Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football 2018 - Big Offseason Questions + Combine Hype
Release Date: March 1, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts promoting FootClanLeagues.com, a platform they created to help listeners find and organize fantasy football leagues. Andy Holloway enthusiastically invites listeners to explore various league options, including dynasty and redraft leagues, emphasizing the community aspect of FootClanLeagues.com (00:00).

Following the promotional segment, the hosts warmly welcome the audience back as football enters the offseason. They share a light-hearted moment about dominating in a morning pickleball game, establishing a friendly and competitive rapport (02:26).

NFL Combine Insights

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the NFL Combine, with particular focus on how combine performances can influence fantasy football strategies.

• Jason Moore's Perspective: Jason highlights the importance of position-specific metrics, particularly enjoying the 40-yard dash for assessing speed in wide receivers and running backs. He emphasizes the value of receiving drills for running backs, as they offer a rare opportunity for direct comparison of pass-catching abilities. "You can really watch and see the fluidity. How natural are these guys at running these routes, catching the balls?" (03:24).

• Andy Holloway's Model: Andy introduces his analytical approach centered on "production and market share." He examines college performance to predict NFL success, suggesting that players who excel in college are more likely to perform well in the NFL. "Players who are bad in college, they're bad in the NFL. They don't just, generally speaking, don't just match." (04:54).

• Discussing Arian Foster: The hosts reflect on Arian Foster's combine performance, noting his impressive but perhaps not fully representative metrics. Mike reminisces about Foster's impact, saying, "He was a great Fantasy player monster, great pass catcher" (06:22).

• Dalvin Cook and John Ross: Mike references Dalvin Cook's surprising negative combine performance, which impacted his draft stock. They also touch on John Ross's exceptional speed, underscoring how combine performances can dramatically influence player valuations (07:26).

News and Notes from the League

The hosts delve into recent NFL news and its implications for fantasy football:

• Jonathan Stewart Released: Mike discusses Stewart's release from the Carolina Panthers, debating its impact on Christian McCaffrey's role. The conversation explores whether Stewart's departure benefits McCaffrey by increasing his market share or introduces uncertainty with a potential new back complementing him (08:35).

  • Jason's Take: Jason leans towards the positive side, believing that any new back is likely to be more efficient, thereby increasing McCaffrey's volume. "They might bring in someone more efficient... good for the offense." (09:41).

• Cameron Artis-Payne's Age Confusion: A humorous segment arises when the hosts discover conflicting information about Cameron Artis-Payne's age, highlighting discrepancies between sources like NFL.com and Pro Football Reference (10:24).

• Michael Crabtree and Teddy Bridgewater: Mike updates on Crabtree possibly rejoining the NFL and Teddy Bridgewater entering free agency, discussing their potential impacts on respective teams and fantasy prospects (13:37).

• Chris Ivory’s Potential Moves: The discussion turns to Chris Ivory's visit to the Bills and Browns, contemplating his role and effectiveness as a complement to existing running backs like Lashawn McCoy (15:01).

• Martavis Bryant and Kelvin Benjamin Updates: Mike touches on Martavis Bryant's trade status and Kelvin Benjamin's knee surgery, providing insights into their availability and performance outlooks (16:08).

Mailbag Questions

The hosts address various questions submitted by listeners through different platforms, offering expert advice and insights:

1. Finding a Good Fantasy Football League:

   • Original Inquiry: Tips for locating quality fantasy leagues.
   • Andy's Response: Reiterates the value of FootClanLeagues.com as a meeting place for dedicated fantasy enthusiasts, emphasizing the platform's ability to cater to different league formats (00:00).

2. Dynasty Leagues with Contracts:

   • Original Inquiry: Pros and cons of implementing contracts in dynasty leagues.
   • Mike's Perspective: Highlights the added complexity and excitement contracts bring, likening it to real GM dynamics. He stresses the importance of having a capable commissioner to manage the intricacies (18:31).
   • Jason's Input: Points out potential drawbacks, such as diverging from standard league methodologies, which may limit shared strategies and discussions (19:48).
   • Andy’s Take: Acknowledges the differences and suggests it changes league dynamics significantly (18:44).

3. Saquon Barkley's Potential Based on Team Placement:

   • Original Inquiry: How Saquon Barkley's performance might vary depending on his team.
   • Jason's Analysis: Identifies Cleveland Browns as the least favorable scenario, projecting Barkley around RB12 if he lands there. Conversely, landing with a team like the Colts with a healthy Andrew Luck could boost his value to RB7 or 8 (27:38).
   • Mike's View: Emphasizes Barkley's high floor due to his dual-threat capability, regardless of his team placement, asserting he'd rank Barkley in the top ten high (28:32).

4. Impact of Jimmy Garoppolo in 2018:

   • Original Inquiry: Will Jimmy Garoppolo maintain his dominance in the upcoming season?
   • Jason's Opinion: Suggests Garoppolo's past performances were overrated in fantasy terms, predicting he won't break into the top tier of quarterbacks. "I'm not drafting Handsome Jimmy with an expectation of him breaking into the top six, even top eight quarterbacks." (24:03)
   • Andy and Mike's Contributions: Both agree with Jason, noting that without significant offensive support, Garoppolo may not sustain his previous fantasy performances (25:00).

5. Best and Worst Fantasy Football Team Names:

   • Original Inquiry: Tips for creating effective fantasy football team names.
   • Jason's Advice: Recommends choosing names that are enduring and meaningful, potentially incorporating personal or pop culture references that resonate with both league members. Avoid generic or overly common pun-based names to maintain uniqueness (32:31).
   • Andy and Mike's Suggestions: Encourage creativity and personal connection, avoiding easily replicable names like "Dwayne Bow" or "Little Red Fournette" to ensure each team name stands out (33:20).

6. Rookie Quarterback Breakout Prospects:

   • Original Inquiry: Which rookie quarterback is most likely to have a breakout first season?
   • Jason's Choice: Favors Lamar Jackson for his dual-threat capabilities but acknowledges the unpredictability based on team dynamics and opportunities (36:01).
   • Andy and Mike's Inputs: Discuss the potential of quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen, emphasizing the importance of team fit and developmental support (43:11).

7. Alvin Kamara's Draft Position in a 10-Team PPR Redraft League:

   • Original Inquiry: Where will Alvin Kamara be drafted in a 10-team PPR redraft?
   • Andy and Jason's Consensus: Both expect Kamara to be a top-five pick, citing his exceptional talent and the value he brings to PPR formats. Jason speculates he could even fall to the 8th spot, anticipating variability based on draft strategies (31:20).

8. Most Excited Rookies to Watch Aside from Saquon Barkley:

   • Original Inquiry: Besides Saquon Barkley, which rookies are the hosts most excited to watch?
   • Mike's Favorite: Ronald Jones, citing his game-breaking ability and big-play potential (29:45).
   • Jason's Pick: Rashad Penny, intrigued by his performance upgrades (29:54).
   • Andy’s Choice: Royce Freeman, expressing interest in his athletic measurables and potential impact (30:15).

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Combine Performance: The hosts underscore the NFL Combine as a crucial event for evaluating player potentials, particularly valuing position-specific drills and metrics that translate into fantasy performance.

• Player Evaluation Models: Andy's "production and market share" model offers a historical perspective on college performance as a predictor for NFL success, while Jason and Mike emphasize the importance of current athletic metrics and team dynamics.

• Strategic Drafting: Insights into drafting strategies, such as prioritizing dual-threat running backs like Saquon Barkley or Alvin Kamara in PPR formats, and cautious optimism regarding quarterbacks like Jimmy Garoppolo.

• Community Engagement: The active involvement of listeners through mailbag questions highlights the podcast's commitment to addressing diverse fantasy football concerns, fostering a strong community of enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Receiving Drills:
  "You can really watch and see the fluidity. How natural are these guys at running these routes, catching the balls?" (03:24)

• Andy Holloway on Player Evaluation:
  "Players who are bad in college, they're bad in the NFL. They don't just, generally speaking, don't just match." (04:54)

• Jason Moore on Jimmy Garoppolo:
  "I'm not drafting Handsome Jimmy with an expectation of him breaking into the top six, even top eight quarterbacks." (24:03)

• Andy Holloway on Saquon Barkley's Value:
  "I have nothing to add." (28:32)
  (Reflecting agreement on Barkley's high floor and top-ten potential.)

• Jason Moore on Team Names:
  "I want it to be a team name that can last. You want to put it on a trophy and have it be there for the foreseeable future." (32:33)

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers podcast episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the 2018 offseason, blending expert insights on the NFL Combine, player news, and strategic advice for fantasy football enthusiasts. By addressing listener questions and sharing analytical models, the hosts provide valuable guidance to help listeners navigate their fantasy football strategies with informed confidence.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the informative aspects of the episode.