Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2017 - Zeke Troubles, Fantasy Answers + Best Ball Bonanza
Release Date: July 15, 2017
In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the latest fantasy football developments, address listener questions, and introduce exciting new segments tailored for fantasy enthusiasts. The episode is structured into several key sections: Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Rumors, Listener Stories, Mailbag Q&A, and a special feature on Best Ball Bonanza.
Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Rumors
The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about Ezekiel Elliott's potential suspension, a topic stirring much uncertainty among fantasy owners. The hosts dissect recent reports, including a statement from Adam Schefter suggesting Elliott might be facing disciplinary action.
Brooks raises the critical question:
"How many games does he have to be suspended for you to adjust him in your rankings from where you have him right now?" (03:20)
Mike Wright responds thoughtfully:
"I'll say two games. I would not move them at all. Three games. I will drop him past the top three wide receivers. Four games. Then I have to do a just a complete evaluation of what's going to happen." (04:42)
The uncertainty surrounding the nature of the potential suspension adds complexity to fantasy draft preparations. Jason Moore echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the unpredictability of whether a suspension decision will stick for the season:
"I think that's a fair point for me right now, not knowing. I would rather have Antonio Brown and what I do know over Ezekiel Elliott." (04:51)
The hosts agree that while Elliott remains a high-value asset, the murky details of his situation warrant careful monitoring as the season approaches.
Listener Stories: Driving with a 75-Year-Old Mother
In a heartwarming segment, Brooks shares a listener story that highlights the podcast's broad appeal. A listener named Eeky Sportsman drove for 10 hours with his 75-year-old mother, exclusively tuning into the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. The experience has reportedly inspired his mother to consider starting her first fantasy football league.
Brooks enthusiastically shares:
"We have someone on Twitter... his 75-year-old mother is seriously contemplating starting fantasy football for the very first time." (06:28)
Mike Wright adds humorously:
"If a 75-year-old mom can listen to the show and at least piques the interest, the antennas go up." (07:11)
This anecdote underscores the podcast's ability to engage listeners across all ages, fostering a growing and inclusive fantasy football community.
Mailbag Q&A
The bulk of the episode revolves around answering listener-submitted questions, providing personalized advice to help fans navigate their fantasy leagues effectively.
1. Joey in Minneapolis: David Johnson vs. Melvin Gordon in PPR Leagues
Joey seeks guidance on whether to prioritize David Johnson or Melvin Gordon in a Point Per Reception (PPR) league.
Mike Wright advocates for David Johnson:
"Value versus stud. It's David Johnson for me, hands down." (08:46)
Conversely, Jason Moore expresses some uncertainty:
"If I was this person, I would try to determine where my first. Because it's a first that you're giving up." (09:14)
Brooks decides to lean towards Melvin Gordon:
"I'm going to go Melvin because I'm not as uncertain about him." (09:57)
The discussion highlights the delicate balance between reliability and potential upside when selecting top-tier running backs.
2. Jesse from Florida: Late Round Quarterback Theory
Jesse questions when it's optimal to draft a quarterback if following the late round quarterback strategy, specifically pondering if and when to pick Aaron Rodgers.
Brooks emphasizes flexibility:
"If I'm getting Aaron Rodgers in the fourth round, I'm just going to take him." (10:52)
Jason Moore concurs, highlighting Rodgers' consistent performance:
"Aaron Rodgers in the fourth round, I'm all over him. He's been alternating two and one finishes for the last eight years." (11:46)
The hosts agree that while sticking to the late round quarterback strategy is generally sound, securing a top-tier quarterback like Rodgers can be a strategic exception.
3. Ben in Cleveland: Transitioning to a Three-Keeper League
Ben seeks advice on how switching to a three-keeper league affects his draft strategy, particularly concerning the valuation of players like Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson.
Brooks advises focusing on immediate performance:
"Most often we take a look, we try to draft players that are going to help us win this year." (25:13)
Jason Moore concurs, suggesting that while elite players remain valuable, overall strategy should aim for winning the current season:
"Every single year you've in it at this time of the year... If you do the right things in." (26:32)
The consensus is to balance keeping high-potential players with drafting talent that can contribute immediately, ensuring competitiveness each season.
4. Jacob in Loganville, Georgia: Austin Hooper as a Tight End Pick
Jacob inquires about the value of drafting Austin Hooper as a tight end, noting his under-the-radar status.
Mike Wright finds Hooper intriguing:
"Austin Hooper is a very intriguing player to me... I'm not calling for it to happen this year, but eventually it's going to be great." (28:14)
Brooks is comfortable with Hooper's potential:
"I'm very comfortable with him at 21." (28:42)
The hosts recognize Hooper's upside, especially in Sean McVay's offense, making him a worthwhile consideration despite his rookie season underperformance.
5. Tyler and Boylan: Isaiah Crowell's Draft Value
Tyler and Boylan seek opinions on drafting Isaiah Crowell in the fourth round, comparing his potential to other running backs.
Mike Wright praises Crowell's value:
"It's delicious." (29:43)
Jason Moore remains cautious, suggesting Crowell might not justify a second-round pick:
"He's not worth that value." (30:10)
The discussion underscores the importance of team context and offensive line performance when evaluating a running back's fantasy potential.
Best Ball Bonanza
Introducing a new segment, Best Ball Bonanza, the hosts explore the Best Ball format—a draft-only league where roster management post-draft is minimized. All drafted players are automatically set to start based on their weekly performances, rewarding depth and strategic drafting.
Andy Holloway introduces the segment:
"Best ball bonanza brought to you by playdraft." (32:38)
Brooks explains:
"Best ball is a league in which all you do is draft your roster... It selects the best performance at each position every week and that's the points you get." (34:09)
The hosts provide strategic tips for best ball, such as avoiding over-reliance on app-recommended players and valuing depth to maximize weekly scores. They also promote their associated platform, PlayDraft.com, encouraging listeners to join live drafts and engage with ongoing best ball leagues.
Jason Moore advises:
"Don't fall into that trap. Build your own rankings inside the app if you need." (35:12)
The segment emphasizes the benefits of the best ball format for players seeking a hands-off approach while still competing for high scores each week.
Conclusion
Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers reinforce their commitment to providing valuable insights and strategies to help listeners dominate their fantasy leagues. They tease upcoming features for their Ultimate Draft Kit and encourage engagement through their website and social media channels.
Andy Holloway concludes:
"Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Don't forget to visit us on the web at www.thefantasyfootballers.com and follow us on TwitterFFballers." (38:38)
Listeners are left with a comprehensive understanding of current fantasy football dynamics, actionable advice for their drafts, and an introduction to the innovative Best Ball format, ensuring they're well-equipped for the upcoming season.