefferson’s baseline is 1,400–1,500 yards because he has already thrived through "multiple quarterbacks." A possible early-season Jordan Addison absence could even pump more volume Jefferson’s way, keeping a top-three outcome firmly in play.

Whalen ranked CeeDee Lamb over Justin Jefferson because a healthy Dak Prescott— whom he still considers a top-10 real-life and top-5 fantasy QB— supercharges the Cowboys’ passing ceiling. He downplayed George Pickens siphoning targets, suggesting Pickens could actually help Lamb by drawing defensive attention, something Lamb has lacked since Amari Cooper left. Lamb finished "fine" last year despite minor injuries; with Prescott back, Whalen expects another top-three finish.

Nick Whalen said Ja'Marr Chase is the clear 1.01 among wideouts even if his historic 2024 numbers dip. Chase led all PPR receivers by 90 points and averaged four more fantasy points per game than anyone else. Whalen argued the only paths to failure are a major Bengals offensive collapse or an injury, adding that Chase has already shown a top-three floor in any realistic scenario.

Nick Whalen played Kyler Murray over 475.5 rushing yards at –110, acknowledging the wager is ‘essentially a bet on 12 or more healthy games.’ Murray publicly said he wants to run more in 2025, and Whalen expects some James Conner regression to push additional designed carries onto the quarterback’s plate. At 475.5 yards, Murray needs roughly 40 rushing yards per game over a 12-game sample—well below his 55-yard career average in full contests. Whalen views the total as soft if Murray’s lower-body injuries stay at bay.

Nick Whalen played Baker Mayfield at 10-to-1 to throw the most interceptions. Mayfield tied for the league lead with 16 picks last year while ranking fifth in attempts, and the four quarterbacks ahead of him in interception rate are no longer full-time starters. Tampa kept its aggressive, vertical passing approach under Liam Coen, giving Mayfield ample opportunity to repeat the dubious feat. Whalen also considered Sam Darnold (10-1) and Michael Penix (15-1) but thinks Baker’s locked-in job security and track record make him the best value.