Fantasy Football Podcast Episode Summary: "The TRUTH About Fantasy QB's in 2016"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
• Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
• Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2017 - The TRUTH About Fantasy QB's in 2016
• Release Date: January 24, 2017

Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode begins with a casual discussion among the hosts and guest David Johnson, a running back for the Arizona Cardinals, who joins the conversation from Nashville, Tennessee ([00:00]-[01:37]). They set the date as January 18th, nearing the Super Bowl, and briefly touch upon the anticipation surrounding the championship game.

Weekend Game Highlights and MVP Discussions

Super Bowl Implications and Key Games: David Johnson and Andy Holloway initiate the discussion by reflecting on the recent Steelers vs. Patriots game, highlighting Tom Brady's hallmark performance:

• David Johnson ([02:25]-[02:45]): Praises Brady’s ability, stating, "That's why he's Tom Brady."
• Andy Holloway ([02:48]-[03:06]): Emphasizes the significance of Brady’s leadership, "And the Patriots have another chance now. A fifth Super Bowl."

MVP Candidates: Rodgers vs. Ryan: The conversation shifts to Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan as the season's standout quarterbacks:

• Andy Holloway ([03:06]-[03:53]): Rodgers is lauded for his consistency and performance, noting, "He had six top two performances over the year."
• Jason Moore ([03:53]-[04:26]): Discusses Matt Ryan's MVP potential, considering his statistics and the offensive line's impact.

Player Analysis and Rankings

Aaron Rodgers: The Consistent Performer The hosts delve deep into Aaron Rodgers' performance over the past years, establishing him as a fantasy football cornerstone:

• David Johnson ([11:45]-[12:15]): Reviews Rodgers’ historical rankings, illustrating his consistent top-tier finishes.
• Andy Holloway ([12:04]-[13:14]): Highlights Rodgers' 2016 season stats: "40 touchdowns, 4400 yards, four rushing touchdowns," and his high consistency with "12 top 10 performances out of 16 games."

Matt Ryan: MVP but Potential Regression Matt Ryan's impressive 2016 season is analyzed, balancing his high performance against possible future regression:

• Jason Moore ([16:39]-[17:06]): Considers the potential impact of offensive coordinator changes on Ryan’s future performance.
• Andy Holloway ([17:46]-[19:02]): Despite acknowledging possible regression, he maintains Ryan’s high ranking due to improved team personnel and offensive dynamics.

Drew Brees: Stable yet Overlooked Drew Brees is recognized for maintaining high performance despite challenges:

• David Johnson ([23:30]-[24:12]): Comments on Brees' stable rankings despite team changes, "There’s no third best quarterback."
• Jason Moore ([23:13]-[24:12]): Points out Brees' consistency, emphasizing his reliable yardage and touchdown rates.

Andrew Luck: Rising Star with Caution Andrew Luck is positioned as a high-potential quarterback with strategic drafting considerations:

• Andy Holloway ([25:22]-[26:00]): Endorses Luck’s value, suggesting drafting him in the fifth round due to his affordability and potential.
• Jason Moore ([25:15]-[26:00]): Expresses optimism about Luck’s future performance, aligning with Luck’s increasing role and team improvement.

Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott: Value Picks The hosts discuss Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott as undervalued quarterbacks with solid performances:

• Jason Moore ([29:40]-[30:22]): Defends Cousins’ fantasy value despite public skepticism, highlighting his late-round availability.
• Andy Holloway ([32:05]-[33:33]): Advocates for Prescott’s consistency and potential, forecasting his rise with continued team enhancements.

Matthew Stafford and Tyrod Taylor: Inconsistent Yet Valuable Matthew Stafford and Tyrod Taylor are examined for their fluctuating performances and future prospects:

• Andy Holloway ([34:00]-[36:03]): Analyzes Stafford’s season impacted by injuries, suggesting potential for high value next year.
• Jason Moore ([34:00]-[36:03]): Acknowledges Stafford’s volatility but emphasizes his raw talent and future upside.

Blake Bortles and Russell Wilson: High Risk, High Reward Blake Bortles and Russell Wilson are critiqued for their inconsistent performances:

• Andy Holloway ([37:20]-[39:21]): Questions Bortles’ reliability, citing his lower performance against top defenses.
• Jason Moore ([40:43]-[42:44]): Discusses Wilson’s split performance, recognizing his potential but cautioning against early drafting.

Specific Player Insights

Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota: Emerging Talents

• Andy Holloway ([44:43]-[48:24]): Evaluates Derek Carr’s growth and Marcus Mariota’s consistency, suggesting cautious optimism for their futures.
• Jason Moore ([45:36]-[48:24]): Highlights Carr’s steady improvement and Mariota’s potential with better offensive support.

Tom Brady: Veteran Reliability Tom Brady’s role as a dependable yet potentially high-drafted quarterback is debated:

• Andy Holloway ([50:31]-[52:07]): Analyzes Brady’s performance with and without Rob Gronkowski, concluding his reliability doesn’t drastically change without him.
• David Johnson ([51:18]-[51:47]): Considers Brady’s high draft cost relative to potential performance, favoring Matt Ryan if available at a similar price.

Draft Strategies and Recommendations

Late-Round Quarterbacks: Maximizing Value The hosts advocate for targeting quarterbacks in the later rounds to maximize draft efficiency:

• Andy Holloway ([06:49]-[15:19]): Encourages drafting elite quarterbacks like Rodgers and Brady in later rounds to prioritize other positions early.
• Jason Moore ([10:10]-[15:19]): Emphasizes the replaceable nature of quarterbacks, recommending late-round pickups to balance team composition.

Balancing Consistency and Potential: Strategies revolve around selecting quarterbacks who offer both reliability and upside without compromising draft picks needed for other key positions:

• David Johnson ([25:04]-[26:00]): Suggests targeting quarterbacks like Andrew Luck who offer high performance at a reasonable draft cost.
• Jason Moore ([30:22]-[33:33]): Advocates for selecting quarterbacks based on both past consistency and future potential, emphasizing adaptability to team changes.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate their draft philosophies, emphasizing the importance of quarterback selection in later rounds to maintain a balanced and competitive fantasy team:

• Andy Holloway ([53:44]-[55:20]): Summarizes key takeaways, recommending research and strategic drafting to capitalize on quarterback performances.
• Jason Moore ([55:00]-[55:13]): Encourages listeners to engage with their online community for ongoing support and insights.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prioritize Consistency and Value: Elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan provide reliable performance and should be considered high-value picks in later rounds.
2. Late-Round Strategy: Select quarterbacks in the later rounds to free up early picks for more versatile and high-impact positions like running backs and wide receivers.
3. Assess Team Dynamics: Consider team improvements, offensive line strength, and supporting cast when evaluating quarterback potential for the upcoming season.
4. Monitor Player Health and Team Changes: Injuries and coaching staff alterations significantly impact quarterback performance and fantasy value.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway ([03:06]): "That's why he's Tom Brady."
• Jason Moore ([08:22]): "Every quarterback throws touchdowns. Every quarterback can throw for over 200 yards."
• David Johnson ([19:06]): "I will go on record and say he is a top five quarterback and that's fine."
• Andy Holloway ([51:07]): "I'll take it. Depends on how far I can get Matt Ryan to drop."

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