Fantasy Football look at Offseason Coaching Changes, Fantasy Risers, and Draft Tools

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Offseason Coaching Changes, Fantasy Risers, and Draft Tools

Episode Overview

Released on February 6, 2015, the "Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast" episode titled "Fantasy Football Look at Offseason Coaching Changes, Fantasy Risers, and Draft Tools" delves into significant offseason coaching shifts in the NFL, identifies players poised to enhance their fantasy football value, and provides strategic insights for upcoming drafts. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, and newcomer Jason Moore, the episode offers expert analysis tailored for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to gain a competitive edge.

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1. Welcoming Jason Moore and Setting the Stage

[00:00] - [02:44]

Andy Holloway opens the episode by introducing Jason Moore as the latest addition to the Fantasy Footballers team. The hosts express excitement about expanding their analytical trio, emphasizing the enhanced depth Jason brings to the discussion. They briefly touch upon their podcast’s availability on platforms like iTunes, Facebook, and Twitter, encouraging listeners to subscribe and engage with their content across various social media channels.

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2. Reflecting on the Super Bowl and Player Performances

[02:45] - [05:43]

The conversation shifts to the recent Super Bowl, where Jason Moore critiques what he considers “the worst play call in the history of the NFL” made by Pete Carroll regarding time management. Both Moore and Hitman Mike Wright underscore the impact of coaching decisions on player performances, particularly focusing on Marshawn Lynch's consistent goal-line success with the Seattle Seahawks.

Notable Quote:

Jason Moore [03:05]: “I honestly don't think it was an exaggeration when you combine the situation, magnitude of the game, the situation of the game, and the personnel of the team.”

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3. Offseason Coaching Changes and Their Fantasy Implications

[08:25] - [18:35]

The trio examines key coaching movements and their potential effects on fantasy football:

• Todd Bowles to the New York Jets:

  • Impact: Bowles brings a defensive-minded approach, which Mike Wright views as a positive for the Jets' defense but not directly beneficial for fantasy players unless one drafts the defense early.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [09:05]: “I tend to agree. It's funny because I don't remember the exact stat now, but I think the Jets have hired something like six or seven consecutive defensive-minded coaches.”

• John Fox Departing the Chicago Bears:

  • Impact: Concerns arise about the Bears' offensive stability without Fox, potentially affecting key players like Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Mike Wright anticipates improvements for Cutler due to a strengthened defense under John Fox’s successor.
  • Quote:

    Jason Moore [15:39]: “He is a terrible coach, like Jeff Fisher to me.”

• Gary Kubiak Taking Over the Denver Broncos:

  • Impact: Kubiak’s arrival is expected to revitalize the Broncos' running game, particularly benefiting C.J. Anderson. However, Andy Holloway remains cautious about Anderson’s starting role despite his proven talent.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [24:13]: “C.J. Anderson is going to kill it because Kubiak is going to come in and change the zone blocking scheme.”

The discussion also touches on other coaching changes, including Jim Tomsula’s move to the San Francisco 49ers, with mixed feelings about the potential improvement under new leadership.

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4. Expanding Podcast Offerings

[32:17] - [32:40]

Andy Holloway announces an expansion of the podcast schedule, indicating plans to release multiple episodes each week. This move aims to provide listeners with more frequent updates, including waiver wire recaps and lineup previews, enhancing their ability to make informed fantasy decisions.

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5. Identifying Fantasy Football Risers

[33:49] - [62:56]

The hosts identify several players across various positions poised to elevate their fantasy value in the upcoming season:

Quarterbacks

• Eli Manning (New York Giants):

  • Analysis: Despite finishing 10th in standard scoring the previous year, Manning is anticipated to surge to the top five due to a revamped offensive scheme and healthier receivers.
  • Quote:

    Jason Moore [36:16]: “Eli Manning to me will be the steal of the draft. Yes, a big upside because people will be scared of him.”

• Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons):

  • Analysis: Ryan is projected to jump into the top five as the Falcons adopt a new offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, enhancing their passing game with weapons like Julio Jones.
  • Quote:

    Andy Holloway [37:47]: “Matt Ryan still has potential to jump into the top five category.”

• Matt Stafford (Detroit Lions):

  • Analysis: Stafford is viewed as a bounce-back candidate, expected to secure a larger role alongside Calvin Johnson, thereby improving his fantasy output.
  • Quote:

    Jason Moore [39:50]: “Stafford is a huge bounce-back candidate and I will give you top five if he performs.”

Running Backs

• Adrian Peterson:

  • Analysis: Potentially moving to a new team like Dallas, Peterson could revive his fantasy presence, especially if he replaces DeMarco Murray.
  • Quote:

    Jason Moore [43:05]: “I think he’s going to end up in Dallas. There’s a lot of teams that would love Adrian Peterson.”

• C.J. Anderson (Denver Broncos):

  • Analysis: Anderson is expected to benefit from Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme, positioning him as a top 10 fantasy back.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [44:14]: “C.J. Anderson is going to kill it because Kubiak is going to come in and change the zone blocking scheme.”

• Trey Mason:

  • Analysis: Set to receive more carries in a stable offensive environment, Mason is projected to elevate from 23rd to the top 12 in standard scoring leagues.
  • Quote:

    Andy Holloway [45:30]: “I put him in the top 12 range. I just like the chance that he gets the majority of carries.”

Wide Receivers

• Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh Steelers):

  • Analysis: With Antonio Brown as his primary target, Bryant is expected to emerge as a reliable WR2, benefiting from a high-flying offense.
  • Quote:

    Jason Moore [47:10]: “Martavis Bryant is a home run guy. Targets matter with him.”

• Jordan Matthews (Philadelphia Eagles):

  • Analysis: Matthews is viewed as a breakout candidate due to his physical prowess and potential increased role in a revamped Eagles offense.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [49:35]: “Jordan Matthews is an absolute beast of physical talent. He’s going to be a very consistent piece.”

• Dante Moncrief (Various Teams):

  • Analysis: Moncrief is anticipated to grow under new offensive schemes, offering significant upside if he secures a consistent role.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [52:21]: “I see Dante as a big growth for Moncrief.”

Tight Ends

• Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs):

  • Analysis: Kelce is expected to continue his breakout performance, leveraging his physicality and the Chiefs’ offensive strategy.
  • Quote:

    Mike Wright [58:41]: “Travis Kelce is a physical freak and he breaks tackles. He’s going to be a game changer.”

• Zach Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles):

  • Analysis: Ertz is projected to ascend in value within the Eagles’ move-oriented offense, benefitting from improved quarterback play and offensive line stability.
  • Quote:

    Andy Holloway [60:14]: “Zach Ertz is a supremely talented pass catcher. He accounted for about 71% of the fantasy tight end points last year.”

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6. Strategic Draft Tools and Predictions

[62:56] - [65:15]

The hosts discuss the importance of leveraging offseason coaching changes and player movements to inform draft strategies. They emphasize the need to anticipate how new coaching schemes will impact player usage and performance, advising listeners to stay informed through continuous updates and analysis. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming shows focusing on rookie landing spots and free agent movements, aiming to equip listeners with comprehensive tools for their fantasy drafts.

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7. Closing Remarks and Future Plans

[65:16] - [66:35]

Andy Holloway wraps up the episode by reiterating the podcast’s commitment to providing valuable fantasy football insights. He highlights the new studio setup, updated logo, and enhanced production quality, assuring listeners of continued high-quality content. The hosts encourage subscriptions and engagement through their website, thefantasyfootballers.com, and preview future episodes that will delve deeper into player analyses and draft strategies.

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of offseason coaching changes and their potential impacts on fantasy football. By identifying key players poised for increased fantasy value and providing strategic drafting insights, host trio Andy Holloway, Mike Wright, and Jason Moore equip listeners with the knowledge necessary to excel in their fantasy leagues. Notable quotes and expert opinions interwoven throughout the discussion underscore the podcast’s authoritative stance in the fantasy football community.

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Foreign.

[Mike Wright]

To the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Andy Holloway]

It is Friday, February 6, 2015, and this is the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Jason Moore]

It has been far too.

[Andy Holloway]

It's been too long.

[Jason Moore]

The season is done. The super bowl is done. Fantasy is done.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Or has it just begun?

[Andy Holloway]

Just be, you know, in the modern NFL, it has just begun.

[Jason Moore]

And speaking.

[Andy Holloway]

I am Andy Holloway and I am here with the fantasy hitman himself, Mike Wright.

[Jason Moore]

I was gonna say, speaking of just beginning.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

Mm.

[Jason Moore]

You may have recognized. Well, not recognized, but you may have.

[Mike Wright]

Noticed a new voice.

[Jason Moore]

A new voice in the room.

[Andy Holloway]

Who is this dapper looking gentleman?

[Mike Wright]

Well, I can tell you what my. What my nickname is.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, do you have a nickname already?

[Andy Holloway]

I have a nickname.

[Mike Wright]

I have a crowdsourced nickname coming up, so you listeners will be allowed to name me.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, Kickstarter nickname.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, it's on 99 design, so you gotta. You gotta pay a little bit.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, in the meantime, he goes by Jason Moore, so welcome to the show. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Andy Holloway]

We're happy to have you. Yeah, it's 2015 and we wanted to add another guy to the roster and we had a combine. He put up some good numbers.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I ran a 7, 4, 2, 40. And they knew that I was all about the fantasy.

[Andy Holloway]

Generous. That's generous. But yes. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers team. Jason will be with us from here on out. It is a trilogy of talent, a trifecta of fantasy football domination, and a little more about the show. If you want to subscribe to us, you can find us on itunes. That's how most of our listeners find us. With an I, with an I. Itunes with an I. You can also find us on Facebook. Facebook.com TheFantasyFootballers. You can like us on there if you like us on here. Hmm.

[Jason Moore]

I like us.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, not too bad. You can also find us on Twitter. The show is found at. At theffballers. And should I give out our individual Twitters? Okay, so you can find me Andy at Andy Holloway on Twitter. That's H O L L. Many people they make.

[Jason Moore]

I can understand.

[Andy Holloway]

You can find Mike at ffhipman.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

And Jason is @Jasonffl. So, yeah, I might. I might change my handle. You guys are much more cool, man. Yeah, you're too cool.

[Mike Wright]

We're very professional in this business.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Jason Moore]

So if you got a question, shoot me a. Shoot me a tweet.

[Andy Holloway]

But, yeah, the season is over. What did you guys make of that Super Bowl?

[Jason Moore]

That was. I went. I went on the Twitter on the Record officially the Twitter and I declared that the worst play call in the history of the NFL. I ended up getting into it with one of my friends of mine because he didn't. He was calling me Skip Bayless.

[Andy Holloway]

I noticed he was not being generous.

[Jason Moore]

To you say, just saying. I was exaggerating too much. But I honestly don't think it. Think it was an exaggeration. When you combine the situation. Magnitude of the game, the situation of the game and the personnel of the team. I don't know.

[Mike Wright]

I agree. Worst call in the history of Super.

[Andy Holloway]

Buy into any of Pete Carroll's explanations on the time management situation because.

[Jason Moore]

And everyone was saying, well, you got to throw. So then if it goes incomplete, you only have one timeout, you can run. Call the timeout, run again. I said, well, why can't you run? If it's unsuccessful, which there's a 90 something percent chance it would have been successful.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

I was trying to think back then throw. If that's not successful, then you have. Then they don't know what you're going to do. You can pass or you can run.

[Andy Holloway]

I couldn't remember. I was trying to think back because I, I was a Marshawn lynch owner last year. You were a Marshall lynch owner this year.

[Jason Moore]

It was delicious.

[Andy Holloway]

And I was trying. And he obviously he led the league in touchdowns, which, you know, I think he was tied. 17.

[Jason Moore]

Did he lead or was he tied?

[Andy Holloway]

I thought he, I thought he led. And then obviously one of the best goal line backs in history.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And I can't remember a time I was trying to think back to at least me watching when he got back to back stuffed on the goal line ever.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And we're talking within the one or two yard line, but at the same time there had been no interceptions from the one. So it was, it was a great play by New England. It was a fitting end to the, to the fantasy football season. We talked so much about Marshawn lynch at the beginning of this year. And this brings up kind of something we face every year in fantasy football, which is how, how soon do you jump off the bandwagon of some of these workhorse backs? The half, you know, they've got piles and piles of carries and essentially, you know, it's going to end.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I will, I will.

[Andy Holloway]

But are they Emmett Smith? Are they Marshawn Lynch? Are they some of the, the guys that you.

[Mike Wright]

Sean Alexander.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. Well, he's a good example for, you know, one year to the next, completely gone.

[Mike Wright]

Oh. Just. He went from being an unbelievable Talent in Seattle to the add to the world.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And people have been saying the same thing about Arian Foster over the last few years.

[Jason Moore]

Foster's body. Body is breaking down. Clearly his. But when he plays, his talent level is. So I guess he kind of.

[Andy Holloway]

There's a difference from fading out though. He's got a little bit more injury prone. But I was, I was that Forte has a lot of carries.

[Jason Moore]

I was all over the fading lynch this year, regrettably. I, like you said, I had him. So I jumped back in on him though. I was highly concerned the entire year, just waiting, waiting for the fallout to happen.

[Andy Holloway]

So you know what it came down to with Lynch?

[Jason Moore]

What's that?

[Andy Holloway]

Is the hype train of the Christian Michael.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

If you've got somebody behind, you know you're gonna start hearing that with Nile Davis, Jamal Charles, this cup upcoming year or not this, not this year in the future. It's that type of situation where you don't have a scrub back behind you have a talent. And guys like the idea of getting that next great big thing.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And we had. We had all written. Not all, but you know what I mean, we'd all written that this was the last year of lynch in Seattle.

[Andy Holloway]

I think contract.

[Jason Moore]

They were going to get him out. Christian Michael is going to take over. And now we're talking about Marshawn lynch getting extended multiple years, tons of money, finishes, years.

[Andy Holloway]

Are there guys on either of your minds that are in that category of might be dropping off this next year or who you think the general fantasy world will be afraid of? I mean, is it a guy like Forte?

[Mike Wright]

No, I don't think so. I think Forte.

[Andy Holloway]

Forte's losing Trustman. He's got more carries on his body than lynch does.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, but Forte didn't need Trustman to be good fortune. Forte's been good since his rookie year and he always gets looked over. I think Forte is solid and he is fine. I think that, you know, if I was going to pick a guy to drop off, I'm going to go with the old man, Grandpa Fred Jackson. Because eventually you have to die.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, but he doesn't. He doesn't have the carries though, like the other older guys. So his age and physical body may be older, but NFL body is not as old as the guys, you know.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I guess there's not a lot of guys in that tweener category. There's still guys like Gore, but Gore's already made that.

[Jason Moore]

I think Gore is that dive a little bit. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And then you have Some guys coming back into the picture, like Jonathan Stewart that have been out for a little while.

[Jason Moore]

Oh goodness. Jonathan Stewart.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he'll be, he'll be an interesting name in this upcoming year. But let's take some time and talk about some of the offseason moves, some of the coaching changes in the NFL and see what, what that might impact the 2015 season, which is. It seems like it's forever away, but.

[Jason Moore]

It'S just, it's not.

[Andy Holloway]

It's just not. It's. It's gonna be here before you know it.

[Mike Wright]

News and notes from around the league.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. A lot of change and it's always hard to. We haven't seen, you know, obviously the free agency situation come to fruition yet, but you do have a lot of coaching changes and we know how big offensive schemes, defensive schemes impact the season. So let's go through some of these. Who's the first on the list here?

[Jason Moore]

The first guy on the list is our guy. Todd Bowles has left us high and dry.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Defensive coordinator for the Cardinals last year for greener pastures.

[Jason Moore]

And I do mean greener because the team is green. So he's now the head coach of the Jets. Jets.

[Mike Wright]

He also took a lot of the assistant staff with him on the defensive side, so I think that'll help on the defense. But I see Todd Bowles as a great coach for NFL purposes and a terrible hire for fantasy football purposes. I just don't see them being an.

[Andy Holloway]

Offense unless you're drafting their defense in the first round.

[Mike Wright]

Right, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I tend to agree. It's funny because I don't remember the exact stat now, but I think the jets have hired something like six or seven consecutive defensive minded coaches. And so you go from the defensive minded Rex Ryan to the defensive minded Todd Bowles.

[Mike Wright]

And I feel like that's very rare because almost every time an NFL quarterback is let go, the owner wants to like swing the other direction and they hire, you know, whatever.

[Andy Holloway]

The identity thing.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

With the Jets, I think.

[Mike Wright]

But you know what scares me about the Todd Bowles hire is because he's a first time coach. The thing that scares me is Changailey, the fact that they're bringing in a guy who's been out of the league for two years and honestly I do not believe in Chan gailey. He spent 10 years as either a head coach or an offensive coordinator and in those 10 years only two times did he have a top 10 offense. We're not talking like top offense, but like in the third half, you know, in the top third of the league. I just don't believe in his offensive scheme.

[Jason Moore]

Jason, first, first episode coming in hard. He's heated.

[Andy Holloway]

I hate to say. I agree. I agree with that. I think Chan Gailey's a name. I think Chan Gilly's a name. And maybe, maybe the resume is not backing that up anymore. I mean, he obviously he did some things with Spiller and in Buffalo that were fantasy relevant, that were good things, but I don't know if that was much more than getting the ball in his hands more often.

[Mike Wright]

So.

[Andy Holloway]

So that'll be interesting to see. So from a fantasy perspective in New York, were we caring about any of these guys anyway?

[Mike Wright]

No.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

Do we care about Chris Ivory? Do we care about Eric Decker?

[Jason Moore]

I mean, Chris Ivory was a decent RB2 for the majority of the year. He was heavily touchdown dependent. But for where you drafted him, he still produced some strong value and you were able to write him.

[Andy Holloway]

Does it matter if they get a quarterback?

[Mike Wright]

Well, every. Yeah, of course. Every. Every NFL offense matters if they get a quarterback. But they're not going to get a quarterback this offseason. That's going to change anything.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I mean they're, they're in the line, I would think for Mariota or Winston, whoever drops. I think I. I think Mario Mariota be there for them because they're drafting at six.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

And so unless Chip Kelly decides that he's going to make a bunch of moves, the. I think Mario drops to sick. He'll. He'll be there if they want him. I should say. I don't know if they're gonna take him or not because they are coming off their Geno Smith run spread.

[Andy Holloway]

I think Geno's done. If we stay in the AFC east, we move over, we see where Rex Ryan jumped to the saw. I bet you the next story where he just got his tattoo.

[Jason Moore]

I was gonna say he filled it in.

[Andy Holloway]

Tattoo filled in with blue. So it looks he has his wife on his shoulder wearing a. A Jets jersey and they had it changed.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it was Sanchez. And you know who it. I don't know the guy's name. But you know who it is now? It's the punter, the number six.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's funny. Yeah. So Rex Ryan going to the Bills. I mean, again, fantasy relevant perspective here. Is there anything that you want to.

[Jason Moore]

Talk about running backs? Man, Rex Ryan always has used. Not always.

[Andy Holloway]

He's going to have the same rest.

[Jason Moore]

Dependable. Yeah, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

He's defensive dominate on defense.

[Jason Moore]

Absolutely.

[Mike Wright]

You see Greg Roman coming over from The Niners, same exact method. He wants run the ball ground and pound. So I like the running back situation there. But the problem is we don't know yet who the running back is going to be. I don't think it's going to be C.J. spiller.

[Andy Holloway]

I think it's going to be Fred Jackson. I really do.

[Mike Wright]

I have such a hard time depending on him. He's. He's 42 years old now and just.

[Andy Holloway]

Qualified for Social Security.

[Mike Wright]

He's getting his check, you know, but he's proven, he's proven time and time again that he can do it.

[Andy Holloway]

So it's one part talent and it's one part locker room. He is every coach's favorite player. He shows up early. I think he will win the job is my point. It's just the truth. But you know, they're a candidate to draft a guy too.

[Jason Moore]

They. Yeah, they have, but they have no first round pick.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, not in the first round.

[Jason Moore]

Well, but I'm saying. But what I mean by that is when you don't have a first round pick, your second round pick, your. You can't take a running back there.

[Andy Holloway]

Spiller leaves, somebody's coming in. So I don't, you know, how would.

[Mike Wright]

It feel to go from Geno to EJ Manual?

[Andy Holloway]

Like very Twilight Zone.

[Jason Moore]

Just terrible.

[Andy Holloway]

That would be awful. One thing I will say about Fred Jackson is generally it's, he's that two minute offense, dump the ball, PPR relevant guy. So let's, let's swing around here. Let's talk about John Fox. That terrible coach. John Fox so bad that he had to be let go.

[Jason Moore]

I just, I don't.

[Andy Holloway]

He's. He's in the chain galley boat for me. Yeah, I don't name.

[Jason Moore]

To me, he is Jeff Fisher. To me.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Where. Yeah, congratulations. You've had some success when your team is optimized. When you have Peyton Manning. I mean, how many, how many jobs did Peyton Manning get? People? Yeah, everyone.

[Andy Holloway]

That's hard things to parse through because you had Ken Wisenhutt. He's a hot name during the Warner years. He gets two jobs since then.

[Jason Moore]

How's that gone?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, not well in Tennessee, but it went okay in San Diego. So it's hard to see. But from a fantasy perspective, what does this mean? Is it, is it more Tressman leaving than it is Fox coming in? When you talk about. Let's go through the names here. Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffrey Forte, and even Martellus Bennett. So you've got. This is not a team that had no fantasy impact last year. This is a team that had a huge fantasy impact last year. And I'm worried that we're going to. We're going to go too far the other direction, losing Tressman, that people are going to jump off all these guys. What do you expect to see?

[Mike Wright]

I think that this is going to hurt the weapons, but I think it's actually going to improve Jay Cutler a little bit because the defense was so terrible last year. And I fully expect a big turnaround on defense with John Fox coming in there, which normally isn't great for fantasy and isn't really even great for quarterbacks. But with a quarterback like Jay Cutler, I think he's going to have to do less, which will be a good thing for him. And I also still think that Matt Forte being a great talent is going to be fine in any system. Whether he's running more and catching less, it's still going to work out even. And so I like those. I like all of those guys. I think that the biggest person that this is going to impact negatively is going to be Martellus Bennett, because you just. He's not going to need to use as many offensive weapons, but when you got two big wide receivers, they're both still going to get the ball. So I still like the Bears here.

[Jason Moore]

Now, I am not as high on Matt Forte as Jason is. I still like Matt Forte. He's a very talented running back. He's got a proven track record. But for where he's going to be drafted this year, which should be in the top five, top six, currently, he's not there for you unless things shake out. No, he's not there for me because he's. I don't think he's going to finish as a.

[Andy Holloway]

How many receptions did he have last year? 80 plus.

[Jason Moore]

He. No, he was over 100. Yeah, because he. Did he break the record?

[Andy Holloway]

He was real close. So where do you think he broke the record?

[Mike Wright]

Where do you think Forte's going to finish if he's not top five? Where do you see him finish?

[Andy Holloway]

I. Five to ten.

[Jason Moore]

I see him in the. In the top ten.

[Mike Wright]

See, I'll spend the top five pick to secure someone that I am sure or, you know, relatively sure will finish top 10. I'd rather do that than.

[Jason Moore]

Really? I suppose that that's fair.

[Andy Holloway]

I guess it depends on what those top five guys are, right? Because, I mean, obviously they're top five for a reason. You believe that they're going to finish better in the top 10, so. But yeah, that's. And it'll be interesting to see what his impact leaving does because he's been.

[Jason Moore]

Top five before without, without Trustman. And I also I'm not sure that Jay Cutler is going to be the Chicago Bears starting quarterback next year.

[Mike Wright]

That blew me away when you said that. I have not heard anything like that. Especially with Tressman leaving. I thought that that was like, you know, an indication that they are on Jay Cutler.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's possible. I just it for John Fox. I don't know. The obviously the hard part is getting rid of him because of his. His contract is an albatross. It's a guaranteed thing. You can't just cut him though, or they'll have a giant amount of dead money. But they, I'm sure that they're sending feelers out and if you're talking a lower level team like hey, you know, give us a third round pick and you can have a guy who is kind of a franchise quarterback.

[Mike Wright]

I'll tell you right now, as a Cardinals fan, I would take him on the Cardinals with the cannon for the long ball over basically nobody that we have right now.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, yeah, I agree.

[Jason Moore]

Where are we?

[Andy Holloway]

Carson. Carson. But one of the things that I think is worth mentioning and there are certain quarterbacks that are conducive to garbage time fantasy points.

[Jason Moore]

Oh.

[Andy Holloway]

And there are certain quarterbacks that aren't. And it's something I'm going to talk about a little bit later with Matt Ryan in our up and coming for next year segment. But guys like Jay Cutler, they get themselves in a lot of trouble. And so I do agree that the lack if he's around John Fox coming in and shoring up the defense can make an impact to him. Yeah, less is more sometimes.

[Jason Moore]

So let's talk actual exciting.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Excited.

[Andy Holloway]

I almost want to save these guys till later though.

[Jason Moore]

Well, yeah, let's hit Jack Del Rio to the Raiders and nobody cares.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Jack Del Rio goes to the Raiders. Except for offensive minded coach, the lap man. Yeah. You like Latavius Murray? I do like Latavius Murray. I like it from an opportunity perspective.

[Mike Wright]

As a, as a defensive minded coach. That's also I think a good thing unless they draft some.

[Andy Holloway]

What you're going to see happen in Oakland is you're going to see them develop a system that works. Still atavious. Murray's strengths. I had him last year. I know what that Oakland fan base grasps onto and it's a couple pieces of. Pieces of talent.

[Jason Moore]

We did.

[Andy Holloway]

No, we're still here. Oh. Sounded like our show was turning off for a second, but he's their most talented player. And I do like Derek Carr and so that offense showed me at times that it could move the ball. It had no defense. And so I do like Latavius Murray, but Jack Del Rio doesn't do a lot.

[Jason Moore]

Jack Del Rio was the. He was coaching when MJD was in was prime time, right?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

So, I mean, there is. There is a track record of, of riding a guy riding a workhorse.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yeah. Latavius Murray has talent oozing out his pores.

[Jason Moore]

It's just so hard to trust. It is a Raider mark. Oh, I really like this one. Mark Tressman. He's not the head coach, but he's down. He's ocn, I think.

[Andy Holloway]

Jason Ravens, you had some thoughts on Trustman to the Ravens.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, my goodness. I was such a big fan of Tressman when he was going to the Bears and when I heard he was going to the Ravens, I was all about every player there. I wanted Flacco, I wanted whatever running back is going to be back. And then when I saw that he is keeping the offensive plan that was already in place by Kubiak and he's going to come in, he said something along the lines of, well, it's easier for me to learn a whole new system than all the players. I'm thinking, what are you doing there? You know, it's like I love the man, but I hate the plan. And that rhymes. So it's got to be solid, you know, true. And so I am. I'm not. Yeah, I'm not buying into any improvement because of Trustman. Even though I like Trustman, I see them the same as I saw them from the finish of this last year.

[Jason Moore]

Are you?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I. The only thing I was going to bring up was one thing that predominantly Trustman has been involved in is involving his running backs in the passing game. So that would be the one thing that I would hope you see an uptick in.

[Jason Moore]

Do you think it's four set or are they bringing someone new in or.

[Andy Holloway]

Is it Lorenzo Talafiero?

[Mike Wright]

I whispered it. I whispered it though.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you only whispered. That's how they're. The GMs are talking about Ray Rice for the next off season too. They're whispering. I don't know. I don't know. I think it's most likely that they'll bring somebody in now for me, with.

[Jason Moore]

Trustman in, I'm a notoriously all in on Trustman, guys. I was all in on Jay Cutler Last year, and it worked out for the majority of the year. And I wrote an article for fantasy pros talking about who I like for them, my top five guys. And he. I didn't put him in because I'm not that insane yet. But I'm loving me some Joe Flacco next year. I don't mind.

[Andy Holloway]

Someone needs to tell him he's on the road in a playoff game before every single game.

[Jason Moore]

Just. It's where I sit today in February. It wouldn't bother me to just hold it out, hold it out, hold it out. Joe Flacco.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, well, let's go ahead and talk about John Fox's replacement in Denver, Gary Kubiak, longtime coach of the Houston Texans. Now he's Jason Denver.

[Mike Wright]

I just find it so entertaining that he's like. He comes out one day and says, I want to be a part of this Ravens team. There's something special here. And then one week later, when that job opens up, he's like, see ya.

[Andy Holloway]

It's just the nature of the business. Well, it's crazy. You have to say all the right things.

[Jason Moore]

It's his dream job, from what you hear.

[Andy Holloway]

Really?

[Jason Moore]

He played there. He's. He's good. Good chums with Elway.

[Andy Holloway]

Now, what do you make of the fact that he wasn't interested in bringing Peyton into Houston? Do you ever hear. Did you hear about this?

[Jason Moore]

Was it his decision?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, apparently he was against it. He decided to stick with Matt Schaub. Maybe you've heard of him.

[Jason Moore]

Well, you have to be kind of fair with the situation.

[Andy Holloway]

They're coming off a division title, right?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Matt Schaub hadn't turned into the. The crap monster yet, so Matt Schaub was still riding decently high, and Peyton Manning was just. It was unknown.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. You didn't know whether he was going to be able to come back.

[Andy Holloway]

Gary Kubiak's coming in. What does it mean to. And it's. Let me take a deep breath. C.J. anderson, Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Julius Thomas. Did I get through the major list?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, that's the big guys.

[Andy Holloway]

Welker still playing.

[Jason Moore]

I'm gonna guess he's gonna retire, but. Yeah, they have to figure out the contract situation of Demarius and Julius. The Thomas boys first.

[Andy Holloway]

I can't see this being bad for that offense.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Mike Wright]

Because Peyton's still gonna run the. He's still gonna run it. But the one person that I am all in on completely is C.J. anderson, and I. C.J. anderson is going to kill it because Kubiak is going to come in and the one thing that he is going to change is that zone blocking scheme. Think about the running backs for Kubiak who have just destroyed.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I agree with that. Except for I'm gonna make a prediction right now on the air here on February 6th. I predict that CJ Anderson will not be the starting running back for the Denver Broncos.

[Mike Wright]

Strong words from your fantasy footballers.

[Jason Moore]

Who is it?

[Andy Holloway]

I'm not sure.

[Mike Wright]

All right.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't know. But I'm telling you, this has it written all over it to me. I think C.J. anderson is. He had a great end of the year and I do not think he will start as the running back for that team. Here's why CJ Anderson will be something Hillman ball someone else.

[Mike Wright]

Here's why C.J. anderson will get the starting. I know that's bold is because C.J. anderson is the best running back on that team. He passes every eyeball test. He is incredibly talented and Kubiak knows running.

[Andy Holloway]

He needs to pass Kubiak's eyeball test and I believe Kubiak will in camp and he needs to do it in the preseason.

[Mike Wright]

Agreed.

[Andy Holloway]

And he didn't begin the year obviously at the top of the depth chart last year with a different quarterback and coach. I don't know. I just want to see what Kubiak says about it. When you have a three headed no name monster. I've seen these things go from hype to disappointment too quick. So I'm not jumping all in on CJ Anderson just yet. However, I will concede the point that a running back if given the opportunity in a Kubiak system should be proficient. We did see no names like Arian Foster come from the eighth, ninth. No. Undrafted. Undrafted in most leagues. Not ours. Because I'm really talking about the actual NFL undrafted. Gotcha. Yeah, but you, you do love his system. You love the offensive potential of the running back position. I'm just, I'm just, you know, a little bit.

[Jason Moore]

I'm with Jason. I think it's going to be C.J. anderson.

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, he is the Hitman making out Ronnie Hillman.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I'm gonna take a hit out on Monte Balford for screwing me with that.

[Andy Holloway]

He sucks. Oh man, I did say that all year too. He sucks. Yet I don't believe. Yeah, it's all C.J. anderson.

[Jason Moore]

But C.J. anderson, he's a good pass blocker. He's a good pass catcher. That's. That's job number one. Yeah, Peyton trusts him for a Peyton Manning team. And a really big question is with Peyton Manning in the thigh, because the. Where the team transformed, you know, just all of a sudden, like all we do is run in Denver, which was really strange. It was a fantasy. Destroyer of dreams. Was incredible because I didn't have Peyton Manning.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. If you, if you were in the playoffs last year, you weren't winning with Peyton Manning.

[Jason Moore]

No, you were not.

[Andy Holloway]

These guys that carry you the whole season roll your eyes in the back of your head. Sad truth of fantasy sometimes is you can do everything right on paper, but it doesn't matter if something doesn't happen on the field.

[Mike Wright]

So do we need to talk about Tom Suler or can we get to the. To Atlanta? Because I just. Tom Sula.

[Andy Holloway]

Let's talk in brevity. Give me. Give me 30 seconds on Jim Tomsula in San Francisco. Us Cardinals fans, we don't like to Talk about the 49ers much. Anyway.

[Jason Moore]

I like Carlos. I like Carlos Hyde. I think Frank Gore will be gone and I like Hyde to be an RB2 with who he could be that guy who makes the jump.

[Andy Holloway]

Now, the one thing I've heard about Kaepernick is. And Tomsula, his zone read.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you think that's very good for. If that happens? Do we care about Colin Kaepernick?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, you can play him. I mean, it's not going to make you draft them in the. In the, you know, early rounds, but it means that you're going to be able to stream Colin Kaepernick and get good points.

[Andy Holloway]

Not a pocket quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

He's not. And if they are smart enough to play to his strengths, then he could be a. He could be a worthwhile asset for Fantasy.

[Mike Wright]

I think that team is a mess in the front office right now and I think he's going to be there two years and gone as far as a head coach. And I think that's going to be reflected in the offense. I like some of the weapons still and I definitely like if. If Frank Gore leaves. I'm all about the running game there, but I think I'm not really excited about the Niners.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yeah. I sure hope they stink. That's my personal opinion.

[Mike Wright]

Agreed.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, so let's get to some big changes in. I guess everybody. This is the fantasy bonanza.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Factor.

[Jason Moore]

I am excited.

[Andy Holloway]

There are big changes in Atlanta. Big changes. Mike Smith, formerly star of Hard Knocks. Mike Smith, he is gone, as is offensive coordinator Dirt cutter, who's gone. He went to Tampa Bay. He is known as a offensive Mind in the NFL and formerly in collegiate football. He's gone. And in comes defensive minded head coach Dan Quinn from Seattle. Old Danny two time defending Super Bowl. Oh wait, no. Sorry.

[Mike Wright]

Whoops.

[Andy Holloway]

Sorry. One time, one time champion, former champion one and a half Dan Quinn from Seattle. Good hire a good mind, not an offensive mind. But in place of dirt cutter comes Kyle Shanahan.

[Jason Moore]

Oh yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And little known, don't know if you guys knew this the passing game coordinator. Do you know who that is that came in?

[Jason Moore]

I do not.

[Andy Holloway]

You have Kyle Shanahan came in but a new past passing game coordinator came in. Who is Raheem Morris. Raheem Morris, the former head coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got one year in Tampa, but he has it. He's a good offensive mind. So you have that combination coming into the offense in Atlanta. What does this mean to this should be great. Wasn't great. Was inconsistent, injury plagued. No Tony Gonzalez offense from last year.

[Jason Moore]

The the real hindrance of Atlanta last year was the offensive line. I mean watching them, everything else seemed like it should be just fine. But when you don't have an offensive line when you can't block.

[Andy Holloway]

Now they lost their left tackle to start the year.

[Jason Moore]

They lost. By the end of the year they had lost four starters. I think so so going you have to assume health. You can't just predict that another catastrophe offensive line injury plagued like that. But so let's say the offensive line is back to fine inadequate line. Kyle Shanahan bringing his scheme in to Julio Jones as the X receiver. Julio, I am, I am drooling all over myself and I was, I've already been a Julio guy but Julio might just be my the top guy on my draft list coming into 2015.

[Mike Wright]

Another guy that I'm going to keep my eyes on is whatever tight end they sign because I think they're going to go out and sign a big tight end. But I love the Kyle Shanahan play there. I mean he went and took Brian Hoyer and Manziel and made them a 7 9T and did you know he had nothing to work with and did great. And then he put together and this is true a 32 point slide presentation to get out of the job in Cleveland. And so that clearly shows that this is a very smart man.

[Jason Moore]

He is committed.

[Andy Holloway]

He also obviously came from Washington where he facilitated a good zone read offense with the strengths of Robert Griffin iii. And utilizing heavily Pierre Garcon in that.

[Jason Moore]

Passing offense was a beast. People, I think people might have forgotten that because of last year's debacle where it was every week. Please, Garcon show up. But what psyching me. I don't know. There was some looks in the room that psyched me out.

[Andy Holloway]

But Pierce, you had some hesitation because we're in our brand new studio.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we are. We're on our brand new podcast studio, working out some kinks here in Phoenix, getting things set up, hopefully. One thing we didn't announce. I don't even know if it's the right time to announce it because it's just coming to mind. But we, we are gonna know what we're. We're announcing the fact that we're not gonna come. It's gonna be more than one show this year.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Per week. We're gonna, we're gonna try to bring you a show on Tuesday and Thursday and maybe more. Who knows?

[Mike Wright]

We might do 14 shows a week, morning and evening.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

We might live stream our entire lives.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Yeah, we've bought a lot of lotto tickets and if things turn out the way we expect we'll be. No, but we are going to go to two shows a week. Going to be able to drop you a kind of a recap, a recap show, a waiver wire show, and then also give you the set your lineups pretty preview the upcoming game show on Thursday. So look forward to that. And I think that's probably. It's probably a good time to transition to this next segment here. We're going to look at players who we believe will make a fantasy jump from their 2014 numbers from what they finished last year in standard leagues. Each of us, Mike, Jason, and myself, we've each picked out four names, different positions. So we're going to go through here, talk about why we like these guys and why we think they should be on your radar for the upcoming draft in 2015. So let's start at the quarterback position. Mike, who do you think is the quarterback set to make the next big jump? Who's the value guy?

[Jason Moore]

Oh, my goodness. I am all over Eli Manning at this point.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, man. ODB is Odell Beckham Jr. Made a name for himself.

[Jason Moore]

Who knows? That kid might be in the first round of fantasy. He's going to be drafted in the first round, I should say.

[Andy Holloway]

He's a freak.

[Jason Moore]

He is a receiving threat for. For anything, really, that they need him to do. The Giants brought in a completely new offensive scheme and it really, really looked.

[Andy Holloway]

Last year.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, last year. It really looked like it at the beginning of the year.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that Bob McAdoo or I'm saying that name really wrong. McAdoo. That's a. I really hope NBA player. I think that's, I think Bob Mac. Anyways, you continue talking, I'll figure it out.

[Jason Moore]

And it really showed at the beginning of the year. They started just like a tortoise, right?

[Andy Holloway]

It's McAdoo. Well, DAP to you, Ben McAdoo.

[Jason Moore]

They were in, I mean moving at two miles an hour. Everything was terrible for them. But by the end of the year they had really turned it on. So much so that the, the sandwich king, Ruben Randall was producing fantasy. Funny, he was producing fantasy numbers consistently. And you, if you throw in the wild card here is really Victor Cruz. His patellar tendon injury is a one that's really, really hard to come back from. It's not just an acl, which and ACL used to be a death blow. Now you can come back. Patellar tendon is rough. Maybe he never comes back. Maybe he comes back and he's only somewhat of what he was. I'm gonna lean positive and assume that he can at least play when he comes back. That that receiving core, Larry Donnell should theoretically take another step. And if everyone really knows what the offense is coming into the year instead of having to learn it as you go. Eli Manning to me will be the steal of the draft. Yes. A big upside because people will be scared of him. I think he's going to get some hype going forward, but it wouldn't surprise me if you're able to draft him in the ninth or the 10th round.

[Andy Holloway]

So let me, let me ask you this. He finished 10th in standard scoring last year. What's his ceiling to you?

[Jason Moore]

Top five.

[Andy Holloway]

Top five. Okay, so that's the jump you think he could take. He could get, I absolutely think into that category with. In the top five. So I didn't realize this looking at our pick, Jason, that we had picked the same guy.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I'm gonna go with a different pick. Don't, don't.

[Andy Holloway]

You are?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. Well, let me tell you who I've got.

[Mike Wright]

Shows how much I love your pick.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yeah. And my guy is. We're, we just talked about the offensive changes in Atlanta. So. Yeah. Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan is my guy. Like we said, he's lost his offensive coordinator. Kyle Shanahan's coming in as passing game coordinator. And speaking to what I talked about before about a garbage time quarterback, I watched enough Matt Ryan last year and in years past. He is not a garbage time quarterback. When you take away his offensive line and you put him in a position where he's down 35 points which their defense was not good last year. Let's just put it that way. Dan Quinn is the right hire for that team. If you put him in a position where he's in a competitive game, he's a better player. When you give him this guy Julio Jones with good health, he's a better player. Devin Hester still in the mix there a spread offense that has some contributors you still have. Roddy White's still there. Harry Douglas is still there and we don't know what the tight end position looks like. But I just think Matt Ryan still toy Lolo. He was seventh last year and I put him in that same jumping into the top five category.

[Jason Moore]

Nice.

[Andy Holloway]

So but again it hinges on like many of these guys, Matt Stafford for example, the health of that number one receiver. And so Julio has to stay healthy for him to do that. But I like Matt Ryan going into next year. Did you have anything to add there Jason?

[Mike Wright]

No, no, I think, I think I'm, I'm all on board. Matt Stafford I approve as well. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

So Stafford's your guy.

[Mike Wright]

Stafford is my guy that I am picking to improve. Now I do not, I want to go on record here and say I.

[Andy Holloway]

Do not that GM believe Detroit helps.

[Mike Wright]

So too that Matt Stafford is what you would call a good quarterback but you don't have to be, you know, mechanically perfect but up fantasy points. And he is a garbage time quarterback. He is, he is a guy that will throw a lot of late, late bombs. But this last year he had Calvin Johnson pretty much gone for you know, even when he was in there he was a decoy. He was not there. Calvin's going to put up huge numbers. I think this year you have to like, like Mike was saying, you have to assume health. I don't think there's any reason to assume that Calvin Johnson's going to be out and and in standard scoring. Stafford finished 15th. He wasn't even in the top 12. And I just don't see a guy with the we which two years ago.

[Andy Holloway]

I didn't realize two years ago he was top five.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

So he is a bounce back candidate.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, he's certainly going to finish better. Which means as far as where you're going to be drafting guys.

[Andy Holloway]

Hasn't that come down to touchdowns this past year?

[Mike Wright]

Not as much as you.

[Andy Holloway]

Touchdowns were down.

[Mike Wright]

Touchdowns were down. He threw about five. Less yardage you're saying too yardage. He was about 500 yards less five touchdowns less, a couple more picks. And so I think Calvin's going to take a lot of those touchdowns and yards back up. You've got. Yeah, he underwhelmed usually golden boy.

[Andy Holloway]

22 touchdowns. 22. I think two years ago he had 42.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I don't think he was 42, but he's certainly better than that. So I think as far as a bounce back guy, you're gonna be able to get this guy late because he didn't put up great numbers in standard leagues and with. With the weapons there. Ebron getting better. I think Stafford is a huge bounce back candidate and I will give you.

[Jason Moore]

My quick fantasied hitman tip on Matt Stafford. You ride him through the year. Once you get to December and fantasy playoffs or your trade deadline, you move him.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Do not count on that. Stafford in your playoffs. He will let you down every time.

[Andy Holloway]

He. Yeah, I. He's not a December quarterback and he, he has turned into a bit of a stalwart in health. Four straight years, 16 games. Didn't start his career that way.

[Jason Moore]

No, it was a little too.

[Andy Holloway]

Ten games. Three games. Okay, so I like that pick. Let's move on to. So we have Eli Manning, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford as potential value quarterbacks heading into next year. Let's look at the running back position. You might not have heard of this guy, so why don't you explain him.

[Jason Moore]

There was a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was a mythological creature he went by Adrian Peterson. He almost broke the single season rushing record coming off an ACL injury with a not good offense. Let's. We can just leave it at that. He had apparently ran into some trouble last year. Yeah, some things may have happened.

[Andy Holloway]

It cost a lot of people a lot of expectations for the fantasy team.

[Jason Moore]

But anyways, moving forward Adrian Peterson will play this year. Adrian Peterson, I'm not sure he's gone Minnesota. I actually think he's gonna. I think Minnesota will move on from him. If he moves on, Peterson's gonna have his pick where he wants to go.

[Andy Holloway]

So is this, let's be honest, is this much of a leap, I mean elite from. He's a leap from nothing last year, but from an expectation. What are we going to the year thinking he was going to be last year.

[Jason Moore]

Top three. However.

[Andy Holloway]

So that's what you think about next year? Top three, Top five.

[Jason Moore]

Yes. Okay. However, that why, why he's in here for me is really more a reminder and because a lot of people have jumped the ship. Adrian Peterson for the Future. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

I'm one of those men.

[Jason Moore]

See, let's see what I mean. They. They think they just. He took the year off.

[Andy Holloway]

They think so why do you think. Just real quick, why do you think he's not gonna perform?

[Mike Wright]

I think where you're gonna draft them, I think there's gonna be too many question marks.

[Andy Holloway]

He's clearly where you'd have to get.

[Mike Wright]

Where you have to get him.

[Andy Holloway]

You don't dislike him completely. It's just a value.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I would love to have Adrian Peterson on my team in the fourth round, but that's not gonna happen.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, see the. I was just going to go to. Where does Adrian Peterson end up?

[Andy Holloway]

Dallas.

[Jason Moore]

I really think he's going to end up in Dallas. There's. I. Dallas cannot. They don't have a way to keep DeMarco. They don't have the cash to do it. You have to keep Dez Bryant over DeMarco Murray.

[Andy Holloway]

They have the cash to get Adrian Peterson.

[Mike Wright]

Everything I just said changes if he goes to Dallas. If he goes to Dallas, I'll draft him in the first.

[Jason Moore]

I think they do because he wants to play there.

[Andy Holloway]

It's his home.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he wants to. So he might give a little bit of discount. He's. He's a guy who's really already earned a boatload of cash for a running back. If he goes to Dallas, is his.

[Andy Holloway]

Money not guaranteed next year?

[Jason Moore]

No, it'll. He'll get a guaranteed. Jerry Jones will figure out a way to pay his homeboy agent Peterson. But it's the. Maybe he takes a slightly less because he goes to a team that can win in Dallas and you put Adrian Peterson in the place of DeMarco. Murray, I think you're getting the exact same production as Murray, maybe even better.

[Andy Holloway]

Big play upside. Yeah, bigger. Murray was. Murray. Murray was as good as you could get almost last year.

[Jason Moore]

But Peterson will just. He'll rattle off 20 yard runs constantly if he's in Dallas.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, who do you got, Jason? Who's your. Who's your running back?

[Mike Wright]

It's no surprise. We've already talked about this, man. But C.J. anderson is my pick. I know he was already put up great numbers last year, but he's going to have the whole year. I think he's coming in as the starter. He's gained Peyton's trust. He's going to be in a new zone blocking scheme that just from. From a talent and skill perspective, I think he's going to fit it so marvelously. I am all on the C.J. anderson trainer, definite top 10 finisher next year. And you always want the running back on a Peyton team.

[Andy Holloway]

And he's a no. Sean Moreno, the list goes on. You're going to catch passes because Peyton doesn't take hits. Yeah, he dumps it to his running back. And C.J. anderson did perform exceptionally last year. So you got a mark on your face.

[Jason Moore]

I was just gonna make a joke about someone else in the league taking hits like a. Oh. Taking hits like Le'Veon Bell, Legarrett. Blunt.

[Mike Wright]

Legarette. Blunt.

[Andy Holloway]

Blunt. I get you. He was cleared.

[Jason Moore]

He was cleared.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm with you now, but as far as C.J.

[Jason Moore]

Anderson, I want to fully be in with Jason, but because I was part of the Monte Ball upside last year, it's got me a little freaked out.

[Andy Holloway]

There will be a Denver run maybe, you know, and maybe that'll end up working to CJ Anderson's advantage for the person who drafts him. Being afraid of what happened with Monte Ball if he, if he shows up and plays big. I do think, I think we know that Denver running back will do well. And so I'll see J. Anderson is Jason's pick. I'm going with Trey Mason. Going with Trey Mason. He was 23rd in standard scoring leagues this year.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

He did not play really at all in the first five games of the year. We came into this season thinking Zach.

[Jason Moore]

Attack, not, hey, don't put me in that bunch. Yeah, I was all out on Zach Stacy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, well, Zach Stacy's all out for sure of the league, but yeah, Trey Mason is a guy they drafted high. I think you can only see improvement at the running back position when you get stability on the offensive side of the ball. So whether that means Bradford, whether that means a new face coming in, either way, they'll be dependent on the running back position. He performed very well. He's made to run between the tackles. He busted off some big plays last year. I believe he ended the year with a three touchdown game. I don't think you're going to see as much of a rotation in St. Louis. And so I put him. When we're talking about this jump, I don't think he's a top five running back. Don't get me wrong, I think you're talking about jumping from 23 all the way up into borderline RB1 range.

[Jason Moore]

So top 12 still good.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, so somewhere in the 1112 range, I would. I just like the chance that he gets the majority of carries. We've talked so much about our BBC situations. He'll still be in one. Whether it's Benny Cunningham, some other third down back, everybody takes a breath. But I like Tre Mason a lot.

[Mike Wright]

On a weekly basis. You picked Tre Mason a couple times and nailed it. So I think I support whatever you're saying on Tre Mason.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, well, let's move over to the wide receiver position. Guys we think will make a big jump from 2014 numbers. And this is a position that is historically you see jumps, huge jumps. So who are these guys? Who do we like this year? I like what does the Hitman have to say about the wide receiver position?

[Jason Moore]

I really like Martavis Bryant. Coming into this year. We all, we all saw what he is capable of doing. Yeah, he plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He plays next to the number one fantasy receiver, Antonio Brown, who I don't know if you know this. Antonio Brown's very good.

[Mike Wright]

Good at football.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he's good at football.

[Andy Holloway]

Outstanding.

[Jason Moore]

And I like when there is someone else good next to me. Now I'm not saying Martavis Bryant is going into wide receiver one territory, but he, like Trey Mason did not start the beginning of the year. He had to earn his way into the lineup. He had to surpass Marcus Wheaton, which I think is officially done. You. Oh, you don't you.

[Andy Holloway]

From a snap count perspective they got, they shared. I think I still think they'll be complementary there to each other. So from a snap perspective last year they were pretty 50, 50 snaps and I concede that. But it did seem like they favored him. Ben favored him definitely around the goal line and the.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Big Ben is always wants a big guy in the goal line. And I think the Steelers have, they've transformed into a very high fly offense, which we all saw that last year of them. When they win, it's because they're putting up points. They're not winning the old school Steeler way. They're letting Big Ben take over the offense a little bit. Haley is kind of pulled, pulled back on the reins a little bit. Lets Big Ben run some no huddle. And I just, I like Bryant to hit more of those home runs.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what I say. He's a home run guy. Targets matter with him. How many does he get? He was 41st last year in standard scoring league. So where do you see him? You see him entering the wide receiver two category, then maybe top 24, low end. I would 24, 30.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I would pick him like the.

[Andy Holloway]

25 to 30 with plenty of options.

[Mike Wright]

You know what, what's ironic is I, I definitely see him Wide receiver too. He's not my pick, but I, I think he's a perfect Big Ben compliment and I totally agree with this pick.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, great. So who do you got there? Mr. Moore. Mr. Jason Moore.

[Mike Wright]

I'm so excited about this guy. And listeners of this show as I am new might not have heard me the last few years, but I have a history of picking some year two type of guys on their breakout.

[Andy Holloway]

You did. You picked Alshon Jeffrey before his name was known. Yeah, all in on him last year.

[Mike Wright]

The guy that I am absolutely in love with right now is Jordan Matthews from the Philadelphia Eagles. He is, he had a great rookie year in the, in the third spot.

[Andy Holloway]

Man, we had some good rookies last year.

[Mike Wright]

It was unbelievable.

[Andy Holloway]

I remember we went through them on one show and it was like 12 of them.

[Mike Wright]

He was, he was in the, he was in the slot the whole year. They're already rumoring that they're going to move him to the outside which is. It fits his style. He's. He's, you know, a great physical talent. He's 6:2, 2:15.

[Andy Holloway]

Riley Cooper heading out the door type of.

[Mike Wright]

Riley Cooper was terrible.

[Jason Moore]

Don't talk terrible.

[Mike Wright]

He was awful last year. Jordan Matthews is an absolute beast of physical talent. He's still growing. He's on a high power offense. He catches everything thrown his way and there's already rumors of putting him bigger and better into the offense. I see a huge jump and I think, yeah, I think that he's going to be a very consistent piece that, you know, that's one of those hard things to find in wide receivers. A guy that's going to put it up week after week after week and, and not be boom or bust. And I think that's what you've got in. Jordan Matthews got a ten foot broad jump and that's the only thing that matters for wide receivers. Your broad jump. Everyone knows that.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you get major fan points.

[Jason Moore]

Broad jump is your explosion which some. Not everyone understands that.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm guessing ODB has a decent broad jump, but yeah.

[Jason Moore]

So you're 50ft when you're, when you're talking like first step explosion. The higher the broad jump the better the explosion. That's going to be. I thought of a question while we were talking about because we got these second year receivers who would. Andy. Because I assume Jason's pick will be Jordan Matthews for this. Who do you think of the second year wide receivers takes the biggest jump.

[Andy Holloway]

That's tough. I think you're not. Obviously ODB's already up there.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

So he's not making a jump. He wasn't a. Devonte Adams comes to mind as possibly being more involved in Green Bay. So I like Devonte Adams.

[Mike Wright]

Randall Cobb for sure.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trying to think of other names that come to mind. So I like Jordan. I like Jordan Matthews a lot.

[Jason Moore]

I do too.

[Andy Holloway]

So the game you have, I also like. I like the idea of Wallace being out in Miami and so Jarvis Landry. Yeah. Jarvis Landry could be a guy that. I mean, he's just a target monster.

[Mike Wright]

I have to throw this name out too, because I almost picked him for this spot. Dante Moncrief, I actually think as far as a jump because he didn't put up crazy numbers. He's got plenty of room to grow flashed. Yeah. And I think he's got the absolute truck of trust, of luck. And that's another offense I want to be a part of. You always want to be a part of good offenses.

[Andy Holloway]

Quarterbacks matter.

[Mike Wright]

I see Dante as a big growth for Moncrief.

[Jason Moore]

Do you have any Daron Carter concern?

[Mike Wright]

None. Zero. Andy and I were talking about.

[Andy Holloway]

I brought that up too. And I do have some concern. When you pay a guy, you pay a guy.

[Jason Moore]

What did they pay him? I don't remember what it was.

[Mike Wright]

Money, Cash.

[Andy Holloway]

American dollars. Not Canadian. You only got Canadian dollars up there, right.

[Mike Wright]

Because he played in Canada. He's the son of a Hall of Famer. And you're gonna pay a guy and trust a guy perhaps over what he did for him.

[Andy Holloway]

They competed for him.

[Jason Moore]

I don't remember any kind of hype train for a guy who was not good enough to be in the league for two years. And then all of a sudden we're.

[Andy Holloway]

Talking about Doug Flutie. That's the last time that happened.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I say where. Well, I just. I was probably.

[Andy Holloway]

You were just a little too weak. Old Andy remembers a situation where you.

[Jason Moore]

Have several teams reaching for the attention of a Canadian superstar. It's just a little.

[Andy Holloway]

It's hard to happen more, though. It's starting to happen more. You see it on the defensive side of the ball and things like that, too. But Jordan Matthews, I like Jordan Matthews. I like. Again, you're putting him in an offense. We don't know the quarterback situation a little bit. That's true. But by my tight end pick, I'll show you that I believe in that offense as well.

[Mike Wright]

One last stat on Matthews Pro Football Focus is great tool for ranking, like the real stats of a player and their overall wide receiver ratings of every guy is just not stats but just how they performed. He was number seven on the year, the seventh best rated wide receiver.

[Andy Holloway]

Compilation of things like catch percentage and some of those metrics routes making the most of what the time that you've got out there. Yeah, I like it. Jordan Matthews is a great pick and we are seeing a lot more. It used to be that third year wide receiver thing. We're seeing a lot more guys second jump up in second year. Unfortunately I'm counting on a guy that I need to jump up in his fourth year and that's Michael Floyd. Yes, Michael Floyd, Carson Palmer's favorite target. That pretty much. He regressed. He regressed last year due to the historically terrible quarterback play. And that's not an understatement. The Arizona Cardinals offense. He went from a year in which he had 112 targets over a thousand yards, 65 receptions two years ago to a regression. Only 47 catches last year. 840 yards. He did have six touchdowns. So I look at Floyd to ascend with good quarterback play this year. Again, it's a target issue for him. It's a total catch issue for him. But I think we all saw in the beginning of the year when Carson Palmer is there. The combination of Palmer and Arians equals deep threat. I like John Brown, but I don't think he's. He's not starting on the outside. Michael Floyd will be on the outside. Actually he might be starting on the other side.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

But we'll get there. But yeah, he was only. Michael Floyd was 34th last year. That was well below expectations for fantasy and standard leagues and way higher than I thought. So I think. Oh, higher than you think?

[Mike Wright]

Well, just looking backwards. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

It was hard to watch that offense and obviously the way it ended. But I think Floyd you're talking about getting him back into the wide. Wide receiver two very middle range. Wide receiver two conversation.

[Jason Moore]

What I really like about Floyd because I'm all about that value. People will be terrified of Michael Floyd after what happened where he was coming in with where it was the Fitzgerald or Floyd conversation last year. And I think the. That's the needle really swung. Yes. Where's Fitzgerald?

[Andy Holloway]

Fitzgerald's gone. That. That only means good things for Floyd.

[Jason Moore]

Does it?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I don't know. I think. I think draft position, it's going to mean good things to less smart drafters and so they're going to. I think his stock will rise too much if Larry goes. I think if Larry's bad.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, that's another issue though. It's stock Versus performance. I think performance is helped by you take away a guy's. I would say that Fitzgerald's a safety net for a lot of these. So you have to start to transition Floyd or a tight end possibly into that role in Arizona.

[Mike Wright]

I agree there.

[Andy Holloway]

Speaking of tight ends, let's move on to the last section here in our upcoming. And this will probably be the last segment of the show. Today we're going to talk about tight ends we think can make the jump. And this is one of the hardest areas because every single year tight ends make a jump, but they're not necessarily who you expect. And it's a limited position and it's a position that is being drafted to be in these wide receiver type spread offenses. Two tight end sets. Who are these guys that you think next year could possibly. They're not Jimmy Graham, they're not Rob Gronkowski. Who are they?

[Jason Moore]

Well, coming. So we, we wrote these picks up a couple weeks ago and I was feeling really, really good about my pick I took.

[Andy Holloway]

Are you backing off right now?

[Jason Moore]

No, no, no, I'm not.

[Andy Holloway]

You need a pause for the next show?

[Jason Moore]

I just, I just. To be continued. But I went with Luke Wilson from Seattle. Then the super bowl happened and I suddenly wasn't feeling so strong about, about that pick.

[Andy Holloway]

But I'm gonna stick with this one game.

[Jason Moore]

But Luke Wilson is a guy who is. He has the talent, he has the skills. He's had a bit of an injury problem as well, so if you're not on the field, you can't produce. But he has shown in, in at least several spots that if Wilson trusts him to get the ball, he's gonna get it. He's gonna bring it down. He's got the speed to, to hit a home run. He's. He runs solid routes. He's got pretty good hands. For him, it's more just a question of what is, what is the identity of Seattle.

[Andy Holloway]

And that's, that's what it comes down to for me. I mean, I, I've liked what I've seen in the limited production, but I don't expect it to change from being limited production. I think that the super bowl showed you that they can pass the ball seven times in a half. I just don't want that from an upside tight end, personally.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Jason.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. If you want an upside tight end, let me tell you who it's going to be. It's going to be Travis.

[Andy Holloway]

I like both of your picks here.

[Mike Wright]

Travis Kelsey is. Oh, my backup pick. Jordan Reed was my backup pick.

[Andy Holloway]

Only because in the preseason we assume health that makes it really easy to.

[Mike Wright]

But Travis Kelce is a physical freak and last year was really his rookie year because he was injured his entire rookie year. So it was the first time you got to see him. And when I watched the beginning of the year I was really. Because I was a Jamal Charles owner in my leagues and so I watched the chief games. Travis Kelce is not only utilized well, but he breaks tackles, he makes. He looks like one of those top tight ends that are a game changer that separate your fantasy roster from other people's fantasy rosters. And the second half of this last year, nobody in the entire league played a worse schedule for tight ends. He played every single great tight end defense. And we see especially for those of us that stream tight ends, tight end defenses matter. Like for instance if you are playing against Arizona, play that tight end because they don't know how to guard the position. But he played non stop teams that guard tight ends and I think this. I see him as my fourth highest tight end.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what I was going to ask you because he finished eighth last year. Yeah, he's just. Despite ups and downs and maybe the.

[Mike Wright]

Fasano problem, if Julius Thomas goes elsewhere, he's my third and he's the end of a tier for me. I see him as.

[Andy Holloway]

So you have Gronkowski, you've got Graham and you have Bennett ahead of him.

[Mike Wright]

No, he's ahead of Bennett. He's ahead of everybody. It goes okay.

[Andy Holloway]

And you said Thomas would be third.

[Mike Wright]

And then Kelsey Thomas would be third. If he's with. If he's with.

[Andy Holloway]

Ahead of Olson, Head of Gates.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, ahead of everybody.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, that's a good answer to my question.

[Jason Moore]

Where are you drafting him? If you're. Let's say you're in a redraft and everything is going smoothly for your team. Where are you taking him?

[Mike Wright]

This is the sad thing about how I draft tight ends. I probably won't be able to draft him because. Because I do see a significant drop off between Gronk and Graham and then the rest of the field. I would take a top pick on Gronk and Graham and then if I don't get one of those two guys then I'm probably going to be drafting my tight end. I'll look at who's serviceable and I will be grabbing him super late. But you know, if the average draft position of Kelsey is low, I expect by the time the year rolls around he's going to be up in the higher rounds. But if he's available, you know, in the, in the sixth round, which I don't think he will be, I'll definitely take him.

[Jason Moore]

What about fifth round?

[Mike Wright]

Fifth round's the question mark round. I guess it would depend on my roster.

[Jason Moore]

That's the over. Under is the five.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, five is the over. Under.

[Andy Holloway]

Travis Kelsey's a great pick. My pick. I'm going with Zach Ertz, which is jumping on the offensive bandwagon in Philadelphia. Ertz is a supremely talented pass catcher. He accounted for about 71% of the fantasy tight end points last year for Philadelphia and I think they're just going to lean on him more. He had some injury problems last year. He had some drop problems last year and he had kind of an up and down season. But again, when you come into the tight end position, he finished 14th last year. That's a non starting tight end in any league that starts just one tight end. So I think you're talking about bringing him up above the Jason Whittens, above the Heath Millers, the Delaney Walkers, Kobe Fleeners, probably in the Martellus Bennett category is what I'm talking about here. So top four, five, six tight end.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. He had the fourth best catch rate of all tight ends.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And he's. Again, we don't know a little bit about that tight end situation, but he's a move tight end and that's a move offense. So.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it. I agree it's a move offense. They do, however, really like to lean on the. The blocking of Selleck.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

And as long as Selleck is there, the upside.

[Andy Holloway]

You see the upside not being.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

I think one of the reasons they had to lean on that so much though was because their offensive line got decimated and they had to work that in help Lashawn McCoy. I think that if their offensive line is healthy, which clearly by this point we know, we assume health that, that maybe they can actually utilize Ertz better.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, well, that is our.

[Jason Moore]

Before we finish up, just a, a baffling thing that I'm looking at here because we're talking about tight ends. Dwayne Allen, who. I think we all like him.

[Mike Wright]

Sorry. Like him a lot better if Kobe Fleener was gone. Yeah, yeah.

[Jason Moore]

But. And I know he got hurt, but how many yards do you think Dwayne Allen had?

[Andy Holloway]

I just looked it up and that's without looking.

[Jason Moore]

I'd say 600, 395.

[Mike Wright]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

Wow.

[Jason Moore]

But he had eight touchdowns. That's why he was so fancy.

[Andy Holloway]

He never had a single game with More than four catches.

[Mike Wright]

Yuck. That is crazy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. So. And I think, I think the fleeing of thing is troublesome there. I mean I could count on two hands how many receiver options they have right now. And then you sign Dron Carter, you probably get a running back in there that's a pass catcher that's or at least viable if Bradshaw's back for some reason, it's tough to spread that around.

[Jason Moore]

I didn't mention the Colts are one of my Adrian Peterson landing places.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh my gosh. Tough and dandy for them.

[Jason Moore]

Just saying. Just saying. There's a lot of there. There's quite a handful of teams that are ready to win who would love Adrian Peterson like I do.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Yes. It will be a fun year. It's amazing. We were just looking this up. The scouting combine is in February. This is 17th to the 23rd. That's talking about rookies. And we'll probably be having some shows looking at possible landing spots for rookies. Possible upside of when these guys land someplace, what can they do? We've seen guys come in. Chris Johnson comes to mind. Somebody I watched in the combine and said, and watched his college tape and said, okay, wherever this guy lands, he's going to make an impact. It's hard to predict those things. Obviously we're going to come up to the draft. We'll be talking through some more predictions for next year.

[Mike Wright]

Next week I think we're going to be dealing with some of the possible free agents. Where they're going to go is so nice to get a heads up idea of before they land. Think about what would be good for a guy, what would be bad for a guy because then we're not being so reactionary as to where they actually land.

[Andy Holloway]

As the shoes begin to drop too, you're going to see fantasy impact across those teams. So it should be a good barely off season.

[Jason Moore]

There is no off season.

[Andy Holloway]

Again, if you want to follow us, we ask that you check us out on itunes. Subscribe to the podcast. When you do that, our beautiful podcast gets magically delivered to your pocket, to your computer. Yeah. Delicious, right?

[Jason Moore]

They may have noticed something even more delicious about our podcast with our new logo.

[Andy Holloway]

That's right, we are new studio, new logo, new equipment, new analyst Jason Moore joining us. He looks as good in person as he does on the radio and we are going to be back here next week. So check us out on the website. You can also visit our main website, the fantasy footballers.com which we'll be updating very frequently in the coming year. You can check out anything from the Hitman. The Fantasy Hitman. Mike Wright writes for FantasyProse.com he's one of their lead correspondent. Correspondent writers. Yeah. He handles news updates as well as a bunch of upcoming articles. Articles. Analyzing players. So you definitely want to read his stuff. He has a big beard, so he knows what he's talking about. All right, that's it for us. Have a good week, everyone.

[Jason Moore]

But.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.