Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - 10 Bold Predictions for 2016, Debate of the Week

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary
Title: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - 10 Bold Predictions for 2016, Debate of the Week
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: September 1, 2016

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1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with a celebratory note as September marks the return of football season. Andy Holloway sets an enthusiastic tone, highlighting the excitement surrounding the upcoming games and the season's start on September 8th.

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2. Debate of the Week: Will Josh Gordon Be a Bust in 2016?

The primary focus of the episode is a heated debate between Andy Holloway and co-host Nick Mangold (representing Jason Moore's stance) on whether Josh Gordon will underperform, or "bust," in the 2016 fantasy football season.

Andy Holloway's Argument (No, Gordon Will Not Be a Bust):

• Opportunity for Redemption: Gordon is returning with opportunities to play, participate in meetings, and fully integrate into the team's offense.
• Elite Talent: Recalling Gordon's impressive 2013 season with 89 receptions for over 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns, Andy emphasizes his high ceiling despite past struggles.
• Team Dynamics: With the Browns' quarterback carousel and the presence of Robert Griffin III, Gordon remains a valuable deep threat. Additionally, rookie Corey Coleman adds depth to the receiving corps.

Notable Quote:

Andy Holloway [04:32]: "Josh Gordon is an elite talent. You cannot go out like in 2013 and put up those numbers..."

Nick Mangold's Argument (Yes, Gordon Will Be a Bust):

• Past Inconsistencies: Gordon's limited performance in subsequent seasons and his time on the bench raise concerns about his reliability.
• Draft Implications: Gordon is projected to be drafted in the fifth round due to speculation of his potential output. However, past performance suggests he may not meet the high expectations set by his draft position.
• Injury Concerns: Referring to Gordon's five-game stint with 24 receptions for 300 yards and zero touchdowns the previous season, Nick questions his ability to replicate past success.

Notable Quote:

Nick Mangold [05:25]: "Josh Gordon is living on 2013 karma. ... he did not play that well."

Verdict by Mike Wright:

• Balancing both sides, Mike sides with Andy, arguing that Gordon's potential and the team's offensive structure mitigate the bust risk.
• Final Decision: "Josh Gordon will not be a bust."

Notable Quote:

Mike Wright [07:20]: "Where I'm swayed is the point of him going in the fifth round... I'm going to have to go with the arguments that Josh Gordon will not be a bust." [07:53]

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3. News and Notes

The hosts transition to discussing the latest NFL news affecting fantasy football decisions.

• Amir Abdullah's Prediction: Abdullah expects to receive the majority of carries, sparking discussion on his potential fantasy value.

  Notable Quote:

  Andy Holloway [08:26]: "Amir Abdullah stated he's going to get all the carries. What does it mean for fantasy owners?"

• Jimmy Graham's Week One Status: Mixed signals from the Ravens' camp lead Mike predicts Graham will not play in Week One, a sentiment echoed by Nick.

  Notable Quote:

  Mike Wright [11:26]: "Jimmy Graham does not play week one." [11:42]

• Jamal Charles' Uncertainty: Reports suggest Charles might miss the season opener, prompting advice to consider drafting Spencer Ware as a backup.

  Notable Quote:

  Mike Wright [12:06]: "If Ware is available, go pick him up immediately." [12:45]

• Rob Kelly's Emergence: Undrafted free agent Rob Kelly impresses with his preseason performance, securing a backup role for Matt Jones. Andy and Mike discuss the potential fantasy implications, recommending drafting Kelly in the late rounds.

• Additional Player Updates:

  • Thomas Rawls and Christian Michael: Debate on Rawls' starting role and the rise of Christian Michael as a potential breakout running back.
  • Seattle Seahawks' Defensive Improvements: Mention of the team's defense being underrated and its impact on player performances.

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4. 10 Bold Predictions for 2016

The core segment of the episode features the hosts presenting their most audacious predictions for the upcoming season.

Mike Wright's Predictions:

1. Kirk Cousins as a Top Five Quarterback:

   • Predicts Cousins will finish the season among the top five quarterbacks, bolstered by increased targets from Jordan Reed.
   • Notable Quote:

     Mike Wright [17:22]: "Kirk Cousins will finish the season as a top five quarterback because Jordan Reed will be the tight end, one above Rob Gronkowski." [17:22]

2. Antonio Brown Breaking Records:

   • Forecasts Brown will surpass the single-season reception and receiving yardage records, aiming for over 2,000 yards.
   • Notable Quote:

     Mike Wright [23:22]: "Antonio Brown will break the single season reception yard and he will break the most yards in a single season." [23:15]

3. David Johnson's Record-Threatening Season:

   • Asserts Johnson will challenge the single-season yards from scrimmage record, potentially leading the Cardinals to a Super Bowl victory.
   • Notable Quote:

     Andy Holloway [33:54]: "David Johnson will threaten the single season yardage mark from scrimmage and the Cardinals will win the Super Bowl." [34:07]

Jason Moore's Predictions:

1. Ezekiel Elliott Not Finishing as Top Rookie RB:

   • Predicts Elliott will not become the number one rookie running back, breaking a trend where highly drafted rookie RBs rarely finish atop their class.
   • Notable Quote:

     Nick Mangold [19:21]: "Ezekiel Elliott will not finish as the number one rookie running back in 2016." [19:30]

2. Sam Bradford Starting More Than 16 Games:

   • Boldly claims Bradford, currently in the CFL, will start the entire season for the Eagles, leading them to win the NFC East.
   • Notable Quote:

     Nick Mangold [26:10]: "Sam Bradford... will start more than 16 games this season." [26:12]

3. Cam Newton Reverting to 2014 Form:

   • Suggests Newton and the Panthers will regress to their 2014 performance levels, impacting their fantasy value negatively.
   • Notable Quote:

     Nick Mangold [29:21]: "Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will revert to their 2014 form." [29:26]

Andy Holloway's Predictions:

1. Julio Jones Breaking the Single-Season Reception Record:

   • Predicts Julio Jones will surpass Antonio Brown in total receiving yards, setting a new single-season record.
   • Notable Quote:

     Andy Holloway [24:56]: "Julio Jones will break the single season reception record." [24:42]

2. Joe Flacco’s Career-High Passing Yards and Ravens Making the Playoffs:

   • Forecasts Flacco will throw for over 4,000 yards, the Ravens will secure a playoff spot, and he will achieve personal statistical milestones.
   • Notable Quote:

     Andy Holloway [22:34]: "Joe Flacco will throw for a career high of 4,000 plus yards and the Ravens will make the playoffs." [22:34]

3. DeSean Jackson as the Top Wide Receiver:

   • Predicts Jackson will finish as the number one wide receiver by scoring at least 10 touchdowns, benefiting from Kirk Cousins’ increased role.
   • Notable Quote:

     Andy Holloway [27:51]: "D Sean Jackson ends the year as a wide receiver one." [28:00]

4. Additional Bold Predictions:

   • Nick Mangold: Jonathan Bold predictions including Sammy Baugh unlikely to repeat, and Malcolm Brown emerging as a top RB.
   • Mike Wright: Endorses all bold predictions, emphasizing their potential impact on fantasy football strategies.

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5. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the fun and speculative nature of their predictions. They encourage listeners to engage with the content, share their own predictions, and participate in the fantasy football community via their platforms.

Final Remarks:

Andy Holloway [36:05]: "Yeah, all of mine." [36:05]
Nick Mangold [34:14]: "Fun show." [34:14]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway:

  "Josh Gordon is an elite talent. You cannot go out like in 2013 and put up those numbers..." [04:32]

• Nick Mangold:

  "Josh Gordon is living on 2013 karma..." [05:25]

• Mike Wright:

  "Jimmy Graham does not play week one." [11:42]

• Andy Holloway:

  "David Johnson will threaten the single season yardage mark from scrimmage and the Cardinals will win the Super Bowl." [34:07]

• Mike Wright:

  "Antonio Brown will break the single season reception yard and he will break the most yards in a single season." [23:15]

• Nick Mangold:

  "Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will revert to their 2014 form." [29:26]

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a blend of strategic debate and bold forecasting, providing listeners with both analytical insights and entertaining predictions. Whether you're preparing for your fantasy draft or looking to refine your season strategy, the hosts deliver valuable content to enhance your fantasy football experience.

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For more insights and community discussions, visit fantasyfootballers.com and join the conversation on Twitter @theffballers.

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, everyone. Today's show is brought to you by footballhaul.com the absolute best subscription box you can possibly get. Go to footballhaul.com, check out their exclusive deal. You can enter the promo code Ballers5 and you get a box jam packed with NFL gear. You've got McFarlands, you've got bobbleheads. You've got gear specific to your favorite team. And now they've introduced the Football Hall Junior for just 19.99. You have to check it out. And don't forget to use our promo code ballers5. That's footballhaul.com, football h a u l dot com this is Nick Mangold of.

[Mike Wright]

The New York jets and you're listening to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Jason Moore]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast coming to you from the fantasyjocks.com studios with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Welcome to football. You. It's September, baby. Andy was doing the hula, something like it. It was a post touchdown celebration dance.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Because it is the month of football. It is September and we are back to Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Nick Mangold]

How many days until the first game?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, today's the first. First game is on the 8th. So next week when we are on the show, we will be.

[Nick Mangold]

It's a week from barely able to.

[Andy Holloway]

Speak due to excitement. Welcome to the podcast. Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike Wright back again. Have a great episode for you today. It truly is a spectacular one. We have our, we have our bold predictions for 2016.

[Mike Wright]

If you're wearing loose clothing or you have anything that is extremely flammable.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure.

[Mike Wright]

Please do the, do the appropriate, responsible thing. Step aside.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

Leave it, leave it next to you because you may spontaneously combust.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. Take your cell phone out of your pocket. Take your.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Blow up batteries.

[Andy Holloway]

Change. Take it out.

[Nick Mangold]

You don't want to melt it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Because we're bringing the hot takes.

[Andy Holloway]

I guess I thought this was an MRI episode. That's the became. So we've got our bold predictions on the show today. We're gonna break out the news and we've got our debate, our Fandings.com debate of the week. As we do every Thursday, Jason and myself will face off on this one. I'm sure that I'll make a ridiculously bold prediction that I'm going to win the debate.

[Nick Mangold]

Oh, that is ridiculously. I think everybody listening is like, whoa.

[Andy Holloway]

Well done. Well done.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you.

[Andy Holloway]

Don't forget to check us out on the web at the fantasy footballers.com where you can submit your questions to the show and we'd love to help you out. Check us out on twitter@the ffballers and of course, jointhefoot.com, our fantasy football community. Without further ado, let us. Let's get into the debate.

[Jason Moore]

It's time for the Fandings.com debate of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, today's Fandings.com debate of THE WEEK. Simple question. Will Josh Gordon be a bust in 2016? Will Josh Gordon be a bust in 2016? I'm gonna start this one off and I'm going to say no. No, he will not. Josh Gordon will not be a bust in 2016 and I'm going to tell you why. He got an opportunity to play in this preseason. He gets the opportunity to sit in meetings. He gets the opportunity to do everything but practice his first four weeks. And Josh Gordon is an elite talent. You cannot go out like in 2013 and put up 89 receptions for 1600 plus yards, nine touchdowns, do the things that he did, multiple 200 plus, 250 plus yard games. We all barely remember it. It's, you know, our minds, our minds are a bit smoky. You know, we have to fight through the smoke and find those numbers. And I realize he struggled a little bit at the end of the year, the next year, but you're talking about the Browns, the carousel of quarterback situation there. And yet you've got a deep ball thrower in Robert Griffin iii. He's the best talent on the offense. We're not going to joke around and say that Terrell Pryor than the human nine route is a better wide receiver than Josh Gordon.

[Mike Wright]

Nine round.

[Andy Holloway]

That's right. And you know, Corey Coleman's a rookie. So I think as soon as Josh Gordon gets in there, you mix that with the draft value, I think you're going to see production out of Josh Gordon because he's a big target. He's a great target. I say no, he's not going to be a bust in 2016. What say you, Jason?

[Nick Mangold]

I say he is going to be a bust in 2016. And here's why. Josh Gordon is living on 2013 karma. He that year, I will give you, I mean, he was amazing. He had two games and he finished as the number one wide receiver. So can Josh Gordon be a fantasy superstar? We already know the answer. It's yes. But that's the problem is that people already think he's going to be a fantasy superstar. And so you're taking him so early. Do you know where Josh Gordon's going right now, eighth. Eighth round.

[Andy Holloway]

No, probably the fifth.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah, there you go, fifth round. So when I say he's a bust, I say he's going right. Right behind Julian Edelman and right ahead of Michael Floyd. You want to know what's great about Michael Floyd? He's playing the first four games of the season. So you're going to take a guy who has to sit on your bench on the hopes that he plays like he did in 2013, which was. I guess it was only, you know, he's only played. For the sake of debate.

[Andy Holloway]

For the sake of debate, let me ask you this, all right? If people are really basing it on 2013, why would he go in the fifth round?

[Nick Mangold]

Because he's missing four games. They're thinking they're going to get the 2013 wide receiver.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what fifth round means.

[Nick Mangold]

Absolutely.

[Andy Holloway]

So if you knew for sure, Mike, that Josh Gordon for the last 12 games was going to give you 2013's numbers, would you draft him in the fifth or would you draft him in the third?

[Mike Wright]

If I knew for sure, yeah, I would draft him in the third.

[Andy Holloway]

All right.

[Mike Wright]

If I knew for sure.

[Nick Mangold]

I don't believe that's true, but I don't.

[Mike Wright]

And that's what we're debating.

[Nick Mangold]

I don't even believe that's true. I mean, in the third round, there are. There are, you know, Sammy Watkins and demarius Thomas and Alshon Jeffrey, guys who can finish. All those guys could finish in the top five. And they're playing 14 games. You're not going to take them.

[Andy Holloway]

14.

[Mike Wright]

Everyone suspended, everyone's injuries.

[Nick Mangold]

But my point is that. And then if you look at 2014, when Josh Gordon, you know, came in and was one of the highest picks in the league, he didn't play that well. And that was when. I mean, here's his last three games of that season. This is before.

[Andy Holloway]

He only played, like five games of that.

[Nick Mangold]

Played five games that season. Had 24 receptions for 300 yards and a whopping zero touchdowns in those five games. And that was when he was the only target in town. Corey Coleman. Tyler Boyd.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, all right.

[Nick Mangold]

Gary Barnage.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike. Mike, is Tyler Boyd? Yeah.

[Nick Mangold]

Did I say Tyler Boyd?

[Mike Wright]

You did. Did he get traded?

[Nick Mangold]

Terrell Pryor.

[Mike Wright]

There we go.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike, I think I know your answer already, but go ahead and give your verdict.

[Mike Wright]

I'm gonna have to give the verdict. I heard some. Some compelling arguments from both sides. I think where I'm swayed is the point of him going in the fifth round of, you know, if we knew that he was gonna be great. He would go in the third and Jason saying no. Except we have Le'Veon Bell, who's suspended for three games, going in the first round. So people are not scared of suspensions because an elite player is an elite player changes everything. I'm going to have to go with the arguments of Josh Gordon. Will not be a bust.

[Andy Holloway]

Will not be a bus.

[Mike Wright]

Will not be a bus. All right, I forward it to Andy.

[Andy Holloway]

I did not expect that at all.

[Nick Mangold]

Our first ridiculously bold prediction of the show has already come true.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, look, this exact question, you can go debate this on the Fandings.com app.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah. Go on there and say who really won, because we'll put that on that app and then you can stay.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, the nice thing, people will actually vote when you contribute to this debate.

[Nick Mangold]

So.

[Andy Holloway]

So head over to the app store, grab the Fandings app. It's completely free. And when you sign up, make sure you use the code. Footballers, check that out. Fandings.com let's get into the news.

[Jason Moore]

News and notes from around the league.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. You know, pretty significant news coming out nowadays because we are going to be starting players each and every week on our lineup. Oh, here we go. All right. Amir Abdullah. Yeah. Amir Abdullah himself expects to get the majority of carries along with every running back in history. But let's. Let's hypothesize there's no way that Theo.

[Mike Wright]

Riddick expects to get the majority of the carries.

[Andy Holloway]

This is Amir Abdullah's ridiculously bold prediction. He said he's going to get all the carries. Let's pretend he does. What does it really mean for fantasy owners?

[Nick Mangold]

I think it means extraordinary value because he's been injured because he hasn't been playing and because he stung last year. Absolutely. Because where he's going in the draft right now is like late seventh round. The running backs that you're choosing there, I mean, Derek Henry's going ahead of him. Right. Guys that aren't starters don't get the chance to be that guy. The only other score.

[Andy Holloway]

Is he going to get into the end zone, though? Even if he starts and runs the ball?

[Nick Mangold]

Well, he's a great pass catching back and I know Theo Riddick plays that role.

[Andy Holloway]

But if he probably the best.

[Nick Mangold]

You're saying he's the.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm saying Theo Riddick is the top three pass catching back. Maybe number one last year caught the most.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah. I think that Amir Abdullah, if he's involved, he has the opportunity to be a strong player. If you look at his performance last year. He was still over 4 yards of carry. He performed pretty good. I will give you this, they're just not a great team for running backs in general. But if he ends up taking over more of that pass catching role, I think he could provide a value for where he's going in the draft.

[Mike Wright]

Right now he's going or actually he's tied ADP wise with Duke Johnson.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think it's even realistic to say he's going to take over any of the passing down role. I think that's the most. I think it's almost an impossibility with theoretic healthy because of the path. He's the best. Riddick is the protector.

[Mike Wright]

I'm not saying he's going to take over the passing downs role, but if he can get more involved in the actual passing game on first and second down.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Nick Mangold]

The thing that helps him with that just throwing this out there is the fact that it's a no huddle offense.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Nick Mangold]

So if Amir Abdullah is out there, when they get to third down, when they get in the red zone, they're not going to say, okay, Theo, go in. They're going to keep rolling with Amir Abdullah.

[Andy Holloway]

Fair enough. All right. Coach Pete Carroll has said a couple things here about his injured players. Thomas Rawls, Jimmy Graham, he says that Rawls, there's no question that he'll play in the season opener. And then a reporter out of Seattle said there's no question he's the starter as well. It's never been a debate, never been a question. I tend to agree with that. It's just a matter of will Rawls be able to produce at the level of last year right after coming off the injury and not having that many reps in practice.

[Nick Mangold]

He's been the starter. I mean, he's playing full, full pads, full 11 on 11. He is the starter, but then they rest him in the preseason. That sounds good to me.

[Andy Holloway]

Pete Carroll said Jimmy Graham's week one status will be determined late next week. Hey, Mike, any predictions on Jimmy Graham's week one status?

[Mike Wright]

Well, I hear that Jimmy Graham's been taking on a strong defense. He's been taken on the air. That was the quote I read out of Seattle camp, that he's, he is taking on the defenders of nobody. So I'm going to say Jimmy Graham does not play week one.

[Nick Mangold]

Ridiculously easy prediction of the week. Jimmy Graham does not play week one.

[Andy Holloway]

Boston Heralds Jeff Howe is quote, still not convinced Tyler Gaffney will even make the Patriots 53 man roster.

[Mike Wright]

Legaria Blunt is happy.

[Nick Mangold]

That would be great news. I don't buy it.

[Andy Holloway]

Speaking on Sirius XM Fantasy espn, Chiefs reporter Adam Tesher suggested Jamal Charles might not play week one.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, here we go. Now we're into the news.

[Andy Holloway]

This is troublesome.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, this is absolutely gross. This puts just, even with this rain cloud up in the air, this puts Spencer Ware on. You have to draft him at least somewhere. And I'm not, I'm not throwing the towel in on Jamal Charles. Look, Le'Veon Bell, like I said, he's still a first round guy. We know he's gonna miss three games. If Jamal Charles were to. If we knew he was gonna miss three games, Jamal Charles is. He's still like a second round pick. To me, that's the level of talent. I believe in Jamal Charles. So I'm not jumping ship, but this is really crappy news. And if Ware is available, go pick him up immediately.

[Nick Mangold]

Some of the.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a good take, Mike.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah. Some of the worst news about this to me was reading some of the quotes from Jamal Charles. Him talking about the fact that the doctors told him it was a completely. It was completely different than the last one. The rehab has to be different. Everything's going to be different. And it seems like he's, you know, behind schedule. If you look at the fact that Jordy Nelson, you know, he. He had his injury early last year, you know, preseason early before. Before that, and Jamal Charles had his, you know, five games into the year, and now Jordy's kind of getting back. It seems like this is. This worries me. And for me, I moved him to RB13, I'm still comfortable with him right there. But if you wanted to take some of the guys that are, you know, 13th or 14th ranked that I still like ahead of them, I wouldn't blame anybody.

[Andy Holloway]

I. That's been my advice on Twitter the last couple of days is pretty much like, well, you know, I'd still say he belongs up there, but I'd rather draft someone else.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

So Redskins undrafted free agent Rob Kelly rushed 16 for 99 last night in the final preseason game. Obviously, we don't have. I don't want to put too much stock into that performance. However, he has locked up that backup role to Matt Jones, and Matt Jones's leash may be short if he fumbles or struggles. I think Rob Kelly, to me, if I'm a Matt Jones owner, I am 100% taking Rob Kelly with my last pick or the last one of my last Two picks.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And I'm just going to let it settle a little bit in Washington.

[Mike Wright]

I talk about, I don't really like drafting a handcuff in the draft. I like to pick him up later. But Matt Jones is hurt. Matt Jones does not have a secure job. If like Andy's saying, if he goes out, maybe he does play week one. If he goes out and he stinks and he fumbles, Rob Kelly is fine. Look, the talent level, Kelly can get it done.

[Nick Mangold]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

He's not a super flashy elite level talent, but he can grind it.

[Andy Holloway]

He's got that Jason Moore 40 time.

[Mike Wright]

He could. He could do what Washington needs him to do and which is hold on to the ball. So if Kelly is going to be a guy who can hold on and keep the security, then maybe he starts this. It reminds me very much a couple years ago, Shanahan. Yeah, we got the what? The Shanahan.

[Andy Holloway]

Shanahanigans.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that's what it was, the Shanahanigans. But everything pointed to somebody else. And then all of a sudden, right before week one, there was this news. It sounds like Alfred Morris is going to start. And those who jumped on it early got a running back one for free.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, who knows Matt Jones? If you do that to me, you lock up the backfield and you let things settle the first three weeks. If Jones re injures his shoulder, you've got a full time starter. He might not be a high top end guy, but whatever. So that, that's the take. That's the news. So that's it for the news.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that's the. For the news. We are about to blow off your eyebrows with our hot takes. But we want to thank today's sponsor, Pristine Auction. Look, we're talking about Pristine Auction all the time because they are the best, because we love them. I personally love this site. I visit it nearly daily because they have daily auctions. They always have new stuff. They have the best sports memorabilia available on the Internet. You can jump into auctions. You only pay for what you win. Look, if you want to jump on our YouTube, look around the office. We got Jordan Reed up on the wall. We got a signed David Johnson helmet. We got to meet him. Pristine Auction held an event. They made this happen. So if you want to, if you want something to spruce up your house, maybe your office is looking a little down in the dumps.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

And you know that in autographed Amari Cooper jersey is going to make that. Make it pop, make it hot. You can get that done. At Pristine Auction. That's P R I s t I-e auction.com youm go sign up for a free account and you let them know that the fantasy footballer sent you.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, it's time, guys. Let's do it.

[Jason Moore]

Ridiculously bold predictions for 2016.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, they're ridiculous for a reason. We wouldn't. I don't know, we wouldn't bet our house on them.

[Nick Mangold]

They're not baked into our actual rankings, but we also kind of believe it could happen.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, yes. There's an argument for each one of these. And so we've. We've selected. We've got 10 for you. Got 10 ridiculously bold predictions for 2016. Who wants to go first?

[Mike Wright]

You know I will.

[Andy Holloway]

All right.

[Mike Wright]

You know you want to. Here's a bold prediction for you. And this is kind of a combo platter because they're tied at the hip. Kirk Cousins will finish the season as a top five quarterback because Jordan Reed will be the tight end, one above Rob Gronkowski. And look, we love averaging numbers out sometimes. And if you take the final three games, large sample size, Kirk Cousins would have been on Pace for 59 touchdowns.

[Andy Holloway]

Whoa, is that now, is that baked into your top five prediction?

[Mike Wright]

Yes. 59.

[Andy Holloway]

59. No, but look, I like how that's top five, but it's 59.

[Mike Wright]

I'm just saying, the pace. He couldn't. He was on pace for the last three.

[Andy Holloway]

Kirk Cousins, a top five quarterback. Jordan Reed, the number one tight end.

[Mike Wright]

Look, Jordan Reed, weeks three through 17, he actually averaged the most points per game from the tight end position. We've seen that. Kirk Cousins, when he has confidence, when he catches fire, he just tosses up touchdowns like nobody's business. That if you remember the final game, he played half. He played half a game. And he was a top two quarterback that week. It was. He ended on just an absolutely ridiculous hot streak. We saw him in the preseason. Maybe it was against backups. He still threw three touchdowns. He's got DeSean Jackson back. Pierre Garcon looks healthy, and Jordan Reed is the key cog in this situation. And then, of course, my disdain for Matt Jones and not believing that the running game can get it done. So I just.

[Andy Holloway]

No soft tissue issues for Jordan Reed.

[Mike Wright]

Well, they exist. I'm not going to ignore that.

[Andy Holloway]

But he has soft tissues. Yeah, but you're predicting. I mean, look, number one, tight ends, they don't have soft tissue issues.

[Mike Wright]

No soft tissue issues. I'm going out on a limb here. I'm blowing it up. Kirk Cousins top five.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, well, let's. Let's go ahead and rotate over to Mr. Moore himself. Jason, give me one of your three ridiculously bold.

[Nick Mangold]

All right, how's this for ridiculous bold? I was going to put in there that John Brown is going to be a wide receiver number one, but I kind of covered that last week on my guys.

[Andy Holloway]

So I changed it last week. Yesterday.

[Nick Mangold]

Yesterday. So I changed it to this. Take. Ezekiel Elliott will not finish as the number one rookie running back in 2016. Here's why. Here's why. Because as far back as I can tell, I can't find the number one drafted rookie running back ever finishing as the number one rookie running back at the end of the year. I don't care if it was the super highly touted Ryan Matthews or the super highly touted Bishop Sankey or last year's Melvin Gordon who went number one or.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, you mean fantasy.

[Nick Mangold]

Okay, I mean fantasy.

[Mike Wright]

I was like this. Gurley was the first running back in the draft, right?

[Nick Mangold]

But. Yes, but he's not the first drafted. And so here we go. We've got last year, Todd Gurley finished as the number one. He was drafted as the number two. How about Jeremy Hill the year before? He was the drafted running back overall. And yes, rookie. And Le'Veon Bell finished number one. That seems like, well, duh, Le'Veon Bell. But he wasn't the first drafted rookie. He wasn't even the second drafted rookie. You had Eddie Lacy and Gio Bernard going ahead. How about even going back to 2012 where Trent Richardson was going to be the best and he was drafted as the best. And you know what? He had a great rookie year. But remember what we just talked about with Alfred Morris? He was actually the number one rookie running back who's. I'm taking the field.

[Andy Holloway]

Wow. Okay.

[Nick Mangold]

I'm taking the field. Someone is going to step up every year. I mean, if you look back every year there are superstar rookie running backs, but they're never pegged as the number one guy when you drive.

[Andy Holloway]

Ridiculously bold. That's. That's pretty interesting though. You went back in time there and gave us the rundown. That's. He would be breaking a trend if he did it.

[Nick Mangold]

He sure would. All right, I expect him to.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm going to give you one of mine here. Everybody loves Joe. Joe cool, Joe Flacco. I'm going to throw this out there. He's going to throw for a career high of 4,000 plus yards and the Ravens are going to make the playoffs. Last Year we helped, we saw him go out at the end of the season. He played 10 games but he was on pace. He was on pace for 4,400 plus yards last year. He's never thrown for more than 4,000 in his career. He had his highest completion percentage of his career last year. He averaged 41 attempts a game. This, this team was throwing the ball. And here's the thing. The ambiguity of the offense at the running back in the wide receiver position makes us underestimate the offenses production as a whole because we don't know if it's going to be Akin or Wallace or Smith or for set or Allen or Gilmore or blah blah blah blah blah.

[Nick Mangold]

But they've got the weapons.

[Andy Holloway]

They've got enough. They've got enough. And all Joe Flacco does is have to step back in the pocket and throw it. He's looked good so far. He came off, you know, the whole team came off a year devastated by injuries. I think you're going to see a turnaround. You got t sizzle back on the defense. We got 4,000 plus yards, career high for Joe Flacco and they make the playoffs.

[Mike Wright]

That's. Joe Flacco's never thrown for 4,000.

[Andy Holloway]

No, he's got, he's like got a 39 something season.

[Nick Mangold]

This is why I like that bold prediction is because the reason he hasn't isn't a lack of skill, it's the lack of system. He's always been in a, in a system that is, you know, run the ball with Ray Rice or whoever and.

[Andy Holloway]

Then throw to Anquan Bolden every 16th play.

[Nick Mangold]

Right, exactly. Now Trustman is coming in. Last year, you remember Trustman didn't institute his system this year. If he does, I love that. That's, that's a good hot take.

[Mike Wright]

All right, well, I'm going.

[Andy Holloway]

We're back to Mike.

[Mike Wright]

We're going. I am back up. Look, this one may not be fantasy related but it will absolutely impact your fantasy game. That was weird statement.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that makes it fantasy related insofecto. All right, start it over. Start it over.

[Mike Wright]

Antonio Brown will break the single season reception yard and he will break the most yards in a single season. He's going to get over 2,000 yards. He had 136 receptions last year. He is which is tied for second with with Julio Jones. And I did a little bit of research for most receptions in a single year.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, I got you.

[Mike Wright]

I did a little research. Of the top 10 all time single season receiving yard records. There is only one Receiver who is in that list twice gotta be Jerry Rice. And you would think it's the goat. You would think that it's Jerry Rice.

[Nick Mangold]

That'd be Calvin Johnson.

[Mike Wright]

You think maybe it's Calvin Johnson. It's Antonio Brown. The last two seasons he has played were both top 10 record breaking seasons. If you look at what he was doing, we saw Big Ben go out for a few games. So you might bake into this bold prediction that Big Ben is going to play 16 games.

[Nick Mangold]

Now that's a bold prediction right there.

[Mike Wright]

Which may be bolder than Antonio Brown getting 2,000 yards. But if Big Ben is in there the entire season, I think that Antonio Brown has a chance to break both the single season for total receptions and for the most receiving yards. Which makes Antonio Brown clearly the 101. So I guess it is fantasy related.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I have to follow you. It's required. I have to follow you Now. I have a very, very bold prediction much different than yours. Julio Jones will break the single season reception record.

[Nick Mangold]

You know what's crazy? Both of these could happen.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, they could. Julio Jones last year he was ahead of Antonio Brown in total yardage the second half of the year he paced at 1958 total yards. I think he can get to 2000. I think he can do it in the second year of this Kyle Shanahan offense. And you got when Matt Ryan 10 out of 16 games last year he threw the ball 35 or more times. We just talked about Flacco, right? Flacco threw it 41 times a game. When Matt Ryan threw it 35 or more times. His pace, Julio Jones pace over 2,000 yards receiving. I think he can do it in year two. I think that they're not going to be able to stop people on defense the way they'd like to. I predict a 2000 yard record breaking season and my bold prediction defeating your bold prediction.

[Nick Mangold]

Well, I think that's why Antonio Brown and Julio Jones in most drafts go number one and number two.

[Andy Holloway]

I had to take Julio number one the other day.

[Nick Mangold]

You did. You sure did.

[Andy Holloway]

In our people are just shocked when that happens. As though they don't have an almost identical season.

[Nick Mangold]

Right? Yeah, that's true.

[Andy Holloway]

136 receptions each.

[Mike Wright]

Sure. One was a little bit better though.

[Andy Holloway]

I will yardage wise.

[Mike Wright]

Fantasy points.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. Okay.

[Mike Wright]

And that's what matters.

[Andy Holloway]

No yardage. I play in yardage only leagues.

[Nick Mangold]

I'm gonna step up to the plate here and I'm going to give the ridiculously bold prediction that Sammy biscuits Sam Bradford. He will start more than 16 games this season. You see what I did there?

[Mike Wright]

I did.

[Nick Mangold]

I am saying that not only he's playing in the cfl, he will start the entire season because the Eagles will be in it. I believe they will win the NFC east and therefore he will start in a playoff game. I realize that's ridiculously bold. And look, I think that the turning around. I think the Philadelphia Eagles defense is underrated because of the Chip Kelly system. Really putting them out to dry. I mean, they were, they were just dead tired last year. They've made some good moves. I think Coach Peterson will get that defense better. And it's not just the Eagles and I apologize.

[Andy Holloway]

Get that defense better.

[Nick Mangold]

I apologize to all the fans out there. I'm about to upset. But with Tony Romo's injury, I had the Cowboys win in this division. But with that, I don't believe in Washington, I don't believe in New York and I don't believe in Dallas. Truly, I don't believe in Philadelphia either. But this allows the Eagles to step up. So I'm going to say he plays 16 games for the NFC east winning Eagles.

[Mike Wright]

Sounds good.

[Andy Holloway]

Dramatically bold as well.

[Mike Wright]

Sounds great for Ryan Matthews.

[Andy Holloway]

Well done, Jason.

[Nick Mangold]

That is true. If, if that prediction comes true, Ryan Matthews will be a very nice running back to own.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, I'm going to give you my third one right now.

[Mike Wright]

Unless they're 7 and 9 and win the division. 7 and 9.

[Andy Holloway]

My third bold prediction for 2016 is that D Sean Jackson.

[Mike Wright]

Oh.

[Andy Holloway]

Ends the year is a wide receiver one.

[Mike Wright]

Well, if Kirk Cousins is the top five quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

There you go. You know, tooting, look, last year I know he had limited work. He was pacing for 1,000 plus yards and eight touchdowns, which sounds very familiar to the last full season that he played in which he had over 1300 yards and nine touchdowns. He's looked great thus far in camp in the preseason. Kirk Cousins has found his way in the world. And the number one target on that team is not Pierre Garcon or Josh Dachshund or Crawford or anybody. The number one target is desean Jackson. And so I think that there people are afraid of him, but he always plays well. Jason said it on the show a few weeks ago or a few days ago. He just kind of always ends up. If he plays, he ends up around the wide receiver 20. He's just got to make a little bit of a leap. He can score on any play. 10 plus touchdowns, baby.

[Nick Mangold]

So once again, the true, ridiculously bold prediction is that DeSean Jackson will play. Will play 16 games.

[Andy Holloway]

That is right. The infer. The inferred bold predictions are maybe more bold than the real one.

[Nick Mangold]

Yes. All right, I will. I'll hit it next. Come back to me and I will say that this ridiculously bold prediction that Jeff Fisher and the Los Angeles Rams will go eight and eight.

[Mike Wright]

What?

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah, I'm putting myself out.

[Mike Wright]

Jason. This is a hot take show. It's not nuclear.

[Andy Holloway]

Wait, this is your. This is your ridiculously bold prediction.

[Nick Mangold]

That's a guarantee. All right, my ridiculously bold prediction here is that Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will Revert to their 2014 form. And if we. I'll tell you what, I will honestly say this. We don't remember the 2014 Carolina Panthers. We are so biased by what happened last year and their dominance that we can't even remember. So let me ask you guys, the 2014 Carolina Panthers and specifically Cameron Newton, where did he finish? Fantasy quarterback.

[Mike Wright]

Ooh, fantasy quarterback wise, a low end. I'm going to go 10. Quarterback 10.

[Nick Mangold]

Andy.

[Andy Holloway]

12.

[Nick Mangold]

Try 17. In 2014, just one year removed when he had Calvin Benjamin and he was on the same team for the most part, he was the number 17 quarterback and now he is guaranteed to be the number one quarterback in everybody's minds. I'm saying. No, I'm saying they lost Josh Norman. Teams that get to the super bowl are notorious for having a follow up bad season. And I'm saying that's happening.

[Andy Holloway]

So you don't believe he leveled up?

[Nick Mangold]

I don't believe he leveled up. I think that they had an incredibly efficient offense last year and that he was fantastic. I'm saying that they revert. They have some bad games that really destroy his fantasy value. And hey, that's good for the Cardinals.

[Mike Wright]

You're going. So you're going like an Everquest mode here where I think you don't. You lose.

[Andy Holloway]

You can lose a level.

[Nick Mangold]

Yeah, he lost a level.

[Andy Holloway]

That's.

[Nick Mangold]

He gained it last year, but. All right, that's my ridiculously bold prediction.

[Andy Holloway]

We've got two more left on the table. We've got one from the fantasy hitman. And we have our.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, the group one.

[Andy Holloway]

Our group one. We have our. Our final ridiculously bold prediction.

[Mike Wright]

All right, my final personal bold prediction here. I spit in the face of the news of today that Thomas Rawls going to be the starter. And I say that Thomas Rawls cannot hold off the power. He cannot hold off the awakening that is Kristen Michael and Thomas Rawls will lose his job. Look, I was, I was thinking, well, how Can I possibly have.

[Andy Holloway]

Couldn't have been thinking, how could I possibly have this prediction?

[Mike Wright]

Any evidence to back this up, Mike? You know what? I really hope that Chris Kristen Michaels had a great preseason. I bet he's near the top. He is near the top. He has the most rushing yards after three weeks for any running back because he has been a monster.

[Andy Holloway]

The Zach Zenner of 2016.

[Nick Mangold]

False.

[Mike Wright]

The Christian Michael of 2016, Thomas Rawls, coming off that ankle injury, he's going to be out of shape. He cannot, I'm telling you. The awakening.

[Andy Holloway]

Wow.

[Mike Wright]

When a man is woke, when the, when the beast, when the beast stirs, you cannot hold him down. And that is what happened. Christian Michael, a second round draft pick. Remember this second round talent. But he was asleep. The Seattle Seahawks, all the coaches, they said he's asleep.

[Nick Mangold]

Just.

[Mike Wright]

He got tossed around the league.

[Nick Mangold]

We should also throw out there that the number two running back this year so far in the preseason, just through three weeks, was another great running back, Malcolm Brown for the LA Rams, just a hair behind Christine Michael.

[Mike Wright]

Well, you know who wasn't?

[Andy Holloway]

Malcolm Brown will be the number one.

[Mike Wright]

You know who's not number two? Thomas Rawls. Because he's not playing.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. This was the most outlandish of all of them.

[Mike Wright]

He's been tossed around the league like garbage.

[Nick Mangold]

It's funny.

[Mike Wright]

And now he is not actually. He has been recycled. He is rejuvenated and he is ready to compete. Christian Michael will take care of Thomas Ross.

[Nick Mangold]

I almost.

[Mike Wright]

That's one of.

[Nick Mangold]

One of my ridiculously bold predictions was almost that Thomas Rawls was going to be the number one back after week one. So. So we'll see.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, my goodness. Okay, look, we're having some fun on the show today. This is a great show for kind of, you know, you're heading into your draft and you want to see if you buy into any of these strong takes and if you just had your draft, you're getting ready for the upcoming season and we're having some fun. Look, we've got one more. And here's the best thing about having a podcast. I get to say whatever I want into this microphone and you have to listen.

[Mike Wright]

And generally, generally speaking, we are carefully measured with our words.

[Nick Mangold]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Not, however, the number one bold prediction for 2016.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, I do. I can't sing right now. It's not happening.

[Nick Mangold]

David Johnson.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

David Johnson will threaten the single season yardage mark from scrimmage and the Cardinals will win the Super Bowl.

[Mike Wright]

I didn't know we added that part.

[Andy Holloway]

I Did add that part.

[Mike Wright]

We could do one.

[Andy Holloway]

Getting it in. I'm putting it in. Look, deal with it.

[Nick Mangold]

We're a week out from real football.

[Andy Holloway]

Deal with it.

[Nick Mangold]

Fun show.

[Andy Holloway]

This is a fun show. I've got some very astute statistical backing for this prediction.

[Nick Mangold]

Let's have it.

[Andy Holloway]

If you go all the way back from week 14 all the way to week 16, all right, so you're talking week 14, week 15, week 16, all of those weeks, all the way 14 to 16, you take those numbers, you pace them out over a full season. Seven hundred seventeen hundred yards on the ground, 850 receiving. That would put him at 2,550 total yards from scrimmage. And a 20 touchdown number, which puts him ahead of the all time record, which was set by his teammate Chris Johnson. And then Marshall Falk is the next highest one on that list. It's going to happen. It's almost a guarantee here. Because of the stat backing of that prediction, David Johnson will threaten the season. Single season yards from scrimmage.

[Mike Wright]

I think, I think that our points of. Why this is. This is going to happen. Our third point here might be our strongest.

[Andy Holloway]

That's true. I did not read that one yet.

[Mike Wright]

Our strongest piece of evidence yet, and it's firsthand.

[Andy Holloway]

It's triceps. Yes, it's triceps. We saw this man's triceps up close. It sent me into a full midlife crisis immediately.

[Nick Mangold]

If you took my biceps and you quadrupled them, they were smaller than this man's triceps.

[Andy Holloway]

It's a tricep based argument. David Johnson, single season yardage record from scrimmage. And that is it. That's what you go out on that. You go out on that.

[Mike Wright]

So you can put everything back in your pockets.

[Andy Holloway]

You can make it through.

[Mike Wright]

Barely. I can barely breathe over here.

[Andy Holloway]

What I'd love to hear from the listeners is which those predictions, they buy into the most. Which are those? Because you know, some of these are going to happen.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, all of mine.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. So. All right, that is it for today's show. We'll be back tomorrow for yet another episode of the Fancy Footballers podcast. Make sure you subscribe on itunes, on Android, wherever you're listening. And if you have any feedback for us, go over to the website, the fantasy footballers.com and if you're drafting this weekend, like we are in our league of records. As I begin my effort to dethrone Jason from his.

[Nick Mangold]

Never gonna happen. Never gonna happen. Never gonna happen.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we need it to happen. Really good really important, as you can see. But head over draft. Get the ultimate draft Kit, prepare for.

[Nick Mangold]

Your draft, and if you're a champion like me, head over to Fancy Jocks. Get all your championship gear from the Cosmo Boss.

[Jason Moore]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter Heffballers.