FFT Express - Training Camp Questions That Will Define 2025! (07/18 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: FFT Express - Training Camp Questions That Will Define 2025!

Released on July 19, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today’s FFT Express segment, host Adam Aizer and analyst Jamie Eisenberg dive deep into the critical training camp questions that could shape the upcoming fantasy football season. Skipping the advertisements and non-content segments, the discussion primarily revolves around key contract situations, position battles, and specific team dynamics that fantasy managers need to monitor before their drafts.

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Key Contract Situations

Jamie Eisenberg highlights the importance of monitoring contract developments for crucial players, particularly focusing on wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Juwan Jennings. These contracts could significantly impact their availability and performance levels, affecting their fantasy value.

• Terry McLaurin & Juwan Jennings:
  "These are scenarios that could be problematic. You know, hopefully they're going to be get extensions if that's what they want and they get, they get their situation settled and then we get those two receivers playing at the level that they were at last year."
  (01:00)

Eisenberg also touches upon other receivers like Cortland Sutton, James Cook, and rookies such as Ray Davis, suggesting that their contract situations and potential roles could influence their draft positions.

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Quarterback Position Battles

The discussion shifts to the quarterback spots, with a particular focus on the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. Anthony Richardson’s health and performance are scrutinized, especially his impact in PPR leagues.

• Anthony Richardson’s Potential:
  "This is a guy based on his running ability could be an absolute league winner if you're taking him with a late round pick."
  (02:16)

Adam Aizer expresses concerns about the reliability of certain quarterbacks, highlighting the inconsistency in performance metrics such as rushing yards, which directly affect fantasy points.

• Adam’s Concerns on Reliability:
  "He basically did that without Chris Olave and Rashid Shahid. So he was the only option. The fact that he was getting 13, 7, 10 and 5 carries for 40, 10, 67 and 12 yards because they were horrible."
  (03:18)

Eisenberg responds by differentiating between PPR and non-PPR leagues, suggesting that Chris Olave’s health and involvement could stabilize quarterback performance and, consequently, their fantasy value.

• Eisenberg’s Counterpoint:
  "If you're drafting in non and half ppr, I would totally agree with you. If you're drafting Chimera in ppr, this is what you should be expecting."
  (04:33)

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Cleveland Browns’ Uncertain Quarterback Situation

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Cleveland Browns, focusing on their quarterback turmoil following Deshaun Watson’s departure and the recent issues surrounding Jacoby Brissett.

• Jamie on the Browns’ QB Situation:
  "I'd love to see Joe Flacco be the starter and hold on to the job the majority of the season because I think that would benefit all the pass catchers."
  (06:13)

The discussion addresses the legal and ethical implications of Jacoby Brissett’s arrest for domestic violence, emphasizing the uncertainty it brings to the Browns’ lineup and, consequently, to fantasy managers.

• Adam’s Reflection on Drafting Judkins:
  "I drafted Judkins over Brian Robinson Jr. And it was a tough call for me... this is a very serious situation."
  (07:01)

Eisenberg acknowledges the delicate nature of discussing player arrests and their impact on fantasy football, reinforcing the need for sensitivity.

• Eisenberg on Sensitive Topics:
  "There are victims involved in these situations and, you know, we just never can say it the right way."
  (07:29)

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Running Back Position Battles Across Teams

The analysts explore potential running back scenarios in various teams, highlighting how training camp battles could influence draft strategies.

• Jamie on Dallas Cowboys:
  "Javante Williams... does he get a new opportunity here? With the Cowboys to sort of have that J.K. Dobbins type season of being the featured guy on an offense?"
  (08:58)

Other teams mentioned include Jacksonville, New England, Denver, and the Giants, where backups could emerge as valuable fantasy assets depending on who secures the starting roles.

• Impact of Position Battles:
  "There are a lot of backups... we could see who's the backup for the Rams, and that could be, you know, relevant situation as well."
  (07:52)

Jamie emphasizes the importance of monitoring these battles, as rookies and emerging players might offer significant value in the early to mid-rounds of fantasy drafts.

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Adam and Jamie reiterating the importance of staying informed about training camp developments. They encourage fantasy managers to keep a close watch on contract negotiations, position battles, and player performances to make informed decisions during drafts. With numerous variables at play, staying updated on these key questions will be crucial for dominating fantasy leagues in 2025.

• Final Thoughts:
  "Looking at those situations, I think it's not going to take much for rookie running backs to get pushed up draft boards if you're drafting it with one."
  (09:06)

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Join the Conversation

For more insights and updates, tune into Fantasy Football Today and stay ahead of the competition by leveraging expert analysis from Adam Aizer and Jamie Eisenberg. Whether you're a seasoned manager or new to fantasy football, this podcast provides the tools and knowledge needed to win your league.

Transcript

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[Adam Azer]

Questions that we need answers to right now or at least before we do our fantasy drafts. We'll talk about it on FFT Express. And welcome everybody, Adam Azer and Jamie Eisenberg. It is Friday, July 18. We are doing good. We have a case of the Fridays. So let's send people into their weekend with an exciting edition of today's show. All right, Jamie, questions we need answered. How about some contract questions? Do we need any answers there?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So I think the two for sure that we got to keep an eye on are Terry McLaurin and Juwan Jennings. I still think you gotta keep a slight pay attention to Cortland Sutton. But in terms of McLaurin and Jennings, these are scenarios that could be problematic. You know, hopefully they're going to be get extensions if that's what they want and they get, they get their situation settled and then we get those two receivers playing at at the level that they were at last year. For Jennings there's a huge opportunity, obviously McLaren to build off what he did a year ago. But if they're going to be hold ins or you know, problems for their teams, then they're going to see their value potentially slide and be a benefit for a guy like Debo Samuel in Washington and Ricky Pearsall, maybe Brandon Ayuk in San Francisco. James Cook is another guy to keep an eye on with his situation in Buffalo, but hoping he's going to show up as well. But I draft a lot of Ray Davis just with the chance of at least the early drafts, a lot of, you know, scenario of this playing out and Ray Davis getting a bigger chance to carry the ball for Buffalo.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, so we'll start looking at position battles now. Can't things we want sorted out figured out throughout training camp. What stands out to you there?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I mean the quarterback spots would be Indianapolis for one and then I guess.

[Adam Azer]

But New Orleans, you said earlier, right?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, with the Colts. You know, the fact that Anthony Richardson's healthy is going to make this more complicated, I think. I know in my fishbowl league Anthony Richardson fell and this is a guy based on his running ability could be an absolute league winner if you're taking him with a late round pick. So if you, if you think that Richton's gonna be that guy, then you should take a flyer on him, not as a starter. You know, we overvalued him last year. I know I did. And now you're getting maybe the guy who could be 20 plus points per game and, and maybe even a better passer because he spent time this off season working with Josh Allen's throwing coach. So hopefully everything sort of falls in line for Richardson. But Daniel Jones, also in a super flex to QB league, can be a late round pick for the Saints. It's really more about who's going to benefit from a pass catching standpoint, you know. So Alma camaro was played four games last year with Spencer Rattler and in three of those four games he was over 17 PPR points. So it didn't really impact him in such a negative way. Really more about Chris Alave, Rashid Tahit, you know, so hopefully whoever's the starter there, whether it's Tyler Shuck or Spencer Rattler, they get those guys the ball.

[Adam Azer]

I would like to play devil's advocate on your Chimera take because let me just see, without Derek Carr I have. I didn't know this was going to come up, so sorry. Yeah, four games without Derek Carr. He did score 17 to 18.2 PPR fantasy points in three or four games. However, this is what concerns me. He rushed for fewer than than 40 yards in three of them.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Doesn't matter.

[Adam Azer]

No, it does. 12 or fewer rushing yards in two or four games. Now here's why it matters. Chris Olave played in only one of those games and he played one snap in another. Rashid Shahid played one snap, so. Or maybe one game. I might have had a typo there. So sure, he still was able to have enough receptions where it mattered. Five catches, six catches. Six catches, four catches. But he basically did that without Chris Olave and Rashid Shahid. So he was the only option. The fact that he was getting 13, 7, 10 and 5 carries for 40, 10, 67 and 12 yards because they were horrible. They lost 51, 27, they lost 33, 10, they lost 26, 8, they lost 20 to 19. I think that absolutely matters. Not enough carries, just entirely reliant on receptions. And he did that all pretty much all without Olav and, and Shahid.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

If you're drafting in non and half ppr, I would totally agree with you. If you're drafting Chimera in ppr, this is what you should Be expecting.

[Adam Azer]

Well, that's what you should be. Not a reliable enough role for me to expect 17 PPR fantasy points per game.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay. But I, I'll just counter. Your counter. If those guys are healthy, they have a better offense around them. Correct.

[Adam Azer]

Probably. This quarterback is so bad.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

There's a more competitive game and there's probably more carries for Camaro. But I, I'm. If I'm drafting him, this is why I'm drafting him. I'm drafting him to be basically a wide receiver.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. And another counter is. Well, based on where he's going in drafts, which is round five, he doesn't need to average 17 points per game.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, that's a team.

[Adam Azer]

And it'll be, it'll be good there. All right, Cleveland. Jamie, you know every battle in Cleveland is worth watching. Quarterback, obviously the Judkins situation, who's going to be the number two wide receiver? Probably it's going to be Tillman, but how involved he's going to be. So we got to keep our eyes on Cleveland. Your thoughts on the Browns after this commercial break on FFT Express.

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[Adam Azer]

Your thoughts on the Browns, Jamie?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'd love to see Joe Flacco be the starter and hold on to the job the majority of the season because I think that would benefit all the pass catchers. They're probably the entire offense in general. So the more against Flaco starts, the more you'll like Jerry Judy, David Najoku, Cedric Tillman, maybe even Deontay Johnson. The running back situation, we just don't know right now. Quits on. Judkins was arrested for charges of domestic violence and that could clearly play itself out from a suspension from the league depending on how the legal process plays out. So at this point you should be taking late round flyers on Jerome Ford. Dylan Sampson. Dylan Sampson. Jerome Ford. Whichever way you, you know, think this is going to play itself out, I think if Judkins misses time, Ford is probably the first and second down guy and Samson's more of the change of pace, pass couch and pass catching option. And I think that would be the case whether Judkins is there or not. I still think Judkins, for now should be drafted first, but we just don't know how this is going to work.

[Adam Azer]

I drafted Judkins over Brian Robinson Jr. And it was a tough call for me because I really could just. It's not even. It's not even close. If there's no, you know, before the arrest, I think there's a chance that he's just not going to play that much. Not, you know, there's a chance for this to be a pretty serious situation, which obviously is. But just even from football's perspective. Okay, I could have said that more delicately. I apologize for that. I just meant that this. This is a very. This is a very serious situation.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's always tough when we have to do our job and we talk about these situations. Rashi Rice, Jordan Addison, you know, Quinta Judkins. There's victims involved in these situations and, you know, we just never can say it the right way. So you didn't do anything wrong. Yeah.

[Adam Azer]

And we're not even touching on Rice and Addison. We talked a lot about them on the mailbag episode that we just recorded, but obviously we're gonna need answers on that. All right. Anything else that stands out to you? Any position battles you're looking at?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, a lot of running back situations. You know, the, the scenario in Dallas is going to be fascinating. Jacksonville is going to be fascinating. You know, who's going to be the lead running backs on those teams. You know, I think when you let the Giants, for example, you know, Cam Scatter Boo and Tyrone Tracy. So I think of. Of these, you know, I'm sure I'm missing one or two, but of these, you know, starting scenarios, because there's a lot of backups, right. We could see who's the backup for the Rams, and that could be, you know, relevant situation as well. But New England, you know, Trevion Henderson and Ramandre Stevenson, like, I think there's a lot of scenarios. Denver with RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins. Like, you could see a number two slash high end flex, you know, coming out of all these scenarios of who the. The starter is. So. But Dallas is. Is one of those that stands out to me because Javante Williams, once upon a time was one of our favorite guys and, you know, had the ACL tear in year two and never really recovered to the level that we hoped. Does he get a new opportunity here? With the Cowboys to sort of have that J.K. dobbins type season of being the featured guy on an offense that can, you know, certainly prop him up to where he hasn't been maybe the last couple years.

[Adam Azer]

Absolutely. Looking at those situations, I think it's not going to take much for rookie running backs to get pushed up draft.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Boards if you're drafting it with one Omari Hampton, you know, not here, the eye injury and he's starting to get back into that Round four range.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, but it's going to be hey, Travion Henderson is out playing Ramandre Stevenson. He's gonna have a bigger role on first and second down, isn't that. And then he could be I don't know if I'll sneak into the fourth round, but certainly an early all right, Jamie, thanks so much. Enjoy your weekend, everybody. Have a have a wonderful weekend. We'll talk to you on Monday on Fantasy Football Today Express.

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