Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Early RB Rankings, Fantasy News & Mailbag
Release Date: March 29, 2016

Introduction

The episode kicks off with a brief introduction from the hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on early running back (RB) rankings, recent fantasy football news, and listener mailbag questions. The hosts express excitement about unveiling the consensus top 12 RB rankings, a much-anticipated segment among their audience.

Running Back Rankings

Consensus Top 12 Overview (01:06 - 15:43)
The hosts delve into the consensus top 12 running backs, compiling their individual rankings and discussing the strengths and potential risks associated with each player. The segment promises lively debates, especially where opinions diverge.

Le'Veon Bell - Number 1 (16:35 - 19:58)
Le'Veon Bell secures the top spot in the consensus rankings. Andy Holloway raises concerns about Bell’s knee health and workload management, pondering if the Steelers might limit his usage to preserve him for the playoffs.

• Jason Moore counters by emphasizing Bell's importance to the Steelers' offense, stating, "Le'Veon Bell gives that team the best chance to win..." (17:14).
• Mike Wright adds, "He is at the top of all three of our boards," supporting Bell’s top rank despite health concerns.

David Johnson - Number 2 (19:58 - 25:06)
David Johnson takes the second spot, praised for his dual-threat capability as both a runner and receiver. However, questions about his endurance over a full 16-game season persist.

• Andy Holloway highlights Johnson’s exceptional speed and pass-catching ability: "He has fewer questions than all the guys we just talked about."
• Mike Wright underscores the importance of Johnson’s role in an elite Arizona offense, ensuring consistent fantasy points through both rushing and receiving.

Todd Gurley - Number 3 (25:06 - 29:20)
Todd Gurley is ranked third, recognized for his rookie performance and potential for high touchdown numbers. Despite some concerns about workload consistency, Gurley’s talent and offensive fit make him a standout.

• Jason Moore remarks on Gurley’s explosive start: "He is doing great for fantasy... best start as a rookie running back ever."
• Andy Holloway compares Gurley to Adrian Peterson, emphasizing his workhorse capability: "How many times is he going to get the ball? Is he going to get the ball near that 300 carry mark?"

Jamal Charles - Number 4 (29:20 - 32:23)
Jamal Charles ranks fourth, lauded for his elite talent despite returning from a second ACL tear. His high target volume as a receiver bolsters his fantasy value.

• Jason Moore emphasizes Charles's potential: "The talent level is elite... he's on a pace for 80 catches."
• Mike Wright discusses the strategic advantage of Charles in the Chiefs' offense: "It's a match made in heaven for Alex Smith in that offense."

Adrian Peterson - Number 5 (33:25 - 35:37)
Adrian Peterson is placed fifth, valued for his reliability and consistent touchdown production. While not as heavily involved in the passing game, his proven track record makes him a safe elite option.

• Andy Holloway defends Peterson’s placement by focusing on risk mitigation: "He has fewer questions... he's going to get the ball 300 times."
• Jason Moore concurs, noting Peterson's steady touchdown count: "You'll get 10 touchdowns from Adrian Peterson."

Mark Ingram - Number 6 (37:29 - 43:18)
Mark Ingram holds the sixth spot, recognized for his dual-threat capabilities and consistent performance. The hosts discuss his pass-catching role and the Saints' offensive strategy.

• Mike Wright praises Ingram's versatility: "He gives that team the best chance to win..."
• The discussion touches on the potential challenges of carrying both Ingram and his handcuff, highlighting strategic considerations for fantasy managers.

News and Notes

Team Updates and Player Moves (09:03 - 14:52)
The hosts share recent fantasy football news, including player movements and team strategies.

• Arian Foster’s Potential Move: Mike Wright reports Foster's exploratory visit to the Dolphins, highlighting his Achilles injury and the Dolphins' interest in bolstering their running back roster.

• Jared Cook’s Signing: Jared Cook joins the Packers on a one-year deal, leading to a discussion on the depth at the tight end position and Cook's value as a streaming candidate.

• Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Contract Negotiations: The conversation shifts to Fitzpatrick's salary negotiations, expressing frustration over his declining market value despite solid performance.

Offseason Tips Recap (14:34 - 15:43)
Andy Holloway briefly mentions their previous episode on offseason tips, emphasizing the importance of cautious coach speak and evaluating player opportunities during free agency.

Mailbag

Listener Questions and Advice (44:18 - 57:40)

1. Waiver Process Lobbying (44:18 - 48:55):
   Nick Mangold from Tulsa, Oklahoma, asks how to lobby for a rule change in his 16-team redraft league's waiver system. He points out the unfairness of the current setup where the worst record always has top priority, hindering teams from mid-season waiver pickups.

   • Hosts’ Response:
     • Jason Moore advocates for a free agent budget (FAB) system, highlighting its fairness and strategic depth.
     • Andy Holloway discusses the evolution of waiver systems, initially supporting the reset order but recognizing its limitations.
     • Mike Wright emphasizes the strategic advantages of FAB, arguing that it rewards smart in-season management rather than just standing based on season records.

2. Draft Strategy Guidance (48:11 - 50:26):
   A listener, Zach from Des Moines, seeks advice on draft choices, particularly weighing between securing top running backs like Le'Veon Bell and Doug Martin versus wide receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ) or Julio Jones.

   • Hosts’ Response:
     • Andy Holloway recommends targeting Bell and Martin for their consistent RB1 potential, while Jason Moore and Mike Wright agree, emphasizing the flexibility and value of securing strong RBs early and leveraging later picks for elite WRs.

3. Keeper League Clarifications (53:29 - 57:40):
   Crawford from Vancouver inquires about setting up keeper league rules, particularly balancing keeping players without unfairly penalizing draft positions.

   • Hosts’ Response:
     • Jason Moore suggests using round value and potentially trading draft slots to maintain fairness.
     • Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss methods to ensure that keeping players like Le'Veon Bell doesn’t unduly disadvantage other teams, advocating for systems that balance draft equity with keeper advantages.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reminders about upcoming shows and additional content available on their YouTube channel, where they engage in off-the-wall debates and discussions. The hosts express gratitude to their listeners, encouraging continued participation and support through various platforms like Twitter and their fantasy community website, JoinTheFoot.com.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Le'Veon Bell:
  "Le'Veon Bell gives that team the best chance to win..." (17:14)

• Andy Holloway on David Johnson:
  "He has fewer questions than all the guys we just talked about." (23:07)

• Mike Wright on Todd Gurley:
  "He's a talent that you mix with the workload... I just love Todd Gurley." (26:17)

• Jason Moore on Jamal Charles:
  "The talent level is elite... he's on a pace for 80 catches." (30:06)

• Mike Wright on the FAB system:
  "It revolves around making strategic, smart, ingenious waiver wire selections." (56:02)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and strategic advice offered by the Fantasy Footballers in this episode. From in-depth running back rankings to nuanced league management tips, listeners are provided with valuable information to enhance their fantasy football experience.