Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2018 - Alex Smith Traded! + Rookie Review: 2017 WRs & TEs
Release Date: February 1, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
1. Introduction
The episode kicks off with the hosts welcoming listeners from Draft.com Studios. They set the stage for a lively discussion centered around a significant NFL trade involving quarterback Alex Smith and the ensuing fantasy football implications. Additionally, the hosts delve into a comprehensive review of 2017 rookie wide receivers (WRs) and tight ends (TEs), evaluating their performances and future prospects in fantasy leagues.
2. Alex Smith Trade Analysis
Trade Details:
- Alex Smith, a seasoned quarterback aged 34, was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Washington Redskins.
- Washington's Package: Garnered Alex Smith in exchange for Kendall Fuller, a promising 22-year-old cornerback, and a third-round draft pick.
Implications for the NFL and Fantasy Football:
- Leadership Change: The trade signifies Washington's hesitance to commit long-term to Kirk Cousins, their incumbent quarterback, hinting at possible benching or seeking alternatives.
- Smith’s Role: With a new four-year, $94 million extension, Smith is expected to be the locked-in starter for Washington, providing stability but raising questions about his fit within the Redskins' offense.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright (01:20): “We're going to spend a decent amount of time today talking through the Alex Smith to Washington trade. Big time.”
- Andy Holloway (02:03): “... maybe Drew Brees is up there too. But at least in recent memory, the best free agent quarterback.”
Hosts' Perspectives:
- Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about Kirk Cousins' future with Washington, favoring Alex Smith's experience.
- Mike Wright appreciates the trade from a dynasty perspective, highlighting Smith's stability as a quarterback option.
Fantasy Implications:
- The trade impacts player valuations, especially receivers like Jameson Crowder, whose fantasy value may fluctuate based on Smith's performance and offensive dynamics in Washington.
3. Fantasy Football Implications
The hosts discuss how the Alex Smith trade affects fantasy football strategies, particularly concerning quarterback consistency and the value of surrounding players.
Key Discussion Points:
- Quarterback Stability: Alex Smith’s acquisition could stabilize Washington's QB position, potentially benefiting fantasy owners with Smith while casting doubts on Cousins’ reliability.
- Receiver Dynamics: With Smith's integration into Washington's offense, receivers like Josh Docks and Jameson Crowder may see increased or altered roles, influencing their fantasy rankings.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright (12:08): “Well, I mean, it's better than letting Kirk Cousins go and starting over in the draft.”
- Andy Holloway (13:19): “Kirk Cousins as a starter has never thrown for fewer than 4,000 yards.”
4. Super Bowl Predictions
In a lighter segment, the hosts engage in predicting the Super Bowl outcome with humorous banter and friendly competition.
Predictions:
- Jason Moore humorously predicts a 28-24 Patriots victory.
- Andy Holloway opts for a 28-20 Patriots win.
- Brooks suggests a 24-21 Patriots triumph.
Notable Moments:
- Attempted live call to Jason Moore was comedic, confirming he was indeed enjoying a churro at Disneyland.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway (27:16): “Jason said it's weird because it's... he just submitted churro, cinnamon and sugar.”
- Mike Wright (28:44): “I'm going to go with this one.”
5. Rookie Review: 2017 WRs & TEs
The core of the episode revolves around evaluating the performance of rookie wide receivers and tight ends from the 2017 NFL draft class, assessing their impact on fantasy football.
Wide Receivers
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Mike Evans:
- Performance: Consistently reliable with only 20% fantasy bust rate.
- Discussion: Andy defends Evans' consistency against more erratic WRs like Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones.
- Quote (07:03): “Mike Evans was actually consistent. He only busted for your team according to our metrics, about 20% of the time and that's extremely low.”
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Jay Ajayi:
- Performance: Transitioned from Miami to Philadelphia, facing role changes.
- Fantasy Outlook: Potential for a strong rookie season despite consistency issues.
- Quote (07:54): “I'm going to give him a pass through the change of teams.”
-
Amari Cooper:
- Performance: Exhibits high draft stock due to college production despite an inconsistent NFL year.
- Fantasy Outlook: Expected to maintain high value in drafts.
- Quote (09:00): “...the best. I think people will still be guns blazing to draft Amari Cooper so young.”
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Juju Smith-Schuster:
- Performance: Showed promise with 917 yards and 7 touchdowns.
- Fantasy Outlook: Potential to be overdrafted due to exciting play style.
- Quote (43:28): “He had a consistency rank of 22. He had almost a thousand yards, 917 and 7 on 80 targets.”
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George Kittle:
- Performance: Notable as a sleeper tight end with promising numbers.
- Fantasy Outlook: Positioned as a late-round value pick.
- Quote (59:04): “Of the rookies, George Kittle is absolutely my sleeper tight end.”
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John Ross:
- Performance: Underperformed with negative fantasy points, raising concerns.
- Fantasy Outlook: Not recommended for fantasy due to limited usage and performance struggles.
- Quote (38:07): “Not usable for fantasy.”
Tight Ends
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Evan Engram:
- Performance: High target volume but low catch percentage (55.7%).
- Fantasy Outlook: Likely to be overdrafted due to target volume despite drop issues.
- Quote (56:26): “I think he probably will be overdrafted.”
-
O.J. Howard:
- Performance: Limited targets but showed potential in final games.
- Fantasy Outlook: Intriguing for future growth, especially with injury recoveries.
- Quote (58:47): “Final five games of O.J. howard season, he either had 50 yards or a touchdown.”
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David Njoku:
- Performance: Moderate target volume with room for growth.
- Fantasy Outlook: Viewed as a late-round value with potential upside.
- Quote (56:45): “I think you're, Jeff Howard can be a value.”
Notable Highlights:
- Corey Davis: Expressed frustration over his inconsistent receptions and yardage despite high targets.
- Curtis Samuel: Noted for his speed and potential role in Carolina's offense, though projections remain cautious due to quarterback uncertainty.
- Sammy Watkins: Discussed as potentially overpriced if he seeks a higher contract beyond his current role.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway (32:58): “If I get one reception, how many yards is it? If I turn around immediately on the snap?”
- Mike Wright (35:30): “I think he could be a one if that's the role.”
6. Conclusion
The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating the importance of staying updated on player trades and rookie performances to optimize fantasy football strategies. They encourage listeners to join their community at jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter for continuous updates and insights.
Final Remarks:
- Mike Wright (62:05): “Check out draft.comballers if you want to play some way too early basketball. It's really fun.”
- Andy Holloway (63:14): “Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers.”
Key Takeaways
- Alex Smith Trade: A pivotal move affecting Washington's offensive stability and Kirk Cousins' future, with significant fantasy implications for related players.
- Rookie Evaluations: Diverse performances among 2017 WRs and TEs highlight the importance of assessing both consistency and opportunity in fantasy drafts.
- Fantasy Strategies: Emphasis on targeting consistent performers like Mike Evans while being cautious with high-risk picks that may be overdrafted based on their roles and performance metrics.
For more detailed analysis and fantasy football advice, tune into future episodes of the Fantasy Footballers podcast.