Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: NFC West Breakdown + Annoying Players

Release Date: July 18, 2019

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve deep into the intricacies of the NFC West, offering a comprehensive analysis for fantasy football enthusiasts. Additionally, they discuss players they anticipate to be sources of frustration throughout the upcoming season. Below is a structured summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Annoying Players of the Upcoming Season

The hosts each shared their picks for players or situations they expect to be annoying topics in fantasy football during the season.

• Andy Holloway on Leonard Fournette ([03:35] - [05:03])

  Andy expresses frustration with Leonard Fournette, primarily due to his injury concerns and inconsistent playtime. He states:

  "The player that I am going to be annoyed talking about is Leonard Fournette. Because I don't enjoy doing the whole injury prediction thing... he pops up on the injury report with something little every week..." ([04:08])

  Andy acknowledges Fournette's potential but doubts his ability to play all 16 games, which is crucial for his fantasy value.

• Mike Wright on Kenyon Drake ([06:21] - [07:06])

  Mike anticipates frustration with Kenyon Drake, predicting frequent changes in his usage and victories that might not materialize consistently.

  "...Jason is going to come in here, six shooters drawn, firing into the air with an incredible Kenyon Drake... I think he'll be annoying because I just don't know what's going to happen in Miami." ([06:50])

• Jason Moore on Seattle Seahawks ([07:06] - [07:19])

  Jason chooses the Seattle Seahawks as his annoyance pick, highlighting the unpredictability in their fantasy contributions due to potential regressions from key players like Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett.

  "I think it's going to be a tough fantasy situation... There will be points up there in Seattle. But it's going to be obnoxious..." ([07:19])

2. NFC West Divisional Breakdown

The hosts provide an in-depth analysis of each team within the NFC West, evaluating their prospects and key players for the upcoming season.

a. Los Angeles Rams

• Offensive Stability and Key Players ([15:27] - [24:33])

  The Rams are lauded for their consistent offensive lineup, featuring star players like Jared Goff, Brandon Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. Andy emphasizes the value of having multiple reliable wide receivers:

  "There’s no absence of the same players that made this offense great a year ago." ([19:31])

  The running back situation remains dynamic with discussions around Todd Gurley’s role and potential regression in touchdowns. The offensive line's improvement and Sean McVay's coaching are seen as significant positives.

• Fantasy Implications ([22:02] - [26:46])

  The trio discusses the ADP (Average Draft Position) of Rams' wide receivers:

  "Cooks is 406, Woods 409, Cup 503." ([22:02])

  Jason prefers Robert Woods for consistency over Brandon Cooks, despite their similar production.

• Todd Gurley’s Impact ([26:48] - [28:06])

  Todd Gurley is recognized as an elite running back when healthy, but concerns about his efficiency against stacked defenses are raised.

  "I think he's going to end up in that top 10 category again." ([35:16])

b. Seattle Seahawks

• Running Game Strength ([28:06] - [31:06])

  The Seahawks are praised for their robust rushing attack, led by Chris Carson and Rashad Penny. Andy highlights the dual-threat nature of their backfield:

  "I would be happy to scoop up Chris Carson... and Rashad Penny and say I've got a pass-catching option." ([30:30] - [31:06])

• Fantasy Strategy ([29:36] - [31:29])

  The discussion revolves around drafting strategies for the Seahawks’ running backs, weighing the potential of Carson versus Penny.

  "I would rather have Robert Woods. I want the more consistent guy." ([23:01])

c. San Francisco 49ers

• Offensive Potential and Key Additions ([34:10] - [47:22])

  The 49ers' offense is characterized by potential growth with players like George Kittle, Dante Pettis, and Debo Samuel. Andy underscores the importance of consistency and the role of key wide receivers:

  "From a consistency standpoint, he's the only one that I can look at and get something out of." ([34:59])

  Jason brings up the transitional phase with Kyle Shanahan's coaching and the influx of new talent, suggesting potential for breakout performances.

• George Kittle’s Value ([42:47] - [43:25])

  Kittle is acknowledged as a premium tight end but faces skepticism about replicating his past performance, affecting his ADP.

  "He's not going to replicate what he did last year..." ([47:22])

d. Arizona Cardinals

• Rebuilding and Challenges ([47:03] - [56:05])

  The Cardinals are depicted as a team attempting to erase a disappointing 3-13 record from the previous year. Key challenges include a subpar offensive line and quarterback inconsistencies.

  "They run for 160 yards per game. 130 was the running back." ([29:01])

  Andy and Mike express low confidence in the team's offensive capabilities, but recognize new additions like Kyler Murray and Christian Kirk as potential upside.

• Fantasy Prospects ([50:33] - [56:05])

  Discussion revolves around draft strategies, highlighting Kyler Murray’s value as a rookie quarterback with rushing upside despite offensive line concerns.

  "Kyler Murray is worth a late seventh-round pick of inevitability." ([54:24])

3. Key Insights and Takeaways

• Consistency vs. Ceiling:

  The balance between consistent performers (e.g., Robert Woods) and high-ceiling players (e.g., Brandon Cooks) is crucial in draft strategies.

• Injury Concerns:

  Players prone to injuries, like Leonard Fournette and Todd Gurley, present significant risks, influencing their fantasy value.

• Offensive Line Impact:

  The improvement of offensive lines, particularly for teams like the Rams, can significantly enhance the performance and fantasy prospects of key players.

• Rookie Quarterbacks:

  Kyler Murray is identified as a potential high-value pick due to his rushing ability, despite historical data suggesting rookie QBs may struggle with wide receiver production.

4. Conclusions

The Fantasy Footballers provide a nuanced breakdown of the NFC West, highlighting both opportunities and pitfalls for fantasy managers. Teams like the Rams and Seahawks present reliable options with their stable rosters, while the 49ers offer potential breakout candidates amid uncertainties. The Cardinals, undergoing a rebuilding phase, offer late-round value with players like Kyler Murray but come with their set of challenges.

The discussion on annoying players underscores the importance of managing expectations and being prepared for weekly frustrations with inconsistent performers and injury-prone stars. Overall, the episode equips listeners with strategic insights to navigate the upcoming fantasy football season effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway ([03:35]):

  "The player that I am going to be annoyed talking about is Leonard Fournette..."

• Jason Moore ([07:19]):

  "I think it's going to be a tough fantasy situation."

• Mike Wright ([35:42]):

  "Russell Wilson is an efficient quarterback. Period, End of sentence."

This comprehensive analysis from the Fantasy Footballers offers valuable perspectives for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to optimize their draft strategies and week-to-week management within the NFC West framework.