Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Draft Day Tips & Tricks, Fantasy News, Mailbag
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Introduction
In the August 25, 2015 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive into essential draft day tips and tricks, provide the latest fantasy news and updates, and engage with listener questions in their mailbag segment. Aimed at helping fantasy managers dominate their drafts and seasons, the trio offers astute analysis, strong opinions, and actionable advice.
Fantasy News and Notes
The episode kicks off with significant updates from the NFL that impact fantasy football decisions:
-
Doug Martin's Performance:
-
Jordy Nelson's Injury:
-
Todd Gurley's Clearance:
-
Lorenzo Taliaferro's Injury:
- Andy reports that Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is sidelined with an MCL sprain, potentially increasing opportunities for Buck Allen (06:09).
-
Reggie Wayne's Move to Patriots:
- Andy informs listeners about Reggie Wayne signing with the New England Patriots, cautioning against overvaluing his fantasy impact due to the Patriots' history with aging receivers (07:09).
- Mike Wright concurs, emphasizing the need for caution: “They have a history of signing aging veteran wide receivers and them not doing a single thing” (07:30).
-
Mike Evans' Hamstring Injury:
- Mike Wright briefly touches on Mike Evans tweaking his hamstring, labeling ham injuries as prevalent and frustrating in preseason (08:13).
Draft Day Tips & Tricks
The hosts provide a comprehensive set of draft strategies designed to optimize team building and navigate common draft pitfalls:
1. Sneaky IR Spot (09:03)
- Mike Wright introduces the concept of utilizing the IR spot strategically: “If your league has an IR spot... sneak a guy on there that has a chance to come back later in the season.”
- Andy Holloway shares his experience: “I've done this in years past with Andre Brown of the New York Giants,” highlighting the benefits of securing an extra bench spot without compromising roster depth.
2. Running Backs Rule A (10:54)
- Mike Wright emphasizes the importance of running back depth: “Running backs get hurt more than any other position. So you need to have a good amount of them on your bench.”
- Andy Holloway agrees, stating, “Running backs are a valuable commodity,” and advises against relying solely on the waiver wire for backups due to position scarcity.
3. Avoiding Positional Runs (22:10)
- Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss the necessity of avoiding panic during positional runs by organizing players into tiers rather than rigid rankings.
- Mike Wright advises, “You need your Fantasy Imodium,” humorously suggesting that managers need a remedy to prevent anxiety-induced drafting.
- Andy Holloway reinforces the strategy: “When you tier your guys, you're going to see that almost everybody's the same after the top few.”
4. Stream It Like It's Hot (24:21)
- Andy Holloway explains the concept of streaming quarterbacks and tight ends to maximize team flexibility:
“Quarterbacks and tight ends are both positions you start one of. We advocate waiting because of the position scarcity.”
- Mike Wright adds, “Stream it like it's hot now,” advocating for matchups-based player selection throughout the season to capitalize on weekly performance variations.
5. Don’t Forget About Kickers and Defenses (18:44)
- The hosts caution against neglecting kickers and defenses during drafts:
“Don't forget about me... We're talking kickers and defenses. Now you wait for the second for him.”
- Andy Holloway recommends targeting defenses with favorable Week 1 matchups and leveraging streaming strategies to optimize weekly performance.
Mailbag
In the mailbag segment, the hosts address listeners' queries, offering personalized advice:
-
John from Charlestown:
- Question: Brendan Heffley considers trading CJ Anderson for Hillman and asks whether to drop Bernard, Rashad Perryman, or Charles Johnson.
- Advice: Both Andy and Mike recommend dropping Perryman to handcuff CJ Anderson with Hillman, enhancing depth and safeguarding against potential injuries (29:05; 30:02).
-
Tony Meatballs:
- Question: Tony is excited about starting two rookies, Nelson Aguilar and Abdullah, in his lineup and seeks the hosts' opinions.
- Advice: The hosts express cautious optimism, suggesting that while starting two rookies carries some risk, selecting Aguilar as a starting rusher appears promising. They recommend drafting Abdullah as a backup rather than a starter, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and monitoring rookie performance during the season (30:26; 31:06; 32:54).
-
Nate from Michigan:
-
Kevin from Huntington Beach:
- Question: Kevin has drafted Jordy Nelson, who is now injured, and considers trading him for Devonte Adams, Ryan Matthews, and Alan Robinson in exchange for A.J. Green.
- Advice: Andy and Mike recommend proceeding with the trade, arguing that acquiring Adams and Matthews provides more consistent and versatile options compared to the uncertain returns from A.J. Green, especially given Nelson's injury status (33:56; 34:15).
Conclusion
The episode concludes with the hosts reiterating their support for utilizing resources like the Fantasy Draft Wizard and encouraging listeners to engage via their website and social media channels. Andy Holloway emphasizes the availability of the Ultimate Draft Report, a personal team and strategy analysis tool available on their website.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright (02:03): “He is the worst human being right now for making me start to believe in him.”
- Andy Holloway (10:45): “He came back and gave me some playoff week running back games and it didn't cost me much of anything.”
- Mike Wright (09:37): “Use the spots you have.”
- Andy Holloway (21:14): “I almost always personally go for the high profile offense.”
For more insights and detailed strategies, listeners are encouraged to visit thefantasyfootballers.com and follow the hosts on Twitter @FFballers.
Timestamp References:
- <a name="timestamp"></a>