Fantasy Football Podcast 2017 - Early WR Rankings Part 2 Summary

Release Date: April 6, 2017

I. Introduction

In this episode of Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the latest developments in the fantasy football landscape, with a particular focus on early wide receiver (WR) rankings. Skipping over promotional segments, the trio concentrates on providing in-depth analysis and actionable insights to help listeners optimize their fantasy teams.

II. Marshawn Lynch’s Potential Return to the Raiders

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the tantalizing news of Marshawn Lynch potentially returning to the Oakland Raiders. The discussion begins around the [03:40] mark when Andy Holloway shares breaking news about Lynch’s visit to the Raiders following discussions with the Seattle Seahawks' management.

• Andy Holloway expresses strong confidence in Lynch’s return:

  "Marshawn Lynch is going to come back and play for the Raiders." [05:27]

• Jason Moore debates the certainty of Lynch's return, ultimately stating:

  "I believe Marshawn Lynch will sign with the Raiders." [05:56]

• Mike Wright analyzes the strategic advantages for the Raiders in securing Lynch before the draft, emphasizing the potential boost to their running back (RB) position:

  "Oakland would definitely prefer to sign him before the draft so that they can... add a legitimate impact player this year and help the team." [06:18]

The hosts discuss the implications of Lynch's return on both the Raiders' performance and fantasy football strategies, noting his age and past performance metrics. They consider the likelihood of Lynch becoming a solid RB with RB1 potential, contingent on his health and usage within the Raiders' offensive scheme.

III. Early Wide Receiver Rankings Part 2

Following the discussion on Lynch, the hosts transition to their primary focus: early wide receiver rankings. Covering WRs ranked #11 through #20, each player is examined for their fantasy potential, consistency, and draft value.

1. #11 Doug Baldwin

• Andy Holloway praises Baldwin's historical performance and rapport with quarterback Russell Wilson:

  "He is the clear number one target for Russell Wilson..." [21:05]

• Mike Wright highlights Baldwin’s inconsistency despite past successes:

  "He is very, very inconsistent." [22:20]

Baldwin is recognized for his high upside and potential to be a top-tier WR, though his volatility raises concerns about reliability.

2. #12 Demarius Thomas

• Andy Holloway considers Thomas a valuable pick due to his past performance and longevity:

  "Demarius Thomas is going to be one of the best values in fantasy football this year." [24:49]

• Jason Moore notes the potential in Thomas's yardage despite fluctuating touchdowns:

  "If Demarius is going in the fourth round, then I'm all on board with getting Demarius." [26:16]

Thomas is viewed as a consistent WR2 option with significant yardage potential, especially if the Denver offense improves.

3. #13 Larry Fitzgerald

• Mike Wright commends Fitzgerald for leading in receptions and his enduring excellence:

  "He led 107 receptions. This is his going out campaign as well." [30:10]

• Jason Moore emphasizes Fitzgerald's PPR (points per reception) value, despite touchdown variability:

  "You cannot bank on, well, I'm going to get 10 touchdowns from Larry Fitzgerald. You're probably not." [30:00]

Fitzgerald is considered a reliable PPR asset, though his touchdown ceiling may not match his reception totals.

4. #14 Allen Robinson

• Andy Holloway expresses cautious optimism about Robinson’s potential bounce-back:

  "I'm projecting his point totals, I'm probably putting him between 1100 yards, maybe a little over a thousand to 1100 yards." [34:34]

• Jason Moore critiques the lack of improvement and consistency from Robinson:

  "The narrative is that efficiency number. The truth lies somewhere in the middle." [34:02]

Robinson remains a high-upside option if Jacksonville's offense stabilizes, but concerns about his health and efficiency persist.

5. #15 Michael Crabtree

• Andy Holloway lauds Crabtree’s improved performance and rapport with quarterback Derek Carr:

  "He was tied for fourth in red zone targets with 21. He was ninth in total receptions." [37:52]

• Mike Wright focuses on Crabtree’s consistent red-zone usage as a key fantasy asset:

  "He has extreme potential, great upside, but he actually goes deep, unlike Keenan Allen." [56:42]

Crabtree is regarded as a solid WR2 with dependable targets and touchdown opportunities, making him a valuable mid-round pick.

6. #16 Devonte Adams

• Jason Moore reinforces Adams's strong connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers:

  "Aaron Rodgers can sustain two high-level wide receivers... Devonte Adams the wide receiver 8." [41:03]

• Mike Wright appreciates Adams’s touchdown potential:

  "He is just a touchdown machine." [40:38]

Adams is highlighted for his high touchdown ceiling and role within the Packers’ offense, positioning him as a high-value WR in standard leagues.

7. #17 Alshon Jeffery

• Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about Jeffery’s recent performance and health:

  "Jason is telling us it's time to pump the brakes on Alshon Jeffery hype." [47:17]

• Mike Wright underscores the inconsistency in Jeffery’s touchdown production:

  "He is a good wide receiver, you know, but I think it's more gloss on the name than it is fantasy production." [47:56]

Jeffery is viewed as a WR with significant potential if healthy, but recent injuries and inconsistent usage dampen his appeal.

8. #18 Jarvis Landry

• Mike Wright acknowledges Landry’s consistency in PPR formats but notes his drop in standard league performance:

  "He is a PPR type of player, certainly. And this was in standard leagues." [51:36]

• Jason Moore points out Landry’s fluctuating reception numbers:

  "He has extreme potential, great upside, but he actually goes deep, unlike Keenan Allen." [56:42]

Landry remains a dependable option in PPR leagues, though his standard league value may be less impressive due to lower touchdown totals.

9. #19 Keenan Allen

• Andy Holloway criticizes Allen’s injury history and questions his reliability:

  "He played half of football... he won't end up on my team because of the draft position." [52:58]

• Jason Moore defends Allen’s talent but acknowledges his injury risks:

  "He is extremely talented... but that's where I just don't think that's gonna happen." [55:53]

Allen is considered a high-risk, high-reward pick due to his exceptional talent offset by significant injury concerns.

10. #20 Sammy Watkins

• Mike Wright discusses Watkins’ deep-ball potential but highlights his dependency on being the primary target:

  "He has extreme potential, great upside, but he actually goes deep." [56:42]

• Andy Holloway critiques Watkins’ lack of recent production and injury history:

  "He was 89th last year. Jason... he's right, barely helped users." [52:47]

Watkins is viewed as a WR with significant upside in big-play scenarios but plagued by inconsistency and limited usage.

IV. Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts emphasizing the depth of the wide receiver position and the importance of tier-based drafting. They encourage listeners to utilize their draft kits available at ultimate draft kit.com for comprehensive WR analysis. The hosts also briefly touch upon their rankings from #21 to #30, mentioning notable names like Emmanuel Sanders, Brandon Cooks, and others.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway: "Marshawn Lynch is going to come back and play for the Raiders." [05:27]
• Mike Wright: "He is very, very inconsistent." [22:20]
• Jason Moore: "He is just a touchdown machine." [40:38]

Overall, the episode provides a thorough examination of emerging wide receivers, offering listeners strategic insights to enhance their fantasy football drafts and team management.

Remember: For more detailed rankings and analysis, visit fantasyfootballers.com and join the community at jointhefoot.com.