Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Late Round Gold + Playing the Hits, Fantasy Q&A
Release Date: August 4, 2020

1. Introduction and Quick Updates [00:00 - 01:30]

The hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—kick off the episode by promoting their Ultimate Draft Kit, emphasizing its tier-based rankings and high accuracy. Andy asserts, “This podcast has become famous for helping win championships” (00:00).

2. Last Round Draft Picks: DeSean Jackson vs. Jalen Rager [02:25 - 05:56]

Quick Question of the Day:
"Who is somebody that you have been consistently drafting in the very last round of your mock drafts?"

• Andy Holloway champions DeSean Jackson, highlighting his speed and potential fantasy impact when healthy. He notes, “DeSean Jackson, to me, will be scoring a lot of fantasy points while he’s on the field” (04:41).

• Mike Wright initially shares Jalen Rager as his go-to late-round pick but expresses skepticism about DeSean Jackson’s consistency, stating, “He hasn’t finished inside the top 20 since 2014. The odds are against him” (05:43).

• Jason Moore introduces Antonio Gibson as a promising late-round running back, praising his athleticism: “The athletic freak” (06:05).

Discussion Highlights:

• The volatility of late-round picks like DeSean Jackson due to injury concerns.
• Andy emphasizes the value of players who can outperform their draft position if they secure a starting role early in the season.
• Mike contrasts DeSean Jackson with rookies like Michael Pittman Jr. and Brandon Aiyuk, who offer more stable fantasy value.

3. Adjustments to Waiver Rules Amid NFL Changes [10:37 - 15:47]

Mike Wright introduces a significant NFL update: the deadline for promoting practice squad players to the game day roster has been moved to 90 minutes before kickoff. He discusses the potential implications for fantasy football managers, especially those in free agent acquisition budget (FAB) leagues.

• Mike proposes adjusting waiver deadlines to accommodate last-minute roster changes: “Do we need to make an adjustment here for that situation?” (12:23).

• Andy Holloway suggests setting FAB deadlines to run one hour before kickoff to mitigate sudden changes (12:45).

• Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of platforms adapting to these changes, advocating for flexibility in waiver processing times: “Let’s make COVID… negate the impact of COVID on fantasy football decisions as much as we possibly can” (13:56).

Key Insights:

• The necessity for leagues to consider adjusting waiver rules to handle last-minute NFL roster moves.
• Balancing fairness and strategic depth in managing free agents amidst a disrupted NFL schedule.

4. NFL News and Player Updates [16:02 - 22:03]

Key Updates Covered:

• Player Opt-Outs Deadline:
  The official deadline for NFL players to opt out of the season is Thursday at 4 PM Eastern. Andy Holloway advises managers not to panic over potential player opt-outs, as the majority will finalize their decisions by the deadline (17:07).

• Alex Smith’s Recovery:
  Mike Wright shares that Alex Smith has recovered from his leg injury and could compete for a starting spot with Washington. Jason Moore humorously notes, “Let’s go, Alex” (17:32).

• Preston Williams’ Return:
  Jason Moore discusses Preston Williams’ clearance to return after an ACL tear, debating his impact on the Miami Dolphins. Andy Holloway highlights Williams' potential to revitalize team offense if healthy (18:33).

• Jordan Reed’s Signing with the 49ers:
  The conversation shifts to Jordan Reed signing with the San Francisco 49ers, with Jason Moore expressing concerns about his adherence to Rule 86 (preventing eligible players from participating). Andy Holloway muses, “Rules are made to be broken” (21:38).

5. Sponsor Spot: WGU [23:06 - 25:38]

A brief sponsorship segment highlights WGU (Western Governors University), emphasizing its flexible degree programs tailored for busy schedules. Promotions include:

• Affordable Education: “Earn a respected bachelor's or master's degree for under $8,700 per year” (23:45).
• 24/7 Access: “No set login times. There’s 24/7 access to most coursework” (23:47).
• Special Offer: Use code PW2020 at wgu.edu for a $65 application fee waiver (24:35).

6. Secondary Podcast Promotion: Spitballers [25:13 - 25:38]

The hosts promote their Spitballers podcast, a lighter, comedy-focused show where they "fire up a podcast with three dads just having a good time." They encourage listeners to subscribe for humorous content separate from fantasy football discussions.

7. Fantasy Q&A Segment [25:48 - 43:07]

Listener Questions Addressed:

1. Marcia from Beaver, Oregon:
   "I’m in a keeper league and I’m trying to choose between Michael Thomas and Lamar Jackson. Who should I keep?"

   • Mike Wright advises keeping Michael Thomas for his consistent wide receiver performance: “The right pick is Michael Thomas” (27:25).
   • Andy Holloway concurs, emphasizing Thomas's value over Lamar Jackson in late-round keeper scenarios: “If you got to pick every pick of the draft, you would take Michael Thomas before taking Lamar Jackson” (28:05).

2. Joshua (Instagram):
   "Can you talk a bit about Chris Godwin's Dynasty value?"

   • Andy Holloway acknowledges Chris Godwin as a top-tier receiver but notes concerns about future quarterback scenarios after Tom Brady: “There’s question marks about the future because even if he’s great this year with Tom Brady” (29:07).
   • Jason Moore emphasizes Godwin's current value, arguing against over-focusing on potential future declines: “He is a great wide receiver, and he’s in a great situation” (30:15).
   • Mike Wright and Andy reinforce the consensus of Godwin's high dynasty value despite potential long-term uncertainties (31:02; 31:12).

3. Samuel J.K. Dobbins vs. Kenyan Drake (YouTube):
   "J.K. Dobbins or Kenyan Drake in a half PPR dynasty league?"

   • Andy Holloway favors Kenyan Drake, valuing his current one-year deal and potential immediate impact: “He’s going to be awesome this year” (33:37).
   • Mike Wright concurs, highlighting Drake's fit with Arizona's roster and his age: “Kenyon Drake needs to be looked at through a one year lens” (34:25).

4. Katie (Instagram):
   "Thoughts on Noah Fant as a tight end one."

   • Mike Wright supports Noah Fant as a potential TE1, citing his athleticism and explosive play capability: “He is the type of player that you want to target as a late round tight end who could break out” (36:24).
   • Andy Holloway echoes this sentiment, comparing Fant to breakout tight ends like Mark Andrews: “He can make things happen on his own” (37:43).
   • Jason Moore acknowledges Fant’s potential but balances it with current team dynamics: “He is just the type of player that you want to target” (36:30).

5. Hunter Renfrow (YouTube):
   "Does Hunter Renfrow hold any late round redraft value?"

   • Mike Wright affirms Renfrow's value in full PPR formats based on his performance in the last two weeks: “He was the number six wide receiver in week 16 and 17” (39:14).
   • Jason Moore raises concerns about increased competition for targets with the Raiders’ offensive additions but remains open to his potential: “He was like a top five guy over his last couple games” (39:46).

6. Brian (Facebook):
   "In a startup dynasty league, when would you take Clyde Edwards-Helaire?"

   • Jason Moore suggests drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire within the top seven to eight picks due to his high value in dynasty startups: “At least if you want him, you’re going to have to go and get him” (40:34).
   • Andy Holloway agrees, noting Edwards-Helaire’s consensus ranking among top running backs and his long-term potential: “He’s our consensus number four” (41:21).

7. Ryan's Question:
   "What characteristics make up a good fantasy football team name?"

   • Mike Wright advises choosing a name that’s trophy-worthy and not tied to a single player to avoid frequent changes: “Don’t name it after a player that you end up wanting to trade later on” (42:06).
   • Jason Moore and Andy Holloway concur, emphasizing the importance of longevity and humor in team names without being player-specific (42:35; 42:46).

8. Sponsor Spot: Pristine Auction [43:07 - 44:36]

A promotion for Pristine Auction includes a special offer:

• Discount: Use code PW2020 at pristineauction.com to receive $10 off your first item (43:07).
• Giveaways: Features items like signed jerseys and helmets, encouraging listeners to participate in their giveaways.

9. Closing Remarks and Community Engagement [44:37 - End]

The hosts wrap up by celebrating a recent prize from Pristine Auction and previewing their upcoming mock draft. They encourage listeners to join their fantasy football community at thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @theffballers for updates and insights.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway: “DeSean Jackson, to me, will be scoring a lot of fantasy points while he’s on the field” (04:41).
• Mike Wright: “He hasn’t finished inside the top 20 since 2014. The odds are against him” (05:43).
• Jason Moore: “He is a great wide receiver, and he’s in a great situation” (30:15).
• Andy Holloway: “He’s going to be awesome this year” (33:37).
• Mike Wright: “He is the type of player that you want to target as a late round tight end who could break out” (36:24).
• Andy Holloway: “Don’t name it after a player that you end up wanting to trade later on” (42:06).

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast delves deep into strategic late-round draft picks, the impact of NFL roster changes on fantasy leagues, and provides valuable listener insights through their Q&A segment. The hosts offer a blend of expert analysis, practical advice, and engaging banter, making it a must-listen for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to optimize their teams for the upcoming season.