Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Early QB Rankings Part 2, Smokin’ Happy"

Release Date: April 18, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In the second part of their "Early QB Rankings" series, the Fantasy Footballers dive deep into the quarterback landscape, evaluating potential early-round picks and valuable late-round options for the upcoming fantasy season. The trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—offer their expert insights, debate rankings, and provide actionable advice to help listeners optimize their fantasy rosters.

News and Notes

Russell Wilson’s Instagram Extension

Mike Wright kickstarts the episode by discussing the Seattle Seahawks’ signing of Russell Wilson to a four-year, $140 million extension announced via Instagram. The unconventional announcement raised eyebrows among the hosts.

• Andy Holloway [05:50]: "I have gone full Zapruder film of this."
• Jason Moore [06:24]: "Russell Wilson comes out with this Instagram post and he's just staying away from it was money o'clock."

The hosts humorously critique Wilson’s Instagram presence but acknowledge his importance to the Seahawks' offense and consequently, his fantasy value.

Jared Goff’s Season and Cooper Kupp

The trio examines Jared Goff’s inconsistent performance towards the end of the previous season and the potential impact of Cooper Kupp’s return from injury.

• Mike Wright [08:34]: "If he’s got all his weapons and Kupp’s 100%, Jared Goff is going to functionally be effective."
• Jason Moore [30:15]: "Klinsmann is similar situation for wins as he's been used to."

They discuss whether Goff deserves a higher ranking based on potential offensive improvements, considering his past performance and the addition of key receivers.

NFL Schedule Release and Draft Kit Promotion

Andy Holloway briefly promotes the Ultimate Draft Kit (UDK), emphasizing its upcoming release alongside the NFL draft and encouraging listeners to pre-order before April 28th for a chance to win exclusive prizes.

Early Quarterback Rankings

The bulk of the episode centers around evaluating quarterbacks for early fantasy drafts. The hosts revisit their top rankings, reassess positions, and engage in lively debates about each quarterback's potential.

1. Jameis Winston

Initial Ranking Overview:

• Jason Moore [12:17]: "I am calling my shot here that I believe James has the potential to be a top five quarterback."
• Mike Wright [11:45]: "Let’s talk about Jameis Winston. Last year, in 11 games, he had 19 touchdowns and almost 3,000 yards."

Jason Moore is particularly bullish on Winston, projecting him as a late-round steal with top-five potential due to his offensive weapons and the coaching of Bruce Arians.

Pros:

• Offensive Weapons: With Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and potential breakout OJ Howard, Winston is surrounded by talent.
• Improved Coaching: Under Bruce Arians, Winston is expected to have more grooming and offensive strategies that maximize his strengths.

Cons:

• Turnover Risk: Winston has a history of interceptions and fumbles, making him a high-risk, high-reward option.
• Inconsistent Performance: While he showed flashes, his overall season performance raises concerns about reliability.

Consensus View:

While Jason and Mike hold Winston higher, Andy agrees that drafting him in the late rounds mitigates risk while capturing upside.

• Andy Holloway [17:48]: "If you're drafting him in the double-digit rounds, the risk is minimal."

2. Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson

Josh Allen

Ranking and Performance:

• Mike Wright [15:19]: "I have him the highest. And I love him."
• Jason Moore [15:19]: Ranks Josh Allen at 15, less bullish than his co-hosts.

Pros:

• Rushing Ability: Allen's legs make him a dual-threat, capable of explosive fantasy points through both passing and rushing.
• Offensive Enhancements: The Buffalo Bills have bolstered their receiving corps, potentially increasing his passing efficiency.

Cons:

• Completion Percentage: Allen struggled with accuracy, maintaining a 53% completion rate, which is a fantasy red flag for consistency.
• Injury Concerns: Although not a primary worry, Allen's athletic playing style carries inherent injury risks.

Lamar Jackson

Ranking and Performance:

• Andy Holloway [21:27]: "He's been working on his accuracy."
• Jason Moore [26:11]: Prefers Jackson over Allen due to designed runs and offensive adjustments.

Pros:

• Designed Offense: The Baltimore Ravens have tailored their offense to leverage Jackson’s running prowess while improving his passing game.
• Consistency: Despite injury concerns, Jackson remains a top-tier quarterback when healthy, offering significant fantasy upside.

Cons:

• Fumbles: Jackson’s propensity to fumble dilutes his fantasy reliability, making turnovers a concern.
• Sustained Performance: There’s uncertainty about whether he can maintain his high rushing yardage consistently throughout the season.

Consensus View:

Mike and Andy lean towards Allen for his rushing touchdowns and potential high-scoring games, while Jason values Jackson’s evolving offense but remains cautious about his fumble rate.

• Andy Holloway [27:48]: "I like him a lot more than Jameis Winston for a lot of reasons."
• Mike Wright [27:53]: "You’re not going to get many busts from Jackson or Allen."

3. Jared Goff

Ranking and Evaluation:

• Jason Moore [29:20]: Ranks Goff at 15.
• Mike Wright [33:10]: Positions Goff at 15, emphasizing the need for a robust offensive unit to support him.

Pros:

• Touchdown Efficiency: Goff has demonstrated a strong touchdown rate, raising his fantasy ceiling.
• Offensive Weapons: With Amari Cooper and a returning Cooper Kupp, Goff’s passing game is set for improvement.

Cons:

• Inconsistent Performance: Goff’s second half of the previous season was lackluster, leading to doubts about his consistency.
• Injury Risks: Concerns about the return of key players like Cooper Kupp and their impact on his effectiveness.

Consensus View:

While solid, Goff is viewed as a dependable option rather than a breakout candidate, making him a mid-tier choice in early drafts.

• Andy Holloway [35:34]: "He threw the ball 508 times and you can look at two years ago he threw the ball 578 times, yet he only had two fewer completions this year."

4. Philip Rivers

Ranking and Evaluation:

• Mike Wright [33:31]: Places Rivers at 16, appreciating his steady production.
• Jason Moore [36:18]: Suggests Rivers might finish higher, at quarterback 12.

Pros:

• Consistency: Rivers offers a reliable output, minimizing week-to-week volatility.
• Touchdown Rate: Maintains a high touchdown rate, reinforcing his fantasy value.

Cons:

• Limited Upside: Rivers remains a steady performer without significant breakout potential, keeping him in the lower half of the rankings.
• Aging Arm: As Rivers ages, concerns about his arm strength and injury vulnerability persist.

Consensus View:

Rivers is considered a safe, steady choice but lacks the explosive potential to climb higher in rankings, positioning him as a low-risk, mid-tier quarterback.

• Andy Holloway [36:42]: "He is an activia. He is a yogurt that is going to keep you regular."

5. Dak Prescott

Ranking and Evaluation:

• Jason Moore [43:02]: Ranks Dak Prescott at 19.
• Mike Wright [43:05]: Suggests Prescott deserves a higher spot, adjusting him to 17.

Pros:

• Rushing Touchdowns: Prescott's mobility allows him to score rushing touchdowns, adding to his fantasy value.
• Offensive Weapons: The addition of star wide receivers enhances his passing game, potentially increasing his passing efficiency.

Cons:

• Early Season Struggles: Prescott's performance can be inconsistent, leading to fluctuating fantasy points.
• Replaceability: Concerns about being able to substitute him effectively if he underperforms.

Consensus View:

Prescott is undervalued due to recent performance slumps but holds significant upside given his offensive environment and supporting cast, making him a target for value picks in later rounds.

• Andy Holloway [44:25]: "He will be a top five quarterback no matter what."

6. Mitchell Trubisky

Ranking and Evaluation:

• Jason Moore [39:34]: Ranks Trubisky at 14.
• Mike Wright [38:26]: Positions him at 18, acknowledging his potential upswing.

Pros:

• Upside as a Streaming Option: Trubisky can be a valuable streamer with occasional high-scoring games.
• Offensive Adjustments: Improvements in the Chicago Bears' offense under new coaching could enhance his performance.

Cons:

• Inconsistent Production: Trubisky’s fantasy output is unpredictable, with sporadic high scores and frequent low performances.
• Limited Rushing: Unlike dual-threat quarterbacks, Trubisky relies solely on his passing game, which can limit his fantasy ceiling.

Consensus View:

Trubisky is viewed as a speculative pick, suitable for streaming slots rather than cornerstone quarterbacks, given his inconsistency and potential for breakout games.

• Andy Holloway [41:47]: "He was averaging 18 yards a game on the ground. And that’s not what you want from Mitchell Trubisky to put up these huge games."

7. Tom Brady

Ranking and Evaluation:

• Jason Moore [38:40]: Ranks Brady at 18.
• Mike Wright [43:36]: Similar ranking, reflecting a decline in fantasy enthusiasm.

Pros:

• Experience and Consistency: Brady remains a reliable fantasy option with a proven track record.
• Offensive Stability: His familiarity with the system and receivers ensures a steady output.

Cons:

• Aging and Decline: Brady’s advancing age may impact his performance and injury risk.
• Offensive Efficiency: The New England Patriots’ offense is more conservative, limiting Brady’s explosive fantasy potential.

Consensus View:

Brady is considered a safe but underwhelming fantasy option, with limited upside compared to more dynamic quarterbacks, making him a late-round pick or a backup option.

• Andy Holloway [38:48]: "He threw for one touchdown in half of his games. That is destruction to your life, Brady."

Additional Quarterbacks Discussed

Kirk Cousins

• Mike Wright [46:07]: Places Cousins at 16.
• Jason Moore [47:02]: Views Cousins as a solid, reliable option.

Cousins is regarded as a dependable quarterback with the potential for high-scoring weeks, especially given his offensive weapons. However, his lack of explosive plays keeps him from being a top-tier fantasy option.

Philip Rivers

• Andy Holloway [35:34]: Highlights Rivers’ consistent performance.
• Mike Wright [36:03]: Emphasizes Rivers’ steady production as a fantasy asset.

Big Ben Roethlisberger

• Mike Wright [33:10]: Struggles to rank Big Ben higher due to inconsistent performance and offensive struggles.
• Jason Moore [33:31]: Acknowledges the high standards set by the hosts, making Big Ben a lower-ranked option.

Mailbag

Listener Questions and Advisor Responses

The hosts address listener queries, offering personalized advice on quarterback selections and draft strategies.

Corbin in Colorado’s Trade Scenario

• Listener Corbin [52:10]: Considers trading George Kittle for David Njoku.
• Response: Andy and Jason advise against the trade, emphasizing Kittle’s higher fantasy value and reliability compared to Njoku’s emerging potential.

Alex in Wilmington’s Dilemma

• Listener Alex [49:10]: Debates between keeping Patrick Mahomes as a late-round pick or Travis Kelce for an earlier round.

• Response [49:18 - 50:50]: The hosts recommend Travis Kelce due to his unparalleled position scarcity and Mahomes’ high cost. They suggest valuing Kelce earlier to secure a top tight end advantage.

• Mike Wright [50:04]: "You want to take Kelce in the second round."

• Jason Moore [50:18]: "If you don’t get Mahomes, you have to grab a tight end that you’re not going to be happy with."

Anthony in Pennsylvania’s App Query

• Listener Anthony [54:07]: Asks about the release of the UDK app.
• Response [54:16]: Hosts confirm the app will launch alongside the UDK on June 1st, enhancing the draft preparation experience.

Corbin in Colorado’s Mike Evans Trade

• Listener Corbin [52:36]: Wonders if trading Mike Evans from Dallas is worthwhile.
• Response [52:38 - 53:56]: The hosts discuss the trade’s merits, ultimately suggesting keeping Mike Evans due to his immediate fantasy impact over George Kittle’s positional advantage.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of early quarterback rankings in shaping a successful fantasy season. They encourage listeners to leverage their insights when preparing for drafts and to engage with the community for ongoing advice and support.

Andy Holloway [54:38]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter @theffballers."

Key Takeaways

1. Jameis Winston emerges as a high-upside, late-round quarterback option with potential top-five fantasy production, albeit with significant turnover risk.
2. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson represent dual-threat quarterbacks with substantial rushing upside, though both exhibit concerns—Allen with accuracy and Jackson with fumbles.
3. Jared Goff and Philip Rivers offer steady, reliable fantasy options, suitable for mid-tier quarterback selections without explosive ceiling potential.
4. Dak Prescott is undervalued due to recent performance but holds promise given his offensive setup and rushing ability, making him a valuable late-round pick.
5. Mitchell Trubisky serves as a speculative streaming quarterback, capable of high-scoring weeks but plagued by inconsistency.

Listeners are advised to balance risk and upside when selecting quarterbacks, leveraging late-round picks for high-risk, high-reward options while securing reliable performers to anchor their teams.

Note: This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.