Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Episode: "Meat on the Bone + Trade Tips" (July 12, 2018)

In the "Meat on the Bone + Trade Tips" episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into strategic trade evaluations for dynasty leagues and dissect underperforming players who left significant potential on the table last season. This comprehensive analysis offers listeners actionable insights to bolster their fantasy teams for the upcoming season.

1. Evaluating Dynasty League Trades

The episode opens with a focused discussion on assessing player trade values within dynasty leagues. The hosts emphasize the multifaceted nature of dynasty trading compared to redraft leagues, where team strategies can vary significantly based on long-term goals.

• Andy Holloway (02:27):

  "Certainly there's so many aspects that go into a dynasty trade. You got age, contract situation, projection of that player's overall career..."

• Jason Moore (03:09):

  "...you are either building for the future or you're going for that championship this year."

Key Insights:

• Strategy Alignment: Trades should align with the team’s long-term strategy, whether rebuilding or contending for immediate success.
• Asset Evaluation: Beyond numerical value, consider a player's trajectory, potential upside, and how they fit into the team's current needs.
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Value: Mike Wright illustrates the importance of short-term gains in dynasty trades, using the metaphor of archers and soldiers on a battlefield to depict player efficiency and longevity.

2. Meat on the Bone: Analyzing Underperforming Players

In the "Meat on the Bone" segment, the hosts examine players who had high workloads but yielded disappointing fantasy outputs, suggesting underlying inefficiencies or potential declines in performance.

a. Frank Gore (Indianapolis Colts)

• Touch Count: 290 (9th among running backs)
• Fantasy Finish: 19th

Discussion Highlights:

• Andy Holloway (14:59):

  "Frank Gore had the ninth most touches at the running back position... but he finished 10 spots behind his touch count to finish at 19th for fantasy."

• Mike Wright (17:02):

  "Frank Gore is 35 years old... he’s going through Miami. It’s his sunset tour."

Conclusion: Gore’s high volume did not translate into proportional fantasy points, likely due to age-related decline and a changing team dynamic in Indianapolis.

b. Isaiah Crowell (Cleveland Browns)

• Touch Count: 232 (17th)
• Fantasy Finish: 36th

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore (23:17):

  "...if he got that volume and wasn't able to do anything with it, his situation has not improved..."

• Andy Holloway (20:56):

  "Francisco McCaffrey... but they are still going to give Anderson a crapload of touches."

Conclusion: Despite substantial touches, Crowell's inefficiency suggests he may not rebound, posing a risk for fantasy managers.

c. Jameson Crowder (Washington Redskins)

• Touch Count: 25th
• Fantasy Finish: 37th

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore (35:15):

  "I believe that Jameson Crowder is good enough that if he were to finish 25th in targets this season, I would expect him to be the 25th ranked wide receiver."

• Andy Holloway (35:00):

  "25th in targets. He should have finished either as a low end two or a high end three. And yet he was a wide receiver four."

Conclusion: Crowder underperformed relative to his target share, highlighting potential inefficiencies in Washington's offensive scheme or his role within it.

d. Demaryius Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Touch Count: 9th in targets
• Fantasy Finish: 20th

Discussion Highlights:

• Mike Wright (32:54):

  "No one competent at quarterback. I think we all like Demarius Thomas to bounce back."

Conclusion: Thomas's drop in fantasy ranking despite high targets indicates stagnation, likely due to quarterback performance issues affecting his production.

e. Devonte Parker (Washington Redskins)

• Touch Count: 28th
• Fantasy Finish: 53rd

Discussion Highlights:

• Andy Holloway (33:51):

  "28th in targets, fantasy finish. I don't care of 53."

Conclusion: Parker’s significant gap between targets and fantasy points underscores his inefficiency, making him a low-value option despite workload.

3. DeMarco Murray’s Potential Signing

The hosts speculate on DeMarco Murray potentially signing with the Indianapolis Colts, exploring the implications for dynasty teams.

• Mike Wright (40:11):

  "Apparently DeMarco Murray is going to sign... I think I know where he's going. And I think you know that he's going to Indianapolis."

• Jason Moore (40:15):

  "DeMarco Murray is a value when you get him really late... Once he signs, he will inevitably move up."

Key Insights:

• Late Acquisition Opportunity: Drafting Murray late could offer substantial value if he signs, as his confirmed role would justify an earlier pick.
• Risk vs. Reward: While Murray's signing presents an opportunity, his age and injury history pose potential risks.

4. Upcoming Live Shows and Community Engagement

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts promote their live shows and encourage listeners to engage with their community platforms.

• Jason Moore (42:05):

  "Tomorrow night we're going in Dallas for a live show... Philadelphia, New York at the end of July."

• Andy Holloway (44:20):

  "If you want to play some fantasy football, I recommend you do draft.com."

Encouragement for Listeners:

• Attend Live Events: Opportunities to interact with hosts and other fantasy enthusiasts in major cities.
• Join the Community: Engaging with their online platforms for exclusive content and league opportunities.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright (02:07):

  "A fun new segment for today's show that you're going to get into. I promise you this, you'll be smarter at the end."

• Jason Moore (25:37):

  "When veteran players took that real step of inefficiency, it said, no, they're not going to bounce back."

• Andy Holloway (13:02):

  "Meat on the Bone – Players who may have left the field hungry."

Conclusion

The "Meat on the Bone + Trade Tips" episode offers a scrutinized look at player performances and trade strategies crucial for dynasty fantasy football managers. By identifying inefficiencies and evaluating trade values beyond surface metrics, the Fantasy Footballers provide listeners with the tools needed to refine their teams and gain a competitive edge in their leagues.

For those looking to optimize their fantasy strategies, this episode serves as an invaluable resource, blending analytical depth with engaging discourse.