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- [00:00]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
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- [00:16]
JJ Zacharison
Are you.
- [00:17]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
Are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right? Okay, give it a try.
- [00:20]
Liz Loza
@Mintmobile.Com Switch upfront payment of $45 per three month plan. $15 per month equivalent required. New customer offer first three months only.
- [00:27]
Mint Mobile Disclaimer
Then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra.
- [00:29]
Liz Loza
See mintmobile.com hey, I'm Liz Loza, and this is Facts vs. Feelings. The amuse bouche to your fantasy Focus main course. We are delivering more fantasy, more facts, more feelings, and of course, more fun. And now that I have your attention, today's fact is that rules aren't real. It wouldn't be an episode of Facts versus Feelings without producer Presley. Dave, thank you so much for coming back.
- [00:57]
Producer Dave
Oh, thanks for having me back, Liz. I am excited. Biggest draft weekend of the year. Let's do it.
- [01:02]
Liz Loza
Yeah.
- [01:02]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah.
- [01:02]
Liz Loza
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Most importantly, though, which rules do you most enjoy breaking?
- [01:06]
Producer Dave
Ooh, I broke a lot of rules in my early 20s, but mum's the word on that, because I think I'd be unemployed tomorrow if I. If I said any of that.
- [01:14]
Liz Loza
Do you think HR is watching?
- [01:15]
Producer Dave
Phil, they're always watching.
- [01:17]
Liz Loza
They're always watching. Okay, speaking of watching, before we get into things, don't forget to like and subscribe to this video that you are watching. You know you want to, and unlike your ex, will actually show up. I mean, I think about breaking things. I don't. Should I not? I probably shouldn't have said that. Anyway, also, this season, you can leave us a voicemail, which is probably something your ex did a bunch of as well. Hit us with your questions at 914-3488. Nope.
- [01:48]
Producer Dave
Okay, nailing this.
- [01:51]
Liz Loza
914-9143-348189-31893. 1893.
- [02:00]
Producer Dave
Let's hit the disclaimer.
- [02:01]
Liz Loza
Phew.
- [02:02]
Producer Dave
Fantasy football is a game of inches, luck, and irrational confidence. Proceed with caution. Trust your gut. And remember, ADP is a suggestion, not a command. Mock draft's a fantasy. Your real draft is war. And just because you heard it on this show doesn't mean you should do it. If all goes wrong, just say your account was hacked. Today we're talking about three guys that make you want to break the rules, Liz. And the first one on this list is a pretty boring pick. I'm not gonna lie, it's Tony Pollard.
- [02:20]
Liz Loza
So that's the assumption about Pollard and why I am willing to bend the rules because it's not real. Tony Pollard is actually quite exciting, especially at his current adp. Now you know that I have been extolling the virtues of Pollard since the beginning of the summer because of the value he was presenting. It seems as though that with Tajie Spears now on ir, the rest of the fantasy community is catching on just in time to jack up that adp. But I'm still comfortable with it as and that is because last year when Spears missed time, Pollard got all of the touches. He had seven games of 22 or more touches last year. So you might be thinking wow, that's really high volume and yet he only had five rushing touchdowns. I would like to suggest that that was because the Titans offense, a team of which you are a fan, Dave, struggled so horribly that they could never get in scoring position. I don't think that's going to be the case this season with with Cam Ward under center and so I am expecting a leap forward for the offense and I am expecting an incredible amount of volume for Pollard and where he is going to me seems like a great opportunity. So he may not be flashy but that's fine. Let other players reach for flash. I will take this floor option. He's a solid RB2.
- [03:35]
Producer Dave
All right, second player on this list, Liz Drake London Michael Penix behind center and we did not see a lot of him last year. So what's your take on this one Dave?
- [03:44]
Liz Loza
We didn't need to see Michael Penix because Drake lond posted monster numbers with the carcass of Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball. He averaged an incredibly efficient 2.45 yards per route run. He also dominated in the red area with 25 red zone looks. He managed 100 grabs, over 1200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. This is a contested catch specialist who only has eight drops over his entire career. The talent is so big and this is the best part. Yes, there was a limited sample size with Penix under center, but over those three games in which Penix and London were vibing, Penix drew 40 targets, 352 receiving yards and 23.1 fantasy points per game. There is a large chance that London can at the very least replicate his stats from last year, if not best them in 2025 with Penix as the full time starter.
- [04:42]
Producer Dave
I like that take Liz and we love good vibes on this show But a player that's not been giving me good vibes is next on this list. Last season, Xavier Leguette. I don't know about this one. What have you got?
- [04:52]
Liz Loza
Why have you not been getting good vibes from Legette? Have you ever seen an interview? He's wildly entertaining.
- [04:57]
Producer Dave
Legette's entertaining, but his quarterback is not. And he's on my Dynasty team. It's Bryce Young.
- [05:03]
Liz Loza
Actually. When Bryce Young came back as the full time starter last year, he was much more consistent. Which is why frankly so many drafters are willing to select Tetoa McMillan, the team's presumed wide receiver1. But if they miss out on T. Mac, I think Leggette is a really interesting late round flyer. He's not someone that you're going to build a team around by any means, but this is a player with first round draft pedigree and 94 percentile speed. He also did flash over the course of his rookie season last year. And this is the biggest part. With Adam Thielen now officially off the squad, he will have a boatload of targets, probably upwards of 90 looks. So if you are just wanting to find some depth in the 15th round, go ahead and take a flyer on Leggette who has the talent and now potentially the volume to surprise.
- [05:58]
Producer Dave
I like it. Breaking the rules you don't have to.
- [06:00]
Liz Loza
Be breaking, you don't have to like it. Dave, you could, I mean you can say like that is a take. I don't like it. But if we're talking about players that are like bucking trends and breaking rules, I think Legette is just interesting, just like something to entertain. Because again, when you're in that late in a draft, why not find some upside and just, you know, go for it. Because if you're not, if you're not winning, you're going to be losing, right? Isn't that how it goes if you're not first, you're last?
- [06:26]
Producer Dave
Something like that.
- [06:26]
Liz Loza
No. Okay, fine.
- [06:29]
Producer Dave
Round hole, square pick, you know.
- [06:31]
Liz Loza
And there you have it, your permission slip to ignore the so called fantasy rules. Just forget the noise because when the season kicks off, the only voice that matters is is yours. Of course it helps to know the rules before you break them. Our next guest literally wrote an entire draft guide. J.J. zacharyssen joins us after the break.
- [06:57]
Lowe's Advertiser
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- [07:26]
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- [07:56]
Amazon Prime Advertiser
This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime. From streaming to shopping, prime helps you get more out of your passions. So whether you're a fan of true crime or prefer a nail biting novel from time to time, with services like Prime Video, Amazon Music, and fast free delivery, prime makes it easy to get more out of whatever you're into or getting into. Visit Amazon.comprime to learn more.
- [08:37]
Liz Loza
Hello?
- [08:38]
JJ Zacharison
Hey Liz, it's JJ.
- [08:40]
Liz Loza
Hey JJ, author of the Late Round Quarterback and host of the Late Round Fantasy Football podcast. Hi, how are you?
- [08:47]
JJ Zacharison
I'm good. I'm ready to talk some ball.
- [08:50]
Liz Loza
Let's do it. You have a draft guide that's out right now. It's quite popular. What do you think the biggest mistake drafters make every season is, per your guide and your personal opinion?
- [09:02]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, I mean, I'd probably dumb it down to drafters don't play to win. Like they fail to embrace uncertainty. That's always the phrase that I go with. You got to embrace uncertainty when you're drafting. What I mean by that is, you know, people will look at like a backfield split and they'll say, oh, I got to avoid this backfield because there's a backfield split. Like I don't want anyone from Jacksonville because we don't know who the bell cow and who the workhorse is going to be. Or, you know, I don't want to get this rookie because rookies are unknown and I'd rather get a known commodity, you know, in my draft as opposed to going that route. But every ounce of research that I've done when I because I do a lot of research that looks at average draft position and sees what are the things that that drafters seem to overrate and underrate, and every ounce of research says that you should be embracing those situations. I've dubbed them ambiguous Backfields, right. There are these backfields where we don't know who the guy is. But oftentimes that's where the biggest winners in fantasy football come from is these backfields where we think there isn't a go to in a workhorse but there ends up being that player whether it's through injury or just through that player, you know, beating out the other guys. So I would argue that you should be attacking the Jacksonville backfield, you should be attacking the Giants backfield, the Washington backfield, whatever it may be because those prices for those players are lower. Right? Like that's the, that's the benefit in doing so. And the same thing with rookies. When people are just like really not into rookies that means that their costs lower and so then you can go after those guys and they're usually the ones who outpace ADP best.
- [10:31]
Liz Loza
So you mentioned, I love this by the way and I think you're right that being courageous enough to walk into the running back wilderness, if you will. Usually we say quarterback wilderness. Right. But like running willing to walk into a backfield wilderness and take a shot especially in like the double digit rounds can pay dividends. You mentioned Washington, you mentioned New York and you mentioned Jacksonville. I am curious about your thoughts in Dallas because that is another one of those muddy backfields. Well, people, I don't know if people think it's muddy so much as washed but there is an opportunity there. So what are your thoughts on the Cowboys backfield?
- [11:09]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, you know I, I mean obviously like Javante Williams, you know is going to get first crack and I, I think he's got the highest like floor and he's like the best projected running back. But again I, I think that when you're in those like double digit rounds and you're starting to inch towards like just dart throw territory, I'm going to go for upside. I'm going to go for the player who I think could be electric out of the backfield, could be a difference maker type, difference making type player. I don't know if Javante Williams has that in him anymore after watching the last couple of years basically since that knee injury. So Jaden Blue has been my, my dude, you know, he's someone who, that's your target. Yeah, I have, I have a prospect model, the Zap model, very appropriately named the Zacharys and adjusted prospect model. And the Zap model liked Jaden Blue quite a bit because his receiving profile was just so strong coming out of Texas. And he also is a little bit undersized which is a little bit of a concern in terms of him like hitting like a true like 180, 190 kind of rush attempt season. But I do think that, that we could see him and I'm not comping him to this player, but I do think that Dallas could realistically use him in like a Jameer Gibbsy type role like we saw year one from them or even like a early career Tony Pollard type type role. Right where we see him maybe inch towards that like 10, 11 target share, maybe not get a ton of work on the ground. But we know that receiving is just so important at running back, especially in PPR formats. And so I'm going to, I'm going to lean towards Jaden Blue. You know, if you go with like a hero rb or a 0rb approach. I can understand getting Javante just to kind of get some production early on, but wouldn't surprise me at all if as the season goes on, Blues, you know, athleticism, his explosiveness is just kind of undeniable.
- [12:47]
Liz Loza
And the freshness of those legs obviously as well.
- [12:49]
JJ Zacharison
Right.
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Liz Loza
So what about using what does the Zap model say about the Giants backfield, particularly because Cam Scatter Boo and Tyrone Tracy are going back to back in adp.
- [13:00]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, it's interesting. Like the, the model liked Cam Scatter Boo quite a bit just because his production profile was so strong and it's based on analytics and in production and all that kind of stuff. The, the one downside for him was that he wasn't, he didn't test as a great athlete. Like he's not necessarily someone that had like a, an awesome speed score which is weight adjusted 40 time and stuff. He did get some decent comps. Like Kareem Hunt was one of the comps for Scatter Boo, which is pretty attractive. My thing though is that if you look at ADP trends for like redraft, one of the things that we should all be targeting and going after are in those middle rounds. Not just these ambiguous backfields, but second year running backs who have pass catching chops. And that is Tyrone Tracy. Like that's him to a T. I mean he's a converted wide receiver. He kind of struggled a little bit as a pass catcher last year, but I think it's at least in his arsenal. And so I've been going after Tyrone Tracy a little bit more. Made it easier to do that with the Scatter Boo injury. But yeah, I mean like, like I like both of these guys, which makes it kind of difficult, you know, to, to go all in on one of them. But if I were to choose one, it would be Tracy over Scatterboo.
- [13:59]
Liz Loza
I think it's interesting because it's weird that Scatter Boo was a player that so many drafters are willing to walk into the wilderness with and for and, and shy away from Tracy. So I feel like this is the inverse of the quote mistake that you were talking about. Like, some players just catch fire. Also, Scatter was just so fun to like, watch, right?
- [14:18]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, he's.
- [14:19]
Liz Loza
And so players like that catch fire. But maybe not everyone is taking into account the entire ecosystem with which these players are, are playing. I want to ask now, you know, we're talking about mistakes and, and rules, and there seem to be all of these quote rules, but as you are explaining, rules don't really exist. They're here to be broken. So what is the quote rule that you encourage drafters to eschew on a regular basis?
- [14:46]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, look, this is, this might be a little controversial what I'm about, because it's been something that we've been doing in fantasy football since fantasy football started, but I think that it's a bad idea to draft handcuffs in.
- [14:58]
Liz Loza
Oh, agreed. Go ahead and preach. Tell them exactly why.
- [15:02]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, so look, there are some instances where you might want to do it. You know, if you are in a, a league where you feel really good about your roster and you draft Kenneth Walker and you really want like Zach Charbonnet or something like that is the one.
- [15:13]
Liz Loza
Yes.
- [15:13]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. Like, like where, you know, the injury is already there. And like, I, I get all that. But here, here are the reasons to not draft handcuffs. There's a difference between drafting too then versus picking them up as the season goes on, where they're going to be on the waiver wire. But the first thing is you're gonna be using a bench spot on an asset that's just taking zeros at, you know, beginning parts of the season when the waiver wire is hectic and we're kind of learning the landscape of the season. And so I don't really want to do that. I'd rather just have a high upside player who could just be good on his own without an injury. They're often one of the first players that gets dropped. So again, you're going to draft a Taj Brooks or something who I like as a player, but we, you know, he has no standalone value, more than likely, unless Chase Brown gets hurt. And if Chase Brown's not hurt the first three or four weeks of the season, Taj Brooks, once bye Weeks hit and stuff, you're going to be dropping him, he's going to hit your waiver wire, which means someone like me or you or whomever who isn't drafting these handcuffs, you know, later on in the season, you could then just go pick them up like they're going to be on the waiver wire much more than they get drafted. Oftentimes we don't get the handcuff right. We think we know what these backfields look like, but we just don't. I mean, again, there's some instances where of course, Zach Charbonnet is the backup to Kenneth Walker and would be, you know, bell cow if he were to get injured, but we generally don't know who the handcuffs are going to end up being. And then the last point, I think goes back to what I said at the start, where people don't play to win and drafters don't play to win, it's much more of a floor play than it is a ceiling play. Right. You're doing this from an insurance perspective. Like you're saying, I'm getting Taj Brooks because I have Chase Brown. But in my opinion, if you're going to go that route, if you're going to get a backup running back, do it with a running back that's not on your team because then exactly. If that running back goes down, your team is a, is a monster. Right. You're about to just destroy everybody because now you have an extra usable running back. Now the argument obviously on the reverse side would be okay, but then if I have Chase Brown and he goes down and I don't have Taj Brooks, then, then I'm, I'm out of luck. And it's like, yeah, I get it, but that's kind of what you have to do in fantasy football because if you're not first, you're last, you know?
- [17:08]
Liz Loza
Well what. Because one at one. Exactly. One is a scarcity model, right? You're moving from a place of scarcity and the other is you're moving from a place of being aggressive, right? You're strategizing that if you have Jordan Mason and somebody else is playing a zero RB strategy or a late round RB strategy and they're picking up a floor player like Jones and then also trying to ensure him with Jordan Mason, that's a whole lot of space. But you have so much more potential capital at your avail if you're diversifying your portfolio. I don't want to sound like a Stonks guy, but that's basically what you want to do. And I never want to move from a place of scarcity, frankly, in my life or also in my hobby especially. So I love that you're bringing up that point as like the bold print at the end of the soliloquy, because to me it is the most important. Let's talk about. Obviously the name of the show is Facts versus Feelings and you are wonderfully analytically minded. You talked about zap and you talked about strategies and all of these things. You height, weight, speed, spark, all the things. But I know that you have a heart. I know that you are an east coast dad. I know that there are feels inside of you who is a player that is like maybe stirring something up inside of J.J. zachary.
- [18:21]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. I mean, probably a Mechagbuka would be. Would be my. My.
- [18:26]
Liz Loza
Go to here, daddy. I love him. Tell them yes.
- [18:30]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. You know, I just. It seems like everything's falling. It's just falling into place for him at this point. Right. You get the, the Chris Godwin stuff, which is still pretty ominous. I know that he's not on pup, but it just still feels kind of weird that he hasn't even been like jogging very frequently on. On practice fields and stuff. And I feel a little bit nervous about that. Jaylen McMillan now is likely not going to play until, I mean, if he plays this year, until later in the season after that brutal, you know, neck injury that he had.
- [18:57]
Liz Loza
Injury. Yeah.
- [18:58]
JJ Zacharison
And then. And then Kate Otten's hurt now too. I mean, I don't know how bad it's going to be, but like there's just another pass catcher in this offense that we're seeing that that Mecca bug doesn't have to deal with. He was a really good prospect in that ZAP model. Really versatile. That's something that the model looks at is someone who can line up all over the field, someone who took. Took work on the ground too. He wasn't just only a pass catcher and obviously is, excuse me, is coming from a system in a school that has produced unbelievable talent at Ohio State. And he was playing amongst those players and still getting pretty strong production. You know, I think a lot of people sort of typecasted Mechagbuka as being a slot only player coming out of college and that he would only be.
- [19:43]
Liz Loza
Able to play because so many of the comps like he was so. Well, he was so productive in the slot. But also he comped to JSN so frequently that I think people just copied and like plugged and played that same analysis of him.
- [19:55]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. And like Robert woods was another pretty common. That was actually one of his analytical comps too. And yes, like he, he can play the slot for sure, but he was also like fourth best in yards per hour run in this class on the, on the perimeter. You know, he and, and of all teams for him to go to, it's kind of intriguing that he went to Tampa Bay because last year Tampa bay drafted Jalen McMillan who was a pure slot in college, and they did not use him in the slot at all as a rookie. I think that Tampa Bay is just like, give me good pass catchers. If he's talented, I just want him and we'll figure it out from there. And they're doing that with Igbuka. Everything's been, been moving in the right direction. Love them as a prospect. Like the model didn't see him as that much worse than like Tedro and McMillan. Like, that's how, how favorable, you know, things looked analytically for him. So I'm very, very, you know, I'm feeling very good about Igbuka right now.
- [20:41]
Liz Loza
You're bullish.
- [20:42]
JJ Zacharison
Very bullish.
- [20:43]
Liz Loza
Yes, very bullish, to use the parlance. Last question before we play a little game. What is your biggest fantasy hot take for the 2025 season?
- [20:51]
JJ Zacharison
I'm going to go with Tucker Craft finishes as a top five tight end in, in fantasy.
- [20:56]
Liz Loza
Have not heard that one. Okay, explain.
- [20:58]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, so look, last year he was a yak machine. His yak per reception was 9.3, which is the second best that we've seen from a, a tight end. Since 2011. The only other tight end that's gotten to that point was George Kittle. Though, you know, sometimes when these metrics are, that are bound to regress, they can still still tell us a decent story. And with, with Tucker Kraft, that story is if you look at other players who have been at just 7.5 yards after the catch per reception, he was at 9.3 last year. You just get hit after hit after hit. It's like David and Joku, Dallas Goddard, George Kittle, Evan Ingram, Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce. I mean, it's just good player after good player. And generally speaking, what we want in breakout tight ends is obviously athleticism, which I think, you know, we've. He's proven that he has that. But also you want a path to this player being a top two target getter on the team. And I love Matthew Golden. I think that he's a good pick and redraft. Jaden Reed, though, is banged up. He's got this this Jones fracture that he's dealing with. Romeo Dobbs is fine, but he's not like a special, obvious target earner. And so, realistically, I think Tucker Kraft could be a top two target getter on that team. And then you match that with his athleticism. And honestly, the tight end position is kind of a question mark outside the top three anyway, so, you know, it's a little bit easier for. For me to say that he'd be top five just because of that. So I think that he. That it is in his range of outcomes to finish that high.
- [22:16]
Liz Loza
All right, jg, do you want to play a game?
- [22:18]
JJ Zacharison
Let's play a game. Let's do it.
- [22:19]
Liz Loza
All right, we're going to play a game called Smash or pass. Producer Presley is going to come on, mention a player, and then we will say whether we are smashing on that player or passing. Understood?
- [22:30]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. Let's do it.
- [22:32]
Producer Dave
All right, Number one, Devon Achan.
- [22:36]
Liz Loza
Pass.
- [22:38]
JJ Zacharison
Oh, man, the injury's tough. I'm gonna say Smash.
- [22:40]
Liz Loza
Yeah.
- [22:40]
JJ Zacharison
But the injuries makes it really tough, though.
- [22:42]
Liz Loza
For me, it's the injury, specifically the calf strain, noting his skill set, which speed is the largest piece of. Right. So if I am wanting an RB one, I just don't trust it, and I'd rather, like, adjust my strategy. So right now, a week before the season, I'm passing.
- [22:59]
Producer Dave
Yeah.
- [22:59]
JJ Zacharison
It's fair.
- [23:00]
Producer Dave
Smash or Pass Terry McLaurin.
- [23:02]
Liz Loza
Smash.
- [23:04]
JJ Zacharison
I'm passing on McLaurin.
- [23:05]
Liz Loza
Okay, tell me.
- [23:07]
JJ Zacharison
I'm just. I'm worried about, you know, the progression. Yeah. There's the regression with the touchdowns. Like, last year, he had over 40% of the passing touchdowns for them. And the only guys who have done that consistently since 2011 have been, like, DeAndre Hopkins, Devonte Adams, like, like, pure touchdown scorers. And then, you know, Washington, like, I. I love them, obviously, as an offense, but I think there's this assumption that they can only get better, but they were already a really good offense.
- [23:30]
Liz Loza
Hitting a ceiling.
- [23:31]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah. So I just worry about him being able to maintain the. The touchdowns.
- [23:35]
Liz Loza
I think there might be a little bit of a dip in his adp, and so I'm willing to Smash. Assuming there's a discount.
- [23:41]
Producer Dave
Olives in martinis.
- [23:44]
Liz Loza
Smash times three.
- [23:45]
JJ Zacharison
Oh, I'm. I'm the complete opposite of Liz everywhere. I'm passing here past.
- [23:50]
Liz Loza
You don't like olives or you don't like martini?
- [23:52]
JJ Zacharison
I hate olives. And I'm like, okay, with martinis. I hate olives.
- [23:55]
Liz Loza
What do you put on your pizza?
- [23:58]
JJ Zacharison
A lot of other. But banana Peppers are probably my go to.
- [24:01]
Liz Loza
Oh, I like banana peppers. We can agree on that. I like especially on a sub. Anyway. Next.
- [24:05]
Producer Dave
Olives on pizza are gross. Next.
- [24:07]
JJ Zacharison
Xavier Worthy Smash at his ADP right now. Probably Smash. I'm like in the middle though, you know, it's not really like either way. Way.
- [24:18]
Liz Loza
It's the ADP mixed with the definitive six week suspension for Rice. Right, right.
- [24:23]
JJ Zacharison
Exactly. Yeah. I mean, it's weird like, like when we learned about the suspension that it was going to happen this year with Rashid Rice, Xavier Worthy's ADP didn't like shift.
- [24:32]
Liz Loza
It didn't move.
- [24:32]
JJ Zacharison
You know that that's the reason why I went from like, I'm scared of Worthy to no, I'm going to probably just be drafting him.
- [24:38]
Liz Loza
Value conversation. Agreed.
- [24:40]
Producer Dave
All righty. DeAndre Swift.
- [24:44]
Liz Loza
At value Smash.
- [24:46]
JJ Zacharison
Oh, man. There's another like in the middle one. I'll say. I'll agree with Liz there. I'll just go with Liz there because the pass catcher. You know, I think. I think it should be. Should be there at Liz.
- [24:55]
Producer Dave
All right. This one's spicy. Wrapping your meat on the grill.
- [25:06]
Liz Loza
I don't. I don't eat red meat or pork. So I, I am. I think it's lazy. I am anti wrapping your meat. You should not be lazy and use the tin foil. You should do it the real man way.
- [25:21]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, I'm passing. You gotta. You gotta get those. Those nice grill marks, you know, you gotta.
- [25:26]
Liz Loza
Yeah. Okay.
- [25:28]
Producer Dave
Alrighty. Alvin Kamara.
- [25:34]
Liz Loza
I feel like I've gone first every time, so I kind of want JJ to go every time.
- [25:38]
JJ Zacharison
This one I'll say a very hesitant smash.
- [25:42]
Liz Loza
A delicate smash.
- [25:43]
JJ Zacharison
A delicate smash. That's right.
- [25:45]
Liz Loza
Yeah. We're just gonna snuggle. That's it.
- [25:48]
Producer Dave
And finally, cargo shorts.
- [25:51]
Liz Loza
Oh, Pats. Wait, hold on. I thought about this. I normally would say pat. However, I don't want to go out in the world carrying all of my things. But if I am with someone who happens to be wearing cargo shorts, then my sunglasses, my lip gloss, my. My phone can all be off of my person and on someone else's. So for the sake of utility. Smash.
- [26:14]
JJ Zacharison
Look, I'm a dad and I'm still. I know I'm still saying pass in the cargo shorts. I'm still there. I mean, maybe, maybe middle school and high school, JJ would have said smash. But I am, I am absolutely passing on the cargo shorts.
- [26:25]
Liz Loza
I appreciate your commitment to the cool and admitting that you're a dad. Good for you, jj.
- [26:32]
Producer Dave
And that was a game of Smash youh pass. Thanks for playing.
- [26:34]
Liz Loza
That was it. Jj, thanks so much for coming on. Can you please tell everybody where to find your work? Not just obviously during draft season, but throughout the entire regular season as well?
- [26:44]
JJ Zacharison
Yeah, I got the Late Round Fantasy Football podcast. You can find that anywhere you get your podcast and all my work is over on Lateround.com wonderful.
- [26:52]
Liz Loza
Thank you so much JJ. Good luck this season and talk to you soon.
- [26:55]
JJ Zacharison
Thanks. You too.
- [26:56]
Liz Loza
We've got a new segment where we're calling people out. No more tiptoe and y' all are getting all the sauce.
- [27:06]
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- [27:49]
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- [28:22]
Liz Loza
So last week I went to the Bahamas I know Cry me a river and I was asked by one of our lovely social media people at ESPN to give my Saquon Barkley take. I have given it here on this platform and I simply said that while Saquon Barkley is undeniably one of one and what he did in 2024 was absolutely historic, he also, and we have to acknowledge, touched the ball a historic number of times, 484 total touches including the postseason. I also added that I personally dove into the numbers, a decade's worth of numbers, and that every single running back who had exceeded 300 carries and 20 receptions suffered a regression in yards per carry, yards per touch, and fantasy points per game, and that therefore I would not expect Barkley to match and certainly not exceed his 2024 production in 2025 instead. If I'm going to play to win and I am going to be bold and I am going to bend rules, I would rather take a shot on Ashton Genti, who has the freshest legs and the highest projected volume of any running back going in the first round. Well, you would have thought that I said that Saquon Barkley was going to bust. In fact, I said he may not bust, but he will regress. And everybody got up in their feelings, got up in my comments. That's fine. Y' all have your takes. But I guarantee if I hadn't said something, which was evidentiarily based, if I hadn't said something, something that was a little bit different, y' all would have said doesn't say anything. Her takes are all flat. She just says the same thing over and over again. Now, is Ashen Genti a known quantity? No. But are we playing to win or are we playing to be safe? You just heard JJ say that if you're not first, then you're last. So go ahead and bend some rules and then don't come at me because you only need validation. You don't like the take, that's fine. You don't have to like the take, but you can cannot call it a bad take until January of 2026. That is all the sauce.
- [30:24]
JJ Zacharison
Last call.
- [30:28]
Liz Loza
Today we learned that HR is always watching, that cargo shorts provide utility and that rules are meant to be broken. Remember, you have to have the courage to trust the facts you have researched and the feelings that they evoke because that amalgamation of assets is way more real than any imagined rule. Big thanks to JJ Zacharison for joining the show and playing along. And as always to producer Dave for keeping me honest. Be sure to check out my pre season edition of Facts versus Feelings, the column which just went live on the dot com. And remember, you can leave us a voicemail. This is exciting. Hit us up at 911 434-81893. Until next time, may your facts be solid, your feelings be right, and your bus be someone else's problem.