Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Halloween Special, Week 9 Waivers, Trade News
Release Date: October 31, 2017

The Halloween-themed special episode of Fantasy Footballers delivered a comprehensive analysis of Week 9 waivers, significant trade news, and strategic insights for fantasy football enthusiasts gearing up for the playoff push. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, the trio navigated through a mix of serious football discussions intertwined with light-hearted Halloween banter.

1. Recap of Last Night's Game: Chiefs vs. Broncos

The episode kicked off with a detailed breakdown of the Monday Night Football matchup between the Kansas Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos' quarterback struggles were a focal point, sparking debate among the hosts.

• Trevor Siemian's Performance: Trevor Siemian, nicknamed "the Skids," faced harsh criticism for his underwhelming performance. Jason Moore highlighted, “The decision making of Trevor Siemian is just gone off the cliff in the first few games” (03:14).

• Quarterback Options for Broncos: The hosts deliberated over potential quarterback replacements, citing Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch as primary candidates. Mike Wright skeptically commented on Lynch’s preseason performance, stating, “He’s terrible” (03:54). The possibility of acquiring Brian Hoyer was also discussed, with Andy noting, “Brian Hoyer would be your best option in Denver, don't you think?” (04:13).

2. Running Back Analysis: C.J. Anderson and Jay Ajayi

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the performance and future of running backs C.J. Anderson and Jay Ajayi.

• C.J. Anderson's Decline: The conversation focused on Anderson's inconsistent performances, particularly his dropping into single-digit fantasy points in recent weeks. Andy expressed frustration, saying, “He's been single digits two of our three of the last five weeks” (06:00), while Jason emphasized his start, “Anderson, running back 24 and a half point PPR. That's a very startable running back” (06:15).

• Jay Ajayi's Trade to Eagles: A pivotal highlight was the trade of Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The hosts analyzed the implications of this move:

  • Improved Offensive Line: Andy pointed out, “You're going from one of the worst offensive lines in the league to one of the best” (09:22), indicating a promising environment for Ajayi's resurgence.

  • Future Outlook: The team anticipates Ajayi becoming a solid RB1, potentially ranking in the top 15, despite initial trade jitters. Mike noted, “As an Ajayi owner, you're thrilled” (07:56).

  • Waiver Strategies: Discussions included whether to invest in Ajayi’s back-up options, with Mike and Jason suggesting Darren McFadden as a viable performer (15:37).

3. Waiver Wire Recommendations

The hosts provided strategic insights into valuable waiver pickups, focusing on both wide receivers and running backs.

• Wide Receivers: Sterling Shepard vs. Juju Smith-Schuster

  • Sterling Shepard's Value: Sterling Shepard emerged as a top recommendation, with Andy affirming, “If this is not a large keeper league... I'm on Sterling Shepard” (22:57). Jason and Mike echoed the sentiment, highlighting Shepard's consistent target volume and favorable schedule.

  • Juju Smith-Schuster Considerations: While Juju showed promise, concerns about his consistency led to debates. Jason advocated for starting him despite occasional low target weeks, saying, “But you have to start him” (06:15), whereas Mike preferred Shepard for his reliability.

• Running Backs: Alex Collins, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden

  • Alex Collins' Upside: Alex Collins was lauded for his breakout potential with the Titans, earning Andy’s endorsement, “I love Alex” (31:46).

  • Alfred Morris vs. Darren McFadden: Both players were suggested as aggressive waiver targets due to their potential to surprise in upcoming matchups. Jason recommended, “I do want to be aggressive trying to get Alex Collins” (31:46), while Mike highlighted Morris’s opportunity, “Alf has the Jordan Howard going on” (15:58).

4. Trade News: Jay Ajayi to Eagles

Jay Ajayi's mid-season trade to the Eagles was dissected thoroughly:

• Impact on Dolphins: The Dolphins' running game dynamics shifted significantly, with Andy noting, “Jay Ajayi is going to be a rock solid, you know, RB1” (11:39).

• Eagles’ Enhancement: The acquisition was seen as a strategic move to bolster the Eagles' run game, moving them from a struggling offensive line to a more robust unit.

5. Trick or Treat Segment: Fantasy Playoff Predictions

In a Halloween-themed segment, the hosts evaluated players based on their potential performance during fantasy playoffs.

• Quarterbacks: Russell Wilson vs. Kirk Cousins

  • Russell Wilson as a Treat: Despite a tough playoff schedule facing the Jaguars, Russell Wilson was deemed a "treat" due to his scrambling ability and improved offensive line, with Andy stating, “Russell Wilson is one of them” (42:24).

  • Kirk Cousins as a Trick: Kirk Cousins received the opposite label, “a trick,” due to his challenging playoff matchups against strong defenses, as Mike explained, “I call that a trick” (45:26).

• Wide Receivers: DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen

  • DeAndre Hopkins as a Treat: Hopkins was considered reliable for the playoffs despite facing tough defenses, with Jason hinting, “You have to accept Keenan Allen as the new normal” (56:12).

  • Keenan Allen as a Trick: Keenan Allen’s inconsistent performances led to his categorization as a "trick," especially given his diminished role in the offense, reflected in Jason’s observation, “He’s been what, 46th is this? 30th” (55:29).

6. Quarterback Streaming Strategies

The trio discussed viable quarterbacks for streaming purposes, emphasizing flexibility and matchup-based decisions.

• Top Streaming Options: Tyrod Taylor and Drew Stanton were highlighted as effective streaming options due to their favorable matchups and potential upside. Andy shared, “He's going to do it against Russell” (38:28), while Mike endorsed Tyrod Taylor’s consistency, advising, “If you picked him up last week, just keep on your roster” (39:35).

• Assessing Market Movements: The hosts cautioned about the rapidly changing QB market, noting trades and injuries that could impact streaming decisions, with Mike mentioning, “There could be trades that have taken place by the time you’re listening to this” (16:26).

7. Additional News and Notes

• Ezekiel Elliott's Suspension: Ezekiel Elliott faced a suspension, prompting discussions on potential replacements like Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden. Jason clarified, “The judge dissolved Ezekiel Elliott's temporary restraining order” (14:35), encouraging owners to pivot to available RB options.

• Venture Davis and Other Trades: Mike updated listeners on ongoing trade rumors involving players like Hamlin and Davis, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about roster changes.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers Halloween Special provided invaluable insights into Week 9's waiver wire targets, critical trade developments, and strategic moves for the fantasy football playoffs. The hosts balanced in-depth analysis with engaging banter, ensuring listeners were well-equipped to make informed decisions as the fantasy season intensified.

Notable Quotes:

• Trevor Siemian's Decision Making:
  Jason Moore: “The decision making of Trevor Siemian is just gone off the cliff in the first few games.” (03:14)

• Jay Ajayi's Trade Impact:
  Andy Holloway: “You're going from one of the worst offensive lines in the league to one of the best.” (09:22)

• Russell Wilson as a Treat:
  Andy Holloway: “Russell Wilson is one of them [treat quarterbacks].” (42:24)

• Kirk Cousins as a Trick:
  Mike Wright: “I call that a trick.” (45:26)

• Keenan Allen's Inconsistency:
  Jason Moore: “He’s been what, 46th is this? 30th.” (55:29)

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