Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Breakouts, Busts, and Debate of the Week
Release Date: August 25, 2016

1. Debate of the Week: Is Kirk Cousins a QB1?

Timestamp: [03:10] - [09:40]

The episode kicks off with the Fandings.com Debate of the Week, centering on whether Kirk Cousins deserves the title of a top-tier fantasy quarterback (QB1).

• Jason Moore initiates the debate by posing the question: "Is Kirk Cousins a QB one?" ([03:17]).

• Mike Wright argues in favor of Cousins, highlighting his consistent performance:

  “He had a touchdown in every game. Who else did that last year for the quarterback position? The answer is nobody, only Kirk Cousins.” ([05:28])

• Jason Moore counters by emphasizing Cousins' vulnerabilities:

  “He had seven more fantasy points per game when playing at home than on the road. Is Kirk Cousins a very good streaming candidate who can put up a lot of points? Absolutely. Is he going to be a top 12 quarterback at the end of the year? No, sir.” ([04:19] - [07:07])

• The discussion delves into Cousins' reliance on key receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed, raising concerns about their injury proneness and overall team dynamics. Jason Moore cites Rotoviz's analysis:

  “Last year the three worst teams for fantasy production through the air were New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. He played five games against them and averaged over eight fantasy points more in those games.” ([08:34])

• Ultimately, the panel agrees that while Cousins is a reliable option, he may not secure a QB1 spot given the depth of quarterback talent available.

2. News Highlights

Timestamp: [10:45] - [37:55]

a. Colin Kaepernick and the Ravens' QB Situation

• Jason Moore shares updates on Colin Kaepernick, emphasizing his determination to win the starting job despite skepticism:

  “Colin Kaepernick says he believes he can still win the starting job. Good for you, Colin.” ([10:50] - [11:12])

• Discussions also touch upon the Baltimore Ravens potentially adopting a four-back committee approach, drawing parallels to their coaching style:

  “The Ravens could be employing a four back committee to start the season... It would also be very unmarked Tressman-like, which would surprise me.” ([13:10] - [13:58])

b. Detroit Lions' Offseason Moves

• The hosts analyze the Lions' adoption of a no-huddle offense, noting its potential to boost fantasy production:

  “They’re running it on 62% of plays during the preseason so far... That is a high volume. That is what you want for fantasy football.” ([11:35] - [12:05])

• Key player updates include the release of Steven Ridley and speculations on Amir Abdullah's role:

  “He’s young, but he’s done. Steven Ridley has been cut.” ([12:19] - [12:20])

c. Preseason Quarterback Speculations

• Predictions about the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback, with Mike Wright favoring Sam Ian and Jason Moore suggesting Mark Sanchez might start or be cut:

  “I'm still going to go with Sam Ian.” ([14:12] - [14:32])

d. Preseason Games and Team Preparations

• Light-hearted banter ensues as the hosts discuss the anticipation of preseason games:

  “Breaking news. We have preseason games tonight.” ([14:36] - [15:00])

3. Breakouts

Timestamp: [16:32] - [25:09]

Breakouts are defined as players poised to make significant leaps in their fantasy performance. The hosts present their candidates, accompanied by insightful analysis.

a. Kobe Fleener

• Jason Moore introduces Kobe Fleener as a breakout candidate, despite previous top-tier performances:

  “I believe that there is... he's going to have enough targets to truly break out right now.” ([17:37] - [20:15])

b. Melvin Gordon

• Highlighted as a value pick, Melvin Gordon is expected to overcome last season's offensive line issues:

  “Melvin Gordon is the breakout candidate I'm bringing forward on today's show.” ([20:15] - [22:20])

c. Dante Moncrief

• Mike Wright champions Dante Moncrief, projecting him to surpass Ty Hilton in fantasy production:

  “The absolute peak from Moncrief is a wide receiver. One, if he surpasses...” ([24:39] - [25:09])

Other breakout candidates mentioned include Michael Floyd, Eric Ebron, and Jameis Winston, with additional insights available in the Ultimate Draft Kit.

4. Busts

Timestamp: [26:15] - [34:40]

Busts refer to players who significantly underperform relative to their draft positions. The hosts identify and discuss potential busts for the season.

a. Arian Foster

• Jason Moore labels Arian Foster as a bust, citing his injury history and declining performance:

  “Arian Foster right now for where he's being drafted is being built up on narratives out of camp... He just got too much to...” ([27:24] - [30:30])

• Concerns include Foster's age, recovery from a ruptured Achilles, and his efficiency in previous seasons:

  “He's coming off of a ruptured Achilles, which no running back has done. He's as healthy as Mr. Glass.” ([29:21] - [29:36])

b. Matt Forte

• Mike Wright names Matt Forte as a bust due to his declining role and ineffective goal-line performance:

  “Matt Forte, he's a 30-year-old guy. Going to a new team hasn't fared very well in the past.” ([34:12] - [34:43])

• Statistically, Forte has poor conversion rates in critical short-yardage situations:

  “He is the worst among qualified running backs and that’s guys with over 25 carries. He’s converting 38% of the time, one to three yards out.” ([35:15])

c. Carlos Hyde

• Jason Moore expresses skepticism about Carlos Hyde's fantasy value, questioning his ability to surpass established backs like Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Stewart:

  “He's not going to be in the red zone a ton... He has to be inside the 10 yard line to give you touchdowns.” ([32:39] - [34:22])

Other bust candidates include Tyler Ifert and Big Ben, with detailed evaluations available on their website.

5. Conclusion

Timestamp: [37:35] - [37:55]

The podcast wraps up with reminders for listeners to engage with their content across various platforms:

• Jason Moore encourages signing up for FanDuel using their promo code for exclusive offers.
• Promotion of Pristine Auction as a source for authenticated sports memorabilia, offering discounts to listeners.
• Announcement of upcoming content, including sleepers and values, and additional YouTube shows for deeper insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright on Kirk Cousins:

  “He had a touchdown in every game. Who else did that last year for the quarterback position? The answer is nobody, only Kirk Cousins.” ([05:28])

• Jason Moore on Arian Foster:

  “I don't think there's a world where he plays 16 games and is worth a fourth round pick. That's going to be a bust pick when you grab him.” ([30:18])

• Mike Wright on Dante Moncrief:

  “If you want, I will go bold. The absolute peak from Moncrief is a wide receiver. One, if he surpasses…” ([24:39])

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of key fantasy football topics, offering listeners valuable insights into potential breakout stars, likely busts, and the ongoing debate surrounding quarterback rankings. The detailed discussions and expert opinions aim to equip fantasy managers with the knowledge necessary to navigate the upcoming NFL season successfully.