Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Early WR Rankings: 11-24 + Andy's Stache, Buy/Sell
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Lighthearted Banter ([00:00] - [05:00])

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in playful banter about Andy Holloway's newly acquired mustache. Mike Wright humorously attributes Andy's enhanced energy to his facial hair, stating, "Andy gets a fraction of energy when he loses beard" (00:38). The conversation shifts to the origins of the mustache, revealing that Andy grew it in support of a local charity initiative during the pandemic. Andy remarks, "It's kind of the whole thing I think we should all be doing now... and now I have a mustache for at least a month" (02:11).

NFL News and Trades ([05:00] - [16:23])

The trio delves into significant NFL news impacting fantasy football:

• Texans Acquire Brandon Cooks: The Houston Texans traded for wide receiver Brandon Cooks, sending a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a second-round pick. Andy expresses skepticism about Cooks' consistency, mentioning, "Brandon Cooks has managed to do mysterious things in the NFL, be seemingly consistently unliked by the team that he's on while producing thousand yard seasons regularly" (05:21). Jason counters by highlighting Cooks' potential with Deshaun Watson, stating, "I believe he is going to be super happy that he's going to have a 1000 yard wide receiver with Deshaun Watson as his quarterback" (10:04).

• Christian McCaffrey's Contract Extension: McCaffrey signs a four-year extension through 2024, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at a $16 million per year cap hit. Mike Wright questions the longevity of McCaffrey's production, comparing it to previous running backs like Todd Gurley and David Johnson.

• DeAndre Hopkins and DeAndre Washington Updates: Hopkins has passed his physical, easing some trade concerns. Additionally, the Chiefs signed DeAndre Washington to a one-year deal, bolstering their running back depth.

Jason Moore comments on the uncertainty surrounding the NFL Draft dates, humorously noting discrepancies in their internal calendars versus news outlets.

Buy/Sell Segment: Rams' Brandon Cooks Trade ([11:05] - [15:22])

Presented by Pristine Auction, the Buy/Sell segment focuses on the Rams' recent trade:

• Buy: Andy opts to buy Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, believing both are top 20 fantasy wide receivers with significant talent. He states, "Cooper cup and Robert woods are two of the more talented wide receivers in football and a good offense" (11:12).

• Sell: The hosts agree that the Rams' shift to a two tight end set diminishes the snap shares for Kupp and Woods, making their top 20 status less likely. Mike Wright expresses doubts, saying, "their running game was better once they were moving to the two tight end sets, the offense just clicked better" (12:15).

Jason Moore adds, "Cooper cup could easily be a top 10 wide receiver with his prowess in the red zone" (14:27), emphasizing the potential upside despite their adjusted rankings.

Early Wide Receiver Rankings (11-24) ([23:12] - [59:56])

The core of the episode revolves around the hosts' early-season wide receiver rankings from 11 to 24, each providing in-depth analysis and differing opinions:

1. Odell Beckham Jr. (16:51 - 27:30)

   • Jason Moore: Moves Beckham up to #10, citing his immense talent despite last year's underperformance. "Odell could do it. He, you know, he could. He could explode, be healthy, and the excuses come off" (25:41).
   • Mike Wright: Highlights Beckham's low catch percentage and reduced yards, questioning consistency. "And there was nothing I could find to point me in a direction for the lack of production that we expected from Beckham" (26:13).
   • Andy Holloway: Acknowledges Beckham's potential to finish strong but remains cautious. "He's one of those guys that you could. He could do it." (28:50).

2. Ty Hilton (#12-16) (29:05 - 36:32)

   • Jason Moore & Mike Wright: Highly bullish on Hilton due to his talent and improved quarterback play under Philip Rivers. "Ty Hilton will have an enormous market share from a competent quarterback with a really good offensive line and a smart head coach." (30:04).
   • Andy Holloway: Agrees with the higher rankings, noting Hilton's underappreciation in the industry. "You have a very talented wide receiver who we bodied last year and parts of the year before because of quarterback play." (30:36).

3. Allen Robinson (#13-19) (32:42 - 36:55)

   • Jason Moore: Places Robinson at #19, questioning the Bears' offensive consistency and projection. "Alan Robinson's a great talent. It's no secret. I don't love the offense and I think his targets were inflated last year." (34:29).
   • Mike Wright: Sees Robinson as a safe top 12 pick, potentially rising if quarterback Nick Foles performs well. "He was giving you a safe PPR baseline with the opportunity to explode." (36:26).

4. Juju Smith Schuster (#14-17) (37:04 - 41:12)

   • Jason Moore: Ranks him at #13, recognizing his talent but concerned about lack of consistent production without Antonio Brown. "Juju could do it. He lies as a potential top 10 wide receiver, but there's risk there." (39:03).
   • Mike Wright: Places Schuster at #14, citing his injuries and inconsistent performance. "He was doing a lot, but he missed four games and was injured, which drastically reduced his impact." (38:38).

5. A.J. Brown (#15-20) (41:12 - 46:40)

   • Jason Moore: Assigns Brown to #15, acknowledging his explosive potential but wary of sustaining high output. "A.J. brown would have to break out in year two and makes year one not look like a breakout." (44:54).
   • Mike Wright: Positions Brown at #17, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining his rookie year surge. "He had five receptions once and then eight receptions for these big games. Is that really sustainable?" (46:29).

6. Adam Thielen (#16-22) (46:40 - 55:38)

   • Jason Moore: Ranks Thielen at #13, believing in his recovery and target volume despite last year's injuries. "Adam Thielen can return a top 15 wide receiver. I think he's going to be a really good value this year." (49:16).
   • Mike Wright: Also high on Thielen, supporting his potential without needing massive output from Kirk Cousins. "I have him at 13. Adam Thielen was on his way to having a very productive season before his injury." (50:40).
   • Andy Holloway: Slightly less bullish, placing him at #18 due to lingering injuries and past performance issues. "Cousins is a good quarterback. But tell me why I should be more excited about Thielen's potential this year." (47:38).

7. Cortland Sutton (#17-21) (55:38 - 57:07)

   • Jason Moore: Keeps Sutton at #17, valuing his talent but cautious about quarterback play influencing his targets. "If you could tell me that Fitzpatrick was going to play 16 games, I'd probably have Devonte Parker up at wide receiver 12 or so." (56:32).
   • Mike Wright: Supports Sutton’s inclusion based on his past performance and potential with a stable quarterback. "I 100% buy into the talent of Cortland Sutton and now that Drew Locke is pointed at to be the guy." (55:55).
   • Andy Holloway: Positions Sutton at #17, acknowledging his productivity but wary of inconsistent quarterback performance. "Cortland Sutton is getting the respect due there. He's got Drew Locke waiting." (55:38).

8. Stefan Diggs, Keenan Allen, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones (#21-24) (57:07 - 59:56)

   • Stefan Diggs: Andy and Mike rank him lower than Jason, who holds him at #14. The hosts discuss the disparity in rankings based on performance expectations versus individual evaluations.
   • Keenan Allen: Positioned at #22, the trio anticipates fluctuating performance influenced by team dynamics and player usage.
   • Calvin Ridley: Consistently ranked at #24 by all hosts, with Mike expressing excitement about Ridley's potential, especially after roster changes. "Calvin Ridley could easily end up much higher with Austin Hooper gone." (58:54).
   • Julio Jones: Discussed alongside Ridley as a top-tier Arizona receiver with high potential for fantasy production.

Conclusion and Wrap-Up ([59:56] - [60:47])

The hosts conclude the episode by reiterating their rankings and encouraging listeners to engage with their content on YouTube and social media. They briefly mention upcoming topics, including quarterbacks and tight ends, and thank their sponsors for supporting the show.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway on Mustache: "I feel a little bit smarter. I feel a little bit sharper. I feel a little bit more dangerous. I feel a little bit more creepy." (00:46)

• Jason Moore on Brandon Cooks Trade: "I can't see him not being 1000 yard wide receiver with Deshaun Watson as his quarterback." (10:04)

• Mike Wright on Christian McCaffrey: "The odds are against him, but the odds have probably been against him forever." (17:42)

• Jason Moore on Ty Hilton: "Ty Hilton will have an enormous market share from a competent quarterback with a really good offensive line and a smart head coach." (30:04)

• Jason Moore on Odell Beckham Jr.: "He could explode, be healthy, and the excuses come off." (25:41)

• Mike Wright on Adam Thielen: "Adam Thielen can return a top 15 wide receiver. I think he's going to be a really good value this year." (49:16)

• Jason Moore on A.J. Brown: "It's hard for me to put him there. I mean, you're projecting a lot and you're saying, well, Ryan Tannehill is the savior and that's the reason why the Titans were that good." (44:54)

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of early wide receiver rankings, enriched by the hosts' expert opinions and engaging discussions. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy football manager or a newcomer, the insights shared by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright offer valuable guidance for enhancing your fantasy roster.

For more detailed discussions and the latest updates, be sure to listen to the full episode and follow the Fantasy Footballers across their various platforms.