Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Fantasy Football 2018 - Forgotten Players, Beckham Rumors, The Woke One
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In the March 27, 2018 episode of Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into the intricacies of the upcoming Fantasy Football season. The trio sets the stage by discussing the concept of "forgotten players"—those who underperformed or were injured in the previous season but hold potential value for the new year.

Forgotten Players and Injury Recoveries

The primary focus of the episode revolves around players who were sidelined due to injuries in the 2017 season but are poised for a comeback in 2018. The hosts analyze various players across different positions, assessing their potential impact on Fantasy Football drafts.

Julian Edelman (Wide Receiver, New England Patriots)

• Injury: Torn ACL during preseason week three.
• Potential Return: Despite being 31 years old, Edelman is expected to return healthy by Week 1.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Jason Moore emphasizes Edelman's consistent target share, noting, "Julian Edelman has been putting out videos, and he looks pretty strong" [27:30].
  • Mike Wright provides statistics on Edelman's target share from 2013 to 2016, highlighting his reliability.
  • Andy Holloway suggests that Edelman will return as a key possession receiver, potentially re-establishing his role in the Patriots' offense.

Emmanuel Sanders (Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos)

• Injury: Missed parts of the previous season due to injuries.
• Potential Impact: With a new quarterback in Case Keenum, Sanders could see an uptick in production.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Andy Holloway views Sanders as an excellent draft day value, stating, "Unless he's done right, I don't see how he's not an excellent draft day value."
  • Jason Moore and Mike Wright discuss Sanders' ability to rebound with improved quarterback play and offensive line support.

Pierre Garçon (Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers)

• Injury: Neck injury, missed weeks nine through seventeen.
• Potential Impact: Uncertain role in the Jimmy GQ offense.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about Garçon's role without a standout quarterback like Peyton Manning, preferring Sanders' consistency [35:59].
  • Comparison between Garçon and Sanders' draft value.

Jordan Reed (Tight End, Washington Redskins)

• Injury: Missed multiple weeks due to injuries.
• Potential Impact: If healthy, Reed could be a top-tier tight end, but his history of injuries raises concerns.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Andy Holloway acknowledges Reed's draft value in late rounds, highlighting his potential explosion if healthy [47:53].
  • Discussion on Reed's reliability and health concerns.

News and Updates

The hosts transition to recent NFL news, focusing on notable signings and their implications for Fantasy Football.

Odell Beckham Jr. (Wide Receiver, New York Giants/Rumors of Trade)

• Rumors: Beckham demands a new contract and is reportedly unwilling to return to the field without it. There's speculation about a potential trade to the Los Angeles Rams.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Jason Moore analyzes the impact of Beckham's potential absence on the Giants' offense and his attractiveness as a trade asset [21:41].
  • The uncertainty surrounding Beckham's future affects his Fantasy Football value.

Colts Re-Signing Frank Gore

• Detail: Frank Gore signs a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Jason Moore expresses concerns about the Dolphins' offensive setup and quarterback play, questioning Gore's fantasy reliability [11:09].
  • Andy Holloway mentions potential benefits for Kenyan Drake with Gore's presence [12:09].

Jets Signing Terrell Pryor

• Detail: Terrell Pryor re-signs with the New York Jets on a low-risk contract.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Mike Wright views Pryor's signing as a valuable depth addition [12:49].
  • Jason Moore speculates on Pryor's role in the Jets' offense if opportunities arise [13:38].

Listener Questions and Mailbag

The hosts address listener-submitted questions, providing expert advice tailored to various Fantasy Football scenarios.

Dynasty League Preferences: Adam Thielen vs. Jarvis Landry

• Question: In dynasty leagues, which player is preferable—Adam Thielen or Jarvis Landry?
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Both Andy Holloway and Mike Wright advocate for Adam Thielen, citing Landry's uncertain future with the Browns and Thielen's stable situation with Kirk Cousins [03:53].
  • Jason Moore supports Thielen based on the majority vote from their social media followers [05:39].

Draft Order Determination in Smaller Leagues

• Question: How to determine draft order in an eight-team, snake draft league?
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Andy Holloway and Jason Moore recommend a random order unless it's a keeper league, where reverse standings might be more appropriate [50:07].
  • Mike Wright advises on late-round drafting strategies for tight ends and quarterbacks in smaller leagues [50:44].

Evaluating Backups: Doug Martin, Washington, and Richard

• Question: With Doug Martin signing with the Raiders, do his backups still hold value in dynasty formats?
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Andy Holloway suggests moving on from these backups due to inconsistent performance and low fantasy output [51:32].
  • Mike Wright concurs, highlighting Doug Martin's fluctuating yardage and questionable reliability [52:50].

Key Insights and Conclusions

The episode underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing players who may have been undervalued due to previous injuries or underperformance. The hosts emphasize staying informed about player news, team dynamics, and potential breakout candidates to gain a competitive edge in Fantasy Football drafts.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright on Adam Thielen's advantage: "Despite the age difference, despite Adam Thielen being an undrafted free agent, this is fantasy football. And things have turned in the favor of Adam Thielen" [04:10].
• Jason Moore on drafting strategies: "If you have a question, go to the website, thefantasyfootballers.com dial the voicemail hotline 302-464-TFFB and you can send in a voicemail question" [49:23].
• Andy Holloway on Julian Edelman's potential: "I think he's going to have fantastic age, 31. I have some real value in the draft" [29:54].

Final Thoughts

The Fantasy Footballers provide a comprehensive analysis of players who could resurgetheir careers in the 2018 season despite past setbacks. By highlighting these "forgotten players," the hosts offer valuable insights for Fantasy Football enthusiasts looking to optimize their drafts and outperform opponents.

For more detailed discussions and the latest Fantasy Football advice, visit fantasyfootballers.com and join their community at community.thefantasyfootballers.com.