Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Top Rookie Picks + Mailbag, Scratch That Itch!"

Release Date: March 5, 2020

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the intricacies of fantasy football, focusing on top rookie picks and addressing a myriad of listener questions. Skipping over the usual banter and advertisements, the trio delivers insightful analysis, strong opinions, and practical advice to help listeners dominate their fantasy leagues.

1. Top Rookie Picks: Spotlight on Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Jason Moore and Mike Wright kick off the episode by discussing the current landscape of rookie drafts, with a particular emphasis on Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT) as a top pick.

• Dominant Performance: Jason highlights JTT’s impressive college performance, noting his back-to-back 2,000-yard rushing seasons at Wisconsin. He remarks, “He dominated at the combine, looking like a tier above the rest” (03:10).

• Comparative Analysis: The conversation contrasts JTT with other prospective rookies like DeAndre Swift and J.K. Dobbins, evaluating their combine performances and projected fantasy value. Jason expresses a slight reservation about JTT's usage, questioning if his team will fully utilize his pass-catching abilities: “I worry... is a high power, high flying offense going to say that's the type of running back they want?” (05:14).

• Mike's Perspective: Mike brings in the concept of the "Wisconsin curse," referencing Melvin Gordon’s successful yet evolving role post-draft. He suggests that if JTT lands in a system that leverages his pass-catching skills, his fantasy upside could be substantial: “... if he lands somewhere where they're actually going to throw him the ball, Jonathan Taylor could be just an absolute dynamite for fantasy football” (06:06).

• Ranking Insights: Both hosts share their rankings, with Jason placing DeAndre Swift and J.K. Dobbins as his second and third choices, while Mike aligns with Jason, ranking J.K. Dobbins second and DeAndre Swift third (07:56).

2. Mailbag Segment: Listener Questions Answered

The heart of the episode lies in the Mailbag segment, where the hosts tackle diverse questions from their audience, offering tailored advice and strategic insights.

a. Franchise and Keeper Lottery in Home Leagues

A listener from Instagram (@biggestjoe313) inquires about setting up a franchise and keeper lottery in their home league.

• Jason's Explanation: Jason outlines their unique keeper system, where each team can keep three players, with one guaranteed franchise player. He emphasizes the importance of landing top-tier players while maintaining draft competitiveness: “This extra lottery moment... adds one more day into the off season where the league comes together” (13:00).

b. JuJu Smith-Schuster Valuation

A Twitter user (@kpc_the12) asks whether JuJu Smith-Schuster (Juju) will be undervalued or overvalued in the upcoming draft.

• Jason's Take: Jason believes that in redraft leagues, Juju is appropriately valued given his performance last season. However, he cautions that in dynasty leagues, Juju might be overvalued due to increased risks associated with Big Ben's tenure and potential quarterback uncertainties: “There are three extra layers of risk involved... Big Ben has an elbow injury now” (15:24).

c. Cooper Kupp vs. DJ Chark for Dynasty Leagues

A YouTube viewer, Andrew Nelson, poses a dilemma between drafting Cooper Kupp or DJ Chark.

• Jason’s Preference: While acknowledging both players' talents, Jason leans towards Cooper Kupp for his sustained performance and the improved offense surrounding him: “I am in on The Cooper Kupp side” (20:13).

• Mike’s Counterpoint: Mike, however, prefers DJ Chark, citing his physical attributes and potential for breakout performances: “I think I lean DJ Chark” (21:05).

d. Ty Hilton vs. Brandon Cooks vs. A.J. Green in Dynasty

A Facebook follower, Aaron Proudfoot, asks who is the better buy among Ty Hilton, Brandon Cooks, and A.J. Green.

• Jason’s Strategy: Jason advocates for Ty Hilton due to his younger age and potential for growth, despite recent injuries. He expresses skepticism about A.J. Green given his age and declining performance: “I do believe you can make the argument Ty Hilton is the best buy” (39:26).

• Mike’s Agreement: Mike concurs, feeling that Ty Hilton offers more value compared to the other veterans: “I, I think I'd be willing to sell Zeke in about two years” (48:09).

e. Devonte Parker’s Future Value

Joe Wallach from Twitter asks about Devonte Parker’s prospects.

• Jason's View: Jason anticipates Parker will be a reliable wide receiver two in his lineup next year, given his role with the Dolphins and expected quarterback stability: “He'll be a consistent wide receiver two in your lineup next year” (33:43).

f. Best Sports Moment Watched Live

A listener, D. Merrow27, shares his best sports moment, which the hosts fondly recall as their own experience witnessing the NFC Championship Game in 2000.

• Jason’s Nostalgia: He recounts the thrilling NFC Championship where the Cardinals triumphed over the Eagles, highlighting the electrifying atmosphere and the sheer joy of victory: “It was a real... just you were. Every sense on your body was experiencing greatness” (35:01).

g. Alan Robinson vs. Other Wide Receivers

A YouTube user inquires about drafting Alan Robinson in the third round versus choosing Zeke.

• Jason's Analysis: Jason advises against selecting Alan Robinson early due to quarterback uncertainties and his injury history. He prefers Amari Cooper or Zeke for their proven reliability and lower risk: “If you're adding the one on one which could be a Zeke level talent... I would put Amari Cooper” (45:13).

h. Running Backs: When to Sell

A Twitter follower, D Money (@munnyd_money), asks about the optimal time to move on from running backs, specifically contemplating selling Zeke.

• Jason's Advice: Jason recommends holding onto Zeke for at least two more years, considering his age, contract stability, and pivotal role in his team: “... Zeke isn't at that point yet. He hasn't shown signs of slowing down” (47:56).

• Mike's Strategy: Mike agrees, suggesting selling Zeke proactively before a decline, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on peak value: “I would prefer to be out in front and be a year or two early on selling them” (49:36).

3. Personal Anecdotes and Host Banter

Beyond the analytical discussions, the hosts share personal stories and engage in lighthearted banter, enhancing the episode's relatability and entertainment value.

• Phone Voice Quip: Mike jokes about Jason's subdued phone voice, sparking laughter: “You sound like you're just in a la Z” (09:30).

• Bathing Rituals: Jason humorous details his nightly bathtub routine laden with Epsom salts: “The amount of Epsom salt in my bath is illegal in some states” (10:05).

• Podcast Community: The hosts express appreciation for their dedicated listeners, affectionately referring to them as the “Foot Clan” and sharing camaraderie through shared experiences: “You are a good person, beautiful people, because you listen to this show” (01:52).

4. Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts briefly acknowledge sponsors and tease upcoming topics, maintaining the episode's focus on delivering valuable fantasy football insights while keeping the atmosphere fun and engaging.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Jonathan Taylor Thomas:

  "He dominated at the combine, looking like a tier above the rest." (03:10)

• Mike Wright on Keeper Strategies:

  "You can only guarantee one of them. That's your franchise." (13:00)

• Jason Moore on JuJu Smith-Schuster:

  "In a dynasty league, he is way overvalued." (15:45)

• Jason Moore on Cooper Kupp vs. DJ Chark:

  "I am in on The Cooper Kupp side." (20:13)

• Jason Moore on Selling Running Backs:

  "If you're adding the one on one which could be a Zeke level talent... I would put Amari Cooper." (45:13)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, providing listeners with valuable insights into rookie picks, strategic decisions, and player evaluations essential for fantasy football success.