Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Wildcards + Cook Holdout, Rebuild Tips
Release Date: June 9, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

The Fantasy Footballers kick off the episode with their usual camaraderie and updates. Mike Wright notes the absence of Jay Grizz due to a "stuffy nose" and highlights Al Borland filling in the ones and twos (00:51). The team shares a light-hearted moment about Mike sporting a Vikings cap on YouTube (01:52), setting the stage for an engaging discussion.

Rebuild Tips for Dynasty Leagues

The episode delves into strategies for fantasy managers looking to rebuild their dynasty teams.

Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of trading older veterans for high draft picks. He suggests targeting players like Adam Thielen and Keenan Allen, who are nearing the end of their prime years (03:09). Jason advises waiting to trade these veterans until teams seeking championships are willing to offer top draft picks, maximizing return value.

Mike Wright adds that even within a rebuild, managers can piece together victories by leveraging aged players who still contribute, such as Jameson Crowder or Julian Edelman (04:59). He highlights the potential to build a competitive team without fully committing to a prolonged rebuild.

Andy Holloway recommends acquiring backup running backs, who are generally more affordable and have the potential to become starters as their teams’ needs evolve (06:11). Players like P. Ryan or Latavius Murray represent cost-effective options that can bolster a rebuilding team (07:38).

Key News Highlights

Dalvin Cook Holdout

One of the episode’s focal points is Dalvin Cook's decision to hold out pending a reasonable contract extension. Mike Wright relays the news from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, noting the uncertainty it introduces for fantasy managers (08:41).

Andy Holloway supports Cook’s stance, stating, “I do not blame him at all” (10:56). However, when analyzing his fantasy value, Andy discusses the increased risk due to Cook's holdout and the possibility of him missing the entire season if a deal isn't reached (12:28).

Jason Moore expresses significant concern, labeling Cook as "the riskiest player in fantasy football this year" due to his combined injury history and contract holdout (11:38). He mentions that Cook’s status could shift his value drastically, advising managers to be cautious when drafting him.

Additional NFL News

• Todd Gurley has passed his physical and is set to join the Atlanta Falcons’ training camp (15:20). This development is cautiously optimistic for fantasy managers holding Gurley’s value.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians announced a base offense of 12 personnel, indicating a potential shift in offensive strategy (16:38). The hosts debate the implications for key players like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans (17:15).

• Titans’ Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith stated that Derek Henry’s workload will depend on game performance, maintaining his unpredictable fantasy value (19:14).

Fantasy Wildcards Discussion

The hosts define fantasy wild cards as players with projections that have a wide range of possible outcomes, making them challenging to predict reliably (21:35). They explore several candidates, each bringing unique risks and rewards to fantasy rosters.

Devonte Parker (23:04)

Jason Moore discusses Devonte Parker's fluctuating career, highlighting his potential to outperform expectations after a solid finish last season. However, he remains skeptical due to his inconsistent performance and changes in quarterback dynamics, especially with the introduction of Tua Tagovailoa.

Mike Wright concurs, placing Parker at a fifth-round pick but cautioning about his volatility (25:57).

Mark Ingram (26:25)

Andy Holloway focuses on Mark Ingram, who finished as a top-10 running back last year on a high-volume Ravens offense. He expresses doubt about repeating such a performance, given the Ravens' regression and the addition of rookie J.K. Dobbins (28:35).

Jason Moore points out that Ingram’s efficiency might not sustain, making him a risky yet potentially rewarding wildcard (29:23).

Julian Edelman (31:28)

Mike Wright raises concerns about Julian Edelman's future with the New England Patriots, especially with Tom Brady transitioning teams. He questions whether Edelman can maintain his high reception and yardage numbers with a new quarterback system (32:42).

Jason Moore remains cautious, comparing Edelman’s situation to past quarterbacks whose performance declined sharply in their final seasons (35:11).

DK Metcalf (40:22)

Andy Holloway examines DK Metcalf’s explosive rookie season, questioning whether he can sustain and build upon his performance given the Seahawks' existing receiver hierarchy with Tyler Lockett (40:34). He categorizes Metcalf as a significant risk due to his dependency on Russell Wilson’s playstyle.

Mike Wright echoes these sentiments, noting that while Metcalf has high potential, his role within the Seahawks' balanced offense limits his upside compared to standalone receiving stars (42:44).

Jared Cook (45:38)

Mike Wright introduces Jared Cook as another wildcard, highlighting his inconsistent reception numbers despite being in a stable quarterback situation with Drew Brees (45:39).

Jason Moore agrees, pointing out the unpredictability of Cook’s target volume and the risk of non-PPR value, which could hinder his tight end slot contributions (47:18).

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up the episode by recapping the discussed wildcards and emphasizing the importance of assessing risk versus reward when incorporating such players into fantasy rosters. They encourage listeners to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and embrace the unpredictability that wildcards bring to the fantasy season.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Rebuilding: “If you're in a rebuild and your team's not good enough to compete, there's several things you're going to need to do.” (03:21)

• Andy Holloway on Wildcards: “I would say fantasy wild card is a player where when you're building out their projection, you realize that they could exceed that by a lot or they could come short by also a lot.” (21:35)

• Jason Moore on Dalvin Cook: “He's too risky for me to have on a team right now.” (12:28)

• Jason Moore on Julian Edelman: “When the wheels fall off, it will come with Thor's hammer and it will destroy Tom Brady's fantasy value.” (37:16)

• Mike Wright on Jared Cook: “Jared Cook should be making that list. We've had high expectations not met.” (45:39)

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