Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Fantasy Football 2017 - Sleepers + Values LIVE from the Great White North"

Release Date: August 28, 2017

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast took a unique twist in their August 28, 2017 episode titled "Fantasy Football 2017 - Sleepers + Values LIVE from the Great White North." Recorded live from Toronto, Canada, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delved deep into the 2017 fantasy football season, focusing on sleepers, values, and breaking news that could influence draft strategies and team management.

1. Live from Toronto: Setting the Stage (00:00 - 02:10)

The episode kicked off with a playful banter about their recording location, clarifying that they were broadcasting from Toronto’s International Center rather than the Play Draft Studios. Mike Wright humorously noted, "We landed in Toronto and we're so, you know, happy. Let's get this fantasy sports show going" (00:24), setting an energetic tone for the live session. The hosts emphasized their excitement to present rising stars, sleepers, values, and the latest injury news critical for fantasy managers.

2. Rising Stars: Identifying Key Players (02:10 - 09:55)

a. Jonathan Stewart: A Late-Drafted Gem (02:31 - 03:58)

Andy Holloway introduced his rising star, Jonathan Stewart, highlighting his consistent performance despite being overlooked. "He's not sexy, you don't want him, but he's going to keep your team healthy," Andy asserted (03:00), advocating for drafting Stewart in the ninth round as a reliable late-round pick to stabilize the roster.

b. Devonte Parker and Jay Ajayi: Potential High Performers (04:05 - 07:25)

Jason Moore spotlighted Devonte Parker, praising his preseason adjustments and synergy with Jay Cutler. "There are players you watch in the preseason and that's what the preseason's for. It's the eye test," Andy explained (05:11), emphasizing the importance of evaluating players beyond just their stat lines. Mike Wright presented Jay Ajayi as his rising star, noting his impressive preseason performances despite concerns about the Miami Dolphins' overall outlook. "He is absolutely going to be great," Mike confidently stated (06:29), predicting Ajayi’s rise in rankings due to his touchdown opportunities and role in the offense.

3. Breaking News: Impacts on Fantasy Rankings (10:03 - 18:32)

a. Julian Edelman’s ACL Tear (10:07 - 13:07)

The hosts broke the news of Julian Edelman suffering a complete ACL tear, a significant blow given his status as a top fantasy receiver for three consecutive years. Andy Holloway posed critical questions about the future of the New England Patriots' offense without Edelman. Mike Wright discussed potential replacements, particularly focusing on Brandon Cooks, while addressing the uncertainty surrounding Edelman’s return and the overall impact on the team's receiving corps.

b. Spencer Ware’s Injury and Kareem Hunt’s Role (13:07 - 18:32)

Spencer Ware's season-ending knee injury sparked a discussion on the implications for Kareem Hunt’s draft value. Jason Moore and Mike Wright debated whether Hunt should be drafted in the fourth or fifth round, considering Ware's uncertain return. Andy Holloway shared his ranking of Hunt as an RB12 in half-point leagues, underscoring his potential to take over the role if Ware remains sidelined. The conversation highlighted the strategic decisions fantasy managers must make when key players are injured, balancing risk and potential upside.

4. Sleepers: Undervalued Players to Target (22:00 - 27:42)

a. Danny Amendola: Overlooked Wide Receiver (22:25 - 26:58)

Jason Moore recommended Danny Amendola as a sleeper pick, drawing parallels to his 2015 performance where he stepped up after Edelman’s injury. "Amendola was a PPR monster," Jason noted (23:18), suggesting that if Amendola starts getting consistent targets, he could significantly outperform his draft position. Mike Wright echoed the sentiment, recognizing Amendola as a valuable waiver wire pickup despite concerns about potential injuries.

b. Ted Ginn Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders: Reliable Targets (26:58 - 41:48)

Andy Holloway proposed Ted Ginn Jr. as a late-round sleeper, emphasizing his speed and reliability when paired with a stable quarterback like Drew Brees. Meanwhile, Mike Wright highlighted Emmanuel Sanders as a consistent performer, comparable to Jarvis Landry in target volume and touchdown potential. "He is a great value because he is being drafted right now as the 34th wide receiver off the board," Mike explained (39:14), positioning Sanders as a strategic pick for sustained fantasy success.

5. Values: High Potential at Low Cost (28:00 - 36:35)

a. Jeremy Hill: Solid RB Value (29:38 - 32:19)

Jason Moore identified Jeremy Hill as a valuable running back, cautioning against overvaluing his performance due to previous running back controversies within the Cincinnati Bengals. "Take the Pepto Bismol and then you draft Jeremy Hill," Andy quipped (32:45), underscoring Hill’s efficiency and goal-line opportunities as key factors that make him a strong value pick.

b. Andrew Luck: Elite QB at a Discount (32:19 - 36:35)

Defying conventional draft fears, Andy Holloway championed Andrew Luck as a top-value quarterback available in the later rounds. "There is a difference. You don't just draft every injured player, but you do draft a player who... was a top 12 quarterback," Andy advocated (33:02), arguing that Luck’s proven consistency and high ceiling make him an exceptional late-round investment despite concerns about his injury status and Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line.

6. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Expert Advice (42:04 - 48:41)

The hosts addressed questions from live listeners, offering tailored advice on various fantasy scenarios:

• Brittany in Toronto: Inherited a team centered around Blake Bortles. Andy humorously dismissed it as inheriting a tragedy, advising bold moves and packaging deals to unlock team potential (42:51).

• Sean in Toronto: Asked about the running back situation in the NFC East. Mike Wright suggested drafting Ezekiel Elliott and Darren McFadden while cautioning about inconsistent performances. Jason Moore recommended late-round bets on potential backups like Wendell Smallwood or Darren Sproles (44:46).

• Eric in Rochester, NY: Queried whether Jimmy Graham could be a top-five tight end assuming health for Gronkowski and Reed. The consensus was affirmative, with the hosts highlighting Graham’s role in Russell Wilson’s offense and his potential for touchdown opportunities (46:58).

7. Conclusion: Strategic Insights and Final Thoughts (48:41 - End)

Wrapping up, Andy Holloway emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to fantasy football, encouraging listeners to combine expert advice with personal league dynamics. "Make your own decision and take a more holistic approach to fantasy football," Andy advised (50:12). The hosts reiterated their commitment to helping listeners win their leagues by providing strategic rankings and actionable insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright on Jonathan Stewart: "He's going to keep your team healthy." (03:00)
• Andy Holloway on Kareem Hunt: "He is absolutely going to be great." (06:29)
• Jason Moore on Danny Amendola: "He is literally your last positional pick. You watch week one. If he's getting targets, then that's amazing." (24:25)
• Andy Holloway on Andrew Luck: "He is the overwhelming value in the draft at the quarterback position." (33:00)

Final Thoughts:

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provided a comprehensive analysis of key players to watch, strategic sleepers, and undervalued picks essential for the 2017 fantasy football season. Broadcasting live from Toronto, the hosts delivered insightful commentary and actionable advice, ensuring that both novice and seasoned fantasy managers were well-equipped to navigate their drafts and manage their teams effectively. Whether it’s leveraging late-round gems like Andrew Luck or capitalizing on the potential of Devonte Parker and Jay Ajayi, the episode was a treasure trove of strategies aimed at winning in style.