Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Breakouts, Draft Questions, Yo Adrian!"
Release Date: August 21, 2018

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and guest Cortland Sutton

I. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts setting the stage for an engaging discussion centered around breakout candidates, draft strategies, and addressing listener questions. The focus is on identifying players who could transition from fantasy irrelevance to high-impact contributors in the upcoming season.

II. Player News and Updates

A. Adrian Peterson's Signing with the Washington Redskins

The hosts delve into the implications of veteran running back Adrian Peterson signing with the Washington Redskins. They debate whether drafting Peterson is worthwhile compared to other running back options available around his draft position.

• Andy Holloway [04:24]: "Adrian Peterson in 2018 or Corey Clement?"

• Cortland Sutton [04:27]: "Clement."

• Jason Moore [05:09]: "I would take Adrian Peterson over Gio Bernard."

The discussion highlights Peterson's declining performance metrics and the uncertainty surrounding his role in a Redskins backfield already thin due to injuries.

B. Rashad Matthews' Contract Extension with the Tennessee Titans

The news segment covers Rashad Matthews agreeing to a one-year contract extension with the Titans, valued at $7.75 million with zero guaranteed dollars and a team option for 2019.

• Andy Holloway [10:06]: "Rashard Matthews, who was the leading receiver for the Titans last season, he's agreed to a one-year extension through 2019."

The hosts express curiosity about whether Matthews' absence from training camp is due to a potential holdout or undisclosed reasons.

C. Isaiah Crowell Clearing Concussion Protocol

Isaiah Crowell has successfully cleared the Tennessee Titans' concussion protocol and is back in practice. Expectations for Crowell's role in New York are discussed, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Titans' running back position.

D. Saints Release Terrence West and Jonathan Williams' Outlook

The New Orleans Saints have released running back Terrence West, prompting discussions about Jonathan Williams' potential as a reliable fantasy asset in dynasty leagues.

• Jason Moore [11:40]: "Jonathan Williams could have a future for the Saints, so it's definitely worth monitoring."

III. Breakout Candidates Discussion

The core of the episode revolves around identifying players poised for significant fantasy performance improvements. Each host presents their breakout picks, accompanied by insightful analysis and supporting statistics.

A. Cortland Sutton's Breakout Potential

• Cortland Sutton [15:31]: "He could be hitting You Wide receiver 3 Numbers by the end of the season."

As a rookie Denver Broncos wide receiver, Sutton showcases considerable agility and speed, making him a promising candidate to emerge as a key fantasy contributor.

B. Kenyan Drake's Upside

• Jason Moore [19:41]: "Kenyon Drake was the second best running back according to his metrics last season regardless of offensive line."

Kenyan Drake is highlighted for his dynamic playstyle and potential to secure a prominent role in the Miami Dolphins' offense, especially following Jay Ajayi's departure.

C. Corey Davis and Tawan Taylor

• Andy Holloway [26:20]: "Corey Davis has had the time this offseason and the health needs to be there. But I like Corey Davis as a breakout candidate."

• Cortland Sutton [30:35]: "This is the year for Amari Cooper."

Corey Davis is praised for his opportunity to shine with the Tennessee Titans, while Tawan Taylor is recognized for his impressive preseason performances and versatility within the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense.

D. Amari Cooper's Resurgence

• Cortland Sutton [30:35]: "Amari Cooper can thrive. Shift those over to Amari Cooper."

Amari Cooper is identified as a breakout candidate due to his elevated role following the departure of Michael Crabtree, positioning him as the primary target in the Oakland Raiders' passing game.

E. Rashad Penny's Potential in Seattle

• Jason Moore [33:04]: "Rashad Penny would be the next guy up. He's going to run the ball left, right, center, stupidly."

Rashad Penny is discussed as a high-risk, high-reward option in the Seattle Seahawks' backfield, contingent on his recovery from injury and opportunity to secure a significant workload.

F. Patrick Mahomes as a Quarterback Breakout

• Jason Moore [40:10]: "I love Patrick Mahomes as a breakout. You want to draft him as your guy week one."

Patrick Mahomes is spotlighted for his explosive arm strength and mobility, predicting a potential ascent to the top tiers of fantasy quarterbacks, despite a challenging early-season schedule.

IV. Draft Strategy and Risk Management

The hosts emphasize the importance of balancing upside with risk mitigation when building a fantasy roster. They discuss tools like risk ratings from the Ultimate Draft Kit (UDK) to assess player reliability based on factors like injury history, consistency, and depth chart position.

• Andy Holloway [03:27]: "When you build a fantasy team, your objective is to both give yourself upside and mitigate risk so that you have staying power to win your league."

Jason Moore adds that while a strong draft foundation is crucial, in-season moves and adaptability are equally important for championship success.

V. Listener Q&A (Mailbag)

The episode features a segment where the hosts address questions from listeners, offering personalized advice on various fantasy football scenarios.

A. League Structure Adjustment

• Listener Rick from Dallas [42:00]: "I'm going to be the commissioner in my new work league and... implement dropping the kicker and adding a second flex position. What do you guys think of that change?"

The hosts generally support the idea, citing that it aligns with focusing on more impactful positions and enhancing strategic depth in team rosters.

B. Draft Decision: Gronk vs. Mixon

• Listener Connor Castillo [45:02]: "10 Team Snake Redraft league and I have the first pick of the third round. Would you rather have Gronk or Mixon?"

• Cortland Sutton [45:58]: "Heck yeah. Give me Gronk."

The consensus leans towards selecting Rob Gronkowski over Dalvin Cook in this specific draft position, highlighting Gronk's consistent high scoring potential.

C. Comparing Dalvin Cook and DeSean Watson

• Listener Madman Max in Boston [45:35]: "Why not Dalvin Cook like how DeSean Watson is projected to regress?"

The discussion points out the positional differences and historical performance trends, concluding that Dalvin Cook remains a more reliable and top-tier running back option.

D. Eagles' Quarterback Situation Affecting Running Backs

• Listener Rick from Dallas [48:21]: "Quick question on the Eagles situation with their quarterbacks... do you think that affects the Eagles running back situation?"

The hosts agree that quarterback uncertainties negatively impact the offensive performance, subsequently affecting running backs' fantasy value due to potential reductions in scoring and yardage.

VI. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts recapping the key breakout candidates and emphasizing the importance of staying informed about player news and draft strategies. They tease upcoming episodes featuring the annual Fantasy MVP and mock draft live sessions, encouraging listeners to utilize resources like Ultimate Draft Kit for optimal draft preparation.

• Andy Holloway [51:03]: "See you later."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [04:24]: "So I'm going to start here. Adrian Peterson in 2018 or Corey Clement?"

• Jason Moore [05:09]: "I would take Adrian Peterson over Gio Bernard."

• Andy Holloway [03:27]: "When you build a fantasy team, your objective is to both give yourself upside and mitigate risk so that you have staying power to win your league."

• Jason Moore [40:10]: "I love Patrick Mahomes as a breakout. You want to draft him as your guy week one."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Breakouts, Draft Questions, Yo Adrian!" episode, providing valuable insights and analyses for fantasy football enthusiasts looking to enhance their team strategies for the upcoming season.