Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2017 - Early QB Rankings Part 2: Values, Sleepers & Streamers
Release Date: April 20, 2017
Introduction
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into early quarterback (QB) rankings, focusing on values, sleepers, and streamers beyond the top-tier quarterbacks. As the draft day approaches, the trio offers strategic insights to help listeners maximize their draft picks and secure a competitive edge in their fantasy leagues.
Key Segments
1. Listener Appeals and Personal Stories
Before delving into QB rankings, Mike Wright shares a heartfelt personal plea:
- Mike Wright [07:02]: “My aunt Lori has lupus, and it's taken a severe toll on her health and finances. We’ve set up a GoFundMe at footclanhelp.com to help cover her medical expenses.”
Wright even offers a humorous yet sincere incentive to encourage donations:
- Mike Wright [07:32]: “If we raise $1,000 with the hashtag #BunOff, I’m willing to chop off my man bun.”
This segment not only highlights the hosts' personal lives but also fosters a sense of community and support among listeners.
2. Fantasy Football News Highlights
The hosts discuss significant NFL news impacting fantasy football:
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James White Extension: An agreement with the Patriots keeps the Super Bowl hero on the team, potentially solidifying his role as a reliable fantasy asset.
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Mike Gillislee Signing: Wright praises Gillislee’s signing with the Patriots, emphasizing his high yards-per-carry average and red-zone efficiency:
- Jason Moore [10:49]: “Mike Gillislee is one of the top running backs historically in fantasy terms, with over 300 yards rushing and a five-yard-per-carry average.”
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers on HBO's Hard Knocks: The feature is expected to boost visibility for key players like Tom Brady and Mike Evans, potentially affecting their fantasy value.
3. Detailed QB Rankings and Analysis
The core of the episode revolves around the hosts’ consensus QB rankings from number 13 onwards, offering in-depth analysis and rationale for each position.
Number 13: Blake Bortles
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Overview: A downgrade from previous seasons; concerns about consistency and team performance.
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Notable Quote:
- Andy Holloway [15:21]: “Blake Bortles is like Space Mountain—exciting but can leave you feeling queasy with unpredictable performances.”
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Prospects: Improved team strategies and potential additions could stabilize his performance, making him a viable streaming option.
Number 14: Marcus Mariota
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Overview: High potential with significant upside against weaker defenses; concerns about performance against top-tier defenses.
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Notable Quote:
- Jason Moore [22:26]: “Marcus Mariota can capitalize on poor defenses with his running ability, but his production drops against tougher teams.”
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Prospects: His rushing yards are a significant asset, but reliance on favorable matchups necessitates cautious usage.
Number 15: Andy Dalton
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Overview: Entering the season as a free agent with potential for positive regression in touchdowns; minimal team changes affecting his performance.
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Notable Quote:
- Andy Holloway [26:15]: “Andy Dalton was last season's top touchdown scorer despite throwing over 4,200 yards, indicating potential for improvement.”
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Prospects: With the return of key receivers and a stable offensive line, Dalton is poised for a rebound, making him a strong late-round target.
Number 16: Cam Newton
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Overview: Polarizing figure due to dependency on rushing stats; questions about sustainability and consistency.
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Notable Quote:
- Jason Moore [30:21]: “Cam Newton’s value is heavily reliant on his rushing ability, which has shown signs of decline.”
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Prospects: While his rushing remains valuable, diminishing efficiency in passing may limit his upside, positioning him as a high-risk, high-reward pick.
Number 17: Ben Roethlisberger
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Overview: Experienced quarterback with a history of top performances but plagued by injury concerns and inconsistent game-to-game performances.
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Notable Quote:
- Andy Holloway [34:00]: “Ben Roethlisberger is too inconsistent and injury-prone to be a reliable every-week starter in fantasy leagues.”
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Prospects: While capable of explosive games, his overall reliability makes him a less desirable option compared to other available QBs.
Number 18: Carson Palmer
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Overview: Struggles with touchdown production despite solid passing stats; potential for regression.
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Notable Quote:
- Jason Moore [43:49]: “Carson Palmer showed great volume but lacked efficiency in converting passes to touchdowns, akin to rookie struggles seen with other QBs.”
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Prospects: Unless Palmer can significantly improve his touchdown rate, his fantasy value remains questionable, relegating him to a late-round sleeper or streamer.
4. Additional QB Discussions
The hosts briefly touch on other quarterbacks, highlighting potential and concerns:
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Eli Manning: Considering his aging status and performance fluctuations, the outlook is mixed, with some potential upside if key targets like Brandon Marshall perform well.
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Ryan Tannehill: Viewed as a sleeper with the capability to improve, especially with continuity in the offensive system and returning receivers.
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Carson Wentz: Despite a stellar rookie passing volume, touchdown inefficiency mirrors Blake Bortles' rookie struggles, warranting cautious optimism.
5. Listener Mailbag and Interactive Segment
Listeners posed various questions regarding drafting strategies and player preferences:
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Home Team Bias: Discussed the impact of favoring players from one's hometown, with advice to balance personal preferences with strategic considerations to avoid undermining draft value.
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Trade Decisions: A listener debated trading high-value players for multiple assets. The hosts advised caution, emphasizing the importance of assessing long-term value and potential upside.
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Player Retention: Another question focused on choosing between retaining Tevin Coleman or Willie Snead, with the consensus leaning towards securing Coleman early to ensure ownership rather than waiting for later rounds.
Concluding Insights
The Fantasy Footballers emphasize the importance of:
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Late-Round QB Targets: Identifying QBs with high upside who can outperform their draft positions without compromising earlier picks on more reliable positions like running back and wide receiver.
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Streaming Strategy: Utilizing a diverse QB roster to capitalize on favorable matchups while mitigating risks associated with inconsistent performances.
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Balancing Personal Biases: Encouraging listeners to prioritize overall team strength and strategic value over personal affinities to optimize their fantasy lineups.
As draft day looms, the hosts remind listeners to leverage the strategies discussed to enhance their draft outcomes and secure championship runs.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Mike Wright [07:02]: “We are forwarding to it@footclanhelp.com for a personal plea to help out my aunt.”
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Andy Holloway [15:21]: “Blake Bortles is like Space Mountain—exciting but can leave you feeling queasy with unpredictable performances.”
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Jason Moore [22:26]: “Marcus Mariota can capitalize on poor defenses with his running ability, but his production drops against tougher teams.”
-
Andy Holloway [26:15]: “Andy Dalton was last season's top touchdown scorer despite throwing over 4,200 yards, indicating potential for improvement.”
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Jason Moore [30:21]: “Cam Newton’s value is heavily reliant on his rushing ability, which has shown signs of decline.”
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Andy Holloway [34:00]: “Ben Roethlisberger is too inconsistent and injury-prone to be a reliable every-week starter in fantasy leagues.”
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Jason Moore [43:49]: “Carson Palmer showed great volume but lacked efficiency in converting passes to touchdowns, akin to rookie struggles seen with other QBs.”
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for fantasy football managers seeking to navigate the QB landscape in the upcoming draft. By highlighting undervalued quarterbacks and providing strategic advice, The Fantasy Footballers equip their audience with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance their chances of fantasy success.
For more detailed analyses and fantasy insights, visit fantasyfootballers.com and join their vibrant community.