Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Fantasy Trade Troubles + AFC West Breakdown Release Date: August 3, 2017

The Fantasy Footballers, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, delve deep into the intricacies of fantasy football in their August 3, 2017 episode. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, providing valuable insights for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.

1. Trade Policy Dilemmas

Quick Question Segment: Balancing Trade Policies A listener, identified as the commissioner of his league, reached out via Twitter with concerns about his league's voting-based trade policy. He highlighted how one member's constant campaigning against trades jeopardizing their playoff chances has led to a stagnation in trading activities.

• Mike Wright emphasizes the redundancy of traditional voting and waiting periods in fantasy football trades. “Why do we still have voting and these waiting periods and things in fantasy football?... It makes the game worse.” (04:00)

• Jason Moore adds that in established leagues with experienced players, vetoing should be reserved strictly for collusion or blatant exploitation. He suggests implementing an immediate trade approval system with potential retroactive reviews based on unanimous opposition. “If a trade seems lopsided... It’s real, it’s really, really hard to get everything right.” (07:14)

• Andy Holloway proposes empowering the commissioner to handle suspicions of unfair trades, ensuring decisions aren't solely based on individual biases. “Perhaps it makes people feel better because the commissioner doesn't have all the power.” (06:40)

The trio collectively advocates for streamlined trade processes that foster more active trading without unnecessary barriers, enhancing the overall fantasy football experience.

2. Player Updates and Injury News

Injury Reports Impacting Fantasy Rosters The hosts provide updates on key players' health statuses, crucial for managers making draft and waiver decisions.

• Sterling Shepard reports a recent ankle injury, diagnosed as a low ankle sprain. “Things looking good. Diagnosed with a Low ankle sprain...” (10:05)

• Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins exits practice with a non-contact left leg injury, raising concerns about his season's impact. “Ryan Tannehill just scrambled for X amount of yards. Let's stop talking about this knee.” (13:46)

• Will Fuller sustains a broken collarbone, sidelining him for two to three months, which subsequently affects DeAndre Hopkins' fantasy value. “Expected to miss two to three months. Does this help or hurt Hopkins?” (10:38)

• Alshon Jeffery misses his third consecutive practice due to a shoulder injury, highlighting the Dolphins' injury-prone roster. “Alshon Jeffrey, shoulder injury, missed his third practice in a row on Thursday.” (16:58)

These updates underscore the volatility of player statuses and the importance of monitoring injuries closely during the fantasy football season.

3. AFC West Breakdown

The hosts dissect each team in the AFC West, analyzing player performances, team dynamics, and their implications for fantasy football.

a. Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback Concerns and Running Back Dynamics Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about the Chiefs' quarterback stability, predicting potential changes in the starting lineup due to investment in younger players like Pat Mahomes and Kareem Hunt.

• Andy Holloway predicts, “...my prediction is that Alex Smith and Spencer Ware are not starters at their position at some point during this year.” (19:44)

• Mike Wright highlights Alex Smith's role as a reliable streaming option on the waiver wire, noting his versatility despite occasional low-output games. “Alex Smith is the perfect streaming waiver wire quarterback.” (21:10)

• Jason Moore discusses the running back situation, suggesting a 50/50 timeshare between Spencer Ware and Kareem Hunt. “I think it will be a 50, 50 timeshare and both of these guys are going to have value.” (22:00)

The Chiefs' offensive strategy, especially concerning their running backs and quarterback play, remains a focal point for fantasy managers.

b. Oakland Raiders

Receiver Conundrums and Quarterback Stability The Raiders face challenges with their wide receiver lineup and quarterback performance.

• Jason Moore critiques the inconsistency between Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, advocating for drafting Crabtree as a safer, value pick. “Draft Michael Crabtree and be cautious with Cooper. If it fell this way, are you okay having both of them on your team? No.” (35:11)

• Andy Holloway warns against overvaluing Derek Carr, anticipating potential underperformance based on past division games. “You might want a refund by mid season if you lock yourself into Derek Carr with an early draft pick.” (36:06)

• Mike Wright points out Derek Carr's struggles in late-season division games, emphasizing the tough AFC West schedule quarterbacks face. “Derek Carr's final four games... he scored 11 or fewer fantasy points per game.” (38:07)

The Raiders' quarterback and receiver performances are critical considerations for fantasy drafts, with a call to manage expectations on their outputs.

c. Denver Broncos

Wide Receiver Focus and Offensive Line Improvements The Broncos are analyzed with a spotlight on their wide receivers and revamped offensive line.

• Andy Holloway praises Demaryius Thomas for his consistent performance, despite missing high-reception roles, positioning him as a top-performing fantasy receiver. “He’s the most consistent player in football over the last three years at the wide receiver position.” (41:37)

• Jason Moore highlights the offensive line's significant upgrades, anticipating improved running back performances from C.J. Anderson and Jamal Charles. “The running game should be able to open up a little bit. More for CJ Anderson and maybe Jamal Charles.” (45:52)

• Mike Wright discusses Melvin Gordon's potential, balancing his high usage with injury concerns. “Melvin Gordon had no backup last year.” (55:08)

Denver's enhancements to their offensive line and receiver corps suggest a promising outlook for fantasy owners targeting their running backs and wide receivers.

d. Los Angeles Chargers

Keenan Allen’s Revival and Running Back Strategy The Chargers' performance hinges on Keenan Allen's health and the running back rotation.

• Mike Wright underscores Keenan Allen's reliability and high contested catch rate, despite his fluctuating draft position. “He is really, really, really good. Maybe the upside... is devastating to opposing defenses.” (50:39)

• Jason Moore discusses Melvin Gordon's dual potential as a running back, balancing efficiency with the risk of reduced touchdowns. “I see the upside with Melvin Gordon.” (53:23)

• Andy Holloway critiques draft strategies around Keenan Allen, emphasizing his value despite his lack of recent touchdown production. “It's a risk-reward thing... The reports are positive.” (51:43)

The Chargers' combination of a revitalized wide receiver and robust running back options presents diverse drafting strategies for fantasy managers.

4. Running Backs and Wide Receivers Analysis

Balancing Scarcity and Potential Breakouts The Fantasy Footballers delve into the nuances of drafting running backs and wide receivers, stressing the importance of understanding player roles and team dynamics.

• CJ Anderson is lauded for his reliability and involvement in the Chargers' offense, despite criticisms of his handling by certain analysts. “His job is very, very safe... When he's on the field, he produces.” (46:16)

• DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are discussed as potential alternatives for backups, though concerns about their ability to take over the primary role remain. “There too many guys there to say that there is a handcuff. There is no Marshawn Lynch handcuff.” (40:26)

• Demaryius Thomas and Amari Cooper are compared, with Thomas being favored for his consistency despite Cooper's high talent. “Demarius Thomas... extremely talented and I don't usually like drafting guys where the... you do have players that.” (31:55)

The hosts emphasize the importance of evaluating player consistency, team offensive strategies, and potential breakout candidates when selecting running backs and wide receivers.

5. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content

Promotions and Future Episodes Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers promote their partnership with Pristine Auction for exclusive memorabilia and tease upcoming segments, including more divisional breakdowns and specialized episodes focusing on sleeper picks and breakout candidates.

• Andy Holloway encourages listeners to join their best ball leagues at playdraft.com, highlighting the interactive and competitive nature of their offerings. “If you are looking to get into some of those awesome best ball leagues, there's no better place to play than playdraft.com ballers.” (57:04)

• The hosts hint at expanding their content to cover deeper fantasy insights and player profiles, urging listeners to engage with their community for ongoing support and updates.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway: “If my calculations are correct, you are listening to this before your fantasy football drafts have taken place. I've been to the future and those that followed the advice from the Fantasy Footballers Ultimate Draft Kit had a spectacular season...” (00:06)

• Mike Wright: “Why do we still have voting and these waiting periods and things in fantasy football?... It makes the game worse.” (04:00)

• Jason Moore: “If you haven't heard us say it, you only veto a trade for collusion. You don't veto a trade because you think it's lopsided. Right. That's it.” (05:54)

• Andy Holloway: “We are always listening to how we can make this show better and make your league better...” (03:20)

• Jason Moore: “Amari Cooper, senior year he had a 50% contested catch rate. That's below average for college.” (34:09)

• Mike Wright: “Derek Carr's final four games... he scored 11 or fewer fantasy points per game.” (38:07)

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a wealth of information, from strategic trade policies to in-depth team and player analyses within the AFC West. Whether you're refining your draft strategy or navigating mid-season trades, the insights provided are invaluable for crafting a championship-winning fantasy football team.