Fantasy Footballers Podcast – June 2, 2015: Jaw-Dropping Stats, ADP Changes, Mailbag
Episode Overview: In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into a variety of topics crucial for fantasy football enthusiasts. From discussing jaw-dropping player statistics and significant changes in Average Draft Position (ADP) to tackling listener mailbag questions, the trio provides insightful analysis and actionable advice to help listeners dominate their fantasy leagues.
1. Introduction and Banter (00:00 – 01:15)
The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their signature light-hearted banter. Andy Holloway playfully points out that his name appears first in the intro, a recurring theme in the show.
Notable Quote:
- Andy Holloway [00:16]: “Welcome to the show. It is Tuesday, June 2, and this is the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.”
2. News and Notes (09:12 – 35:35)
a. OTA Updates and Player Injuries
The hosts discuss the ongoing Organized Team Activities (OTAs), clarifying that OTAs stand for "organized team activities" rather than the humorous misinterpretations offered initially.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [01:35]: “OTAs actually stands for activities. You're close.”
- Andy Holloway [01:39]: “No contact. No contact.”
They highlight significant injuries, including Ryan Clady’s torn ACL and Dante Fowler Jr.’s participation in team drills, which has also led to an ACL tear for the Giants’ tackle.
Notable Quote:
- Andy Holloway [02:01]: “Ryan Clady, the tackle for the Denver Broncos, has now torn his ACL.”
b. ADP Changes and Player Moves
A substantial portion of the discussion centers around notable ADP shifts. Joseph Randall’s leap from the 8th to the 5th position is highlighted as the biggest ADP riser, with the hosts predicting his continued ascent due to his talent and younger age compared to veterans like DeMarco Murray.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [03:19]: “I think it's either a rookie because rookies are growing up right now, or Joe Randall.”
- Mike Wright [04:04]: “He is to me.”
Other players experiencing ADP changes include Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, and DeMarco Murray, with Gronkowski’s ADP falling due to changes in the Patriots’ offensive strategy.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [05:37]: “Gronk fell a little bit. He fell to the top of the second round.”
c. Player Rankings and Projections
The hosts evaluate several players based on their performance and potential impact on fantasy drafts. They discuss Odell Beckham Jr.’s hamstring issues, Jordan Reed’s knee surgery, and Cam Newton’s impending contract extension, weighing their implications for fantasy value.
Notable Quote:
- Mike Wright [12:20]: “Cam Newton is one of those guys who got Mike Wallace now. Yeah, Mike Wallace, Charles Johnson.”
They also engage in a playful debate comparing quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Cam Newton, ultimately expressing a preference for Newton despite some reservations about his reliance on athleticism over crafting his passing game.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [13:00]: “I just want to talk about winning football games.”
- Mike Wright [13:07]: “Tannehill is an actual quarterback where Cam Newton …”
3. Trivia Game Segment (15:18 – 35:35)
Mike Wright introduces a trivia game to test the hosts' and listeners' knowledge about NFL statistics and player performances.
a. Trivia Questions and Host Responses
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Best Hands Among Wide Receivers (16:10)
- Question: Over the last three seasons, who has the best hands, catching 97% of catchable passes (128 out of 132)?
- Options: A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Dez Bryant, Larry Fitzgerald
- Answers: Jason Moore selects DeAndre Hopkins but discovers afterward that over the last two seasons, Larry Fitzgerald would be the correct answer.
- Score Update: Both hosts earn a point.
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Wide Receivers with Most Drops (17:26)
- Question: Rank Antonio Brown, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones, and Emmanuel Sanders from least to most drops among wide receivers with over 100 receptions.
- Answers: Jason Moore correctly orders Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders.
- Score Update: Jason earns another point.
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Yards After Catch Leader (19:07)
- Question: Over the 2014 season, who led the NFL in yards after catch and forced missed tackles?
- Options: Jeremy Macklin, Odell Beckham Jr., Golden Tate, Randall Cobb
- Answers: Jason selects Randall Cobb, while the correct answer is Golden Tate.
- Score Update: No points for Jason.
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Throwing Accuracy Under Pressure (20:54)
- Question: Which quarterback had the best throwing accuracy on plays under pressure in 2014?
- Options: Teddy Bridgewater, Tony Romo, Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger
- Answers: Both Jason and Andy select Ben Roethlisberger, but the correct answer is Teddy Bridgewater.
- Score Update: No points.
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Forced Missed Tackles Per Reception (23:37)
- Question: Who among Julian Edelman, Cole Beasley, Andrew Hawkins, and Emmanuel Sanders forced the most missed tackles per reception in 2014?
- Answer: Cole Beasley is correct.
- Score Update: Jason and Andy earn points accordingly.
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Breaking Tackles After Catch (25:08)
- Question: Which running back broke more tackles after the catch than Matt Forte despite having 60 fewer receptions?
- Options: Jamal Charles, Lamar Miller, Arian Foster, Eddie Lacy
- Answers: Eddie Lacy is the correct answer.
- Score Update: Andy earns the point.
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Top 15 RBs with Yards Per Carry (31:36)
- Question: Of the top 15 RBs with the most carries, how many had an average of over 5.0 yards per carry?
- Answer: Arian Foster is correct.
- Score Update: Jason earns the point.
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Top Tight End in 2014 (33:17)
- Question: Which tight end was top 10 in targets, receptions, yards, yards after catch, yards per reception, missed tackles, and longest play, excluding Rob Gronkowski?
- Options: Antonio Gates, Travis Kelsey, Greg Olsen, Martellus Bennett
- Answer: Delanie Walker.
- Score Update: No points.
Final Trivia Score: Jason Moore wins with a two-point lead over Andy.
4. Mailbag Questions (35:35 – 63:41)
a. Keeper League Strategies
Question from Listener D [37:00]: A 10-team standard league with a keeper setup asks whether to keep Julio Jones and Antonio Brown to lock down the wide receiver slot.
Responses:
- Jason Moore [37:27]: “I would definitely take Julio in the fourth.”
- Andy Holloway [37:45]: Agreement on keeping Julio.
Conclusion: Consensus to keep key wide receivers Julio Jones and Antonio Brown for secured WR spots.
b. Auction League Value Picks
Question from Listener D [38:06]: In a 16-man auction, $200 budget league, which four players offer the best value from a list including Adrian Peterson ($53), Julio Jones ($34), Golden Tate ($23), Sammy Watkins ($23), Jimmy Graham ($20), Matt Ryan ($15), Travis Kelsey ($8), and Isaiah Crowell ($8).
Responses:
- Mike Wright [44:02]: Suggests Kelsey and Crowell for their low cost and potential upside.
- Andy Holloway [44:33]: Recommends Julio Jones for $34 as a top-tier receiver.
- Jason Moore [44:18]: Leans towards taking Adrian Peterson and focusing remaining budget accordingly.
Conclusion: Recommended picks for best value are Travis Kelsey ($8), Isaiah Crowell ($8), Julio Jones ($34), and Adrian Peterson ($53).
c. Evaluating Roddy White’s Fantasy Value
Question from Listener D [40:05]: Inquiring about Roddy White’s value in the new Kyle Shanahan-coordinated Falcons offense.
Responses:
- Andy Holloway [40:48]: Expresses concerns about Roddy White’s recent injuries and declining receptions, rating him as a WR3.
- Mike Wright [42:11]: Agrees but underscores White’s potential health and scoring ability, rating him as a WR2.
- Jason Moore [42:43]: Advises drafting Roddy White as a WR3, recognizing his solid production under ideal conditions.
Conclusion: Roddy White is viewed as a solid WR2 option if he remains healthy, with a safe floor but not a WR1 breakout unless Julio Jones falters.
d. Keeper Decisions in Higher Leagues
Question from Listener D [37:00] and Subsequent Questions: Various queries regarding keeper strategies in different league formats, including dynasty and standard redraft leagues.
Responses:
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For dynasty leagues: Emphasis on balancing current performance with future potential. Younger players with high upside like Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard are recommended, but caution is advised when drafting handcuffs due to risk if primary players are injured.
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For PPR redraft leagues: Strategies include balancing between studs and sleepers, prioritizing reliable receivers, and assessing the value based on auction budgets.
Conclusion: The hosts advocate for a balanced approach in keeper and dynasty leagues, emphasizing the importance of securing reliable contributors while also targeting high-upside players to navigate through injuries and performance fluctuations.
e. Evaluating Devin Funches
Question from Listener D [52:54]: Seeking opinions on rookie wide receiver Devin Funches out of Carolina, labeled as a “freak on paper.”
Responses:
- Andy Holloway [53:43]: Views Funches as a WR3 with limited upside due to Carolina’s offensive inefficiency and reliance on the run game.
- Jason Moore [54:00]: Acknowledges Funches’ potential but notes his rawness and limited targets, suggesting him as a late-round flyer.
- Mike Wright [53:57]: Agrees with cautious optimism, pointing out Funches’ role in a struggling offense.
Conclusion: Devin Funches is considered a low-risk, high-reward option primarily in deeper leagues or as a late-round pick, given Carolina’s offensive setup and his limited immediate opportunities.
5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (63:41 – End)
As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with them through their website and social media platforms. They reiterate the importance of utilizing available resources like fantasydraftwizard.com for mock drafts and preparation. The episode concludes with a playful sign-off, reaffirming their commitment to providing top-notch fantasy football advice.
Notable Quote:
- Jason Moore [63:41]: “Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Don’t forget to visit us on the web at www.thefantasyfootballers.com and follow us on Twitter @FFballers.”
This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive blend of statistical analysis, player evaluations, interactive trivia, and personalized listener advice, making it an invaluable resource for fantasy football players aiming to refine their strategies and enhance their chances of winning.