Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Sleepers, Fliers, Late-Round Steals
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Introduction and Technical Hiccups

The Fantasy Footballers kicked off their August 26, 2015 episode with some light-hearted banter and minor technical issues. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright joked about their participation to the mailman's admiration for Andy's beard, setting a casual and engaging tone for the episode.

Mike Wright humorously recounted, “[...] if I told you we started recording this show an hour ago and we're starting over, that would validate the technology problems” (00:56). Despite initial glitches caused by a mysterious cable issue, the team confirmed that the technical problems were resolved, ensuring a smooth continuation of the podcast.

Episode Overview

The hosts outlined the episode's agenda, focusing on NFL news, fantasy football updates, and strategies for identifying sleepers, fliers, and late-round steals. They emphasized the importance of leveraging these under-the-radar players to gain a competitive edge in fantasy leagues.

Andy Holloway previewed the content: “We have some news and notes from around the NFL. Fantasy news. We have some sleepers, flyers, late-round guys. [...]” (01:33). The trio also introduced their new product, the Ultimate Draft Report, aimed at providing personalized draft analysis and in-season strategies for fantasy football enthusiasts.

Quick Fantasy Question: Matthew Stafford's 2015 Season Expectations

The discussion began with a debate on Matthew Stafford's potential performance in the 2015 season. The discrepancy in rankings among the hosts highlighted differing perspectives on his reliability and fantasy value.

Andy Holloway argued, “His elite fantasy production was so closely tied to high volume of throwing. [...] the team is just not designed anymore for those high volume Stafford games you got” (03:05). Conversely, Jason Moore pointed out Stafford's consistency issues, noting, “... he has not once in his career thrown for 30 touchdowns” (04:21).

Mike Wright stressed caution: “...they can't just look back three or four years on a 41 touchdown season Calvin Johnson and say he's going to do it again” (04:05). The consensus leaned towards being realistic with Stafford's expectations, acknowledging his potential but highlighting the team's evolving dynamics that might limit his fantasy upside.

News and Notes from the NFL

The hosts delved into recent NFL news affecting fantasy football strategies:

• Rex Grossman's Signing: Jason Moore humorously downplayed the significance, suggesting Grossman was “not a sleeper” and more of a “snoozer” (05:37). Despite the jest, the signing was acknowledged as a minor update for fantasy owners.

• Michael Vick with the Steelers: The return of Michael Vick generated mixed sentiments. Andy Holloway speculated, “If Big Ben goes down and Vick is running the Steelers offense, I don't know, man. There could be some value there” (06:16). Mike Wright appreciated Vick's versatility but pointed out, “He does run around a little bit and throws the ball at about a 53% accuracy rating instead of like a 63 from five years ago” (06:34).

• Evan Mathis Joins the Broncos: The acquisition of Evan Mathis was seen as a boost for the Broncos' offensive line, potentially enhancing the running game. Jason Moore highlighted, “This doesn't hurt the running game. And it helps Peyton Manning, too...” (06:52).

• Jordy Nelson and Ty Montgomery: With Jordy Nelson sidelined, rookie Ty Montgomery was spotlighted as a potential valuable asset. Jason Moore remarked, “He could be on the sleeper list” (09:10), emphasizing Montgomery's readiness to step up in a high-powered offense.

• Jordan Reed Declares 100% Fitness: Andy Holloway interpreted Jordan Reed's statement as being “the equivalent of a normal player,” suggesting he could be a late-round steal in PPR formats if he remains healthy (09:28).

• Ultimate Draft Report Promotion: The hosts promoted their new Ultimate Draft Report, a personalized draft analysis tool designed to assess team strengths and weaknesses. Jason Moore underscored its importance: “You don't just win your league in the draft. [...] After the draft, that's when the season begins” (11:05).

Sleeper, Flyer, and Late-Round Steal Recommendations

The core of the episode revolved around identifying undervalued players who could offer significant fantasy returns:

1. James White (New England Patriots)
   Mike Wright posed critical questions about White's potential, comparing him to former Patriots star Shane Vereen: “Is this just pie in the sky hopes?” (11:40).
   Jason Moore advocated for White's role as a dependable pass-catching back from day one, making him a viable late-round pick.

2. Cameron Artis-Payne (Carolina Panthers)
   Jason Moore passionately recommended Artis-Payne, highlighting his preseason performance and potential to become a three-down back: “Cameron Artis Payne is [...] a talented back. Get in there” (13:21).
   Mike Wright echoed the sentiment, favoring him over other handcuffs like Nil Davis and James Starks.

3. Stevie Johnson (San Diego Chargers)
   Mike Wright lauded Johnson's versatility and potential increased role due to Antonio Gates' suspension: “He was highly productive when used. He's now in San Diego. Tremendous opportunity” (15:21).
   Jason Moore emphasized Johnson's ability to fill voids left by injuries, making him a valuable late-round target.

4. Andre Williams (New York Giants)
   Mike Wright expressed surprise at Williams being available in the 13th round, underscoring his potential as a goal-line back on a robust offensive team: “Andre Williams [...] that can run the ball into the end zone” (18:52).
   Concerns about fumbles were noted, but Williams' opportunity was seen as a significant upside.

5. Cody Latimer (Denver Broncos)
   Jason Moore pointed to Latimer's improved relationship with Peyton Manning and his evolving role in the offense: “Cody Latimer is playing for the Denver Broncos. [...] super talented guy” (19:07).
   The consensus was that Latimer's draft value was ripe for late-round acquisition.

6. Brandon Coleman (Undrafted Player)
   Mike Wright and Jason Moore discussed Coleman’s potential role behind Marquis Colston, emphasizing his readiness to emerge as a three-wide receiver setup: “Brandon Coleman is going to be out there in 3 wide already” (22:25).

7. Leonard Hankerson (Atlanta Falcons)
   With Roddy White injured, Leonard Hankerson was highlighted as a potential breakout candidate, especially within Mike Shanahan's system: “Roddy's banged up. [...], Leonard Hankerson [...] comes from a Shanahan system” (23:23).

8. Roy Hulud (Oakland Raiders)
   Andy Holloway and Jason Moore touched upon Hulud's signing as a passing downs specialist, presenting an opportunity for fantasy managers to capitalize on his role: “Roy Hulu [...] a passing downs guy” (24:07).

9. Fred Jackson (Free Agent)
   Jason Moore and Mike Wright delved into Jackson's consistent performance despite being under the radar, cautioning opponents to avoid dropping top-tier running backs: “Fred Jackson, the real fancy reaper [...]” (24:28).

Listener Questions and Mailbag

The hosts addressed several listener inquiries, offering personalized advice:

1. Dropping Zach Ertz for Delaney Walker
   Mike Wright and Jason Moore recommended holding onto Zach Ertz, citing the abundance of quality tight ends available even in deep leagues. They discouraged dropping a potentially higher-upside player for limited alternatives:
   "I would not drop Ertz yet and get Delaney Walker. I do like Delaney Walker. I think he's a valuable play and is undervalued, but I cannot possibly [...] believe that Delaney Walker is the only good tight end on the waivers." (27:02)

2. Keeper Decision: Gronkowski vs. Antonio Brown
   In a 10-team PPR league, Jason Moore firmly advocated for keeping Rob Gronkowski over Antonio Brown due to Gronk's elite performance and positional scarcity:
   "Yeah, Gronk for sure. Keep your first three picks and get Gronk" (29:22).

3. Draft Strategy: Running Backs vs. Quarterbacks
   A listener queried the wisdom of drafting a quarterback like Andrew Luck with the first pick versus securing a stud running back. Jason Moore advised prioritizing a running back early to capitalize on positional scarcity:
   "I would absolutely take a running crazy." (30:04).

4. Picking Receivers vs. Running Backs in Late Rounds
   Andy Holloway and Jason Moore discussed the flexibility of targeting receivers like CJ Anderson if they fall to desirable spots, rather than rigidly adhering to a receiver-receiver strategy:
   "Don't lock yourself into something that could be a mistake just because you think it's a good idea a week before a draft." (32:45).

5. Drafting Multiple Starters from the Same NFL Team
   Jason Moore provided a straightforward rule: select multiple players from the same team if they are in high-powered offenses, cautioning against stacking in low-performing teams to avoid inconsistent production:
   "You take them when they're on high power offenses and you don't take them when they are on bad offenses." (33:54).

Concluding Highlights and Final Thoughts

As the episode drew to a close, the hosts shared their excitement for upcoming preseason performances, highlighting players like TJ Yeldin, LeGarrett Blount, and Melvin Gordon as key figures to watch in week three. They emphasized the importance of monitoring preseason games to gauge player readiness and potential breakout candidates.

Jason Moore encapsulated the episode's essence by stressing the continuous nature of fantasy football strategy:
“Never stop improving your team. [...]” (35:39).

The Fantasy Footballers concluded by inviting listeners to engage further through their website, social media channels, and promotional offerings, reinforcing their commitment to providing top-tier fantasy football insights.

Timestamps Reference

• Introduction and Technical Issues: 00:00 - 02:38
• Episode Overview: 02:38 - 02:57
• Quick Fantasy Question: 02:57 - 05:04
• News and Notes: 05:04 - 11:32
• Sleeper, Flyer, Late-Round Steals: 11:32 - 25:06
• Mailbag: 25:06 - 36:54
• Final Highlights and Closing: 36:54 - 39:11

Note: Timestamps are indicative and correspond to the sections discussed within the podcast transcript.