Episode Summary: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Top 20 Tight Ends, Preseason Review, News, Mailbag

Release Date: August 21, 2015

Welcome to this comprehensive summary of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast episode from August 21, 2015. In this episode, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into their Top 20 Tight Ends rankings, provide a thorough preseason review, discuss pertinent fantasy football news, and engage with listener questions in the mailbag segment.

1. Introduction

The hosts kick off the episode with their usual camaraderie, briefly touching on the excitement of it being Friday and reminiscing about past moments in fantasy football. They emphasize the importance of their listeners, the "Foot Clan," and encourage participation in their listener survey to help secure top-tier sponsors and enhance the show's quality.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Wright [01:57]: "We just saw some preseason football. This is the Fantasy Footballers Podcast."

2. Top 20 Tight Ends Rankings

Consensus Top 4 Tight Ends:

1. Rob Gronkowski (#1): Unsurprisingly leading the rankings, Gronkowski's dominance in the tight end position remains unquestioned.

2. Jimmy Graham (#2): While a consensus favorite, the hosts express skepticism about Graham's potential to maintain his high production with Seattle's quarterback Russell Wilson, who hasn't historically leaned heavily on tight ends for significant yardage or touchdowns.

   Notable Quote:

   • Jason Moore [14:38]: "Loan sharks are coming. There is no league that Jimmy Graham would be on any one of our teams. It'd be impossible for us to draft Jimmy Graham."

3. Travis Kelsey (#3): A reliable and consistent performer, Kelsey holds his position firmly with the potential for high touchdown output.

4. Greg Olsen (#4): Elevated due to changes in team dynamics, especially following Kelvin Benjamin's injury in 2015, Olsen is expected to reclaim his role as a primary target, potentially exceeding 1,000 receiving yards.

   Notable Quote:

   • Andy Holloway [16:11]: "Greg Olson has to be in that same group now."

Mid-Tier Tight Ends (5-10):

• Jason Witten (#5): Known for his consistent performance, Witten remains a top-tier tight end option.

• Martellus Bennett (#6): Despite past fluctuations, Bennett is seen as a valuable asset, especially in a team needing a reliable target post-Brandon Marshall.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [19:15]: "I'm fine waiting for two thirds of these guys to be gone and taking one in the 10th round."

Lower-Tier Tight Ends (11-20):

• The hosts discuss tight ends like Vernon Davis (#14) and Antonio Gates (#18), weighing their potential resurgence against concerns like injuries and suspensions.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [30:26]: "He's already got 10 years of proving it."

• Owen Daniels (#19) and Charles Clay (#20): The trio debates Daniels' performance and potential in Denver, highlighting differing opinions on his value in fantasy leagues.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [33:13]: "I have him getting 55 receptions this year."

Strategic Insights:

• Draft Strategy: The consensus leans towards drafting top tight ends early, while advocating for seeking value in later rounds. The hosts discourage overemphasizing tight ends during the draft, emphasizing the importance of depth and flexibility in roster construction.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [17:39]: "I am really waiting. The one thing when we were making these rankings that showed to me was like, there are 20 tight ends that I am fine rolling out there week one."

3. Preseason Review

The hosts analyze key preseason performances, focusing on emerging players and those returning from injuries.

• Matt Jones (Washington): Jones impressed the hosts with his touchdown-scoring ability and big plays behind Alfred Morris. His performance indicates potential as a reliable tight end option if Alfred Morris remains unsigned beyond the season.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [08:07]: "He looked really good on the field because they seem to like him a lot in camp in Washington."

• Alfred Morris (Dallas): While Morris remains a strong fantasy option, concerns linger about his injury status and the potential impact of Joseph Randle's oblique injury on Dallas's backfield dynamics.

  Notable Quote:

  • Jason Moore [05:28]: "If Stewart goes down, I mean Cameron Artist Payne is the major pain, is a super high upside running back potential type of handcuff."

4. News Highlights

Quarterback Developments:

• Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo): Taylor's impressive preseason performance positions him as a frontrunner for the starting quarterback role, offering a high floor due to his running ability and potential weekly yardage.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [06:22]: "Tyrod Taylor Swampland of quarterbacks in Buffalo because Matt Castle and EJ Manual are not the answer there."

Injury Reports:

• Joseph Randle (Dallas): Randle's re-aggravated oblique injury raises concerns about his reliability and overall value in fantasy drafts, especially with Mark Ingram's potential role impact.

  Notable Quote:

  • Jason Moore [04:15]: "Joseph Randle, his ADP. As we've talked about his creeping up. He's now in the third round."

Owen Daniels and Antonio Gates:

• Owen Daniels (Denver): Mixed opinions arise regarding Daniels' potential impact in Denver. While some believe his history with Peyton Manning suggests a solid performance, others remain skeptical due to past injuries and inconsistent production.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [33:13]: "His upside is there."

• Antonio Gates: Despite a four-game suspension affecting his season outlook, Gates remains a favorite for some hosts due to his proven track record and touchdown potential.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [30:26]: "But he's great. And there are many more games in the season."

5. Mailbag

The listeners' questions provide practical fantasy football dilemmas, which the hosts address with their expert opinions.

Keeper League Decisions:

• Player Choices: A listener in a 10-team standard league asks whether to keep Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans, or C.J. Anderson. The hosts lean towards retaining C.J. Anderson due to his consistent performance and potential for longevity.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [41:19]: "I think what we're all staring down here is CJ or ODB in the 10th."

Trade Evaluations:

• Ty Hilton and Mark Ingram Trade: Another listener inquires about trading Ty Hilton and Devin Funches for Cooper and Ingram. The hosts generally advise against the trade, questioning the substantial benefit and expressing preference for maintaining current running back depth.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [44:16]: "I don't feel like Mark Ingram is a guaranteed improvement over Alfred Morris."

Late-Round Wide Receiver Picks:

• WR Selection: For late-round wide receiver selections in a PPR league, Eddie Royal is the favored choice due to his upside and reception potential.

  Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [42:50]: "I go, it's Eddie Royal for me."

6. Strategic Takeaways and Conclusion

The episode wraps up with strategic advice:

• Draft Flexibility: Emphasize flexibility during drafts by valuing tight ends later and focusing on building a balanced roster.

• Season-Long Management: Success in fantasy football hinges more on in-season management than draft-day decisions. The hosts encourage listeners to remain engaged throughout the season to maximize their teams' potential.

  Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [35:22]: "Don't get crazy caught up with who you're going to draft and your... your draft is your end. All be all."

• Engagement and Support: The hosts remind listeners to participate in their survey to help sustain and improve the show, ensuring continued expert analysis and advice.

  Notable Quote:

  • Jason Moore [36:33]: "Please help us go by going to podsurvey.com footballers."

As the episode concludes, the hosts tease upcoming segments like "Draft Day Tricks," "Risers and Fallers," and "Preseason Week Two," promising listeners more insights and strategies to enhance their fantasy football experience.

For more detailed rankings, insights, and future episodes, visit www.thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @theFFballers.