Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary: "Luck Retirement Fallout + Bold Predictions"

Release Date: August 26, 2019

In this engaging episode of Fantasy Footballers, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the seismic announcement of Andrew Luck's retirement and explore its ramifications for the NFL and fantasy football leagues. The trio also presents a series of bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy football season, offering listeners insightful analysis and actionable advice.

1. Breaking News: Andrew Luck's Unexpected Retirement

The episode kicks off with the shocking news that Andrew Luck, the 29-year-old quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, has decided to retire. This announcement came just an hour before the show aired, leaving both hosts and listeners in disbelief.

• Andrew Luck's Retirement Impact:

  • Mike Wright expresses his surprise, stating, "Andrew Luck, 29 year old quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts has retired" ([02:00]).
  • Andy Holloway remarks on the rarity of such a high-profile retirement close to the season's start: "I can't think of another thing that, you know, this close to the season for a player to retire and not just like, oh, you know, a journeyman right guard" ([03:07]).

• Physical Toll on Andrew Luck: The hosts discuss the extensive injuries Luck endured: "Torn cartilage and two ribs, partially torn abdomen, lacerated kidney, one concussion. Torn labrum, and then this mysterious calf slash. Teeny tiny bone injury" ([02:20]).

• Fantasy Football Implications:

  • Mike Wright makes a bold prediction: "I don't think the Colts win the super bowl anymore. Spicy" ([03:41]).
  • Andy Holloway assesses the Colts' fantasy value post-Luck: "The only person that even looks like they could be a value for the Colts in my rankings is actually Mr. Jacoby Brissette himself" ([04:16]).
  • The trio debates the futures of key Colts players like Ty Hilton, Marlon Mack, and Jacoby Brissette, highlighting the uncertainties now facing the team.

2. Impact on the Indianapolis Colts and Fantasy Roster Decisions

With Luck's departure, the Colts' roster undergoes significant scrutiny, affecting fantasy football strategies.

• Ty Hilton's Fantasy Value:

  • Andy Holloway assigns Hilton a conservative ranking: "Ty Hilton, I now have as in a half point scoring as my wide receiver, 27. So he's not irrelevant. He's still going to be a fantasy" ([04:36]).
  • Jason Moore observes the general skepticism around Hilton's potential: "There were like audible moans and groans when you said that" ([04:57]).

• Marlon Mack's Role:

  • Andy Holloway emphasizes Mack's dependency on Luck: "Marlon Mack is the player that is the most single handedly he is affected the largest because this is a player who's not the pass catching back" ([06:16]).
  • Mike Wright cynically notes, "we all knew Andrew Luck was coming" ([06:56]).

• Jacoby Brissette's Potential:

  • The conversation shifts to backups like Jacoby Brissette, assessing his readiness to step up in a post-Luck Colts team.

3. Bold Predictions for the Upcoming Fantasy Season

Transitioning from the fallout of Luck's retirement, the hosts introduce their segment on bold predictions, each forecast poised to stir debate among fantasy enthusiasts.

a. Juju Smith-Schuster as the Top Fantasy Wide Receiver

• Andy Holloway predicts: "Juju Smith Schuster, a star has been born and he's going supernova... JuJu Smith Schuster finishes this season as the number one wide receiver in fantasy football" ([28:26]).
• Jason Moore expresses skepticism but acknowledges the potential: "It went from me thinking you were out on him to a coming all the way back around" ([30:03]).
• Supporting Arguments:
  • Andy cites Brady’s historical support for top receivers and Schuster's improved quarterback situation: "He has a quarterback that can do it."
  • Emphasis on touchdown potential: "He gets 22 total touchdowns" ([32:58]).

b. Austin Ekeler Finishes as a Top 12 Running Back

• Mike Wright declares: "Austin Ekeler finishes 2019 as a top 12 running back. Yes" ([33:52]).
• Rationale:
  • Ekeler's role as a pass-catching back and potential increased usage if Melvin Gordon misses the season: "He was second in yards after the catch last year, third in yards per reception" ([35:23]).
  • Comparison to past backs who thrived in similar situations: "Danny Woodhead could be the new Danny Woodhead" ([36:57]).

c. Atlanta Falcons Dominating Every Fantasy Position

• Jason Moore asserts: "The Atlanta Falcons will have a player finish inside the top 12 at every single fantasy football position" ([37:30]).
• Andy Holloway counters with skepticism regarding tight ends: "Austin Hooper... he could climb his way in" ([39:21]).
• Discussion Points:
  • Matt Ryan's consistency at quarterback despite not being favored by all hosts.
  • The potential rise of other Falcons players like Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper in fantasy rankings.

d. Cleveland Browns as the Beginning of the End for Their Fantasy Value

• Andy Holloway revisits a past prediction and shifts focus: "I think that the Browns are overpriced" ([43:38]).
• Concerns:
  • Baker Mayfield's unproven status and Odell Beckham's new team dynamics.
  • Historical mismanagement and a tough division: "They have a head coach that's unproven" ([43:56]).

e. Cooper Kupp Leading the League in Touchdown Receptions

• Mike Wright boldly forecasts: "Cooper Kupp will lead the league in touchdown receptions this year" ([44:34]).
• Supporting Evidence:
  • Kupp's red zone efficiency and receiving prowess: "He has the seventh most red zone receptions" ([46:07]).
  • Jared Goff's high number of red zone attempts: "Jared Goff has thrown 46 touchdowns in the red zone" ([46:49]).

f. Chris Carson as a Top Five Fantasy Running Back

• Jason Moore predicts: "Chris Carson ends the season as a top five fantasy football running back" ([47:38]).
• Justification:
  • Carson's increased workload and consistent performance: "He averaged 19.4 carries a game... 311 carry pace" ([48:07]).
  • Potential for high touchdown numbers and a leading role in the Seahawks' offense: "16 touchdown pace" ([49:52]).

4. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Host Responses

The segment transitions to audience interactions, where listeners pose questions about drafting strategies, scoring system adjustments, and fantasy football's impact on families.

a. Adjusting Rankings with Different Scoring Systems

• Listener John inquires about how a .04 point per yard scoring system affects quarterback rankings.
  • Mike Wright reassures: "It doesn't change anything" ([51:55]).
  • Emphasis on continued reliance on the Ultimate Draft Kit for organization: "Plug in your scoring system into the UDK and then we'll organize it for you" ([53:35]).

b. Drafting Strategies When Starting Picks Are Lower-Tier

• Listener Linda Neville grapples with having a first pick at #24.
  • Jason Moore advises prioritizing running backs and wide receivers early: "Don't waste an early pick because you don't have them" ([54:38]).
  • Andy Holloway encourages stacking RBs and WRs to mitigate drafting a high-quality quarterback early ([54:11]).

c. Fantasy Football Within Families

• Mike Wright shares personal experiences of involving family members:
  • His sons are drafting their first teams, fostering inclusivity: "Create a league that's fun with great people" ([58:35]).
  • Andy Holloway humorously notes his family's lack of participation: "My wife will never participate in fantasy football" ([58:57]).
• The hosts discuss the benefits of involving family to enhance the inclusivity and fun of fantasy leagues.

d. Strategies for Large Redraft Tournaments

• Listener Dan Kerber asks about strategies for massive tournaments like the "Mega Laborer."
  • Mike Wright emphasizes playing to win and selecting versatile, high-impact players: "Stack up those players that can really turn the nitro on halfway through the year" ([59:32]).
  • Andy Holloway underscores the importance of drafting healthy and reliable players to navigate the immense competition ([61:11]).

5. Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts extend their gratitude to sponsors like Pristine Auction and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, reinforcing the show's commitment to high-quality content and community support. They encourage listeners to engage with their content online and look forward to the excitement of the upcoming NFL season.

• Andy Holloway remarks on concluding the tour: "This is it. Back home, football is starting. It's going to be a lot of fun" ([66:06]).
• Jason Moore bids farewell, wishing listeners success in their drafts: "Hope you crushed your draft. I'm sure you did. Goodbye" ([66:13]).

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright on Andrew Luck's retirement: "Andrew Luck, 29 year old quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts has retired." ([02:00])
• Andy Holloway predicting JuJu Smith-Schuster's rise: "Juju Smith Schuster finishes this season as the number one wide receiver in fantasy football." ([28:26])
• Jason Moore on Chris Carson: "Chris Carson ends the season as a top five fantasy football running back." ([47:38])
• Mike Wright on Cooper Kupp: "Cooper Kupp will lead the league in touchdown receptions this year." ([44:34])

This episode of Fantasy Footballers provides a comprehensive analysis of Andrew Luck's retirement and its ripple effects across the NFL and fantasy leagues. Coupled with their bold predictions, Andy, Jason, and Mike equip fantasy managers with the insights needed to navigate the uncertainties of the upcoming season.