Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2015 - Top 5 RBs, Numberfire's Joe Juan, Mailbag Surprise

Release Date: July 23, 2015

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore dive deep into the world of fantasy football, focusing on their top five running backs for the upcoming season. Although their third host, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, is enjoying a vacation in Hawaii, the dynamic duo ensures that listeners receive top-notch analysis and actionable advice. The episode also features a special interview with Numberfire’s Joe Juan and a lively mailbag segment addressing listener questions.

News and Notes

Amir Abdullah vs. Justin Joyk Bell Debate

The episode kicks off with a spirited debate between Andy and Jason about the running back situation in Detroit. The primary focus is on whether Amir Abdullah can reliably replace Reggie Bush as the team's lead back or if Justin Joyk Bell remains the preferable option.

• Jason Moore [02:10]: "I think Amir Abdullah is awesome. I think he might be great."

• Andy Holloway [02:33]: "I expect Amir Abdullah to take over that Reggie Bush role."

Despite differing opinions, both hosts acknowledge Amir's talent. Jason expresses skepticism about Detroit allocating goal-line opportunities to Abdullah over Bell, citing Mike Wright’s skepticism:

• Jason Moore [02:22]: "Pat Mayo made the same points that I'm making... Detroit does what they've always done."

Emmanuel Sanders' Role in Denver

Next, Andy and Jason discuss Emmanuel Sanders' anticipated shift to a three-wide receiver set in Denver, impacting Cody Latimer’s position.

• Andy Holloway [08:49]: "He might even go up. I could see Emmanuel Sanders with 100 receptions in a PPR this year."

• Jason Moore [09:00]: "So compare Cody Latimer's potential this year with what we saw with Emmanuel Sanders being underdrafted last year."

They conclude that Latimer could emerge as a valuable asset, similar to Sanders’ breakout performance in previous seasons.

Le'Veon Bell Suspension Update

The hosts briefly touch upon the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Le'Veon Bell’s suspension, with no significant updates available.

• Andy Holloway [11:03]: "So I'm on. I actually disagree with my own."

Top 5 Running Backs

Jason Moore unveils his meticulously updated rankings for the top five running backs in standard league scoring, eliciting excitement and debate between the hosts.

1. Arian Foster

   Jason Moore [13:39]: "Arian Foster is my number one running back this year."

   Andy Holloway [15:25]: "He is on the upswing... he's my number two."

   The discussion centers on Foster's efficiency and resilience despite injury setbacks. Joe Juan joins the conversation to bolster the argument for Foster, emphasizing his consistent performance when healthy.

   • Joe Juan [29:06]: "When you know you can start him, he's putting up 16 points per game."

2. Adrian Peterson

   Jason Moore [21:57]: "He has zero question marks to me, which is ludicrous because he should have question marks."

   Andy Holloway [22:07]: "He had a whole year off... he's Adrian Peterson."

   Peterson’s return is celebrated for his reliability and dual-threat capability as both a runner and receiver.

3. Le'Veon Bell

   Jason Moore [18:52]: "Le'Veon Bell is my number three overall running back right now."

   Andy Holloway [19:14]: "He was the cog... the centerpiece of the offense."

   Both hosts express strong support for Bell, highlighting his role as a workhorse in the offense and his balanced contributions in rushing and receiving.

4. Jeremy Hill

   Jason Moore [15:27]: "Jeremy Hill is my number four overall running back."

   Andy Holloway [15:56]: "I have him in a standard league, I've got him Bloom, I've got him at number six."

   The discussion contrasts Hill with Marshawn Lynch, debating his potential as a consistent performer versus Lynch's proven track record.

   • Jason Moore [16:13]: "He's a future Lynch-type guy."

5. Jamal Charles

   Jason Moore [13:51]: "He's going to get those bombs for touchdowns."

   Andy Holloway [14:02]: "He's a phenomenal running back. You watch him with the ball in your hand."

   Despite limited carries last year, both hosts value Charles for his high touchdown potential and efficiency per carry.

Special Segment: Interview with Numberfire's Joe Juan

Jason Moore welcomes Joe Juan, the Fantasy Football Scientist from Numberfire, to discuss Arian Foster’s fantasy prospects.

• Jason Moore [26:27]: "Joe and I both believe in Arian Foster this year."

• Joe Juan [29:06]: "Arian Foster... putting up 19 points per game in a PPR."

Joe provides an analytical perspective, reinforcing Foster’s efficiency and arguing against the notion of inconsistency by attributing perceived fluctuations to injury uncertainties. He highlights Foster’s advanced metrics, such as Net Expected Points, which showcase his increasing efficiency and potential prime performance.

• Joe Juan [32:54]: "His efficiency suggests that he might just be hitting his prime."

The hosts and Joe agree that Foster is a reliable top-tier running back, poised to deliver substantial fantasy points despite occasional injury concerns.

Mailbag Surprise

The episode wraps up with a vibrant mailbag segment where Andy and Jason answer listener questions, offering personalized advice and strategies.

Listener Question from Bo (Dallas, TX):
"Name three running backs who are going in the fifth round or later, who you think are most likely to remain or become starters for at least a good portion of the season."

• Jason Moore: Recommends TJ Yeldon, LeGarrett Blount, and Doug Martin as valuable late-round picks.

• Andy Holloway: Agrees, emphasizing Yeldon’s starting role and Blount’s touchdown potential.

Listener Question from Eric S. (Cincinnati Shredder):
"Does he keep Aaron Rodgers or Le'Veon Bell in a six-point per passing touchdown, ten-man league?"

• Andy Holloway: Advises keeping Le'Veon Bell over Aaron Rodgers, citing the value of a tier one running back.

Listener Question from El Capitan (Hawaii):
"How good is Chris Ivory in a New York City regime, and is he worth drafting in the late rounds?"

• Mike Wright: Endorses Ivory as a valuable late-round pick, anticipating improved offensive strategies under new coaching.

• Jason Moore: Supports, predicting seven to eight touchdowns for Ivory.

Listener Question from Patrick (Las Vegas):
"In a 3 wide receiver PPR league with no flex, is targeting wide receivers in rounds 1-3 viable?"

• Andy Holloway: Suggests flexibility based on draft dynamics but cautions against neglecting running backs.

• Jason Moore: Recommends balancing early picks with reliable running backs along with elite wide receivers.

Conclusion

Andy and Jason conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with their content through mock drafts at FantasyDraftWizard.com and to utilize promo codes for bonuses on platforms like FanDuel. They also humorously interact with Mike Wright, who joins briefly from Hawaii, adding a lighthearted finish to the rich and informative discussion.

• Jason Moore [56:16]: "Use ballers, the code when you sign up on FanDuel."

• Andy Holloway [57:09]: "Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast."

Listeners are reminded to visit the Fantasy Footballers website and follow them on Twitter for more insights and updates.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore [13:39]: "Arian Foster is my number one running back this year."

• Joe Juan [29:06]: "When you know you can start him, he's putting up 16 points per game."

• Andy Holloway [44:32]: "I would much rather have a tier one running back than a tier one quarterback."

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of running back prospects, backed by statistical insights and expert opinions, ensuring fantasy football enthusiasts are well-equipped to make informed decisions for their upcoming drafts.