Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 10 Waivers + Full Stream Ahead, Bye-pocalypse!
Release Date: November 5, 2019
In the "Week 10 Waivers + Full Stream Ahead, Bye-pocalypse!" episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the complexities of managing waivers during a tumultuous bye week period, aptly termed the "Bye-pocalypse." The trio offers expert analysis, strategic advice, and lively discussions to help fantasy football managers navigate player shortages, injuries, and optimal streaming options.
1. The Bye-pocalypse: Navigating Multiple Bye Weeks
The episode kicks off with a candid conversation about the challenges posed by numerous teams facing bye weeks in Week 10. Jason Moore highlights the severity, stating, “It’s a bipocalypse. There are a number of teams on bye” (01:35). The hosts discuss the critical nature of this week, emphasizing the strategic decisions managers must make not just about who to pick up but also who to drop to maintain a competitive roster.
Andy Holloway underscores the gravity of the situation: “The importance this week is monumental for most every team out there” (01:35). The trio acknowledges that many managers might find themselves with multiple players on bye, forcing tough choices on waivers and roster adjustments.
2. Key Player Updates and Injuries
The discussion moves to recent player developments affecting fantasy rosters:
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Le'Veon Bell and the Jets: Significant attention is given to Le'Veon Bell’s status. Despite initial reports suggesting a possible knee injury, Jason Moore clarifies, “Lev Bell is, in one word, good” (08:52). The uncertainty around Bell means managers should monitor updates closely, especially with the Jets adding Josh Adams from their practice squad.
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Desean Jackson: Mike Wright shares unfortunate news about Desean Jackson, who is undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury and is unlikely to return for the rest of the season: “Desean Jackson is having surgery to repair core muscle injury. I doubt that he plays again the rest of the season” (15:27). This development impacts the Dolphins' receiving options and forces managers to seek alternatives on waivers.
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Preston Williams: Jason Moore announces the loss of Preston Williams to an ACL tear, diminishing the Dolphins' wide receiver depth: “Preston Williams tore his acl. He will miss the remainder of the season” (07:51).
3. Waiver Wire Strategies: Position-by-Position Analysis
The hosts break down optimal waiver pickups and drops across key positions, offering tailored advice for each:
Wide Receivers
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Standout Picks:
- Jameson Crowder: Recognized for his rapport with Sam Darnold and favorable matchup, Crowder is recommended as a top waiver wire target.
- Devonte Parker: With consistent touchdown involvement, Parker is highlighted for his increasing role in the Indianapolis Colts' offense.
Jason Moore advises, “Jameson Crowder has a great matchup and should be peppered with targets” (23:35).
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Players to Monitor:
- Zach Pascal: Offers reliable target distributions, making him a solid pickup.
- Josh Reynolds: Stepping in for Brandon Cooks, Reynolds presents a moderate option against Pittsburgh.
Andy Holloway suggests, “Zach Pascal is a perfect guy that's widely available in the majority of leagues” (24:14).
Running Backs
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High-Value Targets:
- Ronald Jones: Marked as the number one running back pickup, especially against the Arizona Cardinals, Jones is praised for his improved explosiveness: “Ronald Jones would be the top claim” (36:24).
- Trey Edmonds: Despite limited carries, Edmonds showed potential with a 50-yard rush, making him a viable option against the Rams.
Jason Moore states, “Ronald Jones is taking over and is the number one running back pickup for sure” (36:36).
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Notable Mentions:
- Kareem Hunt: With a promising role in the Cleveland Browns' backfield, Hunt is considered for his talent and opportunity: “Kareem Hunt can have just as good a game. He's a talented back” (13:00).
Tight Ends
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Top Choices:
- Gerald Everett: Benefiting from Brandon Cooks' injury, Everett is seen as a dependable spot start with his history of big games: “Gerald Everett is a great spot start...” (41:28).
- O.J. Howard: Projected as “ready to roll” by coach Bruce Arians, Howard offers upside against the Arizona Cardinals despite a challenging season: “O.J. Howard is pretty available. He is, quote, ready to roll” (42:37).
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Alternatives:
- Chris Herndon: With limited targets, Herndon remains a lower-priority pickup unless recent practice reports indicate increased involvement.
Mike Wright remarks, “Gerald Everett’s fine” (41:28), while Jason Moore adds, “I like Gerald Everett as a spot start” (42:37).
Quarterbacks
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Streaming Options:
- Jimmy Garoppolo: Leveraging a top-ranked Seattle Seahawks defense, Garoppolo is recommended for potential high-performance weeks: “Jimmy Garoppolo is a great spot start” (52:11).
- Ryan Tannehill: With improvements against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tannehill is considered a reliable streaming candidate: “Ryan Tannehill... he's a fine streamer this week” (49:55).
Jason Moore notes, “Jimmy Garoppolo is my streaming quarterback candidate” (52:11).
Defenses
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Preferred Picks:
- Baltimore Ravens: Facing the Cincinnati Bengals with a new quarterback, the Ravens' defense is seen as a strong streaming option: “Baltimore against Cincinnati, I’m sure” (53:12).
- New Orleans Saints: Going up against Atlanta's defense, the Saints are favored for their defensive prowess: “I like New Orleans as well” (53:39).
Mike Wright emphasizes, “Baltimore is on the waiver wire because you didn’t want to play them against the Patriots... but they actually played very respectably” (53:17).
4. Blocking Opponents and Strategic Acquisitions
The hosts discuss the strategy of blocking opponents from acquiring valuable waiver additions. For instance, preventing rivals from picking up Josh Adams is mentioned as a potential tactic, albeit with practical limitations: “This is the time. If I'm not picking up Ty Johnson... I'm putting lotto ticket handcuffs that will explode in value if the start in front of them misses time” (38:55).
Andy Holloway advises focusing on building one's own team rather than overhauling opponents' rosters: “The rules are care about your team first, build your team the best you can” (21:31).
5. Notable Quotes and Highlights
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On Managing Bye Weeks:
- Andy Holloway: “The importance this week is monumental for most every team out there” (01:35).
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On Player Decisions:
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Humorous Banter:
6. Conclusion and Final Recommendations
Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers emphasize the importance of proactive management during the Bye-pocalypse. Key takeaways include:
- Monitor Player Status: Stay updated on injuries and roster changes, especially for key players like Le'Veon Bell and Desean Jackson.
- Prioritize High-Impact Waiver Picks: Focus on players like Ronald Jones, Gerald Everett, and Jameson Crowder who can provide immediate value.
- Strategic Drops: Dispose of underperforming or bye-week players to make room for high-potential pickups.
- Stream Defenses and Quarterbacks Wisely: Utilize streaming options that exploit favorable matchups to maximize weekly points.
As Jason Moore aptly concludes, “Pristineauction.com… join our fantasy football community… you can’t leave off your roster” (57:50). The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for fantasy managers aiming to navigate the challenging Week 10 effectively.
Notable Timestamps:
- 01:35: Introduction to Bye-pocalypse
- 07:51: Preston Williams' Injury
- 13:00: Kareem Hunt's Role
- 21:07: Blocking Opponent's Waiver Picks
- 36:24: Ronald Jones as Top RB Pickup
- 41:28: Gerald Everett’s Spot Start Potential
- 53:12: Baltimore Ravens Defense
- 57:15: Humorous Banter on Catching Footballs
Note: The timestamps correspond to moments within the provided transcript to highlight significant discussions and quotes.
This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the Fantasy Footballers' Week 10 Waivers episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with valuable insights and actionable strategies to excel in their fantasy leagues during a challenging bye week period.