Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Week 3 Waivers + QB Streamers, Rocks are Rock Hard
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into Week 3 of the NFL season. The discussion centers around waiver wire pickups, quarterback streaming options, and defenses that can bolster your fantasy lineup. Packed with expert analysis, strong opinions, and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to gain an edge in their leagues.

NFL Week 3 Recap and Leaders

The hosts begin by recapping key statistics from the first two weeks of the NFL season, highlighting top performers across various categories.

• Passing Yards Leader

  • Patrick Mahomes leads with 821 passing yards. Andy notes, “[02:28] He’s leading the league in passing yards, which is no surprise.”

• Passing Touchdowns Leader

  • Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott each have 7 touchdowns. Mike comments, “[02:34] It makes sense that Mahomes is leading in TDs.”

• Interceptions Leader

  • Matt Ryan tops interceptions with 5 over two weeks. Andy quips, “[02:48] Matt Ryan’s got five interceptions so far,” highlighting his struggles.

• Rushing Yardage Leader

  • Dalvin Cook leads with 265 rushing yards, followed by Saquon Barkley.

• Receiving Yardage Leader

  • John Ross is at the top with 270 receiving yards. Andy remarks, “[03:19] It’s fascinating how John Ross is leading in receiving yards.”

• Receptions Leader

  • Michael Thomas leads with 20 receptions and 26 targets, dominating the target share.

Waiver Wire Analysis

The conversation shifts to strategic waiver wire pickups, emphasizing the importance of acquiring players who can provide immediate value.

Wide Receivers

• John Brown vs. John Ross

  • John Brown is recommended over John Ross due to his higher target volume. Jason states, “[23:08] John Ross could be an expiring fantasy asset, but John Brown is a consistent target.”

• DeMarcus Robinson

  • Highlighted as a temporary but valuable pickup, Mike advises, “[24:01] If you need a short-term addition, DeMarcus Robinson is worth 8 to 12 FAB dollars.”

• Terry McLaurin

  • Jason highly recommends McLaurin, noting his significant snap counts and target share: “[28:02] Terry McLaurin needs to be rostered. He’s the clear number one target.”

• James Washington

  • Suggested as a high-risk, high-reward option, Andy comments, “[31:51] James Washington was highly touted in college, and now has an opportunity to break out.”

Running Backs

• Raheem Mostert

  • Identified as the top waiver wire pickup, Jason emphasizes his explosive potential: “[34:03] Raheem Mostert is a must-start this week.”

• Frank Gore

  • Mike recommends Gore for his volume, despite inefficiency: “[35:52] Frank Gore may be inefficient, but he gets consistent carries, especially against the Bengals.”

• Jalen Samuel

  • Seen as a low-risk, high-reward stash option, Andy advises: “[36:08] Jalen Samuel steps into a run-heavy role and is a great pass catcher.”

Tight Ends

• Greg Olsen

  • Recommended over playing O.J. Howard due to high target volume: “[40:49] Greg Olsen is a solid pickup if you’re dealing with O.J. Howard’s inconsistency.”

• David Njoku

  • Jason expresses bullishness on Njoku as a streaming option: “[42:35] If you drop in Njoku, he can be a reliable tight end down the stretch.”

Quarterback Streaming Options

With various quarterbacks facing uncertain situations, the hosts discuss optimal streaming strategies for Week 3.

• Josh Allen

  • Universally recommended as the top streamer due to his improving passing game and rushing upside. Mike shares, “[48:21] Josh Allen should be picked up this week as he has shown significant improvement.”

• Jacoby Brissette

  • Suggested as a safer alternative against weaker defenses: “[49:18] Jacoby Brissette has favorable matchups and is a solid streaming choice.”

• Jameis Winston & Matthew Stafford

  • Both quarterbacks are discussed for their matchups. Jason advises caution but acknowledges their potential: “[50:11] Jameis Winston has a good game script against the Giants, making him a viable option despite recent struggles.”

Defense Streaming Options

Defenses can provide crucial points, especially against weaker offenses. The hosts highlight several defenses poised for strong performances.

• San Francisco 49ers Defense

  • Recommended due to their improving defense and favorable matchup: “[55:10] San Francisco’s defense is only 18% owned but looks strong against a rookie quarterback.”

• Tennessee Titans Defense

  • Praised for their solid performances and potential for turnovers: “[56:02] The Tennessee Titans are rock solid and a top streaming option.”

• Green Bay Packers Defense

  • Recommended for their strategic improvements and favorable opponent: “[57:44] Green Bay’s defense has shown significant improvement and faces a manageable offense.”

Notable Quotes and Insights

• “[08:04] Mike Wright: 'I'm content with Le'Veon Bell. On my teams, you're just hoping for a little more.'”
  Reflecting the value of volume over efficiency in running backs.

• “[09:05] Jason Moore: 'I do think most people who drafted any Browns player are disappointed.'”
  Highlighting the Bears' offensive struggles affecting fantasy performance.

• “[24:57] Andy Holloway: 'DeMarcus Robinson…man, you got to pick him up.'”
  Emphasizing the necessity of certain waiver pickups over team popularity.

• “[42:07] Jason Moore: 'If you've got O.J. Howard and there is another tight end out there that is worthy of rostering…'”
  Discussing strategies around tight end depth and injury management.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The Fantasy Footballers provide a comprehensive analysis of Week 3 in the NFL, offering valuable insights into waiver wire acquisitions, quarterback streaming, and defensive picks. Key takeaways include:

• Prioritize High-Volume Players: Focus on players like John Brown, Raheem Mostert, and Greg Olsen who offer consistent targets or carries.

• Strategic Streaming: Utilize quarterbacks like Josh Allen and defensively strong teams like the Titans and 49ers to maximize weekly points.

• Monitor Injuries: Stay updated on player injuries to make informed decisions about pickups and potential drops.

• Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your roster based on performance trends and emerging opportunities throughout the season.

By implementing these strategies, fantasy managers can enhance their chances of winning their leagues with informed, data-driven decisions.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• John Brown's Value
  “[23:36] Jason Moore: 'John Brown is just a great asset right now. Should absolutely be owned.'”

• Waiver Wire Spending
  “[25:43] Mike Wright: 'I would not burn the number one priority on Robinson, but I would spend, you know, I don’t know, 8 to 8 to 12 bucks on him.'”

• Tight End Strategy
  “[42:35] Jason Moore: 'I have him in our league of records, so that’s fine.'”

• Quarterback Streaming
  “[49:10] Andy Holloway: '...Josh Allen should be picked up as the answer.'”

Final Thoughts

This episode is a treasure trove of fantasy football wisdom, offering listeners actionable advice to navigate the complexities of team management. Whether you're looking to tweak your lineup or make strategic pickups, the Fantasy Footballers provide the expertise needed to succeed in your fantasy football endeavors.