Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode "Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups, MNF Review, Mailbag"

Release Date: September 22, 2015

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into Week 3 of the fantasy football season. Covering a range of topics from waiver wire strategies to Monday Night Football (MNF) game analyses and listener mailbag questions, the trio offers expert insights to help fantasy managers optimize their rosters.

1. Andrew Luck Debate

Discussion Highlights: The hosts kick off with a heated discussion about quarterback Andrew Luck's performance and his reliability in fantasy lineups.

• Andy Holloway (00:00-05:04): Shares a personal anecdote about advocating for Marcus Mariota over Luck, only to see Luck outperform Mariota despite expert consensus suggesting otherwise.

  Andy Holloway (03:14): "We thought Mariota outscoring Luck would be crazy, but that's fantasy football for you."

• Mike Wright (04:06-05:04): Draws parallels between Luck's situation and Peyton Manning's decline last year, emphasizing the unpredictability of player performances.

  Mike Wright (04:24): "It's about the process. Nobody is going to get everything right."

• Jason Moore (05:02-06:11): Evaluates Luck's talent, noting his high potential despite recent inconsistencies.

  Jason Moore (05:02): "Andrew Luck is maybe not the absolute top end, but he's still going to be better than most waiver options."

Conclusion: The consensus is to continue starting Andrew Luck unless significant negative trends persist, given his high ceiling and overall talent.

2. Listener Reviews and Community Engagement

Discussion Highlights: Andy reads a listener review that praises the show's blend of statistics, entertainment, and community interaction.

• Jason Moore (06:49-07:19): Highlights the value of being part of a community and how the podcast transcends traditional analysis.

  Jason Moore (07:19): "We entertain, we make you laugh, we blurt out straight nonsense looking at you."

Conclusion: The hosts emphasize the importance of community, encouraging listeners to engage via Twitter, their website, and other platforms.

3. News and Notes from Around the League

Key Topics:

• Drew Brees Injury Update (08:41-10:05):

  • Mike Wright: Describes the fluctuating reports on Brees' injury status, ultimately advising fantasy managers to consider starting the backup quarterback if Brees is uncertain.

    Mike Wright (09:46): "If there's doubt about his health and performance, start somebody else."

  • Andy Holloway: Suggests betting on Bruce Arians' backup as a precaution.

• Arian Foster Status (10:05-12:13):

  • Mike Wright: Confirms Foster is day-to-day and advises to start him if he's playing.

    Mike Wright (10:22): "If he's playing, he's in."

  • Jason Moore: Points out potential concerns based on Foster's matchup against Tampa Bay.

• Eddie Lacy and Other Player Injuries (11:11-14:33):

  • Jason Moore: Discusses Eddie Lacy's ankle injury and the strategic considerations for grabbing James Starks as an alternative, despite his tough matchup against Kansas City.

  • Mike Wright: Shares personal anecdotes about close fantasy matchups affected by player turnovers and injuries.

• Jay Cutler and Other QB Injuries (12:13-14:35):

  • Andy Holloway: Notes Jay Cutler's injury, affecting fantasy managers to seek alternatives like Matthew Stafford if available.

• Tevin Coleman and Eric Decker Injuries (12:54-14:43):

  • Andy Holloway & Mike Wright: Discuss Tevin Coleman's bruised rib and his impact on the running back position, as well as Eric Decker's PCL injury affecting his availability.

Conclusion: Staying updated on player injuries is crucial. Fantasy managers are advised to monitor injury reports closely and make proactive roster adjustments to maintain competitiveness.

4. Waiver Wire Pickups

Positions Covered: Wide Receiver, Running Back, Tight End, Quarterback

Wide Receiver:

• Stevie Johnson (21:19-25:23):

  • Jason Moore: Highly recommends adding Stevie Johnson due to his red zone performance and absence of Antonio Gates.

    Jason Moore (21:44): "If he's on my team, he would be my flex over many of my starters."

  • Mike Wright: Agrees, noting Johnson's ownership spike to 54%.

• Travis Benjamin (21:54-23:25):

  • Andy Holloway: Suggests Travis Benjamin as a potential add but questions his long-term viability.

  • Jason Moore: Advises against relying heavily on Benjamin, comparing him unfavorably to Josh Gordon.

• Other Wide Receivers:

  • Michael Crabtree, Rashad Matthews, Leonard Hankerson, Devin Funches, Ty Montgomery, Marvin Jones: The hosts discuss various WR options, generally favoring Stevie Johnson and expressing skepticism about others' consistency and long-term value.

Conclusion: Stevie Johnson stands out as the top waiver wire WR pickup, while others like Travis Benjamin and Ty Montgomery serve as speculative additions based on team dynamics and matchups.

Running Back:

• Dion Lewis (26:03-28:08):

  • Andy Holloway: Recommends blitzing the waiver priority to acquire Dion Lewis due to his involvement in a high-scoring Patriots offense.

    Andy Holloway (27:32): "I would certainly blow my waiver priority on Dion Lewis."

  • Jason Moore: Suggests spending up to 20% of FAB on Lewis, balanced by concerns over Bill Belichick's play-calling.

• Matt Jones (28:20-31:09):

  • Mike Wright: Highlights Jones' increased carries in Washington's offense but remains cautious about his role consistency.

  • Jason Moore: Emphasizes prioritizing Lewis and Freeman over Jones unless facing specific matchups.

• David Johnson vs. Chris Johnson (32:19-34:10):

  • Mike Wright: Recommends starting Chris Johnson over David Johnson in standard leagues due to immediate workload needs.

  • Jason Moore: Prefers David Johnson for long-term value but acknowledges Chris Johnson's current usage advantages.

• Devontae Freeman (34:25-34:54):

  • Jason Moore & Mike Wright: Agree on starting Freeman due to his role in replacing the injured Tevin Coleman, anticipating increased touches.

Conclusion: Dion Lewis is a must-add due to his offensive involvement, while Matt Jones and David Johnson present mixed value based on immediate needs versus long-term potential. Devontae Freeman emerges as a valuable pickup in light of Coleman’s injury.

Tight End:

• Jordan Reed and Eric Ebron (34:59-36:03):

  • Mike Wright: Prioritizes Reed and Ebron for their involvement in their respective offenses.

  • Jason Moore: Also highlights Kyle Rudolph and Jared Cook as viable options based on matchups and target volumes.

• Crockett Gilmore (37:12-38:42):

  • Mike Wright & Jason Moore: Discuss Gilmore's potential despite facing strong defenses, indicating cautious optimism but leaning towards other TE options.

Conclusion: Jordan Reed and Eric Ebron are top TE waivers, with Jared Cook as a solid alternative. Crockett Gilmore remains a speculative add depending on matchups.

Quarterback:

• Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Tyra Taylor (40:38-41:58):

  • Jason Moore: Recommends Cam Newton for his favorable matchup against the Saints, placing Tyra Taylor next, and deprioritizing Kaepernick.

  • Mike Wright: Supports Cam Newton for his running ability and potential high fantasy output.

• Alex Smith (42:14-42:36):

  • Jason Moore: Suggests Alex Smith as a streaming option for his upcoming high-scoring game against the Packers.

Conclusion: Cam Newton is the preferred QB waiver add due to his dual-threat capabilities and favorable matchup, followed by Alex Smith as a streaming option.

5. Mailbag: Listener Questions

Key Questions Addressed:

1. Bryce in Minneapolis (43:07-44:35):

   • Question: Offered Jarvis Landry and Todd Gurley; is it too tempting to pass up?
   • Advice:

     • Mike Wright: Prefers Jarvis Landry in PPR formats, advising against trading away Jeremy Hill.

       Mike Wright (43:54): "I love Jarvis Landry, especially in a PPR. But I'm still going to hold Jeremy Hill."

     • Jason Moore: Agrees with holding Hill despite occasional poor performances.

2. Kid Fresh (44:53-45:59):

   • Question: Considering dropping Justin Forsett for Dion Lewis.
   • Advice:

     • Mike Wright & Jason Moore: Recommend holding Forsett due to uncertain usage and trusting Dion Lewis's potential.

       Jason Moore (45:22): "If I have to choose, I'd still take Dion Lewis."

3. Mark in Detroit (46:42-48:43):

   • Question: Should you drop players like Charles Johnson for Travis Benjamin?
   • Advice:
     • General Consensus: No for most drop decisions, with some maybes. Emphasis on retaining producers like Ted Ginn Jr. over speculative pickups.

4. Ryan in Columbus (49:12-49:35):

   • Question: Which quarterback to stream in a 12-team, one-QB league between Tyra Taylor and Delaney Walker.
   • Advice:

     • Jason Moore: Recommends Eli Manning over Tannehill due to matchup considerations.

       Jason Moore (49:21): "I'm going to take Cam, and then after Cam, I'm ranking all the quarterbacks on the waiver."

Conclusion: Listener questions revolve around strategic roster adjustments and streaming decisions. The hosts consistently advocate for holding onto reliable players while cautiously exploring high-upside waiver wire options.

6. Final Thoughts and Community Interaction

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter about malts and listener engagement, reinforcing the podcast's community-driven approach. The hosts also remind listeners to participate in contests and engage via social media for additional interaction and rewards.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (03:14): "We thought Mariota outscoring Luck would be crazy, but that's fantasy football for you."
• Mike Wright (09:46): "If there's doubt about his health and performance, start somebody else."
• Jason Moore (21:44): "If he's on my team, he would be my flex over many of my starters."
• Jason Moore (36:03): "I like Jared Cook because he's up against Pittsburgh, whose defense gives up a lot to tight ends."

Final Recommendations:

• Quarterbacks: Start Andrew Luck unless significant downturns occur. Consider Cam Newton and Alex Smith as strategic waiver adds based on matchups.

• Running Backs: Prioritize acquiring Dion Lewis and Devontae Freeman, while evaluating Matt Jones and David Johnson based on team needs.

• Wide Receivers: Secure Stevie Johnson as a high-value waiver add, with Travis Benjamin and others serving as speculative options.

• Tight Ends: Target Jordan Reed, Eric Ebron, and Jared Cook for their potential upside and involvement in their offenses.

The Fantasy Footballers provide actionable strategies and thoughtful analysis, making this episode a valuable resource for fantasy managers aiming to secure victories in their leagues.