The TRUTH: Top 10 Fantasy RBs + Wheel of Shame - Fantasy Football Podcast for 1/22

Summary

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Fantasy Footballers Podcast: "The TRUTH: Top 10 Fantasy RBs + Wheel of Shame"

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

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Episode Overview

In this highly anticipated episode, the Fantasy Footballers turn their analytical spotlight to the running back position, delivering the annual "TRUTH" breakdown for the 2025 season’s top 10 RBs. The hosts apply their signature blend of insight and debate, focusing on player consistency, usage, and what lies beneath the final fantasy point totals. Expect deep dives, strong opinions, tangents about hot dogs, and their customary “Wheel of Shame” Fantasy Face Off segment to close the episode.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tradition, Rivalries, and “Wheel of Shame” Banter

• Early segment establishes the camaraderie and tradition at the core of the hosts’ home league (03:54).
• Playful banter highlights the group’s cherished in-studio games like the “pistachio off”, and ongoing “shame” punishment (04:32).

2. NFL Playoff Storylines & Rooting Interests (07:03–12:12)

• Discussion about who the guys are rooting for in the playoffs, revealing biases and entertaining semantics over what “rooting” means.
• Andy: Leaning towards Buffalo or imaginary combo of fantasy favorite players.
• Mike: Rooting for Denver for the chaos factor.
• Jason: Torn between outcomes, articulates how emotions change once the game starts.
• Memorable bit on discovering in real time who you “really” root for once a game kicks off:

  "As soon as a game starts, and no matter what you thought prior to kickoff, all of a sudden you know exactly who you're rooting for." — Jason Moore (10:38)

3. NFL News & Notes (12:49–20:18)

• Coaching Carousel: Mike McDaniel expected to become Chargers OC, generating excitement for Justin Herbert’s outlook (13:15).
• Buffalo Bills Dysfunction: Wild behind-the-scenes stories of GM Brandon “Mr. Bean” Bean’s tenuous standing and the Keon Coleman pick controversy (15:26–17:32).
• Giants/Harbaugh Saga: Laugh-filled chat about contract control, power struggles, and awkward press conference moments with the Giants’ new Harbaugh regime (18:14–19:46).
• 49ers WR News: John Lynch signals end of Brandon Aiyuk’s 49ers tenure; Jauan Jennings likely to re-sign (20:01).

4. Running Back Landscape—Seasonal Review

(22:29–23:40)

• The 2025 season had the second-most total rushing fantasy points and touchdowns for RBs in over a decade.
• RBs as receivers, by contrast, registered the fewest RB receiving yards since 2011 (24:14).
  • Only 7 RBs caught 50+ passes this year (24:15).
• Major anomaly: RB health was historically good—most top backs played full or near-full seasons (25:24).
• Strategic implications: Debate over whether this will push RBs up draft boards next year, despite the ebb-and-flow of injury luck (25:50–26:48).

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The Truth: Top 10 Fantasy RBs Deep Dive (22:29–59:49)

Below is a summary of each RB’s season, with key stats, context, and analysis:

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1. Christian McCaffrey (SF)

• Consistency Rank: 1 | Age: 29 | Stats: 1,202 rush yds/10 rush TDs, 924 rec yds/7 rec TDs
  • “Number one in total fantasy points. Number one in consistency. Number one in the first half. Number one in the second half. At 29 years old.” — Andy (27:45)
• Unmatched “Dual Threat”: Would have been WR11 using only his receiving stats (28:14).
• Staying Power Concerns: Career-high 440 touches, but durability red flags with prior post-400-touch season injuries (30:59).
• 2026 Draft Outlook: May be challenged by Bijan/Gibbs/Gibbs for top RB spot, but still elite.
• Quote:

  "It's just, it's literally two positions in one." — Jason (28:14)

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2. Jonathan Taylor (IND)

• Consistency Rank: 5 | Tale of Two Halves: Explosive 1st half, faded vs. tougher defenses and without Daniel Jones at QB (33:29).
• Home/Away Disparity: 10 pts better at home; 11 pts worse vs. top defenses (34:34).
• 2026 Outlook: QB uncertainty clouds ceiling—Richardson vs. Leonard debate mentioned (36:22–36:53).
• Quote:

  “He's got that potential in him. So next year I’m going to be very bullish towards Jonathan Taylor.” — Jason (36:19)

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3. Bijan Robinson (ATL)

• Consistency Rank: 3 | Attributing Success: Consistently dominant regardless of home/road, but notably boosted by bad defenses (38:33).
• Module Power: #1 in forced missed tackles, yards after contact, and % of first read targets (39:43).
• 2026 Imagined Leap: Potential RB1 overall if Atlanta unleashes him at the goal line and/or moves on from Tyler Allgeier (40:44).
• Draft Note: Could challenge McCaffrey for first RB drafted, especially if Cousins starts season and/or Algier departs.
• Quote:

  "Like, just when you watch and you go oh, that was awesome." — Jason (39:55)

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4. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)

• Consistency Rank: 11 | Explosion/Volatility: Two #1 weeks midseason, but playoffs were rough; struggles when sharing with David Montgomery (41:21).
• Breakout Possibility: Potential top 3 pick if Montgomery (a free agent) leaves (42:16).
• Key Stat: 10 pts better at home; notably swung by defensive matchups (42:59).

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5. Devon Achane (MIA)

• Consistency Rank: 2 | Plays Like a WR, Runs Like a Dagger: 94% good games, 19% great, 0 busts (44:06–44:50).
• Not Dependent on Goal Line: Only 1 inside-the-5 TD, success came everywhere (49:48).
• Coaching/Quarterback Concern: With MIA’s staff turnover and QB questions, both Andy and Mike urge some caution, but Jason is unwaveringly bullish on Achane’s undeniable talent (47:02).
• Quote:

  “He is one of the elite special talents in the NFL. He's established that. So whatever coaching staff is coming in, they're now going to look at this player and say we're building our offense around him predominantly.” — Jason (46:22)

• Fun Stat: 100% of games were “acceptable” for fantasy (45:16).

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6. James Cook (BUF)

• Consistency Rank: 4 | Breakthrough Year: NFL’s leading rusher (1,600+ yards), third-round fantasy draft pick to top-6 finish (50:38).
• Role Clarity: Over 100 more carries than previous year, became clear workhorse/feature back.
• Red Flag: Led NFL with 6 fumbles (51:55).
• Quote:

  “The story of James Cook is that he proved himself to be a true workhorse dominator.” — Andy (50:38)

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7. Derrick Henry (BAL)

• Consistency Rank: 9 | Slow starter, huge finisher: RB17 first half, RB4 second half (52:50).
• Ageless Anomaly: Only one RB age 32+ with double-digit TDs since 2010; Henry is the oddsmakers’ most likely to repeat (54:23).
• “Never Bet Against” Lesson: Defied age-cliff concerns yet again; top 3 in yards/carry (54:43).

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8. Chase Brown (CIN)

• Consistency Rank: 8 | Miracle Comeback: Total non-factor (deadweight for 6 weeks), then exploded as the Bengals offense clicked (55:01–56:45).
• Fun Fact: Bust rate plummeted from 19% last year to just 6% this season (56:45).

9. Kyren Williams (LAR)

• Consistency Rank: 6 | Stealth Consistency: Invisible but essential; quietly delivers week-in, week-out thanks to Sean McVay’s offense (57:01).
• Volume Watch: Fewer total touches than last year, but production is steady as long as supporting cast stays healthy (57:40–58:07).

10. Travis Etienne (JAX)

• Consistency Rank: 14 | Hot/Cold: Underwhelming start (RB19 in first half), surged during playoff push (58:33).
• Age/FA Note: Entering free agency as an older (27) RB; teams may balk at price despite versatility (58:35).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McCaffrey’s dominance:

  “Unfair. I mean, it’s literally two positions in one. If you just use his receiving stats only and he doesn't touch the ball on the ground, he would have been the wide receiver 11.” — Jason (28:14)

• On running back drafting strategy:

  "In a neutral situation, since this show started, I much prefer taking running backs in the first round... The power of the dominant RB was on display." — Andy (26:08)

• On Kyren Williams’ quiet greatness:

  “Kyren seems like the most invisible consistent player... he just functions within [the Rams] to greatness.” — Andy (57:01)

• Hot Dog Lunch Digestive Drama:

  • Ongoing throughout the show, culminating in:

    “The hot dogs have new weapons, guys. These aren’t swords anymore. The steam engine is cooking.” — Mike (59:49–60:09)

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[Face Off & Wheel of Shame] Fantasy Segment (60:43–66:37)

• Wheel of Shame faceoff: Loser dons a wild costume (tattoo sleeves, fake beard, etc.) and the segment is full of good-natured ribbing.
• PrizePicks Payout Picks: Each host makes rapid-fire over/under selections on playoff player stats, giving insight into their tilt and process.

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------|--------------| | Intro/Banter | 01:34–04:49 | | Playoff Rooting Debate | 07:03–12:12 | | NFL News & Notes | 12:49–20:18 | | RB Position Overview | 22:29–27:51 | | #1–#5 RB Discussion | 27:52–47:02 | | #6–#10 RB Discussion | 50:38–59:49 | | Wheel of Shame/Face Off | 60:43–66:37 |

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is informative, high-energy, and full of good-natured ribbing—very much an insiders’ vibe with plenty of “league as family” enthusiasm.
• Analytical rigor is strong, especially regarding context for each RB’s season (injuries, coaching, contracts). The “truth” series consistently serves as a reality check for fantasy managers wanting process-driven reviews and forward-looking insights.
• Running backs are back! ...For now. The hosts caution that the current surge in RB health (and thus, value) is likely to regress.
• Breakaway runners and goal-line roles will be a defining draft debate for 2026, especially in light of looming coaching and personnel changes.

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For listeners who missed the episode, this summary delivers the show’s strategic fantasy football takeaways, signature humor, and plenty of “must-know” nuggets for winning your league in 2026—with style.

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Transcript

[A]

What's up, Foot Clan traditions. They have the power to bring a whole city together. To have his tailgate in the pouring rain or refuse to wash that lucky jersey. If things are, you know, they're going pretty good for your fantasy football team. And tradition, that's what we're all about. Even our main league. It's not for money. It's for tradition. It's for insulting one another. It's for the fun of the game. And tradition is what inspires Tostitos to make their masa the traditional way. So starting with the whole corn kernels and made with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. And guess what? They're crafted for that perfect crunch. We're down here every week. The chips, the dip, the taste, the flavor. We love it as we watch the games. Tostitos is a big part of it. And whether you're at the tailgate or home watching with friends, choose Tostitos for your next game day. Tostitos tradition matters. The official chip and dip, sponsor of the NFL.

[B]

Today's show is brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Trendy workouts not really working out. At Anytime Fitness, you get a customized workout plan based on your biometric data. You'll get a personalized training, nutrition and recovery plan tailored to your body's strength and goals, plus expert coaching Anytime, anywhere through the Anytime Fitness app. Enjoy 247 access to the world's largest network of gyms, all equipped to help you level up your strength and your life. So get a scan and make a plan at Anytime fitness. Visit anytime fitness.com to get started.

[C]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[A]

Welcome in. Thursday, January 22nd. Welcome into the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Mike Wright is here. Jason Moore, the goat himself, Andy Holloway. Look at his hat.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Self proclaimed goat.

[C]

It's just a Christmas present.

[B]

I mean, I don't know if he's proclaiming he is a goat or it's just stating there's a goat on my hat.

[C]

There's a goat.

[A]

Only the goat would eat hot dogs for lunch.

[C]

Oh, baby. Hot dog lunch.

[A]

Hot dog lunch.

[C]

I ordered three, so I had a lot of self control, dude.

[A]

So you left the hot dog?

[C]

Yeah, I didn't know how big they were going to be.

[B]

I think that's a good strategy, right?

[A]

Order one more than you should eat.

[B]

Yeah. Because you know what Jason did? He didn't finish it.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

He let. He was like, no. If I only ordered too much.

[C]

If I only ordered two giant hot Dogs. And I ate them, then I ate everything I ordered. But if I ordered three and I eat two.

[A]

You showed self control.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

What a.

[C]

Because here's the thing.

[B]

I would waste away to make yourself feel better.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Well, it's not just to make yourself feel better. I was asking.

[A]

He feels terrible for.

[C]

Yeah, no, it doesn't make you feel good. No, I feel awful. I feel like I ate two giant hot dogs. But one of the tips for fitness that I was just getting from ChatGPT was eat 70% of your meal. Oh, I'm at 66%.

[B]

That's what I'm saying.

[C]

How do I not lose weight if I keep ordering that much?

[A]

It's pretty scientific.

[C]

Oh, man. We figured out a pretty. I got a new diet coming out. America, get ready.

[B]

Your lunch could have been 1700 calories.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But it wasn't.

[C]

No way.

[B]

Because you stop.

[C]

Because I'm not going to go all the way and eat that bad.

[A]

No, no. You did a great job and we're glad you're here. There may be weird sounds emitting from your microphone, but that's okay.

[C]

It's not from the microphone.

[A]

We've got NFL news to talk about. We have the truth of the running back position. On today's show, we have another fantasy face off and a Jason Moore wheel of shame. Dominating the wheel of shame during.

[C]

This is not fair.

[A]

During the playoff.

[C]

This is not fair. I'm the shame every week. But what's happening, everybody?

[A]

You're tying.

[C]

I'm tying.

[A]

You're tying. Not with me.

[C]

Yes. Mike won this week. Andy and I tied, and so we had.

[B]

It's a win. Yeah.

[A]

Mike went two for three. His. One of these was a tie. Yes. Yes. He won anyways. 2 out of 3 hot dogs for Mike.

[C]

The last. The last two times that I have been the shame. I have not been the sole shame. I tied and I lost in a pistachio throwing contest.

[A]

Actually, twice it was pistachio. Once you lost the tiebreaker. Oh, no, you don't lose because. Yeah.

[C]

I'm just saying the pistachio off, which we're doing around the studio, throwing a pistachio to the wall. I'm not as good as Andy at that. And I'm just going to say it. You're better at throwing a pistachio than that.

[A]

Thank you. I've been waiting for that for a long time.

[C]

But it sucks that now I get shamed for you.

[B]

You can pick a new Danny. Oh. If we have, like a few items. Anything you want to throw, we'll throw it.

[C]

Oh, I'm going to do paper. No, no, I want to do.

[A]

He doesn't want to throw.

[C]

I want to do tic tac toe.

[B]

Well, that's just.

[A]

That's a lame. That's a lame game.

[C]

It's not infinite. It's infinite.

[B]

The point is there's one way to win.

[A]

Jason is getting shamed today.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So you can look forward to that.

[C]

Is it more hot dogs?

[A]

You will be in a hot dog outfit.

[B]

No, we're bringing a third dog out.

[C]

Yeah. Mike still on the table.

[A]

You've got an announcement for us?

[B]

Yes, I do. Foot Clan, it's time to assemble. We have something we need to help or we need you to help us out. Go to footclanvote.com. the annual FSGA awards are going on right now. It's the Fantasy Sports and Gaming association, you know, industry we're a part of. And every year they do a best social media award and it is a vote award. So we really need you to go out. Click Foot Clan vote or go to footclanvote.com.

[A]

Click.

[B]

It's. It'll be really, really fast. It's just like a survey monkey thing. I promise it'll take you two minutes at the most. And assuming we win with the Foot Clan, who are strong and mighty, Matt the Falcon, our social media director, doesn't get fired.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So maybe don't vote? Is that what you're saying? Well, I don't want Pete. I don't want to sway people to. Not yet.

[B]

Wait, did I convince.

[A]

Yeah, I do. I do feel like you talk people out of doing this now.

[B]

If we lose, he will remain on board.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

All right.

[C]

So if you want him out, go vote right now.

[A]

Okay, there we go.

[C]

Either way, go vote. Yeah. And we'll get rid of him.

[A]

We'll do whatever you want.

[C]

No matter what the results are. If you vote, get rid of them.

[A]

Totally up to you. What you want us to do if.

[B]

We win, I will put a poll up that says, should I fire Matt?

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Then I'll just. Whatever the poll says, that's what we do.

[A]

Let's check in with Matt.

[B]

Oh, he's not here.

[C]

Pre fired.

[A]

He's not here.

[B]

Interesting Footclamp.

[A]

Thank you very much. Quick question of the day. David writes in from the website. Among the remaining playoff teams, which players, teams, and storylines are you rooting for the most? We have the Patriots and Broncos game, Jarrett Stidham. We have the Seahawks and the Rams. I am. I've got a reason.

[B]

You Left yours blank. I don't even know what it is because. You don't know.

[A]

I.

[B]

You want me to go first?

[A]

No, I'm not. I'm not at a lack for words. I'm just. I don't really.

[C]

You don't care?

[A]

I don't really want any of them to win. If I had to choose one, it's New England. I'd pick New England to win because I'm a Drake May fan. I'm a Mike Vrabel fan. But then in the back of my head, I'm like, they've had enough winning. They don't need more winning. That's.

[B]

Then there's only one team for you.

[C]

To choose, and that's the team that I'm using.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

I want the Broncos to make.

[A]

I don't like Sean Payton.

[C]

Everyone upset.

[A]

I don't like Sean Payton at all.

[C]

That's true. You don't. I do. I think Broncos fans are awesome, so I want it for them. Love the city of Denver. It's delightful. It's a good place. And so I like the team. I like Bo Nix. That story of losing, the story of having your backup come in, Nick Foles, esque. And, like, win a championship. I. I don't believe that the Broncos are going to win the Super Bowl. I think they can, but that's where it's, like, the most fun outcome.

[A]

You're rooting for them. Would you say you're rooting for the Broncos to win?

[C]

I see.

[A]

I will open this can up on this show right now.

[B]

There was a problem with the definition.

[A]

Of a word, me defining rooting, and Jason defined it in his own.

[C]

No, I didn't.

[A]

His own. Upside down.

[B]

Are you rooting? No. I just hope that they win.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

That's Rudy.

[B]

No, but.

[C]

No, but the thing is, you were like.

[A]

You think the realistic chance of a team winning is tied into rooting? That's insane.

[B]

All right, hold on.

[C]

If we're going to open. If we're opening a bag, worth.

[A]

I do agree with you.

[C]

If we're opening a bag of worms, you got to get it right. This was. This was right after the injury. And my point was, if I knew that the Broncos let him do it, man.

[A]

I know.

[C]

Just listen to my case. Just listen to the case.

[B]

Okay?

[C]

If I knew that the Broncos would win the super bowl, right? They, like, go forward in time. They won. That would be, like, my favorite.

[B]

With Stitty.

[C]

With Stitty, obviously, after Bonix goes down, that would be my favorite outcome, because I don't believe they can win in the Super Bowl. I do think they can be the Patriots. I don't think they'll win in the Super Bowl. I kind of. I don't want that to be the actual game I watch. I think the most fun game would be Drake May against Sam. Not Sam Donald. I would think Matthew Stafford. Drake May is the most fun Super Bowl. Therefore, I'm kind of rooting for the Patriots to win that game. I'm not actually rooting for the Broncos, but my favorite outcome would actually be the Broncos winning the Super Bowl. So the one of those two things.

[B]

That you hope is the outcome.

[A]

You're not rooting for the Broncos.

[C]

Correct.

[A]

Okay. All right. Now, the people out there know exactly.

[B]

What we're dealing with.

[A]

And by the way, let me just say this. Papa Josh immediately wrote, I feel like I'm looking in the mirror with a dumb argument. Which should alarm you.

[C]

That is very alarming.

[A]

That should alarm you. You root. To me, rooting is all about. It doesn't matter the probability of winning. It's who you'd want to see win the most, which you said is the Broncos. You'd want the Broncos to win the most.

[C]

I will say this. It is such a fascinating thing in sports when as soon as a game starts and no matter what you thought prior to kickoff, all of a sudden you know exactly who you're rooting for. This happened to me with the Bears.

[A]

You realized that they were the team.

[C]

You wanted to win 100% last week. I mean, the game started, and I had said earlier that I was. That I was literally rooting for the other team. But as soon as it started, there was no doubt. My heart wanted.

[B]

Don't know what rooting means.

[A]

It is pretty unanimous on that opinion.

[C]

I think I can root for a lot of things, Mike. My heart is big.

[A]

We'll study his. His brain for science later on. I'm rooting for nobody. I'm bitter. Buffalo. I'm rooting for Buffalo.

[B]

I am in on the Denver Broncos and J. Staddy. Just the chaos. The chaos that would ensue would be very.

[A]

I'm not rooting for any of the NFC west teams. I can't do that.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Principally.

[B]

So just jump Broncos.

[A]

Sure, sure.

[C]

I'm rooting for Sean Payton.

[B]

I'm rooting for Ken Bone Walker, who now has an opportunity to get the bag.

[C]

Yeah, so is Andy.

[B]

Get the bag. Go get a starting feature role.

[A]

You know what?

[B]

Do it. Do it on the biggest page.

[A]

You just helped me figure out who I'm Rooting for.

[C]

You're rooting for the Seahawks, aren't you?

[A]

Putting it into fantasy football. I've got Ken Bone Walker on my main league team. That's my new. That's who I'm going for.

[C]

How crazy is it to think that the incredible draft. The incredible NFL draft.

[A]

My guy, Ken Bone Walker, Andy's guy.

[B]

Yeah, it's happened.

[A]

What were you saying? How incredible is what?

[C]

So was it, I think the 2018 draft where Josh Allen was drafted? I think. Was Lamar in that draft class?

[A]

Yes, he was at like 20.

[C]

Baker?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Zach Darnold.

[B]

Wait, wait.

[C]

That's my point. Who's going to win the first Super Bowl? Is it Josh Allen or Lamar? No, it. Right now it seems like it's. Sam Darnold has the best.

[A]

It's not Josh Rosen.

[C]

No, he was. Man, there were a lot of wins and one Josh Rosen in that draft.

[A]

We will go ahead. What did we get that one?

[C]

News and notes from around the league.

[A]

Well, we'll have coaching news probably every show for a while. The more exciting offensive coordinator options out there, Mike McDaniel of the. Formerly the Dolphins head coach. The report. Was it Schefter? It's.

[C]

It's a little bit of everybody.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The expectation is he will become the Chargers next offensive coordinator.

[B]

This is, this is good.

[A]

Greg Roman was let go. Very disappointing playoffs once again for Herbert and the chargers. If Mike McDaniel ends up with Miami or, sorry, with Los Angeles, I think that's pretty exciting. And everyone would agree on that.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, you.

[A]

Makes me happy for Hampton.

[B]

It's like Hampton and, and like Gadsden. We just talked about Gadsden on today's Dynasty podcast, which we recorded that yesterday. So we didn't have this Mike McDaniel news. And it's like that's, it's. It's nothing for sure. Of course, that, that McDaniel would come in and be like, oh, no, Gadson, I need to, I need to have some real offensive packages surrounding him. Like he, you know, we had a few of those in Miami. It's not for sure, but you have, you have hope because you have proof of concept that there were great players on the Miami Dolphins. And then out of nowhere, John who Smith is the one who's just dominating. So this is super exciting. The Herb Rose around the nation are they should be celebrating.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, a couple of seasons ago, Tua led the NFL in passing. We don't, we don't even really think of it like that. That this Dolphins offense was the, you know, the most passing yards in the NFL. And so getting Herbert and the weapons that this team has, which, you know, other than Keenan Allen, are very young and explosive. Trey Harris, very. Oh, I love Trey Harris.

[A]

I love what he did, even this season with the running game and Devon H.N. and Miami as well. I just feel like his running schemes, they work out. So that makes me excited for the whole offense. We found out, I guess this would be what. Criminal charges are not going to be filed against Jordan Addison, which.

[B]

That's great.

[A]

He's preparing for a civil claim arising from the wrongful arrest. Oh, he's going to file his own civil case against what he's alleging to be a wrongful arrest. Brandon Bean said Josh Allen may need a procedure on his foot, but if he does, he will be ready for OTAs. This would be the Buffalo Bill superstar general manager Brandon Bean.

[B]

This is not in the doc, guys. But it's too amazing to me, this whole, like, the fiasco.

[C]

I love it.

[B]

Of McDermott being let go and Brandon Bean retaining his job. Promoted, promotes. Thank you. Improving his job in spite of the fact that Brandon Bean, when it comes to drafting, has not been good. He has not been good for the Buffalo Bills. And then more stuff starts to leak out that, oh, man, there was like, him and McDermott kind of got a little heated of McDermott thinking, I don't have the right staff to win a Super Bowl. That would upset the general manager. I get. And then yesterday, you had everything coming out of. There was a press conference with Brandon Bean and the owner of the Bills. And the owner starts going, hey, Because Keon Coleman comes up and it's like, you guys need to leave Brandon Bean alone on that one. The coaching staff wanted Keon Coleman. This was not Brandon Bean's guy. This was the coaching. He's, like, throwing the McDermott and crew under the bus. And since then, we just have a steady trickle of draft videos behind the scenes of Brandon Bean highlighting who's the guy that we're going to draft. It is for sure.

[A]

Who gets the color? Cam Coleman had been great. Oh, dude, Brandon Bean's a genius there, huh?

[B]

Like this.

[C]

What's craziest about that situation? To me now, it's really funny looking at the receipts, the receipts that are coming out, showing that this was obviously not just like, you're a liar. Coaching staff running, you're a liar.

[B]

But.

[C]

But the craziest part is Keon Coleman is under contract right now. You're bodying your own player. Like, oh, dude, the general Manager did not want Keon Coleman. That guy sucks. He's. He's your wide. He's under contract. He's probably watching your press conference. It's definitely gotten back to him.

[B]

Brandon Bean.

[C]

Mr. Bean. Which is his new name.

[B]

Oh, we're going Mr. Bean.

[C]

He's Mr. Bean.

[A]

That is his name.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Totally. For this Mr. Bean.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

There is no other reasoning to me other than he has, you know, in Aladdin. Jafar has his staff, Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And the Sultan is just under the spell. Under the spell. That's the only thing I could think of that is going on for Brandon B. He's like, no, Sean McDermott wanted Keon Coleman. And he's like, yeah, but I'm watching this video. No, you are not.

[C]

Sean McDermott wanted.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Mr. Bean can't wait to follow this. It is good stuff.

[A]

Pretty unprecedented when the player is still on the team to talk about how much of a whiff he is. Unreal. Unredeemable pick.

[C]

At this point, the only thing as Fun as the Mr. Bean GM situation is the Giants GM situation where they hire Harbaugh. And Harbaugh, this has been such a fun time.

[B]

Yes, it really has. And the issue, this is why John Harbaugh does not work for Bidwell in the cardinals.

[C]

100%. And so the hardship in getting the contract signed was apparently he needed to know that he has final say over. Who is it? Joe Shone.

[B]

Joe Schmo.

[C]

Joe Schmo. Joe Schmo there, gm. That's right. And then the quotes that have been coming out from that guy. First of all, when he introduced Harbaugh at the press conference, he looked like the most nervous man on the planet.

[B]

I have, I have presented, I have given speeches in the midst of a panic attack. That's what it sounds like. Where you just. You can't talk, you can't catch your breath, you can't get air.

[A]

Yeah, you can't catch your breath.

[C]

And then he was asked later.

[A]

I'm just surprised he's not excited.

[C]

Right. Well, because he's.

[A]

Why is that a nerve wracking one? I think it's nervous. You've had a lot of other. How about the press conference when you're like, I traded sake one. That one. You should be hyperventilating.

[C]

He is holding on for dear life, for his power.

[B]

Did you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Did you hear what he said about the.

[A]

I'm still very important here when he.

[B]

Was talking about, well, you know, question about Harbaugh's. This was the hold up in the final say. And he's like, yeah, it's really no big deal.

[C]

Yeah, it's just a thing on paper. It doesn't really matter. It's just a thing on paper.

[B]

It's just a contractually binding thing that says I don't have the final say.

[A]

Anymore, but I am still a unimportant person. I drive a Dodge Stratus.

[C]

Dude. It's the.

[B]

It's.

[A]

I'm one of the people here.

[B]

It's Star Lord and Thor. He's like, oh, no. We all. We all know who's in charge.

[C]

Of course.

[A]

49Ers announced they want to resign Juan Jennings and John lynch said it's safe to say he's played his last snap with the 49ers. Speaking of Brandon Iuk. Oh, yeah, Brandon Iuk is. Yeah, we know he's not. I don't know if he's ever going to play football again. I really don't.

[C]

I think he's going to lose so much money he's going to need to play football again.

[A]

Probably right there. But that'll do it for the news. We will take a break and jump right into the truth. This episode is supported by Prize Picks. Whether you're starting a new routine or making picks for the first time, trying something new, well, that can be difficult. But in life and on Prize Picks, it always feels good to be right. I'm talking to Papa Josh here. It always feels good to be more right than Papa Josh. Look, Prize Picks now has early payouts. I just found out about this. If your player gets off to a hot start, you've got the option now to cash out on those winnings before the game even finishes. And they have a social feeds feature. You can share your prize picks with your friends. You can copy lineups from winners with one click. My only rule is you don't follow or accept friend requests from Papa Josh himself. Look, how simple is it to get started? We come from the app development world. We love the Prizepix app. It's super easy to use. It's just smart and clean and easy. It's not like anything else out there. It's made the sport watching experience super fun. It just adds some value to the sport watching experience and we absolutely love it. So you can download the Prize Picks app today. Use the code footballers to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That is the code footballers to get $50 in lineUps after you play your first $5.00 lineup. Prize picks. It's good to be right Today's show.

[B]

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[C]

You want answers?

[A]

I think I'm entitled.

[B]

You want answers?

[C]

I want the truth.

[A]

You can't handle the truth. Well, the last couple of episodes we've looked at the quarterback position. Today we're looking at the top 10 running backs and looking at the truth. If you're new to this series, we are basically taking a look at how fantasy players finished at the position and what their true value was to your team by way of consistency week in and week out performances. And you know, we, we have a different threshold for what a great, a good and a bust game are for each position group. And so we walk through and tell you what we found. Kind of a postmortem on the season. A chance to look at the reality and the truth of the situation. We like to give a little bit of overview information every year we did this with the quarterback position on how the running backs performed over the course of the year. Interestingly enough, this was the second most total rushing fantasy points. So not talking about running backs performing in the, in the passing game, but the second most total rushing fantasy points for running back since 2011. So that, you know, it was a big year in terms of just rushing the football.

[B]

Rushing touchdowns too.

[A]

Yes, yes they were. It's the second most rushing touchdowns by running backs in that span as well. 23 different running backs hit seven plus rushing touchdowns. The average over the list this last decade was 17. I thought it was also interesting though that the running back position has been less efficient as a receiver. It's the fewest running back receiving yard since 2011. I don't know if you guys have thought processes as to why that's happened. I mean I think that they're more zone. More zone defense.

[B]

Yeah, I mean I think there's some.

[A]

Also some like highly prolific pass catching running backs that have phased out of fantasy. Like we had a lot of years with like Eckler right where he was just one that comes to mind. But that makes sense. Only seven running backs this year caught 50 or more passes.

[C]

That's really surprising. I feel like in the modern NFL with them throwing the ball so much more, you would expect it to not be going that way, but it's actually been a trend over the last few years. It's kind of been lower and lower each of the last couple of years. So I expect when you, when you look at a long enough chart, those things ebb and flow and they go backwards and forwards. So I would expect an uptick in receiving for the running back position next year over what it was this year. I would also expect the health to change because running backs can't stay healthy predominantly for like the history of the NFL until the last two years. They are incredibly healthy once again in 2025. You want to look at the games played from the top guys, you know, Bijan, a full season, saquon Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Derek Henry, Ashton Jensen. Like everybody was just healthy the whole season.

[A]

Well, you guaranteed it.

[C]

I did for Bijon and you know, I don't see him.

[A]

And Mike was 100% sure CMC would be healthy the whole year.

[B]

Yeah, he sure was never in doubt.

[C]

But yeah, it was. I mean, I remember this show over several years where we are talking about that how few players usually like in the top 20 running backs, only two guys played a full season.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Like that is more normal than what happened last year and this year, which I do think, you know, now that it's back to back seasons, maybe this pushes running backs even further up draft boards next year because you just think whatever just happened will happen again and it usually doesn't.

[A]

Yeah, I do think the defenses and what they're doing right now in the NFL played a part. I also always like in a neutral situation where you're not swinging the pendulum back and forth. I think that since this show started, I much prefer taking running backs in the first round of the draft. That's how I want to build my team. Injuries can like sway your emotions year to year, but in a situation of true neutrality, we're like, look, let's be honest, anybody can get hurt at any position at any time and I can. We're all going to blow picks in the first, you know, 10 to 12 in the draft because some injuries are going to happen.

[B]

About 50% of the first half, first round will be bad.

[A]

Like, I mean, I think this year is perfect example of like the power of the dominant running back was on display. Why when it works out, when you take that chance on that position group and we'll Be getting into the truth of the wide receiver position and maybe your opinion will change on it. It just showed. I think you know Christian McCaffrey this year, Bijan Robinson, difference makers, Devon Hn on a week to week basis. Jonathan Taylor for the majority of the year. When you take those players and they are healthy, you're very, very safe and secure on a week to week basis. Now, looking at the running back truth data thresholds, Great games are 21 points, good games, 12 points, bus games, fewer than seven. We don't count missed games against their consistency score. We don't have to spend a long time here, but we might because there's a dude sitting across from me that might need his time to celebrate. Number one in total fantasy points. Number one in consistency. Number one in the first half. Number one in the second half. At 29 years old. Yeah, 47%. Great. So almost 50% of the time he gave you a performance of 21 or more fantasy points.

[B]

That's absurd.

[A]

Zero bus games and 88% good games. Arguably the most complete performance of his career, even if not the most dominant. Christian McCaffrey. 311 for 1202 and 10 on the ground and a nice 102 and 924 and seven through the air. Two positions in one. I mean, what can you say?

[C]

Unfair. Unfair. I mean it's just, it's literally two positions in one. If you just use his receiving stats only and he doesn't touch the ball on the ground, he would have been the wide receiver. Eleven, he would have been a wide receiver. One. And then he also gets all the rushing stats that on his own would be. I mean it's just, it's outlandish.

[A]

He didn't really score too many touchdowns. No, it wasn't like number one everywhere, but this was 10 rushing touchdowns.

[B]

I think he had seven receiving.

[A]

He had seven receipts. That's not crazy. Those numbers are not crazy.

[B]

For the volume.

[A]

Correct. I'm just saying for the volume. Like you talk about.

[C]

Well, a couple of years ago they were giving him the like, what was it? The cumulative games in a row with a touchdown. They were forcing the issue because he was breaking records.

[A]

I mean he's ebbed and float on the ground, but like his last full healthy season was at 14 on the ground. That same season he had seven through the air.

[B]

His third highest season in touchdowns. If I'm doing the quick math.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, he missed. When he's healthy though. Yeah, like when he finished number one at the position. Let's put it that way. He finished number one this year. Right. His previous two number one finishes, 15 and 14 on the ground, it was.

[B]

Just, it was not nearly as effective on the ground.

[A]

Not a lot of big plays. Right.

[B]

Injuries.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The. Especially the big plays on the ground that we saw that we're used to as a San Francisco 49 Er, those really were not there.

[A]

Yards per carry. Do you know what it is?

[B]

It was 3.9, I think.

[A]

3.9.

[B]

Yeah. So that. That stinks. Especially when you wouldn't, you know, two years ago. Very, very small sample, but I think he was at 4 in that year. Kittle did miss a lot of time.

[A]

He was at 5.4.

[B]

Oh, he's at 5.

[A]

Two years last year in his, like, barely limited work, he was at 4.

[B]

That's what I was thinking of.

[A]

His last healthy season was five points.

[B]

It was only four games. But. And Kittle, when Kittle is out for the 49ers, it's a really, really big deal which going into next year. A big deal for next year because he'll have the Achilles injury.

[A]

Trade him to me.

[B]

McCaffrey's inefficiencies, he. Next year will. I can't imagine I won't be in on Christian McCaffrey, but I don't know if he'll be. I'll be in on him.

[C]

Let me help you.

[B]

Well, Bijan's going to be the top one pick, but it's like Gibbs, you.

[A]

Know, yeah, Montgomery could be gone.

[B]

There's.

[A]

If Gibbs was alone, there are more.

[C]

Chase, if you want to go wide.

[B]

Receiver, you know, I'm just, just pure running backs. There's going to be guys that I will consider over.

[C]

McCaffrey Underdog shared this. This was Christian McCaffrey's third time topping 400 touches in a season. Obviously he's, he's been a workhorse many times.

[B]

A scary number.

[C]

The other two times that he did it the following season he played three games and four games.

[B]

Yeah, that was, you know, the kind of the argument.

[C]

How do you think he is so fresh at 29 years old? The off seasons, like, yeah, full year offseason.

[A]

What if they did that proactively for somebody?

[B]

Yeah, just every other year.

[C]

Like we're going to get a good draft pick this year. You're going to sit out, you're going to be healthy for next year. We're going to have more ammunition.

[B]

Now, it's obviously the, the touch threshold is not everything. There's, there's a bunch of other variables, but if you want to put that into action. You know, last year, Saquon Barkley on that huge season where he was just touching the ball like every play that was one of the red flags is, hey, Barkley's a bit older. He hit this number that, that we have seen statistically when running backs hit this number of this threshold of carries and touches, things don't really go well the next year.

[A]

You realize this was a career high by the way, for total opportunities.

[B]

That makes sense.

[A]

440.

[B]

It makes sense. And they had. The whole team was hurt. Like the wide receiver room was just devastated for about half the year.

[A]

And then you won't. You won't have Kittle going into next year. You might have some more wide receivers that they bring in because they either need to resign Jennings or draft somebody or do both. Pierce hall was hurt all year, like you said. Well, we'll see.

[B]

Having said all of those things, I mean he's great.

[A]

He's great.

[B]

The receiving numbers. He would have been a wide receiver one with just the receiving work. He will still be able to do that if maybe the big plays are gone from the ground. It's a more inefficient. But he's still going to.

[A]

It's cool.

[B]

Going to catch the ball a ton.

[A]

Number two, Jonathan Taylor in fantasy points. His consistency rank though was number five. And it's really a tale of two halves for Jonathan Taylor. The first half he was the number four. Inconsistency. You had 1, 2, 3.

[B]

Dijon didn't catch him.

[A]

You had four different number one overall finishes before week 10. By week 10 for Jonathan Taylor in the second half, his highest finish on a week was running back 13. 41% great, 65% good, 12% bus games, 11 fantasy points less against top defenses. If you look at that first half of the year, he did dominate Denver's defense, but then it was like Tennessee twice. His two number one overall finishes. Tennessee twice, Atlanta once, Las Vegas. So you know, it got tougher in the second half and you lost Daniel Jones.

[C]

It's really tough to know how he would have done. Obviously week two against Denver's awesome offense when they were with Daniel Jones, he was the number one running back on the week that week. It's a shame that when they played Houston and Jacksonville twice and Seattle, these great defenses at the end of the year. But we didn't get to see what the real Colts would have done with Jonathan Taylor.

[A]

Houston twice, Jacksonville twice, Seattle and Kansas City.

[B]

The Kansas city. So week 12 13, that's Kansas City. Houston. Those were Daniel Jones games 12 and 13?

[C]

Yeah. Okay, so the Houston one of the Houston games two.

[B]

Jacksonville's injury out only beginning of the Jacksonville game.

[A]

It's tough. I mean you don't, you didn't have the threat. You had the Rivers games. But this is not like like we know this like Jonathan Taylor was the number one overall fantasy running back in 2021. He's been through the dark ages at quarterback. You got some life from Daniel Jones and suddenly he's the number one back again. But that disparity between top and bottom defense is worth paying attention to if you don't have the threat in the passing game and then home road splits. He was 10 points better at home.

[B]

It was like that's a lot like.

[A]

A pretty huge disparity in both of those situations.

[B]

Yeah, you don't want it's very normal. But that large of a split for.

[A]

Both is at home against the bad defense. You better count on a boom game.

[B]

The and then the question of what's the quarterback situation. Daniel Jones as of this recording is not under contract. I think recovering from Achilles recovery. I think we all project he'll be on the team if it's just a franchise or tag or something else. But to start the year it for the first month it might be Riley Leonard.

[A]

I was going to say Anthony Richardson or.

[B]

Yeah, or Anthony Richardson. Oh yeah, he had the bus to die.

[A]

I mean I think there's a good chance that those guys are placeholders until Daniel Jones can come back. And I think the team would be even happier assuming it's like a one year deal with Daniel Jones, a redemption deal, a chance to go back to the market which maybe somebody pays him more than that elsewhere. But they'd love to see Richardson do.

[C]

Well if, if next year is kind of an inverse of this year because he doesn't have the healthiest version of the Colts to start. Daniel Jones maybe doesn't start week one and when he comes back in week four or five, he's not completely ready. But maybe the second half of the year the Colts are clicking. I would be so like if you ended up having the exact season Jonathan Taylor had this year in reverse where at the beginning of the year he was ho hum he was good, not great. He was like a running back too. He wasn't crushing you any of those weeks. You know, he was all those tough matchups without Daniel Jones. It was the running back 20, 22, 17, 13, like you're fine but then the rest of the season you go on that heater through the playoffs and we would be talking about him as the league winner right now. So he's got that potential in him.

[B]

Yeah, I like.

[C]

So next year I'm going to, I'm going to be very bullish towards Jonathan Taylor.

[B]

So Anthony Richardson. I just did a quick look. We have. I'm seeing 15 documented starts. He has surpassed 270 passing yards one time. 272. I bring that up because Riley Leonard in that last game of the year threw for 270. Now it's last game. Wacky stuff happens.

[A]

He looked okay in his opportunities this.

[B]

Year, but that will be. I think it'll be a camp battle between Leonard and Richardson.

[C]

That was the, that was the game against the Texans. Right.

[B]

Let me double check it.

[A]

Richardson completed one pass this year to himself.

[C]

Impressive.

[A]

That was it.

[B]

Yeah. Final week was against Jacksonville.

[A]

Bijan Robinson at number three.

[B]

No, nope, that was last year. Sorry, Houston. You're right. I want to get it right, man.

[A]

Bijan Robinson was number three. Consistency, rank of number three, first half, number five, inconsistency. Second half, number three, inconsistency. Jason guaranteed the instructable indestructible Bijan Robinson. It happened. 17 games played. 12% bus games. He had two bus games. One was week 18.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

8 or 18. 76%.

[B]

Look out for those eights.

[A]

47% great games. If you compare it to last year, very similar. Last year was 38% great, 81% good with no bus games. Honestly, his season was very, very comparable to last year. He dominated bad defenses, the good defenses. He was nine point differential which was significant. Like if you. This is very common for the running back position in general. Don't be alarmed by any of that. I mean CMC was six points worse against good defenses. Jonathan Taylor was 11 worse.

[B]

You don't want huge splits on both sides of defenses and home road.

[A]

No. And Bijon was, was even on the home road. He was great. I mean he had a couple of those more significant breakaway game winning, week winning type of performances towards the back of the season. Number one overall in week 13 and then four, seven and two in the playoffs. So, you know, I don't know how much there is to say about him. He's just dominant, I think the back half.

[C]

If we look at him being better, he was great with Michael Penix. He was on pace for over 2000 all purpose yards and 70 receptions. You were so thrilled with what you were getting from him with Michael Pennix, but he was even better with Kirk Cousins. You know what do you think they do?

[A]

Because I've seen more. I've seen more comments now about Cousins being their starter next year.

[B]

I don't know if they will have a choice health wise.

[A]

Panic's not being ready.

[B]

Right. It was the same acl. Right. That we had the. We have a new re injury of it. I mean remembering that. Right.

[A]

Kyle would be the one to know. It was What a week 11 partially torn left ACL.

[C]

They were 5 and 2 with Kirk Cousins once he started. They won 4 in a row to end the season and tie for the division lead.

[A]

Cousins best chance to start is to at least start a little bit of the season for Atlanta.

[C]

Absolutely.

[A]

But there is a deadline, right? When's the deadline for the.

[C]

For the money.

[A]

Yeah. There's a renegotiation.

[B]

They did something with the contract where it's the. For like right around league year starting they have to make sure decision.

[A]

Yeah. He was Bijan number one enforced missed tackles on rush attempts. Number one in yards after contact. Number one in all running backs in percentage of teams first read targets.

[C]

Number one in awesome per play.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Like just when you watch and you go oh, that was awesome.

[A]

Like on a per play base like.

[C]

Him, man, it's unbelievable.

[B]

He is very unique. So the Michael Panix was he stay safe. He stored.

[C]

Make no future predictions on Penix tore.

[B]

His right ACL twice in college. So. And then this one was a partially torn left.

[A]

Oh. Just to even it out.

[B]

Yeah. It's not great. And what does the team do with Tyler Algier who will be a free agent?

[C]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

They bring him into Seattle to be the new Charbonnet for Walker. For you that's what they do the.

[C]

Most upsetting thing about.

[A]

I mean Algiers a great player.

[C]

Algiers is very good.

[A]

He's a good player.

[C]

But he is up eight rushing touchdowns. That's the. The problem is twofold.

[B]

That feels bad.

[C]

Sometimes you get really frustrated when a player who is inferior on the goal line is getting used on the goal line because maybe he's bigger or something. But this wasn't a bad thing to do for the Falcons. Algier was really good on the goal line and they constantly used him to success. Which is what hurts the most about Bijan because if Bijon had all the opportunity inside the five that say Christian McCaffrey got percentage wise of his team or Jonathan Taylor got percentage wise of his team, Bijan Robinson would probably be the number one running back for sure.

[A]

Would have been number four. Jameer Gibbs, 23 years old. Consistency rank of 11 for Jameer Gibbs. It was not a pleasant fantasy playoffs for Gibbs. Right before that he was pretty much on fire. He had two number one finishes, weeks 12 and 14. But a consistency gap of, you know, 4 to 11, that's a big deal. In the first half he was 12th, inconsistency, 8th. In the second half it got better. There's talk of David Montgomery and the team parting because the opportunity. Montgomery is a good player. It's the unfortunate situation that who do you want on the field? You want, you want Gibbs on the field? You just can't. It's a little bit like Ramondre and Travion to a degree. I think Travion, you know that he can go to the house on any play now. I think Ramondre has more fundamental.

[B]

Ramondre has more big play upside than Montgomery.

[A]

Well, and I think he also just does some of the other stuff better than Trayvon. Like right now, Gibbs does everything that Gibbs like. If they do a contest, Gibbs run around, Monty run around. Monty runs a good round. It ain't as good as Gibbs breakaway, all that stuff. So look, if he departs, I think Gibbs enters a new category, right? We've been sitting here, the committee, the committee back situation forever. His percentage of good games went down this year. His percentage of bus games, playoffs went up this year. Great games were about the same. He was worse by 10 points against bad defenses and he was 7 points better at home.

[B]

Man. I'm looking through the names and I don't want to reveal all the other names just yet because we're doing a, you know, countdown type thing here. The variables count up. Count up the variables with pretty much every player we're talking about is wild, is like McCaffrey not coaching, but you have the George Kittle stuff and all the touches. Jonathan Taylor has a quarterback problem. Bijan Robinson has a coaching change happening.

[A]

Yes, he does.

[B]

Jameer Gibbs has a coaching change with Drew Petzing as his new oc. Devon Hn is next. He has a coaching change. This is very interesting.

[A]

Yeah, Yep. The, the nice week 10 to 14 was insane for Gibbs. It was awesome. Tough division, tough divisional opponents. On the defensive side, Gibbs has every ability. Like he's one of the guys that you would say could finish number one.

[C]

Absolutely.

[A]

So that, that's the nice thing. This guy could too. Devon Hn again, new coach situation coming his way. But let's give him his flowers.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Never tell me the odds. Number five is like 162 pounds or something.

[A]

He's so good, man. Consistency ranking number two. The second most consistent running back in the game. 94% good games with no busts. Man always has breakaway potential. 19% great games, less of a split against bottom and top. Defense is so integral to the offense. They have a new head coach, a defensive minded head coach. What their offense looks like, we're going to find out who they bring in there to run it better at home. But this was the picture of consistency we have. If you go to the fantasy footballers.com, you search the player profile, you can see the color coded map of every single game in the game log.

[C]

She green, baby.

[A]

Yeah, it's, it's. I can promise you I don't need to go to the page to see he's an A in consistency.

[C]

Yeah, that's correct.

[A]

So you know, what more can you say about a guy who overcame drama on the ball club all the time? Losses, all that stuff. You always want to be winning, right? Well, they weren't winning.

[C]

He was still producing for our consistency score. You guessed that he was an A, but what percentage of games do you think that he had an acceptable game?

[A]

100.

[C]

That would be correct. 100%. He was unbelievable. And two years ago there were worries after because McDaniel's been on the hot seat for a while. It's like what if, what if the coaching staff changes here? Because the reason we loved Achan when he was drafted far more than we loved him literally the day before was this is a perfect scheme to use his skill set, his 4, 3, 2 speed. And there were worries back then of like, if it wasn't that match, A Chan might not be very good for fantasy football as an undersized back that maybe gets only used in the receiving game a little bit or doesn't get the open lanes. He has been so good through his three seasons that I have zero worry about a new regime coming in. He is one of the elite special talents in the NFL. He's established that. So whatever coaching staff is coming in, they're now going to look at this player and say we're building our offense around him predominantly. I mean, who else on this team are you saying we're building the offense around? Not waddle, no. And he might be next, but some.

[A]

Of the rumored names, one of the ones coming to life if he doesn't get these are if they don't get head coaching jobs. But like ocs, OC potentials that I'm, that I'm reading about here from some Miami beat writers. They just talk through the idea. Joe Brady, right, Like Joe Brady could end up as an offensive coordinator for them. Dable would be somebody that they could be interested in. Anthony Lynn, if you remember him as a head coach. Yeah he's now a running game coordinator. That might be interesting. Mike Kafka who is the offensive coordinator for the Giants but now that job is probably gone with with Harbaugh, Kingsbury, Manion Monken if he doesn't go to New York.

[B]

So there's some okay.

[A]

There's options.

[B]

I am. I'm not as far too bullish as Jason is. I'm. I have no concerns about the player or the talent but if you get in if you get an OC in here who is a die hard running back by committee and is like no matter what this is just how I do it and then I think I'll be a little more nervous.

[A]

I'm more nervous about the quarterback there is that that's my biggest because if they are they going to be one of those Is it Geno Smith in Miami? Right. Is it.

[B]

I don't think it'll be Gino. It's it it seems like it will certainly not be Tua.

[A]

Well it could just be Quinn yours.

[B]

And they won too many games to be and I really as of right now it's like Mendoza in the draft and no one else is really interesting.

[C]

Man.

[B]

That's what I don't know what they.

[A]

I feel like Tua had that nerve in the in his brain that was firing like 1, 2, 3 hn and so you want to see somebody come in with that rapport but he is too good in my opinion. That's where I side with Jason where he's just too good to not the differentiator between him and the rest of the group and the offense. It's a lot like Gibbs to me in Miami. All right, we'll take a break and we'll run through 6 through 10.

[B]

Today's show is brought to you by our [e-mail] did you know that 81% of shoppers say it's important for businesses to have a website? If you've been putting it off, here's your sign. WIX makes it easy to build a website your way. Get online in minutes with their AI website builder or pick from thousands of templates. WIX also has some of the coolest AI tools to help you grow your business without burning out. Join millions of businesses who already use Wix. Sign up for [e-mail] what's up foot Clan traditions.

[A]

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[B]

So just a real quick follow up. HN Interesting stat from so 2025. He had one rushing touchdown inside the five.

[C]

That's for someone that consistent scoring that many times feels impossible.

[B]

He had five carries inside the five and one touchdown from there.

[C]

But to me, that's only positive news. He was not reliant on, you know.

[A]

He also wasn't a 95 reception guy. He was a 67 reception guy. So he still did it on the ground.

[C]

Right.

[A]

It wasn't like you're looking at him dipping from 95 to, you know, in a different offense.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, that's the nice thing. He proved he can do it on the ground. We already knew he could do it through the air. I think there are enough ways to get this talented of a player involved that the new coaching staff, whoever it is, they'll, they'll do a good job.

[A]

The NFL's leading rusher comes in at number six, James Cook. Over 1600 yards on the ground. Consistency rank was number four. Really, the story of James Cook is one of the steals of the draft. I mean, a third round draft pick that finishes in the top six. Really number four in consistency. It was even on both sides. First half, second half, again, going to have a new offensive coordinator, so we'll see what happens in Buffalo. But he proved the story of James Cook is that he proved himself to be a true workhorse dominator.

[B]

Yeah, I did. I was more on the side of I didn't want to James draft James Cook at his adp. I was concerned about how many touchdowns he had two years ago. And Goodness gracious, man. He just, he was so excellent on. Pretty much every time he touched the ball you're like no, a big play is going to happen here. He had hit that status and then. And you saw a huge surge in volume because that was one of the other things of like James Cook to his bank account.

[A]

That happened too.

[B]

There was that, there was that. But two years ago, not the volume you need for the touchdowns he scored. But then everything balanced out and just his greatness shown through.

[A]

So I, it showed itself in the Denver game. He tried. Other than the fumble which was a problem. He fumbled six times this year. Number one in the NFL. But even you know he had a great game against Denver.

[C]

Yeah, he's, he's, he's a great talent. And the split that he was getting, it was at times in 2024 a three headed timeshare. You didn't know how much that would, you know, ran. Yeah, getting more involved. And he got over 100 more carries than the previous year. Yeah, over 100 more.

[A]

They were the number one rushing team in football overall.

[B]

Would make sense. The leading rusher. And then you have Josh Allen on the team too.

[A]

Derek Henry At 732 year old Derek Henry came in at 7 consistency rank of 9. Now he was drafted as the RB5 off the board. So this is.

[B]

It took some time.

[A]

It did take some time. 17th inconsistency in the first half, 4 in the second half of the season.

[B]

It's colder once. Once you hit the bye week things were very good which again it's just.

[A]

Such a testament to how he trains to be better at the. As the season goes on where the defenders are now bruised and battered and they don't want to tackle this guy. But 24% great games, 59% good, 12% bust. I think I forgot to read those numbers off for Cook. So let me give you those 31% great, 69% good, 6% bust rate. But back to Henry. Weird year for Baltimore overall. You know he kind of. It seemed like it wasn't going to happen for him until they hit the bye week. You had Lamar Jackson's injuries.

[B]

It was very scary.

[A]

And then what are we doing? We just doing this over and over and over again until the end of time.

[C]

It is hard when you factor in his age. I mean we, we came into this year saying we weren't worried about it. He looked so fantastic in 2024. I'm glad we did. And you stuck with it. He finished very good down the stretch. Honestly. The Baltimore Ravens would be in the playoffs if their team just realized, oh, we should be giving Derek Henry the ball more down the stretch.

[B]

It did happen a few times.

[C]

Eventually it happened after a little too little too late. But he is, all jokes aside, a human being. And he will be 33. There will be an age where it will catch up.

[A]

There's only one running back in history, age 32 or older that has had double digit touchdowns in a season since 2010. D' Angelo Williams.

[B]

Oh man, is that the Steelers year?

[A]

I remember that, man.

[C]

I mean if you're going to bet on any human to do it at age 32, it's going to be Derek Henry.

[A]

It's definitely the outlier. It's. It's wild. He, he was very good. 3rd and yards per carry, 15 yards before contact. 7th and explosive run rate. We probably shouldn't bet against him anymore. Yeah, just.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Age is just an idea, man.

[B]

I, yeah, tell that to my knees.

[A]

Well, I was going to say, can you handle the hot dog lunch like you could when you were 20?

[C]

Oh, no, I'd be doing much better if I was 20 right now.

[A]

Hot dog check. Hot dog check.

[C]

Hot dog check. They're doing work right now.

[A]

Yeah, they're working through the system.

[C]

Apparently you need to. Only because the two hot dogs, they.

[B]

Fight, that's what's going on.

[C]

They each want to be the only hot dog.

[B]

It's like Highlander.

[C]

Yeah, there couldn't be only one. And they are going to war. I'll let you guys know who wins in the end. Well, I hope they both don't win because if they both win, the winner gets a bad time for me, the.

[A]

Winner gets a trophy over there. You get to retain your.

[B]

Cashing in the toilet.

[C]

I mean, look, I already got it. I could walk over to that bathroom anytime I want.

[A]

Fellows, I'm going to give you the last three names on this list and some of the basic numbers and then we'll move on to the fantasy Face Off. But at number eight, didn't seem like it was going his way for five weeks. But Chase Brown comes in at eight. Consistency of eight and consistency of two in the second half of the year. It's like what we said on the quarterback show with Burrow. We know the story. When Burrow is healthy and his weapons are healthy, they all perform for fantasy. 18% great, 65% good. 6% bus games.

[C]

It feels impossible that it worked out for him.

[A]

It really does. The first, he was a dead man.

[C]

Walking the first six weeks of the season. He was hot trash I mean, he was worthless in fantasy. Crushed you. Killed you. And if you stuck with him or traded for him or heck, picked him up off of waiver wires at that point, he was everything. Everything that you loved about him, Mike, from, you know, coming into the season, and me too, I said behind the scenes, like, if you didn't make him a my guy, I might have. He showed all of it. He was.

[A]

He was better this year than he was last year in terms of the numbers because last year he busted 19% of the time the year he broke out and this year was only 6% of the time. You could argue it was a better year, even though he had that tough start, which is crazy.

[C]

I mean, the first six games he had a combined 200 rushing yards.

[A]

Kyron comes in at nine, consistency of six. I don't know if this is just my perception, but Kyren seems like the most invisible consistent player in fantasy because nothing he does is really flashy or exciting. No, he's just kind of. He just kind of, you know, he's a product of a great head coach and a great system, great quarterback, great wide receivers, great line, great defense, and he just functions within it to greatness.

[C]

And a third of the time you look up and it's one digit off on that jersey number looks pretty much the same. And it's really wild.

[A]

What was the total carry differential like this year to last year?

[C]

Because Went way up this year.

[B]

I'll get coram over the second half.

[A]

Well, I guess I just. Yeah, I'll look at Kyron. Kyron had so corn 356 opportunities last year, 309 this year. And with one extra game, Corum was.

[B]

66 OPS, up to 159 this year.

[A]

So, I mean, those numbers are something to pay attention to a little bit on where you slot him in. And there'll be more reason to doubt him and you'll probably make a mistake to doubt him because the production is probably going to be there. As long as this quarterback and this head coach.

[C]

He's a really talented running back. They're keeping him fresher. It's smarter and might help them win a Super bowl.

[A]

Yeah. Travis ETN comes in at number 10.

[C]

What team does he play for?

[A]

I know it's wild. His consistency was 14. That feels right on the money. I mean, in terms of how it felt. And in the first half, number 19, inconsistency. Second half, number 10. They went on their run in the second half and he was integral to it.

[B]

Dang. He's going to be 27.

[C]

Yeah. He was drafted late. Then he missed a full season right off the bat with his knee injury. So you forget how old he is going on to the free agent market. I'm very curious if he is a hot commodity or just like he's a.

[A]

Little older and outperforming Walker's younger, right?

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

So, I mean, and it's like, do you pay? Because ETN is going to want a lot of money. It's like. Or Tyler Algier is 26. Do you want to pay less?

[A]

There's just a big versatility differential there for me. It's like, you definitely want ETN because you just want somebody that you know is capable of doing more in the passing game, I would think.

[C]

Yeah. ETN is a very well rounded player. He can do it in short yardage. He can go out to the outside. He can catch the ball really, really well. I think that's probably his strength is in the passing game. Teams will want Travis etn. I just really hope that it's the Jaguars that want him. There's no world, I don't believe where he goes and scores more fantasy points next year for a different team.

[A]

It is unfortunate how that works out sometimes. 6% great, 59% good, 24% bust, but ends up in the top 10 at the position. So we'll talk more.

[C]

The hot dogs have new weapons, guys. They've really been putting their scientists to work and they have evolved. These aren't swords anymore.

[B]

No more brass age.

[C]

No way. Man is the play by play. Gunpowder has been.

[B]

The industrial revolution has begun.

[C]

The steam engine is cooking.

[A]

And you thought this was a good decision, huh?

[C]

I did order the third hot dog, Andy.

[B]

When I had my stupid piece of grilled chicken and vegetables and I looked.

[A]

Over, you were jealous at my guy.

[B]

Eating two hot dogs. This is like, what am I doing?

[A]

How you feel now, Mike? I mean, are you at peace?

[B]

Not good enough to have not eaten the hot dogs.

[A]

Okay. All right.

[C]

Just you wait till nuclear capabilities are found fishing.

[A]

Well, we don't have much time left for multiple reasons on the show, so we'll jump right into the face off in your hot dog. Oh, man.

[B]

We still have hot dog.

[A]

Shame can become real shame.

[C]

Fantasy face off presented by prize picks.

[A]

This guy can't throw a pistachio to save his life.

[C]

Wheel of shame.

[B]

The timing is great, Jason, because it is. Poop your pants.

[A]

Oh, that's the shame.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

For real?

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Oh, my gosh. I might do it.

[B]

Go ahead.

[C]

I might do it. I'll Tell you what.

[B]

If these. Go ahead. Cheese head pisticup.

[C]

It's teemu Temu Mike.

[A]

Temu Mike. Right.

[C]

Okay, let's start here. Jason, I get to be.

[A]

Put some tattoos on. These are little. Some arm sleeves for you.

[B]

Yeah. There you go. Oh, you got some skulls on there.

[A]

Yeah, brother.

[C]

Oh, dude, I've been thinking about skull leaving up.

[A]

So. Yeah, this is.

[B]

Get a little taste.

[A]

A chance to try.

[B]

Get a little taste good, brother.

[A]

Timu. Mike. Right on the way, baby.

[C]

I get to be cool guys.

[B]

I mean.

[C]

Yeah. Here you go. Mike's liking it.

[B]

If your ink look like that's pretty good work.

[A]

There you go.

[B]

If that were real. Oh, yeah. And the beard.

[C]

I already have a beard.

[B]

Grizzly.

[A]

Yeah. You got to get the. I mean, it's not the right color. So. There you go.

[B]

Jay. What is this beard that has no mustache?

[A]

All right. Oh, look at Mike. Oh, baby.

[C]

Yeah, baby.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

I died my mustache.

[B]

Dark man.

[A]

Yes. All right, well, now we're. We're jumping right in. Okay, quarterback. Jason, why don't you kick us off?

[C]

All right, quarterback. I'm going with Jared Stidham. Half an interception. I'm take. I'm taking more than that, you know, but that's your.

[A]

That's your green.

[C]

That is my Green Goblin, yes.

[A]

I'll follow it up then, because I have Jarrett Stidham and the Green Goblin, but I'm. No, I'm going positive. More than a 174.5 passing and rushing yards combined. 174.5. I'm taking the more for Jarrett Stone.

[B]

That's a sneaky find.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I've got Sam Darnold in the heated matchup with LA. 235 and a half passing yards in your bra. Taking the less. Okay.

[A]

All right.

[C]

We go on running max. So from here on out, because I've been the shame a couple weeks in a row.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I wanted to have a theme to my playoff fun.

[B]

I smell some hate.

[C]

Yeah. Kyron Williams yard. I love Kyron Williams.

[B]

You love Kyron Williams?

[C]

I love him. Yards on first reception. Five and a half.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

No, I'm going less than that. Yeah, I'm going. I'm going to defensive battle. Defenses are getting up for the first. The first parts of these game. Everything's going to be short.

[B]

When it came to the interceptions, though, you're like, no, there's more.

[C]

Well, that's a negative.

[B]

Yeah, I know. You're just your hate.

[A]

So what heart is full.

[C]

That was running, right?

[A]

That was your running hate, right?

[C]

Don't talk to me.

[A]

I'm full of hatred here. Ramond Ray Stevenson.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

40, 48.5 rushing yards.

[B]

No way.

[A]

I'm taking the lower. Less.

[B]

Ken Bone Walker. This is my Green Goblin. One and a half receptions.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

For Ken Bone Walker all by itself.

[A]

That's a steal.

[B]

Yeah, I'll take that.

[C]

That's a great one.

[A]

Yeah. Wide receiver.

[C]

A wide receiver. Cooper cup. Yards on first reception.

[A]

I love yards of first reception.

[C]

Yards of first reception. Seven and a half. Less than that.

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

See you next week, buddy. Get a Cooper cup screen.

[A]

I went Rashid Shahid in the same game and I took 0.5 rushing yards. I'm taking the more. Okay, so give him one end around.

[B]

I got K. Sean Booty. Booty. His projection is at four receiving targets. I am crossing my fingers and going more on.

[A]

That's a scary one. That was really scary.

[B]

I. I think he's like pretty much been right at.

[C]

I would expect you to just tie there.

[A]

I glanced at Booty.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Don't stare too long. I thought about it and I went away.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was just uncertain.

[B]

I. Yeah, Jason, that's right.

[C]

I was like, do I.

[B]

Which direction do you go? Do you go. Do you go Stefan Diggs or do you go Booty?

[C]

Tight end Evan Ingram. Yards on first reception.

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Seven and a half. No, I'm taking less than that.

[A]

Yours is going to be over so fast.

[C]

My whole game is going to be. I just need everything to be short to start these games. No big plays.

[A]

I went Hunter Henry in the New England game. I think that the defensive backs Booty digs, I think they're going to turn towards Hunter Henry. I'm taking 43.5 receiving yards and I'm taking the more for Henry.

[B]

I have Colby Parkinson.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

His projection is at three and a half targets, which I'm trying to go back and count the games. It's like. It seems like in the past 10, he has only not passed three and a half targets once.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I'm. I'm loving this projection.

[A]

We'll see what happens next week. That was Fantasy Face off presented by Price Picks. Join millions of users and sign up for America's number one fantasy sports app. You can see our lineups if you are watching on YouTube. Use the code FOOTBALLERS and get $50 in lineups when you play. $5. Jason, all sleeved up. We'll say goodbye to you for today. Back with more truth Playoff reactions. Way cooler next week.

[C]

I feel way cooler.

[B]

Let me see these.

[A]

Look at those arms.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Should I get a sleeve?

[B]

You should get two.

[C]

Oh, man.

[A]

And a motorcycle.

[C]

I don't know about that.

[A]

See you later, everybody.

[B]

Goodbye.

[C]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Football Ballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on TwitterFFballers.

[A]

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[B]

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