Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2017 - First Round Busts + Saturday Surprises Release Date: July 8, 2017

The Fantasy Footballers hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the intricacies of fantasy football in their July 8, 2017 episode titled "First Round Busts + Saturday Surprises." This comprehensive summary captures the episode's key discussions, listener interactions, and expert insights, providing valuable takeaways for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway welcoming listeners to the Saturday edition of the podcast, expressing excitement about the upcoming fantasy football season. Despite being early July, the hosts anticipate the fantasy season's commencement and set the stage for a discussion centered around potential first-round busts.

2. Identifying Potential First-Round Busts

Main Topic: Which Round One ADP (Average Draft Position) Player Has the Biggest Chance of Being a Bust in 2017?

Key Discussion Points:

• Jason Moore's Insight on Melvin Gordon (02:10 – 05:00):

  • Bust Candidate: Melvin Gordon, a first-round running back.
  • Rationale: Despite Gordon's impressive jump from zero touchdowns in his rookie year to 12 in his sophomore season, Jason highlights concerns about his efficiency and the potential regression in touchdown numbers due to the return of teammate Brandon Oliver (Bo).
  • Quote: "Melvin Gordon is a workhorse. He proved he can do it in the running game, in the passing game" (04:55).

• Alternative Bust Candidate: Mike Evans (05:00 – 07:16):

  • Rationale: Evans showed high target volumes in the previous season but faced challenges such as increased competition for targets with the rise of Chris Godwin and the return of the running game.
  • Quote: "Mike Evans had one top ten performance over the last eight weeks of last year. The only target in town ended the year with 173 targets" (06:50).

Conclusion: Both Gordon and Evans present legitimate bust potentials in the first round due to efficiency concerns and changing team dynamics.

3. Listener Reviews and Feedback

Segment: Reviewasaurus

• Listener Highlight: A review from PNB emphasizes the podcast's effectiveness in helping listeners win championships.
  • Quote: "After playing fantasy football with no championships for 10 years, I started listening to the footballers two years ago and immediately won my first championship in a very competitive 20 team league" (09:07).

This segment underscores the podcast's impact and the value listeners derive from their expert advice.

4. Mailbag: Listener Questions Answered

Listener Question 1: Streaming Quarterback Strategy

• Timestamp: [10:58 – 12:42]
• Question: Who are the top streaming quarterbacks for 10-12 team leagues?
• Discussion:
  • Andy: Recommends quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, Eli Dalton, and Tyrod Taylor as viable streaming options in the mid-to-late rounds.
  • Jason: Emphasizes flexibility, noting that over 40 quarterbacks become viable streamers each season, making it impractical to rely on a single individual.

Listener Question 2: Half-Point PPR for Wide Receivers

• Timestamp: [12:42 – 15:43]
• Question: Should a league adopt half-point per reception (PPR) for wide receivers while keeping full points for other positions?
• Discussion:
  • Jason: Advises against unique scoring systems that deviate from standard formats, as it complicates advice and rankings from external sources.
  • Andy: Agrees, suggesting that standard scoring facilitates better alignment with available advice and media content.

Listener Question 3: Drafting Multiple Running Backs Early

• Timestamp: [22:27 – 24:42]
• Question: Is it wrong to draft three running backs in the first three rounds?
• Discussion:
  • Andy: Declares it not wrong but unnecessary, recommending flexibility by targeting value running backs in later rounds.
  • Jason: Highlights the advantage of capitalizing on late-round running backs like Rob Kelly and Theo Riddick, who can provide consistent contributions.

Listener Question 4: Best Wide Receiver on a Bad Team

• Timestamp: [26:01 – 31:40]
• Question: Which wide receiver on a bad team will have the most fantasy points in 2017?
• Discussion:
  • Andy: Favors Corey Coleman for his upside and potential, despite health concerns.
  • Jason: Supports Corey Coleman, noting his low ownership rate and high touchdown potential, making him a valuable asset despite associated risks.

Listener Question 5: Bench Spots and Drafting Multiple QBs or TEs

• Timestamp: [34:31 – 36:17]
• Question: Should deep bench spots influence the decision to draft a second quarterback or tight end?
• Discussion:
  • Jason: Recommends focusing on high-value positions like running backs and wide receivers over drafting multiple quarterbacks or tight ends, unless the league structure specifically rewards it.
  • Andy: Adds that stacking elite quarterbacks is advantageous but cautions against overcommitting to positions that don't require multiple starters.

Listener Question 6: Selling High on Antonio Brown in Dynasty Leagues

• Timestamp: [37:22 – 38:41]
• Question: When is the best time to sell high on Antonio Brown, considering Big Ben's potential retirement?
• Discussion:
  • Jason: Suggests selling high mid-season if Brown remains productive, emphasizing the premium value he holds despite potential future uncertainties.
  • Andy: Agrees, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on Brown's current performance while mitigating future risks.

5. Sponsor Highlights and Promotions

While the episode contains promotional segments for sponsors like Pristine Auction and PlayDraft, these segments are primarily advertising and do not contribute to the episode's core content on fantasy football strategies and insights.

6. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with their platforms, including their website and social media channels. They also tease upcoming content and episodes, maintaining a connection with their audience and setting the stage for future discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jason Moore on Melvin Gordon's Bust Potential:

  "Melvin Gordon is a workhorse. He proved he can do it in the running game, in the passing game" (04:55).

• Jason Moore on Mike Evans' Efficiency:

  "Mike Evans had one top ten performance over the last eight weeks of last year" (06:50).

• Listener Review Highlight:

  "This podcast is the difference between barely making the playoffs and winning the hashtag Foot Clan title" (09:30).

Key Takeaways

1. Running Backs in Early Rounds: While securing reliable running backs early can provide a strong foundation, flexibility in drafting allows managers to exploit value in later rounds, particularly with emerging talents.

2. Quarterback Streaming: Adopting a streaming strategy for quarterbacks can be effective, especially in standard scoring leagues, but requires active management and flexibility.

3. Scoring Systems: Maintaining standard scoring systems is advisable to align with widely available advice and rankings, ensuring consistency and reliability in draft strategies.

4. Handling Busts and Upside: Identifying potential busts like Melvin Gordon and Mike Evans helps managers mitigate risks, while targeting players with high upside, such as Corey Coleman, can provide significant returns.

5. Bench Management: Prioritizing depth in high-value positions over drafting multiple players in positions like quarterback or tight end can enhance overall team performance.

6. Dynasty League Decisions: Making informed decisions about trading or selling high on marquee players like Antonio Brown can optimize long-term team success in dynasty formats.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers a blend of strategic insights, risk assessment, and practical advice, empowering fantasy managers to make informed decisions as they prepare for the upcoming season.