Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 5 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Trade Targets

Released on October 9, 2017

Introduction

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Mike Wright ("The Fantasy Hitman"), Jason Moore, and Andy Holloway delve into the intricacies of Week 5 of the 2017 fantasy football season. They dissect player performances, analyze trade targets, highlight rising stars, and caution against underperforming players. The conversation is a treasure trove for fantasy enthusiasts looking to refine their strategies and make informed decisions as the playoffs approach.

Trade Targets: Studs & Duds

Targeting Underperformers:

The hosts discuss the strategic advantage of targeting underperforming players available at a bargain. Jason Moore emphasizes the value in trading for players like DeMarco Murray, stating:

"[03:04] Jason Moore: ... my third favorite player to target would actually be DeMarco Murray."

Mike Wright echoes this sentiment, highlighting Murray's potential resurgence due to his increased usage:

"[04:31] Mike Wright: ... DeMarco Murray is an okay one. The nice thing for Murray is that Henry's doing nothing. Henry is underperforming as well."

Valuable Picks:

Keenan Allen is identified as a prime trade target, especially in light of Odell Beckham Jr.'s injury. Jason Moore advises:

"[06:08] Jason Moore: Keenan Allen has been targeted... I trust him. And I would definitely be looking to trade for Alshon and Keenan Allen."

Strategic Moves:

The hosts discuss the importance of timing and pricing when acquiring underperforming players, ensuring that fantasy managers can maximize their team’s potential without overpaying.

Weekly Rewind: Key News and Player Updates

Major Injuries:

• Odell Beckham Jr.'s Injury:

  Mike Wright reacts to the shocking injury of Odell Beckham Jr., detailing the severity:

  "[06:44] Jason Moore: Weekly rewind..."

• J.J. Watt's Broken Fibula:

  The podcast discusses the impact of J.J. Watt's season-ending injury on the Houston Texans and its potential fantasy implications for Deshaun Watson:

  "[12:10] Mike Wright: Desean Watson's probably going to end up in the stud muffin section."

Quarterback Performances:

• Deshaun Watson emerges as a standout quarterback, leading the conversation on whether to hold or trade him.

  "[13:14] Jason Moore: ... if I've got him, I'm trading him or fielding offers to trade him to every team imaginable."

• Cam Newton's Revival:

  After a sluggish start, Newton's dominant performance revitalizes his fantasy value:

  "[16:10] Jason Moore: ... I'll happily eat crow on Cam Newton here."

Stud Muffins: Top Performers

Quarterbacks:

• Deshaun Watson:

  Highlighted as the week's top scoring quarterback with five touchdowns on 16 completions:

  "[12:22] Mike Wright: ... Desean Watson. Five touchdowns on only 16 completions."

• Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz also receive commendations for their robust performances.

Running Backs:

• Melvin Gordon and Leonard Fournette are celebrated for their exceptional rushing yardage and touchdown contributions:

  "[17:38] Jason Moore: ... Leonard Fournette ... he is bringing on the hits."

Wide Receivers:

• A.J. Green showcases a stellar performance with seven receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown:

  "[25:05] Mike Wright: Wide receivers. A.J. green... seven receptions for 189 and a touchdown."

• Will Fuller surprises with a two-touchdown game, positioning him as a high-upside pick:

  "[26:20] Mike Wright: ... Will Fuller on a 16 game pace. You'll be scoring 32 touchdowns."

Rising Stars: Promising Performers

Running Backs:

• Marlon Mack:

  Jason Moore identifies Mack as the "Rising Star of the Week" due to his impressive performances and potential future impact:

  "[36:56] Jason Moore: ... Marlon Mack... he is the future back here for the Indianapolis Colts."

• Aaron Jones:

  Despite initial hesitations, Jones proves his worth with 19 carries for 125 yards:

  "[39:07] Jason Moore: ... Aaron Jones had a monster game... 19 carries 125 yards."

Pooper Muffins: Underperforming Players

Quarterbacks:

• Ben Roethlisberger struggles with interceptions and low touchdowns, frustrating fantasy owners:

  "[43:12] Mike Wright: ... Big Ben... you need three points from your quarterback, then Big Ben came through."

Running Backs:

• Seattle Seahawks' Running Backs:

  All running backs from Seattle underperform, leading the hosts to classify them as "poopers":

  "[50:57] Jason Moore: ... the running backs for the Seattle Seahawks. Oh, all of them."

Wide Receivers:

• Amari Cooper:

  Despite his talent, Cooper's recent drops and low reception numbers raise concerns. However, Jason Moore still sees value in acquiring him at a low cost:

  "[53:03] Jason Moore: I would buy Amari Cooper for pennies and I would keep him on my bench."

Tight Ends:

• Eric Ebron continues to disappoint with multiple dropped touchdowns, earning disdain from the hosts:

  "[35:19] Mike Wright: He's still dropping touchdowns."

Recommendations and Strategic Insights

Holding vs. Trading Players:

The hosts debate the merits of holding onto high-performing quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson versus trading them for reliable assets. Jason Moore leans towards trading Watson to capitalize on his peak performance years:

"[14:00] Jason Moore: ... trading him or fielding offers to trade him to every team imaginable."

Waiver Wire Strategies:

Emphasizing the importance of the waiver wire, Mike Wright and Jason Moore recommend targeting players who show consistent improvement or have favorable matchups, such as Chris Hogan and Ed Dixon.

Positional Considerations:

• Running Backs: With the influx of injuries and performance variances, flexibility and depth in the running back position are crucial.

• Wide Receivers: Targeting high-upside players who might be undervalued due to recent slumps can provide significant returns.

• Tight Ends: Given the overall underperformance at the tight end position, taking calculated risks on players like Ed Dixon or George Kittle can be beneficial.

Conclusion

The Week 5 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of the current fantasy football landscape. By highlighting both standout performances and cautioning against declining players, the hosts provide listeners with actionable insights to optimize their teams. Whether it's capitalizing on underperforming trade targets, scouting rising stars, or avoiding pooper muffins, this episode serves as an essential guide for fantasy managers striving to secure their playoff spots.

Notable Quotes:

• "[03:04] Jason Moore: ... my third favorite player to target would actually be DeMarco Murray."

• "[14:00] Jason Moore: ... trading him or fielding offers to trade him to every team imaginable."

• "[36:56] Jason Moore: ... Marlon Mack... he is the future back here for the Indianapolis Colts."

• "[53:03] Jason Moore: I would buy Amari Cooper for pennies and I would keep him on my bench."

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