Fantasy Football Today - Episode Summary Released: December 5, 2024

Hosts:

• Adam Aizer
• Dave Richard
• Jamie Eisenberg
• Heath Cummings

1. Episode Overview

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, the hosts dive deep into Start or Sit decisions for Week 14, focusing on key AFC players such as Tyreek Hill, Najee Harris, Calvin Ridley, and Justin Herbert. The discussion extends to player rankings, waiver wire strategies, trade evaluations, and listener mailbag questions. The team provides nuanced insights to help fantasy managers dominate their leagues.

2. Start or Sit Analysis

AFC Key Players:

• Tyreek Hill:

  • Heath Cummings emphasizes Hill's recent performance, noting, "He’s up there with five end zone targets in his last four games." (Timestamp: 64:00)
  • Dave Richard expresses reservations, stating, "He's not Tyreek Hill anymore, based on advanced stats." (Timestamp: 63:41)

• Najee Harris:

  • Jamie Eisenberg supports Harris as a must-start, highlighting his versatility in the passing and rushing game: "If he does both, you're going to get a game like last week." (Timestamp: 25:38)
  • Dave Richard concurs, comparing Harris to James Robinson: "I'm viewing them as must starts this week." (Timestamp: 26:34)

• Calvin Ridley:

  • Dave Richard points out concerns about Ridley's recent performance: "He’s only had two games with a touchdown all season." (Timestamp: 27:27)
  • Jamie Eisenberg remains optimistic, citing Ridley's potential in a revenge game: "I’m starting him because of the opportunity against Jacksonville." (Timestamp: 27:55)

• Justin Herbert:

  • Heath Cummings advises against starting Herbert due to inconsistent performances: "He hasn't been very good lately." (Timestamp: 49:33)
  • Jamie Eisenberg debates the matchup but leans towards starting Herbert over Kyler Murray: "I would start him over Kyler." (Timestamp: 51:44)

3. Player Rankings and Recommendations

Quarterbacks:

• Tua Tagovailoa:

  • Reigns as a top-five quarterback, with Jamie Eisenberg noting, "He’s playing well and is a top ten quarterback this week." (Timestamp: 05:36)

• Will Levis:

  • Classified as a top-15 quarterback, with Heath Cummings advocating for his high upside despite inconsistencies: "He’s one of three quarterbacks with seven touchdowns in the last four games." (Timestamp: 30:00)

• Jameis Winston vs. Russell Wilson:

  • Jamie Eisenberg prefers Winston over Wilson, citing consistent performance: "I would start him [Winston] over Russell Wilson." (Timestamp: 55:16)

Running Backs:

• Isaac Ordonez:

  • Dave Richard ranks him as a top-12 running back, praising his efficiency: "He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry." (Timestamp: 06:11)

• Tony Pollard:

  • Deemed a must-start by all hosts, with Heath Cummings stating, "Just start Tony Pollard." (Timestamp: 29:37)

• Breeze Hall:

  • Despite recent low performances, Dave Richard emphasizes his necessity: "If Breeze Hall plays, he is a must-start running back this week." (Timestamp: 30:16)

Wide Receivers:

• DeVante Adams vs. Garrett Wilson:

  • Dave Richard favors Adams, positioning him ahead of Wilson: "I’m ranking Devonte Adams one spot ahead of Garrett Wilson." (Timestamp: 65:04)

• Calvin Ridley:

  • Despite low recent scoring, Jamie Eisenberg supports his start due to favorable matchup: "I’m starting Ridley because of the opportunity against Jacksonville." (Timestamp: 27:55)

• DK Metcalf:

  • Jamie Eisenberg advises avoiding Metcalf in this matchup due to poor performance against the Cardinals: "He has not scored a touchdown in three straight games." (Timestamp: 07:58)

Tight Ends:

• Evan Ingram vs. Dalton Kincaid:
  • Dave Richard slightly prefers Ingram, highlighting his consistent targets: "He’s grabbing five passes every week." (Timestamp: 60:14)
  • Jamie Eisenberg leans towards Kincaid in half-PPR formats: "For me, it is [Otten over Ingram]." (Timestamp: 60:36)

4. Waiver Wire and Budget Strategies

• Heath Cummings warns against overspending FAB (Flex Action Budget) on high-profile players like Isaiah Pacheco and Isaac Ordonez, advising managers to monitor league budgets to retain flexibility: "Make sure if you spend a bunch of FAB on a player, you still have time to grab another big player that becomes available." (Timestamp: 12:08)

• Jamie Eisenberg echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of budget management to avoid being left without FAB for crucial pickups: "They spent all their FAB and now they have FAB left. Sorry, what the hell." (Timestamp: 12:23)

5. News and Notes

• Injuries and Suspensions:

  • Heath Cummings reports Trevor Lawrence is likely out for the season due to an IR designation: "Trevor Lawrence is done for the year." (Timestamp: 15:56)
  • Deontay Johnson is suspended for one game, raising concerns about his availability and value: "Deontay Johnson is suspended for one game because he didn't go into the game." (Timestamp: 19:01)

• Team Updates:

  • The Raiders activate Sincere McCormick, affecting their running back depth: "Sincere McCormick is on the active roster now." (Timestamp: 17:42)
  • The Panthers may cut Deontay Johnson, but Jamie Eisenberg believes he remains a valuable pickup: "He’s still going to be somewhat coveted." (Timestamp: 19:36)

• Defensive Highlights:

  • Heath Cummings highlights the Steelers' defense struggles against running backs: "Eight of their last nine games have given up 17.5 or more PPR points to running backs." (Timestamp: 38:25)

6. Listener Mailbag and Questions

• Quarterback Preferences:

  • Listeners asked whether to start Herbert or Kyler Murray against the Chiefs. Hosts generally recommend starting Herbert, citing his increased play volume: "I would start Herbert over Kyler." (Timestamp: 51:44)

• Wide Receiver Dilemma:

  • A question on choosing between Calvin Ridley and a Jets wide receiver led to a recommendation to start Ridley: "I’m starting Ridley over Juwan Jennings." (Timestamp: 61:37)

• Tight End Rankings:

  • Listeners inquired about Evan Ingram vs. Dalton Kincaid. Hosts recommend Ingram for full-PPR and Kincaid for half-PPR formats: "I would go with Ingram in full-PPR and Kincaid in half-PPR." (Timestamp: 60:36)

7. Final Recommendations and Conclusions

• Must-Starts:

  • Tony Pollard (RB)
  • Najee Harris (RB)
  • Isaac Ordonez (RB)
  • DeVante Adams (WR)
  • Evan Ingram (TE) in full-PPR

• Players to Avoid:

  • DK Metcalf (WR) vs. Cardinals
  • Isaiah Pacheco (RB) vs. Chargers
  • Calvin Ridley (WR) facing Jacksonville (conditionally started based on matchup)

• Strategic Insights:

  • Manage FAB Wisely: Avoid spending excessively on one player to retain budget flexibility.
  • Monitor Injuries: Stay updated on player statuses, especially key starters like Trevor Lawrence and Chill Metcalf.
  • Leverage Favorable Matchups: Capitalize on matchups where defenses are vulnerable, such as the Steelers against running backs.

• Quotes to Remember:

  • Heath Cummings: "Just start Tony Pollard." (Timestamp: 29:37)
  • Jamie Eisenberg: "If he does both, you're going to get a game like last week." (Timestamp: 25:38)
  • Dave Richard: "I'm viewing them as must starts this week." (Timestamp: 26:34)

8. Upcoming Segments

• Trade Evaluations: Hosts will grade recent trades and discuss potential moves.
• Waiver Wire Gems: Highlighting undervalued players available on waivers.
• Fantasy Cops: Addressing league disputes and offering resolutions.
• Mailbag: Responding to listener questions and social media inquiries.

Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Football Today offers a comprehensive analysis of Week 14's Start or Sit decisions, backed by expert insights from Adam, Dave, Jamie, and Heath. By focusing on player performance trends, matchup advantages, and strategic budget management, fantasy managers are equipped to make informed decisions and steer their teams toward victory.

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content interruptions have been excluded to focus solely on the valuable fantasy football insights provided in this episode.