Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Episode Summary: "Early WR Rankings Part 2, Alphabet Soup"

Release Date: April 11, 2019

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into their early wide receiver (WR) rankings for the upcoming fantasy football season. Titled "Early WR Rankings Part 2, Alphabet Soup," the episode offers expert analysis, spirited debates, and actionable insights to help fantasy managers optimize their rosters.

1. Introduction to Early Wide Receiver Rankings

The hosts kick off the main segment by revisiting the top 10 WR rankings from the previous week, setting the stage for a detailed discussion on players ranked from 11 onward. Andy Holloway emphasizes the "disparity in the wide receiver rankings," indicating that rankings outside the top tier require thorough examination and debate.

2. News and Notes

Before diving into the rankings, the hosts briefly touch upon recent NFL news relevant to fantasy football:

• Patriots' Signings:

  • Andy Holloway shares the news: "The New England Patriots are signing tight ends Austin Safari and Jeff Janzen to one-year contracts [10:13]."
  • Jason Moore expresses excitement from a personal standpoint: "I'm super excited about it, but only from a selfish standpoint... you cannot... replace Gronk with Austin Safari," highlighting the limited immediate impact of these signings.

• Giants' Extension with Sterling Shepard:

  • Andy Holloway announces: "The Giants are finalizing a four-year, $41 million extension with Sterling Shepard [11:56]."
  • The hosts humorously interact about the announcement, adding levity to the segment.

3. Deep Dive into Wide Receiver Rankings (11-24)

The core of the episode revolves around evaluating and ranking wide receivers. Each player is scrutinized based on past performance, team dynamics, potential upside, and associated risks.

a. AJ Green (#11)

• Andy Holloway places AJ Green at number 11, citing inconsistency and limited recent performance: "I haven't seen the whole package from AJ Green in quite some time [15:00]."
• Mike Wright counters by affirming his belief in Green's talent and potential: "He is going to be worth the cost of admission... as a top talent at the wide receiver position [16:50]."
• Jason Moore agrees on the risk factor, emphasizing Green's injury history and the impact of the coaching change in Cincinnati: "Risk is high with AJ Green... could be a positive with the new offensive system [17:57]."

b. Keenan Allen (#12)

• Andy ranks Keenan Allen at number 12, noting his consistent yardage but questioning his touchdown potential: "Is six touchdowns enough to make him a top receiver? [20:25]."
• Jason echoes the sentiment, expressing skepticism about Allen's ceiling: "He's consistent, but I don't expect him to be a top five wide receiver [20:29]."
• The discussion touches upon team dynamics, including the return of Hunter Henry and the absence of Tyrell Williams, impacting Allen's role.

c. Adam Thielen (#13)

• Andy elevates Adam Thielen to number 12, commending his past performances and potential for a breakout: "Adam Thielen is one of the best wide receivers in football... he has the potential to go on a nine-game span where he dominates [25:46]."
• Jason fully supports Thielen, highlighting his consistency and value despite fluctuations: "He is the best wide receiver on the team... the cream rises to the top [27:03]."
• Mike provides a contrasting view, focusing on Thielen's second-half performance decline: "He was absolutely dominating early, but his second-half stats drop significantly [25:56]."

d. Stefan Diggs (#14)

• Andy places Stefan Diggs at number 15, while Jason positions him at 17, sparking a discussion about Diggs' consistency and potential touchdown upside.
• Mike emphasizes Diggs' high touchdown potential: "I think Diggs has the higher touchdown upside [35:16]."
• The hosts consider team performance and quarterback play, debating whether Diggs or Thielen offers more value.

e. Amari Cooper (#16)

• Andy humorously expresses disdain for his own ranking of Amari Cooper, placing him at 16 due to inconsistent performance and injury concerns: "Amari Cooper... has thrown up so many times all over fantasy owners [30:21]."
• Mike aligns with Andy's caution, citing Cooper's fluctuating performance post-transfer: "I will not be drafting Amari Cooper. It's not happening [32:08]."
• Jason acknowledges Cooper's potential but prioritizes more consistent or higher-upside receivers.

f. Brandon Cooks (#17)

• Andy assigns Brandon Cooks to number 16, praising his yardage consistency: "Brandon Cooks... every year... he does what he always does. He's good for 1100 yards [37:06]."
• Mike reflects personal experiences with Cooks, noting past underperformance but remains open to his value: "He had a good year... but I'm still feeling the pain from last season [37:21]."
• Jason underscores Cooks' reliability and integration into Matt Ryan's offense: "He's done it for different teams, different quarterbacks. He is, look, pretty much the A [37:21]."

g. Robert Woods (#18)

• Andy acknowledges Robert Woods' stability and consistent performance: "I've always loved the stability of Robert Woods [41:08]."
• Jason lauds Woods' adaptation to a new team and offensive system: "Robert woods is a really good wide receiver... on a great offense [40:38]."
• Mike appreciates Woods' solid contributions but suggests adjusting his ranking based on team dynamics: "I think that he's the 1A of the team [41:19]."

h. Kenny Golladay (#19)

• Andy categorizes Kenny Golladay as a "diamond in the rough," expressing cautious optimism: "Kenny Golladay... have to see more consistency out of that offense [41:48]."
• Jason points out Golladay's potential to become the de facto WR1 if circumstances improve: "He has downfield speed and talent to really take it up a notch [43:26]."
• Mike views Golladay as a potential trap due to inconsistent team performance and quarterback issues: "He's gotta be more consistent out of that offense [42:52]."

i. Julian Edelman (#20)

• Andy is critical of Julian Edelman's inconsistent performance and limited game participation: "Julian Edelman... you've never once had a season where he's done it [47:08]."
• Jason defends Edelman's prowess when healthy, noting his contributions to the Patriots' offense: "Once he came back... he finishes as a top 10 wide receiver [48:26]."
• Mike expresses concerns about Edelman's durability and overall reliability: "He was suspended for five straight games... but I think that Julian Edelman will be a massive piece of this team [48:37]."

j. Alshon Jeffery (#21)

• Andy voices strong reservations about Alshon Jeffery, reflecting on his declining performance and inconsistent usage: "Alshon Jeffery... what I see is a decline [52:09]."
• Jason acknowledges Jeffery's talent but emphasizes his inconsistency and volatility: "He could go either way [53:57]."
• Mike considers Jeffery a mystery box with potential upside but significant risk: "It could go either way... that's why I think right around 20 is all right [53:57]."

k. Additional Rankings (Alan Robinson, Chris Godwin, Mike Williams, etc.)

• The hosts continue to evaluate players like Alan Robinson (#22), Chris Godwin (#23), and Mike Williams (#24), discussing their potential based on team changes, offensive schemes, and individual talents.
• Andy highlights Chris Godwin's emergence under a new offensive coordinator: "Chris Godwin... he could have 100 plus receptions [58:39]."
• Jason underscores Godwin's athleticism and potential for a breakout season, positioning him favorably relative to Calvin Ridley: "Chris Godwin is one of those guys... could become a one next year [60:49]."
• Mike is cautiously optimistic about Mike Williams, acknowledging his touchdown potential but wary of team dynamics: "Mike Williams hit the 10 touchdown mark last year... I think he's... going to be the actual dominant outside wide receiver [63:32]."

4. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

As the episode concludes, the hosts summarize their rankings and the rationale behind them. They emphasize the importance of balancing player potential with associated risks, such as injuries and team uncertainties. The discussion underscores the "alphabet soup" nature of certain NFL teams' WR corps, where multiple receivers present both opportunities and challenges for fantasy managers.

Jason Moore encapsulates the essence of the rankings: "But every bite's delicious. That's the point. You ever had Alphabet soup? [51:44]."

The hosts encourage listeners to stay engaged with their upcoming rankings and analyses to build a competitive fantasy football team for the season.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Austin Safari and Jenkins Signing:

  • Andy Holloway [10:13]: "The New England Patriots are signing tight ends Austin Safari and Jeff Janzen to one-year contracts."

• Sterling Shepard's Extension:

  • Andy Holloway [11:56]: "The Giants are finalizing a four-year, $41 million extension with Sterling Shepard."

• AJ Green's Ranking Debate:

  • Andy Holloway [15:00]: "I haven't seen the whole package from AJ Green in quite some time."
  • Mike Wright [16:50]: "He is going to be worth the cost of admission... as a top talent at the wide receiver position."

• Amari Cooper's Inconsistent Performance:

  • Andy Holloway [30:21]: "Amari Cooper... has thrown up so many times all over fantasy owners."
  • Mike Wright [32:08]: "I will not be drafting Amari Cooper. It's not happening."

• Chris Godwin vs. Calvin Ridley:

  • Andy Holloway [60:51]: "I'd rather Ridley gets Matt Ryan."
  • Jason Moore [61:26]: "Chris Godwin is one of those guys that after this year could he."

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of early wide receiver rankings, blending statistical insights with expert opinions. The spirited debates among Andy, Jason, and Mike provide fantasy managers with valuable perspectives to inform their draft strategies. By addressing player potentials, team dynamics, and inherent risks, the hosts equip listeners with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of WR rankings and build a robust fantasy football team.