Trade Tips + Burrow/Lamar Face-Off, Dowdle'ing! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 11/6

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary Episode: "Trade Tips + Burrow/Lamar Face-Off, Dowdle'ing!" – Released November 6, 2024

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1. Introduction and Weekly Reminders

The episode kicks off with the hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, welcoming listeners and providing essential weekly reminders. They emphasize the importance of managing waivers, advising listeners to "drop it like it's hot" by monitoring player releases from other teams to capitalize on emerging talent ([03:02] Mike Wright).

Key Highlights:

• App Promotion: The hosts encourage downloading the Fantasy Footballers mobile app, highlighting features like the Ultimate Dashboard and lineup optimizer, essential tools as the fantasy playoffs approach ([03:02] Mike Wright).
• Playoff Mindset: They discuss the strategic decisions teams face as playoffs near, emphasizing the importance of taking calculated risks to potentially secure a championship ([04:01] Jason Moore).

2. Playoff Strategies and Team Dynamics

The conversation shifts to playoff strategies, with a focus on whether teams should "go for it" despite uncertainties. Jason Moore advocates for making bold moves, stating, "If you have a shot, go for it," believing it maximizes the chances of winning the championship ([05:21] Jason Moore). Mike Wright supports this approach, adding, "If you bow out, you're definitely sad and a loser. If you go for it, you might win."

Dynasty Team Spotlight:

• Mike's Dynasty Team: The discussion highlights Mike Wright's exceptionally strong dynasty team, praised for its near-unstoppable lineup. Jason Moore humorously remarks, "The thing that sucks about his team genuinely is it can't lose" ([05:47] Jason Moore).

3. Hungry for More: Zay Flowers and Team Performance

The segment "Hungry for More," presented by Uber Eats, delves into standout player performances, particularly focusing on Zay Flowers. Mike Wright expresses his eagerness for a Tampa Bay wide receiver to elevate team performance, noting, "Zay Flowers ... he is a human joystick" ([07:59] Mike Wright). Jason Moore discusses the impact of mid-season trades, especially the acquisition of Deontay Johnson, fearing it might overshadow Flowers' performance ([09:10] Jason Moore).

Notable Insights:

• Zay Flowers' Surge: Flowers has shown remarkable improvement after a slow start, consistently delivering high fantasy points in recent weeks ([12:10] Jason Moore).
• Team Dynamics: Concerns are raised about the Tampa Bay offense's reliance on Baker Mayfield and the potential dilution of Flowers' targets due to Deontay Johnson's integration ([13:56] Mike Wright).

4. Trade Analysis and Strategy

The hosts engage in a lively debate over trade strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding team needs and player potential. They explore hypothetical trades, such as trading Travis Etienne for Cortland Sutton, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each player in various matchups ([50:46] Jason Moore).

Key Points:

• Trade Tips: Jason Moore advises making compelling trade offers and ensuring communication, suggesting, "Make sure they feel like they're right" and "Give them a text message poke" to increase trade activity ([43:34] Jason Moore).
• League Dynamics: The difficulty of fostering a trading culture in established leagues is discussed, with suggestions to enhance communication and possibly find new leagues if necessary ([47:23] Cortland Sutton).

5. News and Notes: Player Moves and Injuries

The hosts provide updates on recent player trades and injury statuses, which are crucial for fantasy managers to adjust their strategies accordingly.

Notable Updates:

• Steeler Trade: The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Mike Williams from the Jets for a fifth-round pick, a move discussed for its minimal fantasy impact due to Williams' age and integration into the offense ([25:36] Mike Wright).
• Injury Reports: Updates on Trevor Lawrence's shoulder injury and Mike Evans' rehabilitation progress are shared, indicating potential returns in the upcoming weeks ([20:08] Mike Wright).
• Cincinnati Bengals: Khalil Herbert joins the Bengals, likely to see immediate playing time, posing implications for fantasy managers ([26:22] Mike Wright).

6. Game Breakdown: Ravens vs. Bengals

A detailed analysis of the upcoming Thursday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals is provided. The conversation highlights the Ravens' potent passing game led by Lamar Jackson, who is on pace for over 4,500 passing yards this season ([28:37] Mike Wright).

Fantasy Implications:

• Derrick Henry vs. Chase Brown: The hosts compare top running backs, discussing Chase Brown's reliability in the Panthers' offense versus Derrick Henry's explosive potential with the Ravens ([30:29] Mike Wright).
• Tight End Duel: A debate ensues over whether to start Mark Andrews or Cedric "Sticky" Gasicki for the game, with Andrews favored for touchdown potential and Gasicki for overall target volume ([34:02] Jason Moore).

7. Mailbag: Listener Questions

The hosts address listener-submitted questions, offering personalized advice and sharing insights based on their extensive fantasy football expertise.

Highlighted Questions:

• Jonathan Brooks Decision: Ryler Little asks about handling Jonathan Brooks, considering his uncertain activation status. The hosts discuss evaluating Brooks' potential impact versus Chuba Hubbard's solid performance, suggesting cautious optimism if Brooks is activated ([36:00] Jason Moore).
• League Trade Inactivity: An Instagram question addresses how to encourage a lackluster league to engage in trades. Suggestions include making attractive offers and enhancing communication channels, such as personal messages, to stimulate trade activity ([43:34] Jason Moore).

8. Fun Segment: Favorite Football Sunday Foods

In a lighter segment, the hosts share their favorite foods during football Sundays, with preferences ranging from Chipotle to ice cream. This segment adds a personable touch, showcasing the camaraderie among the hosts ([54:11] Mike Wright).

9. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with final thoughts on team performance, player potentials, and a humorous nod to Rico Dowdle's standout moments. The hosts tease upcoming content and encourage listeners to stay engaged through their app and social media channels ([56:02] Jason Moore).

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Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Playoff Strategies:
  "If you have a shot, go for it. I genuinely believe that's the best advice because if you make it to the playoffs, you can get lucky a couple wins in a row and go home with a championship." ([05:21] Jason Moore)

• Mike Wright on Dynasty Team:
  "Mike’s Dynasty team is one of the greatest teams ever assembled in our league. The thing that sucks about his team genuinely is it can't lose." ([05:47] Jason Moore)

• Jason Moore on Trade Communication:
  "The two most true tips are Tip one, make a great offer, trade a little bit more... Tip two is make sure they see the trade. Give them a text message poke, say, hey, I sent a trade offer over something." ([43:34] Jason Moore)

• Cortland Sutton on Player Utilization:
  "If Rico's on the field, we got ourselves a top 20 fantasy running back. That's happening." ([42:35] Cortland Sutton)

• Jason Moore on Favorite Food:
  "I have to go Chipotle." ([54:36] Jason Moore)

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of current fantasy football dynamics, player performances, and strategic trade advice. With engaging discussions and expert insights, listeners are equipped to make informed decisions as they navigate the path toward their fantasy playoffs. Whether debating the merits of Zay Flowers' surge or strategizing trade moves, Andy, Jason, and Mike deliver invaluable content for fantasy enthusiasts.

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For more insights and detailed analyses, listeners are encouraged to download the Fantasy Footballers app and join their vibrant community at jointhefoot.com. Follow the hosts on Twitter @FFBallers for real-time updates and discussions.

Transcript

[Cortland Sutton]

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[Mike Wright]

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[Cortland Sutton]

Hey, it's Cortland Sutton and you're listening to the Fantasy Footballers.

[Jason Moore]

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

[Mike Wright]

Welcome in.

[Cortland Sutton]

Why are you pointing at me?

[Mike Wright]

Because tomorrow's football time. I want you to remember.

[Jason Moore]

So I.

[Cortland Sutton]

It's Wednesday, brother.

[Jason Moore]

This is.

[Mike Wright]

I panicked. I knew we were talking about Thursday Night Football and I panicked and I thought it was Thursday and I was giving you the signal and it all went sideways.

[Jason Moore]

We were talking about the game. It's got a 50 point over under spoiler. My hungry for more is going to be Zay Flowers. We got. So I'm with you, Andy. And you start pointing to Mic. I'm like, oh, yeah, it's football time.

[Mike Wright]

I know.

[Jason Moore]

And then we point at you and you're like, you held firm.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, well, because I was way off.

[Cortland Sutton]

Why do I gotta be the only one who knows what's going on over there?

[Mike Wright]

Why is everyone pointing at me?

[Jason Moore]

It is indeed not football time.

[Mike Wright]

Well, good morning.

[Cortland Sutton]

Very soon it will be tomorrow.

[Mike Wright]

It's almost always football time, Mike.

[Cortland Sutton]

This week, the Thursday Night Football will take place on Thursday. Okay, all right, look, some. Sometimes things get crazy and we get Monday night games on Friday, so I understand the conclusion.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, they've done the like, Monday Night Football game on Saturday and it's still called Monday Night Football game.

[Cortland Sutton]

That's the brand.

[Mike Wright]

That's not.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Cortland Sutton]

Monday Night Football presents Saturday Night Football.

[Jason Moore]

Right. You get it. Your brand can't be a day of the week. That's not. Nobody could claim that as your brand.

[Mike Wright]

I'm a little disappointed that my vigorous pointing at you didn't lead to you just saying something.

[Jason Moore]

You got me.

[Mike Wright]

It's Wednesday.

[Cortland Sutton]

You got me to look over at the top right corner to be like, no, it's Wednesday.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, it is. It's Wednesday, November 6th. Welcome into the Fantasy Footballers.

[Cortland Sutton]

Got me.

[Mike Wright]

Welcome in one and all. We have a great show for you today. We've got Hungry for More. We've got your waivers went through today, so make sure you drop it like it's hot. Check out who was released by the other teams in your league. That is our weekly reminder to do that because sometimes somebody great hits the waiver wire. So pay attention. And a reminder here at the top. Go download the mobile app. Go to your iOS store, your Google Play store. Grab the Fantasy Footballers in Season app right now. The Foot Clan resources the Ultimate Dashboard, now available on iOS, coming very soon, hopefully this week to Android. So you can get the app now, grab the update when it comes through, and you can access the Ultimate Dashboard with a custom waiver wire with your lineup optimizer. As you get ready for the fantasy football playoffs, which are, you know, they're inching closer. We're getting there. It's November.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. You know, I actually, I want to.

[Mike Wright]

I want to say it's cold outside.

[Cortland Sutton]

It's not playoff time yet, Andy.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

I think it's worth actually bringing up that it's not that close to playoffs as a team that's kind of on the bubble in our league of record, having to make choices as to am I in, am I out? You know, it's keeper league. So pretty much half teams sell, half teams buy. Near the trade deadline. There are still several, several weeks left before week 15 when the fantasy playoffs start.

[Cortland Sutton]

So we got five.

[Jason Moore]

We got six. Right. Or five full games before then.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Yeah, yeah. So five full weeks and you're going to have people giving up. You're going to have a couple teams along the path that are easier victories. So if you're, if you're considered. We get this question all the time. It's like, I don't know if I should go for it or if I shouldn't. If you have a shot, go for it. I genuinely believe that that's, that's the best advice because if you, if you make it to the playoffs, you can, you can get lucky a couple wins in a row and go home with a championship.

[Mike Wright]

I'm with you. If you bow out, you're definitely sad and a loser. If you go for It. You might win.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I mean, you're probably going to be a loser because you might. 11 out of 12 or 9 out of 10 of us are losers at the end of every single league and we still choose to do this.

[Mike Wright]

So, Mike, you're going to go for it?

[Cortland Sutton]

The Dynasty? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

[Mike Wright]

Mike's Dynasty team. And I'm going to start setting this up publicly. Mike's Dynasty team is one of the greatest teams ever assembled in our league.

[Jason Moore]

The thing that sucks about his team genuinely is it can't lose. Andy, it just.

[Cortland Sutton]

I know what you're doing.

[Jason Moore]

There's no.

[Cortland Sutton]

It won't work.

[Jason Moore]

There's no way that his team could.

[Mike Wright]

Mike, this is not a gag. This is legit.

[Jason Moore]

It's so legit. No, it's really. It really is legit.

[Mike Wright]

Players, your management, you can't even mess this up.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's unstoppable.

[Mike Wright]

You can put any players from the.

[Jason Moore]

Well, just like you keep saying. You keep telling us you don't even know why we care about that league. You got it on lockdown. We're just agreeing with you that you have it on lockdown and there's no way anything bad could happen.

[Cortland Sutton]

I'm just going to say that the way you're talking right now, it sounds like you do actually care and you shouldn't.

[Jason Moore]

What?

[Cortland Sutton]

You should not.

[Jason Moore]

I do. I do care. I care to see you.

[Mike Wright]

We're shooting for second.

[Jason Moore]

That's what I want. I hope you get third.

[Mike Wright]

Me and you. Second. Third.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, that's fair.

[Cortland Sutton]

That would be. If you're aiming for second, you guys are both aiming really high.

[Mike Wright]

Okay. All right. Well, this is good.

[Cortland Sutton]

The highest you could possibly get this year in that league.

[Mike Wright]

We'll keep this going. All right, follow us on X at the FF Ballers. I mentioned the app and we've got a new Dynasty podcast out today. If you're unfamiliar, we have a special Dynasty podcast, Fantasy Footballers Dynasty. And Jason is on it with Kyle and Betts giving out some mid season Dynasty awards including, and I'm reading this verbatim, the most disappointing youngin the running back Houdini and the super flex quarterback. Surprise.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, that's Darnold.

[Jason Moore]

We. Well, he was. We each give. We each give one. So there wasn't. We actually cover quite a few players, but players that are moving the needle in both directions. Either it's gone poorly for them, Travis Etienne, or, you know, there's Sky's the limit ahead.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Yeah. And from a dynasty perspective. So check that out. We're Hungry for More.

[Jason Moore]

Welcome to Hungry for More presented by Uber Eats.

[Mike Wright]

All right, this week's Hungry for More candidate for me. I am hungry. This is true hunger here. I'm hungry for a Tampa Bay wide receiver to stand up because Baker won't stop cooking. Man, he is. He's been so good this year that he's turned now Kate Otten into a top five tight end. He's completing 72% of his passes. He's on pace for 4543 and we're multiple games without his top targets at wide receiver. Those numbers from Baker, he would be the only quarterback ever to put up those three numbers. The 72%, the 4,500, the 43 since Drew Brees did it in 2011. Yeah, that's right. Laser Mayfield has been outstanding. But we have spent two and a half weeks talking about, oh, Is it Jalen McMillan and then maybe it's Trey Palmer and then Sterling Shepard makes some plays and, but he's almost 32 years old and Rakeem Jarrett, like, will a wide receiver option please stand up? Because I think if they do, if one of them does, we will be having the same conversation conversation we had with Kate Otten. We will be talking about somebody important for fantasy.

[Jason Moore]

And I think we, I think we will and I think we know who.

[Mike Wright]

It'S going to be and, but, but see, I don't know what name you're going to say.

[Jason Moore]

Michael Evans. Do not forget he is coming back with the injury to Chris Godwin and how Baker has been cooking. They've got a tough matchup this week against San Francisco. Not a great matchup. I don't expect Mike Evans back the bye week after that. So you're not having Mike Evans, you know, for a handful of more weeks. I expect him back after the buy and then they've got a great stretch down the road. So I do think Mike Evans is going to be a difference maker.

[Mike Wright]

So do you think that maybe we won't have another wide receiver stand up? It'll be Otton and Evans for the meaningful portion of the year?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean I'm hungry as well for one to do it. I just don't know that they have the talent. I would say Jalen McMillan would be the player I am most excited about. He's a good, you know, looking prospect of he's had a successful rookie season. The opportunity is there. That's who I would put my chips on as the ancillary wide receiver piece. Problem is he's just injured right now. Yeah, you know, obviously Mike Evans injured too, but Mike Evans, second ballot hall of Famer, so he will be. He'll be coming back to greatness.

[Mike Wright]

They have lost four of their last five games. Tampa.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Mike Wright]

And Baker's doing everything.

[Jason Moore]

He's so wrong.

[Mike Wright]

I know. Baker's doing everything he can to make it happen. I mean, he lost by 10 to Baltimore in a shootout, 41, 31, then lost to Atlanta by five, then lost to Kansas City in overtime. So it's like, can those three losses, like, they're so close. They should count as, like, one win.

[Jason Moore]

No, not my NFL.

[Cortland Sutton]

The NFL doesn't do median.

[Mike Wright]

Okay, well, Jason who?

[Jason Moore]

Oh, I did have a great idea for the NFL, by the way. Speaking of, like, NFL going by median. I think I brought this up, but this is not a joke.

[Cortland Sutton]

This is legitimate. Oh, yes, yes, yes.

[Jason Moore]

This is legitimate. I'm telling you right now, they need to take a page out of fantasy football. And the tiebreaker for playoffs is not divisional record or head to head matchup. It's points scored. Dude, that would be so awesome. You want to know who people want in the playoffs? They want the highest scoring teams.

[Mike Wright]

That is a wild thought because my immediate reaction was, oh, there is no more taking your quarterback out. That's right in the fourth quarter.

[Jason Moore]

Run it up.

[Mike Wright]

It's running up the score.

[Cortland Sutton]

The gentleman's knee. When you get inside the five, there.

[Mike Wright]

Ain'T no gentleman anymore.

[Jason Moore]

This is professional football. Stop us if you don't want us to score. None of these whiny coaches being like, that was poor spine. No, that was poor coaching. You're fired. No, I would love it. I think it would be so much fun and NFL, you would be totally.

[Mike Wright]

Justified in scoring and scoring and scoring.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

And hurting your players. It would be horrible for a player safe.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, the truth is, the teams that are clearly playoff bound wouldn't really worry about that if they're up by a ton and they bench their players in the fourth. Whatever.

[Mike Wright]

It's so funny.

[Jason Moore]

It's the teams that are on that bubble that want to get in the playoffs. You want to get in the playoffs, Score.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah. Put points up anyways.

[Jason Moore]

I'm hungry for more Zay Flowers. I Zay Flowers this last week impressed the heck out of me. I just. He was always wide open, but then when guys tried to tackle him, he was like, no, I'm still wide open because you can't catch me. I'm a human joystick. He was so good, and it kind of surprised me to go back and look because at the start of the season, the first three weeks, Mark Andrews wasn't getting it done. Zay Flowers had a good week two, but week one was a dud. Week three was a bust. So it was like there was no.

[Cortland Sutton]

So was week four.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it just fell over the first month, like there wasn't a trustworthy source. And it has surprised me. You know, you just don't always remember what happened last week, next week, and then the week after. But the last five weeks, he's been on an absolute tear. The wide receiver 13, six down week with three and a half fantasy points, the wide receiver 11 and the wide receiver 2. He's been extremely involved. He's looked great. And so what I'm really hungry about, they go out and they trade for Deontay Johnson. And that made me fearful for Zay Flowers. You know, there's just. When Lamar runs so much and sometimes the passing pie is not as big as you would want, you're like, well, it's okay if the targets are consolidated, but if they're not, and if Deontay Johnson comes in here and starts earning himself 6, 7, 8 targets in a game that's going to crush Zay Flowers, I don't want that to happen because Zay Flowers has right now, I don't think you can bench Zay Flowers. And until, until Deontay comes in and changes the landscape. Zay Flowers has just been too darn good. And his good performances have been great. I mean, they're, they're, they're wide receiver one on the week type of numbers he is.

[Mike Wright]

He is wide receiver six on the year in total points scored. You bring something to mind and tell me if I'm wrong, but so far, Amari Cooper gets traded to Buffalo, right? Keon Coleman has some great weeks, Devonte Adams gets traded to jets, and Garrett Wilson has had some great weeks. Now Deontay Johnson has the Baltimore and welcome Zay Flowers.

[Jason Moore]

So you're just saying people need more motivation. Like they need to be scared. Like, you better step it up.

[Mike Wright]

We just talked yesterday about the incredible splits this year between T. Higgins on the field and T. Higgins off the field for Jamar Chase. I just think a better offense raises all the water. What is the boat water? Boats. The boats have water in them?

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah. No, no, there's no water in the boat.

[Mike Wright]

Flip the boats.

[Jason Moore]

The tide raises all. Shit.

[Cortland Sutton]

That's the one.

[Jason Moore]

There it is. So what you're saying is obviously CD Lamb. CD Lamb's.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Moore]

With Mingo, now that they went out and traded a force.

[Mike Wright]

There you go.

[Jason Moore]

I did actually. Just, you know, full disclosure, full work of the analysis. I had a dream that CD Lamb scored like 50 points the rest of the season. So 50 total every week. Every week. Oh. Dominated with the backup. So I mean this was last night.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah, I don't think that's going to.

[Jason Moore]

Happen, but we don't know yet. So.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah, maybe.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, we'll see. My courier. Oh, boy.

[Cortland Sutton]

Rico Dowdle, baby.

[Jason Moore]

Come on. Of course, you know who I was.

[Cortland Sutton]

Going to be hungry for the. I unfortunately was unavailable for the show the week after the huge Rico week earlier in the season. But I'm here for it now, baby.

[Jason Moore]

12.

[Mike Wright]

That's true. You did miss out on your chance.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Cortland Sutton]

12 for. Oh, my chance was back. 12 for 75. 5 for 32 and a score. And the a debate about Rico is simply just is he good? Is he a good running back? And I think that the jury is still kind of out on that. However right now, this far in the season, he is fifth among all running backs in rush success rate on the season. And what that is, a play is successful when it gains at least 40% of yards to go on first, 60% of yards to go on second, or 100% of the yards on third or fourth down. Meaning the guy is absolutely getting it done on the ground. And also I have.

[Jason Moore]

I want to play a game.

[Mike Wright]

I was just going to say that I have felt the table rumble under the fist pounding of Mike over there. Every, every point he's made on Rico Dowd. He has hit our table.

[Jason Moore]

This is going to be.

[Mike Wright]

Go ahead, Mike. Let's play a game. Not we don't want to play.

[Jason Moore]

Please don't say Breeze hall or someone.

[Cortland Sutton]

We're going to talk about Rico Dowdle working in the passing game.

[Jason Moore]

Okay?

[Cortland Sutton]

We're going to put him up against superstar Pass catching running backs is a problem. Rico Dowdle has appeared in seven games this year, guys. So has Travis Etna. Who has more receiving yards? Superstar first round pick Travis ETN or Rico Dowdle?

[Mike Wright]

Etn's been hurt.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Rico Dowdle. Is that seven full games? I doubt it. Okay, well, I doubt a little it.

[Cortland Sutton]

Okay, well, what's your answer, Dowdle?

[Jason Moore]

I'm going to go. Dowdle.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yes. Travis etn a measly 97 receiving yards in seven games. Let's go to then. Oh, let's go. Let's see. Superstar running back Saquon Barkley who has played in eight games compared to seven for Rico Dowdle, who has more receiving.

[Mike Wright]

Yards now we're talking.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Okay. You're making a strong stupid point. I'm gonna go. Rico Dowdle.

[Cortland Sutton]

It is in fact Rico Dowdle. Good for Jason. That's a full point. Thank you, superstar pass catching running back Jameer Gibbs.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Cortland Sutton]

Who has been in eight games compared to seven for Rico Dowdle.

[Jason Moore]

I've got to go Gibbs. I can't go that far.

[Mike Wright]

It's going to be Dell.

[Cortland Sutton]

No, it is Jameer Gibbs.

[Jason Moore]

I get a full point. You get you.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yes. But here's the thing. Who has more receptions in a full.

[Jason Moore]

Now I'm going to go Rico Dowdle.

[Cortland Sutton]

It's Rico Dowdle. Jameer Gibbs.

[Jason Moore]

Objection. Leading The Witness.

[Cortland Sutton]

In eight games, Jameer Gibbs has 165 receiving yards. In seven games, Rico Dowdle has 163 receiving yards.

[Jason Moore]

Hey, I had a nice parlay on Dowdle's over this last week. I see the receptions, the.

[Cortland Sutton]

I don't know what the heck the Cowboys are doing. The Cowboys don't know what they are doing. But the point being, just let Rico Dowdle be your running back for the.

[Jason Moore]

Rest of the year.

[Mike Wright]

You have been.

[Cortland Sutton]

Stop with the bull crap.

[Mike Wright]

You have been begging for this.

[Cortland Sutton]

Stop putting dusty washed running backs who had great. Zeke. It was awesome. The career of Zeke should be celebrated. The career of Dalvin Cook should be celebrated. But as in we're celebrating it because.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, past tense.

[Cortland Sutton]

Because it's over. Just let it be done. Let the good times be what they were in our memories.

[Jason Moore]

Move forward.

[Cortland Sutton]

Let Rico Dowdle, fifth among, fifth among all running backs, become a monk in rush success rate, dominating in the passing game.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Cortland Sutton]

And what, by the way, I didn't even do receiving touchdowns. He has more.

[Mike Wright]

How are you not in a Rico Dowdle jersey right now? Do they sell those?

[Cortland Sutton]

So I am 100% hungry for more Rico Dowdle. The upcoming matchup against Philadelphia, it will be a true test with a backup quarterback. How good will it work out for fantasy? I don't know.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, I just one question for you.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

What percentage chance do you give the Dallas Cowboys to have Ezekiel Elliott as the lead back this week? More or less than zero percent.

[Cortland Sutton]

Oh, it's higher than zero.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. This is the issue.

[Cortland Sutton]

I agree. But I'm just trying to get to the. Get people to the point of like, no, if Rico's on the field, we got ourselves a top 20 fantasy running back. That's happening. But will he be on the field? I don't know because Jerry Jones has no idea what he's doing.

[Mike Wright]

By the way, a Quick update to the Mike Evans comment. We just got word that he is working off to the side with a trainer today. A first step in working towards returning after the buy, which is the plan.

[Jason Moore]

If he's working to the side right now, you've got essentially three weeks before he plays football. Two missed weeks of fantasy action. He should be ready to go. Do we have any updates on Nico Collins?

[Mike Wright]

No, no, no updates on.

[Cortland Sutton]

They're still evaluating.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, who did you trade for him again? Everybody. Everybody. I traded my second, my third, which are the two best picks. I traded Tank Dell, who would be really good if Nico's gone. Puka Nakua. But I got.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, there were other pieces.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I got Jonathan Taylor back real quick before we move on because we're hung. We're hungry for more and I just had this pulled up when I was looking at Zay Flowers. I was just really surprised. Lamar, we know he's been good, right?

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, yeah, he's been. He's been very, very good.

[Cortland Sutton]

He should probably win the mvp.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I think he might be one of the players that actually deserves to win the mvp, not just being with the quarterback on the best team, but how many rushing yards do you think he's on pace for?

[Cortland Sutton]

Oh, that's a good question.

[Mike Wright]

I don't know. I think it's more than Rico Dowdle.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah, probably more than Rico Dallas. I don't know. I'm going to say a little bit like lower though, than we were than the average that he's been giving.

[Jason Moore]

Right. So maybe like 700. He's on pace for 953 rushing yards. How many passing yards do you think he's on pace for? Given that he's on pace for 953 rushing yards.

[Cortland Sutton]

Are we 4K4.

[Jason Moore]

4,500 passing yards. How many passing touchdowns do you think he's on pace for? 35, 37.8. I mean, he is a monster across all. He hasn't had a single week this week where he's not a quarterback one this week.

[Cortland Sutton]

This is the, this is the Lamar that we hope we were going to get last year.

[Mike Wright]

We've had it a couple.

[Cortland Sutton]

A couple times when the offense changed last year, like, this was the excitement that he's going to run. And I just, I got to give this one update here for. Of Jerry Jones doesn't know what he's doing.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, boy.

[Cortland Sutton]

Jerry Jones talking about Trey Lance. In the absence of Dak Prescott quote, he's going to be front and center a lot. There are things we can do with him and I think can add punch to the offense.

[Mike Wright]

So is he playing a different position? What in God's name does he. What does he mean? Mike, what did you say the other day like three weeks ago to Jerry?

[Cortland Sutton]

I was kind of mean but I said Jerry Jones. Shut up.

[Mike Wright]

Shut up.

[Jason Moore]

Do you think they would trade Trey Lance for Braylon Allen? Yeah, I only say that because they gave up their pick that they could have drafted Braylon Allen or a lot of the running backs this year. Instead they have Trey Lance as just wild.

[Cortland Sutton]

So yeah, maybe we'll get Trey Lance on the field.

[Mike Wright]

This is just entertainment. Sorry Cowboys fans that was hungry for more Presented by Uber Eats, where you can get the best deals on game day food all season long. Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now. We will take a break. We'll jump into the news.

[Cortland Sutton]

This episode is brought to you by Peloton. Think the preseason training looks tough? Wait until you try Peloton. Whether you're on the Peloton tread or diving into their All Access membership, they've got a wealth of running and strength training programs that will really push you to your limits. These instructors, they're no joke. We're talking military trained sub, three hour marathoners and former college athletes who know how to bring out your inner beast. And with tons of options to choose from, you can gear up for race day with seasoned marathoners leading the charge. Plus custom strength workouts to keep you accountable and crushing those goals. Peloton is all about the details too. Want to up your game as a runner? Their pace targets let you tailor your workouts so you can truly challenge yourself every step of the way. Find your push, Find your power with [e-mail] this episode is brought to you by Prime Video.

[Jason Moore]

Thursday Night Football is on and it's only on Prime Video. This Thursday, the AFC's oldest rivalry is rekindled as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns. Coverage begins 7pm Eastern with Football's Best Party TNF Tonight presented by Verizon live from Cleveland. Not a Prime member. Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial and you can cancel at any time. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.

[Mike Wright]

I just feel like, like if you're the head coach of the Cowboys, like did you talk to Jerry about this? Or do you have to hear this through the media and then go, what are we doing with Trey Lance?

[Cortland Sutton]

He probably is hearing about it through the media.

[Mike Wright]

What am I going to do I have a plan for Trey Lance. I didn't know that.

[Jason Moore]

I can't imagine. Jerry's not everywhere.

[Mike Wright]

What if he just texts, like, every couple minutes?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'll bet he does.

[Mike Wright]

You hear about this Mingo guy?

[Cortland Sutton]

Well, I got him for you.

[Mike Wright]

What do you. You gave up what? You give up an eighth round pick? Ninth round pick doesn't exist. No. Fourth. All right, moving on.

[Jason Moore]

News and notes from around the league presented by USAA Insurance.

[Mike Wright]

Well, the Steelers did not get Brandon Iuk. They did not get Devonte Adams. They didn't get DeAndre Hopkins, but they did get Mike Williams. They gave up a fifth round pick to get Mike Williams from the jets. Thirty years old, he in George Pickens game. What's that?

[Jason Moore]

Incoming George Pickens game.

[Mike Wright]

Well, look, I. I do think Mike Williams kind of works in this offense better than other offenses he could have been traded to. I mean, I guess they'll just run their guys down the field and chuck it, but. But Russ can do that. I. It means nothing to me in fantasy.

[Cortland Sutton]

I think it is great for George Pickens, like the.

[Mike Wright]

To have another.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah, you just have to have another capable wide receiver on the team and more of a. The Steelers, since the beginning of the season, have been trying to get a wide receiver, too. It could have, like, if Adams goes to the Steelers, you know what, what do we think of Pickens? We're super freaked out. So, like, Mike Williams is not someone where you're like, oh, no, targets will not be going to George Pickens. The targets will remain the same and they might be even better now.

[Mike Wright]

That was the big piece of news. Trevor Lawrence, also limited in practice, dealing with a shoulder injury. The team signed C.J. beathard off the practice squad. And Khalil Herbert, new member of the Cincinnati Bengals, likely to get an opportunity on the field on Thursday. As soon as Thursday. So generally easy for running backs to make the transition and get some opportunities.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah, Burrow was talking about it and he's like, he's right next to me. I'll tell him what to do.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that's funny. Yeah, that's it. All right. That was today's news and notes presented by USAA Insurance. Learn [e-mail] insurance let's talk about that game.

[Jason Moore]

Thursday night. Breakdown.

[Mike Wright]

Cincinnati's 4 and 5 still alive.

[Cortland Sutton]

That's wild. They were. They were dead.

[Jason Moore]

They're used to this. They were just how they operate.

[Mike Wright]

They were 2 and 5. Right. So they were dead.

[Cortland Sutton]

And now they can be one game. If they win, you're one game back of the Ravens.

[Mike Wright]

The Ravens are six and three. Yeah, you're right. And Baltimore's at home. They're six point favorites. The over under 53 on DraftKings sportsbook. It's currently the highest over under of any game so far. In 2024. Week five, we saw 79 points. There's an overtime game. Baltimore won 41 38. Lamar threw for 348 and four. This is the game that Jamar Chase had 10 for 193 and two. Higgins had a big game as well. Not expected to play in this one.

[Cortland Sutton]

No, it doesn't seem like it.

[Mike Wright]

The Baltimore pass funnel defense is giving up the most passing yards per game. Combined with what Joe Burrow has been doing, he's on pace for over 4,500 passing yards. I guess I'm asking like, what?

[Jason Moore]

Who are you not starting?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I mean, this game just feels like it should be entertaining, exciting. Like, think about the different scenarios in this one. Like, Baltimore's favored. Right. So Baltimore gets ahead. You expect Cincinnati to still be successful passing the football, trying to get back into the game. If Cincinnati gets ahead, it's going to be great. Baltimore can get back into the game at a moment's notice. Like, I don't see a scenario where a blowout undermines any fantasy production.

[Jason Moore]

No. Well, I mean, the only way that it happens, and I don't expect it to happen, would be probably to Derek Henry. He can still be game scripted out a little bit of these games, you know, get Justice Hill on the field if you're needing to play catch up. The truth is they haven't needed to play catch up a lot this year. Derek Henry's rushing stat lines in Ravens wins. 25 for 151 and 2, 24 for 199 and a touchdown. 15 for 92 and a touchdown. 24 for 132 and 2. 15 for 169 and 23 for 106 and 2. Right now they're favored by six. They're at home. So you expect Derek Henry to have an unbelievable game.

[Cortland Sutton]

That 15 for 92 with a score was Cincinnati.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, that's a great game.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

In the last six weeks, both defenses have been top 10 against the running backs. Chase Brown, you know, last week, his game was. It was a great football game, but he also, he had a receiving touchdown in it. Are you. You got to be confident in Chase Brown, right?

[Cortland Sutton]

Yes. Chase Brown has taken the lead job. Even if Khalil Herbert plays, I don't expect it to be like, oh, he's going to go into Zach Moss's role and we're talking Zach Moss for the beginning of the season. Chase Brown is going to be the guy for this running back crew and Herbert will get snaps here and there. Chase Brown was, I think he was 100%. Yeah, 100% of the running back attempts, 47% workhorse percentage, which is like 47% of attempts and targets. That's just, that's too much for any player to do on a week to week basis.

[Mike Wright]

Let me ask you a question though, because Chase Brown was not a player drafted to be your starting running back. He's evolved into that. That means he's on a lot of teams where they had other established running backs and you have to make start state decisions about some of those guys. You see the big game from Brown last week, players like J.K. dobbins, right? Who's, who's had a lull, had a good game, he plays a tough Tennessee defense. Or Chase Brown on Thursday night, which way would you go?

[Jason Moore]

I have them back to back in my rankings and right now I've got Dobbins one spot ahead. But it's a great name to bring up for me. I would play Chase Brown simply because I get more information on the week. If they are literally that close, they're in the exact same tier, the exact same setup where they're going to get the ball a lot against a very difficult run defense. Give me the high over under and give me the Thursday Night Football so that I know when I'm looking at the rest of my roster moves. Did I get off to a strong start? Did I have a dud week? You know, do I need to swing for the fences? That that extra information is good for.

[Cortland Sutton]

Getting a W. I want, I want players in a game where the over under is the highest of the year.

[Mike Wright]

So if it's the game we expect and Higgins misses, which he hasn't practiced, obviously Chase is in your lineup and he'll be fine. But where do you turn to for that other, you know, 23.5 implied point total. Where do you turn to for other value? Is it, is it Yoshi Voss? Is it Sticky Gasicki?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Sticky Gasicki should be really, really good in this, in this game. I know you blew our minds with the fact that he only played 36% of snaps, but when he's on the field, he's a pass catcher. He is there to exploit a defensive play. He's got eight targets, six targets the last two games without T. Higgins. At the tight end position. Now, what's interesting would be the conversation of what if you've got Mike Gasicki and Mark Andrews because I have seen.

[Mike Wright]

That already on X this morning. Those questions coming through.

[Jason Moore]

Isaiah likely is not going to play. He's been a DNP on Monday and Tuesday with a hamstring. So I'll just be surprised if on a short week Isaiah likely plays with him out.

[Mike Wright]

How sticky do you want to get?

[Jason Moore]

I would go Andrews.

[Mike Wright]

Personally, I tend to lean the other direction where I feel like I would go Gasicki. I would go pass catcher. I'm not sure that Andrews isn't blocking a ton in this game.

[Jason Moore]

I think that the Ravens are their team applied total is almost 30 points.

[Mike Wright]

That's a good reason to believe you.

[Jason Moore]

Talk about the touchdowns Andrews has had recently. Which which player has a higher likelihood of a touchdown. It's definitely Andrews.

[Cortland Sutton]

And just the last week was close, man. Last week was a total bust. But they beat Denver 41 to 10. They shut guys down early. Zay Flowers ran four more routes than.

[Jason Moore]

Mark Andrews and each of his routes were to the House. Yeah.

[Cortland Sutton]

And so he was ending drives on those catches. So this was not a the production wasn't there. I'm just saying the Mark Andrews role didn't. It wasn't.

[Jason Moore]

Oh crap.

[Cortland Sutton]

We're back to week two where Andrews is not involved in the passing.

[Mike Wright]

Here's the real truth of the matter. Andrews has the higher odds in this game to score a touchdown. If neither player scores a touchdown, I think you'll be happier with Gasicki.

[Jason Moore]

I would agree with that.

[Mike Wright]

Even on this year. I don't know if you know this, but on the year Mark Andrews has 29 total targets. On the year.

[Jason Moore]

Sounds about right.

[Mike Wright]

Kasicki has 36 targets and he's playing far fewer snaps and was sharing time.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean, I agree with what your statement is. The higher likelihood for a touchdown is Andrews. If neither player gets a touchdown, you're probably happier with Kosicki because more targets and yardage.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Yeah. Andrews is averaging 32 yards a game this year.

[Jason Moore]

I would still go the Andrew side. Personally, I think the likelihood for a touchdown is relatively high.

[Mike Wright]

Okay. All right, we will turn the page here. Let's jump into the mailbag.

[Jason Moore]

Mailbag.

[Mike Wright]

It's a good time to check out the Strength of schedule [e-mail] just one of the many premium tools we make available to our listeners. So check that [e-mail] and now just.

[Jason Moore]

Join the foot.com and the app. And the app. Now it's all on the app.

[Mike Wright]

That's right. That's right. That's a good point.

[Jason Moore]

Download that.

[Mike Wright]

If you have a question for the show, you can always go to the website, the fantasy footballers.com, click the submit a question button or dial our voicemail hotline. 302464, TFFB. First question we got from YouTube. What to do. This is from Ryler Little. What to do with Jonathan Brooks. Question mark. Because Chuba is a good player. Chuba scored again last week. Your start of the week. What do you do?

[Cortland Sutton]

I don't think I'm playing him well. I mean, we need the full activation news as well. Kyle, can you just. We didn't miss that. Hopefully I'm not playing him this week. It will be like, it's going to be really interesting to watch here of like, do they go back to Bryce Young? What does this team do? Because like Chuba is a. Is an unrestricted free agent going into next year.

[Jason Moore]

You.

[Cortland Sutton]

If I'm the Carolina Panthers, I'm not going to overwork Brooks, but I at least want him to get some acclamation. Yeah, exactly. I want to. I want to get some acclimation into the NFL and hopefully, like, if I'm running the Panthers, I'm in about a 50, 50 timeshare by the end of the year with him and Chuba. Just to see what I've.

[Mike Wright]

I think a lot of my opinion on Brooks has to do with what does he look like on the field. Does this look like a special player or does this look like, you know, kind of how Trey Benson is muddled along this year? Does he. Which Benson's had some plays, but it's.

[Cortland Sutton]

Not, it's taken time.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, it's taken time and that's normal. But it does tell you something. Like if you come out there and Jonathan Brooks, you know, you bring FHN in his passing game work in Miami. If Jonathan Brooks is a obviously superior pass catcher, that brings something special to the offense, which is something he could be doing. It's going to dictate his playing time.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm excited to have Jonathan Brooks. There's no world where you should be starting him this week. We have no idea his utilization. They might, you know, in his first game back from the acl, they might give him five total opportunities in the game to just kind of ease him back into getting hit for the first time by an NFL defender. I wouldn't be surprised at that. Now, my expectation is more than that. I think they're going to give him a lot of the Miles Sanders role that he has had, which has not been significant. But like, you know, a couple weeks ago when I on the on the parlay parte was looking at Chuba Hubbard's over on reception totals and I'm watching the game, I'm like, man, the passing work like the packages. They're bringing in Miles Sanders, they've clearly got him as the passing game guy. Not in the two minute drill. It was like the end of the game, two minute drill where Chuba hit that mark. But I could see them working him in in the passing game. So that's what I'm watching for more than anything is do they bring him in on designed screens more than once? And I think they will and if they do, that'll be a good signal to one, see how he looks and two, get him more involved for fantasy Todd Gurley.

[Cortland Sutton]

Not that they're the same player of course, but Todd Gurley was coming into the NFL off of an ACL tier ACL tear and his first game was week three. He had seven opportunities. The Rams then turned everything over to Todd Gurley. I don't know if that'll happen for Brooks, but the timing of we're in week 10, correct.

[Jason Moore]

We're going into week 10.

[Cortland Sutton]

So they will play the Giants and then they're going to go into the bye week. So the optimistic view is he goes out there, looks good and maintains health like he's still good to go. They go into the bye week and then they say, yeah, let's roll with Brooks from here on out. That's the possible positive spin of it.

[Jason Moore]

What's kind of be activated by 4pm Eastern today. So we will know for sure if he is going in a few hours. Yeah, yeah. If he's going to play football this year.

[Mike Wright]

Well, to me the more significant fantasy impact might actually be on the other side of the equation because through nine weeks Chuba Hubbard's a top 10 running back. Chuba Hubbard has been outstanding. So if you depending on what you believe about Jonathan Brooks involvement and what this team's going to do, you know, I don't think they're going here's what I truly believe about their relationship with Chuba Hubbard. I think they love him. I think they love the player, I think they love the locker room guy and I doubt they're going to try to sub like subvert his opportunity to go out and get a contract if he's not coming back to this team as well. Like so they Want to win ball games. Dave Canales has to win ball games. It was proven last year with Frank Reich that if you don't win in year one, you can be fired halfway through the season. So that balancing act is going to be interesting. Chuba Hubbard has been outstanding. Do you know what he's averaging yards per carry this year?

[Jason Moore]

If you had to guess, about four and a half.

[Mike Wright]

Five.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Mike Wright]

He's averaging five. He has 665 rushing yards. He has been a top, you know, running back the majority of the year. His bad games are like running back 26 and 34 in the last eight weeks. So that is a. It is one to watch. And whether you're getting to start Chuba Hubbard rest of year or not, that's going to depend on what they do. Like, I don't think this team is looking at it the way that fantasy players do, which is like, we got to get our next guy in there forever right now. You know, they already told us that. They told us before the season he, that Jonathan Brooks would play by week three or four. That was the quote from Dave Canales. It's week 10. They also said a week ago he might not even play this year.

[Jason Moore]

Well, we'll know in a couple hours. In a couple hours. If he's not.

[Mike Wright]

Well, even if he's active, though, I mean, like, the workload could stay minimal to protect him for next year when you need him.

[Jason Moore]

That could be true. I certainly think down the stretch they have to. They have to get him playing time and see for the future. They don't want to break the man, but they certainly want to get him ready for next year as an NFL player. So to me, you've got Chuba, who's been outstanding. The team likes him. But 74% of snaps, 82% of snaps, 84% of snaps, 79. Like Chuba has been, you know, almost a bell cow here for Carolina. So his fantasy production has been good. He's been fine on a per touch basis, but I don't expect that to hold. So if Jonathan Brooks is activated here in a couple hours, which I expect, then I'm looking to trade Chuba because Chuba's been great. People are running back needy and they might not be aware.

[Mike Wright]

I don't think they're trading for Chuba.

[Jason Moore]

They might not, but I would. I would float it out there. I would use him in a couple trade offers.

[Mike Wright]

I'd trade Brooks on the promise of the activation. That's what I would do.

[Jason Moore]

I'm fine with that too.

[Mike Wright]

And what are the odds that he doesn't get activated today? Because there is a chance the team.

[Jason Moore]

Greater than zero.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, the team could say, nah, let's just make sure we've got Chuba, we've got Miles Sanders, and we're not winning, like we're not going to the playoffs. So let's just make sure you're okay next year.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean, Canales did say that there's a chance, but that quote, when you watch the whole press conference, it really felt like we're excited to get him back. We're, you know, you know, we've got plans for him and it's like, well, is there any chance he doesn't come back? And he's like, sure, yeah, there's a chance.

[Mike Wright]

What are the odds that we could extend this conversation on this show until that 4pm Eastern?

[Cortland Sutton]

If anyone can do it.

[Mike Wright]

Anybody can do it.

[Cortland Sutton]

My last thought is, holy crap. If he doesn't get activated and you spent a second round pick on a running back to not play a year of a four year contract is that's bad management?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I think that's not what you would have expected to have happen. It could be the best decision for them now. I don't know. I don't know that. I wouldn't presume to know that. This question comes in from Instagram. My league doesn't like to trade. What can I do to change that?

[Jason Moore]

Make trades.

[Mike Wright]

I saw you got a really good trade done yesterday, Jay.

[Jason Moore]

I did. So one of the things, one of.

[Mike Wright]

The things you can do or your.

[Jason Moore]

Six round pick for their ninth round.

[Mike Wright]

Pick, that seems like bad value. Yeah, I saw that trade come through and I didn't know what happened.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. So we.

[Mike Wright]

No other trade followed it when you reversed it?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he wanted to leave it there for a minute to have the league go wild about it. Before we edit undo.

[Mike Wright]

And what happened?

[Jason Moore]

It was a trade that we were going back and forth on for Baker. For Baker Mayfield and a pick swap. And then.

[Mike Wright]

Was it a swap? Six, nine?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And so Baker just was forgotten to be added to the deal. They immediately accepted it. But yeah, we're getting old, Mike.

[Mike Wright]

You got to accept this.

[Cortland Sutton]

You guys are just a circus act.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, I'm just happy to report it's been mostly Andy this year.

[Mike Wright]

This year. Okay, listen, listen. Okay. It's happened twice.

[Cortland Sutton]

You have twice in our league traded.

[Mike Wright]

Here's what's happened, okay?

[Jason Moore]

Your fab for nothing and a player for nothing.

[Mike Wright]

Listen, here's what has happened. And this has never happened. Before we've got doofuses in the league. I include myself in that category. I have put out publicly because we did not have fab trading for years. We finally added fab trading. Sometimes like, Jason, you're like, hey, Anthony Richardson available for fabric. They sent $2 fab. You sent Anthony Richardson. I have been so over eager that sometimes I've been like, who's the player I was trying to give you guys? Josh, who was the one that I said was available in trade for five bucks? Oh, it was Caleb Williams earlier in the year. So I'm like, hey, Caleb's available for fab. Instantly, I get an offer that to me look like two offers that look. Yeah, two offers and they're the same offer. I thought they were $5 fab for Caleb. Turns out two doofuses decided to send me Caleb and my fab for nothing.

[Cortland Sutton]

All you have to do is read.

[Mike Wright]

I'm too e. I thought I got a cool trade. I was excited and I smacked. Well between.

[Cortland Sutton]

Wait, is that what happened to the Cowboys?

[Jason Moore]

Oh, that's probably. They were excited.

[Cortland Sutton]

They didn't read it. They were just like, Mingo.

[Jason Moore]

We've loved Mingo, except, yes, Mingo is a fourth.

[Cortland Sutton]

And they were like, wait, no, we. We thought you were giving us the four.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Mingo.

[Mike Wright]

And how did this turn into me? You traded a six for a nine yesterday.

[Jason Moore]

It was just an accidental click. And also for all the leagues out there, if you're in a good league, if people make accidents undo it, that's.

[Mike Wright]

Just like, no, I am not Jerry Jones. Yeah. Anyways, we've had some comedic mishaps, but to. What do you do to make people trade? Because I've seen this so many times every year, people are just. They hear us talk about trades on the show. They get jealous. They want their league to be active and vibrant.

[Cortland Sutton]

It can be extremely difficult to, if this is the establishment of the league, to actually change because it's a true culture change of a league. I've been in. I've been in leagues like that for long running leagues where it just. It was all trades just don't happen. It was. It was nearly impossible. And people just don't respond to trade offers. And the best way to get it going is to have a hub for communication. I mean, you can use the. We're on sleeper, so you can use the sleeper chat room, but it might take something more than that. And I mean, getting people's phone numbers, like being able to actually text someone one to one instead of everything just going through the system, have a personal relationship with the other people in the league. But having said that, the honest truth is it may not happen and you might need to find just a different league.

[Jason Moore]

I would say the two most true tips are Tip one, make a great offer, trade a little bit more. If you want a play and he's done this for years and he's talked about it as a tip. If you really believe in a guy and you want him, pay up for him, it's okay, go get them. You know, you're like, oh, people don't accept trades so they're afraid to be wrong. Make sure they feel like they're right. Make you know that is not always bad management to go out and pay up, throw in an extra player or two. And then the other thing is it's part and parcel of what Mike is saying. It's communication. But it is really, really common. Like I go out and I'll offer a ton of trades and you know what, people have busy lives, they never see them. You don't respond to a trade. Tip two is make sure they see the trade. Give them a text message poke, say, hey, I sent a trade offer over something. Because as soon as you send something that is actually seen, they will respond 9 out of 10 times with a rejection or oh, I'll look at it or something and it starts communication where now you can get working on it.

[Mike Wright]

And maybe if you're not finding another league, replace a couple managers that are inactive because don't underestimate the power of one or two very trade active managers.

[Jason Moore]

That's true.

[Mike Wright]

They do motivate trades for the entire league and we've seen that time and time again. So we'll take a break. Some more questions after the break. This episode is brought to you by Mattress Firm. We all have those guys in our league. You know, the guy who always forgets to set his lineup until the last second and maybe misses out on points and then blames the or the one who always leaves their highest scoring player on the bench and then regrets it after the game, complaining nonstop about it. But when you're matched with the right mattress at Mattress Firm, anybody can sleep at night. Why do we love Mattress Firm? How about the free and fast delivery? Mattress Firm offers free and fast delivery straight to your door. If you can't wait to sleep, great. You can get that free and fast delivery. And you know, we want that perfect bed and we want it quick from Mattress Firm. They also have a low price guarantee. If you see a lower price Mattress Firm will match it. If you see it someplace else, they'll match it. That's Mattress Firm with a low price guarantee and you can take advantage of that. Every mattress you could need quality mattresses at every single price. Get matched at Mattress Firm's Black Friday sale and sleep at night. Text FOOTBALL to 766693 for $100 off your next purchase at Mattress Firm. Restrictions apply CMattressFirm.com or store for details. Behind the bright lights and adrenaline of pro sport is an equally exciting world of negotiations and deal making. That's what we cover each week on our podcast the Deal. I'm Alex Rodriguez, former baseball player turned business executive. And I'm Jason Kelly, chief correspondent for Bloomberg Originals. Over the next couple months, we'll hear from all stars like Jay Williams.

[Jason Moore]

I want to be an owner one day.

[Mike Wright]

Billie Jean King, learn the business and so many more. Listen to the deal on Spotify. All right, well, boy, here we are. Instagram question from Shump. Trade Travis ETN for Cortland Sutton, question mark.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, fun question, Andy.

[Cortland Sutton]

I mean, if you need a wide receiver, I'm fine with it.

[Mike Wright]

I would hate to do it, but that doesn't make it wrong. Cortland Sutton has had three straight top or, sorry, three out of four top 24 weeks. The targets are what make you excited for Sutton.

[Cortland Sutton]

It's not just the targets. It's that Bo Nicks is, he's chucking it. He's playing really good football and he's playing like fantasy friendly football. They're getting explosive plays. Like you can't, you can't pull up Cortland Sutton's game log and be like, oh, well, it's only been this part of the season, the beginning. He was terrible.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Cortland Sutton]

He had Bo Nicks, who was a rookie quarterback who had never played. Like this is the transformation of Bo Nick's is getting better. He's getting more comfortable with Cortland Sutton and Travis ETN is it's doo doo, baby.

[Jason Moore]

Just off the top of your head without looking. Maybe you're wrong. What do you interpret as some of the. Or maybe the like, what's the hardest run defense? What are the best run defense? Detroit for sure. That comes to mind. Anyone else? That just jumps off the page. I mean, Detroit's usually what I think of first, but when I'm thinking of other great defenses out there, very difficult to run on.

[Cortland Sutton]

Minnesota.

[Jason Moore]

Minnesota.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, Minnesota.

[Jason Moore]

Those are the two that come to mind for me. Travis Etn's next matchups against Minnesota and then on the road and on the road in Detroit. This is off.

[Mike Wright]

He might need to be on the road.

[Jason Moore]

You're going to need some.

[Cortland Sutton]

Some cream.

[Jason Moore]

Get on them rods, brother.

[Cortland Sutton]

You're going to donut.

[Jason Moore]

You're coming off of three rushing attempts and then you go and you play Minnesota Detroit by week. Now I do, I genuinely do think there are bright days ahead for Travis ETN this season. But it's a month from now and if you need wins, if you need a wide receiver, sure. Maybe there's not. When I say I think there is.

[Mike Wright]

That'S just a hopeful past catching is my hope. There is with the absence of Kirk and the absence of other options that.

[Cortland Sutton]

Maybe just go get Rico Dowdle then.

[Mike Wright]

Oh gosh.

[Jason Moore]

You know, what a world, man.

[Mike Wright]

What is the success of Rico Dowdle mean for the future of this show?

[Jason Moore]

I think we're going to have and.

[Mike Wright]

How many more chances that Mike's going to take on guys like this then?

[Cortland Sutton]

You gotta take the chances, man. That's how you win.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, I. Look, we can't say anything right.

[Jason Moore]

I will, I will say this. You did your best analysis work preseason to identify situations where guys that were lowly drafted running backs hit and are a top 20 running back. You identified bad situations that don't hit like the Raiders, you know, homeowner and Zach Moss. But yes, the Bengals were one that you got out. And whether it was Zach Moss or Chase Brown, you were saying we don't necessarily know who it is, but you target that and that was. Right. You're just getting lucky on Dallas because it's not a good offense.

[Cortland Sutton]

Hey, you're leaving out the Chargers.

[Jason Moore]

No, no, no.

[Cortland Sutton]

It was three teams that I wanted.

[Jason Moore]

That's right. And they're all, they're all hits right now. So that's. That's good work.

[Mike Wright]

Guess, guess it's good that we have a podcast that you can share that with the world. It's just we. We have to be around the dowdling in between the shows.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's. It doesn't stop off the. The airwaves are not the only place.

[Mike Wright]

He comes in the dory. Dowdles.

[Jason Moore]

Uh huh.

[Mike Wright]

Afternoon Dowdles.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, you can.

[Mike Wright]

I mean there's daddling up and down the street.

[Jason Moore]

No. And you don't want that.

[Mike Wright]

No, you don't.

[Cortland Sutton]

April Dowdles bring may shower or flowers. I couldn't remember it could have just.

[Mike Wright]

Let us finish bad.

[Cortland Sutton]

I'm sorry.

[Mike Wright]

YouTube question from techno. Yay. Says what is everybody's favorite food on football Sunday? Ice cream.

[Jason Moore]

You know, I have to Go Chipotle.

[Cortland Sutton]

Because we're pretty Chipotle heavy on Sunday.

[Jason Moore]

On Sunday specifically, yeah. Why?

[Mike Wright]

Why do we end up there? Is it just easy?

[Jason Moore]

I think it's easy. And you can actually order healthy. And it's delicious. Delicious.

[Cortland Sutton]

Not a sponsor, but.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, not a sponsor till we get the gold card.

[Mike Wright]

Could be.

[Cortland Sutton]

Could be.

[Mike Wright]

They have a gold card, right?

[Jason Moore]

I've seen rumors. Please sponsor Chipotle if you're out there. Big Chipotle.

[Cortland Sutton]

We're tired of paying for it.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Every single Sunday. Because we're in the studio.

[Mike Wright]

Big Chipotle.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, that's, you know, that's who they are. But we're here watching the games in the studio because we got the Big nine TV set up and pretty much every Sunday we're ordering Chipotle. And then if it goes poorly, you're right, Andy. We order ice cream.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that's for the bad days. Also good days. Celebrational ice cream.

[Cortland Sutton]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Also depressional ice cream. Pretty much just a normal day is the only day you don't eat ice cream. All right, that is going to do it for today's episode starts of the week in the matchups tomorrow, when it will actually be football time. It's going to be more matchups and a double wheel of shame on Friday. Unless I just dip out for that day. We'll see. But in the meantime, I'll let Mike get back to dowdling and we will catch you tomorrow.

[Cortland Sutton]

Goodbye.

[Jason Moore]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FF Ballers.