Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Early Top 15 RB Rankings + Broken Down Carr
Episode Details:
- Title: Early Top 15 RB Rankings + Broken Down Carr
- Release Date: April 15, 2025
- Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, the expert trio delves into the early-season rankings of the top 15 running backs (RBs) for the upcoming fantasy football season. Alongside detailed player analyses, they discuss significant NFL news, including the impact of New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr's injury on his team's draft strategy.
1. Introduction and Episode Kickoff ([01:35] - [06:40])
The episode begins with the hosts welcoming listeners back around Tax Day, April 15, 2025. They set the stage for an insightful discussion on early RB rankings ahead of the draft, which is less than two weeks away.
- Jason Moore [03:32]: "We have our early top 15 running back rankings show today... we got the draft here less than two weeks away."
2. NFL News Highlights ([06:40] - [20:50])
The hosts transition into recent NFL updates, prominently featuring Derek Carr’s significant shoulder injury. This injury poses questions about his availability for the upcoming season and affects the Saints' draft preparations.
- Jason Moore [06:45]: "NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported that Derek Carr is believed to have suffered a significant injury to his throwing shoulder... this threatens his availability for the upcoming season."
Discussion points include:
- Dead Cap Implications:
- Andy Holloway [07:37]: "The dead cap this year and next year would be a catastrophic number."
- Seniority and Backup QBs:
- Potential backups like Cam Ward and Shador Sanders are analyzed for their readiness and impact.
- Impact on Draft Strategy:
- Jason Moore [08:42]: "I think they're going to take one [quarterback prospect] in the first..."
Other team movements discussed include the Browns bringing back Joe Flacco and speculations around Kirk Cousins potentially moving to Cleveland.
3. Early Top 15 Running Back Rankings ([14:21] - [71:45])
The heart of the episode focuses on the hosts' individual rankings of the top 15 RBs, providing in-depth analysis based on last season’s performances, projected opportunities, and team dynamics.
Ranking Criteria:
- Opportunities per Game: Average of 19 per game for top RBs.
- Rushing Attempts: Around 240 attempts.
- Rushing Touchdowns: Approximately 10 touchdowns.
- Receiving Metrics: ~59 targets, 350+ receiving yards, multiple receiving touchdowns.
- Team Performance: Top RBs are typically on teams averaging around 9.7 wins.
Key Players Discussed:
-
Saquon Barkley ([16:34] - [20:14]):
Ranked as the top RB due to his exceptional performance with 345 rushing attempts and 13 touchdowns last season. His efficiency and role in Philadelphia’s offense make him a safe RB1 pick.- Jason Moore [16:35]: "Saquon Barkley is safe where I don't worry about that team imploding."
- Andy Holloway [18:51]: "Saquon clearly is a great pass-catching running back."
-
Bijan Robinson ([21:09] - [24:43]):
Positioned second for his high expected points added per play (EPA). While his opportunities are promising, there are considerations about consistency and team strategy.- Jason Moore [21:10]: "Mike has him at 3."
- Jason Moore [21:38]: "He had the second most total touches in the NFL last year and was only stuffed on 14% of carries."
-
Jameer Gibbs ([27:35] - [31:50]):
Third on the list, Gibbs is lauded for his EPA per play but with cautious optimism regarding his workload consistency.- Jason Moore [27:56]: "Gibbs is a better fantasy football running back than Bijan. If the opportunities were equal."
-
Christian McCaffrey ([33:10] - [38:48]):
Discussed as a top-tier RB when healthy, McCaffrey’s value is sometimes overshadowed by injury risks and team dynamics.- Andy Holloway [33:40]: "He's the most valuable fantasy asset over the last decade... he'd be the dude."
-
Derek Henry ([34:17] - [36:08]):
Ranked fourth for his consistency and high opportunity volume, though some skepticism exists about his RB1 status.- Jason Moore [34:17]: "Derek Henry wins 22 fantasy points a game and losses 12.8."
-
Kenneth Walker ([63:35] - [66:19]):
Viewed as a high-upside or risk due to last season’s inconsistencies and current team strategies.- Jason Moore [65:00]: "But he is the type of player, to me, that if it bounced right, Kenneth Walker's a top five fantasy running back at the end of the year."
-
Josh Jacobs ([47:44] - [56:15]):
Analyzed for his strong performance but tempered with concerns over touchdown variability and offensive line stability.- Jason Moore [54:33]: "He was the real consistency on the offense."
-
Chase Brown ([57:05] - [59:03]):
Positioned at number five, Brown’s versatility and performance are highlighted, though there are concerns about his draft position and future opportunities.- Jason Moore [57:36]: "Chase Brown is very versatile. He can catch the football."
-
James Cook ([59:03] - [61:14]):
Ranked lower due to inconsistencies despite high touchdown numbers, raising questions about his reliability.- Mike Wright [60:07]: "He is nerve-wracking."
- Andy Holloway [61:04]: "He's scary. He's not a bell cow workload situation."
-
Joe Mixon ([61:14] - [63:57]):
Debated placement with differing opinions but recognized for his role in the Baltimore offense.- Mike Wright [62:30]: "Joe Mixon's still under contract for two more years. He is their primary guy."
- Jason Moore [63:39]: "You'll probably draft somebody you love."
11-15. Additional RBs:
The hosts continue to discuss other RBs like Bucky Irving, Kyren Williams, and Chuba Hubbard, providing nuanced takes on their strengths and potential drawbacks based on last season’s performances and projected roles.
- **Jason Moore [47:44]:** _"Number 8 in our early running back rankings, we've got Bucky Irving."_
- **Andy Holloway [58:06]:** _"Jason and I have him similarly ranked. He's RB13 on sleeper."_
4. Notable Quotes and Insights
Throughout the rankings, the hosts share key insights and memorable quotes that encapsulate their evaluations:
- Jason Moore [21:38]: "He was only stuffed on 14% of carries, which was the second best number in the entire league."
- Andy Holloway [35:37]: "Henry is being drafted that way, though."
- Jason Moore [36:28]: "Derek Henry, I don't know how it goes wrong."
- Mike Wright [52:51]: "It's hard to talk you into him because I am aware... it is disingenuous of every argument I make against Joe Mixon."
5. Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes ([71:14] - [72:44])
The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming content, including early top 15 wide receiver rankings slated for Thursday. The hosts encourage listeners to follow them on social media and subscribe to their podcast platforms.
- Jason Moore [71:14]: "On Thursday, we're going to go through our early top 15 wide receiver rankings."
- Andy Holloway [72:27]: "Join our fantasy football community on JoinTheFoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers."
Key Takeaways:
- Top RBs: Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson lead the rankings due to their high efficiency and opportunity volume.
- Derek Carr's Injury: Significant impact on the Saints' draft strategy and quarterback depth.
- Player Consistency: Emphasis on RBs who perform consistently, especially on winning teams.
- Injury Concerns: Christian McCaffrey and others are evaluated with caution due to past injuries.
- Future Projections: Discussions focus on how team dynamics and offensive strategies will shape RB performances.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [16:35]: "Saquon Barkley is safe where I don't worry about that team imploding."
- Andy Holloway [18:51]: "Saquon clearly is a great pass-catching running back."
- Jason Moore [21:38]: "He was only stuffed on 14% of carries, which was the second best number in the entire league."
This episode provides valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive early-season analysis of running backs to inform draft decisions and team strategies.