Fantasy Football 2018 - Wildcards & Dark Horse Teams

Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: May 17, 2018

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode, hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, the Fantasy Footballers delve into the intricacies of ranking fantasy football players, focusing on "wildcards" — players with highly variable performances — and "dark horse" teams poised to exceed expectations in the 2018 NFL season.

2. Dark Horse Teams for Fantasy Football 2018

a. Mike Wright on the New York Giants [04:28] Mike Wright champions the New York Giants as a dark horse team, citing their potential despite recent roster changes. He expresses skepticism about Saquon Barkley's second overall pick, believing the Giants are better positioned to bounce back. Wright highlights:

“I think their offense was horrendous. Their offensive line was horrendous. That made their defense worse... I think this is a defense that is a little bit underrated.”
– Mike Wright [04:28]

b. Andy Holloway on the Chicago Bears [06:06] Andy Holloway selects the Chicago Bears, impressed by their offseason acquisitions, particularly Allen Robinson. He emphasizes their strong defensive foundation and optimistic outlook on quarterback Mitch Trubisky's development:

“They have Matt Nagy in there from that delightful Andy Reid coaching tree. Get him to fix that offense, leave the defense be.”
– Andy Holloway [06:06]

c. Jason Moore on the Baltimore Ravens [07:27] Jason Moore opts for the Baltimore Ravens, focusing on their revamped offense and solid defense. He underscores the potential impact of drafting Lamar Jackson and the team's ability to compete consistently:

“They were a 9 and 7 football team last year. They have a top 10 defense. They have revamped the offensive side of the ball.”
– Jason Moore [07:27]

3. Fantasy Wildcards: Challenging Players to Rank

a. Kareem Hunt [11:56] Jason Moore introduces Kareem Hunt as a top wildcard, grappling with his inconsistency and unpredictable performance. He analyzes factors like Andy Reid’s offensive strategy and Spencer Ware’s presence:

“Kareem Hunt currently at number 13, which is preposterous. It's ridiculous. It's truly...”
– Jason Moore [11:56]

Mike Wright supports Hunt, emphasizing his talent and potential upside:

“I actually would love to have Kareem Hunt. I think this is a deeper pool of legitimate, you know, tier one …”
– Mike Wright [15:50]

b. Ty Montgomery [16:45] Mike Wright discusses Ty Montgomery of the Green Bay Packers, highlighting his versatility and uncertain role within the team's backfield:

“Ty Montgomery is saying they're not even sure he's a running back... He is a wild card player where I could easily see him at the end of the year being a top 24 running back.”
– Mike Wright [16:45]

c. Lamar Miller vs. Frank Gore [28:25] The hosts debate Lamar Miller's declining performance against Frank Gore's reliability. They compare Miller’s low yards per carry over recent seasons with Gore’s consistent output:

“Lamar Miller is running out... Frank Gore is still around. He's the old beater.”
– Jason Moore [28:25]

Andy Holloway notes:

“Once the draft season comes along, I think we will have the clear picture of it.”
– Andy Holloway [30:39]

d. Brandon Cooks [36:27] Brandon Cooks joins the list of wildcards due to his recent trade to the Rams and the uncertainty surrounding his target share:

“Brandon Cooks was great last year... But the thing that really scares me is losing the …”
– Jason Moore [36:46]

e. Dak Prescott [32:33] Dak Prescott is scrutinized for his inconsistent performance, particularly his stark decline in fantasy points in the latter part of the previous season:

“Dak is one of these guys where I've got him pretty low in my rankings right now out of fears of what we saw...”
– Mike Wright [32:33]

4. Mailbag Highlights

a. Managing Fantasy League Disputes [42:17] Chase from Rochester seeks advice on handling disputes as a new dynasty league commissioner. The hosts suggest setting clear rules and maintaining authority:

“Let you set up a rule list or a doc or some bullet points. No longer are you saying, I'm the boss...”
– Jason Moore [43:46]

b. Drafting Tyler Lockett [44:39] CJ Mino questions whether the Seahawks' shift towards utilizing Tyler Lockett more as a wide receiver signals a departure from his return specialist role. The hosts debate his draft value:

“Tyler Lockett, I think, is a very good leader… He's also showed that he can't stay healthy.”
– Mike Wright [45:08]

c. Jacksonville Wide Receiver Core [47:26] Listeners inquire about the emerging top fantasy wide receiver from Jacksonville. The hosts express uncertainty due to the depth and variability of the receiver pool:

“It's going to be some weeks it's this guy. Some weeks it's that guy.”
– Jason Moore [47:28]

d. Amari Cooper [48:57] Brady in Eveleth asks about Amari Cooper's ranking. Mike Wright positions Cooper as a high-end wide receiver despite last year's struggles:

“I still think he's very talented… I'm just going to say about wide receiver 16 is exactly where he's ranked.”
– Mike Wright [49:08]

5. Conclusion and Further Resources

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to visit their website for detailed rankings and to attend their live podcast tour events across various cities. They also promote community engagement through social media and upcoming episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright on Giants' Defense [04:28]:

  “I think this is a defense that is a little bit underrated.”

• Andy Holloway on Bears’ Offense [06:06]:

  “Get him to fix that offense, leave the defense be.”

• Jason Moore on Ravens’ Potential [07:27]:

  “They have a top 10 defense. They have revamped the offensive side of the ball.”

• Jason Moore on Kareem Hunt [11:56]:

  “Kareem Hunt currently at number 13, which is preposterous. It's ridiculous. It's truly...”

• Mike Wright on Ty Montgomery [16:45]:

  “He is a wild card player where I could easily see him at the end of the year being a top 24 running back.”

• Jason Moore on Lamar Miller [28:25]:

  “Lamar Miller is running out... Frank Gore is still around. He's the old beater.”

• Jason Moore on Brandon Cooks [36:46]:

  “Brandon Cooks was great last year...”

• Mike Wright on Dak Prescott [32:33]:

  “Dak is one of these guys where I've got him pretty low in my rankings right now out of fears of what we saw...”

• Jason Moore on Managing Disputes [43:46]:

  “Let you set up a rule list or a doc or some bullet points...”

• Mike Wright on Tyler Lockett [45:08]:

  “Tyler Lockett, I think, is a very good leader… He's also showed that he can't stay healthy.”

• Mike Wright on Amari Cooper [49:08]:

  “I still think he's very talented… I'm just going to say about wide receiver 16 is exactly where he's ranked.”

Final Thoughts

This episode provides valuable insights into identifying under-the-radar teams and players who could significantly impact fantasy football outcomes. By analyzing team dynamics and player performances, the Fantasy Footballers equip listeners with the knowledge to make informed draft decisions and navigate the uncertainties inherent in fantasy football.

For more detailed rankings and expert advice, visit fantasyfootballers.com and follow the hosts on social media.