Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Week 2 Waivers + Full Stream Ahead, Spicy Toes
Release Date: September 15, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In the Week 2 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into the aftermath of Week 1's NFL games, analyzing key player performances, injuries, and providing strategic advice for upcoming waivers. The discussion is lively, filled with expert insights, and peppered with humorous banter among the trio.

Reacting to Week 1 Games

The hosts kick off the episode by reflecting on the unexpected twists of Week 1. Jason Moore shares his astonishment at the unpredictable events on the field:

"It was wild last night as I'm in the third quarter of game one. And then that. Oh, wow. There is another game on after this. That's spectacular." – [00:55]

Andy Holloway humorously describes the immersion into football:

"Get you through two arms. So one was football. The other was just a healthy saline, like a banana bag..." – [01:15]

Key Injuries Impacting Fantasy Football

James Conner and Benny Snell (Pittsburgh Steelers)

A significant portion of the discussion centers around James Conner's ankle tweak in the Steelers' game and the subsequent rise of Benny Snell. Mike Wright expresses his surprise at Andy Holloway's decision to draft Conner:

"If someone out there is going, what? Andy drafted James Conner. I drafted Benny Snell, too. So I'm not a complete psychopath." – [05:03]

Jason Moore elaborates on Conner's underwhelming performance and the potential shift to Snell:

"James Connor started the game as the bell cow, a very inefficient bell cow with his six carries, only nine yards on the ground..." – [03:15]

Andy Holloway discusses the dilemma fantasy owners face regarding Conner's health and Snell's emerging role:

"I think every fantasy owner will have a hard time deciding what to do. I assume Connor will be healthy for next week..." – [06:15]

Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints)

Michael Thomas's high ankle sprain is another critical injury highlighted:

"Michael Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain. So that, that is the report from Saints camp." – [14:02]

Andy Holloway warns about the implications of playing Thomas with an injury:

"Even on Monday Night Football with the injury." – [15:39]

George Kittle and Others (San Francisco 49ers)

George Kittle's knee sprain also grabs attention:

"This is the exact same thing that happened to him last year that did cause him to miss some games." – [15:50]

The hosts discuss the uncertainty surrounding Kittle's return and the impact on the 49ers' tight end position.

Waiver Wire Analysis

Drop Candidates

The hosts examine players who might be candidates for dropping from fantasy rosters:

• Odell Beckham Jr.: Andy advises against dropping due to his high value.

  "No, if you want out, you got to trade. But you can't drop Odell Beckham." – [22:00]

• Brian Edwards & Brandon Cooks: Mixed opinions with Andy leaning towards dropping Brian Edwards.

• Christian Kirk & Nikhil Harry: Consensus leans towards dropping them.

Pickup Candidates

Identifying valuable pickups, the trio highlights promising wide receivers and running backs:

• Darius Slayton & Paris Campbell: Recognized for their breakout potential and target share.

  "Darius Slayton would be who I would target number one for me. I just don't think he's going to be in the average person's..." – [24:45]

• Noah Fant: Andy and Jason advocate for adding Fant due to his talent and involvement:

  "I believe he has the talent and they're going to involve him even after Cortland Sutton is back." – [43:21]

• Russell Gage: Recommended for PPR leagues based on his target distribution.

  "In a PPR, I think he's going to be good for five catches a week regardless of whether he balloons up to 910." – [26:34]

Running Backs Analysis

The discussion delves into the strategies surrounding running back pickups and drops:

• Naim Collins & James Robinson: Highlighted as season-long plays with consistent involvement.

  "Naim Hines and James Robinson are a season long play. I think both of them are going to be relevant..." – [32:35]

• Malcolm Brown & Benny Snell: Debate over their reliability and the potential headaches of Conner’s fluctuating status.

  "I don't want to burn my waiver priority because I do think that there are a tremendous amount of running backs that are also good pickups." – [26:14]

• Joshua Kelly: Recommended as a must-add due to his goal-line usage.

  "Joshua Kelly is a must add to me." – [37:36]

Tight Ends Analysis

Tight ends receive focused attention, evaluating who to hold and who to add:

• Noah Fant & Dallas Goedert: High on the list due to their target shares and potential for touchdowns.

  "Noah Fant to me is someone I would certainly pick up." – [43:43]

• Jimmy Graham: Andrew Holloway and Jason Moore express interest despite potential age concerns.

  "Jimmy Grandpa or Johnny Smith, man." – [49:36]

Streaming Options

The hosts provide recommendations for streaming quarterbacks to bolster rosters:

• Jared Goff: Suggested for his matchup against Philadelphia.

  "Jared Goff could very well end up how he was last week, an efficient game that doesn't have a lot of fantasy points." – [54:18]

• Ryan Tannehill: Recommended to combat the Jaguars' defense.

  "I'm going with Ryan Tannehill against the Jacksonville Jaguars." – [55:18]

• Jimmy Garoppolo: Highlighted for his favorable matchup against the Jets.

  "I'm going with Jimmy G this week." – [56:53]

Final Thoughts and Strategic Advice

As Week 2 approaches, the hosts emphasize the importance of staying active and informed:

"In fantasy football, high ankle sprain is a very dreaded term because it is often an injury that guys do play through on the field, but they are severely hampered and their production goes down." – [14:40]

Andy Holloway wraps up by encouraging listeners to remain engaged with the waiver wire:

"They're in the same tier of. They have an avenue towards success, but there's no guarantee for any of them." – [29:37]

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on James Conner's Injury:

  "James Connor was a very inefficient bell cow with his six carries, only nine yards on the ground." – [03:15]

• Mike Wright on Waiver Wire Clarity:

  "I could already be wrong because something could have come out." – [05:49]

• Andy Holloway on Streaming Quarterbacks:

  "Jared Goff is a very good quarterback for the system." – [54:18]

Conclusion

This episode equips fantasy football enthusiasts with actionable insights into player performances, injury impacts, and strategic moves for waivers. The hosts’ thorough analysis and candid discussions offer listeners a comprehensive guide to navigating the early stages of the fantasy football season with confidence and savvy.

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