FantasyPros - 3 Players Andrew Erickson Will NEVER DRAFT AGAIN! (Ep. 1952)

Welcome to FantasyPros. I’m Ryan Wormley with Andrew Erickson, and today we’re digging into players he’s not touching in drafts—and who you should grab instead.

Super Bowl talk is in the rearview; it’s time for February fantasy. Let’s get into the no-draft list.

Kick us off at running back. Who’s off your board, and who’s the pivot?

Christian McCaffrey is a pass for me at his early cost. He turns thirty, just handled around 450 touches including playoffs, his rushing juice dipped, and the team’s already hinting at a split; history is brutal for backs after a four-hundred-touch season, and he’s still ranked as a top-three RB.

I’d rather draft James Cook. He’s in his prime, led the league in rushing last year, fits a three-down profile, and thrives in a Joe Brady offense with Josh Allen; that’s a safer bet to hold value into next year.

Same read here. If I miss Bijan or Gibbs, I’m going receiver up top, and later in the first I’d pivot to Cook or Jonathan Taylor instead of riding CMC’s age curve.

Let’s move to quarterback. Who are you fading?

Jalen Hurts is a fade at QB6. Another new coordinator in Sean Mannion, whispers about adding competition, Lane Johnson’s durability worries, uncertainty around AJ Brown and Dallas Goedert, and Hurts has been more middle-tier than difference-maker the last two seasons, especially if the push-sneak fades.

In both redraft and dynasty, I’m taking guys like Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, or Caleb Williams ahead; if we already rank them higher long-term, I’m comfortable flipping the order now.

I always skip the top of QB tier two. I’d rather wait for Purdy, Caleb, Bo Nix, or Jordan Love, or stick within the range and take Herbert over Hurts; the ceiling and cost make more sense.

Herbert has true top-five upside with a healthy line and a modern scheme. With Joe Alt in 2025, he averaged around twenty-four per game, and without him he fell near sixteen; protection is the swing factor.

If that line gets right and they add help inside, that offense could rip, and I want Herbert before the market pushes him up.

Last one—wide receiver. Who’s the tough cut, and who’s the swap?

It pains me, but Brian Thomas Jr. is a no for me at current cost if he stays tied to Trevor Lawrence. The chemistry never clicked under Liam Coen, ancillary options produced right away, and I’m not banking on a year-two turnaround in this pairing unless a trade resets his outlook.

I can’t go all the way to never again with a young talent who’s already shown a high ceiling, especially after a price drop into that sixth-round zone; I might still take some shares, but I get the hesitation.

In that same range, I like Ricky Pearsall more. When healthy he flashed, led the 49ers in receiving yards per game, already has timing with Brock Purdy, and could step into a bigger role if their room turns over; health is the caveat, but the path is cleaner than Thomas’s.

That’s a wrap. Fun to get the wheels turning this early—I kind of wish it were August already. For Andrew Erickson, I’m Ryan Wormley. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time.