Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Episode: Week 4 Waivers, Streams of the Week, Injury News Release Date: September 27, 2016

1. Introduction and Current Week Overview

The Fantasy Footballers kick off the episode with their trademark camaraderie, highlighting the critical nature of Week 4 in the fantasy football season. As the waiver wire becomes a pivotal battleground, the hosts emphasize the importance of strategic player acquisitions to bolster team performance in the coming weeks.

2. News and Injury Updates

Major Injuries Impacting Fantasy Rosters

• Shane Vereen (New York Giants):

  • Status: Tricep injury, likely out for the season.
  • Impact: Creates a significant void in the Giants' backfield, complicating fantasy decisions.
  • Quote: "[Shane Vereen] is out of nowhere, tricep injury likely to miss the rest of the season. What in the world do we do with the New York Giants backfield?" ([06:10])

• Jeremy Langford (San Francisco 49ers):

  • Status: Diagnosed with a sprained ankle, expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
  • Impact: Forces teams to consider alternatives like Jordan Howard.
  • Quote: "Jeremy Langford was already showing signs of last year's inefficiency. We are. We've already had a fumble." ([08:37])

• Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears):

  • Status: Now active and looking promising.
  • Impact: Emerges as a strong waiver wire target due to Langford's injury.
  • Quote: "Jordan Howard has looked very capable. He got involved in the passing game last week or this in week three." ([08:45])

• Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers):

  • Status: Hamstring injury, likely to miss another game.
  • Impact: Tight end depth becomes a concern for fantasy managers.
  • Quote: "Antonio Gates, hamstring Wasn't close to suiting up against the Colts. Likely to miss another game." ([08:37])

• Jamal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs):

  • Status: Uncertain; possible return.
  • Impact: Mixed opinions on playability this week.
  • Quotes:
    • "It's a yes vote from me. I think he's going to get on the field this week." ([09:06] – Jason Moore)
    • "I think that is called there's a chance. You need to prepare for him opponent and I don't think he's on the field this week." ([09:13] – Andy Holloway)

Other Notable Injuries:

• Kobe Fleener (Green Bay Packers): Noted for a significant touchdown run despite injury concerns.
• Zachary Mertz (Chicago Bears): Expected to play post-bye week.
• DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans): Potential role player if Michael Floyd's status changes.
• DEZ Bryant (Dallas Cowboys): Undergoing an MRI; initial outlook remains unchanged.

3. Waiver Wire Recommendations

As Week 4 unfolds, the hosts delve deep into waiver wire strategies, identifying must-add players who can provide immediate value to fantasy teams.

A. Wide Receivers

• John Brown (Chicago Bears):

  • Ownership: Owned in ~75% of leagues.
  • Recommendation: Must add due to increased involvement and potential as a 2A receiver.
  • Quote: "John Brown is one of those must owns if he's on your waiver." ([12:51] – Jason Moore)

• Terrell Pryor (Cleveland Browns):

  • Ownership: 27% owned.
  • Recommendation: Highly recommended due to significant potential and opportunities in the offense.
  • Quote: "Terrell Pryor is going to be involved in all parts of the offense... I think as of right now, the only guy who I love off of the waiver wire is Terrell Pryor right now." ([14:00] – Mike Wright)

• Jameson Crowder (Miami Dolphins):

  • Ownership: ~11% owned.
  • Recommendation: Valuable due to red zone targets and improved production.
  • Quote: "Jameson Crowder has been quietly amazing... I think he's a talented second-year wide receiver." ([16:42] – Jason Moore)

• Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints):

  • Ownership: 56% owned.
  • Recommendation: Strong buy based on his involvement and the Saints' offensive prowess.
  • Quote: "I think there are several wide receivers that are great this week... Michael Thomas is... I think he's going to continue putting points on the clock." ([16:59] – Jason Moore)

• Steve Smith (Buffalo Bills):

  • Ownership: Historically low, now increasing.
  • Recommendation: Potential breakout due to increased involvement and home-game advantage.
  • Quote: "Steve Smith... he was fantastic on fire last year... I'm on board with you, Jason." ([18:45] – Andy Holloway)

• Kevin White (Detroit Lions):

  • Ownership: Approximately 50% owned.
  • Recommendation: Worth adding due to high target volume and favorable matchup.
  • Quote: "Kevin White should be added... you can drop a dollar or five dollars and probably get him." ([19:44] – Mike Wright)

B. Running Backs

• Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears):

  • Ownership: Emerging as a top target due to Langford's injury.
  • Recommendation: Aggressive acquisition recommended, potentially spending a significant portion of the FAAB budget.
  • Quote: "Jordan Howard is going to be involved in the passing game... he's very good." ([20:15] – Mike Wright)

• Dwayne Washington (Detroit Lions):

  • Ownership: 20% owned.
  • Recommendation: Affordable option with solid performance metrics; recommended over less productive backups.
  • Quote: "Dwayne Washington is a prime position to be the guy who's actually running the ball... Extremely athletic." ([27:04] – Andy Holloway)

• Wendell Smallwood (Houston Texans):

  • Ownership: Low in leagues.
  • Recommendation: Solid backup option, especially if Ryan Matthews remains injured.
  • Quote: "Wendell Smallwood will be the guy to have, not Kenyon Barner." ([31:29] – Jason Moore)

C. Tight Ends

• Eric Ebron (Pittsburgh Steelers):

  • Ownership: Increasing due to consistent involvement in the passing game.
  • Recommendation: Highly recommended as a reliable tight end without the necessity of touchdown reliance.
  • Quote: "Eric Ebron is really involved in that passing game... a great red zone weapon." ([35:02] – Jason Moore)

• Cameron Brate (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):

  • Ownership: Low in leagues.
  • Recommendation: Recommended due to his emerging role as the primary tight end.
  • Quote: "Cameron Brate has room to grow... he was sharing time but now he's the full-time tight end." ([35:35] – Mike Wright)

• Zach Miller (Cleveland Browns):

  • Ownership: Moderate, depending on team needs.
  • Recommendation: Viable option if Alshon Jeffery's status affects target distribution.
  • Quote: "Zach Miller is going to be very involved if Alshon Jeffery is limited." ([36:12] – Andy Holloway)

D. Quarterbacks

• Trevor Siemian (Denver Broncos):

  • Ownership: Low; considered a streaming option due to favorable matchup.
  • Recommendation: Ideal for week-specific streaming against the Buccaneers.
  • Quote: "That's the guy for me to start this week if you need it... Trevor Siemian at home against the Buccaneers." ([42:41] – Andy Holloway)

• Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens):

  • Ownership: Moderate; effective at home with healthy receivers.
  • Recommendation: Suitable for streaming, especially in favorable matchups.
  • Quote: "Joe Flacco is one of those quarterbacks with those splits where you're not going to stream him if he's on the road." ([43:34] – Jason Moore)

• Brock Osweiler (Houston Texans):

  • Ownership: Low; recommended for streaming due to a favorable home matchup.
  • Recommendation: Good streaming candidate against weaker defenses.
  • Quote: "Brock Osweiler is worth throwing out there if you're scrounging the waiver wire." ([45:11] – Mike Wright)

4. Streaming Options

The hosts explore viable streaming options for quarterbacks and defenses, focusing on maximizing weekly performance without long-term commitments.

Quarterbacks:

• Trevor Siemian vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

  • Strategy: Utilize as a high-upside, low-risk streaming option.
  • Quote: "Trevor Siemian is my stream of the week... against the Buccaneers who have given up 101 points on the season in three weeks." ([42:41] – Andy Holloway)

• Dak Prescott vs. San Francisco 49ers:

  • Strategy: Consider as a starting option depending on matchup dynamics.
  • Quote: "Dak Prescott's worth considering against the 49ers." ([43:30] – Andy Holloway)

Defenses:

• Minnesota Vikings:

  • Ownership: Available in over half of leagues.
  • Recommendation: Strong defensive unit worth acquiring for their performance metrics.
  • Quote: "The Vikings are one of my top pickups... I believe this defense is legit." ([38:58] – Jason Moore)

• Other Notable Defenses:

  • Philadelphia Eagles: Currently giving up the least real-life points.
  • Cincinnati Bengals: Facing multiple bye weeks, enhancing their defensive potential.
  • Dallas Cowboys: Jared Cook's availability ensures defensive consistency.

5. Strategic Insights and Conclusions

The Fantasy Footballers emphasize the necessity of staying proactive on the waiver wire, especially in the mid-season weeks where injuries and performance fluctuations are prevalent. They advocate for targeted acquisitions based on immediate needs and favorable matchups, rather than long-term speculative additions.

Key Takeaways:

• Adaptability: Flexibility in roster management is crucial to navigate the evolving NFL landscape.
• Matchup Awareness: Leveraging favorable opponent defenses can yield significant weekly advantages.
• Value Over Ownership: Prioritizing low-ownership, high-potential players can differentiate teams in competitive leagues.

Final Advice:

• Assess team needs comprehensively before making waiver claims.
• Monitor injury reports closely to anticipate shifts in player roles and value.
• Utilize streaming options to exploit advantageous weekly matchups without long-term investments.

6. Upcoming Shows and Community Engagement

The hosts wrap up by promoting upcoming shows and encouraging listeners to engage with their community through jointhefoot.com and social media platforms.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and strategic advice provided by The Fantasy Footballers in their Week 4 episode, offering valuable insights for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.