Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 3 - Waivers, Streaming Options, Injury Updates
Release Date: September 20, 2016
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. The episode primarily focuses on waiver wire strategies, streaming options, and the latest injury updates, providing listeners with actionable insights to enhance their fantasy teams.
1. Trade Debate and League Dynamics
The episode opens with a heated discussion about a recent trade within a fantasy league—specifically, the exchange of McCoy for Adrian Peterson. Andy Holloway introduces the topic by stating:
"The debate was whether or not the trade should go through." ([03:05])
The hosts recount a Twitter poll where 69% of respondents sided with Holloway, supporting the legitimacy of the trade:
"We put it to a vote and I'm happy to say 69% agreed with me that the trade should go through." ([03:05])
Jason Moore highlights the passion surrounding the issue:
"No, I think today was a good week." ([02:02])
Mike Wright offers a counterpoint based on his league experience, questioning why trades should be canceled if a player gets injured during the waiting period:
"Why would those be canceled just because a player went down in practice?" ([04:47])
Ultimately, the consensus leans towards honoring the trade, emphasizing the importance of adhering to league rules and the spirit of competition.
2. Injury Updates: Adrian Peterson and Jay Cutler
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to injury updates that could impact fantasy rosters.
Adrian Peterson's Torn Meniscus:
Mike Wright provides detailed insights into Adrian Peterson's injury:
"It's a torn meniscus that is official. What is not official is how they are going to choose to go about repairing it." ([09:36])
He discusses the potential recovery options, ranging from a quick meniscus cut with an estimated return by Week 7 to a more prolonged three to four-month recovery period. This uncertainty affects waiver strategies, as teams ponder whether to acquire Peterson or opt for other running backs like Jericho McKinnon or Ozzy Otta.
Jay Cutler's Injury:
The conversation shifts to Jay Cutler's injury, which sidelines him for an extended period. Mike suggests streamlining strategies:
"Cleveland's quarterback situation... Stream the Dolphins defense against Cody Kessler this week." ([11:17])
The hosts debate whether to start the Dolphins' defense against Cutler or opt for another strategic matchup, ultimately favoring the Dolphins given the uncertainty surrounding Cutler's return.
3. Waiver Wire Strategies and Player Analysis
Top Waiver Targets:
Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of waiver wire strategies, especially when multiple teams lose key running backs:
"So if you're playing against a team that's like, oh, my goodness, I have to pick someone up or two people up and start them, then play keep away. That is straight up good strategy." ([17:32])
Key Players Discussed:
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Jameson Crowder vs. Chris Hogan:
Jason prefers Jameson Crowder over Chris Hogan due to better target opportunities:
"I would rather have Jameson Crowder ... I trust he's going to get the ball thrown his way." ([27:08])
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Will Fuller vs. Tajie Sharp:
The hosts compare Will Fuller’s big-play potential to Tajie Sharp’s rookie inconsistency:
"He can still have a monster fantasy game with, you know, a 60-yard touchdown run." ([20:20])
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Quincy Enunwa:
They highlight Quincy Enunwa as a valuable waiver pick due to his increased targets, especially with Brandon Marshall’s knee issues:
"He is available in all leagues. He’s a big part now of that Jets passing game." ([21:48])
Strategic Bidding:
Andy Holloway advises on optimal bidding strategies for high-demand players like Asiata, suggesting a balanced approach considering both talent and waiver budget.
4. Tight Ends: Dennis Pitta vs. Antonio Gates
The discussion shifts to streaming tight ends, focusing on Dennis Pitta and Antonio Gates:
"Gates would be too involved in the red zone versus Pitta." ([40:21])
Jason Moore recommends considering Dennis Pitta for his emerging role and reliability when healthy:
"If he's healthy and he sort of looked healthy this last week in an A+ matchup, I think Pitta is worth..." ([41:17])
Mike Wright concurs, highlighting Pitta's potential:
"Dennis Pitta was emerging as a great tight end for fantasy." ([41:07])
The hosts underscore the importance of monitoring player health and matchup potential when selecting tight ends.
5. Streaming Quarterbacks: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota
Ryan Tannehill:
Jason Moore advocates for Ryan Tannehill as a streaming quarterback option due to his recent performance and favorable matchup:
"He was on the road against Bill Belichick and the Patriots. They got down early and he threw almost 400 yards." ([45:24])
Matt Ryan:
Mike Wright supports Matt Ryan’s hot streak, especially against a weak Saints defense:
"Matt Ryan is hot for fantasy purposes." ([47:27])
Marcus Mariota:
Andy Holloway recommends Marcus Mariota for his upcoming game against a struggling Raiders defense:
"A perfect matchup for Mariota to have some success." ([48:31])
The hosts emphasize selecting quarterbacks who not only have favorable matchups but also exhibit consistent performance metrics like yards and touchdowns.
6. Running Backs: Charles Sims, Jerick McKinnon, Asiata
The running back section highlights the critical need for quality backups due to multiple injuries:
Charles Sims:
Jason Moore and Mike Wright stress the importance of acquiring Charles Sims:
"He should not be on anybody's waivers. He shouldn't have already been on people's waivers." ([30:22])
Jerick McKinnon vs. Asiata:
A robust debate unfolds over the value of Jerick McKinnon versus Asiata. Jason acknowledges McKinnon’s talent but points out Asiata’s reliability:
"McKinnon might get more carries, fantasy value wise they're probably 50, 50." ([31:17])
Andy recommends bidding around $15 on Asiata:
"How much do you need to bid to grab Asiata? 15 bucks." ([32:01])
The discussion underscores the balance between high-upside players and dependable performers in running back strategies.
7. Defensive Streaming and Additional Waiver Targets
Defensive Picks:
Jason Moore identifies Miami and Tampa Bay defenses as prime streaming options due to favorable matchups:
"Miami would be my number one waiver claim." ([44:02])
Additional Targets:
Mike Wright mentions players like Dwayne Washington and Virgil Green as potential pickups, depending on their health and team dynamics.
8. Community Engagement and Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with the hosts promoting their community features and upcoming content:
"We're adding some extra features. We have our projections for JoinTheFoot.com people..." ([53:12])
Andy Holloway encourages listeners to engage with their platforms for more in-depth analysis and community support.
Notable Quotes
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Andy Holloway:
"We put it to a vote and I'm happy to say 69% agreed with me that the trade should go through." ([03:05])
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Mike Wright:
"Cleveland's quarterback situation... Stream the Dolphins defense against Cody Kessler this week." ([11:17])
-
Jason Moore:
"If you're playing against a team that's like, oh, my goodness, I have to pick someone up or two people up and start them, then play keep away. That is straight up good strategy." ([17:32])
-
Jason Moore:
"I would rather have Jameson Crowder and the reason is targets." ([27:08])
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Andy Holloway:
"Michel is going to have some knee problems later on in your life." ([10:20])
Conclusion
This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of Week 3's challenges and opportunities. From navigating trade disputes and managing injured star players to strategic waiver wire pickups and streaming options, the hosts provide listeners with valuable insights to optimize their fantasy teams. The blend of expert opinions, actionable advice, and engaging banter makes this episode a must-listen for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to secure a competitive edge.