Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Keep/Trade/Cut + Hype Train, Excuse Wagons
Release Date: June 11, 2020

Welcome to this detailed summary of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast episode titled "Keep/Trade/Cut + Hype Train, Excuse Wagons." Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, this episode dives deep into strategic decisions for fantasy football managers, including player evaluations, league news, and listener questions. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the episode’s key segments, discussions, and insights.

1. Buy or Sell Segment

Topic: Over/Under on Wide Receivers with 100 Receptions

Brooks sets an over/under line of 4.5 wide receivers hitting the 100-reception mark for the upcoming season.

• Historical Context:

  • Last Year: 4 WRs achieved this milestone (Michael Thomas, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman).
  • Previous Years: 2017 had 5, 2018 had 8.

• Host Opinions:

  • Andy Holloway ([04:14]): Takes the under, citing declining performances and changing team dynamics for key players like Julian Edelman and Keenan Allen.
  • Jason Moore ([05:02]): Aligns with Andy, projecting an under based on current player trajectories.
  • Mike Wright ([05:07]): Contrarily opts for the over, confident in players like Thomas, DeVante Adams, Julio Jones, DJ Moore, and Robert Woods.

• Notable Quote:

  "I currently have three hitting it this season." – Jason Moore ([05:02])

Conclusion: The hosts are split on the over/under, reflecting differing assessments of receiver performances and team strategies.

2. News and Notes

A. NFL Protocols and Season Start

• Discussion:

  • The NFL is advancing plans to return to club facilities with potential training camp starts in mid-July and possibly shortening the preseason.
  • Hosts express optimism and excitement about football's return amidst uncertainties.

• Notable Quotes:

  "That's what hype men here frequently. Sir, I like what you're doing." – Mike Wright ([01:05])

  "All seemingly small news bits like this... still get into my blood." – Mike Wright ([09:28])

B. Daniel Jones’ Ball Security

• Issue:

  • Last season, Daniel Jones struggled with ball security, fumbling 18 times in 12 starts.

• Updates:

  • The Athletic reports Jones aims to improve ball security this year.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Daniel Jones actually is going to have to hold on to the ball this year." – Andy Holloway ([11:04])

C. Hayden Hurst’s Potential

• Overview:

  • Matt Ryan praises Hayden Hurst as one of the fastest and most athletic tight ends he's played with.
  • Discussion on Hurst replacing Austin Hooper and his fantasy implications.

• Notable Quotes:

  "He could have a very capable breakout year this year and my dynasty team would thank him." – Mike Wright ([12:21])

Conclusion: The news segment highlights critical updates affecting player performances and fantasy strategies, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the NFL offseason.

3. Keep/Trade/Cut Segment

A. Fourth Round Wide Receivers

Players Discussed: Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, A.J. Brown

• Andy Holloway ([15:25]):

  • Keep: JuJu Smith-Schuster for his volume and potential despite past inconsistencies.
  • Trade: A.J. Brown due to his high trade value and hype.
  • Cut: Adam Thielen, though he remains a viable option, JuJu’s upside presents a stronger keep-trade argument.

• Jason Moore ([20:00]):

  • Keep: Adam Thielen for stability and potential increase in value if players like Dalvin Cook return.
  • Trade: A.J. Brown for his elite upside and market demand.
  • Cut: JuJu Smith-Schuster due to declining target accuracy and competition from Mason Crosby.

• Mike Wright ([16:05]):

  • Keep: Leads with trading for A.J. Brown, leveraging his trade value.
  • Cut: JuJu Smith-Schuster due to his fluctuating performance metrics.

• Notable Quotes:

  "If you are not keeping A.J. Brown, you must use him as your trade because he can't be the cut." – Andy Holloway ([16:28])

  "A.J. Brown, number one in yards per reception... the hype is out of control." – Jason Moore ([19:19])

B. Fifth Round Selections

Players Discussed: Mark Ingram, Keenan Allen, Zach Ertz

• Andy Holloway ([24:19]):

  • Keep: Mark Ingram for his consistent top-tier running back performance despite ADP challenges.
  • Trade: Zach Ertz, viewing him as a stable but non-premium tight end option.
  • Cut: Keenan Allen due to potential decline in target shares and QB dynamics.

• Jason Moore ([30:36]):

  • Keep: Mark Ingram for his reliability and past performance.
  • Trade: Keenan Allen, considering his changed quarterback situation and potential for lower reception counts.
  • Cut: Zach Ertz, maintaining consistency without expecting top-tier finishes.

• Mike Wright ([32:00]):

  • Keep: Mark Ingram for his enduring value as a running back.
  • Trade: Keenan Allen, citing his volatile situation under new quarterbacks.
  • Cut: Zach Ertz, due to limited pathway to elite performance.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Mark Ingram is really, really good. So." – Andy Holloway ([28:35])

  "Keenan Allen's situation necessarily changed... his quarterback might be a rookie or might be a lower volume passing option." – Andy Holloway ([29:36])

C. Eighth Round Selections

Players Discussed: Jordan Howard, Brandon Cooks, Josh Allen

• Andy Holloway ([33:57]):

  • Keep: Jordan Howard for his potential to become a 1,000-yard rusher in an improved Dolphins offense.
  • Trade: Brandon Cooks, offering him for value due to his consistent performance despite team changes.
  • Cut: Josh Allen, focusing on other positional needs.

• Jason Moore ([38:15]):

  • Keep: Brandon Cooks for his consistent production as a top-tier wide receiver across multiple teams.
  • Trade: Josh Allen, preferring to oversee quarterback moves separately.
  • Cut: Jordan Howard, viewing him as an average option despite potential upside.

• Mike Wright ([38:39]):

  • Keep: Jordan Howard for his upside in the Dolphins’ offense.
  • Trade: Brandon Cooks, looking to leverage his undervalued status post-trade.
  • Cut: Josh Allen, due to the availability of higher-tier quarterbacks.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Jordan Howard... could very realistically be a 1000 yard rusher this season for the Dolphins." – Andy Holloway ([33:57])

  "Brandon Cooks... has been a top 15 wide receiver four years in a row." – Andy Holloway ([37:56])

4. Mailbag Segment

Listener Questions:

A. Keep Nick Chubb or Chris Godwin?

• Question: In a 12-team full PPR league, which player should you keep: Nick Chubb or Chris Godwin?

• Host Responses:

  • Mike Wright ([46:44]): Prefers Chris Godwin in full PPR formats due to higher reception potential despite Chubb’s elite running ability.
  • Andy Holloway ([47:18]): Aligns with Mike, emphasizing Godwin's reach in PPR settings over Chubb’s limited pass-catching.

• Notable Quotes:

  "The PPR League makes it a lot easier for me to keep Chris Godwin over Nick Chubb." – Mike Wright ([46:44])

B. Keeper League Draft Picks

• Question: In keeper leagues, which draft picks are forfeited when selecting your keepers?

• Host Responses:

  • Andy Holloway ([49:31]): Explains that most leagues require forfeiting the original draft round of the kept player, often escalating in subsequent years.
  • Jason Moore ([51:23]): Argues against rewarding draft picks for free agent acquisitions, advocating for separate treatment.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Can't keep free agents. That's my position. Always will be." – Andy Holloway ([52:46])

Conclusion: The mailbag segment provides tailored advice on keeper decisions and league-specific rules, highlighting the nuanced strategies required for different league formats.

5. Hype Train and Excuse Wagons

Discussion on Player Hype and Performance Excuses

• Concept: Differentiating between justified player hype based on performance potential and making excuses for underperforming players.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Getting hit with hype similar to a lightning bolt." – Mike Wright ([14:38])

  "This is why you listen to the show and this is why you get the Ultimate Draft Kit..." – Andy Holloway ([13:16])

Conclusion: The hosts emphasize the importance of balancing excitement over player potential with realistic assessments, avoiding unwarranted excuses for player failures.

6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to join their community and utilize the Ultimate Draft Kit for enhanced fantasy football management. They reiterate their excitement for the upcoming football season and the continuous support for their sponsors.

• Final Notable Quote:

  "Remember, Foot Clan, Omaha Steaks delivers guaranteed quality and safety with every order." – Mike Wright ([53:30])

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Player Decisions: The Buy/Sell and Keep/Trade/Cut segments provide in-depth analysis of player performances, market values, and potential futures, aiding managers in making informed decisions.

• League-Specific Strategies: Differentiated advice for keeper leagues and PPR formats underscores the importance of tailoring strategies to specific league settings.

• Balancing Hype and Reality: The discussion on hype trains and excuse wagons highlights the necessity of objective player evaluations over emotional or biased assessments.

• Community Engagement: Listener questions and mailbag interactions showcase the podcast’s commitment to addressing real-world fantasy football dilemmas, fostering a supportive and informed community.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers valuable insights and actionable advice for fantasy football enthusiasts, helping them navigate the intricacies of team management and league dynamics with confidence and strategic foresight.