Free Agency Love/Hate: Kenneth Walker III, Mike Evans, Kyler Murray among top names

Summary

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Free Agency Love/Hate: Kenneth Walker III, Mike Evans, Kyler Murray among top names
Date: March 26, 2026

Brief Overview

In this post-free-agency “Love/Hate” episode, Matthew Berry and the crew break down how recent NFL free agency moves have shifted player values in fantasy football. Their classic "love/hate" structure identifies which players’ prospects have improved (love) or declined (hate), with deep dives on top names like Kenneth Walker III, Mike Evans, Kyler Murray, and more. The conversation is energetic, witty, and full of both stats and personal anecdotes, aiming to guide fantasy drafters through the offseason landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Studio Banter and Emmy Nominations

• The episode kicks off with humorous behind-the-scenes stories, including accidental line-cutting for new company shirts.
• Matthew Berry mentions NBC’s Football Night in America being nominated for a Sports Emmy, crediting the whole team.
• Jokes about being the “company man” and NBC’s internal swag distribution set a light-hearted tone.

“It was a jerk move, but unintentional. It was an unintentional jerk move and I’m owning it.” — Lawrence (02:32)

2. Running Back “Love/Hate” — Post Free Agency Analysis

Ashton Genti (Las Vegas Raiders)

• Love: Improved offensive line (Tyler Linderbaum), run-blocking fullback Conor Hayward, head coach Clint Kubiak boost Genti’s value after a tough rookie season in a dysfunctional offense.
• Genti seen as the “focal point” for the Raiders, with Matthew ranking him RB6.

“Ashton Genti did not forget how to run the football...a generational prospect a year ago.” — Lawrence (08:54)

Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Still a top-10 RB (RB8 in Berry’s ranks), but health and crowded KC weapons slightly cap upside compared to Genti.
• KC’s notorious “cute” red-zone play-calling may limit Walker’s touchdown ceiling, but his weekly upside remains high.

“Are we going to be shocked if there’s a game next year where he’s got 100 yards and three touchdowns?” — Lawrence (14:27)

Omari Hampton (LA Chargers)

• Chargers upgraded offensive line and brought in Mike McDaniel as OC.
• Hampton described as a “do-it-all” workhorse who is undervalued after injuries last year; Berry ranks him RB10.

“If they can stay healthy, this could be a big year for Mario.” — Jay (16:05)

Movers and Shakers

• Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs (clear RB1/2 due to competitor departures).
• David Montgomery (massive upgrade as Houston’s lead back).
• Cam Skattebo, Chuba Hubbard, Emmanuel Wilson among “others receiving votes.”

3. Running Back “Hate” — Whose Stock Dropped

Devon Achane (Miami)

• Hate: Miami’s moves signal a rebuild; loss of coach (Mike McDaniel), Jaylen Waddle, and addition of Malik Willis (non-pass-catching QB) hurts Achan’s target volume and ceiling.

“Malik Willis...more than not likely to tuck and run rather than dump off to a running back or check down when he feels pressure.” — Lawrence (22:21)

Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay)

• Kenneth Gainwell signed as a versatile complement; Sean Tucker still in goal-line mix.
• Bucky’s opportunities for standalone value (especially for TDs) are limited.

“They do a lot of the same things good...that’s gonna be a problem for anybody that has Bucky Irving.” — Jay (25:22)

RJ Harvey (Denver)

• Arrival of J.K. Dobbins reduces Harvey’s projection, especially early in the season.

“Median outcomes: Dobbins is probably going to get more of the work than Harvey. So it certainly caps Harvey.” — Connor Rogers (27:28)

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4. Wide Receiver Love — Beneficiaries of Free Agency

George Pickens (Dallas Cowboys)

• Returns to high-octane, stable offense; top-10 performer even with CD Lamb healthy; Berry ranks Pickens WR11.

“Pickens should have another monster season. I’m his wide receiver 11.” — Matthew Berry (30:42)

Mike Evans (San Francisco 49ers)

• Evans finally leaves Tampa, joins a perfect scheme fit in SF; expected to be top red zone weapon for Purdy.

“He could very easily have a Davante Adams-type year … just a touchdown a game.” — Lawrence (31:28)

Emeka Egbuka/Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• With Evans gone, huge target void opens. Both project for increased target shares; Egbuka especially flashed in Evans’ absence.

“The passing game will go through these two receivers.” — Jay (32:42)

Marvin Harrison Jr. & Michael Wilson (Arizona Cardinals)

• Arizona sticks with Jacoby Brissett (high volume QB); both wideouts become more attractive, especially in negative game scripts.

“Jacoby Brissett understands the assignment...I think this is good for MHJ.” — Lawrence (32:55)

Others Receiving Votes

• Garrett Wilson (Jets, with Geno Smith)
• Luther Burden (Buffalo, replacing DJ Moore)
• Christian Watson, Josh Downs, Chig Okonkwo highlighted as risers

5. Wide Receiver Hate — Losers in Free Agency

DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Addition of Michael Pittman, uncertainty at QB (potentially Aaron Rodgers in a dink-and-dunk offense), and crowded target tree.

“DK Metcalf definitely takes a hit given the way Rodgers is playing these days.” — Lawrence (38:01)

Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville)

• Surrounded by mouth-to-feed concerns; bounced down the pecking order with arrivals of Jacoby Myers and Travis Hunter.

“BTJ is potentially the fifth passing option on this team.” — Lawrence (38:34)

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6. Quarterback Love — Opportunities Arise

Kyler Murray (Minnesota Vikings)

• Huge fantasy winner: Now in Minnesota’s offensive system with weapons like Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison.
• Top-12 QB upside restored; best supporting cast he’s ever had.

“He’s alive again, like, exactly right. Potentially even more value than he’s ever had before because now he’s in Minnesota getting to throw to Justin Jefferson…” — Lawrence (41:43)

Malik Willis (Miami Dolphins)

• Despite real-life struggles, fantasy value rises due to rushing and expected high volume in Miami’s likely negative scripts.

“He averages almost 45 rushing yards a game in his six starts … 23 points per game in his three starts for Green Bay…” — Jay (46:13)

Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts)

• Lands in good fantasy spot with returning weapons and a QB-friendly system.
• Concern remains over recovery from Achilles, but potential value solid.

Jacoby Brissett (Arizona)

• Opportunity to lead high-volume, come-from-behind offense.

7. Quarterback Hate — Major Concerns

Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)

• Value plummets after O-line departures and failed acquisitions at WR.

"You can’t argue that his fantasy value did anything but go down with the moves that the Commanders made.” — Lawrence (48:02)

J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota)

• Now firmly a backup to Kyler; no clear path to fantasy value in 2026.

“I think it’s very unlikely he’s the starting quarterback. At any point.” — Connor Rogers (49:04)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ashton Genti:
  “This is a guy that was considered a generational prospect a year ago and I know fantasy-wise he did not really perform last year. But brutal offensive line that gets a massive upgrade with the best center in the NFL.” — Lawrence (09:12)
• On Mike Evans to SF:
  “I think he very easily have a Devontae Adams type year … just he’s a touchdown a game.” — Lawrence (31:28)
• On Arizona’s WRs:
  “Jacoby Brissett understands the assignment.” — Lawrence (32:55)
• On Kyler Murray’s value:
  “He’s alive again, like, exactly right. Potentially even more value than he’s ever had before…” — Lawrence (41:43)
• On Washington’s WR room:
  “You don’t feel great. I still make QB4. Still have faith in 5. But certainly you would have liked to see them add an impact second wide receiver…” — Lawrence (48:31)
• On J.J. McCarthy’s path:
  “I think it’s very unlikely he’s the starting quarterback… at any point.” — Connor Rogers (49:04)
• On Malik Willis’s running:
  “He averages almost 45 rushing yards a game in his six starts. So that even goes back to the Titans days…” — Jay (46:13)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39 — Show kickoff, all four hosts return
• 08:33 — Running Backs – Love/Hate overview begins
• 09:54 — Ashton Genti in improved situation
• 11:20 — Genti vs. Kenneth Walker debate
• 13:46 — Amari Hampton and Chargers RB optimism
• 18:55 — “Others receiving votes” at RB
• 22:12 — Running Back Hate: Devon Achane fallout
• 24:52 — Bucky Irving’s value sinks
• 29:16 — Wide Receivers Love List: Pickens, Evans, Egbuka, Cardinals WRs
• 35:08 — “Others receiving votes” for WR risers
• 38:01 — WR Hate: DK Metcalf and Brian Thomas Jr.
• 41:27 — Quarterbacks – Love: Kyler Murray to MIN, others
• 46:05 — Dolphins RBs/Willis discussion
• 48:02 — Quarterback Hate: Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy
• 50:23 — Season win props, quick betting segment

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Final Takeaways

• Biggest Fantasy Winners: Ashton Genti, George Pickens, Mike Evans, Kyler Murray (MIN)
• Highest Risers Based on Team Moves: Emeka Egbuka, David Montgomery
• Real Fallers: Devon Achane, Bucky Irving, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy
• “Be careful” Committees: Denver, Houston, Tampa Bay running backs
• QB Landscape: Kyler’s move to Minnesota is the key shift; Malik Willis keeps “fantasy only” interest.

The crew’s advice is as witty as ever, with a clear emphasis on following the free agency trail to find the best opportunity – and not being afraid to move off a once-promising name if their situation collapses.

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For more in-depth ranks, check out Matthew’s latest at Rotoworld/NBCSports.com.

Transcript

[Matthew Berry]

Stuntman Chuck said, why are there absolutely no clothes in Barry's closet?

[Lawrence]

Yeah. What's going on now?

[Connor Rogers]

This is my question.

[Jay]

He wearing them right now. He got. He got one out. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

He left the A and M shirt at all.

[Connor Rogers]

He's got an MBC pillow. Nothing else.

[Lawrence]

When you said. When you guys. You guys doubted me when I said I thought I had an A and M shirt here, and I don't. So, you know, it is what it is. Yeah.

[Jay]

They said, you ain't got no trousers on right now.

[Lawrence]

They're all hanging over. You know, they're all here, though. Don't move, don't move.

[Connor Rogers]

There we go.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh, boy.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Lawrence]

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry.

[Matthew Berry]

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. All four of us are finally back in studio. It is a love hate Thursday.

[Jay]

Yes, sir.

[Lawrence]

Thursday.

[Matthew Berry]

Post free agency. Love hate.

[Lawrence]

And opening day. It's opening day, as we can tell, on NBC. Forget me on NBC. And Peacock.

[Matthew Berry]

Look at this apparel.

[Lawrence]

You're damn right I like this grippy.

[Matthew Berry]

So let's hear it. Because I couldn't get one. That was 9,000 people.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, I just cut the line. Yeah, yeah. So how'd you pull it off? I cut the line.

[Matthew Berry]

You didn't say anything to the person waiting?

[Lawrence]

No, here's what I. So the way it worked is like they have this big desk where they're handing them out. And so I saw Terry, the amazing Terry who runs this entire place. And so I saw Terry. Terry had something else for me. And so I was like, oh, hey, Terry, how are you? And I walked up to just Terry, and I didn't. I swear to God. Oh, you did the chat.

[Jay]

And cut.

[Lawrence]

No, on the chat, on the lives of my daughters, there was a whole line of other people. Terry was basically handing out the shirts. And then there's somebody else that's like checking people off. You know what I mean? Like that. And I completely missed the entire line going the entire way.

[Matthew Berry]

Stephen was on the line, by the way.

[Lawrence]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

I did produce our show.

[Jay]

They didn't get him one.

[Lawrence]

I didn't see that.

[Matthew Berry]

900 people going. Scaling the entire office.

[Lawrence]

I swear to God I did not. I just. I literally walked the angle of the caf that I walked out as I saw Terry. Then I walked over to say hi, and she's like, oh. And she hands me a shirt and. And so. And yes. And I'm wearing it on air.

[Matthew Berry]

It was a great shirt.

[Lawrence]

It was a few weeks. Wanted to promote the brand. You know, I'm a company man. Hashtag company Man. And yes, I. I did immediately. Stephen will vouch for this. I did immediately apologize to everyone. Like, oh my God, I didn't see everyone.

[Matthew Berry]

I don't. He's not saying anything, which isn't a

[Lawrence]

good sign for you, I swear to God. I apologize to everyone and I'm apologizing everyone here. So when the awful announcing article comes

[Matthew Berry]

out, it's not going to be pretty

[Lawrence]

about how I cut the line. I just.

[Jay]

I'll make sure I get that too.

[Lawrence]

I'm acknowledging it. I'm acknowledging it and apologizing to everyone at NBC, but I had. We had 10 minutes till air. You know what I mean?

[Matthew Berry]

So anyway, it's hard to predict when the show's on too.

[Lawrence]

That's fair to you.

[Jay]

Look, we rather you had cut that line than get that shirt to you to come on this set with no shirt at all, Mr. B.

[Lawrence]

Thank you, Lawrence. That's a good point. Again, glad you do that right there. Also, not every employee is, you know, this is a good promotion. I don't know. Anyway, whatever. It was a jerk move, but unintentional. It was an unintentional jerk move and I'm owning it. And apologizing.

[Connor Rogers]

It reminds me of. There was a recent time where the NBC car park was full and this little kind of drop off circle that is not very much, not for parking, but where you drop people off and then you drive through. And as I was walking in, I saw is that Matthew's car just parked

[Matthew Berry]

in the drop off circle, not in a parking space. I saw this as well.

[Jay]

Crooked and everything.

[Lawrence]

By the way, stupid Dev, Emmy award winning Stupid Dev says half the control room was in line. By the way, it was in line. All right, well, that's stupid Dev too. At least it's my people. At least it's my people who in fairness to me, like half the control room, those are people that already hate me. So, you know, at one point, it's a good logic. You can't go in.

[Matthew Berry]

There's nothing to lose. Exactly.

[Lawrence]

It's just another, like, it's a thing, you know, they're well aware of what a selfish idiot I am. So anyway, I do apologize. I do genuinely apologize and I do hope people watch Major League Baseball on NBC. And Peacock, I'm a company man. And then you can tune into probably the third best Mets podcast they have, right?

[Matthew Berry]

There's not many of them.

[Lawrence]

Oh, yeah. No, that's why I'm saying you're top three.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, well, I think so too. By default, raise the plays what's it called again?

[Lawrence]

The Mets pod. The Mets pod.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I know.

[Lawrence]

Shocking. It's hard to remember. It's not as good as worst lands that Lawrence and I do.

[Connor Rogers]

Scrappy little podcast Keith Anders goes on

[Matthew Berry]

sometimes they do an ad read for it during every Mets game. It's fine. Raise the flags. Makes a good point here. Matthew said Barry is back in studio because he couldn't figure out how to charge his laptop.

[Lawrence]

It's a good point. That's excellent. That's fact. Actually correct y fact. Raise the flags. Well done.

[Jay]

Because let's be clear. If your laptop could get a good connection, you would not be here right now.

[Lawrence]

Yes.

[Jay]

You would be influenced and then I

[Lawrence]

wouldn't have cut the line. And so it's honestly, it's all Apple's fault. When you're wearing Alabama.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, yeah. There's one big trickle effect all the

[Lawrence]

way back to Apple Corporation. But anyway, like again, I didn't, I didn't see the other line. It said the hashtag the excuseler.

[Matthew Berry]

By the way. How about this? You are technically, as ved points out, Emmy nominated Matthew Berry.

[Lawrence]

That is right.

[Matthew Berry]

I know a thing or two days.

[Lawrence]

You do indeed. I wonder if I also allude to Todd Zeal. But yes, yesterday the sports Emmys came out for outstanding sports studio show limited run and my friends and colleagues at football night in America which includes me for NFL postseason we were nominated along with inside the NBA on tnt, Road to the final four on cbs, college game day over at ESPN for the college football playoff and fox MLB on the postse. So I just first off everyone and I assume it is mostly we obviously had some post season broadcast but it's for our super bowl. I believe it is for the super bowl pregame show. So fnia Football night they drink for free. Congratulations to Matt Casey and everyone on down on the crew is awesome. The entire cast is awesome. So I'm thrilled that their work and I'm happy to be a very small part of it. Awesome that we were recognized this way. My question to you, Connor, is that when I lo when I lose to Charles Barkley which is what's going to happen,

[Jay]

they think it back to that 40 yard dash in Dallas.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, that's right. Stunman Chuck. Limited run. The only kind of run Barry can finish. That's true. That's a good one.

[Connor Rogers]

Stuntman Chuck.

[Lawrence]

That's a very good one. Well played there. I was just going to say it's when I lose to Charles Barkley which is what's going to happen. I feel like inside the NBA always wins these things. So when we lose to Charles Barkley, is that better or worse than losing to Todd Zeal?

[Matthew Berry]

I only have one piece of advice for you. Don't go. Don't go. I went once because you lose and you have to sit through the entire thing.

[Lawrence]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

And then the second time, I was a loser.

[Lawrence]

And you're full. You're fully dressed up. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

And you're only nominated for one category and yours is very group project. Feel mine. My name was on it. Like Connor Rogers nominated sports analyst. You're like, you were in the group project.

[Lawrence]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

I feel like Matt Casey did a lot of the work.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. Matt Casey, Maria Taylor, 1000%. So it's like. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

So you don't want to sit there and after it gets announced that you. You won or you didn't win and then you got to sit through the rest of it.

[Lawrence]

Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

That's my best advice for the.

[Lawrence]

I think it's great advice, but I also, I have to say I think it's adorable that you think I will get an invite. When you think about everyone, like you said. Right. It's going to be. It's going to be. It's going to be Casey, it's going to be Ria. It's going to be, you know, you might get.

[Matthew Berry]

Show up and cut the law.

[Lawrence]

I might do that. I might sneak in.

[Connor Rogers]

I was going to go the other way. When one battle after another wins best Picture Oscar, Paul Thomas Anderson goes up, he gives the speech. Will you be giving the speech for fnia? Go up and you'll form the Paul Thomas Andrew.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. Could you see that? It'd be great. Fantastic. I'm just trying to think if I made a list of the entire Football Night in America production, like, you know, and it's Sam Flood, it's Fred Gudelli all the way down. Right. And so I'm pretty sure I'm last on the list. Literally, like, if you put the entire list and it's a cast a thousand size three font. Yeah, exactly. I mean, I don't know, they might

[Jay]

have some background folks that might get in there.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, that's all right.

[Connor Rogers]

You're Tyres Halbert on the Olympic table.

[Lawrence]

One of the top.

[Jay]

Yay. He held that medal up.

[Lawrence]

I am in the box score. You know, I'm in the box score. I get the ring regardless. But anyway, all jokes aside, I am thrilled that the show was honored like this. That nominated for an Emmy. So congratulations to everyone involved again and very proud to have been A small part of it.

[Matthew Berry]

Love Hate. Let's get into it post free agency. We haven't done this yet. We're going to start with the running backs because there was a lot of not only running back movement but a lot of running back help in free agency. Matthew and Ashton Genti actually tops the list for you on this one.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, look in Love Hate, we all know this but this is about players that improved their, their fantasy value because of free agency moves or devalued. Those are the hates as well. And Ash and Genty, you're like, well first off, just the fact that they're going to have a new offense that's positive. But also listen, going out and getting Clint Kubiak as their, as their head coach.

[Matthew Berry]

Right?

[Lawrence]

They were. This is a team that wants to run the ball to set up play action as well. And so you think about adding Tyler Lind, Linderbaum who set the record for a center. Right. And then Connor Hayward the fullback. Clearly those two moves along with the expected number one overall pick for Nano Mendoza. We expect this offense to be more efficient. Honestly, we expect this offense to be functional this year. Last year like it wasn't even functional. Like we'll get into the Gino stuff but part of the argument for Gino was like the offense around him was so dysfunctional last year that the tape was actually better than you think. And so that's the case with Ash and Genty. Ashton Genti did not forget how to run the football. This is a guy that was considered a generational prospect a year ago and I know fantasy wise he did not really perform last year. But brutal offensive line that gets a massive upgrade with the best center in the NFL. And Linderbaum, they had a blocking, a run blocking fullback that's really good and they get a head coach that literally just got a running back to win the MVP of the super bowl which never happened. So I think Ashton GENTY Right now Im is running back six guys heading into 2026. That's also a shout out. By the way, my updated positional ranks are on rotoworld.com NBC sports.com check it out. I'm a company man.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I think the hidden thing kind of was with Genti as much as the whole organization was dysfunctional. Everything was broken. Is that the offensive line the year before wasn't that bad and it was supposed to be certainly not a weakness of the team. And then it was just an absolute catastrophe. There was a kind of controversial coaching situation around the offensive line and now Maybe just having more stability, more competence around that with the addition of Lindebaum as well is going to just change everything.

[Matthew Berry]

It's why we were so optimistic about Genti as a rookie. We were like this Raiders line was better than people think the previous year and then they reverted back to their lowest form because largely of a coaching and scheme situation. And the fact is too Lawrence that Fernando Mendoza if he could be a functional down the field thrower off play action that's only going to open things up for Genti a little more too.

[Jay]

All Mendoza will have to do is be a solid rookie. That's what we want you to do. We're going to put the pieces around you. He's got to manage the game with all you guys have said. It's actually like amazing that Ashton Genty churned out two running back one weeks last year as a rookie and a few other top 10 weeks like with that offense with the dysfunction of it. So they're doing everything to put everything they can around Mendoza and Genti for them to succeed.

[Matthew Berry]

Ved regular of course Genti or KW3 this year Jay I feel like Genti yeah but still a lot of love for kw3.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah I think if one feel better about Genti's health situation just I understand but of course there's a lot of attrition and randomness with injuries at the running back position but ultimately Genti going into year two, you know not a sustained injury history in his career naturally and with Kenneth Walker seems to miss time every year and then also like don't know when Patrick Mahomes is going to be back. Don't know what the Chiefs offense is going to look like early on which would be the differentiator and also like Ashton Genti he's still young enough. You still have to regress to the fact that he was a generational prospect just 12 months ago. So I would take Gentio Walker also more receiving work for Ashton.

[Lawrence]

Jenny yeah I would agree with both those things. I mean listen I have, I have Genti at 6, I have Walker at 8 so I agree with you Genti over Walker but I think it's close right? I think right the injury concerns on Walker as well and just honestly more weapons when they get in close right. I mean so under Mahomes every season vote 1 chance city's been top 10 in red zone drives right. I mean they get in close often scores and so sometimes they run but they also they you know Andy Reid is a brilliant play caller but they Lawrence like they get super cute. Like I'm going to shovel pass to Travis Kelsey. I'm going to. Here's a, you know, here's a reverse to Nicole Hardman. Like, I mean they just, they just do weird stuff around the goal line all the time. Noah Gray is going to throw it across his body to. Yeah, I mean like they just. I don't know. And so I could just see like Genty is going to be the. Especially when you think about they don't have much else in Las Vegas. Gente is going to be the focal point of that offense where Walker is going to be very important. Like I feel like we're talking down Walker and I mean Walker's going to be awesome, right? I mean they made a, they made a massive commitment to him as well. He's going to be the clear guy. Like he's had 24 games in his career with at least 18 touches and I figure he gets that in Kansas city. Averages over 100 yards from scrimmage and all those they're going to be in scoring position often it's just slight injury risk and more weapons on KC is why I have Genti two spots ahead.

[Jay]

Walker. I say the 18 touches for Walker. Well, the thing about Genty is and why I would pick him is because of the volume. He'll go above those 18 touches and like you said, the receiving work, that's going to be key. So I think Clint Kubiak, he gave Kenneth Walker 21 carries a game in the playoffs. So now that you got Ashton Jensen, a true workhorse, no injury history like that, I would definitely go with him here as well.

[Connor Rogers]

It's the volume, right? Clint Kubiak in Seattle, even with the best wide receiver in the NFL last year and offensive player of the year, they still ran the ball at an extreme rate every year. Basically you can count on the top two or two of the top four or five pass rate over expectation teams. It's going to be the teams that Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, those teams just throw the ball a ton. They throw the ball a ton in the red zone as well. That's just how those offenses have operated. And so yeah, I think Genti is the clear guy. Also, if you bet like if you want floor, Genti is going to get a ton of workload. You want ceiling, Genti could be the number one running back in fantasy next year. Very conceivable.

[Matthew Berry]

I think vet makes a good point though in the chat. He says kw3 more touchdown equity. I think that's the path To Walker having the better year, 100%.

[Lawrence]

And I would say, like, but any given week, Ken Walker can win you the week. Like, he's got number one, number one running back in fantasy football upside any given week. Like, are we going to be shocked if there's a game next year where he's got 100 yards and three touchdowns? Like, no. I mean, the Chiefs could just. Especially by the way, you know, I know your argument about Mahomes, and I agree with it. Like, how healthy is he going to be? Is he going to be there, start the season? Is it going to be Justin Fields running the ball himself for the first couple of games this season? We don't know that. But there's also an argument that, like, hey, if Mahomes is back but isn't 100% Mahomes, they may lean on the run game more, especially early on to take pressure off Pat.

[Matthew Berry]

I think that's why they paid him. Yeah, I think there's a shift in philosophy to some degree.

[Jay]

Something to think about, too. Kareem Hunt, eight rushing touchdowns last year.

[Matthew Berry]

So the ghost of Kareem Hunt.

[Lawrence]

The ghost of Kareem Hunt. Yeah.

[Jay]

Yeah, there you go. So for him to have eight, eight rushing touchdowns, I'm pretty. He didn't clear 700 rushing yards. So. Talk about touchdown equity. You'll definitely get that at some point when Patrick Mahomes is back on his offense.

[Lawrence]

So have them close, both upgrade their fantasy value. They're both loves this year, but we just, we feel better about Genty's health, you know, and overall workload. But it's close. And I wouldn't look at anyone weird if they drafted Walker over Genty in a draft. They're close to me.

[Matthew Berry]

How about staying in the division and everything the Chargers have done here, Lawrence, they've added pieces to their off depth, to their offensive line. You go get Alagin Gold at fullback. Charlie Kohler gets a big deal to be the blocking tight end. We know what Gadsden can do through the air. Most importantly, Mike McDaniel is now calling this offense for Mari and Hampton.

[Jay]

Yeah, and you could go back to what Mike McDaniel did as the 49ers offensive coordinator a couple years back. Just made Devon HN a Pro Bowler. We had saw Devon Hn the first couple years. We knew he could catch the ball. But now he runs for over 1300 yards. And what we know about Amaran Hampton, he can do both as well now. He barely averaged 4 yards per carry last year, but the injuries kind of slowed him down from getting going, but what he also did was catch three passes per game. Most people see Amarian Hampton as a bigger back, but he's got the skill set to do all of that. So with Mike McDaniels, with the additions on the interior offensive line, if you look at a healthy Chargers offensive line, I'd be damned if you can't say it might not be the best one in the NFL. They get them two tackles back. Slater, Joe Alt, now you got Biotish at the center. If they can stay healthy, this could be a big year for Mario.

[Matthew Berry]

That was your thought process last year.

[Lawrence]

100%. And he's going to. Because it's the year after I had Adam is my ride or die. He's absolutely going off. I reckon you go back to the wall first. Double down, double down.

[Jay]

Just don't do it till like three days before week one.

[Lawrence]

I know. Well, that's the problem is I always have to do it. Like, we have the preseason game here at NBC.

[Connor Rogers]

Shouldn't have killed Rashaun Slater.

[Lawrence]

How'd you kill Rash or Joe Alt? Like, he was good when he was healthy. But I completely agree with everything Lawrence just said there. Right. And I think McDaniel is going to be so creative. And. And that's the thing that we talked about with Hampton coming out of college last year, and that was part of the thought process of him being the. The ride or die last year was he is somebody that can do it all. Connor. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean, he's somebody that has a big body to pass protect, which should keep him on the field. I think he's a better pass catcher than gets credit for. And you want to talk about somebody that can kind of bang in between the tackles for touchdowns. Like, that's. That's what. It was a little frustrating. It was probably because of the ankle at times, how much they took him off the field. It felt like when it's like, no, you drafted this guy in the first round to be the workhorse of your offense.

[Jay]

I think that was. They planned. They let that be known early. Even as early as the hall of Fame game. They're like, we want to see. They didn't make. They didn't say anything about, like, hey, we're going to see how it goes. They made him RB1, quick, fast.

[Lawrence]

Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Well, I remember the hype you had been hearing from everybody on the team.

[Lawrence]

Every one of the, like, two in person. When we're out there on the field of the Chargers, they're like, this dude can play this guy. You can tell first round running back as well. Now, I know there is some concern out there that Keaton Mitchell was signed as well. There are people on this table that think he's better than Derrick Henry that love Keaton Mitchell. But I think Keaton Mitchell is more of a concern for Kamani Vidal than he is for Omarion Hampton. I think they'll have a package of plays for him where they use his speed. But I'm not worried about Amarian Hampton. I have him at running back 10, you know, in my initial positional rank. So I haven't seen RB1 this year.

[Matthew Berry]

Some others receiving votes. Cam Scatterboo coming back from serious injury. Chuba Hubbard, David Montgomery Bashal Tootin as Trav Etienne Etchan. However we want to go these days ends up in New Orleans. Jakory Crosby Merritt, the artist formerly known as Bill and George Holani. Matthew, what stands out on this list to you?

[Lawrence]

Well, look, I mean it's sort of what they did, right? So you know, Bijan, you know, I just want to mention real quickly, you know, Bijan Robinson losing Tyler Algier helps him. I know they signed Brian Robinson and that'll be a. That'll be a running joke as B Robinson at 101. Someone will make that mistake either on purpose or.

[Connor Rogers]

But Travolta Cage,

[Jay]

they have to stick with that.

[Lawrence]

But again, you just, you feel good about both. You know, Gibbs and Bijan were going to be the two top players regardless. But the fact that Dave Montgomery moves over to Houston where he now gets. He's going to be the lead role like Woody Marx just didn't do anything. So Montgomery huge increase because he's got a better opportunity there. And you know, so Bijan and Gibbs without either of those guys just further solidify themselves as 1 and 2 and further distance between 3. The fact that the Giants who are supposedly in on Ken Walker and we'll see if they draft Jeremiah Love. They're one of the teams rumored to go there. But at the moment you feel good about Cam Scatterboo because the Giants didn't do anything. With Rico Dowdle moving on, it's clear that the Panthers have said the chubbler, the second chubbler. Your chubby daddy.

[Connor Rogers]

Second coming of chubby.

[Lawrence]

Yes, exactly. He is their guy. Carolina, we've talked about Bashal Tootin when Travis went on to, you know, seems like the sky's the limit there. And while the commanders did sign Rashad White and Jerome Ford feels like at the moment at least and they're in the Mix for Jeremiah Love as well. But Jacori Krasky, Merritt at least should be the head of a committee. Manuel Wilson also there in Seattle. It depends on Zach Charbonnet's health. But at the moment you're starting running backs for the Seahawks are Emmanuel Wilson and George Holani.

[Matthew Berry]

That's got to change coming out of the draft. I would think so since they got to get somebody in the draft quickly.

[Connor Rogers]

Before we move on Lawrence, how good do you think Bayshal Tutin can be?

[Jay]

Shoot, man, about as good as ETN Achan was.

[Matthew Berry]

Sorry, we gotta make a. An actual.

[Lawrence]

Let's just own it. Ashenay.

[Connor Rogers]

There's no other Travis's of note, right?

[Lawrence]

Which one?

[Matthew Berry]

Travis.

[Lawrence]

Yeah.

[Jay]

I would say this.

[Connor Rogers]

Damn.

[Lawrence]

And Travis Kelsey.

[Jay]

I would say that.

[Lawrence]

Other than those two. Yeah.

[Jay]

And I mean saying like production wise. But I will say this. I'm not shocked if the Jags take another running back on say, day two of the NFL draft.

[Lawrence]

By the way, can we hear from his brother Trevor? You know he's got A in Carolina. It would be amazing if he's like, no, I'm Trevor Etn. But Travis is like, no, I'm Travis Hn or whatever.

[Matthew Berry]

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce had a little part of the play.

[Jay]

They did it, but then they went

[Matthew Berry]

back to Kelsey and Jason was like, no, it's Kelsey. I don't know what my brother's saying.

[Jay]

Alvin Kamara did it.

[Lawrence]

Yep. Kamara. Kamara.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a plague.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. A Chan. Devon. A chain. Like he said it was a chain. He was a chain all through college and then he got there and he said it was a chain. And then after like the 200 yard game, he's like, it's a Chan.

[Matthew Berry]

Well, speaking of a Chan, he tops the hate list. And it's not because of the multiple pronunciations of his name, Matthew. It's more because Miami looks like they're going into a full rebuild.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. I mean, look, losing Mike McDaniel, you don't love that. Losing Jaylen Waddle, you don't love that. Adding Malik Willis, you don't love that. Just because Malik Willis is not a guy that you think is going to dump off to the running back. So much of Jovan H. Chan's fantasy value last year were as a receiver. 50%, actually, of Devon HN's fantasy points over the last two years were part of the receiving game because he just gets so many receptions, those dump offs that he runs for 10, 15 yards. And I don't know that he's Going to get as many of that with Malik Willis. And so look, Malik Willis over the last few years, right, Malik Willis has had 89 pass attempts. Nine of them went to running backs. Literally 10% Malik Willis. Like again, it's all small sample size stuff. But like Malik Willis is more than not likely to tuck and run rather than dump off to a running back or check down when he feels pressure. And I suspect behind that offensive line he will feel pressure this year, especially with no Jalen Waddle. I feel like defense is going to say like we'll take our chances with Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington and we're going to load the box and try to stop Devon Hn, who is their most talented skill player. And so look, he's still going to get a massive workload. He's still really talented but you know, he drops a few spots. I have him at running back seven, so I still have him as a top 10 running back. But just you talk about players that lost value in the moves in free agency and I would argue Devon Achan is one of them. We love him though. He's a friend of the podcast. You know, he's been on our show.

[Matthew Berry]

He's just on the hate list.

[Lawrence]

It's not his fault, it's everyone around him.

[Jay]

It's a lot of dual threat. Damn near every dual threat quarterback. You don't see their running backs catching 60 and 70 passes. Like a guy like James Cook. Like he, you would think he catches 80 passes a year. He's. That's not going to happen when you got a Josh Allen. Same for guys like hurts Lamar, all those guys. It's just, it doesn't get done.

[Lawrence]

And I'll just say that Malik Wells 3 starts with Green Bay where Josh Jacobs, a very talented running back in his own right is back there. In the three starts with Green Bay, Malik Will saw 20% of the packers rushing attempts and 42% of their Red zone rush attempts. I mean like he's somebody that again is likely to keep it when they get in close. And so anyway, it's just as somebody who has Devon H. Chan in Dynasty, I was not happy with this offseason.

[Matthew Berry]

Another running back on the hate list that we've previously loved, Lawrence Bucky Irving. And it's nothing to do with Bucky specifically, more just that Kenneth Gainwell is now in this offense and and he does a lot of the same things. Well that Bucky does already for sure.

[Jay]

I say this Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell going to be a hell of A real life running back tandem. Kenneth Gainwell coming off a career high over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Not all purpose over a thousand yards from scrimmage. So he was, he scored eight touchdowns last year, was running back 20. And this is splitting time with Jalen. What's the guy for Pittsburgh?

[Lawrence]

No, Jaylen Warren.

[Matthew Berry]

Same problem two weeks ago. I don't know why.

[Jay]

So Kenneth Gainwell comes up with the big plays in the past game, in the run game. So you think about what Rashad White did a couple years ago with Baker Mayfield when he was catching 65 passes and 55 passes. Like Kenneth Gainwell is being brought there to be that type of a reliable playmaker. And like you said, they do a lot of the same things. Good. So it's not going to be any drop off. So I feel like they're going to feel like, hey, whichever guy is in is good. And that's going to be a problem for anybody that has Bucky Irving. I would take Kenneth Gainwell at the cheaper price.

[Lawrence]

You add into not only Gainwell, but they brought back Sean Tucker, who you think about last year when Bucky Irving returned in Week 13, Sean Tucker saw 64% of the Buccaneers goal line rush attempts like they like Tucker around the goal line. It's the same coaching staff as well. And so now you know, I don't know that Tucker has any stand alone value unless there was an injury to one of those two guys. But you just feel like they like him in close and so does Bucky. Especially when you think about Gainwell's going to be in on some, you know, some shorter passing downs as well. Does that hurt Bucky Irving's touchdown equity? He's my running back, 18 in my initial positional ranks over in Denver, Jay

[Matthew Berry]

J.K. dobbins back in the mix kind of puts a little dent in the RJ Harvey potential hype for year two.

[Connor Rogers]

Yep, JK Dobbins is back and Dobby has not come to save RJ Harvey and friends, so to speak. Harvey's workload, as you can see here with J.K. dobbins week one through ten before Dobbins got hurt. RJ Harvey only seven and a half touches per game. I think a lot of the book on RJ Harvey coming out was a little confusing why Denver might have drafted him given that it seems like he was constructed in a lab to make Sean Payton go a little nuts in terms of trying to bounce runs to the outside. And it kind of played out as you would expect. Sean Payton leaned on the Veterans. Why did you drop RJ Harvey in the first place? In any case, I do think there is more upside in RJ Harvey than JK Dobbins because Dobbins is kind of a known commodity. But you know, median outcomes. Dobbins is probably going to get more of the work than Harvey. So it certainly caps Harvey for now.

[Lawrence]

It does it. I mean look, they used him even though they didn't want to. I mean like so he's. I'm at running back 33.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, Harvey, easier said than done. But I'll let somebody else figure out Denver's backfield this year. I just if it's a hangover, which is a shame.

[Connor Rogers]

So I think they're actually going to be really good.

[Lawrence]

Y Dobbins is good.

[Jay]

Like his main thing for his career is being hurt. Like this Guy averages over 5 yards of carry in his career. If he didn't get hurt so much, he'd still be in Baltimore right now.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, I mean just as a starter like you think about, you know, he averaged 3.3 yards per carry in his nine starts after J.K. dobbins went down. And so we also don't know. We think it's going to look a lot similar but like for this Davis Webb is going to call the plays for Denver, not Sean Payton for the first time. So there'll probably be some wrinkles that are different from what we would normally see in Sean Payton offense. So I'm with you. Somebody else can figure that out.

[Matthew Berry]

Staying in the AFC with the Houston Texans, they make the move for David Montgomery, Woody Marks. Last year Matthew kind of fell into the starters role. It doesn't feel like the Texans are going to assume they could do that again this year.

[Lawrence]

That's clear. Look, the second low, second lowest yards per carry among running backs with at least 100 rushes last season. Woody Marks, he was bottom five in yards per rush after contact. Right. I mean he's, you know, he's a twitchy guy. That should be a third down back that was miscast.

[Matthew Berry]

That's right. He's a pass catching third down back. Right.

[Lawrence]

And he was just miscast as an early down back. And so you think about this, they wanted Nick Chubb to be that guy and it just didn't happen last year, unfortunately. Too many injuries and usage for Nick Chubb. So you know the Texans who want to take pressure off CJ Stroud, they want to run the ball. So here comes Dave Montgomery we talked about as a love. Dave Montgomery is going to be the lead guy and Woody Marks who everyone is so excited about. He's my running back. 39. He's a third down PPR flex type running back.

[Matthew Berry]

Let's go to the pass catchers here. Back to the love list headlined by George Pickens. Still waiting for that official extension. Jackson, Smith and Jigba gets his Pickens on the tag right now. Wide receiver 6 in points per game last last season. A monster year for George Pickens. Matthew, we're happy to see him back in Dallas right now.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, that was the best possible outcome. I mean obviously there are a lot of places that were interested in Pickens, especially after the year he had. But going back to Dallas where he was the fifth best wide receiver on a points per game basis last season he was third in the NFL in receiving yards, second most end zone targets here. And you think about this Cowboys offense that was third and pass attempts last year. So Pickens who was top eight in the NFL in total targets and people like I know, hey, but Barry wasn't your guy. Eights injured for a little while. I call him 8. CD Lamb of course, but his friends call him Eights. Well, in the games in which CD Lamb was active, George Pickens still averaged over 16 fantasy points per game. So there's enough volume. And what you like about this is not only is he returning to Dallas, but so is everything else. Dak is back. The play caller is back. Good line, good line. Javante Williams. Like the entire offense, there was no major changes. They didn't add anyone in free agents that they feel like they didn't fire any coaches. Like everything is the same as last year. So I think the expectation here is especially second year in Schottenheimer's system, second year playing with Dak Prescott. Pickens should have another monster season. I'm his wide receiver. 11.

[Matthew Berry]

Veteran wide receiver on the move. It's weird to say it Jay, but Mike Evans finally no longer on the Tampa Bay Bucks and was very selective, very wisely going to the 49ers.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I think it's a perfect match. This is what this Niners offense was missing. Brock Purdy loves to throw the ball up for grabs. I think that the wide receiver that Purdy has had the best connection with in his career I think pretty clearly is Brandon Iuk and he doesn't have that type of player last year and have like a legit bonafide X receiver who can get down the field. The number one receiver on the Niners last year by far was Christian McCaffrey. Like this can't happen again. The number one wide receiver was Juwan Jennings who topped out at 600 something receiving yards. So I think the that with the red zone targets that Evans is going to get and just how he's going to space the floor, so to speak for the Niners, I think that he is a perfect fit there for Brock Purdy's skill set.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, one of the things I said when that move happened on this show is just like I think he very easily have a Devonte Adams type year that where maybe he doesn't have all the yardage but like just he's a touchdown a game. He's just going to be such a red zone target for for Brock Purdy when they get in close.

[Matthew Berry]

All right, Lawrence, how about speaking of Tampa Bay, Mike Evans out. That has to help the guys that are there. Depending on the health of Chris Godwin, but maybe more so for a mecca Buka.

[Jay]

Yeah, we just said it right. A lot just opened up down there in Tampa Bay and we know Baker and that offense, they're going to be heavy pass volume there. Mike Evans had a 26% target share, 44 of the team end zone targets in his seven full games. You look at Emeka Abuka who started off like gameboy busters to start the season. He had a 28% target share in the nine games that Mike Evans missed. So you could expect something closer to that on his end for Chris Godwin. Obviously depending on whatever's going on with the health. He had 22% of the targets with Mike Evans off of the field. So the passing game will go through these two receivers. You have Tess Johnson and Jalen McMillan behind them, but when they need it, they'll go to a mecca Buka Chris Godwin.

[Matthew Berry]

All right, guys going further down the list, Arizona, they don't get Malik Willis under center Matthew, but Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson make the list because no more Kyler Murray. They seem to like Jacoby Brissette more last year.

[Lawrence]

Jacoby Brissette understands the assignment is what we said all last year. And so this is very exciting for anyone that has Marvin Harrison and Dynasty or Michael Wilson as well. Look, last year Brissette led the NFL in pass attempts per game. After becoming the starter, he was second in passing yards per game. Now was that junk time? Sure. Do we think the defense will be hopefully better this year and it's a new offensive system. So I get it. New coach, new play caller and all of that. But still the fact that they are committing to Jacoby Brissett who I think all the assumptions were, including mine, that he would be a backup somewhere or that even if it was in Arizona, that Arizona would find a quarterback. But the fact that they basically said, nope, we're leaving Kyler, we're not going after Malik Willis or anyone else. Nope, we're rolling with Jacoby. Yeah, Jacoby Brissette understands the assignment. So I think this is good for MHJ, who's wide receiver 29 for me, my initial ranks and Michael Wilson, who's wide receiver 37. Do you, Connor, do you think based on sort of what's happened in the offense in the offseason so far and obviously how the Cardinals go in the draft, but could you see that? Are they going to be in, you know, pass pass heavy scripts because you know that their defense once again will, will fail. They're in a tough division.

[Matthew Berry]

They're in. It's there. That's the thing. Six year games are just brutal like

[Lawrence]

out of the gate.

[Matthew Berry]

So that's, that's a given. That's not even schedule gods being unfair to you. The offensive line still needs some help, which is always a concern. Brissette's not the most mobile guy. They have great skill talent like McBride and those two receivers can go. You probably are leaning on hoping they are in these scripts where they're down two scores. Their defense, it's weird. It's not a bad defense across the entire unit. They just don't have players.

[Lawrence]

But like they're not like a guy

[Matthew Berry]

that like takes over the game looking

[Jay]

like man, he's gonna get me on third down. You're not worried about you.

[Matthew Berry]

And that's kind of been their kryptonite is, you know, they don't have that difference maker on defense. Did they find that guy at three? We'll see. So yeah, I would buy into Arizona's offense because it has a floor in

[Lawrence]

terms of them throwing the ball regardless of anything else. And we'll see how it all plays out obviously and we'll do a love hate after the NFL draft, of course. But just the like. Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson were both much more productive with the same defense last year. Much more productive with Jacoby Brissette than they were with Kyla Murray. So just the fact that they get to continue with Jacoby Brissett is good for Harrison and Wilson.

[Matthew Berry]

Some others receiving votes on the love list for pass catchers. Garrett Wilson, Geno Smith, make your jokes. It's a much bigger upgrade than Justin Fields and Brady Cook last year. DJ Moore now moving on to Buffalo and That, of course, helps Luther Burden. Matthew. It's kind of the double boost there with Chicago and Buffalo.

[Lawrence]

Among wide receivers with at least 60 targets, Luther Burton was top five in both yards per target and yards per route run. Among wide receivers. He's going to be a trendy sleeper for myself and a lot of other people. Roma Dunes and Colston Loveland also move up as DJ Moore moves on. But by the way, this is a good move for DJ Moore's fantasy value because now he becomes the unquestioned number one one in Buffalo, where we sort of lost the shuffle. In Chicago, we joke about Gino, but Tyler Lockett in 2022 with Gino was wide receiver. 16. DK Metcalf, 2022, 2023, top 25 wide receiver. He had no. 1 last year in with the Raiders. But, yeah, if you get Seattle. We talked about this when it happened. If Geno can be just as good as he was in his last year in Seattle, he's the best jets quarterback since Chad Pennington.

[Ved]

Yeah.

[Lawrence]

Also, I would argue that.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I mean, the one Ryan Fitzpatrick year, right?

[Lawrence]

Yeah, the Ryan Fitzpatrick year. Last year, the last. The healthy Rodgers year.

[Connor Rogers]

Mike White had a sick game against

[Matthew Berry]

Minnesota and against the Bengals earlier.

[Jay]

About the Raiders offensive line last year, let's take that into account, too. Now he moves over to the Jets. Not to say that it was any more competent offensively, but, man, like, I think their line's going to be strength of the team. Yeah, that's their offensive line. They're much better there than what the Raiders were. So if I got Garrett Wilson on Dynasty, whatever. If I'm getting him in Rejrav, I'm feeling pretty damn good now that you got Geno there.

[Connor Rogers]

Sneaky thing as well. It's not just the Raiders. Gino didn't have a good offensive line in Seattle.

[Matthew Berry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

That was a weakness of the team there and he had to work around. This is by far the best offensive line Gino's played with in his career.

[Lawrence]

Christian Watson with Romeo Dobbs moving on. That's a 19% target share that's vacated. So Christian Watson moves up. Josh Downs, no Michael Pittman there. Alex Pierce back as the deep threat. I think there'll be a lot of underneath stuff for Josh Dowinson. How about Chigaconkwo? Let's get chiggy with it. He's Potentially the number two pass catcher on Washington behind Terry McLaurin. Zach Ertz, of course, terrible injury and he's somebody. Zach ertz last year, 35 years old, averaged over five targets a game for the Commanders. Zach Ertz, you know, we'll see if he's back with Washington, but Chinga Konkwo is young, healthy, and potentially the. The number two pass catch for the Commanders. I still think they wind up with iuk, but at the moment, wherever he is at the moment, there's not much in Washington besides it's Terry and Chiggy. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Drives by the Niners Stadium. Post the video the Hate List headlined by. You brought up Michael Pittman. How about his teammate, DK Metcalf? We don't know who the Steelers quarterback is going to be and now he's got some more target competition in this offense.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, I mean, he only saw 21% of the team's red zone targets last year when he was the only guy in town. And now you get Michael Pittman who is, you know, so good and close. Right. Last year, Aaron Rodgers was dead last of unqualified quarterbacks and average depth of target and percentage of passes that traveled more than 15 yards. He's a dink and dunker these days, at least in that offense. I know, I know, McCarthy, it's a new offense, but still just have assuming Aaron Rodgers is back. DK Metcalf definitely takes a hit given the way Rodgers is playing these days and Michael Pittman being there. Also, Brian Thomas Jr. Is somebody.

[Matthew Berry]

Can't believe we're here already, but it's real.

[Lawrence]

I mean, he's my wide receiver. 38 BTJ, right. Six games he played with Jacobi Myers last year. Just a 16% target share. That was tied for third on the team. And that's without Travis Hunter, who we expect to be back healthy. So you just think about the fact that you've got Parker, Washington, Brenton Strange, Jacoby Myers and Travis Hunter. BTJ is potentially the fifth passing option on this team. Do I think he gets more than Breton Strange? Yes, of course. But I'm just saying, like, there's a lot of mouths to feed. And btj, the fact that they, they didn't move on from him, but that they have all these guys, you know, there's more mouths to feed there in Jacksonville.

[Matthew Berry]

I think they just haven't gotten their price. It felt like by the end of the year, it felt like Liam Cohen was kind of telling you he had some better games down the street. Yeah, I'll say.

[Jay]

He, he don't just not know how to play football.

[Lawrence]

No, no, no.

[Jay]

It's just that the, the receiving room just got a lot of deeper, especially with Jacoby Myers.

[Lawrence]

Once after in the six games that he played with Jacoby Myers. Once Jacoby Myers showed up, he got. He had only 6% of the team's red zone targets. Five, five other players saw more red zone targets than BTG, right. And again, less than a 17% target share. And by the way, it was all working. It's not like it was like Trevor Lawrence played as good a football as he's ever played in his life. They were rolling. They were rolling and, you know, you know, made the playoffs. And honestly, like, should have probably gone farther. And I. I just.

[Matthew Berry]

I think you want him if you're. If you like him in fantasy, you want him training.

[Jay]

TJ needs Matt Jones right now.

[Lawrence]

What does he need?

[Connor Rogers]

Is, like, Baltimore trading pick 45 for BTJ.

[Matthew Berry]

That's the thing. I would. You think Jacksonville probably feels like they have to get a top 50 pick back? I don't think right now, depending how the draft goes for teams, a team is willing to surrender that.

[Jay]

Which is crazy. If he gets traded, man, he.

[Lawrence]

But like, like Washington, like, we'll take him. Get like, Washington's got $70 million in cap space. Hey, Jacksonville, is there some overpriced player you want to dump on us in exchange for us and giving us. I'm serious. Like, they got no one else to spend it on. That's what they should do, is they should take some crappy contract on and use that cap space to get somebody like BTJ who's still on a rookie contract.

[Matthew Berry]

All right, we're going to take our first break. When we're back, Love Hate continues. We got the quarterbacks coming up right after this.

[Lawrence]

How far back does your Vikings fandom

[Jay]

or your knowledge or interest in this organization go?

[Ved]

Ever since I started playing tackle football. I was seven years old. I was seven years old. Genuine, genuine fandom, you know, ran deep. Vikings gear through and through. A lot of purple in my household. I don't want to bring it up right now, but maybe later. Another day.

[Connor Rogers]

It was a lot.

[Ved]

It was a moment. I'll bring it up. Anyways, whatever. I cried. I cried real tears whenever, you know, whenever Brett threw that interception. I cried real tears that day.

[Matthew Berry]

Love, hate. Quarterbacks. Kyler Murray at the top of the list. He's now on the team. He rooted for. For just about as good of a landing spot as you could ask for Matthew for a quarterback. The school of Kevin O' Connell and the opportunity potentially above JJ McCarthy.

[Lawrence]

There's no question again type Kyler Murray in Dynasty. And I'm just like, you know, I Don't know what his value is going to be. He's alive again, like, exactly right. Potentially even more value than he's ever had before because now he's in Minnesota getting to throw to Justin Jefferson, TJ Hawkinson, Jordan Addison in with Kevin o' Connell as his head coach. Kevin o', Connell, of course, resurrects Sam Darnold. Can he do the same with Kyler Murray? Kyler Murray has finished as a top 12 fantasy quarterback in points per game in every season where he's played at least eight games, right. In the three years. In the four years that Kevin o' Connell has been a head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, the Vikings have ranked top 10 in fantasy quarterback points per game in three of them. The only season being of course, you know, know last year with JJ McCarthy and we'll get to him in a second here. But more than half his games will be indoors on a dome. You know, he's going to play the eight. He's got Detroit, he's got, he'll play, he'll play a lot of games in favorable environments I think as well. It's another year removed from the injury, so hopefully they get him on the move more. They just didn't run him enough in Arizona, especially after, you know, he had the injury. But I think this is. If you have Kyler Murray in Dynasty, and I do, this was just about the best possible landing spot for Kyler Murray. I'm his QB12 heading into the season.

[Connor Rogers]

The thing with Kyler, it's so interesting the way that he has spoken about because people talking about can he be the next reclamation project like Geno Smith, Sam Donald Baker Mayfield, he was garbage. Statistically, he's been as good as those guys. Resurrected to be the same, like too

[Matthew Berry]

far the other way. But Kyler Murray, he just became more mean because of the video game clause in the contract.

[Jay]

And they make them like five foot three all the time.

[Connor Rogers]

Kyler's like the 16th best quarterback in the league or something. Like it's a league average type of quarterback and that's pretty valuable.

[Matthew Berry]

Vikings would love that. It's a great team. 16th best quarterback will go take them places.

[Lawrence]

And by the way, 16th best quarterback now and now, hopefully you get him into this system with Kevin o', Connell, former NFL quarterback, former coach of the year, friend of the podcast. They got West Phillips. I mean they've got a lot, they've got a lot of very smart offensive minds. And again, I think it's very easy to say talent wise, the, the crew around him. All due respect to, you know, Marvin Harrison and you know, some of the players he's played with. And, and, but I would argue collectively that this is the best group of players he's played with. You know, I mean, like he had Justin Jefferson.

[Jay]

Yeah. About six goes a long way.

[Lawrence]

He had Larry Fitzgerald, but he had Larry Fitzgerald.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean their line is typically good and well coached. They'll draft another running back to help that room. Yeah, they're deep and then to put them in good spots.

[Jay]

You had a top five overall pick in Marvin Harrison, but you had. Now you have a ready made top five receiver in the NFL. So there's no development going. You know what I'm saying? You got a guy already.

[Matthew Berry]

Ryan Oswald asked Jefferson back to the top.

[Lawrence]

Maybe not the top, but in the tier. Oh, for sure. Like he's in the. He's in the Jamar Chase. CD Lamb.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean, what receivers are we drafting over him this year? Jamar Chase, jsn, jsn. I think he's four.

[Lawrence]

He's probably four. Four or five.

[Jay]

He still got that thousand yards last year.

[Connor Rogers]

It's like CD I understand Pickens.

[Matthew Berry]

I wouldn't. Because of Pickens.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Lawrence]

But it's. He's top five. He's. He's a top five fantasy wide receiver. He maintains his place on our wall. He's here somewhere.

[Matthew Berry]

You're wrong for a second.

[Lawrence]

He.

[Jay]

Down there. He.

[Connor Rogers]

You can't see.

[Lawrence]

He's behind the side sign. We've got a. We've got. They took our set down for the Olympics, but they put it back up. And so we'll have to rearrange the wall somewhat in terms of where the.

[Connor Rogers]

We'll face our Staminson. Less.

[Lawrence]

Yes. More Justin Jefferson now that he's got Kyler. Yeah. Jefferson needs a better spot. I have to look through the wall. Did we. We didn't lose anyone. Usually like after free agency we lose somebody, we're like, oh, well that. I'm just looking at our jerseys right now. Do we have anyone that we.

[Matthew Berry]

Did we not have Mike yet? Evans. I guess. We didn't have Mike Evans.

[Lawrence]

We did not have Mike Evans.

[Jay]

So we.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. McConkey, Kittle, A.J. brown is still on the. Oh, we do have Waddle. Waddle's behind the desk.

[Matthew Berry]

But we'll get an upgraded Waddle.

[Connor Rogers]

We got a month left of A.J.

[Lawrence]

brown. Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes, that's right. Enjoy.

[Lawrence]

YLS.

[Matthew Berry]

They're at it every Thursday.

[Lawrence]

I mean, look, Jameer Gibbs is way in the back with a different number. Definitely his Old number. So we got. We'll do some updating this offset. There we go.

[Matthew Berry]

Lawrence. We talked about the Dolphins leaning into a rebuild and how that can hurt Achan, but it shouldn't hurt Malik Willis in fantasy with that kind of script in his running.

[Jay]

The thing with him, Connor is he averages almost 45 rushing yards a game in his six starts. So that even goes back to the Titans days when that team was terrible. But 23 points per game in his three starts for Green Bay won't have that same type of team. But looking at the Dolphins defense, the Dolphins are going to have the ball a lot. So he'll have a lot of opportunity to score points from a fantasy perspective. That's why he should be on the love list.

[Matthew Berry]

Some others receiving votes. Daniel Jones, the 88 million dollar man across two years for the Colts. Good for Daniel Jones. I gotta hire his big money. I gotta talk to his agent.

[Lawrence]

Big money.

[Matthew Berry]

What can you do for me?

[Lawrence]

Exactly.

[Matthew Berry]

88 million over two years for Daniel Jones.

[Lawrence]

This is super awkward, but his agent is Josh Levy.

[Matthew Berry]

That'd be amazing. Plots are. My agent is Daniel Jones agent. Yeah, agent. And then Jacoby Brissette. We already kind of talked about how Arizona's offense is an interesting vibe this year.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, look, he led the NFL in past attempts. Jacoby did per game in second passing yards per game. As we talked about top eight fantasy quarterback in points per game once he became the starter, he was a top 12. He was a QB one 10 of the 12 starts. And we talked about Daniel Jones like that's the best possible landing spot for him coming back second year in Steichen system. Yes, he loses Pittman, but everyone else is is around there. Bringing back Pierce was big for him and just, you know, look, he was QB7 before he got hurt.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, obviously like the Achilles. We'll see what that does to him, particularly his mobility which is a big part of his game even though he wasn't running time last year anyway. But just in theory, it would be helpful if you do that. Just worried that the wheels were starting to come off Jones a little bit before the injury.

[Lawrence]

A little bit. But this, but in terms of fantasy value, this is the best possible place for him to land as opposed to going somewhere else.

[Matthew Berry]

Hateless is headlined by I won't say. I won't say it. By the way, new uniforms. They just announced while we were doing the show.

[Lawrence]

This is true. Jaden Daniels is at the top and it's not Jaden's fault. You know I love me. I love Some Jaden Daniels get him

[Jay]

on that ISO while Jaden Daniels jersey is right behind him.

[Lawrence]

Faith in five. But you can't argue that his fantasy value did anything but go down with the moves that the commanders made. They lose their center in free agency. That was a move I didn't understand. I don't understand why they let him go. But let's. They tried to get Alec Pierce. They couldn't do it. They tried to get. They tried to get Romeo Dobbs. They missed out there. And so their depth chart behind Terry McLaurin now is Traylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Van Jefferson and Diamond Brown.

[Jay]

He's back.

[Lawrence]

Right. And then they had Chegaconkwo. That's the big pass catcher they added. Plus you know, they brought back Diamond Brown and Van and they added Van Jefferson. But just. You don't feel great. I still make QB4. Still have faith in 5. But certainly you would have liked to see them add an impact second wide receiver after the injury plagued year that McLaurin had last year. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Hate list for JJ McCarthy as well. Pretty simple.

[Matthew Berry]

No, if we can go lower, it's over.

[Connor Rogers]

I mean it's Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones sequel. Except Kyle Omari is better than Daniel Jones and J.J. carson Wentz too.

[Lawrence]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

He's double.

[Jay]

They double dipped on quarterbacks.

[Connor Rogers]

I think it's very unlikely. He's the starting quarterback.

[Lawrence]

Yeah. At any point.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean they can't mess around. Like they can't have another year like last year where the team was so clearly good enough to be a playoff.

[Connor Rogers]

Justin Jefferson will retire. He can't do. He can't do that again.

[Jay]

And Justin Jefferson has been pretty nice about the whole.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh yeah. You know, patience runs out for everybody.

[Lawrence]

But even Justin Jefferson is, you know, there's been some quotes who. Somebody's never right.

[Jay]

That's all I'm saying. He like you're seeing a little bit like ah, yeah.

[Lawrence]

Shouldn't be this hard, you know, dropping F bombs. Exactly. It was. Yeah. It just. So. Yeah. You know, anyway, maybe McCarthy sits. JJ can sit on the bench and learn a little bit and. And you know.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

The jets quarterback.

[Lawrence]

We've seen it with Darnold, we've seen it with Geno.

[Matthew Berry]

Like there's always a chance.

[Lawrence]

There's always a chance that he can,

[Jay]

you know, he just can't eventually become

[Lawrence]

a great quarterback in the NFL. But. All right.

[Matthew Berry]

We're taking one more break. When we're back, we're looking at the most regular season wins on DraftKings. On DraftKings Sportsbook. New customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the app and use promo code ffhh when you sign up. DraftKings sportsbook.

[Lawrence]

Oh, the crown is yours.

[Jay]

Okay, you just seen the rest of the song.

[Lawrence]

The crown is yours.

[Matthew Berry]

Lawrence the most regular season wins via DraftKings. Jay, what do you like on the board?

[Connor Rogers]

Gonna take the favorite? The Rams plus 750. I think that this was. There was no team definitively better than the Rams last season. I think that was Seattle's equal and we saw that in the NFC title game. The one weakness of this team was cornerback Lincoln Trent and Jalen Watson. So I think this is the most complete team in football. Understand the schedule isn't super easy, but McVay and Stafford, this is a regular season wins machine.

[Matthew Berry]

I'll take the Ravens. Bounce back at plus 850. I'm a believer in Jesse Minter, a rejuvenated Lamar and you brought up the schedule. It's not so bad for the Ravens, I'll tell you that. They play the NFC south, so I like the Ravens at 850. I know you kind of lean the same way.

[Lawrence]

They play the NC south and the AFC south and they get Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh. You know, when you think about divisions, it's, it's, you know, the AFC north is not what it used to be. So I like the Ravens. But just to give another thing like, you know, The Eagles at plus 1600 feels like kind of crazy to me. Every other year the Eagles are like dominant. And so after a tough year last year, I feel like they'll be back. Howie is too small.

[Matthew Berry]

You know what?

[Jay]

I'm going to go with the Buffalo Bills. You know why? Because not a single other AFC north team or AFC east team was on that list of 10 teams, including the Patriots. They've replaced what they've lost in their roster. They'll continue to dominate, they'll have a tough schedule, but I'll take the Bills

[Lawrence]

and they've got DJ Moore. That was the difference. There you go. Hey, it's closing time. You don't have to go home, but you can stay here. Go see my rankings on rotorworld.com for Lawrence, Jan, Conrad, Matthew, have a no winning day. Peace out.