Fantasy Football 2018 - The TRUTH About Fantasy WRs in 2017, Part 2

Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast

Published: Thu Jan 11 2018

Fantasy Football Podcast for January 11th, 2018. The Fantasy Footballers are back with Part 2 of the TRUTH about wide receivers in 2017. How consistent were they? How many big games? How did they perform against top 16 or bottom 16 defenses? Which players

Summary

Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast Episode: Fantasy Football 2018 - The TRUTH About Fantasy WRs in 2017, Part 2
Release Date: January 11, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this engaging episode, the Fantasy Footballers dive deep into the performance and consistency of fantasy wide receivers (WRs) from the 2017 NFL season. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright analyze how these WRs performed relative to their preseason expectations and season-end rankings. They provide valuable insights for fantasy managers looking to optimize their drafts and weekly lineups.

Overview of the Episode

The episode is the second part of a two-part series titled "The TRUTH About Fantasy WRs in 2017." The hosts continue their analysis by examining a broader range of WRs, assessing their consistency, bust rates, and overall fantasy impact. They introduce a "consistency rank" metric to evaluate how reliably each WR performed week-to-week, beyond just their end-of-season rankings.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. A.J. Green: A Top Performer with Hidden Inconsistencies

Performance Analysis: A.J. Green finished 11th in fantasy WR rankings with a consistency rank of 20. Despite accumulating just over 1,000 yards, his performance was mixed.
Bust Rate:
- Andy Holloway [11:22]: "25% of his performances were great. Which to be fair for A.J. green's credit, that's a fantastic number."
- Andy Holloway [11:27]: "31% bust rate for A.J. Green, a top five wide receiver selection in the draft. Devastating."
Impact of Quarterback Play: Green's performance was notably worse against top 16 defenses, attributed to poor quarterback play from Andy Dalton.
Decision Point: Despite inconsistencies, Mike Wright expressed confidence in drafting Green over other options like Mike Evans.
- Mike Wright [12:47]: "I would, yes."

2. Brandon Cooks: Potential with a High Bust Rate

Performance Analysis: Brandon Cooks ranked 12th with a 23 consistency rank, showing potential but with significant variability.
Bust Rate:
- Andy Holloway [15:26]: "38% of the time, even more than A.J. green."
Team Situation: Cooks' future with the New England Patriots remains uncertain, raising questions about his reliability.
Strategic Consideration:
- Mike Wright [17:36]: "I think this was peak Brandon Cooks and I think most people remains a Patriot."

3. Devonte Adams: Emerging as a Top Value Player

Performance Analysis: Devonte Adams finished 13th with a consistency rank of 7, showcasing reliability despite not reaching 1,000 yards.
Consistency:
- Jason Moore [19:19]: "Devonte Adams consistency number. His consistency rank was number seven."
Future Outlook:
- Mike Wright [21:22]: "Devonte Adams is the player to count on there."
Draft Strategy: Adams is viewed as a high-value pick, potentially being drafted high in the upcoming season.

4. Doug Baldwin: Consistent but Inconsistent Performance

Performance Analysis: Baldwin ranked 10th with a consistency rank of 10, reflecting a season of highs and lows.
Consistency Issues:
- Mike Wright [24:05]: "He was living on the edge and it was a dirty foul edge."
Season Dynamics: Early-season struggles gave way to more reliable performances later in the year.

5. Golden Tate: Reliable Yardage but Low Consistency

Performance Analysis: Golden Tate ended the season ranked 15th with a consistency rank of 24, indicating inconsistency despite solid yardage.
Performance Issues:
- Jason Moore [27:53]: "92 receptions, a thousand yards and five touchdowns."
Draft Consideration: Tate may slip in drafts, offering potential value if targeted appropriately.

6. Mike Evans: Reliable but Lacking Boom Games

Performance Analysis: Mike Evans finished with 1,000 yards and five touchdowns but lacked high-scoring games.
Consistency:
- Mike Wright [35:01]: "He never really boomed. He didn't have a single game over 20 points."
Long-Term Outlook:
- Andy Holloway [36:44]: "He is one of three receivers ever to have a thousand yards each of his first four seasons."

7. Alshon Jeffery: Steady Producer with Room for Growth

Performance Analysis: Jeffery ranked 18th with a consistency rank of 12, demonstrating reliability.
Team Dynamics:
- Mike Wright [38:37]: "He's a good wide receiver. I mean, he was coming into that draft class."
Future Prospects: Signed to a four-year deal, Jeffery remains a solid pick for consistency.

8. Stefan Diggs: High Talent with Injury Concerns

Performance Analysis: Diggs ranked 19th with a consistency rank that highlights his talent despite injury setbacks.
Health Considerations:
- Mike Wright [42:31]: "If he plays a full 16, I don't think anyone's going to end a year unhappy with having Stefan Diggs."
Draft Strategy: Health is a key factor in determining Diggs' reliability for the next season.

9. Additional WRs Analyzed

Devin Funchess: Ranked 21st with a consistency rank of 27, Funchess showed promise post-Kelvin Benjamin trade but remains a risky pick.
Juju Smith-Schuster: Ranked 22nd, juju is viewed as a rising star with potential for higher performance in future seasons.
Nelson Aguilar: Ranked 23rd, Aguilar demonstrated improvement but remains dependent on quarterback performance.
Dez Bryant: Ranked 24th with a consistency rank of 32, Bryant had a disappointing season with high bust rates.

Notable Quotes

Mike Wright on A.J. Green's Impact:
[11:02] "Yeah, that's like the 90 degrees. Feels like 115 the weather."
Andy Holloway on Cricket Chirp:
[03:25] "For everyone who has never noticed the cricket chirp before, you are welcome. Join me in hell."
Jason Moore on Devonte Adams:
[20:16] "Devonte Adams might very well be the best value at wide receiver in next year's draft."
Mike Wright on Stefan Diggs:
[35:01] "If he plays a full 16, I don't think anyone's going to end a year unhappy with having Stefan Diggs."
Andy Holloway on Dez Bryant:
[53:26] "44% of the time he busted. That's a low impact player. Six touchdowns."

Conclusions

The Fantasy Footballers provide a comprehensive analysis of the 2017 WR season, emphasizing the importance of consistency alongside traditional stat-based rankings. While several WRs like A.J. Green and Mike Evans remain valuable, others such as Brandon Cooks and Golden Tate present both opportunities and risks. Emerging talents like Devonte Adams and Juju Smith-Schuster offer high upside potential for strategic drafts. The episode serves as a crucial guide for fantasy managers aiming to make informed decisions in their upcoming drafts.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for fantasy football enthusiasts seeking to understand the nuanced performances of WRs beyond mere yardage and touchdowns. By focusing on consistency and situational performance, the Fantasy Footballers equip their audience with the knowledge needed to gain a competitive edge in their fantasy leagues.