Fantasy Focus Football: "Nothing’s Permanent in Fantasy Football 👀 + Week 1 Start/Sit Picks with James Roday"

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Liz Loza (special "Facts vs. Feelings" segment)
Guest: James Roday Rodriguez (Actor, Titans Fan), Presley (Producer)

Episode Overview

This special "Facts vs. Feelings" segment of Fantasy Focus Football explores the ever-changing nature of fantasy football with expert analysis and Week 1 Start/Sit advice. Liz Loza is joined by actor and die-hard fantasy manager James Roday Rodriguez to discuss how nothing is permanent in the NFL or in fantasy, and why measured expectations are crucial in Week 1. The episode is packed with strategic advice, notable player analysis, and memorable banter, finishing with a lively "This or That" Start/Sit game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Only Constant is Change in Fantasy Football

• Liz opens by emphasizing that nothing lasts forever in fantasy: "Nothing is permanent" (00:27).
• Presley echoes the sentiment: "Fantasy football is a game of inches, luck and irrational confidence... the only thing that is constant is change." (02:09)
• Both warn listeners not to overreact to early results and remind managers that situations can shift rapidly throughout the season.

2. Players in Flux: Week 1 Situations That May Not Last

• James Conner (Cardinals RB):
  • Healthy and projected for a big Week 1 role. Arizona is a 6.5-point favorite, suggesting a lot of touches.
  • Liz: “Week one James Conner is situated to be a top 15 producer at the position.” (02:36)
• DeAndre Swift (Bears RB):
  • Recent team and scheme changes carry uncertainty. Matchup against Minnesota tempers expectations.
  • Liz: “I have Swift ranked as a low end RB2 in like that RB21 to 24 range.” (04:04)
• Jerry Jeudy (Browns WR):
  • Upgraded with Joe Flacco at QB, who historically produces at least one strong fantasy WR.
  • Liz: “I have accordingly Jerry Jeudy ranked as a high end wide receiver two. Let’s say 16 to 18 range.” (04:41)
  • Presley jokes: “Two touchdowns coming week one for Jerry Jeudy. You heard it here first.” (05:36)

3. Approach to Week 1 & Managing Expectations

• James Roday Rodriguez on Week 1 caution:

  “Week one's always tricky...players are still acclimating. A bunch of guys didn't even see the field during preseason...so you get so many overreactions after week one, which are fun to watch people panic after one week. So I've been doing this for a while. I know to go in pretty even keel, you know, take a few notes and use it moving forward.” (09:01)

• Liz reinforces:

  "[Take] an even keel approach...start with your high floor players and adjust once the data becomes available." (09:44)

4. Emerging Offenses & Players to Watch

• James Roday sees value in Houston's WR room, touts Jaden Higgins as his favorite sleeper:

  “I've done, you know, eight drafts, I think I have eight shares. He's been my sleeper all preseason...If he steps up and makes some noise early [he could] give you Devonta Smith numbers at about half the price, friend.” (10:42)

• Monitoring backfields in Jacksonville and Chicago for breakout players as rotations shake out. (12:03)
• Both are eager to see DeAndre Swift’s usage in Chicago. James predicts he “could be one of the biggest values in all fantasy football by the end of the year.” (13:28)

5. Week 1 Start/Sit Picks

James gives his self-admitted "homer" takes, with analysis:

• Start:
  • Calvin Ridley (Titans WR) – Forced positive game script, expected volume.
    • "Calvin Ridley probably...has a floor of six, seven catches, 80 yards, maybe he throws in a TD." (13:53-14:41)
• Sit:
  • Rome Odunze (Bears WR) – Prefers to wait; likes Ricky Pearsall as a better week one plug.
    • “I don't know that this is the week that I'm throwing Roma Dunze out there...I do think he's going to have a nice bounce back year after a rather underwhelming rookie season.” (14:43)

6. Titans Fan Corner: Real Talk on Prospects and the Draft

• James discusses Alec Iomanor's outlook:

  "I think he will work his way into that number two receiver role this year...I don't care how many games we win. If we win six games, I think that would be dope...do we have a guy who can be our quarterback for the next 10 years?" (15:43)

• Amusing account of James's "kiss of death" as a Titans draft pick announcer:

  "I'm gonna go ahead and say that I am not good luck. Although, can you really base it off one draft?" (16:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the game’s volatility:

  "ADP is a suggestion, not a command." – Presley (02:09)

• James Roday’s sleeper conviction:

  "I have Jaden Higgins everywhere...If he steps up and makes some noise early to give you Devonta Smith numbers at about half the price, friend." (10:42)

• Liz on overreacting:

  "Whatever happens in week one will certainly not be happening in week 17 or 18 and will probably change course many times throughout the season." (15:14)

• James, jokingly, about Titans fandom:

  "You're a Titans fan. We're used to mid." (14:41)

• On drafting philosophy:

  “Start with your high floor players and adjust once the data becomes available.” – Liz (09:44)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 00:27 | Main theme: "Nothing is permanent" intro (Liz, Presley) | | 02:09 | Disclaimer: Change is the only constant (Presley) | | 02:36 | Player situations that may soon change – Conner, Swift, Jeudy | | 07:42 | James Roday joins, interview begins | | 09:01 | Week 1 approach: measured and even-keeled advice | | 10:42 | James’s biggest sleeper: WR Jaden Higgins (Texans) | | 12:03 | Running back backfields to watch (Jacksonville, Chicago) | | 13:53 | Week 1 Start/Sit: Ridley (Start), Odunze (Sit) | | 15:43 | Titans fan corner: Alec Iomanor and team hopes | | 16:33 | Draft day story: James and the Titans picks | | 18:17 | "This or That" Start/Sit Game begins | | 18:30 | Ollie Gordon vs. Jordan Mason (RBs) | | 19:11 | Austin Ekeler vs. Bill Crosty/Merritt (RBs) | | 20:17 | Juwan Jennings vs. Ricky Pearsall (WRs) | | 20:59 | Adam Thielen vs. Keenan Allen (Veteran WRs) | | 22:01 | Chig Okonkwo vs. Brenton Strange (TEs) | | 22:49 | Just for fun: Acting vs. Directing, Apples or Pineapples | | 23:59 | James’s current projects & sign-off |

Start/Sit "This or That" Highlights (18:17 – 22:49)

• Ollie Gordon or Jordan Mason?
  James: "Jordan Mason. I think Ollie Gordon's too much of an unknown still at this point..." (18:38)

• Austin Ekeler or Bill Crosty/Merritt?
  James: "I'm taking Bill because I think he's going to get the early down work and... it's fun to roll the dice on a rookie." (19:29)

• Juwan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall?
  James: "I think this is a Ricky Pearsall week. He's had a full preseason. The chemistry is there..." (20:17)

• Adam Thielen or Keenan Allen?
  James: "I'm going to give the edge to the guy who's going back to the same quarterback...so I'm going Keenan Allen..." (20:59)

• Chig Okonkwo or Brenton Strange (TEs)?
  James: "Higher floor again is probably going to be Bryn Strange." (22:01)

End Segment: "But Daddy, I Love Him" & Final Thoughts (26:15 – End)

• Deep sleepers for Week 1:

  • Christian Kirk (Texans): sleeper vibes in Week 1 as the likely No. 2 WR chasing points vs. Rams (26:40).

• Liz Loza closes with a thematic wrap:

  "Everything is temporary...while nothing is permanent, everything is worth the experience." (26:45)

Tone and Style

• The episode features playful banter, plenty of witty quips, and a conversational, self-effacing tone.
• Liz and James blend analytics with empathy, making the advice practical yet relatable—reminding listeners that early panic in fantasy rarely serves anyone well.

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Don’t Overreact: Week 1 is notoriously unpredictable—trust your off-season process and avoid knee-jerk moves.
• Monitor Unsettled Situations: Backfields like Chicago/Jacksonville and emerging WRs (like Jaden Higgins) could become goldmines after a few weeks.
• Start High-Floor Players: Anchor your Week 1 lineups with established, safe options before taking chances on upside once roles clarify.
• Stay Flexible: Recognize that injuries, coaching changes, and surprising usage inevitably reshape fantasy landscapes.

Listen for These Gems

• "I have Jaden Higgins everywhere...he could give you Devonta Smith numbers at about half the price, friend." – James Roday (10:42)
• "Whatever happens in week one will certainly not be happening in week 17 or 18..." – Liz Loza (15:14)
• "You're a Titans fan. We're used to mid." – Liz Loza (14:41)
• Comedy, humility, and actionable tips—plus a tight list of must-watch Week 1 players and the gentle reminder that, in both fantasy and life, nothing is permanent.

Summary by Fantasy Focus Football Podcast Summaries