Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: RB Rankings Part 2 + Preseason Takeaways & BIG NEWS Release Date: August 9, 2019
Introduction
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into the preseason week 1 games, provide a continuation of their running back rankings (Part 2), and share some exciting big news related to their involvement in a high-profile fantasy football league.
Preseason Week 1 Takeaways
The hosts kick off the episode by discussing the outcomes and observations from the completed preseason games. Emphasizing the importance of visual evaluation over stat lines, Andy Holloway notes, “What I care about is what my eyes see from certain players on the field. Are they proving some of the narratives true about their talent?” (03:56).
Key Observations:
- Kyler Murray's Performance: Holloway highlights Murray's agility, stating, “The most impressive play from Kyla Murray... was him escaping the pocket like Sonic the Hedgehog.” (05:22)
- Melvin Gordon Situation: Mike Wright expresses concern over Melvin Gordon's holdout, suggesting a potential trade scenario with Detroit involving Shaquille Leonard and Darryl Bevel (06:13).
- David Montgomery’s Opportunity: The discussion shifts to David Montgomery, who showcased his abilities against a second-team defense. Holloway remarks, “Montgomery looked like the real deal last night. Shifty breaking tackles.” (08:30)
- Quarterback Updates: The Giants' quarterback situation is scrutinized, with Daniel Jones showing promise. Mike Wright observes, “If Daniel Jones is actually showing anything to the Giants, it might be him playing into the job instead of just Eli losing the job.” (13:10)
Running Back Rankings Part 2
The core of the episode revolves around running back rankings, where the trio debates the positioning and potential of various players heading into the 2019 season.
Top Running Backs Discussed:
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Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns)
- Andy’s View: Ranked at number 11, Chubb is praised for his explosiveness and opportunity following Carlos Hyde’s departure. “He can do that, but he did move up...” (27:30)
- Jason’s Perspective: Places Chubb slightly lower at 13 but believes his potential warrants a higher ranking. “He was back and like you said, high powered offense. He's a goal line guy and now if he's involved in the passing game, there's very little to be worried about.” (28:32)
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Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Concerns Raised: The offensive line’s performance and AJ Green’s injury are cited as reasons for a slight drop in rankings. Andy states, “The offensive line has been beat up...” (29:44)
- Potential Upside: Despite concerns, Mixon is recognized as a talented, all-around back. “Joe Mixon is a dominant player for fantasy football, but with the offense taking a massive hit...” (30:25)
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Carry On Johnson (Detroit Lions)
- High Hopes vs. Risks: Jason passionately defends Johnson's potential, acknowledging the risks if other backs like Darryl Bevel do not perform as expected. “I believe in the talent. I believe that he showed it on the field and I'm hoping...” (36:12)
- Andy’s Stand: While supportive, Andy remains cautious about Johnson's actual implementation in the offense. “I'm going to stick with the offense, but it's getting tighter.” (38:33)
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Devonta Freeman (Atlanta Falcons) and Josh Jacobs (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders)
- Freeman’s Evolution: Discussed as a reliable back with increased opportunities, especially in the passing game. Jason notes, “He was really, really, really bad. And then he truly leveled...” (41:30)
- Jacobs’ Potential: While Josh Jacobs hasn't fully showcased his potential, the hosts see substantial upside if he secures a leading role. “Josh Jacobs can do that. If you have the pick, he's a...” (44:32)
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Leonard Fournette (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Volatility Issues: Fournette is recognized for his high volume but flagged for inconsistency and injury concerns. Andy states, “Leonard Fournette is more exciting to me because pure volume and goal line opportunities.” (58:12)
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Melvin Gordon (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Risk Mitigation: Positioned as a risk mitigation pick due to his holdout, with the potential to either be a top-tier back or miss the majority of the season. “This is risk mitigation placement for Melvin Gordon.” (56:20)
Other Notable Mentions:
- Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers): Despite injuries, Jones remains a favored pick for his explosive potential when healthy. Jason emphasizes, “If you have the pick, if you're a risky player, if you're a swing for the fence, huge up to the moon, Aaron Jones is your pick because if he gets the work, he's going to be great.” (49:40)
- Chris Carson, Marlon Mack, Derek Henry: Discussed as valuable picks within their rankings, with Carson being underrated and Mack and Henry holding significant upside.
Big News & Announcements
A major highlight of this episode is the Fantasy Footballers' involvement in a celebrity-filled fantasy league hosted on the Sleeper platform.
Key Points:
- Invitation to a Special League: The hosts announce their entry into a high-profile league featuring celebrities like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ninja, Zac Efron, and others. Andy excitedly shares, “We are drafting tomorrow live, 11am Pacific...” (18:14)
- Live Draft Streaming: The draft will be streamed live on their YouTube channel, offering listeners an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. “You'll see basically everything you see.” (19:35)
- Interactive Challenges: A playful segment includes a challenge between Andy and Jason regarding who would win in a race from midfield versus the end zone, adding a light-hearted element to the announcement. “Jason, if you grab carry on, I may force you to trade them to Ninja for sure.” (19:05)
Injuries and Updates
The episode covers several injury updates, providing listeners with critical information for their fantasy drafts.
Notable Updates:
- Jermaine Kearse (Detroit Lions): Confirmed out for the season due to a significant injury. Andy remarks, “Jermaine Curse last night... he's going to be done for the year.” (16:58)
- Antonio Brown: Dr. David Chow expresses optimism about Brown’s readiness, though Mike Wright advises caution. “He may not get a lot of time in camp, but believes he'll be ready for the season.” (20:43)
- Jerick McKinnon (Baltimore Ravens): Faces a prolonged sidelining with ongoing knee soreness, raising concerns about his availability. Jason states, “I'm not getting him for value. But Tevin Coleman and Matt Burrida order.” (21:22)
- QT (QB) Update: QBQT’s ankle injury is not considered major, with hopes he returns by week one. “It's not a major ankle injury, but I would expect Kiki will be shut down for the preseason.” (23:16)
- Leonard Fournette (Jacksonville Jaguars): Continues to have a high volume of rushing attempts but remains injury-prone with off-field issues affecting his playing time. “Leonard Fournette is so difficult because if he's on the field he will put up...” (52:10)
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a recap of the running back rankings and a final encouragement for listeners to engage with their content and upcoming live draft events. The hosts reiterate the importance of staying connected through their website ultimatedraftkit.com and YouTube channel, ensuring fans have access to the latest insights and updates.
Notable Quotes
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Andy Holloway:
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Jason Moore:
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Mike Wright:
Timestamp References
For quick navigation, notable quotes and discussions are referenced with timestamps in the format MM:SS, corresponding to their appearance in the transcript.
- 02:18
- 03:56
- 05:22
- 06:13
- 08:30
- 13:10
- 27:30
- 28:32
- 29:44
- 30:25
- 36:12
- 38:33
- 41:30
- 44:32
- 49:40
- 52:10
- 56:20
Stay Connected:
- Website: ultimatedraftkit.com
- YouTube: Fantasy Footballers Channel
- Twitter: @the_ffballers
Tune into the next episode for more in-depth analysis, player rankings, and exclusive fantasy football strategies!