Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 4 Waivers + Full Stream Ahead, Don’t Tilt! (Released September 29, 2020)

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Host Banter and Initial Competition

The episode kicks off with friendly rivalry between hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore. Jason humorously recounts a recent matchup where Andy narrowly missed catching him:

• Jason Moore [00:28]: “...it did not give me a victory over my arch rival nemesis evil villain Jason Moore, it did put the fear of God into him for the majority of the evening.”
• Andy Holloway [01:14]: “You got 800 million.”

This light-hearted competition sets an engaging tone for the episode.

2. Monday Night Football Breakdown

The hosts delve into the aftermath of Monday Night Football, focusing on standout performances and disappointments.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs

• Jason Moore [01:14]: Highlights Mahomes' impressive game, accounting for five touchdowns and maintaining his position as the number three fantasy quarterback.

Lamar Jackson’s Struggles

• Mike Wright [02:03]: Critiques Lamar Jackson’s performance, noting his lack of competitiveness and crucial drops by Mark Andrews.
• Andy Holloway [03:18]: Discusses Jackson’s inexperience when trailing, citing that he has rarely led a half before falling behind.
• Jason Moore [03:43]: Compares Lamar to Joe Burrow, stating Burrow is already outperforming Jackson in fantasy terms despite no one starting Burrow over Jackson.

Key Insight: Lamar Jackson’s handling of pressure situations remains a concern, potentially impacting his fantasy reliability.

3. League and Player News

COVID-19 Impact on Titans and Vikings

• Jason Moore [07:02]: Reports that the Tennessee Titans are dealing with COVID-19 cases, leading to suspended in-person activities and potential game cancellations against the Steelers.
• Andy Holloway [09:35]: Advises listeners to prepare for possible changes in the Titans-Steelers matchup, emphasizing the importance of monitoring waiver wire options related to these teams.

Fantasy Tip: Be ready to adjust your rosters if the Titans and Steelers games are affected, especially if you have players from these teams.

Injury Updates

• Chris Carson: Minor knee sprain, likely to miss Week 4 ([10:22]).
• Chris Godwin: Hamstring injury, could miss multiple games ([10:41]).
• Jordan Reed: Moves to injured reserve, potentially out for 6-8 weeks ([12:03]).
• Michael Pittman: Undergoes surgery for compartment leg syndrome, expected back after Week 8 ([12:33]).
• Nick Foles: Starting Week 4 against the Colts ([12:49]).

Key Advice: Stay updated on these injury reports to make informed waiver and lineup decisions.

4. Waiver Wire Analysis

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson’s Breakout:

• Jason Moore [17:32]: Emphasizes Jefferson’s emergence, noting his increased targets and favorable upcoming schedule.
• Andy Holloway [18:58]: Strongly recommends adding Jefferson, willing to invest 30+% of one’s waiver budget.
• Mike Wright [19:50]: Agrees, suggesting trading low for Adam Thielen to capitalize on Jefferson’s rise.

Brandon Aiyuk (Brandon Iuk) Concerns:

• Jason Moore [20:26]: Lists reasons for hesitation, including Nick Mullens' performance and Debo Samuels' expected return.
• Andy Holloway [21:20]: Advises a zero-dollar speculative add, anticipating limited future impact.
• Mike Wright [21:46]: Slightly more bullish but prioritizes Jefferson over Aiyuk.

Other Notable Receivers:

• Tee Higgins and Chase Claypool: Seen as valuable additions due to their roles in their respective offenses.
• Alan Lazard: Recommended for Week 4 against the Falcons, with potential upside against Aaron Rodgers.

Key Takeaway: Justin Jefferson is a top waiver priority, while other receivers like Aiyuk are more speculative picks.

Running Backs

Miles Gaskin vs. Jeff Wilson Jr.:

• Mike Wright [35:19]: Champions Gaskin for his volume but cautions about his efficiency.
• Andy Holloway [35:20]: Views Gaskin as a solid AD, with Jeff Wilson Jr. as a strong alternative based on upcoming matchups.

Adrian Peterson and Other RB Options:

• Mike Wright [39:12]: Suggests minimal interest in RB waiver pickups beyond Gaskin and Wilson.
• Andy Holloway [40:48]: Reiterates focus on Gaskin and Wilson, dismissing other RB options as unexciting.

Key Takeaway: Miles Gaskin and Jeff Wilson Jr. are the primary RB waiver targets, offering potential depth and weekly starts.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz and Jimmy Graham:

• Mike Wright [42:25]: Recommends adding Dalton Schultz for his potential in a high-scoring offense.
• Jason Moore [43:03]: Identifies Jimmy Graham as the top AD, despite his recent underperformance, due to his targeted opportunities.
• Andy Holloway [43:49]: Supports adding Jimmy Graham as a spot start, despite his status as a “corpsed” tight end.

Mo Alie-Cox:

• Andy Holloway [44:46]: Advocates for Mo Alie-Cox based on his physicality and target potential.

Key Takeaway: Jimmy Graham and Dalton Schultz are strong tight end additions, with Mo Alie-Cox offering a high-upside speculative option.

5. Streaming Quarterbacks

Options for Week 4:

• Jason Moore [47:50]: Recommends Jared Goff for his Giants matchup, citing his recent touchdowns.
• Andy Holloway [48:29]: Suggests rookie Joe Burrow, highlighting his performance and matchup against the Jaguars.
• Mike Wright [48:57]: Advocates for Ryan Fitzpatrick, praising his consistency and favorable matchup against Seattle.

Key Insight: Streaming quarterbacks with favorable matchups, such as Goff, Burrow, and Fitzpatrick, can provide valuable short-term boosts to your fantasy team.

6. Listener Mailbag

Trade Decisions:

Joe Mixon vs. David Montgomery:

• Listener [50:00]: Asks whether to trade Joe Mixon for David Montgomery.
• Andy Holloway [50:07]: Declines the trade, prioritizing Mixon’s higher overall value.
• Jason Moore [50:19]: Agrees, noting Mixon’s superior performance.
• Mike Wright [50:33]: Emphasizes uncertainty in future touches but values Mixon’s potential.

Michael Thomas Trade Inquiry:

• Listener [51:02]: Seeks advice on trading Michael Thomas amid WR struggles.
• Andy Holloway [51:17]: Strongly advises against trading Thomas, favoring his potential rebound over absorbing others’ issues.

Russell Wilson Trade Proposal:

• Listener [51:45]: Offers Russell Wilson for Clyde Edwards and seeks feedback.
• Andy Holloway [52:19]: Reluctantly open to trading a running back for Wilson but remains cautious about RB depth after the trade.
• Mike Wright [52:52]: Shares similar reservations, highlighting the importance of RB depth.

Key Advice: Maintain valuable players like Joe Mixon and Michael Thomas despite current struggles, and approach trades involving cornerstone players with careful consideration of team depth.

7. Final Insights and Recommendations

The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic waiver wire pickups, especially focusing on players with high potential like Justin Jefferson. They also encourage managing team depth carefully, particularly in positions like running back and tight end, where the waiver pool can significantly impact weekly performance.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [23:28]: “Story after story after story after story of 030 and 405 teams winning championships. Do not give up.”

This reflects the podcast's motivational stance, encouraging listeners to stay resilient throughout the fantasy season.

Conclusion

In this episode, the Fantasy Footballers provide comprehensive analysis on Week 4 waivers, highlighting key player performances, injury updates, and strategic waiver wire targets. Justin Jefferson emerges as a top priority, while flexibility in quarterback streaming options is advised. Listener questions offer practical trade advice, reinforcing the importance of maintaining team depth and resilience.

For fantasy managers seeking in-depth insights and actionable advice, this episode serves as a valuable resource to navigate the complexities of Week 4 and beyond.

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