Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Bounce Back Players + Mahomes Extension, Hang Gliding
Release Date: July 7, 2020

1. Quick Question: Favorite Fantasy Football League Type

The hosts delved into the various types of fantasy football leagues, sharing their preferences and reasoning.

• Andy Holloway expressed a strong preference for keeper leagues, stating, “Keeper leagues are... that's our league of record. That's my favorite” (05:02).

• Mike Wright echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dynamic nature of keeper leagues where managers remain active throughout the year: “Keeper format being my favorite because there's the downtime in that league is very short” (07:05).

• Eric Dickinson added that both keeper and dynasty leagues keep managers engaged year-round, which he finds more appealing than redraft leagues (06:23).

2. News and Notes

a. Patrick Mahomes’ 10-Year Contract Extension

A significant highlight was Patrick Mahomes' monumental 10-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, valued at over $400 million.

• Andy Holloway commented on the unprecedented nature of the deal: “On paper now, north of $400 million is absolutely incredible” (07:44).

• Mike Wright speculated on the structure, suggesting it might be a percentage of the salary cap, which would set a new standard in the NFL: “If Mahomes is doing this like this, this changes the game for franchise players” (08:57).

b. David Njoku Requests Trade from Browns

David Njoku, the tight end for the Cleveland Browns, formally requested a trade.

• Andy Holloway discussed the Browns' reluctance to move Njoku despite his limited playing time: “He is their clear number one wide receiver” (11:20).

• The conversation touched on the potential fit for Njoku with teams like the Cowboys, emphasizing his athleticism and the strategic fit (11:24).

c. NFL Preseason and COVID-19 Impact

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the NFL preseason was a crucial topic.

• Eric Dickinson reported that the NFLPA unanimously recommended skipping the entire 2020 preseason: “The NFLPA has voted unanimously to recommend skipping the entire 2020 preseason” (12:35).

• Mike Wright highlighted the implications for players and teams, noting, “The players need the preseason like the fringe players... how they play their way onto those, onto the team” (12:35).

3. Feature Topic: Bounce Back Players

The core of the episode focused on identifying bounce back players—players who underperformed in the previous season but are poised to return to form.

a. Andy Holloway’s Bounce Back Player: Adam Thielen

• Andy Holloway identified Adam Thielen as his top bounce back candidate, emphasizing his consistent performance and role as the primary target: “Adam Thielen was a top 10 receiver three years ago, two years ago and last year until he got injured” (33:28).

• Thielen’s injury in the previous season was seen as a temporary setback, with expectations for a strong return: “He is the primary target for his team... so I think he's in prime for a bounce back” (35:09).

b. Mike Wright’s Bounce Back Player: James Conner

• Mike Wright spotlighted James Conner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting his impressive performance before injuries sidelined him: “Before he got his first injury, he was still a top 10 running back who was getting it done” (37:11).

• Conner’s value in fantasy drafts was emphasized, noting his potential as a high-upside pick at a reasonable draft position: “He's going as the RB20 right now in best ball drafts. It's a matter of health” (39:33).

c. Additional Bounce Back Candidates

• A.J. Green was discussed extensively as a high-risk, high-reward bounce back player. Eric Dickinson advocated for taking a chance on him due to his proven talent: “He is a talent that is far greater than the 29th overall wide receiver” (27:01).

• Andy Holloway remained skeptical, projecting conservative statistics: “I have him with 100 targets, 66 receptions, 925 yards” (29:01), while recognizing the potential upside if Green returns to form.

• Ty Hilton was another receiver mentioned as undervalued in drafts, with strong prospects in his new offensive setup: “Ty Hilton excels with a good offensive line” (43:37).

• David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell were identified as running backs with significant upside if they can stay healthy and secure their roles. Andy Holloway appreciated Johnson’s potential volume: “If he rushes for 1,000 yards... that's hard to find” (49:37). Meanwhile, Mike Wright saw Le'Veon Bell as a valuable asset given his skill set and the Jets' offensive line improvements: “Le'Veon Bell’s vision is second to none... they have put so much money and capital into the offensive line” (50:24).

4. Strategic Insights and Conclusions

The hosts shared strategic advice for fantasy managers considering bounce back players:

• Risk vs. Reward: Balancing the potential upside of high-profile players like A.J. Green against their injury histories and uncertain roles.

• Draft Positioning: Identifying undervalued players who can outperform their draft positions if given the opportunity, such as James Conner and Ty Hilton.

• Team Dynamics: Evaluating the impact of team improvements and quarterback play on a player's performance, emphasizing the importance of offensive schemes and supporting cast.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway on Mahomes’ deal: “On paper now, north of $400 million is absolutely incredible” (07:44).

• Eric Dickinson on AJ Green’s potential: “He is a talent that is far greater than the 29th overall wide receiver” (27:01).

• Mike Wright on James Conner: “He's going as the RB20 right now in best ball drafts. It's a matter of health” (39:33).

• Andy Holloway on Adam Thielen: “He is the primary target for his team in the National Football League” (35:09).

Final Thoughts

The episode provided in-depth analysis of potential bounce back players, offering listeners valuable insights into draft strategies and player evaluations. The discussion around Patrick Mahomes' contract extension underscored the evolving landscape of NFL player contracts, while the identification of bounce back players like Adam Thielen and James Conner offered actionable advice for fantasy managers looking to optimize their teams for the upcoming season.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections were omitted to focus on the core discussions and analyses.