Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Buy/Sell + Snap Count Trends, "Cool Andy" Revealed
Release Date: October 2, 2019

1. Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode kicks off with the hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, promoting their community, Foot Clan, and discussing the latest updates within their team dynamics.

• Mike Wright's New Look:
  At [00:17], Mike Wright reveals a significant personal change—he has removed his signature beard, transitioning to what Jason humorously dubs "Cool Andy." This change surprises his family, leading to emotional reactions, particularly from his youngest child, who remarks, "It's like daddy died and now I have to live with a new dad" ([03:28]).

• Host Banter:
  The trio engages in lighthearted banter about Mike's new appearance, with Jason emphasizing the stark difference by highlighting Mike's former large beard ([02:10]-[04:08]). They also tease each other about past grooming choices, adding a personable and humorous touch to the show.

2. Buy/Sell Segment

A core feature of the podcast, the "Buy/Sell" segment focuses on evaluating specific fantasy players' performances and potential future outcomes.

a. Golden Tate vs. New England Patriots ([05:40]-[07:11])

• Golden Tate:
  • Sell Recommendation: Both Jason and Mike decide to sell Golden Tate's favorable line of 50 receiving yards against the Patriots.
  • Reasoning: Jason predicts low-value targets due to the strong Patriots defense and suggests Tate will remain close to the line of scrimmage ([05:59]-[06:21]).
  • Mike's Concern: He expresses uncertainty about Tate's target distribution with Sterling Shepard's emergence ([06:45]-[07:06]).

b. Chris Thompson vs. New England Patriots ([07:11]-[08:08])

• Chris Thompson:
  • Buy Recommendation: Andy and Mike choose to buy Thompson at a 50-yard line against the Patriots.
  • Sell Recommendation: Jason opts to sell, anticipating New England's defensive strategy will limit Thompson's explosive plays ([07:15]-[07:30]).
  • Insights: Jason highlights the Patriots' tendency to control the game flow, potentially restricting Thompson's opportunities ([07:30]-[07:53]).

c. Amari Cooper vs. Green Bay Packers ([08:08]-[10:19])

• Amari Cooper:
  • Sell Recommendation: Both Jason and Mike decide to sell Cooper's chance at a top-10 finish against a formidable Packers defense.
  • Rationale: Jason points out Cooper's inconsistent weekly performance and the Packers' robust defense, especially with Tyrone Smith out ([08:58]-[09:23]).
  • Mike's Analysis: He acknowledges Cooper's home advantage but remains skeptical about achieving a top-10 finish ([09:50]-[10:19]).

d. Zach Ertz vs. New York Jets ([10:19]-[12:12])

• Zach Ertz:
  • Buy Recommendation: Jason and Andy decide to buy Ertz for scoring his first touchdown of the season.
  • Sell Recommendation: Mike opts to sell, citing uncertainty about Desean Jackson's availability and Ertz's fluctuating performance ([10:50]-[12:12]).

e. Dak Prescott vs. Green Bay Packers ([12:12]-[13:58])

• Dak Prescott:
  • Sale Decision: Jason and Mike choose to sell Prescott's opportunity for a top-10 quarterback finish.
  • Justification: Concerns about the Packers' defense and the absence of Tyrone Smith affecting Prescott's performance ([12:44]-[13:58]).

3. News and Notes

This segment covers the latest NFL news, focusing on player injuries, team strategies, and other relevant updates affecting fantasy football decisions.

• Player Injuries and Updates ([13:58]-[17:02]):

  • John Ross:

    • Injury: Ross is expected to miss multiple games due to a shoulder injury, impacting his fantasy value and trade potential ([13:58]-[14:45]).
    • Dynasty Implications: Andy highlights Ross's long-term potential despite current setbacks, emphasizing his value in dynasty leagues ([14:25]-[14:36]).

  • James Conner (Steelers):

    • Status: Being evaluated with a knee injury, Conner's availability remains uncertain ([14:45]-[15:46]).
    • Fantasy Impact: His potential return could boost performance, making him a must-start if healthy ([15:19]-[15:46]).

  • Sean Chandler and Tyrell Williams (Eagles):

    • Injuries: Sean Chandler remains sidelined, while Tyrell Williams's involvement is under observation ([16:09]-[17:58]).
    • Performance Notes: Williams has shown consistent performance but remains a subject of monitoring for his health and usage.

• Coach and Player Strategies ([17:58]-[19:23]):

  • Gardner Minshew:

    • Performance: Despite his high completion percentage, Minshew faces concerns due to emerging injuries and question marks around his role ([17:58]-[19:23]).

  • Emmanuel Sanders Rumors ([28:31]-[29:13]):

    • Trade Speculation: Andy discusses rumors about the 49ers' interest in acquiring Emmanuel Sanders amid the Broncos' rebuild efforts.
    • Potential Impact: Acquiring Sanders could shift the wide receiver dynamics in San Francisco, potentially benefiting players like Cortland Sutton.

4. Snap Count Trends

A deep dive into snap count data provides insights into player usage trends, aiding fantasy managers in making informed decisions.

a. 49ers Running Back Committee ([22:19]-[25:59])

• Committee Challenges:

  • Players: Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and the injured Tevin Coleman.
  • Usage Trends: The 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan, exhibit a high degree of running back involvement, complicating valuation ([22:19]-[25:59]).

• Fantasy Recommendations:

  • Buying Tevin Coleman:

    • Pros: Long-term potential and role in goal-line scenarios.
    • Cons: Current injury status limits immediate use.

  • Trading Options:

    • Mike suggests: Trading Mostert for a startable player, potentially pairing with another asset for better value ([28:12]-[29:13]).

b. Denver Broncos Running Backs ([29:13]-[33:40])

• Players: Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.

• Usage Analysis:

  • Inconsistency: Snap counts show no clear trend, making it challenging to predict performance.
  • Fantasy Implications: Both backs have double-digit touches but lack upward or downward trends ([29:13]-[33:40]).

• Trade Considerations:

  • Jason's Stance: Prefers holding onto Lindsay despite his low production due to his talent ([33:13]-[34:01]).
  • Mike's Insight: Suggests trading Lindsay for Ronald Jones with considerations for packaging with another player ([32:02]-[34:01]).

c. Oakland Raiders Running Backs ([34:30]-[36:56])

• Players: Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, and DeAndre Washington.

• Usage Trends: Jacobs showed dominance in Week 1 but faced reduced snap counts due to illness and offensive inefficiency in subsequent weeks ([34:30]-[36:56]).

• Fantasy Strategy:

  • Buying Jacobs:

    • Pros: Proven in a run-heavy scheme.
    • Cons: Upcoming matchup against Chicago may limit his usage ([34:30]-[36:56]).

  • Mike's Recommendation: Confident in Jacobs' upward trend despite occasional usage dips ([35:29]-[36:56]).

d. New England Patriots Running Backs ([37:28]-[43:22])

• Players: James White, Sony Michel, Rex Burkitt, David Montgomery, and Tariq Cohen.
• Usage Dynamics:
  • Three-Way Split: The Patriots employ a committee approach, making it difficult to predict individual performance.
  • Fantasy Impact:
    • Mike vs. Jason:
      • Mike prefers: David Montgomery for his consistent snap count and reliable performance.
      • Jason favors: Jordan Howard for his touchdown upside and efficiency in goal-line situations ([37:28]-[43:22]).

e. Jacksonville Wide Receivers ([44:05]-[49:23])

• Players: DJ Chark, Dede Westbrook.

• Usage and Performance:

  • DJ Chark: Emerging as a valuable fantasy asset with consistent snap counts and increasing targets.
  • Comparison: Preferred over established receivers like Sterling Shepard and Jarvis Landry due to growth potential ([45:06]-[49:23]).

• Fantasy Takeaway:

  • Mike's Stance: Strongly supports purchasing Chark over other receivers, anticipating continued growth and involvement.
  • Jason's Insight: Encourages investing in emerging players like Chark to capitalize on breakout potential ([44:05]-[49:23]).

5. Thursday Night Football Preview

The hosts conclude with a preview of the upcoming Thursday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.

• Game Analysis ([49:26]-[61:59]):

  • Teams:

    • Rams: Jared Goff's inconsistent performance, struggling offense, and Todd Gurley's utilization issues.
    • Seahawks: Russell Wilson's efficient passing but underwhelming rushing performance.

  • Fantasy Implications:

    • Over/Under Considerations:
      • Both teams previously exceeded the Vegas over on their matches, but current dynamics suggest potential undervaluation.
      • Jason's Dilemma: Contemplating whether to start Jared Goff or Andy Dalton, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Goff's performance ([51:03]-[62:04]).

  • Player Focus:

    • Russell Wilson: High completion percentage but facing a strong Cardinals defense.
    • Todd Gurley vs. Chris Carson: Debate over which running back to start based on recent performances and defensive matchups ([53:31]-[56:28]).

• Key Advice:

  • Lineup Flexibility:
    • Andy advises: Remove Thursday Night Football players from flex positions to maintain lineup flexibility in case of late injury news.
    • Mike and Jason Agree: Emphasize the importance of positional flexibility to adapt to game-day updates ([59:58]-[62:43]).

6. Mailbag and Listener Questions

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts address listener questions and provide additional insights based on the community's inquiries, though specifics are limited in the transcript.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright on Beard Removal:
  "When I cut the beard off, it is very, very flush to the face. My chin looks different than I remember." ([03:07]-[03:17])

• Jason Moore on Amari Cooper:
  "Amari Cooper is the wide receiver seven on the year. But that doesn't mean he gives you a top ten performance every week." ([09:23]-[10:02])

• Andy Holloway on Snap Counts:
  "What do you want with Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman? Which combination of running backs do you want?" ([31:46]-[34:01])

• Mike Wright on DJ Chark:
  "I'm buying him. He was a second-round pick. He's crazy fast. We have seen the trend of speed killing in the NFL just over and over and over." ([45:28]-[46:16])

• Jason Moore on Jared Goff vs. Andy Dalton:
  "I have Jared Goff, and I am contemplating whether I'm starting him or Andy Dalton." ([51:36]-[56:28])

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers comprehensive insights into player evaluations through the Buy/Sell segment, updates on player health and team strategies, and an in-depth analysis of snap count trends affecting fantasy decisions. The hosts blend expert analysis with personal anecdotes, providing listeners with both valuable information and an engaging listening experience. Whether you're adjusting your lineup or contemplating a trade, the insights shared in this episode are poised to aid fantasy managers in navigating the complexities of their leagues.