Andrew Erickson · Aug 23, 2025
Erickson's must-have targets round by round: Nico Collins in round one (1,500 receiving yards if healthy), Drake London as a top-five WR in round two, Omarion Hampton as the Chargers' bell cow in round three, Kenneth Walker as a top-five fantasy back in round four, plus Tetairoa McMillan, Jaylen Waddle, Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Mason, Tucker Kraft, Drake Maye and a set of late-round fliers.
“Nico Collins is the guy for me.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
25 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Positional FinishesDrake LondonAtlanta FalconsAug 23, 2025
“everything else is wheels off for Drake London to be a top five wide receiver”
Scored 0a naive guess scored 8.33-16.67 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -16.67
- player:
- Drake London
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 8.33
- position:
- WR
- ranked by:
- fantasy points
- difficulty:
- 2
- naive basis:
- where he finished last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 6
- actual finish:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- predicted finish:
- 5
- Player Season NumbersNico CollinsHouston TexansAug 23, 2025
“lock and load with an alpha stud wide receiver who's gonna put up fifteen hundred yards this season if he stays healthy”
Scored 48.93a naive guess scored 21.37+55.12 skillHow this was scored
- naive:
- 677.87
- skill:
- 55.12
- what happened:
- 1117
- player:
- Nico Collins
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 48.93
- baseline:
- 21.37
- predicted:
- 1500
- statistic:
- receiving_yards
- difficulty:
- 2
- last season:
- 1006
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- position average:
- 349.73
- zero at percent out:
- 50
“if he stays healthy, he's going to be a top off fantasy running back. I'm very convinced of that.”
Scored 0a naive guess scored 33.33-66.67 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -66.67
- player:
- Kenneth Walker III
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 33.33
- position:
- RB
- ranked by:
- fantasy points
- difficulty:
- 2
- naive basis:
- where he finished last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 29
- actual finish:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- predicted finish:
- 5
“once he's writing and out there playing, I think that he's going to be their bell cow”
Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SEA
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Kenneth Walker III
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- RB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- rushing yards
- naive basis:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsZach CharbonnetSeattle SeahawksAug 23, 2025
“I still think that he is going to be just the backup to Ken Walker”
Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SEA
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Zach Charbonnet
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- RB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- rushing yards
- naive basis:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“I think he's going to be the number one wide receiver on this team, at least out of the gates.”
Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 100-33.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -33.33
- player:
- Ricky Pearsall
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- WR
- naive slot:
- 3
- actual slot:
- 3
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- receptions
- naive basis:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Game Outcome PicksNew England PatriotsAug 23, 2025
“Week one, Week two Raiders Dolphins, two matchups that I feel confident that he can win in”
Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- LV
- score:
- 20-13
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- naive pick:
- NE
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“the more optimistic I am about Omaron Hampton is going to be the guy here... continue to use this guy as our bell cow”
Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-16.67 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LAC
- skill:
- -16.67
- player:
- Omarion Hampton
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- RB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- rushing yards
- naive basis:
- no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Sleeper CallsRicky PearsallSan Francisco 49ersAug 23, 2025
“why I like buying into Pearsaw here in round seven... I think Rickey Piersaw is just one of the easiest clicks that you can make”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsJordan MasonMinnesota VikingsAug 23, 2025
“Jordan Mason running back for the Minnesota Vikings... George Mason's going to have some big weeks behind this Vikings offensive line.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsTucker KraftGreen Bay PackersAug 23, 2025
“My favorite late round time end, Tucker Craft. I think that he could be a top five Titan when we're drafting next year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsDrake MayeNew England PatriotsAug 23, 2025
“i want Drake May. That's who I want as my quarterback in round ten... the best late run quarterback you can draft”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
“right now he's still on the Commanders, but all indications are if he's not traded, he's getting cut from this team”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsBhayshul TutenJacksonville JaguarsAug 23, 2025
“round twelve is Bishal toot And running back for the Jaguars”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsDrake LondonAtlanta FalconsAug 23, 2025
“Drake London, that's the guy for me in round two, and I would take him in round one if you forced me to.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Game Outcome PicksNew England PatriotsAug 23, 2025
“Week one, Week two Raiders Dolphins, two matchups that I feel confident that he can win in”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
“Bill krossky Merritt running back for the Washington Commanders... I think that round eight is probably the most aggressive I would push him up”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsBraelon AllenNew York JetsAug 23, 2025
“Round thirteen is Bringlan Allen running back for the New York Jets”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsOmarion HamptonLos Angeles ChargersAug 23, 2025
“So I went with Omaron Hampton running back for the Los Angeles Chargers because I just want to make a bet on a first round rookie running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsMarvin Mims Jr.Denver BroncosAug 23, 2025
“Round fourteen Marvin Mims wide receiver for the Denver Broncos with a full time role... Martin Mims is about to take over the world”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsJosh PalmerBuffalo BillsAug 23, 2025
“round fifteen my bet on a fifth year wide receiver breakout... Josh Palmer wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsNico CollinsHouston TexansAug 23, 2025
“I went for a player that goes outside the top five that out with a pick want six through twelve. You can get this guy... Nico Collins wide receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsJaylen WaddleMiami DolphinsAug 23, 2025
“It's Jalen Wattle round six... I think that his costs and values is going to increase as the season goes on.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsKenneth Walker IIISeattle SeahawksAug 23, 2025
“it's Kenneth Walker as my pick in round four. I just think the upside case for him in this Clint Kuback offense is a top five fantasy running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsTetairoa McMillanCarolina PanthersAug 23, 2025
“That's Roald McMillan, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. I just think that he's being drafted closer to his floor than his ceiling, which I mean he could be a fantasy wide receiver one this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.