Fantasy Focus Football: “Fantasy Players Whose ADP Gives The Ick 😬 + Inside Rainn Wilson’s League Drama” (August 21, 2025)

Overview

This episode centers on two main themes:

1. Fantasy football players whose Average Draft Position (ADP) triggers warning signs—the “ick” factor—according to ESPN fantasy experts.
2. An entertaining deep dive into the celebrity-packed Rainn Wilson Invitational fantasy league, featuring in-studio guest Desmond Borges sharing insider stories, drama, and Hollywood-grade fantasy football antics.

The episode blends actionable fantasy advice, vivid personal anecdotes, and playful banter, making it both instructive and highly entertaining.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Players with “Icky” ADPs

Hosts: Liz Loza & David Presley
([01:53]–[05:49])

Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia Eagles)

• Concerns: Historic workload last year (484 touches); statistical regression is almost inevitable.
• Stat Insight: Every RB in the last decade with 300+ carries and 20+ receptions regressed the following year in yards per carry, yards per touch, and fantasy points per game.
• Quote:
  • “Saquon Barkley is going third overall here. He is not going to be able to copy and paste his 2024 production in 2025.” — Liz Loza ([02:00])
• Takeaway: Barkley's ADP is “his peak value”—too expensive given the risk.

Ladd McConkey (WR, Los Angeles Chargers)

• Concerns: College durability issues linger; offense expected to shift even more run-heavy under Jim Harbaugh.
• Target Competition: Keenan Allen returns, likely to eat into WR targets.
• Quote:
  • "[McConkey] right now is the 13th wide receiver off the board in the fourth round. That is way too high." — Liz Loza ([04:17])

Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals)

• Concerns: Elite passing offense, but major limiting factor—lack of rushing upside as compared to the other top QBs.
• Quote:
  • “When you look at that first tier of quarterbacks...they all have something in common...they rush. Joe Burrow was the QB22 in rush attempts last year.” — Liz Loza ([04:50])
• Draft Approach: Wait for a QB unless one of the “Big Four” (Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jaden Daniels, Jalen Hurts) falls; better value to be found elsewhere in the fourth round.

2. The Rainn Wilson Invitational: Inside a Hollywood Fantasy League

Guest: Desmond Borges, co-commissioner
([07:42]–[25:36])

League Origin and Dynamics

• Star Power: Founded by Rainn Wilson (The Office), co-commissioned by Borges. Includes personalities like John Cusack, chess grandmaster Danny Rensch, and Rhett Miller.
• Quote:
  • “The face of the league is the man, the myth, the legend himself, Mr. Rainn Wilson. And I am the muscle. Technically, we're co-commish..." — Desmond Borges ([08:27])
• Fun Fact: League was born while filming "Utopia"—sound department member suggested forming a league, leading to its celebrity roster.

League Drama and Personalities

• Trash Talk & Pressure: Rainn and other league mates are prolific trash talkers, especially at draft time and on the waiver wire.
• Quote:
  • “[Rainn Wilson is] not only just a brilliant human, but he's also, like, really kind and compassionate and really funny, blah, blah, blah. Also the best trash talker in our league, without a doubt.” — Desmond Borges ([09:25])
• Chess Grandmaster Edge: Danny Rensch deploys next-level game theory; likened to outmaneuvering rivals with chess tactics.
• Hollywood Excuses: Most outlandish? Rainn once missed draft night because he was "podcasting inside a helicopter overlooking the Northern Lights." ([14:40])

Liz Loza: Resident Fantasy Pro

• League Reaction: Other league members are “scared” and hyper-aware of Liz’s moves due to her analyst status—often bid up her nominations.

3. Fantasy Rapid-Fire: Comping Movie Characters to Players

([19:47]–[24:25])

• Jerry Maguire (“You had me at hello”) — Jameer Gibbs:
  • “Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down... Jameer Gibbs, baby.” — Desmond Borges ([20:46])
• Miranda Priestley (“The Devil Wears Prada”) — Derrick Henry:
  • “Can only be fit for a king. Derrick Henry.” — Desmond Borges ([22:00])
• Scar (“The Lion King”) — Aaron Rodgers:
  • “He’ll look you in the eye, grab you by the neck... then let you go and let you fall.” — Desmond Borges ([22:37])
• Baby from “Dirty Dancing” — Chase Brown:
  • “Nobody puts Chase Brown in a corner. I think he has top five RB upside.” — Desmond Borges ([23:36])

Notable Banter

• Patrick Swayze Connection:
  • “Do you know that I took dance lessons with Patrick Swayze...?” — Desmond Borges ([23:16])
• Chase Brown Hype: Highest snap share after Week 10 last season (86%), top-five RB upside.

4. Fantasy Value Deep Dives

Rome Odunze (WR, Chicago) – Year 2 Breakout?
([16:03]–[16:57])

• Borges: “Without a doubt.” Confident in improvement under new OC Ben Johnson; sees Caleb Williams targeting Odunze early and often.
• Both agree: DJ Moore may be “slept on” while Odunze is overhyped.

QB Debate: Caleb Williams vs. JJ McCarthy (Fantasy Perspective)

• Borges: Favors J.J. McCarthy—“reverse jinx,” but believes in McCarthy’s fantasy prospects over Caleb Williams ([17:26]).

Matthew Golden (WR, Green Bay Packers)
([17:38]–[18:14])

• Borges: Selling. Not convinced LaFleur’s offense will allow a breakout; sees equal target distribution stifling WR explosion.

5. Rookie Watch: Emeka Egbuka

([27:19]–[28:41])

• Liz Loza recommends Egbuka as a late-round draft steal (13th–14th round), especially given Chris Godwin’s health issues.
• “Egbuka was arguably the most nuanced route runner in this year's rookie receiver class...he is available in the 13th to 14th rounds of most fantasy drafts. That is an incredible opportunity for investment.” — Liz Loza ([28:29])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | [02:00] | Liz Loza | “Saquon Barkley is going third overall here. He is not going to be able to copy and paste his 2024 production in 2025.” | | [04:17] | Liz Loza | “Ladd right now is the 13th wide receiver off the board in the fourth round. That is way too high.” | | [04:50] | Liz Loza | “When you look at that first tier of quarterbacks...they all have something in common...they rush. Joe Burrow was the QB22 in rush attempts last year.” | | [09:25] | Desmond Borges | “[Rainn Wilson is] not only just a brilliant human, but he's also, like, really kind and compassionate and really funny, blah, blah, blah. Also the best trash talker in our league, without a doubt.” | | [14:40] | Desmond Borges | “He was like, oh, I'm doing a podcast inside of a helicopter overlooking the northern lights. And I was like, of course you are, dude.” | | [20:46] | Desmond Borges | “Never gonna give Never gonna give Give you up. Jameer Gibbs, baby.” | | [22:00] | Desmond Borges | “What's only fit for a queen can only be fit for a king. Derrick Henry.” | | [22:37] | Desmond Borges | “Aaron Rodgers. He'll look you in the eye, grab you by your, the drop of the neck. Right on ayahuasca trip...and then let you go.” | | [23:36] | Desmond Borges | “Nobody puts Chase Brown in a corner...I think he has top five RB upside.” | | [28:29] | Liz Loza | “That is an incredible opportunity for investment in a player who's ceiling and savvy is about to be on full display.” (on Emeka Egbuka) |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:53] “Ick” Factor ADP Picks Begin (Saquon Barkley, Ladd McConkey, Joe Burrow)
• [07:42] Desmond Borges Joins – Inside the Rainn Wilson Invitational League
• [14:40] Hollywood Excuses for Missing Drafts (Rainn’s helicopter podcast)
• [16:03] Rapid-Fire: Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Fantasy QB Debate
• [19:47] Fantasy/Pop Culture Comp Game
• [23:36] Chase Brown Hype + Dirty Dancing Story
• [27:19] Rookie Highlight: Emeka Egbuka

Final Takeaways & Tone

• Value over Hype: Love the player, hate the ADP. Be wary of chasing last year's stats at inflated prices.
• Celebrity League Drama: Even Hollywood stars make drafting excuses and heap peer pressure on their commish!
• Rookies & Sleepers: Late-round values like Egbuka and overlooked keepers like Chase Brown can swing a season.
• Entertainment & Camaraderie: The Rainn Wilson Invitational truly lives up to its name—with plenty of talent, humor, and heart.

End note:
“May your facts be solid, your feelings be right, and your bust be someone else's problem.” — Liz Loza ([28:47])