Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Top 10 Wide Receivers + Preseason Hype
Release Date: August 10, 2017

I. Introduction and Preseason Hype

The hosts kick off the episode by diving straight into the excitement of the preseason, setting aside the usual advertisements and intros to focus on crucial fantasy football insights. They emphasize the significance of preseason performances in shaping draft strategies and player rankings for the upcoming season.

Key Discussion Points:

• Jameis Winston’s Performance: The hosts express cautious optimism regarding Jameis Winston's fantasy value. While recognizing his potential and leadership qualities, they highlight concerns about his youth and lack of extensive experience, suggesting that mistakes are still likely as he develops.

  Jason Moore [02:21]: "I have been cautious with my kind of endorsement of Jameis Winston as this otherworldly fantasy value this year because you look..."
  Andy Holloway [03:18]: "The most telling part for me... was the sit down with Dirk Cutter where it was clear as day... "

• Dirk Cutter’s Insights: Andy Holloway references a discussion with Dirk Cutter, indicating that the coaching staff may harbor reservations about Winston’s readiness to lead the team effectively.

  Andy Holloway [03:18]: "The most telling part for me... was the sit down with Dirk Cutter... does not believe that Jameis Winston is ready."

• Martavis Bryant’s Status: The conversation touches upon Martavis Bryant's reinstatement, debating his draft value amidst injury concerns. Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright expresses willingness to draft him in best ball leagues, anticipating his return by Week 1.

  Mike Wright [09:16]: "But he's, but he's, he's good to go for the preseason."

II. News and Notes from Around the League

The hosts provide updates and analyses on various players and teams, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the current state of the league.

Key Topics:

• Thomas Rawls vs. Eddie Lacy: Jason Moore discusses the running back situation, emphasizing Rawls' potential and the uncertainty surrounding Lacy's performance due to past injuries and team changes.

  Jason Moore [10:09]: "So those of you that were worried about pup that's been thrown away, it's gone. Luck will not be on the pup. Still could miss week one. Don't know. We'll see."

• New England Patriots’ Running Backs: The trio examines the Patriots' running back lineup, highlighting concerns about Mike Gillislee’s hamstring injury and the potential impacts on fantasy performance.

  Jason Moore [12:02]: "Yeah, he's been off the field. That should be the concern."

• Joe Mixon’s Draft Position: Andy Holloway and Mike Wright debate Joe Mixon’s draft value, suggesting a possible decline in his ranking due to limited opportunities in his offense.

  Andy Holloway [14:11]: "Mixon's still right now going, you know, at the back of the third round. And that is... That's too high."

III. Top 10 Wide Receivers Rankings

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to ranking the top 10 wide receivers for the upcoming fantasy football season. The hosts provide in-depth analyses, comparing player performances, potential, and risks.

1. Antonio Brown

Overview:
Antonio Brown is unanimously recognized as the top wide receiver due to his exceptional consistency and high-output performances in previous seasons.

Notable Insights:

• Consistency is Key: Antonio’s ability to produce reliable fantasy points each week makes him a coveted asset.

  Andy Holloway [16:01]: "But we do need to realize there is a huge gap on your fantasy team when it comes to how he scores his points."

• Potential Gap: The hosts discuss the significant value Antonio brings compared to other wide receivers, emphasizing that trading up for him can be advantageous.

  Mike Wright [16:49]: "The only thing about Antonio Brown is it almost feels like it's gotten to the point now where it's, like, boring to own him."

2. Julio Jones

Overview:
Julio Jones is highlighted as a top-tier wide receiver, albeit with considerations regarding injury history and preseason performance.

Notable Insights:

• Injury Concerns: Julio's susceptibility to injuries raises questions about his availability and consistent performance.

  Jason Moore [17:34]: "Yeah, that's it. You just... you know, with Julio Jones not supposed..."

• High Ceiling: Despite potential injuries, his ability to produce massive yards and touchdowns keeps him highly ranked.

  Andy Holloway [18:37]: "The nice thing with Julio is they don't need to use him in the red zone more for him to be the number one wide receiver."

3. Odell Beckham Jr.

Overview:
Odell Beckham Jr. stands out for his explosive playmaking ability and potential for monstrous games that can win fantasy matchups.

Notable Insights:

• Explosive Potential: Beckham's capacity for high-impact plays makes him a valuable pick despite any team offensive changes.

  Jason Moore [19:06]: "You shouldn't feel that way if you, if that's the guy that you want, take him over 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns each of his first three seasons."

• Offensive Synergy: The hosts believe that Beckham’s role in the offense will ensure continued high performance.

  Andy Holloway [20:10]: "There's a difference... despite the new additions to the offense."

4. Jordy Nelson

Overview:
Jordy Nelson is praised for his touchdown prowess, though concerns about his age and potential regression lead to a more cautious ranking.

Notable Insights:

• Touchdown Specialist: Nelson’s ability to score touchdowns is a significant asset, positioning him well in fantasy rankings.

  Jason Moore [22:20]: "If you want Odell, that's cool. I'll take Jordy."

• Age and Consistency: At 32, there's skepticism about his ability to maintain peak performance, though his experience is undervalued by some.

  Andy Holloway [24:33]: "But there's the opposite. Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson... have great age 31 seasons and great age 32."

5. A.J. Green

Overview:
A.J. Green is recognized for his elite reception percentage and yardage, making him a reliable second-tier wide receiver.

Notable Insights:

• Efficient Catcher: Green’s high reception rate and consistent yardage output contribute to his strong ranking.

  Jason Moore [26:56]: "Do not forget about this man."

• Injury Resilience: Despite past injuries, Green remains a solid pick due to his proven track record and offensive role.

  Andy Holloway [28:06]: "Never going to be close to double digit touchdowns."

6. Mike Evans

Overview:
Mike Evans is viewed as a valuable wide receiver with a high target count, though there are concerns about the sustainability of his pre-season performance.

Notable Insights:

• High Target Volume: Evans’ ability to attract a large number of targets makes him a consistent performer in fantasy leagues.

  Mike Wright [29:55]: "Mike Evans is just not up that, that A.J. green, Jordy Nelson tier."

• Team Dynamics: Improvements in team defense and running game are expected to balance his target share.

  Andy Holloway [31:24]: "I don’t think he’s going up, but I don’t necessarily think he’s going to... take a huge step backwards either."

7. Michael Thomas

Overview:
Michael Thomas is lauded for his exceptional catch rate and reliability, embodying a "bust-proof" asset in fantasy football.

Notable Insights:

• Catch Efficiency: With a 76% catch rate, Thomas offers one of the highest floors among wide receivers.

  Jason Moore [34:19]: "Cole Beasley caught like 76.5% of his cat."

• Touchdown Potential: Thomas’s role as the primary target in a potent offense ensures high reception and touchdown numbers.

  Andy Holloway [35:10]: "Never going to be close to double digit touchdowns."

8. Ty Hilton

Overview:
Ty Hilton is recognized for his yardage achievements but faces uncertainty regarding target volume due to the return of Dante Moore.

Notable Insights:

• Yards After Catch: Hilton’s ability to accumulate yards makes him a valuable asset, though his touchdown count remains a concern.

  Jason Moore [37:02]: "How high do you move him? Is he 10? Would he take over Amari Cooper at 10 on these rankings?"

• Competition for Targets: The return of Dante Moore poses a potential threat to Hilton's target share, affecting his overall fantasy value.

  Andy Holloway [38:33]: "He’s five point points worse per game in PPR without Andrew Luck."

9. Dez Bryant

Overview:
Dez Bryant is a high-risk, high-reward player known for his explosive touchdown potential but hampered by inconsistent reception rates.

Notable Insights:

• Touchdown Efficiency: Bryant’s ability to score frequently offsets his lower reception numbers, making him a playmaker when targeted.

  Mike Wright [41:05]: "He has a wide range of outcomes."

• Injury Concerns: Past injuries and limited recent performance data raise questions about his reliability for the upcoming season.

  Andy Holloway [44:00]: "Needs to keep his target volume up to maintain his TD efficiency."

10. Amari Cooper

Overview:
Amari Cooper is seen as an ascending wide receiver with solid yardage and reception metrics but faces concerns about consistency and lower touchdown production.

Notable Insights:

• Yardage Production: Cooper’s ability to rack up yards keeps him in the top 10, though his touchdown count doesn’t match his peers.

  Jason Moore [45:14]: "131 targets is great. 80 plus receptions is great. 1100 plus yards is great. Five touchdowns is not so great."

• Consistency Issues: Sporadic performance and missed practices contribute to uncertainty about his reliability throughout the season.

  Andy Holloway [46:48]: "You don’t have enough track record. There's nothing definitive that says when he will disappear."

IV. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the Fantasy Footballers provide final thoughts on the preseason matchups, expressing particular interest in observing key players like Dalvin Cook and the Tennessee wide receiver corps. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with ongoing games to refine their draft strategies and remain competitive in their leagues.

Key Takeaways:

• Dalvin Cook’s Potential: Mike Wright is especially excited about Dalvin Cook’s performance, emphasizing the importance of his running style and college performance translating into NFL success.

  Mike Wright [49:09]: "I'm excited to see Dalvin Cook because he's a player what college you watched... looked like an electric player."

• Amari Cooper’s Upside vs. Consistency: While Cooper shows promising numbers, his inconsistency remains a concern, prompting listeners to weigh his upside against potential volatility.

  Jason Moore [46:14]: "He is not a consistent player. He was a guy that would disappear and you felt the need to start him."

The hosts conclude by highlighting upcoming live shows and encouraging participation in their listener leagues, ensuring that listeners remain connected and informed throughout the fantasy football season.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [02:00]: "Today we're getting into the top 10 wide receivers."
• Mike Wright [27:52]: "It's an elite wide receiver. He still is an elite wide receiver."
• Andy Holloway [35:10]: "Michael Thomas is a guy I have on many of my leagues. I'm not afraid to draft him at all."
• Jason Moore [44:55]: "But let’s talk about the number 10 before we close out the show."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essential discussions, analyses, and insights shared by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, providing valuable information for both seasoned fantasy football enthusiasts and newcomers alike.