Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Booty-Scootin' Cam Newton + Hold Em' or Fold Em'
Release Date: June 30, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction

The Fantasy Footballers kick off their episode with the hosts expressing their excitement for the upcoming fantasy football season. The conversation quickly shifts to discussing current happenings and strategic considerations essential for fantasy managers.

2. News Segment: Cam Newton Joins the Patriots

Jason Moore leads the discussion with breaking news about Cam Newton signing with the New England Patriots:

"[06:15] Jason Moore: The Patriots have signed Cam Newton to an incentive-laden one-year contract. He's back."

The trio analyzes the implications of this move, debating whether Newton will serve as a starter or a backup quarterback to Jared Goff. They delve into Cam's health history and his impact on the Patriots' offense, considering his rushing ability and past MVP performance.

Key Points:

• Contract Details: A minimal one-year deal with significant incentives, reflecting the Patriots' strategic maneuvering without heavily impacting their salary cap.
• Starting Role: Despite Jared Goff being the starting QB, the Patriots' acquisition of Cam Newton suggests an intention to have competitive options, potentially reshaping the team's offensive dynamics.
• Fantasy Implications: Cam Newton’s rushing prowess makes him an intriguing fantasy option, but concerns about his health and the Patriots' offensive scheme remain.

Mike Wright emphasizes the potential benefits:

"[14:43] Mike Wright: Cam Newton is currently a top 12 quarterback for me."

Conversely, Andy Holloway urges caution, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Cam’s health and the Patriots' evolving offense:

"[09:32] Andy Holloway: If he's healthy, he's a starter for the Patriots. If not, there's a chance he'll be off the roster."

3. Hold 'Em or Fold 'Em Segment

In this strategic segment, the hosts evaluate various players based on their average draft positions (ADP), past performances, and projected outcomes for the upcoming season.

a. Lamar Jackson

Jason Moore passionately advocates for Lamar Jackson, highlighting his dual-threat capabilities:

"[18:35] Jason Moore: Lamar Jackson had an incredible season with 3,100 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 1,200 rushing yards."

Andy Holloway supports the decision to hold onto Jackson, recognizing his consistent fantasy output:

"[25:39] Andy Holloway: Lamar Jackson is pretty much a lock to be one of the top two quarterbacks."

Mike Wright, however, opts to fold, adhering to traditional late-round quarterback strategies:

"[23:24] Mike Wright: Fold. I'm adhering to the strategy because I believe it is the optimal strategy."

Conclusion:
Two hosts (Jason and Andy) decide to hold Lamar Jackson, valuing his high ceiling and consistent dual-threat fantasy potential. Mike refuses to deviate from conventional strategies, choosing to fold on Jackson despite his standout performance.

b. Cooper Kupp

The discussion shifts to Cooper Kupp, who had a fluctuating performance last season. Jason Moore initially opts to fold him due to inconsistent recent performances:

"[33:11] Jason Moore: Cooper Kupp was on fire early but faded towards the end of the season."

Andy Holloway counters by recognizing Kupp's potential resurgence and consistent target volume:

"[37:59] Andy Holloway: Cooper Kupp has been a top fantasy option or was off the field with injury; he's now back and could thrive."

Mike Wright decides to fold Kupp based on his current ADP ranking:

"[35:14] Mike Wright: He's just outside of my top 20. I still think he'll have a solid fantasy year, but I can't draft him where he is."

Conclusion:
Despite mixed opinions, all hosts lean towards holding Cooper Kupp due to his demonstrated talent and potential for a strong comeback, although Mike remains cautious due to his ADP.

c. A.J. Brown

Jason Moore presents A.J. Brown as a valuable late-round pick, appreciating his versatility and yards after catch:

"[40:08] Jason Moore: A.J. Brown led the league in yards after catch. He's a beast on the field."

Andy Holloway concurs, acknowledging Brown's consistent performance:

"[41:24] Andy Holloway: A.J. Brown was the number two fantasy wide receiver from weeks 10 onwards."

Mike Wright also supports holding Brown, despite some uncertainties:

"[44:52] Mike Wright: I'm holding A.J. Brown considering his strong finish last season."

Conclusion:
All hosts agree to hold A.J. Brown, recognizing his high upside and consistent fantasy production.

d. Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ)

Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about drafting OBJ due to his injury history and inconsistent performances:

"[45:29] Andy Holloway: Odell Beckham Jr. has hurt many fantasy players over the last three years due to injuries."

Jason Moore sides with folding OBJ, referencing his disappointing seasons:

"[50:00] Jason Moore: I'm most certainly a fold on Odell Beckham Jr. at that price."

Mike Wright remains conflicted but eventually opts to fold OBJ, citing his past performance and injury concerns:

"[53:36] Mike Wright: I have him at wide receiver 10, but I'm folding Odell Beckham Jr. due to his inconsistency."

Conclusion:
**All hosts decide to fold Odell Beckham Jr., prioritizing reliability and minimizing injury risks in their draft strategies.

e. Golden Tate

The conversation moves to Golden Tate, evaluating his role with the New York Giants and fantasy viability:

Mike Wright highlights Tate's potential value despite a rocky season:

"[56:16] Mike Wright: Golden Tate had big games with Daniel Jones, averaging 14 points per game in half-point scoring."

Jason Moore remains skeptical, emphasizing the depth and cost concerns:

"[58:58] Jason Moore: Golden Tate is a tough sell due to his inconsistent performance and higher cost."

Andy Holloway acknowledges Tate's potential but questions his overall reliability:

"[59:11] Andy Holloway: Golden Tate had six touchdowns last year but struggled with target consistency."

Conclusion:
Mike Wright and Andy Holloway lean towards holding Golden Tate, recognizing his upside and potential consistency. Jason Moore remains inclined to fold, citing concerns over reliability and cost-effectiveness.

4. Running Backs Discussion

The hosts briefly touch upon running back strategies, mentioning players like Le'Veon Bell, Chris Carson, and James Conner. They debate the value of drafting these backs in relation to wide receivers and quarterbacks, emphasizing the importance of balancing positional value against overall team strategy.

5. Final Takeaways

The episode underscores the complexity of draft strategies in fantasy football, balancing player potential against risks like injuries and inconsistent performances. The hosts advocate for informed decision-making, leveraging data and individual player analyses to optimize team rosters.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore:

  "[18:35] ... Lamar Jackson had an absolutely stunning year... Is it worth it? Is it valuable? Is it the direction you should go?"

• Andy Holloway:

  "[25:39] ... Lamar Jackson is pretty much a lock to be one of those top two quarterbacks."

• Mike Wright:

  "[14:43] ... Cam Newton is currently a top 12 quarterback for me."

Conclusion:
This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of key fantasy football moves, centering on Cam Newton's Patriots signing and a deep dive into the Hold 'Em or Fold 'Em segment. The hosts offer diverse perspectives, balancing optimism for high-upside players like Lamar Jackson and A.J. Brown with cautionary stances on veterans like Odell Beckham Jr. and Golden Tate. Their strategic insights aim to equip fantasy managers with the knowledge to make informed decisions in their drafts.