Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode - Post Hype Sleepers, AFC North Breakdown

Release Date: July 18, 2017

Introduction

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the intricacies of the AFC North division, explore post-hype sleepers for the upcoming fantasy football season, and discuss recent NFL news impacting fantasy rosters. The trio provides expert analysis, actionable advice, and engaging discussions tailored for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.

Post Hype Sleepers

The hosts begin by addressing a listener question from Kev White, focusing on identifying "post hype sleepers"—players who were highly touted in the previous season but underperformed, presenting potential value in the upcoming drafts.

• Jason Moore on Lamar Miller [03:15]:

  "I'm going back to one of My guys last year that I really liked, really liked his opportunity and his talent. It's Lamar Miller... he's guaranteed 250 carries and 30 receptions."

  Jason advocates for Lamar Miller, highlighting his consistent performance and potential rebound given his guaranteed workload. He emphasizes Miller's value as a third-round pick with substantial upside, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Deonta Foreman.

• Andy Holloway on Todd Gurley [04:40]:

  "Todd Gurley is my post type sleeper... he's already been in all these headlines, but number 15 in PPR leagues, number 20 in standard leagues on probably the worst season you could have ever imagined."

  Andy mirrors Jason's sentiment by recommending Todd Gurley as a prime post-hype sleeper. Despite his underwhelming performance last season, Gurley's proven talent and continued opportunity make him a valuable pick with significant upside.

• Mike Wright on Amir Abdullah [05:31]:

  "Amir Abdullah... Detroit did nothing, nothing to address the running back position except announce over the off season that Amir Abdullah is looking at a featured role."

  Mike highlights Amir Abdullah as a sleeper with the potential to exceed expectations, especially with the Lions' commitment to utilizing him in both rushing and receiving roles.

NFL News & Updates

The conversation shifts to recent NFL developments that could influence fantasy football strategies:

• Legal Issues Surrounding Ezekiel Elliott and Deonta Foreman [08:15 - 09:37]:

  • Andy Holloway: Reports Ezekiel Elliott's involvement in a late-night incident in Dallas, citing sources confirming the event (09:37).

  • Jason Moore: Expresses surprise and concern over legal implications for professional athletes ([09:49]).

  • Mike Wright: Discusses the timing and potential impact on Elliott's season, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding legal outcomes ([11:19]).

  The hosts deliberate the potential fantasy impact, noting that any suspension or legal trouble could significantly affect Elliott's availability and performance.

• Michael Floyd's Suspension and Panthers GM Firing [14:15 - 15:41]:

  • Andy Holloway: Announces Michael Floyd's four-game suspension for substance abuse policy violations and the firing of Panthers GM David Gettleman ([15:02]).

  • Jason Moore: Analyzes the implications for fantasy players, noting that while Gettleman's departure may not directly impact fantasy, it signals potential organizational changes ([15:40]).

  The discussion underscores the importance of keeping abreast of team management changes, as they can influence player roles and team dynamics.

• Chicago Bears Starting Mike Glennon [16:29 - 17:01]:

  • Andy Holloway: Shares the unusual decision by the Bears to start Mike Glennon for the entire season, sparking speculation about receiving options and quarterback play ([16:51]).

  The team considers how Glennon's playstyle could affect the distribution of receiving talent, potentially creating opportunities for wide receivers.

AFC North Breakdown

The core of the episode focuses on dissecting the AFC North teams, assessing player performances, roster changes, and fantasy implications.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Key Players and Changes [17:01 - 19:23]:

  • Jason Moore: Highlights the drafting of James Conner in the third round as a strategic move to secure depth at running back ([17:25]).

  • Andy Holloway: Discusses the Steelers' offensive strategy, noting their high rate of two-point conversions (32% of the time), which benefits players like Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown ([18:13]).

  • Mike Wright: Points out the potential holdout situation with Le'Veon Bell and its effect on the running back committee ([19:57]).

  The Steelers' offense remains robust with the addition of Juju Smith-Schuster and James Conner, while concerns linger over Bell's commitment and potential impact on the running game.

Baltimore Ravens

• Emerging Talent and Offensive Adjustments [25:52 - 31:02]:

  • Andy Holloway: Emphasizes the Ravens' balanced offensive approach, with 61% of plays being passes, leading the league in passing frequency ([25:56]).

  • Jason Moore: Advocates for players like Jeremy Macklin and Terrence West, noting their value as late-round picks with potential upside ([28:28]).

  • Mike Wright: Highlights Danny Woodhead's versatile role in the Ravens' offense, praising Joe Flacco's utilization of Woodhead in the passing game ([27:46]).

  The Ravens present several fantasy gems with their pass-heavy offense and the emergence of players like Macklin and Woodhead, who offer both rushing and receiving value.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Quarterback Play and Running Back Depth [31:02 - 37:05]:

  • Jason Moore: Focuses on Andy Dalton's potential as a reliable quarterback when paired with a strong receiving corps ([32:24]).

  • Andy Holloway: Analyzes the Bengals' running back situation, expressing concerns over Jeremy Hill's declining performance and the emergence of Joe Mixon ([35:42]).

  • Mike Wright: Discusses the strategic importance of tight ends like Tyler Ifert, advocating for their late-round value due to potential scarcity ([34:15]).

  The Bengals' fantasy outlook hinges on Dalton's performance and the running back duo of Mixon and Hill, with Mixon poised to take a more prominent role despite Hill's inconsistencies.

Cleveland Browns

• Quarterback Efficiency and Running Back Potential [37:05 - 44:14]:

  • Andy Holloway: Highlights the Browns' efficient rushing game, despite a low volume of attempts, and discusses the potential escalation of Isaiah Crowell's role ([38:06]).

  • Jason Moore: Evaluates quarterback options, citing Cody Kessler's efficiency but recognizing the instability at the position ([43:07]).

  • Mike Wright: Recommends targeting wide receiver Kenny Britt for his consistent performance, despite the uncertainty at quarterback ([43:30]).

  The Browns offer a mixed fantasy outlook, with strong rushing efficiency but limited opportunities. The quarterback situation remains fluid, making wide receivers like Britt more appealing in drafts.

Listener Questions

• Keenan Allen's Tier Ranking [46:35 - 48:08]:

  • Diego's Question: Concerns why Keenan Allen is ranked as a tier 5 player in standard formats despite his proven chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers ([45:55]).

  • Andy Holloway: Defends his ranking, emphasizing patience and potential with Keenan Allen's recovery and team dynamics ([46:36]).

  • Jason Moore: Argues that Allen's lack of touchdowns and average reception yards justify a lower tier in standard scoring ([47:45]).

  The hosts engage in a debate over Keenan Allen's value, balancing his consistent target share against his limited touchdown production in standard scoring leagues.

• Joining a Dynasty League for Free [48:41 - 49:32]:

  • Jake's Question: Seeks advice on joining a dynasty league without incurring fees.

  • Jason Moore: Suggests leveraging existing friendships or joining FootClanLeagues.com for community-driven dynasty options ([48:52]).

  The hosts provide practical solutions for listeners looking to enter dynasty leagues, emphasizing community and network-based approaches.

Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode

As the episode wraps up, the hosts preview the next installment, which will focus on the NFC North division, covering teams like the Packers, Lions, Vikings, and Bears. They also mention upcoming resources for listeners, including the Ultimate Draft Kit and Play Draft leagues.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Lamar Miller [03:15]:

  "He's guaranteed 250 carries and 30 receptions... He's got a safe floor, a good price in drafts, and he still has upside."

• Andy Holloway on Todd Gurley [04:40]:

  "Number 15 in PPR leagues, number 20 in standard leagues on probably the worst season you could have ever imagined or predicted for a player still played 16 games."

• Mike Wright on Amir Abdullah [05:31]:

  "You give me 1200 yards from scrimmage. That's absolutely fantastic."

• Jason Moore on Ezekiel Elliott [11:58]:

  "I think this is something that the NFL will take into consideration. When, you know, I didn't think he was going to be suspended."

• Andy Holloway on Steelers' Two-Point Conversions [18:13]:

  "32% of the time, they were going for two. That's good for you."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the AFC North, offering valuable insights into player performances, team strategies, and emerging fantasy football opportunities. Whether you're looking to identify undervalued players or stay updated on NFL news that could impact your roster, the Fantasy Footballers deliver expert advice with engaging discussions to help you dominate your fantasy league.

For more detailed discussions and continuous updates, visit thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @the_ffballers.