Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Explain Yourself! Ranking Debates & Hot Takes"

Release Date: May 18, 2017

Introduction

The Fantasy Footballers kick off their May 18, 2017 episode with their trademark blend of expert analysis and spirited debate. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive into early-season rankings, addressing discrepancies in their evaluations of key fantasy players. The episode is structured around the "Explain Yourself" segment, where each host defends their unique rankings against their co-hosts' perspectives.

Listener Question: Eddie Lacy vs. Paul Perkins vs. Amir Abdullah

The episode begins with a listener question from Tim Seaman, who inquires:

Tim Seaman (00:46): "Who will have a better fantasy football season this year, guys? Eddie Lacy, Paul Perkins, or Amir Abdullah?"

Mike Wright advocates for Amir Abdullah, emphasizing his role as a starter for the Detroit Lions and his potential as an electric playmaker:

Mike Wright (03:13): "I'm still buying into Amir Abdullah because I'm buying into a second-round talent... Abdullah excels at that, too."

Andy Holloway concurs, supporting Abdullah while also highlighting Eddie Lacy’s strengths:

Andy Holloway (04:11): "I feel like the Lions still trust Amir Abdullah... Eddie Lacy has been productive and was good last season."

Jason Moore also backs Abdullah, citing his reliability despite occasional injuries:

Jason Moore (06:00): "Amir Abdullah is the answer."

The consensus among the hosts leans towards Amir Abdullah as the superior fantasy option among the three.

Listener Review

A heartfelt review from go Falcons 99 praises the podcast's impact:

go Falcons 99 (07:40): "After finishing seventh my first year, I found this podcast. This past season I jumped from seventh to first."

The hosts express gratitude, reinforcing their commitment to delivering valuable fantasy insights.

News and Notes

The hosts briefly touch upon significant NFL updates:

1. LeGarrett Blunt's Signing:

   Andy Holloway (09:10): Discusses Blunt's move to the Philadelphia Eagles and the likely release of Ryan Matthews.

   Mike Wright (10:30): Notes Matthews' productivity and injury concerns, supporting the Blunt signing as a strategic move.

2. NFL Rule Changes:

   Jason Moore (12:12): Mentions the addition of a second IR spot and overtime reduction from 15 to 10 minutes for player safety.

Explain Yourself Segment

This core segment delves into the hosts' differing rankings on various players. Each discrepancy is dissected with detailed arguments and statistical backing.

1. Big Ben Dos (Ben Roethlisberger)

Mike Wright (13:56):
Ranks Big Ben at number six, attributing his high placement to his consistent touchdown potential, especially when paired with Martavis Bryant.

Mike Wright (16:31): "Martavis Bryant is a special player... He raises Big Ben's ceiling."

Andy Holloway (16:45):
Positions Big Ben lower, criticizing his inconsistent performance and dependency on Bryant.

Andy Holloway (17:37): "Big Ben has played 13 seasons. Only nine times in those 13 he wasn't even a backup quarterback."

Jason Moore (16:54):
Supports Wright’s view but emphasizes the risk associated with Bryant's involvement.

Jason Moore (17:00): "I love Big Ben as a streaming quarterback when he's at home, but you mix the risk of Martavis Bryant."

Conclusion:
While Mike and Jason see Big Ben leveraging Bryant's presence to boost his fantasy value, Andy remains skeptical about his overall reliability.

2. Christian McCaffrey

Jason Moore (19:45):
Ranks McCaffrey at number 25, highlighting concerns about Carolina's offensive line and target distribution.

Jason Moore (20:30): "Christian McCaffrey is all the rage right now... but his skill set is matched with the poorest team."

Andy Holloway (21:17):
Rates McCaffrey at number 25, focusing on the Panthers' limited passing game potential, projecting him for 40 receptions.

Andy Holloway (22:20): "I gave Christian McCaffrey 40 receptions next year... Carolina only had 32 receptions for all running backs last year."

Mike Wright (24:32):
Supports a conservative outlook, citing the Browns' offensive struggles as a dampener on McCaffrey's usage.

Mike Wright (24:18): "The contract extension was not more so that they're rewarding Jonathan Stewart."

Conclusion:
All hosts agree on McCaffrey's talent but express reservations based on team dynamics, leading to a more conservative ranking.

3. Brandon Marshall

Jason Moore (26:27):
Ranks Marshall at number 17, praising his consistent performance and potential in New York's offense.

Jason Moore (26:46): "He has the skill set to kick million studs... robust touchdown potential."

Andy Holloway (30:30):
Evaluates Marshall lower due to target competition with Odell Beckham Jr., questioning his reception and touchdown numbers.

Andy Holloway (30:08): "67 receptions, 832 yards, and seven and a half touchdowns."

Mike Wright (28:40):
Highlights the challenge of balancing targets between Marshall and Beckham, expressing uncertainty about Marshall surpassing 100 targets.

Mike Wright (28:43): "Is there enough to go around to get Marshall up over that hundred threshold?"

Conclusion:
Jason remains optimistic about Marshall's role and production, while Andy and Mike are cautious due to the offensive target distribution.

4. Corey Coleman

Jason Moore (31:24):
Ranks Coleman at number 26, valuing his potential as Cleveland's primary receiver if he secures the top spot.

Jason Moore (31:52): "He can see more than that. It's a... I feel like they're seeing what's Le'Veon Bell doing."

Andy Holloway (31:45):
Places Coleman at number 44, recognizing his talent but concerned about the Browns' quarterback situation and overall offensive strategy.

Andy Holloway (32:04): "I expect him to be the number one wide receiver for the Browns."

Mike Wright (33:44):
Highly skeptical, ranking Coleman at number 61, doubting the Browns' offensive direction and Coleman's usage.

Mike Wright (34:09): "I don't think it's the year for me for Corey Coleman, possibly next year."

Conclusion:
Jason sees Coleman as a high-upside player in Cleveland's evolving offense, while Andy and Mike adopt more modest and cautious stances due to external factors impacting Coleman’s performance.

5. Terrell Pryor

Jason Moore (45:11):
Ranks Pryor low, due to concerns about his transition to Washington's offense and the presence of established receivers.

Jason Moore (45:55): "Terrell Pryor... can you say more than three receptions and a little more than 50 yards for 0.1 touchdowns per game?"

Andy Holloway (45:30):
Places Pryor at number 20, despite recognizing the potential, remains doubtful about his target volume in a crowded receiving corps.

Andy Holloway (50:04): "If you can't promise me 120 plus targets, you're not going to be able to wide receiver too."

Mike Wright (46:34):
Supports Andy’s skepticism, emphasizing Washington's quarterback and offensive challenges that could limit Pryor’s effectiveness.

Mike Wright (48:43): "Terrell Pryor is a very good player... he had more than Zeke last year."

Conclusion:
All hosts express concerns about Pryor's high ranking prospects in Washington's offense, with combined skepticism leading to lower positional expectations.

6. Devonte Parker

Jason Moore (52:10):
Ranks Parker at number 29, citing his growth in the Miami Dolphins' offense and potential as a reliable target for Ryan Tannehill.

Jason Moore (52:07): "I have him in the 68 catch range for about 1000 yards... Devonte Parker is already a high draft capital guy."

Andy Holloway (52:04):
Ranks Parker at number 48, considering the Dolphins' offensive shifts and Jarvis Landry’s continued dominance in target distribution.

Andy Holloway (54:53): "You're going to need that [120+ targets], according to my projections."

Mike Wright (53:16):
Expresses doubt about an explosive year for Parker, highlighting the Dolphins' run-first approach and target competition with established receivers.

Mike Wright (56:50): "Jarvis Landry is still going to command a bunch of targets... He can't score a ton just like other players."

Conclusion:
Jason is optimistic about Parker's upward trajectory given the Dolphins' offensive investments, while Andy and Mike maintain a conservative outlook due to internal offensive dynamics.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by reiterating the value of their Ultimate Draft Kit, emphasizing its comprehensive, regularly updated nature that surpasses static publications. They encourage listeners to visit [ultimate draft kit.com](http://ultimate draftkit.com) to access detailed rankings, projections, and player profile videos that encapsulate the depth of their discussions.

Jason Moore (55:18):

"You can find the rankings on the website... 100 plus player profile videos where we break down... your checklist for draft day."

Mike Wright (35:30):

"Pristine Auction... the best sports memorabilia site in the known universe."

The episode concludes with the hosts highlighting their collaborative approach to consensus rankings, fostering a balanced yet dynamic perspective essential for fantasy football success.

Key Takeaways

• Amir Abdullah is favored over Eddie Lacy and Paul Perkins for his role and potential impact.
• The Ultimate Draft Kit is a valuable resource for fantasy managers seeking up-to-date rankings and projections.
• Discrepancies in player rankings among the hosts highlight the nuanced considerations essential in fantasy football decision-making.
• Team dynamics, offensive strategies, and player roles significantly influence fantasy projections, as evidenced in debates over players like Big Ben Dos, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Marshall.

For more insights and detailed rankings, visit fantasy footballers.com and follow the hosts on Twitter @ffballers.