Pat Fitzmaurice#8 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 30, 2025
Pat Fitzmaurice gave draft-or-pass calls: reluctant drafts on Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan (their WR16), Rashee Rice at a ninth-round price, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Olave, Drake Maye (their QB8) and Tyler Warren, with passes on Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, Croskey-Merritt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Hunter, the Rams receivers and Justin Fields.
Said on air or in an interview · FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast (podcast)Hear the original
What Pat Fitzmaurice said
Drake May is my QB eight.
- Where it was said
- FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast (podcast)
- The episode
- FantasyPros - Draft or Pass on These Fantasy Football Gambles: Boom-or-Bust Picks For 2025 (Ep. 1675)
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence here are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
- SaidAug 29, 2025
- GradedAug 5–19, 2026
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Calls | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fantasy Bust Calls | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Positional Finishes | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| All | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
How each call scored
14 checkable claims — 8 sleeper calls, 3 fantasy bust calls, 2 positional finishes and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 20 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
13 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 69.2 out of 100, against 29.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Sleeper Calls6 hits · 2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Rashee Rice to outplay his draft cost (the ninth round)
“So I just got Rashid Rice in the ninth round of a homely draft last weekend. I think that's pretty decent”
0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- the ninth round
- naive:
- the draft market was right and he returned about what he cost
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Rashee Rice
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- WR
- cost round:
- 9
- had to beat:
- WR36
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- WR41
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the cost the source quoted — the ninth round
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to outplay his draft cost (an end of the draft dart throw)
“And then Chris Rodriguez is like an end of the draft dart throw that I'm happy to take if I don't already have Eckler.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- an end of the draft dart throw
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- RB
- had to beat:
- RB74
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- RB45
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
RJ Harvey to outplay his draft cost (the fifties second player overall RB twenty two)
“He is worth drafting.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- the fifties second player overall RB twenty two
- naive:
- a player with no record returns what an unknown at his position is worth
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- RJ Harvey
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- RB
- had to beat:
- RB24
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- RB22
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost, and he has no prior season — measured against the startable tier
Tetairoa McMillan to outplay his draft cost (fifty nine overall)
“Couldn't agree more with you, guys. I have him wide receiver sixteen here... like this one is easy.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- fifty nine overall
- naive:
- a player with no record returns what an unknown at his position is worth
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- WR
- had to beat:
- WR36
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- WR13
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost, and he has no prior season — measured against the startable tier
Austin Ekeler to outplay his draft cost (in the mid to late thirties at running back)
“whereas Eckler, I think is probably going to lead this backfield in snaps and maybe touches too, and like is really easily draftable, like in the mid to late thirties at running back”
0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- in the mid to late thirties at running back
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Austin Ekeler
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- RB
- had to beat:
- RB36
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- RB103
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
Drake Maye to outplay his draft cost (QB thirteen)
“Draft. Drake May is my QB eight.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- QB thirteen
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Drake Maye
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- QB
- had to beat:
- QB22
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- QB2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
Christian McCaffrey to outplay his draft cost (the seventh player overall)
“he is a reluctant draft and the injury risk is absolutely terrifying”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- the seventh player overall
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Christian McCaffrey
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- RB
- had to beat:
- RB72
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- RB2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
Tyler Warren to outplay his draft cost (tight end eleven)
“Yeah, It's like George Kittle and Jeremy Shockey had a baby and it was Tyler Warren. So yes, it's a lot of havoc after the catch.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- sleeper
- cost:
- tight end eleven
- naive:
- a player with no record returns what an unknown at his position is worth
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Tyler Warren
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- TE
- had to beat:
- TE12
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- TE7
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost, and he has no prior season — measured against the startable tier
Fantasy Bust Calls1 hit · 1 miss · 1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Breece Hall to fall short of his draft cost (RB nineteen forty three overall)
“So there's just not a lot here for bres Hall if he's not playing a ton of SnO... So I don't have any interest in drafting him whatsoever.”
0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- bust
- cost:
- RB nineteen forty three overall
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Breece Hall
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- RB
- had to beat:
- RB18
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- RB18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
Tyreek Hill to fall short of his draft cost (the thirty seventh player off the board)
“I'll pass... now he's in his thirties. It's just too many things to worry about here.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- call:
- bust
- cost:
- the thirty seventh player off the board
- naive:
- he repeats last season
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Tyreek Hill
- season:
- 2025
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- WR
- had to beat:
- WR23
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual finish:
- WR107
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- measured against:
- the source named no cost — measured against his own 2024 finish
Joe Mixon to fall short of his draft cost (one O two overall RB thirty seven)
“Pass and it would have to fall into the late rounds for me to have any interest whatsoever. A foot issue, no bueno”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Positional Finishes2 close callsShow ▸Hide ▾
Tetairoa McMillan to finish top 16 at his position, by fantasy points
“I have him wide receiver sixteen here you got my rankings like he steps in new a high volume roll right away”
Finished #13called #16 · by fantasy points75Close75 − 0 naive = 75 × 2 difficulty = +150 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 150
- player:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- WR
- ranked by:
- fantasy points
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- no prior season — the startable tier at WR
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 36
- actual finish:
- 13
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- predicted finish:
- 16
Drake Maye to finish top 8 at his position, by fantasy points
“Drake May is my QB eight. I think he could give you rushing numbers very similar to what Justin Fields.”
Finished #2called #8 · by fantasy points50Close50 − 0 naive = 50 × 2 difficulty = +100 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Drake Maye
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- QB
- ranked by:
- fantasy points
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- where he finished last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 22
- actual finish:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- predicted finish:
- 8
Depth Chart Calls1 close callShow ▸Hide ▾
Austin Ekeler to be 1st on the depth chart
“Eckler, I think is probably going to lead this backfield in snaps and maybe touches too”
No. 4called No. 1 · by rushing yards75Close75 − 83.33 naive = −8.33 × 2 difficulty = −16.67 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- WAS
- skill:
- −16.67
- player:
- Austin Ekeler
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 83.33
- position:
- RB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 4
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- rushing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Who this take is about
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders, RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos, Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers, Breece Hall, New York Jets, Austin Ekeler, Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins, Drake Maye, New England Patriots, Christian McCaffrey, Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts, Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.John Breech · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 90
Breech picks the Commanders to upset the Giants on Thursday night, 24-17, and takes the Texans to beat the Browns 24-16 in Week 10 behind a pass rush that should batter Deshaun Watson.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Derek Brown · Sleeper Calls · Travis Hunter · Hit 100
Derek Brown ("Debro") laid out a slate of wide receiver breakouts — Ricky Pearsall, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Joshua Palmer, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter — while fading Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill and the cheap Cleveland/late-round types, and gave their own rankings well ahead of ADP for several of them.Chris Welsh · Sleeper Calls · Travis Hunter · Hit 100
Welsh drafted Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, the Rams and Saints receivers, Justin Fields (a top-10 QB), Drake Maye (QB10-14), Travis Kelce and Tyler Warren, while passing on Joe Mixon, the Commanders backfield, Tyreek Hill, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.Derek Brown · Sleeper Calls · George Pickens · Hit 100
Brown's five-to-one breakout list was Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tucker Kraft, Ricky Pearsall, George Pickens and Tetairoa McMillan; they forecast Brian Robinson Jr. being cut or traded, Kraft finishing as a top-five/six tight end, Pickens as a top-15 receiver and McMillan spiking for double-digit touchdowns.