Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 3 Waivers, QB Streamers, Giant Struggles"

Release Date: September 19, 2017

Introduction

In the Week 3 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the latest fantasy football developments. Skipping ads and intros, the trio focuses on critical waiver wire moves, quarterback streaming strategies, and an in-depth analysis of the New York Giants' ongoing offensive struggles.

Giants’ Offensive Struggles

The episode opens with a heated discussion about the New York Giants' disappointing performance over seven consecutive games, failing to score 20 points. Hosts critique the lackluster offensive line and question the efficacy of Eli Manning under constant pressure.

• Andy Holloway (01:37): "Seven consecutive games for a quote, unquote great. And a magnificent offense with all the weapons in the world... no running backs."

• Jason Moore (02:06): "Le'Veon Bell could not succeed if he was the running back for the New York Giants... Eli Manning, who's just like, please, someone get open quick."

They spotlight the offensive line's failures, particularly Smash Jackson's underperformance, and lament the absence of reliable running backs, which hampers the Giants' offense despite having stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall.

News and Notes

The hosts address several key injury updates and player statuses:

• Andrew Luck (05:24): Ruled out for Week 3 against the Browns, with an uncertain return timeline.

• Sam Bradford (05:38): Dealing with a bone bruise, with uncertainty regarding his Week 3 participation. Mike advises fantasy managers to seek aggressive pickups if Bradford is sidelined.

• Other updates include Randall Cobb's negative MRI for his shoulder, Jordy Nelson's questionable status for Week 3, and Jimmy Graham's ankle injury potentially affecting his production.

Waiver Wire Analysis

Wide Receivers

The trio highlights potential waiver wire gems, emphasizing J.J. Nelson and Rashard Higgins as must-pick options due to their increased targets and favorable matchups.

• Jason Moore (11:34): "J.J. Nelson. He will be a good starting option, whether it's in a flex or even in the wide receiver position."

• Mike Wright (13:30): "Rashard Higgins is actually a high priority pickup. If you're wide receiver. Needy."

They caution against overvaluing Tyler Lockett despite his talent, suggesting focusing on receivers with immediate upside and consistent targets.

Running Backs

Discussion centers on acquiring Buck Allen, Chris Carson, and Samaj P. Ryan. The hosts emphasize the scarcity of reliable running backs and the importance of securing potential starters.

• Andy Holloway (19:06): "Buck Allen, Chris Carson, Samaj P. Ryan, they are at the top of my list this week."

• Jason Moore (19:23): "I'd like Buck Allen first, Chris Carson second, Samaj P. Ryan third."

They also debate the potential impact of Derek Henry over Samaj P. Ryan, with Mike advocating for Henry's higher ceiling despite longer-term uncertainties.

Tight Ends

Jason highlights Hunter Henry as a top-tier tight end worth significant FAB investment, despite Andy's reservations.

• Jason Moore (30:15): "There's only one guy that is a standout guy to me and that's Hunter Henry."

• Mike Wright (31:11): "Hunter Henry has to be picked up."

They explore other tight end options like Jason Witten and Evan Ingram, recommending strategic pickups based on matchups and consistency.

Quarterbacks

The hosts provide strategies for streaming quarterbacks, recommending low-cost options with favorable matchups to maximize efficiency without draining FAB resources.

• Jason Moore (37:23): "Jay Cutler is a fantastic stream this week. He's available in pretty much every single league format."

• Mike Wright (39:05): "Deshaun Kaiser is going to be a pretty high floor play and he's available in 100% of league."

They suggest targeting quarterbacks like Jay Cutler and Trevor Siemian who face weak defenses, offering solid fantasy production at minimal cost.

Defenses

Top defensive pickups include the Ravens and Rams due to their strong performances and upcoming favorable matchups.

• Andy Holloway (34:28): "The Ravens are currently the number one defense in football. And they play Jacksonville, which is delicious."

• Mike Wright (34:17): "That's a good play."

They advise selecting defenses that can exploit poor offensive opponents, enhancing weekly fantasy points without heavy FAB investment.

Mailbag Highlights

Pass Interference Yards (41:30): A listener inquires about the fantasy impact of a defensive pass interference call. The hosts discuss that currently, no yards are credited to receivers, but Andy suggests a potential bonus system for draw-ins.

• Andy Holloway (42:23): "If you are a wide receiver and you draw a pass interference call, you should get like a one point or something."

DeMarco Murray’s Performance (43:35): Billy from Washington asks about DeMarco Murray's inconsistent performance and potential injury impacts. The hosts concur that Murray remains a valuable asset as long as he stays healthy, comparing his situation to Adrian Peterson's in Minnesota.

• Andy Holloway (45:36): "Maybe he's 20 to 24 in the rankings if he plays because they're going to take some pressure off him."

• Jason Moore (46:22): "It was pretty much based on what I said a minute ago, where at wide receiver. I don't really like picking up a guy who's developmental."

Final Recommendations

The Fantasy Footballers emphasize prioritizing dependable, mid-tier pickups over speculative investments. Key takeaways include:

• Wide Receivers: Secure J.J. Nelson and Rashard Higgins for their high target potential.

• Running Backs: Prioritize Buck Allen and Chris Carson, with Derek Henry as a high-ceiling option.

• Tight Ends: Hunter Henry remains a top asset, with Jason Witten also being a reliable pick.

• Quarterbacks: Stream with low-cost options like Jay Cutler and Trevor Siemian based on weekly matchups.

• Defenses: Target top-performing defenses like the Ravens and Rams to maximize weekly points.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers’ Week 3 episode offers strategic insights into navigating the waiver wire and quarterback streaming, while addressing the New York Giants' offensive woes. By focusing on actionable advice and player-specific recommendations, the hosts equip fantasy managers with the tools needed to optimize their rosters and gain a competitive edge in their leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• "Should really be weekly holiday for all businesses." – Jason Moore (00:54)
• "Hunter Henry has to be picked up." – Jason Moore (31:11)
• "I would be very, very aggressive trying to pick him up." – Mike Wright (23:30)
• "People think you're joking. You're not joking." – Mike Wright (48:32)

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