Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Explain Yo'self! + Fantasy News, #FootClan Mailbag
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Podcast Highlights

The episode kicks off with the hosts briefly discussing their sponsorship by Fantasy Jocks, promoting live draft boards and championship belts. Transitioning into the main content, the trio introduces the episode's primary theme: "Explain Yo'self!"—a segment dedicated to addressing and clarifying discrepancies in their fantasy football player rankings.

2. Podcast Awards and Listener Appreciation

Timestamp: [03:48] – [05:17]

Andy Holloway expresses immense gratitude towards their listeners for supporting the show through Podcast Awards. He shares enthusiasm about the community's participation, noting:

"I am blown away with the listeners in the Foot Clan. The response, the amount of people voting, I am genuinely shocked, humbled, amazed."
– Andy Holloway [04:22]

Jason and Mike join in, highlighting the incentives for listeners, such as a signed Le'Veon Bell jersey and other rewards for voting and sharing their support on social media with the hashtag #FootClan vote.

3. Player News and Updates

Timestamp: [05:48] – [13:09]

• Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets: The hosts discuss reports of Ryan Fitzpatrick potentially re-signing with the New York Jets on a three-year, $24 million deal. While Andy views the offer as reasonable, Mike considers it insulting, suggesting Fitzpatrick deserves more given his performance:

  "I think it should be like a 12 million. 8 million, 8 million. I don't have a problem with the jets..."
  – Jason Moore [06:40]

• Jameis Winston's Improvement: Jameis Winston is climbing draft boards due to his offseason dedication and physical improvements. The hosts compare Winston’s situation to Marcus Mariota’s, debating their potential reliance on the passing game.

• DeMarco Murray's Role with the Titans: Reports indicate DeMarco Murray will handle the majority of carries for the Tennessee Titans, despite drafting Derek Henry. Mike notes:

  "I think he's going to score touchdowns and they will be valuable for fantasy."
  – Mike Wright [10:15]

• Detroit Lions' Player Updates: Eric Ebron is sitting out OTAs with an undisclosed injury, while Amir Abdullah is recovering from shoulder surgery and expected to return in September.

• Carson Wentz vs. Sam Bradford: A quote from Matt Lombardo highlights Carson Wentz's superior grasp of the playbook compared to Sam Bradford:

  "Have a better handle of the playbook than Sammy Biscuits."
  – Matt Lombardo, NJ Advanced Media [13:03]

4. Rankings Discrepancies Explained

Timestamp: [17:35] – [34:57]

a. Torrey Smith

Torrey Smith’s ranking (41 for Andy, 49 for Jason, and 53 for Mike) sparks a debate. Mike argues for his potential increase due to a significant rise in target volume with the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive changes:

"They're going to increase by at least 200 targets. Torrey Smith is going to be the number one wide receiver on that team."
– Mike Wright [19:20]

Jason contemplates slightly bumping Smith’s rank based on total targets, while Andy remains hesitant, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding Smith’s role and the Eagles' offensive dynamics.

b. Matthew Stafford

Andy defends Matthew Stafford’s high ranking (9) against Jason and Mike’s lower placements, highlighting Stafford's improved second-half performance last season:

"I think he can be a top 12 quarterback."
– Andy Holloway [24:48]

Jason acknowledges a slight adjustment, moving Stafford from 23rd to 22nd in his rankings, while Mike shares his own progression, moving Stafford up to 17th.

c. Austin Safari and Austin Jenkins (ASJ)

ASJ’s tight end ranking (21 for Andy, 22 for Mike, and varying positions for Jason) leads to a heated discussion. Jason supports ASJ’s upside as a red zone target with Jameis Winston, whereas Mike remains skeptical due to concerns about consistency and the depth behind ASJ.

d. Duke Johnson

Duke Johnson is ranked differently across the hosts (19 for Andy, lower for Jason and Mike), with Andy advocating for his rise based on improved opportunity and coaching:

"Matt Jones has the highest floor and the highest ceiling to me."
– Jason Moore [57:27]

Mike emphasizes Duke's pass-catching abilities but remains cautious about his durability and workload consistency.

e. Will Tye

Will Tye’s emergence as the Giants’ primary tight end is analyzed. Mike and Jason discuss his potential, with Andy considering his reliability based on Eli Manning’s usage patterns:

"I think he could be very solid and I think he will do enough to be a Tight end one by the end of the year."
– Mike Wright [43:08]

5. Listener Mailbag and Q&A

Timestamp: [53:58] – [67:15]

a. Tyrod Taylor in Two Quarterback Leagues

A listener asks about Tyrod Taylor’s value in two-quarterback leagues. Andy appreciates Taylor’s upside but remains cautious about his consistency. Jason supports Taylor’s potential based on the Buffalo Bills' offensive outlook, while Mike recommends pairing him with a safer quarterback option like Ryan Fitzpatrick.

b. Running Back vs. Wide Receiver Draft Strategy

Listeners inquire about the strategy of drafting two RB2s over wide receivers. Andy and Jason reaffirm their commitment to securing running backs early due to position scarcity, while Mike emphasizes the importance of upper-tier wide receivers like Julio Jones and Antonio Brown but still favors running backs in the early rounds.

c. Mid-Round Wide Receiver Sleepers

For mid-round wide receiver sleepers with top-five potential, Andy suggests Doug Baldwin and Kevin White, considering their offensive roles and opportunities. Mike mentions Dante Moncrief and Ty Hilton as potential breakout candidates under the right circumstances, while Jason points to Josh Gordon and Golden Tate as late-round high-upside options.

6. Final Remarks and Show Promotion

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to support the show through Podcast Awards, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and engage with them on various social media platforms. They tease upcoming content, including a Game of Thrones recap and the addition of Jake Seeley from Ultimate Draft Kit as a guest in future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright on Ryan Fitzpatrick's Deal:

  "That to me is extremely insulting and I would not accept that deal if I were Ryan Fitzpatrick either."
  – Mike Wright [06:37]

• Andy Holloway on Matthew Stafford:

  "I think you have a vulnerable enough division defensively to... I think he can be a top 12 quarterback."
  – Andy Holloway [26:22]

• Jason Moore on ASJ’s Potential:

  "Austin Safari and Jenkins has the chance here to actually put up a great year and become a key red zone cog for Jameis Winston."
  – Jason Moore [30:25]

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast delves deep into player rankings, offering listeners nuanced insights and fostering an engaging dialogue about fantasy football strategies. The "Explain Yo'self!" segment highlights the importance of understanding differing opinions in fantasy rankings, while the mailbag segment addresses real-time listener concerns, making the show both informative and interactive.