Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "The TRUTH About Fantasy TE's in 2016"

Episode Overview Released on January 26, 2017, the Fantasy Footballers Podcast episode titled "The TRUTH About Fantasy TE's in 2016" delves deep into the performance and future prospects of tight ends in fantasy football. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, joined by NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickinson, analyze the inconsistencies of tight end performances in the previous season and offer insights and strategies for the upcoming 2017 fantasy football season.

1. Breakout and Return-to-Form Candidates for 2017

Key Discussion Points:

• Alan Robinson: Andy Holloway anticipates a bounce-back season due to previously low expectations.
• Sammy Watkins: Eric Dickinson highlights Watkins as a return-to-form candidate, assuming he remains healthy.
• Jordan Matthews: Mike Wright suggests Matthews could be a valuable draft-day pick, emphasizing his potential despite a subdued previous season.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [02:51]: "I think he has a chance to come back, certainly have a better year than this past year."
• Eric Dickinson [03:49]: "I'm going with Sammy Watkins... I believe Watkins is going to assume health at this point in time."
• Mike Wright [04:45]: "Jordan Matthews... he has a skill set that can grow and he was one of those guys where... he could end up being a draft day value."

2. The Truth About Fantasy Tight Ends in 2016

Key Discussion Points:

• Inconsistency in TE Performances: The hosts discuss the lack of consistent top performers at the tight end position during the 2016 season.
• Historical Comparisons: Compared to other positions like quarterbacks and wide receivers, tight ends failed to deliver consistent performances, making them unreliable for fantasy drafts.
• Impact of Quarterback Play: The performance of tight ends was significantly influenced by the quarterbacks they played with, leading to fluctuations in their fantasy output.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [07:34]: "There were truly no elite great tight ends this year."
• Eric Dickinson [09:58]: "They haven't had at least two complete bust games as defined by not finishing in the top 21 at the position."
• Andy Holloway [10:25]: "There was not one single guy who really did take the cake."

3. Top Performing Tight Ends in 2016

Key Discussion Points:

• Travis Kelce: Ranked as the top tight end, Kelce showcased consistency with 1,125 yards and four touchdowns.
• Kyle Rudolph: Trailed Kelce as the second tight end, noted for his consistency and high target volume.
• Greg Olson: Despite team struggles, Olson maintained consistency, bolstering his fantasy value.
• Jimmy Graham & Zach Ertz: Discussed their fluctuations and potential for the next season.
• Other Notables: Cameron Brait, Martellus Bennett, and Jordan Reed's performances and their fantasy implications.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [12:02]: "Kyle Rudolph... was probably your best spent tight end pick this year."
• Eric Dickinson [12:55]: "Travis Kelsey had a very good year..."
• Mike Wright [16:04]: "Greg Olson was not consistent, but he was more consistent than the other tight ends."

4. Strategies for 2017: Streaming vs. Drafting High

Key Discussion Points:

• Streaming Tight Ends: Emphasized as a superior strategy over drafting high due to the inconsistencies highlighted in the 2016 season.
• Draft Capital: Advising against spending early picks on tight ends, recommending instead to utilize waiver wires for matchups.
• Player Reliability: Suggesting that streaming allows for greater flexibility and minimizes the risk associated with unreliable tight ends.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [18:35]: "I'm going to spend my third to last pick on a tight end streaming the position."
• Eric Dickinson [19:32]: "It's more fun to hit on that guy late in the draft with nothing on the line than it is to draft Travis Kelsey in the third round."
• Andy Holloway [20:43]: "Praying to stream the position... you will do better."

5. Specific Player Evaluations and Projections

Travis Kelce [07:31 - 12:55]:

• Performance: Achieved 1,125 yards, four touchdowns, and maintained high consistency.
• Projection: Expected to remain a top tight end in 2017, contingent on maintaining his role and performance.

Kyle Rudolph [12:02 - 15:10]:

• Performance: Recorded 840 yards and eight touchdowns with 132 targets.
• Projection: Dependent on the Vikings' quarterback situation, Rudolph remains a valuable asset if Sam Bradford continues as QB.

Greg Olson [16:37 - 18:32]:

• Performance: Despite team issues, Olson was one of the more consistent tight ends.
• Projection: Expected to maintain or slightly improve his performance, though drafting him high may not be advisable.

Jimmy Graham [23:36 - 26:23]:

• Performance: Returned from a severe injury with moderate success, averaging 14 yards per reception.
• Projection: Seen as a top-four tight end for 2017, but too high to draft early, better picked in middle rounds.

Zach Ertz [30:41 - 32:53]:

• Performance: Showed late-season strength after returning from injury, leading in receptions per game.
• Projection: Valued as a high-round flyer due to his talent and potential for big game performances.

Cameron Brait & Martellus Bennett [33:34 - 37:34]:

• Performance: Brait emerged as a secondary target, while Bennett showcased high efficiency but lacked consistency.
• Projection: Brait considered a waiver wire candidate, Bennett viewed as unreliable and better avoided.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [24:10]: "Jimmy Graham, it is good to have you back, my friend."
• Andy Holloway [26:23]: "I expect Jimmy Graham to finish as a top four tight end next year."
• Eric Dickinson [32:14]: "I want Zach Ertz on my roster if he's affordable."

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid Early TE Draft Picks: Due to the lack of consistent top performers, it's advisable to wait and utilize the waiver wire for tight end needs.
• Emphasize Streaming: Adopting a streaming strategy allows managers to capitalize on weekly matchups without being tethered to an unreliable TE.
• Monitor Quarterback Situations: The performance of tight ends is closely linked to their quarterbacks; staying updated on QB developments is crucial.
• Target High-Upside Players Late in Drafts: Players like Zach Ertz and Jimmy Graham offer potential for significant contributions without requiring early draft investment.

Final Remarks: The hosts unanimously agree that the tight end position in 2016 was subpar in terms of fantasy reliability. For the 2017 season, the recommended approach is to avoid investing heavily in tight ends during drafts and instead focus on streaming based on weekly matchups. This strategy minimizes risk and maximizes potential returns by leveraging the unpredictable nature of tight end performances.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [41:00]: "I'm going for that first place finish because this year the top six were an aberration."
• Eric Dickinson [41:57]: "If you stream off of waivers, you will do better than just taking one of these guys."

Closing Thoughts This episode serves as a comprehensive analysis of the tight end position's challenges in 2016 and provides strategic insights for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to navigate the 2017 season successfully. By highlighting individual player performances and advocating for flexible roster management, the Fantasy Footballers equip listeners with the knowledge to optimize their fantasy teams.