Fantasy Focus Football – "Breaking Fantasy Rules: Draft Smarter, Not Harder"

Podcast: ESPN Fantasy Focus Football
Hosts: Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay, Stephania Bell (Focus episode features Liz Loza & Producer Dave, with guest JJ Zacharison)
Air Date: August 29, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode dives into the idea that many “fantasy football rules” are more myth than law. ESPN’s Liz Loza and Producer Dave, joined by fantasy expert JJ Zacharison, encourage listeners to draft boldly, challenge conventional wisdom, and embrace uncertainty—especially in the chaotic, opportunity-rich double-digit rounds of drafts. Through player picks, strategic debates, and a mix of analytical and gut-driven insights, the episode arms fantasy managers with permission to question “normal” strategy and go for high-upside players, even if it means breaking the so-called rules.

Main Themes & Episode Purpose

• Challenging Fantasy Football Conventional Wisdom: The hosts emphasize that many “rules” are flexible or outdated, and breaking them can lead to draft-day success.
• Finding Value By Breaking Rules: Targeting players who don’t fit the mold, ambiguous backfields, avoiding handcuffs, and being comfortable with uncertainty are all highlighted.
• Mixing Analytics with Gut Feelings: The show explores how both data-driven models and personal conviction can come together for bolder, smarter drafting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rules Aren’t Real – Setting the Tone

Liz Loza and Producer Dave open by poking fun at traditional rules and discussing the psychological block managers have against breaking from fantasy dogma.

• "Today's fact is that rules aren't real." — Liz Loza [00:29]

2. Player Picks that Buck Trends

The segment focuses on three players who challenge draft conventions:

Tony Pollard (Titans, RB)

• Regarded as a “boring” pick, but presents hidden upside given recent changes (Tajie Spears on IR).
• Stat Notes: Seven games of 22+ touches in 2024, but only five rushing TDs, attributed to poor Titans offensive performance.
• Upside Case: With Cam Ward at QB, offense should improve, creating more opportunity for Pollard as a high-floor RB2.
• "He may not be flashy but that's fine. Let other players reach for flash. I will take this floor option." — Liz Loza [02:20]

Drake London (Falcons, WR)

• Outperformed despite QB instability in 2024; now has rookie Michael Penix, which excites drafters.
• "He averaged an incredibly efficient 2.45 yards per route run... 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... 23.1 fantasy points per game." — Liz Loza [03:43]

Xavier Legette (Panthers, WR)

• Not highly drafted but sees target opportunity with Adam Thielen gone and Bryce Young stabilizing.
• "With Adam Thielen now officially off the squad, he will have a boatload of targets, probably upwards of 90 looks." — Liz Loza [05:02]
• Not a core build-around player, but as a late-round flyer can provide surprise upside and depth.

3. Interview with JJ Zacharison: Embracing Chaos & Running Back Uncertainty

JJ discusses his draft philosophy, focusing on embracing uncertainty to find upside and value:

Ambiguous Backfields as Goldmines

• “Every ounce of research says that you should be embracing those situations [ambiguous backfields]... the biggest winners in fantasy football come from backfields where we think there isn't a go to, but there ends up being that player...” — JJ Zacharison [09:02]
• Action: Target “muddy” backfields (Jacksonville, NY Giants, Washington, Dallas) in later rounds for breakouts.
• On Dallas Backfield: Jaden Blue’s pass-catching and athleticism make him a preferred late-round dart, even over expected lead Javonte Williams. [11:08]

Second-Year Backs & Giants Situation

• JJ prefers Tyrone Tracy over Cam Skattebo due to pass-catching upsides and profile fits.
• “One of the things that we should all be targeting… second-year running backs who have pass-catching chops. And that is Tyrone Tracy.” [13:00]

Handcuffs are Overrated

• "I think that it’s a bad idea to draft handcuffs in."
• “I'd rather just have a high upside player who could just be good on his own without an injury… generally speaking, what we want in breakout tight ends is obviously athleticism…” — JJ Zacharison [14:45], expands throughout [15:02-17:07]

Moving To Win, Not For Safety

• “People don’t play to win. … [Handcuffing] is much more of a floor play than it is a ceiling play.” [17:07]
• Diversify for upside, don’t play from a place of scarcity.

4. Players that Stir Up Feels

• JJ’s favorite “feels” pick is Emeka Egbuka (Bucs, WR), citing team situation, prospect model, injury opportunities, and multi-role skill set.
• “Everything's been moving in the right direction. Love them as a prospect… I'm feeling very good about Egbuka right now.” — JJ Zacharison [20:40]

5. Hot Takes & Bold Predictions

• Biggest Hot Take: “Tucker Kraft finishes as a top five tight end in fantasy.” [20:51]
  • Based on rare after-catch ability, team context, and possible opportunity for top-two team target share.
  • “His yak per reception was 9.3, which is the second best that we've seen from a, a tight end. Since 2011…” — JJ Zacharison [20:58]

6. Smash or Pass Game (Player Takes Rapid-Fire)

(Fun segment where JJ, Liz, and Producer Dave give Smash/Pass on players, food, and life topics.)

• Devon Achane: Liz - Pass (injury worries), JJ - Smash (reluctantly, upside) [22:35]
• Terry McLaurin: Liz - Smash (if ADP dips), JJ - Pass (touchdown regression concerns) [23:00]
• Xavier Worthy: Both generally Smash at ADP (esp. with Rice suspension) [24:07]
• DeAndre Swift: Both Smash at value [24:40]
• Alvin Kamara: JJ – “Very hesitant Smash”, Liz – “A delicate smash. We're just gonna snuggle, that's it.” [25:34]
• Cargo Shorts: Liz – “Smash for utility,” JJ – “Pass, even though I’m a dad.” [25:48–26:24]
• Memorable Quote: "You can not call it a bad take until January 2026. That is all the sauce." — Liz Loza, on bold predictions and instant internet judgment [29:55]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On embracing uncertainty:
  “You gotta embrace uncertainty when you’re drafting. …Oftentimes that’s where the biggest winners in fantasy football come from.”
  — JJ Zacharison [09:02]

• On breaking the handcuff rule:
  “If you’re gonna 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 monster. Right.”
  — JJ Zacharison [16:21]

• On moving from safety to boldness:
  “I never want to move from a place of scarcity, frankly, in my life or also in my hobby especially.”
  — Liz Loza [17:07]

• On analytics & gut together:
  “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.”
  — Liz Loza [30:28]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:20] Tony Pollard: Case for boring picks with hidden upside
• [03:43] Drake London: Monster numbers, Penix factor
• [05:02] Xavier Legette: Why volume and opportunity matter
• [08:38] JJ Zacharison joins, interview begins
• [09:02] Embrace uncertainty & ambiguous backfields
• [11:08] Dallas backfield breakdown (Javonte Williams vs. Jaden Blue)
• [13:00] Giants backfield: Skattebo vs. Tracy
• [14:45] “Don’t draft handcuffs” rule
• [18:21] Player JJ feels most bullish about: Emeka Egbuka
• [20:51] Hot Take: Tucker Kraft top 5 TE
• [22:19] Smash or Pass game rapid-fire segment starts
• [29:55] Liz’s Barkley “regression take” and boldness in “the sauce” segment
• [30:28] Closing message: Trust your research and feelings

Takeaways for Listeners

• Be aggressive and purposeful. Wait for others to shy away from uncertainty—then pounce.
• Rookie RBs, ambiguous backfields, and endgame darts are often the best value. Don’t let “rulebook” thinking keep you from upside.
• Don’t draft handcuffs: Instead, take swings on upside wherever possible—especially on someone else’s roster.
• Believe in your research—but also the hunches that set you apart. As Liz says, “trust the facts you have researched and the feelings that they evoke.”

Final Notes

The episode mixes sharp analysis, actionable strategy, and candid philosophical discussion about what it takes to win fantasy leagues: a willingness to break rules, embrace uncertainty, and stop playing scared. Liz, JJ, and Dave bring warmth, humor, and edge, making the episode both informative and empowering for managers ready to draft smarter, not harder.