Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "League Tips, Buy or Sell & Pee River" (June 25, 2020)

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Show Kickoff

The Fantasy Footballers kicked off the June 25, 2020 episode with their characteristic blend of humor and camaraderie. Andy Holloway initiated the conversation with playful banter about Mr. Rogers, highlighting the hosts' diverse backgrounds in television consumption:

• Andy Holloway (01:05): "Welcome into the show. Great one."
• Jason Moore (01:03): "Yeah."
• Mike Wright (01:05): "You're a real Mr. McFeely."

This light-hearted exchange set a relaxed tone for the episode, illustrating the hosts' chemistry and ease with one another.

Buy or Sell Segment: Mark Andrews

The primary focus of the episode was the Buy or Sell segment, where the hosts evaluated whether fantasy managers should acquire or drop certain players. This edition centered on Mark Andrews, a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens.

Mark Andrews' 2020 Projection

• Andy Holloway (03:05): Presented Andrews' stats from the previous season: 15 games, 98 targets, 64 receptions, 852 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.

• Jason Moore (03:39): Analyzed the challenging projection for Andrews to reach 1,000 receiving yards, noting the average targets required for tight ends to achieve this milestone.

• Andy Holloway (04:33): Contemplated the increase in Andrews' snap counts following Hayden Hurst's departure, asserting that Andrews might not be a volume-dependent player but rather a touchdown-focused asset.

Despite the uncertainties, Jason Moore remained optimistic:

• Jason Moore (05:42): "There's not one ounce, not a shred of doubt in my mind that they want Mark Andrews on the field more if they can."

However, Andy Holloway and Mike Wright expressed reservations, ultimately agreeing to sell Mark Andrews based on projected performance limitations:

• Andy Holloway (05:18): "So I am a sell."
• Mike Wright (05:18): "I'm a sell for the thousand yards."

Conclusion: The consensus leaned towards selling Mark Andrews, considering the balanced or potentially reduced target share amidst a non-volume passing offense.

Listener Mailbag: Diverse Questions and Insights

The second major segment involved addressing listener questions from various platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Topics ranged from dynasty league strategies to player valuations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Miles Sanders vs. J.K. Dobbins & Mark Ingram in Dynasty Leagues

A question from Instagram probed whether managers should favor Miles Sanders over a combination of J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram in dynasty formats.

• Andy Holloway (12:17): Advocated for the Miles Sanders route, emphasizing clearer long-term production and versatility.

• Mike Wright (12:40): Shared reservations about the unpredictability of split backfields, suggesting Sanders offers more consistent upside.

• Jason Moore (14:34): Highlighted the value of depth and injury mitigation with multiple running backs, but leaned towards Sanders for higher individual ceiling.

Conclusion: The hosts favored acquiring Miles Sanders due to his proven three-down ability and higher ceiling, despite the potential benefits of having multiple backs for depth.

2. Impact of Coronavirus on Handcuffs in Redraft Leagues

A Facebook question addressed whether the coronavirus pandemic increased the value of handcuffs (backup players tied to starters) in redraft leagues.

• Jason Moore (18:52): Viewed it as a philosophical question about building depth, suggesting that while handcuffs can offer security, targeting versatile contributors might be more beneficial.

• Andy Holloway (20:16): Emphasized the personal value of depth pieces over team-specific handcuffs, especially in an unpredictable season.

• Mike Wright (21:17): Agreed on the increased complexity of the fantasy landscape, noting the potential for numerous injuries and unforeseen changes.

Conclusion: The hosts acknowledged the heightened uncertainty due to COVID-19 but advised prioritizing versatile depth players over traditional handcuffs, given the unpredictable nature of the season.

3. Drafting Dalvin Cook in Full Point PPR Leagues

A voicemail from Colleen questioned the optimal draft position for Dalvin Cook in full point per reception (PPR) formats.

• Jason Moore (16:01): Recommended drafting Cook in the "back of the first, top of the second" rounds, balancing his upside with inherent risks.

• Andy Holloway (17:03): Agreed on Cook's high value, positioning him between the end of the first and early second rounds.

• Mike Wright (17:50): Supported the consensus, citing Cook's three-down abilities and potential fantasy impact.

Conclusion: Dalvin Cook was endorsed as a high-value pick, suitable for late first or early second-round selections in full PPR drafts, acknowledging both his substantial upside and associated risks.

4. Sony Michel vs. James White

A YouTube question from Brandon inquired about the fantasy value of Sony Michel compared to James White, especially with the introduction of Jared Goff as the quarterback for the Detroit Lions.

• Jason Moore (37:24): Favored Michel, projecting him as a running back with significant volume potential despite some inconsistency.

• Andy Holloway (38:36): Questioned the reliability of Michel's performance, suggesting that relying heavily on him could be problematic.

• Mike Wright (42:31): Leaned towards Jordan Howard over Sony Michel, emphasizing Howard's role as a clear-cut volume runner.

Conclusion: While Sony Michel was recognized for his potential, the hosts expressed caution due to his inconsistent performance. Jordan Howard was generally favored for his clearer workload and reliability in fantasy formats.

5. Ty Hilton's Draft Value

A Facebook question from Alex sought the best draft timing for Ty Hilton, questioning his current valuation.

• Mike Wright (27:51): Rated Hilton as a wide receiver 19, viewing him as a top 20 talent worth securing early.

• Jason Moore (28:58): Suggested drafting Hilton around the 29th spot, citing steady production metrics.

• Andy Holloway (30:02): Positioned Hilton as a preferred option over Michael Gallup, valuing his consistent availability and weekly contributions.

Conclusion: Ty Hilton was recommended as a valuable draft asset, with the hosts endorsing his pick in the mid-to-late first round based on his consistent production and role within his team's offense.

Additional Discussions and Insights

Throughout the episode, the hosts delved into various strategic considerations:

• Strength of Schedule (SoS):

  • Jason Moore (46:55): Advocated giving minimal weight to SoS during drafts, emphasizing early-season matchups over the entire schedule's unpredictability.

  • Mike Wright (47:19): Agreed, suggesting SoS be used primarily as a tiebreaker rather than a primary factor.

• Player Consistency and Team Dynamics:

  • The conversation highlighted the importance of player consistency and team offensive dynamics, particularly regarding quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and veteran players such as Phil Rivers.

• Trade Strategies:

  • Responding to trade-related questions, Jason Moore (35:52) and Andy Holloway (35:52) emphasized making compelling trade offers and fostering active league communication to enhance overall league engagement.

Conclusion

The episode "League Tips, Buy or Sell & Pee River" provided comprehensive insights into player valuations, strategic drafting, and adapting to an unpredictable fantasy football season influenced by external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. The hosts balanced statistical analysis with practical advice, aiming to equip listeners with the knowledge to navigate their leagues effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (05:42): "There's not one ounce, not a shred of doubt in my mind that they want Mark Andrews on the field more if they can."

• Andy Holloway (03:05): "Mark Andrews, 1,000 receiving yards in 2020, the upcoming year."

• Mike Wright (27:51): "I have him at wide receiver 19, which is still tremendous. That's the top 20 wide receiver."

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