Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode Title: The TRUTH: Top Tier Fantasy RBs in 2019
Release Date: January 21, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Championship Weekend Recap

The episode kicks off with the hosts reflecting on the recent Championship Weekend. They express mixed feelings about the outcomes, particularly highlighting the dominant performance of Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs against Jimmy Garoppolo’s subdued effort with the San Francisco 49ers.

• Kenyon Drake [00:27]: Discusses the Chiefs' and 49ers' performances, noting Garoppolo's limited contribution with only 77 passing yards on six completions.

• Andy Holloway [02:21]: Comments on Raheem Mostert's workload, pointing out the frustration when a player hyped for success underperforms.

Buy/Sell Segment: Hollywood Brown

In the Buy/Sell segment, the hosts debate whether Hollywood Brown should be considered a top 24 wide receiver for the upcoming fantasy season.

• Kenyon Drake [05:37]: Presents Brown’s statistics, noting his three-time top 12 finishes despite injury concerns and a limited role in the offense.

• Andy Holloway [06:19]: Emphasizes Brown’s potential as Baltimore’s primary receiver, projecting him as a high-risk top 24 option due to his injury history.

• Jason Moore [07:31]: Agrees that Brown deserves a high draft spot but cautions about his inconsistency and the variance in his game involvement.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [07:31]: “He came into the NFL already injured... he is electric.”

Conclusion: The hosts agree to buy Hollywood Brown with the caveat of his high-risk status.

News and Notes

The hosts share important news updates relevant to the fantasy football landscape.

• Award Recognition [09:46]: The Fantasy Footballers win the industry's best podcast award at the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association's winter conference.

• Larry Fitzgerald’s Retirement [11:20]: Announces Larry Fitzgerald’s return for a 17th season with the Arizona Cardinals, discussing his evolving role as a reliable pass-catching option rather than a high-yardage threat.

• Coaching Changes [12:15]: Covers Luke Kuechly’s unexpected retirement and subsequent coaching opportunities, along with other coaching shifts like Jason Garrett moving to the Giants as their offensive coordinator.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [10:09]: “Super honored to win that. And it's a reflection on you guys, the listeners on where this show's come.”

Running Back Truth: Analyzing Top Fantasy RBs

The core segment of the episode delves into the consistency and performance of top-tier running backs from the 2019 season, evaluating their fantasy finishes and reliability.

1. Christian McCaffrey

• Kenyon Drake [16:57]: Praises McCaffrey’s extraordinary consistency and versatility, despite occasional underwhelming games.

• Andy Holloway [17:32]: Highlights McCaffrey's massive involvement in both rushing and receiving, emphasizing his status as a top-tier RB.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [17:32]: “His reception total was second in the NFL... two players in one roster spot.”

2. Aaron Jones

• Kenyon Drake [19:40]: Discusses Jones’ high touchdown rate but expresses concerns over his potential regression due to reliance on touchdowns for fantasy points.

• Jason Moore [23:13]: Compares Jones to Alvin Kamara, suggesting that high touchdown dependency can lead to fantasy disappointment.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [23:13]: “That's why we don't seek out touchdowns.”

3. Derrick Henry

• Kenyon Drake [26:21]: Highlights Henry’s dominance and consistency, noting his high yardage and low injury risk.

• Andy Holloway [30:05]: Projects Henry to continue his dominant performance in the upcoming season.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [30:42]: “He's going to continue to be an outlier unless he shrinks.”

4. Ezekiel Elliott

• Kenyon Drake [32:57]: Reviews Elliott’s consistency, noting his reliable performance without extreme highs or lows.

• Andy Holloway [33:34]: Points out Elliott’s steady but not spectacular finishes, stressing his dependability over explosive potential.

Notable Quote:

• Kenyon Drake [33:38]: “He never busted. He never hurt your team.”

5. Dalvin Cook

• Andy Holloway [38:56]: Considers Cook a top contender for the number two pick, valuing his consistency and talent despite potential contract holdout concerns.

• Jason Moore [41:28]: Raises concerns about Cook’s contract negotiations and Minnesota’s cap space, potentially affecting his availability and role.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [41:28]: “Dalvin Cook is heading into a contract year... but there's these things that give you pause.”

6. Austin Ekeler

• Kenyon Drake [43:15]: Analyzes Ekeler’s dual-threat capability with significant receptions, making him a versatile fantasy asset.

• Andy Holloway [44:02]: Emphasizes Ekeler's dependence on Philip Rivers for his receiving opportunities, which may affect his fantasy value if Rivers departs.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [44:02]: “If Philip Rivers is gone, I'm out on wherever Ekeler is drafted.”

7. Nick Chubb

• Kenyon Drake [47:37]: Commends Chubb for his strong performance despite Tennessee’s offensive struggles, maintaining a high draft valuation.

• Andy Holloway [49:26]: Affirms Chubb’s place in the top 12, despite uncertainties around teammate Kareem Hunt’s future.

Notable Quote:

• Kenyon Drake [49:47]: “He’s phenomenal.”

8. Mark Ingram

• Kenyon Drake [52:50]: Reviews Ingram’s reliable but unremarkable season, noting his consistent performance without explosive highlights.

• Jason Moore [55:03]: Predicts that Ingram’s receiving touchdowns are unlikely to repeat, keeping his fantasy value modest.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [55:03]: “I just didn't see it coming.”

Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

The hosts wrap up the episode by teasing the next installment, which will delve deeper into other prominent running backs such as Leonard Fournette, Saquon Barkley, and Alvin Kamara. They also briefly discuss the potential impact of Philip Rivers' rumored move to Tampa Bay, adding an entertaining twist to their analysis.

Notable Quote:

• Kenyon Drake [57:26]: “We’re going to talk about Leonard Fournette, Saquon Barkley... a lot of big names to get into it.”

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide valuable insights into the consistency and fantasy viability of top-running backs from the 2019 season. They blend statistical analysis with personal opinions, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of each player's strengths and potential risks for the upcoming fantasy football season.

Overall Quote Highlight:

• Andy Holloway [25:12]: “The truth is he was excellent for you this year in total fantasy points. He was very inconsistent... that’s dangerous.”

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the informative discussions and analyses presented by the Fantasy Footballers.