Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Explain Yourself! Rankings Debates & Tar Pits
Release Date: May 19, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, the expert trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—delve into their inaugural fantasy football rankings. Titled "Explain Yourself! Rankings Debates & Tar Pits," the episode is packed with in-depth analyses, spirited debates, and insightful discussions aimed at helping listeners dominate their fantasy leagues. The hosts navigate through their differing opinions on player rankings, providing substantial reasoning backed by statistics and personal perspectives.

Difficult Teams to Project

One of the initial discussions revolves around the most challenging NFL teams to forecast for the 2020 fantasy football season. Each host selects a team they find particularly difficult to project, citing various factors that contribute to their uncertainty.

• Andy Holloway:
  "The Chargers present a myriad of different things, both good and bad. Their improved offensive line and quarterback situation, especially with the transition from Philip Rivers to Justin Herbert, make them tough to project."
  (04:12)

• Mike Wright:
  "The Rams are a complete mystery across the entire team. Except we know Jared Goff is the quarterback, the running back position is a mess, making it hard to predict Melvin Gordon's performance reliably."
  (06:23)

• Jason Moore:
  "The Patriots confuse me the most. With Jimmy Garoppolo as quarterback, I'm not excited about their offensive prospects, especially since I don't have any Patriots players above 28 at their positions in my rankings."
  (02:22)

News and Updates

The hosts touch upon recent NFL developments that impact their fantasy projections.

• James Conner's Role with the Steelers:
  Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' head coach, declared James Conner as a "featured guy and a proven runner when healthy," sparking debates on his reliability and workload.
  (10:34)

• Big Ben Roethlisberger's Comeback:
  The return of Ben Roethlisberger comes with excitement and skepticism, especially regarding his recent appearance and potential performance shifts.
  (13:16)

• Todd Gurley's Health with the Falcons:
  Concerns about Todd Gurley's injury status linger, affecting his fantasy value and the Falcons' offensive strategies.
  (14:19)

Rankings Debates

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to debating the hosts' rankings of key players. Each host presents their position, often leading to spirited disagreements.

1. DeAndre Hopkins

• Jason Moore's Stance:
  "DeAndre Hopkins stands at number five in my rankings, reflecting his elite status as a wide receiver and his crucial role in Arizona's offense."
  (22:23)

• Mike Wright's Argument:
  "I have Hopkins at 15 because, despite his talent, the team's offensive setup doesn't allow him to accumulate the high target volume necessary to maintain his elite status."
  (23:08)

• Notable Quote:
  "You don't see DeAndre Hopkins immediately pulling another 30% target share in a transitioning offense." – Mike Wright
  (25:09)

2. JuJu Smith-Schuster

• Jason Moore's Position:
  "I rank JuJu Smith-Schuster at 13, believing that while he has the potential for big games, consistency remains a concern due to past performances."
  (30:02)

• Andy Holloway's Perspective:
  "I have JuJu at 29, arguing that without consistent quarterback play and offensive support, his fantasy value isn't as high as his past performance suggests."
  (30:46)

• Notable Quote:
  "He's one of those players that could either take a massive leap or stagnate based on the team's offensive dynamics." – Jason Moore
  (35:45)

3. Allen Robinson

• Jason Moore's Ranking:
  "Allen Robinson is placed at 20 in my rankings, reflecting his reliability despite the Bears' inconsistent quarterback play."
  (36:49)

• Andy Holloway's Counter:
  "I rank Robinson higher, at number 10, emphasizing his talent and the potential resurgence with improved quarterback play."
  (37:16)

• Notable Quote:
  "Alan Robinson has consistently proven to be a solid wide receiver, even with varying quarterback support." – Andy Holloway
  (38:16)

4. Melvin Gordon

• Jason Moore's View:
  "I ranked Melvin Gordon at 15, considering his role in Denver's backfield and potential for touchdown opportunities."
  (43:05)

• Mike Wright's Argument:
  "Gordon is at 24 in my rankings due to the presence of other running backs like Royce Freeman and Philip Lindsay, which could limit his carries and overall fantasy output."
  (44:22)

• Notable Quote:
  "Melvin Gordon is a massive injury risk, and his efficiency has been questionable over the past seasons." – Mike Wright
  (44:22)

5. DeVonta "Deebo" Samuel

• Jason Moore's Position:
  "I have Deebo at 14, recognizing his explosive potential in a dynamic offense that relies on his versatility."
  (49:35)

• Andy Holloway's Counterpoint:
  "Deebo is ranked lower at 29 because the offense's unpredictability and reliance on play-action passing make his consistent target volume uncertain."
  (50:05)

• Notable Quote:
  "Deebo is an athletic freak with the ability to dominate big plays, making him a valuable asset despite offensive inconsistencies." – Jason Moore
  (52:40)

6. Joni Smith

• Jason Moore's Rating:
  "Joni Smith is ranked at 19, considering his athleticism but questioning his consistency and integration into the offense."
  (55:00)

• Andy Holloway's Perspective:
  "I place Joni Smith higher at number 7, highlighting his physical gifts and the opportunity to take on a larger role as the primary tight end."
  (56:23)

• Notable Quote:
  "Jonus has the physical attributes to be a breakout candidate, especially with his involvement in both the passing and running games." – Andy Holloway
  (56:23)

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

The episode underscores the complexity of fantasy football rankings, emphasizing that different analytical approaches and personal biases can lead to varying player evaluations. The hosts agree that while statistics provide a foundation, understanding team dynamics, player roles, and potential changes in the offseason are crucial for accurate projections.

• Jason Moore:
  "There are more variables in play for Hopkins than for other wide receivers, making it a tough call."
  (29:41)

• Andy Holloway:
  "Players like Joni Smith have the physical gifts and opportunity to become breakout stars, which justifies higher rankings."
  (56:23)

• Mike Wright:
  "Understanding the competition within teams, such as running backs sharing carries, is essential for realistic player projections."
  (44:22)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wright [04:12]: "The Chargers present a myriad of different things, both good and bad. Their improved offensive line and quarterback situation, especially with the transition from Philip Rivers to Justin Herbert, make them tough to project."

• Jason Moore [22:23]: "DeAndre Hopkins stands at number five in my rankings, reflecting his elite status as a wide receiver and his crucial role in Arizona's offense."

• Mike Wright [23:08]: "I have Hopkins at 15 because, despite his talent, the team's offensive setup doesn't allow him to accumulate the high target volume necessary to maintain his elite status."

• Andy Holloway [56:23]: "Joni Smith has the physical attributes to be a breakout candidate, especially with his involvement in both the passing and running games."

Final Remarks

The Fantasy Footballers podcast episode offers a comprehensive look into the nuanced world of fantasy football rankings. By dissecting each player's potential and the factors influencing their performance, the hosts provide listeners with valuable insights to make informed decisions for their fantasy teams. The spirited debates and diverse perspectives exemplify the dynamic nature of fantasy football, ensuring that every listener gains a deeper understanding of the game.

Join the Conversation:
For more insights and to engage with the Fantasy Footballers community, visit jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter @FFBallers.