Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - News and Notes, Sleepers for 2015, Special Guest, Mailbag
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Special Guest: Andrew Goldwasser, Staff Writer for NFL Spin Zone

Introduction

On March 17, 2015, The Fantasy Footballers returned with an engaging episode featuring hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the trio delved into a week filled with significant NFL trades, player signings, and provided valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts. The episode also welcomed special guest Andrew Goldwasser, a staff writer for NFL Spin Zone, to discuss the tumultuous offseason activities surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles.

News and Notes

Philadelphia Eagles' Offseason Moves

The centerpiece of the episode was an in-depth analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles' dramatic offseason maneuvers. The Eagles made several high-profile trades, including:

• C.J. Spiller to the New Orleans Saints:
  Mike Wright (05:28) expressed surprise, stating, “I found this move shocking as I was talking about last week that I really didn't think they had the money to do it. But the Saints have blown a gasket.”

  The discussion highlighted the Eagles' shift from a pass-heavy offense under Drew Brees to a more run-oriented strategy under Chip Kelly. This included trading away key players like Ryan Matthews, Jeremy Macklin, and Nick Foles, aiming to redefine the team's identity with DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews as primary running backs.

• Reggie Bush Signs with the 49ers:
  Mike Wright (13:17) lamented the move, noting Bush’s potential decline but acknowledged him as a possible "higher-end handcuff" for Carlos Hyde, who would be the primary back for the 49ers. The hosts debated Bush’s future contributions, especially in a system emphasizing the run.

• Cecil Shorts to the Texans:
  The Texans added Cecil Shorts to bolster their receiving corps alongside DeAndre Hopkins. Mike Wright (17:12) praised the move, saying, “If you have Hopkins who can stretch the field and Shorts who excels in making plays after the catch, he could be a really sneaky late-round fantasy guy.”

• Dwayne Bowe and Brandon Gibson Signings:
  Dwayne Bowe’s discussions with the Cleveland Browns were met with skepticism regarding his resurgence, while Brandon Gibson’s signing by the Patriots was seen as adding depth to their receiving options.

• Stevie Johnson to the Chargers:
  Andy Holloway (22:13) expressed disappointment over Eddie Royal’s departure but acknowledged Stevie Johnson’s potential impact with a unique route-running ability.

iTunes Review Highlight

The hosts read and reacted to a positive iTunes review from Austin Lane, emphasizing the community engagement and the show's rising popularity:

“Longtime fantasy football player. Just started listening to this podcast and already love it. Listen to this religiously unless you play in a league with me. In that case, screw you and go find a Taylor Swift podcast.”
— Austin Lane (03:16)

Special Guest Interview: Andrew Goldwasser

Andrew Goldwasser provided expert insights on the Eagles' offseason chaos:

• Impact of Trades:
  Goldwasser discussed how the Eagles’ aggressive trading approach is reshaping their offense, questioning how effective C.J. Spiller would be compared to Pierre Thomas in a run-focused scheme. He concluded that Spiller could be a significant PPR (points per reception) asset if utilized correctly within the Saints' system.

• Quarterback Concerns:
  With Nick Foles traded away, Goldwasser and the hosts speculated on the future of the quarterback position, debating potential light on fantasy relevance unless Sam Bradford emerges as a top-tier QB within Chip Kelly’s system.

• Sleeper Analysis:
  Goldwasser highlighted Josh Huff as a potential late-round flyer with upside, comparing him to Jeremy Macklin’s previous performance under similar offensive schemes.

“I think the potential, you know, when you talk about the ceiling of guys, his ceiling is a great unknown. And in that Chip Kelly offense would be higher than most.”
— Andrew Goldwasser (42:20)

Sleepers for 2015

The hosts identified several sleeper candidates poised to outperform their draft positions:

Josh Huff (Philadelphia Eagles)

• Analysis:
  Seen as a high-upside player, Huff could thrive in Kelly’s offense similar to past successes with Oregon players. Mike Wright (41:34) regarded him as “a sleeper sleeper, maybe two weeks ago,” with potential to become a “fantasy monster” if he secures a prominent role.

• Quote:
  Andy Holloway (42:20) encapsulated the sentiment: “He's a guy who you have to take a risk with in your draft.”

Josh Hill (New Orleans Saints)

• Analysis:
  Hill was scrutinized for his route-running and consistency. While showing potential, his performance heavily depended on the Saints' offensive strategy post-Jimmy Graham’s trade.

• Quote:
  Andrew Goldwasser (44:12) advised caution: “I see him as an absolutely average player, and I also see his floor much lower than the average players that we already know what we have in him.”

Joseph Randall (Dallas Cowboys)

• Analysis:
  With DeMarco Murray joining the Cowboys, Randall’s role remained uncertain. The hosts debated whether Dallas would invest further or rely on Randall’s potential resurgence.

• Quote:
  Andy Holloway (49:00) confidently stated: “I'm drafting Randall.”

Jarvis Landry (Miami Dolphins)

• Analysis:
  Despite a slow start in 2014, Landry was identified as a valuable PPR asset with strong rapport with quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

• Quote:
  Mike Wright (52:16) praised Landry: “I really like Jarvis Landry if I especially because I don't think people will be that people are still not completely on the Dolphins and Tannehill and the offense that they're bringing people really, really slow to get on Landry last year from the waiver wire.”

Mailbag

Keeper League Dilemma

Question:
Michael from the Bay Area, California, posed a keeper league scenario:
“Here are my keeper options. These are the ones he's considering. He only gets to pick one and then he has to lose the draft pick in association with it. He's got some good options considering the draft picks he has to give up. So Mike Evans for an eighth, DeAndre Hopkins for an eighth, Sammy Watkins for an 11, and Jerick McKinnon for an eight.”

Discussion:

• Mike Wright (55:15):
  Advocated for Jerick McKinnon, especially if Adrian Peterson is traded, emphasizing McKinnon as a home run backup.

• Andy Holloway (55:33):
  Endorsed the value of securing a starting running back with an eighth-round pick, leaning towards Sam Watkins unless Adrian Peterson remains.

• Consensus:
  The hosts leaned towards Sammy Watkins for immediate value, especially if AP is traded, while highlighting Mike Evans as a long-term asset.

“I'm going with running back as well... Look at the point differential. Look at the number one running back. Then look at the number 12 running back. The points fall off a cliff very quickly.”
— Mike Wright (60:02)

Most Important Position in Fantasy Football

Question:
Mark from Tuscaloosa asked: “What is the most important position in fantasy football?”

Discussion:

• Andy Holloway (59:51):
  Emphasized the significance of the running back position due to scarcity and high point variance between top-tier and mid-tier players.

• Mike Wright (61:13):
  Agreed, highlighting how running backs provide more consistent and high-value points compared to wide receivers, who often have greater depth and available talent through the season.

“For me, it's running back and what Andy's talking about... the points decrease exponentially and really, really quickly.”
— Mike Wright (62:03)

Conclusion

The episode provided comprehensive coverage of the 2015 NFL offseason, emphasizing how team strategies and player movements directly impact fantasy football strategies. With insights from special guest Andrew Goldwasser and the collective expertise of the hosts, listeners were equipped with valuable knowledge on potential sleepers, keeper decisions, and positional priorities to optimize their fantasy teams for the upcoming season.

Key Takeaways:

• Eagles' Offseason Tranquility: The Philadelphia Eagles underwent significant changes, shifting to a run-focused offense that alters several key fantasy players' values.

• Sleeper Alerts: Late-round targets like Josh Huff and Jarvis Landry offer potential high rewards in PPR leagues.

• Keeper Strategy: Prioritizing running backs can yield substantial benefits due to position scarcity and high point potential.

• Positional Importance: Running backs remain the cornerstone of successful fantasy teams, offering consistent and high-scoring opportunities.

Stay ahead in your fantasy league by leveraging these insights and following The Fantasy Footballers for ongoing expert analysis and advice.