Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Top 10 TE Rankings + Fantasy Nosedives
Release Date: August 17, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

In this episode of Fantasy Footballers, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into their Top 10 Tight End (TE) Rankings for the upcoming fantasy football season. Additionally, they analyze which fantasy teams are expected to experience significant declines, commonly referred to as "nosedives." The discussion is rich with expert insights, strategic advice, and in-depth player evaluations, aimed at helping fantasy managers optimize their draft strategies and team compositions.

2. Setting the Stage: Hype Train Season and Media Influence

The hosts begin by addressing the challenges of the current fantasy football season, highlighting a lack of preseason games and reduced media coverage, which they describe as the "worst hype season." Mike Wright expresses frustration with the limited information available, stating:

“This is going to be the worst hype season because the conjecture, it's like a game of telephone now.”
[05:00]

Jason Moore concurs, emphasizing the inundation of speculative articles that can skew fantasy rankings:

“I will not allow it to affect my fantasy rankings and we will have to see through it.”
[03:38]

The trio discusses the impact of workout videos and player images, such as A.J. Dillon's reported physique, on fantasy perceptions. Mike points out the immediate fear such visuals can instill among fantasy managers:

“The reactions to that picture of A.J. Dillon’s calves and quads were immediate, like fear in the hearts of Aaron Jones drafters.”
[04:14]

3. Listener League Announcements: Megalo Bowl

Transitioning to community engagement, the hosts announce the Megalo Bowl, touted as the largest fantasy football league globally. Mike Wright enthusiastically details the league's growth and the opportunity it presents for listeners to compete for a coveted listener league spot:

“This is year three. The last year was when it really went to the moon with more than 7,000 players.”
[06:18]

Jason Moore adds excitement about the listener league entries, highlighting the chance for participants to prove their fantasy prowess:

“These are fun leagues. These are our listeners who love fantasy football who are having fun playing in our preferred scoring format.”
[07:20]

Listeners are encouraged to join via the website jointhefoot.com, with Mike emphasizing the ease of entry and the potential rewards:

“Head over jointhefoot.com, get in the Megalobol right now, and you'll get to pick your preferred drafting time.”
[08:00]

4. Discussion: Biggest Fantasy Nosedives for 2020

The conversation shifts to identifying which fantasy teams are likely to see a decline in performance. Mike Wright introduces the segment by framing it as a discussion on teams with high expectations that may underperform:

“Quick question of the day... what fantasy offense do you think will take the biggest nosedive in 2020?”
[08:00]

Los Angeles Chargers are spotlighted by Jason Moore as a primary candidate for a nosedive. He cites the instability at the quarterback position and potential shifts in offensive strategy:

“If your team is trying to do less on offense, slow the game down, play good defense, protect your rookie quarterback, things like that. The touchdowns aren't going to be as high.”
[09:00]

Mike Wright suggests San Francisco 49ers as another team at risk, noting the departure of key wide receivers and reliance on a less dynamic quarterback:

“Jimmy Garoppolo is a little bit up and down. I'm not saying he's a bad quarterback. I think he's done exactly what he's done in the offense.”
[11:18]

Andy Holloway brings up the Houston Texans, pointing out the loss of standout receivers and undefined team identity:

“When you lose a Hall of Fame wide receiver, that really hurts things. But just on top of that, what is the identity now of this team?”
[12:30]

The hosts agree that these factors contribute to potential fantasy nosedives, advising listeners to adjust their draft strategies accordingly.

5. Top 10 Tight End Rankings: Analysis and Player Breakdowns

The core of the episode focuses on the Top 10 Tight End Rankings. The hosts provide comprehensive evaluations of each player, discussing their strengths, potential breakout candidates, and overall fantasy value.

1. Travis Kelce

• Current Rank: #1

• Analysis: Mike Wright attributes Kelce's top ranking to his consistency and the emerald rapport with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Jason Moore emphasizes Kelce's dominance as a clear top target:

  “Travis Kelce has been the tight end one for four consecutive years.”
  [28:44]

• Draft Strategy: Advisable to draft Kelce in the second round, aligning with his high average draft position (ADP).

2. George Kittle

• Current Rank: #2

• Analysis: Despite being younger than Kelce, Kittle's explosive playmaking ability places him just behind. Mike highlights the significance of Kittle's offense and his role as a primary target:

  “He gives you big play opportunities, which is both fun to watch and good for fantasy points.”
  [28:44]

• Draft Strategy: Similar to Kelce, Kittle is best valued in the second round, considering his ADP at the end of the second round.

3. Mark Andrews

• Current Rank: #3

• Analysis: Mark Andrews impresses with his target volume and connection with Lamar Jackson. Despite some injury concerns, his ceiling remains high:

  “Mark Andrews had 98 targets, which is an insane number for the tight end position.”
  [30:07]

• Potential: Considered a breakout candidate if health and target share sustain.

4. Zach Ertz

• Current Rank: #4

• Analysis: Ertz's historical consistency and higher floor compared to Andrews make him a reliable option. The hosts discuss his role in the Philadelphia offense and potential for regression in touchdowns:

  “Zach Ertz is still the number one target for this offense.”
  [32:50]

• Draft Strategy: Suitable for mid-to-late rounds due to his dependable production.

5. Darren Waller

• Current Rank: #5

• Analysis: Waller's breakout season with high target share and yards positions him as a top-tier tight end. However, concerns about his consistency and offensive strategy prompt debate among the hosts:

  “Darren Waller is still the most in the League at percentage of teams yards at the tight end position.”
  [36:41]

• Draft Strategy: Valued in the fifth round, balancing his high upside against potential regression.

6. Jared Cook

• Current Rank: #6

• Analysis: Cook's performance with the New Orleans Saints demonstrates his reliability, especially after acclimating to the offense. His ability to produce consistent touchdowns makes him a valuable late-round pick:

  “Jared Cook had an unbelievably high efficiency year with 16.4 yards per reception.”
  [44:02]

• Draft Strategy: Ideal for the 10th round, offering high upside at a low cost.

7. Chris Herndon

• Current Rank: #7

• Analysis: Herndon's potential to become the primary target in the Jets' offense presents an attractive option for fantasy managers looking to exploit undervalued players:

  “Chris Herndon could legitimately become the number one or number two target on the team, which is exciting.”
  [16:44]

• Draft Strategy: A viable option in late rounds, especially for managers willing to take calculated risks.

8. Mike Gesicki

• Current Rank: #8

• Analysis: Gesicki's athleticism and evolving role in Miami's offense make him a compelling pick. However, concerns about his consistency and the team's overall offensive strategy temper enthusiasm:

  “Mike Gesicki is a late-round tight end that we all have ranked much higher than ADP.”
  [47:17]

• Draft Strategy: Worth considering in the later rounds for his high ceiling potential.

9. Tyler Higbee

• Current Rank: #9

• Analysis: Higbee's recent performance and ability to execute big plays position him as a valuable fantasy asset. Andy emphasizes his historical capabilities and the unique opportunity presented by the team's offensive developments:

  “Tyler Higbee was able to do things that very little tight ends in history have been able to do, like four straight 100-yard games.”
  [50:42]

• Draft Strategy: A strong contender in the later rounds, offering significant upside for managers willing to invest.

10. Hunter Henry

• Current Rank: #10

• Analysis: Henry's role as a traditional tight end with a focus on touchdowns makes him a balanced choice. However, Mike expresses reservations about him consistently outperforming other tight ends:

  “Hunter Henry comes in at 10, which feels like somehow the worst spot to land in a set of tight end rankings.”
  [53:34]

• Draft Strategy: Suitable for managers seeking a stable tight end without the high volatility of top-tier options.

6. Strategies for Drafting Tight Ends in Fantasy Football

The hosts offer strategic advice for drafting tight ends, emphasizing flexibility and value over positional urgency. Jason Moore advises against overvaluing the tight end position early in drafts:

“If you miss out on one of the top tier tight ends, there are plenty of other tight ends who are better and more assured of production.”
[25:47]

Mike Wright concurs, suggesting that managers should prioritize running backs and wide receivers in the early rounds, leveraging tight ends as value picks in the later stages:

“If you want a piece of this offense or a talented athlete, pick that guy because the ranking doesn't matter at this point.”
[49:20]

Andy Holloway reinforces the importance of flexible drafting, encouraging managers to focus on potential high-impact tight ends only if they provide clear value without compromising other key positions.

7. Fantasy News and Updates

The podcast also covers recent NFL news relevant to fantasy football, discussing player movements, injuries, and team strategies:

• Alex Smith Activation: Washington Football Team activated quarterback Alex Smith from the PUP list, offering potential dynasty league managers an opportunity to pick him up.

  “He's on dynasty waivers. I got him in both of our main dynasty leagues.”
  [13:40]

• Carry On Johnson Injury: The Chicago Bears' running back Carry On Johnson was spotted with a knee brace, leading to the signing of Jonathan Williams and speculation on Waller's usage in fantasy lineups.

  “DeAndre Swift is the best running back on the team, and he could be a solid fantasy option.”
  [12:30]

• Chris Herndon Signing: The New York Jets signed Chris Herndon following injuries to key players, positioning him as a potential breakout tight end.

  “Chris Herndon on the field is extremely fantasy relevant to me.”
  [16:25]

These updates provide listeners with actionable insights for adjusting their fantasy rosters ahead of the season.

8. Sponsors and Advertisements

Note: As per instructions, advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been omitted from this summary.

9. Conclusion and Next Episode Teasers

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease the upcoming content, including a future episode focused on the Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Fantasy Football, promising to deliver valuable strategies for the drafting season. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the podcast for ongoing insights and updates.

Notable Quotes:

• “We're all kind of looking for a bright spot right now, aren't we?”
  Andy Holloway [00:00]

• “This is going to be the worst hype season because the conjecture, it's like a game of telephone now.”
  Mike Wright [05:00]

• “The reactions to that picture of A.J. Dillon’s calves and quads were immediate, like fear in the hearts of Aaron Jones drafters.”
  Mike Wright [04:14]

• “Travis Kelce has been the tight end one for four consecutive years.”
  Jason Moore [28:44]

• “Mark Andrews had 98 targets, which is an insane number for the tight end position.”
  Andy Holloway [30:07]

• “Tyler Higbee was able to do things that very little tight ends in history have been able to do, like four straight 100-yard games.”
  Andy Holloway [50:42]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Fantasy Footballers podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and fantasy football enthusiasts seeking strategic guidance for the 2020 season.