Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "Fantasy Football 2018 - The TRUTH About Fantasy QBs in 2017"

Release Date: January 23, 2018

Introduction

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the quarterback (QB) landscape of the 2017 NFL season. Titled "The TRUTH About Fantasy QBs in 2017," the episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the top-performing quarterbacks, their consistency, and projections for the upcoming fantasy football season.

Top Performers and Consistent Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson: The Standout Performer

Russell Wilson emerged as the most prolific fantasy quarterback of the 2017 season, amassing nearly 4,000 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. His dual-threat capability, adding over 500 yards on the ground, significantly boosted his fantasy value.

• Jason Moore (10:46): “Nobody in fantasy football scored more points than Russell Wilson on the season.”

Despite his outstanding performance, Wilson ranked fourth in consistency. This discrepancy was attributed to injuries to key teammates, such as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, affecting his overall team performance.

• Andy Holloway (10:11): “We didn’t have it [consistency]... Russell Wilson was the most consistent when combining performance with injuries.”

Alex Smith: A Surprising Contender

Alex Smith shined unexpectedly, finishing fourth and fifth in consistency rankings. His ability to throw for over 4,000 yards and achieve 26 touchdowns with only five interceptions made him a valuable asset.

• Jason Moore (28:00): “This was a banner year for Alex Smith. It showed that he could do a little bit more behind center and get the ball downfield.”

Smith’s performance raises questions about his future draft value, especially if he remains with the Kansas City Chiefs or moves to a new team.

Inconsistent Performers and Busts

Cam Newton: Boom or Bust

Cam Newton displayed a high resurgence, primarily due to his rushing ability, which accounted for 754 yards. However, his inconsistency plagued his fantasy value, with a 44% bust rate.

• Jason Moore (15:56): “Cam Newton… ran it 139 times for 754 yards. That’s the most from the quarterback position since 2014.”

While his touchdown numbers were bolstered by rushing, his air game suffered, leading to a lower consistency rank.

• Andy Holloway (16:28): “Cam Newton will continue running next year based on what we saw this year. My problem… you can’t always guess his bad games.”

Tom Brady: Age and Consistency

Tom Brady maintained solid fantasy performance but showed signs of age impacting his game. Ranking seventh in consistency, Brady had 19% great games but fewer monster performances compared to previous seasons.

• Jason Moore (21:04): “Tom Brady consistency rank of number seven.”

Brady’s future performance is debated, with concerns about his ability to sustain high levels at age 40. However, his leadership and defensive support remain strong points.

• Andy Holloway (21:17): “I believe that Tom Brady will still be good next year.”

Carson Wentz: Potential and Regression Risks

Carson Wentz had a standout year, finishing fifth with 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. However, his injury concerns and potential regression make him a risky pick for next season.

• Jason Moore (30:59): “Carson Wentz… he’s probably not going to end up on any of my fantasy teams next year.”

Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers: Middle-of-the-Pack Challenges

Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers both faced inconsistent performances, struggling with turnovers and fluctuating game performances. Cousins ranked sixth but was deemed garbage for fantasy owners due to unpredictability.

• Andy Holloway (35:16): “Kirk Cousins… he was garbage this year for fantasy owners.”

Philip Rivers benefited from strong receiving options but remained susceptible to interceptions and game collapses, affecting his consistency.

• Jason Moore (46:11): “Philip Rivers… he threw 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions.”

Drew Brees: Declining Fantasy Value

Drew Brees experienced a notable drop in fantasy performance, finishing ninth with only 23 touchdowns—the first time since 2007 he fell below the 30-touchdown mark.

• Andy Holloway (48:35): “How he finished as the number nine quarterback. He didn’t help you at all this year.”

Brees's declining performance was linked to a stronger defense and reduced offensive firepower.

• Jason Moore (50:03): “This was the first year better defense. Much better defense.”

Emerging and Fringe Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott: Uncertain Future

Dak Prescott ended the season at eleventh, showing potential but plagued by injuries and inconsistency. His future remains uncertain, with substantial dependency on offensive line health and key player availability.

• Andy Holloway (52:27): “50% of his games were not okay. They were bust.”

Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff: Solid but Not Stellar

Matthew Stafford maintained veteran consistency, while Jared Goff proved to be a streaming option with decent performance but lacking breakout potential.

• Jason Moore (55:42): “Jared Goff… he’s a perfect streamer.”

Stafford and Goff are seen as reliable options but without the explosive potential of top-tier QBs.

Conclusions and Draft Recommendations

The hosts emphasized the importance of quarterback consistency in fantasy football, highlighting that even slight variances in performance can significantly impact weekly scores. They advised fantasy managers to:

• Avoid Overvaluing Inconsistent QBs: Players like Cam Newton and Kirk Cousins, while having high potential, pose risks due to their inconsistency.

• Consider Value and Upside: Alex Smith and Jared Goff are suggested as late-round picks with potential upside, especially if they secure favorable team dynamics.

• Monitor Injuries and Team Changes: Quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott require close monitoring due to their injury histories and team dynamics.

• Streamer Strategy: For quarterbacks like Jared Goff, managers might consider a streaming approach, selecting QBs based on favorable weekly matchups rather than drafting them as core team members.

• Top Picks Should Be Reliable: Solid performers like Russell Wilson and Tom Brady remain valuable assets, but managers should balance their roster to mitigate potential busts.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore (07:09): “Tom Brady's hand pain can be directly related to his… anticipating his sixth ring.”

• Andy Holloway (10:44): “You have a quarterback where he is definitely hurting you, especially with how much the top quarterbacks put up.”

• Al Robinson (12:19): “Russell Wilson… he threw for 1,303 passing yards in the fourth quarter, which was most in the NFL.”

• Jason Moore (15:56): “Cam Newton… he’s not Cam Newton without running the ball.”

• Andy Holloway (20:18): “He could lead the league with that.”

• Jason Moore (30:59): “Carson Wentz… he’s probably not going to end up on any of my fantasy teams next year.”

• Andy Holloway (43:40): “He could lead the league with that.”

Final Thoughts

The episode provided an insightful analysis of the 2017 fantasy quarterback performances, offering valuable projections and strategies for the upcoming fantasy football season. The hosts stressed the significance of QB consistency and encouraged managers to make informed decisions based on both performance metrics and potential future developments.

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