Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast - NFC West Breakdown + Sprinkle That! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 7/27

Episode Date: July 27, 2024

Final divisional preview for 2024 on today’s fantasy football podcast! Get a full breakdown of the NFC West: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals. Will Marvin Harrison live up to the hype? Can Puka ...do it again? Plus, NFL News and a round of keep/trade/cut! Manage your redraft, keeper, and dynasty fantasy football teams with the #1 fantasy football podcast. -- Fantasy Football Podcast for July 27th, 2024. 2024 ULTIMATE DRAFT KIT is available now at UltimateDraftKit.com Connect with the show: Subscribe on YouTube Visit us on the Web Support the Show Follow on X Follow on Instagram Join our Discord Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:55 Hey, this is Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, and you're listening to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Welcome in. Mike Wright, Jason Moore, Andy Holloway, the fantasy footballers back with you. The final divisional show. Breaking down the NFC West today. And before we get started, before I say anything else, I think it is important that I take a moment. You're going to lead the show with this?
Starting point is 00:02:00 I just think that. Jason doesn't know what's happening. I don't. No, I said baby We checked the tape And the truth Shall set you free I was so sure that I didn't say baby
Starting point is 00:02:14 Because Mike immediately said Oh no he said maybe So he backed me up Mike knew what I meant when I said baby He knew that I meant maybe when I said baby. But the important thing here is not that I was right, but it is that Sam Darnold now has an official nickname, and he is known forever forward as the sacrificial baby.
Starting point is 00:02:40 And he's got a baby face, so this makes sense. It's pretty good. And that's what I was doing on purpose right thank you for giving us the sacrificial baby i was so sure when i went to the tape that i was going to see how clearly i pronounced the m in maybe and there's just no mistaking it there was no m and for those of you out there that i saw in the comments that were defending me thank you for that you're very loyal you were wrong too um but i said baby you had the like opportunity to listen to it multiple times we just we heard it live and had to make a snap
Starting point is 00:03:13 judgment and if you have not yet listened to that wonderful episode when you're going to listen after this enjoy yeah there's more things that went on in that episode too that we found out. Apparently I whistled like an old prospector. It was awesome. Yeah. This tooth is the gift that keeps on giving. Shouldn't be five, six more months until that's fixed. Thank you for joining
Starting point is 00:03:38 us. The Ultimate Draft Kit available right now. A reminder, go to ultimatedraftkit.com. All of our premiumcom. All of our pre premium rankings, all of our, um, you know, with tears. And then we have sleepers, breakouts, busts, and values got the draft analyzer tool. We have a ton of resources. Uh, I just talked about the, uh, consistency tool where you can go and look at how consistent players are. If you want to build your team based on, you know, you want to balance.
Starting point is 00:04:06 You want some upside. You want to mitigate risk. And we try to equip you to dominate on draft day with the Ultimate Draft Kit. So please take advantage of that. Our quick question of the day was submitted by Brian in the Bay Area. And it's a doozy. I have players that I like to put in what I call the James Conner tier, is what he said.
Starting point is 00:04:30 And I would love to know how you view them for redraft this year. Keep, trade, cut. James Conner, David Montgomery, and Najee Harris. And then he says, thanks, boys. Hashtag dinner butter for life. I think before we declare our keep trade cut here, I think it's worth the experience of going through how it goes right and how it goes wrong for each of them.
Starting point is 00:04:57 So for James Conner, he has been dominant. He has literally been dominant the last couple of years when he's on the field. The offense should be better. Kyler provides more scoring opportunities. He is the clear leader. For David Montgomery, should something happen to Gibbs, without Gibbs, he's good. He's got maybe the best goal line opportunities in the entire league as it stands. And if something goes wrong for Gibbs, then you're talking about a guy who should be
Starting point is 00:05:27 almost a top five weekly start and in Najee this is a team who has drastically improved the offensive line they brought in Arthur Smith who we are worried about you know oh we we love to make fun of but his running schemes have always worked. They've been very powerful. Sure. And Najee has lost weight this offseason, which we've wanted him to do for a while, pick up a little bit of speed. So that's the good case. I found it for him, guys.
Starting point is 00:05:54 That's the upside for all three of those guys. I'll let you guys handle the downside cases. Yeah, I mean, for James Conner, the downside is injury in my opinion. It's not so much a threat from somebody else. If you pay attention to Cardinals camp out here, one of the bigger discussions along with the wide receiver too for that team and who wins that competition
Starting point is 00:06:15 is whether it's Michael Carter or Trey Benson as the backup for James Conner. So, whenever you have debate on the backup of the Sardar that dominated, to me it have debate on the backup of the starter that dominated, to me it's about injury. It's about, you know, James Conner doesn't play full seasons very often. So to me that's the downside.
Starting point is 00:06:32 And because you have a player in Trey Benson in particular that is capable, if you have an injury, you could see the workload diminish. And for the record, not very often is literally never. He has never once played a full season. You know, for Montgomery, Mike, I mean, I think we'd agree that the elevation of Jameer Gibbs over the back half of last season, the fact that he's the more electric back that they've already come out and
Starting point is 00:06:59 said vocally that they want to get him more work. You know, it puts Montgomery into a committee situation where you could only be happy when he scores a touchdown. And then Najee, you know, the downside case for that is his lack of talent. The downside case is just like what you've seen the last couple years. Jalen Warren's been the more explosive, effective back. Najee always benefits from high volume,
Starting point is 00:07:24 and so if the volume isn't there for Najee, that's your down case. And you bring in Cordero Patterson, who will get six carries inside the five. You know, this is not going to be a ton, but if he vultures two touchdowns from Najee, that's going to change how you feel about him. I mean, for me, it's in order. I'm keeping James Conner,
Starting point is 00:07:39 I'm trading David Montgomery, and I'm cutting Najee Harris. So for me, Najee is the least favorite of this group for myself, so he'll be the cut. And whether you keep or trade Montee versus Connor is completely about what running back this is on your roster. If I am going to rely on this as a starter week in, week out, I actually want a James Connor.
Starting point is 00:07:59 I know the health is the issue, and maybe that won't happen, but he's starting this season healthy. If I am drafting this team and I'm like, okay, this is my third running back, then I want James Conner. I think he's going to score more points on a regular basis. But if he's my fourth running back or later, if I'm getting him, he's dropping and I'm already loaded, then Monty's ceiling is way higher to me. I don't think James Conner can do what Monty would do
Starting point is 00:08:22 if Jameer Gibbs gets injured. So the way I break it down is I rank the offenses and then workload. So I think that the Cardinals are going to be one of the offenses that surprise people. We're going to get into them. And James Conner is the clear starter. So he, to me, is the easy keep. I want Conner on my team.
Starting point is 00:08:44 Actually targeting. Yes. He is a target of mine. In the sixth round, as the RB19 is delightful. Between the other two guys, I think is harder because I think that the floor for Montgomery
Starting point is 00:08:59 is probably safer, but he is the backup. It will be Jameer Gibbs. I think Jameer Gibbs will be like a high 50s, 60% compared to David Montgomery. Najee, it's fun. It's easy to tell jokes about Najee Harris, but he's been over a thousand rushing yards every
Starting point is 00:09:28 year of his career. He is in a timeshare with Jalen Warren but he is still going to be I think the primary guy and with the offensive line improving and the offense improving I would put Najee as number two. Now if it's keep trade cut I have to play that game. I trade David Montgomery
Starting point is 00:09:44 because his value is higher but the truth of how am i drafting these guys it's connor excited about it and that naji reluctantly and then i i am excited about montgomery but i just the things going not nearly as well as i can see that path last year for what it's worth rushing share which is the percentage of the team's rushing attempts. For, yeah, running back attempts? For running back attempts, sorry. Connor was at 77% of the running back attempts.
Starting point is 00:10:14 That's a great number. Najee, while he only played 53% of snaps, was 63% of the running back attempts. Which is a good amount. But his magic reception numbers from that first year are gone. Warren is doing that. And then Monty was actually third at 59% in that order. And over, like, after the bye week, that number is down to 54%.
Starting point is 00:10:39 I mean, they're interesting names, and I think Jason brought a lot of good context to the way you look at where you're getting them in your draft. Like, I'm with you, Mike. I'm actively – I would love to have James Conner as one of my starting running backs and just run that until I can't. Yes. And the team is so behind him. But, yeah, I mean, if it's best case, worst case for these guys,
Starting point is 00:11:04 I think Monty and Con Connor's ceiling is pretty similar, and Harris just doesn't – I just don't think he has that ceiling anymore. Which, yeah, I can agree with that. Like Monty and Connor – I mean, Connor over the back half last year, Monty without Gibbs, those are both top five, six backs. But it's like what is Najee – Without Warren? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:11:23 Probably 10, 11, 12. Like if we're going to do the injury game? Yeah. No, it's got to be fair. Let's move it over. Now, Monty has a much better schedule to open the year. And a much better just offense overall. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:11:33 Yeah. And I was going to save this for when we talk about the Cardinals, but since we're talking about Connor now, this is worth saying. Like, Kyler Murray came back in Week 10. If you look at how James Connor did in the Kyler Murray offense, the 17 17 game pace which was it was eight games so it was a large chunk a half a season this yeah the 17 game pace would have been 1436 rushing yards with 10.6 rushing touchdowns another 40 receptions for 286 receiving yards with four receiving touchdowns. That's elite. James Conner was beating everybody last year.
Starting point is 00:12:09 He had the third most forced missed tackles and the third most runs of 10-plus yards. Which is just wild. Because he's never ran past 22 yards. Yeah, yeah. It was his best year. I mean, and he's getting better somehow. He's a weird player.
Starting point is 00:12:27 I know. Good guy. Yeah. All right, let's talk some news. News and notes from around the league. Raheem Morris says, Kirk Cousins has been medically cleared to return to the field. Here we go.
Starting point is 00:12:44 Yep. We just talked about Atlanta a couple shows ago. Kirk Cousins is very important to what's going on for everybody else on that team. Cortland Sutton, restructured. Okay. Gave him some incentives, 1.5 million in new incentives for the season. Mike Tomlin, Steelers head coach, said Russell Wilson some incentives. $1.5 million in new incentives for the season.
Starting point is 00:13:05 Mike Tomlin, Steelers head coach, said Russell Wilson is dealing with a calf issue. So Justin Fields taking first team reps right now. Uh-oh. Don't worry. Fields can't impress you. I know. I came into this offseason
Starting point is 00:13:21 thoroughly 100% convinced. In fact, I made dynasty trade offers for Justin Fields everywhere when they brought in Russ and he was the backup here. Because I was thoroughly convinced that Justin Fields will take this team over at some point because it's a well-run organization. Justin Fields has really incredible traits that I think if you were to train and harness the best of Justin Fields, you should be able to do great with it. But it seems like from all the reports, not just like Tomlin talking about
Starting point is 00:13:48 how Russ is going to be first and Fields is the backup, that's how we're going to start, but that Russ has been outplaying him, has been good, has been the leader. I think he's the guy. And the problem is you go, okay, well, what about when they start losing games? They got Tomlin. They're not going to lose enough games to where they're forced. You'll also lose games with Justin Fields.
Starting point is 00:14:08 That's one of the things he's done effectively. I'm saying they might not play games with Justin Fields. You may not get reporting like this on other podcasts, but this is the Fantasy Footballer, so we must share that the report was Russell Wilson's dealing with a calf issue that he woke up with. Okay. I mean, generally when I'm dealing with an issue, I wake up with it.
Starting point is 00:14:32 I have it while I'm awake, and then I also go to sleep with it. I'm imagining him waking up and just being like, ah! Yeah, I mean, we are the home of sitting injuries. Yeah. So sleeping injury is not impossible. I just didn't think he was to that age yet. I know exactly when that age happened where it was like sleeping injuries are a real concern now. Andy had a sleeping injury.
Starting point is 00:14:54 I did lose a tooth while being asleep. So, look, a lot of things happen while you're sleeping. Russ is looking everywhere for that calf. I mean, you eat spiders while you sleep, right? That's the wives' tale. Jamar Chase, not practicing. Yeah. He wants more money.
Starting point is 00:15:12 We had said yesterday, or not yesterday, the previous show, of we aren't sure what's going on. Like, was there a slight injury and they're going to work him in? But it's feeling more and more like money. Just to be clear, my dynasty team, I have secured contracts for almost every single player. You sure have. Alvin Kamara I still need to work on, but everybody else, I mean, has a new deal. You've done really well.
Starting point is 00:15:38 Now, Mike, give me some of your wide receivers in your dynasty team. Brandon Ayoub. So my main wide receivers are Jamar Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon and Iuke. Oh. Which Hold out, hold out, hold out. Or hold in, hold in, hold in. Give the man his money. If you want to send him my way, I'll put him on the roster. We did talk
Starting point is 00:15:56 about that of a possible I send my player over to you just so we can get the mojo. I'll give you a third rounder. Yeah, and then I hold him for a bit. Get him a deal. Secure the bag and then you just give him back to me. But he keeps the third. I'll give you a third rounder. Yeah, and then I hold him for a bit. Yeah, you get him a deal, secure the bag and then you just give him back to me. But he keeps the third rounder. I keep it. Oh, yeah. As compensation. Also
Starting point is 00:16:11 for all listening, that would be called collusion is not actually a legitimate thing. I don't know that it's collusion. Two players colluding to do something together. Yeah, I mean, it makes both teams better. It's not collusion if I get the deal done. to do something together. Yeah, I mean, you don't think that makes both teams better. No, no, man. It makes both teams better.
Starting point is 00:16:29 It's not collusion if I get the deal done. It's only collusion if it doesn't happen. No, it's like the old question we get every year of like, can I borrow a player for a week and play him in my – He didn't play him. That's true. What's the colluding? All right. Okay, well, you'll have to take it up uh in front of the
Starting point is 00:16:45 supreme court of our league um shane steichen said he does not plan on limiting anthony richardson as a runner this season i saw a quote of it was like would you stop steph curry from shooting threes it's fair it doesn't mean that richardson stays healthy no but it means that when he plays he'll be the best version of Anthony Richardson for your fantasy team. I do think that, to be fair to that quote, three-pointers are probably the safest of all the plays. It's not like the retort there should be, who's getting injured on the three?
Starting point is 00:17:22 Hey, sometimes you got dirty players like Bruce Bowen. They stick the leg out for you to land on. I hated Bruce Bowen. That's a super sick 90s Spurs reference. Yeah, good job. Super sick Spurs reference. I don't think I have any other news. How is everybody over there in Ducer's Alley today?
Starting point is 00:17:42 Is everybody doing okay? Doing great. Oh, we got a thumbs up. We've got the thumbs up from the Falcon because he's wearing 49ers gear head to toe. That's the NFC West. He's got the hat, so that's to celebrate one of their Super Bowl losses. He's got the shirt for the other Super Bowl loss. Oh, wait.
Starting point is 00:17:58 Do you have some shoes or socks or something? Oh, you think you're losing it again this year? 2013. The nice thing about your outfit is it looks really nice. It doesn't look like just 49ers vomited all over your clothing. True. I mean, but he's excited about the NFC West breakdown. That we'll get started with in a minute here.
Starting point is 00:18:17 We'll take a break, come back with the NFC West, see how biased we are this year. Okay, to be clear, you were mocking his clothing. Is that what was going on? Yeah. Did you look at it? It's hideous. Yeah, it is actually. Falcon, you're a handsome guy. You look so... That looks like somebody took all the 49er clip art and just threw
Starting point is 00:18:44 it at a wall. You have Niner shoes, Andy. Not on right if not on right now but no i mean i've been told i have we're in a professional work environment this is what he was wearing this is inappropriate to wear at a football game like that's how bad it looks okay well you're taking your shots early because you know when we have to project this division later on i I won't do it. Yeah, I don't think the Cardinals are going to end up on top. Last year they didn't, that's for sure. The 49ers, 12-5. The Rams, 10-7.
Starting point is 00:19:22 The Seahawks, 9-8. And the Cardinalsinals 4-13. I've been told I didn't hit the drop. Let's get divisional. We're doing well today, everybody. Woo! Today and every day. All right. Well, fantasy-wise, this division has a lot of intriguing players. And it's a lot of bringing guys back that delivered for you in fantasy
Starting point is 00:19:56 the year before. Like not a lot of turnover at core skill position players. There's some exciting players, rookies-wise, coming into the division. We'll start with San Francisco. They went 12-5, obviously lost in the Super Bowl, as Matt let you know. And 10.5 was the win total they were projected with last year.
Starting point is 00:20:19 It's at 11.5 this year. Wow. That's massive. That's a hard mark to beat. A lot of times when teams are scheduled for 11.5 wins to start the season, they generally come in under. Now what if I told you that all 17 games they're playing this year they are currently favored in?
Starting point is 00:20:39 I would say that that's – 17 of 17. I would say that that is more common than you think. When you're projected for a few wins, you're often never projected for a win in any game and vice versa. But if you look at 11-plus win totals since 2021, you had three teams that beat that and it looks like about 10 that did not. They're favored by more than a point in almost every game but one through the first 11 weeks. They play Kansas City at home in week seven. That's a one-point line right now.
Starting point is 00:21:15 But, you know, number two in points per game last year, number two in total yards if you've been watching Receiver on Netflix. You've gotten an up-and-close view of both Debo and George Kittle and the offense and the way things have worked in San Francisco. They were a machine when Debo was active and available last year. And we know what Kyle Shanahan is all about. He's going to have an effective, efficient offense. We know what Christian McCaffrey is all about.
Starting point is 00:21:43 He's going to be the best fantasy player in your league if he stays healthy and this team's continuity is just outstanding um you know you really didn't lose any of their positional pieces so long as none of these wide receivers are traded away what about the locker room though losing the sacrificial baby. I think maybe he was their sacrificial baby, and it's going to be good juju for them. But they add rookie Pearsall, a first-round wide receiver in the draft, Isaac Orindo, an athletic freak at running back who will be behind Elijah Mitchell, and Jacob Cowing. I mean, they've just got a lot of offensive pieces.
Starting point is 00:22:25 Now, their problem right now is contractual, right? Like the Brandon Ayuk saga, as of this recording, Trent Williams is holding out. They're, you know, all pro left tackle. And then the Brock Purdy story is going to be, you know, moving on into Dynasty Leagues and into the future. Their discount aisle is it's Indy. Like it's this year.
Starting point is 00:22:48 You've got to write a check, a big one for Brock Purdy, which means this year is going to define a lot. He was the MVP favorite. He was at minus 250 heading into week 16 last year. So he was so effective, so efficient, has all the weapons. And for fantasy purposes, this is not a confusing team to break down, right? So he was so effective, so efficient, has all the weapons. And for fantasy purposes, this is not a confusing team to break down, right? I think the biggest question mark is Purdy and where he fits into the hierarchy of quarterbacks because Debo, Ayuk, McCaffrey, we know what to do with those guys.
Starting point is 00:23:18 I guess there's some discussion about George Kittle. But really, George Kittle is a sixth-round pick. I've got no problem with his draft price. You're not going to get the consistency of those top three or four tight ends, but George Kittle will also win you weeks. George Kittle has been one of the weirdest players for me. I've often said every mock draft I talk about, I want one of the top five tight ends, one of the five that could finish number one. And I don't include George Kittle in there. And I feel guilty for it every single time, because I do think that is somehow within the range of outcomes for him. He is so talented. It should an injury to one of the wide receivers happen or a trade to one of those wide
Starting point is 00:23:57 receivers happen. I mean, yeah, I mean, he was actually consistent last year for the first time in a while. He obviously has big games. If you're watching the receiver documentary, you can see what kind of heart and soul he is of this team and there's no there's no one that's questioning the talent right we've said for years oh yeah we've said for years if you were to swap Travis Kelsey and George Kittle on teams and make George Kittle the number one target in in Andy Reid's offense he'd be the number one tight end he's he's got that kind of talent so I don't blame anyone such a good block such a good blocker. That is part of the problem. That's the problem is he's in a system where they run the ball so well and he's so relied upon in that way.
Starting point is 00:24:31 Through the first six weeks, to illustrate the floor, in the first six weeks he had a game of he was the tight end five at 12.5 points, the tight end number one with over 26 points, but.6 points, 1.4, 4.5, 3.4. It was more consistent from week seven on, but that's in there. If you're going to take the ride with George Kittle, there's going to be weeks where he scores three or fewer points, and you might lose because of that margin, and it can be emotionally taxing.
Starting point is 00:25:12 So Brock Purdy. Not respected enough. No. Ninth round pick, QB 12 off the board. Do you guys know where he finished last year without looking? I'm going to guess six. Is that a question mark at the end of that number? Six to eight, you're saying?
Starting point is 00:25:30 That's your official guess? I'll guess six. I'll guess six. You guys are good at your job. He was quarterback six. I mean, that's really impressive. And right now, obviously, being drafted nowhere near that, he is currently ranked as our quarterback nine, that's really impressive. And right now, obviously, being drafted nowhere near that, he is currently ranked as
Starting point is 00:25:45 our quarterback nine, eleven, and eleven. What was his touchdown rate last year? Outrageous. Yeah, his touchdown... In his two years, it's been... Seven percent. It was very, very high. However, the year prior, he was at 7.6. You don't expect him to stay there.
Starting point is 00:26:02 You certainly expect that, even if he's very efficient, he would be like 5.5%, maybe 6%. So that should regress down. But he also threw the fewest passes, or the 49ers did as a team. Yeah, 444 attempts. And so you could have his touchdown percentage come down, his volume go up, and he can repeat this as a top 10 quarterback.
Starting point is 00:26:22 It's always hard for me to pull the trigger on someone that's not a mobile rushing quarterback that's going to add at least like 250 and three on the ground and Brock's not going to do that you know last year he played the full season other than week 18 and he only rushed for 144 yards but like we have the the opening schedule certainly helps but like I think we have some excitement for what jared goff could do and i mean it's a similar situation where it's a it's a high t team the passing attempts are lower even though where's goff going uh he's going after that give me give me goff and give me dac because i want those three get you some adb goff is in the 10th. Goff is 10th. 10-05. He's the
Starting point is 00:27:05 QB 14. Brock Purdy is 9-05 as the QB 12. And where's Dak? Dak is 7th round as the quarterback 9. Considering their draft prices, how would you order those? I
Starting point is 00:27:20 think I might think that the best value is Brock. I think I go Brock, the best value is Brock. I think I go Brock, Dak, Goff. I like all three. I'll go Dak, Purdy, Goff. I'll go Dak, Purdy, Goff. Because Dak can, if last year happens anywhere close to that, Dak was a winning quarterback.
Starting point is 00:27:40 He changed your roster. But just highlighting of both Purdy and Goff are in double digit rounds of you're in a who cares territory. And Purdy could be a legitimate plug and play quarterback.
Starting point is 00:27:59 The Los Angeles Rams were 10-7. They lost in the wild card round last year. They came in with just a 6.5 win total. Outperformed that because, of course, great head coach puts things together. This
Starting point is 00:28:14 year, they're at 8.5 as a projected win total. We saw the breakout of Kyron Williams last season. Remember we spent part of the offseason talking about Cam Akers and the opportunity there. When Kyron returned from IR in Week 12, the Rams were number one in points per game, number two in yards per game, number two in red zone touchdown rate.
Starting point is 00:28:36 And it wasn't just Kyron. It was also the incredible, unrepeatable rookie season of Puka Nakua. When you talk about a later draft pick doing what he did, it's more vintage Rams, number one in pace of play, number seventh in points per game. It was awesome. What if I told you that they are healthier coming into the start of the season and their defense lost maybe a top five all-time defensive player?
Starting point is 00:29:02 For fantasy purposes, how does that make you feel? They just lost a corner to an ACLl for the year oh the rams i know the vikings did too no the uh the rams did um so yeah i mean when you talk about they were 20th in yards per game given up on the defensive side last year and like you said no Aaron Donald so they drafted Blake Corum a lot of conversation about Kyron the involvement of Blake Corum I mean Kyron's workload was not really a sustainable number it was a McCaffrey-esque yeah I mean it was just out of this world and it's something where there's room for Kyron to have help and still be an elite back, but he has to remain an efficient back.
Starting point is 00:29:51 Yeah. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, who does great work, just reported yesterday that he believes Kyron Williams is the clear number one running back for the Rams heading into the season, that Blake Corum has been brought in to be a breather back um you know if and he's been there at camp so if you're there and you're seeing this and you know what Kyron did last year obviously health is an issue he hasn't been able to still stay healthy he wasn't last year he missed the start of his career but I
Starting point is 00:30:21 am and they've talked about giving him breaks yeah yeah yeah he's not going to be you know 90 percent of snaps no one should be but I am firmly in in a strong belief that Kyron is going to be a a workhorse back who will be on the field the vast majority of time catching the ball let me run in near the end zone let me ask you a question because I know how much you love Kyron. And it's a lot. But Kyron is not the kind of player where he's going in drafts where you get to wait around. If you're staring down, if you have the fourth pick in the draft,
Starting point is 00:30:57 or the fifth pick in the draft, you don't get to wait until the second round to get Kyron. Oh, I think you can in a lot of leagues. I mean, it'll be different. If you're at 105, he's not making it back to the middle of the second. Have you seen it? Well, like on underdog, I get him almost every time that I'm in the third round. I'm getting him at the beginning of the third.
Starting point is 00:31:20 Really? To say that there's zero chance he drops to the middle of the second is not. If you're at 105, it's going to be very unlikely. That's all I'm saying. In a 12-team league, if you're drafting at 105, you're talking about late second round. I've never seen it. An underdog does not count for me.
Starting point is 00:31:35 You're saying you want – I'm just saying, like, are you willing to take a shot at a player like that? Not over Bijon and Brees and and obviously Christian McCaffrey so if I'm at the 104 up that high I wouldn't take him over um CeeDee Lamb Jamar Chase the like elite of the elites that's what I was trying to get at if I'm near the back of the first I'm willing to do that but really like right now even on sleeper his average draft position is 204 so that's average which means he'll he'll be going to the middle of the second on a regular basis.
Starting point is 00:32:07 It'll be risky, though, if Kyron is your target to gamble that he's going to make it back. It'll depend on league format, obviously, but I guess I was curious how high you have Kyron ranked then and whether you're willing to make it. I haven't met RB4.
Starting point is 00:32:26 It's all behind Bijan and Breeze. I guess I was curious how high you have Kyron ranked then and whether you're willing to make – I have him at RB4. Back of the first is – It's all behind Bijan and Breeze. Yes. The back of the first is very acceptable to me for Kyron. If people – like if you are an RB person and you're just like, I'm not – I don't want CeeDee Lamb and like I like to start with the running back and you're at the 105-106 and the other running backs have gone it doesn't bother me to start that way yeah if if you remember last
Starting point is 00:32:51 year uh Kyron Williams at half PPR scoring was at like 19.9 fantasy points he was right there with Christian McCaffrey at that 20 level point running back three on a points per game basis was Raheem Mostert at running back at 17 points a game this was a this was a gap this was right uh uh every week helping you win your matchup and that's what this offense can do and we've seen it for a number of years with you know pretty much any plug and play player. Like when Darnell Anderson. I have the numbers. You've got it? Yeah. Darrell Henderson was on the Rams for four weeks last year.
Starting point is 00:33:30 Off the street. Off the street to the Rams. Not even to the full-time guy. But this is what the Rams offense can do for you. Three of those four weeks, he was a top 24 running back, including a top 20 in two of them. 2022, the end of the season, was when Cam Akers went insane? Yes.
Starting point is 00:33:50 Todd Gurley, obviously. Rams running back is an incredible guy to have if they have talent that really fits the scheme like Kyron, even better. Do you have any concern about Corham yourself, Mike? I don't. Puka Nakua. I just spoke with somebody who knew the show right off the street, asking questions about, I don't know if Puka can do that. I don't know if
Starting point is 00:34:15 he can do that again. I want to take him. I don't know. Cooper Cup is there. Matthew Stafford, he just got a little extra sugar on the contract. So look, I don't know if Puka can do that. Again, those numbers are outrageous. They're not the kind of season that even the best receivers have every year, if that makes sense. Yeah. Right? You don't go, even Cooper Cup, and, you know,
Starting point is 00:34:40 you don't go 100 for 1,500 every year of your career generally. But, you know, he was a wide receiver four last year as a rookie. I think people don't – I think people feel nervous about pulling the trigger because you are a first-round ADP right now, right? Yes, and at the wide receiver seven, and I understand. I can't imagine taking him over Kyron. That's where that discussion becomes really interesting to me because Puka, if you had him last year,
Starting point is 00:35:10 maybe you're the one that's tempted to take him there because you enjoyed the ride. Yeah, at the turn, I was just on a show talking about, they were like, okay, if you're at the 112, what are you looking at? And it's probably both Rams players. I think this happened to me in one of our mock drafts, and I couldn't do it. I didn't want to overinvest in one team with my first and second pick.
Starting point is 00:35:38 And maybe that's wrong, but that just feels like a game of probability putting way too much of my equity into one team. And then when that happens, for me, it always ends up being Kyron. I will take Kyron over Puka every single time. What was your reaction to the win total being 8.5? I was surprised it was that low. That's kind of how I reacted too, which speaks, I think, to the defense. Yeah, but BetMGM betting, they are the number one heaviest bet on the over across the platform.
Starting point is 00:36:11 The Rams are. The Rams are, yeah. Because we can see. 89% of the bets come in on the over of 8.5. Yeah, and we know the offense has got injury dependency issues. You mentioned Kyron, and then Cooper Cupp's been hurt. And Matthew Stafford, if he goes out, welcome to Jimmy G all over again. So there will be – like that's always a fear with Stafford.
Starting point is 00:36:32 But you got to go in thinking you're going to get the best and not miss out on an opportunity. Cooper Cup, you know, one of the things that you'll find in the UDK is the red zone effectiveness of Cooper Cup where more targets, receptions, and touchdowns in the red zone than Puka Nakua last year. And that's an area where Matthew Stafford and Cooper Cup have a mind melt. Now, is that when they were both on the field? Not total? I'll pull it up while you talk about your perspective on Cup. I believe it's total across the season. I do believe that is true.
Starting point is 00:37:04 That would be a pretty cool, shocking stat. When when you talk about Puka and right now Puka is going ahead of Karen Williams in, in ADP. And I agree. I feel like I would rather have Karen Williams than, than Puka, but within wide receivers to me, Puka is going in the exact right spot because right now he's going behind AJ BrownJ. Brown and Amon Raun, Jamar Chase, Tyreek, Justin Jefferson. Like, okay, so he's not – there's nobody that's like behind him to me that's like you have to take him. Here's the guys behind Puka. Garrett Wilson could have a better season.
Starting point is 00:37:36 He has never had as good a season as his rookie year. Has his own question marks. Marvin Harrison Jr., we're going to talk about him in a minute. Awesome, but a rookie, a lot of question marks there. You have to – yeah, to talk about him in a minute. Awesome. But a rookie? A lot of question marks there. You have to. Yeah, you're like. He might be Puka.
Starting point is 00:37:48 Right. Yes, exactly. He could be a boat. This is like, you know, you're hoping he has what Puka has already done. So for my taste, I mean, Devante Adams, Drake Lund, Chris Olave, Brandon Ayuk, that's the ADP list. I'm like, yeah, if I want a wide receiver, that's exactly where I'm taking him. 19 targets for Cooper Cup, 16 for Puka in the red zone,
Starting point is 00:38:11 12 receptions for Cooper Cup, 9 for Puka, 4 touchdowns for Cooper Cup, 3 for Puka. So it was a total number. Wow. Even though he missed time. So I think that highlights all the times we've brought up, well, Cooper Cup might just – Cooper Cup is a great –
Starting point is 00:38:24 You talk about a discount. Yeah, if you want... Fourth round Cooper Cup. If you're going to invest in two Rams... You could go Kyron. Instead of putting your first and second in the Rams, you could go second and fourth, grab a different first round pick and be pretty okay there with Cooper Cup.
Starting point is 00:38:40 Any hidden value elsewhere beyond the big names? Demarcus Robinson. I really believe Demarcus Robinson. If you're in a deep league, a double flex league, if you're playing best ball, I think he's one of the best picks out there. Last year, that other wide receiver, we'll call it the other wide receiver because sometimes Cooper Cup wasn't there, even when Cooper Cup was back. Tutu Atwell started the year pretty hot.
Starting point is 00:39:01 I mean, this is a Sean McVay offense. They schemed these guys open, and there's a great quarterback here. But that role got taken over by Demarcus Robinson down the stretch. He was catching touchdowns like crazy, five straight double-digit fantasy points from weeks 13 through 17. I mean, it's not like he was winning people championships, but this is a relevant player on an offense that I want pieces of, who is pretty much, I believe he's undrafted in in your average oh yeah yeah my couple notes for the rams are if i have kyron williams blake quorum is a priority for my team because i want no matter what i want rams starting running back i don't ensure very frequently in the draft, but Blake Corum is, I'm doing it this year.
Starting point is 00:39:49 And then just look, this is, I have to do it. So it's just a, in fleeting and passing and close your ears guys, but the tight end Ram position or the Rams tight end position needs to be discussed of Tyler Higbee. Uh, he destroyed his knee in the wild card round. It seemed like Davis Allen was going to be in line to be that guy of like replacement value, Tyler Higbee. I was so excited. And then Colby Parkinson came in who has done nothing ever, but he has cashed gigantic checks that the Rams gave him. So if you want to follow the money, Parkinson is the bet.
Starting point is 00:40:26 It's a tough one, and hopefully you don't have to make that wager on either of these guys, but you need to at least be aware of their names. Totally disagree. I do not need to be aware. Okay. I don't want to be aware. That's fine. Don't even make me think about it.
Starting point is 00:40:41 End of week one, week two, when you're talking about who do I pick up at the tight end position, I think we'll be talking about one of those two guys. If they didn't sign Colby Parkinson, I would 100% be just talking about how you have to pay attention to Davis Allen. He had one opportunity, and he took advantage of it. He was a rookie last year. I was excited in Dynasty Leagues.
Starting point is 00:40:59 He's the only name that I'll be concerned with. Colby Parkinson, I'm guessing, plays ahead of him and makes Davis Allen irrelevant. Colby Parkinson, we've guessing, plays ahead of him and makes Davis Allen irrelevant. Colby Parkinson, we've seen enough to know he's not going to be catching. Yeah, this is year five. Yeah, he's not going to be a relevant weekly fantasy starter. So be aware of the name Davis Allen in case he comes out week one and does get seven targets, then pick him up.
Starting point is 00:41:19 Colby Parkinson's doing nothing, but he'll probably ruin Davis Allen. Start of the season tough. In Detroit, in Arizona, against San Francisco, your one home game, and then back on the road against Chicago. Underdogs in 3-4 to start the year. So you said you're surprised about the 8.5 win total. That start of the year maybe hurts them. I'm surprised that they are underdogs.
Starting point is 00:41:42 I know they're on the road in Chicago, but, you know, an unknown rookie at quarterback, I would have expected the Rams to be favored there. Well, what's Chicago's win total? I do not know. It's as high, if not higher, than the Rams. So them getting the home game, I would expect the Bears to get the credit. Money believes in Caleb Williams.
Starting point is 00:42:02 And the Bears' defense, too. Yeah, the Bears' defense is where my head was at. But let's take a break, come back, and talk about a team not coached for the first time in a long time by Pete Carroll. The Seahawks were 9-8 last year, and they bid farewell to Pete Carroll. They were projected for 8-1⁄2. They hit 9.
Starting point is 00:42:32 This year is down to 7-1⁄2. Will they hit 6? You know, I don't know. This is not a team that I believe in the way that I think you guys do. It's the only team in the division with a brand-new head coach and offensive coordinator situation going on. The pie tin is empty. Yeah, I mean, you know, Pete Carroll had a –
Starting point is 00:42:56 Peach Cobbler. Peach Cobbler had a Mike Tomlin-esque impact on the team where it seemed like the team talent-wise shouldn't get as much out as he did. And they're projected for seven and a half. They're only favored in five of 17 weeks. So you're making a bet on new head coach and offensive coordinator and Geno Smith.
Starting point is 00:43:19 And I'm not saying that that can't work, but the division is really hard. And when you're not favored very often, when you do have, you know, Mike, you've gone to bat for Geno Smith not having as bad of a year last year, and that's true. There are some metrics that back that up. But it also shows, you know, this is – I think it can go either way. And we get new head coaches every year, and they don't all work out. I just question the way this is going to go for Seattle and whether we see continuity and expectation.
Starting point is 00:43:54 Go ahead. Point of clarity, because I completely understand what you're saying when you say that you don't necessarily expect it to go as well as we do or I do, because I've talked about how excited i am but then my seahawks yeah that is 100 fantasy football i actually think this team is not going to be as good the pete carroll was a great head coach for nfl football not great necessarily always for fantasy football this was kind of like the harbaugh like they're going to run they're going to play defense above what they usually do. Now, their defense stunk last year.
Starting point is 00:44:26 They were their defensive ranks. 31st in rushing yards per game, 30th in total yards per game given up, 28th in points per game given up. Which turned into then they were dead last in time of possession. Right, and I don't think that that gets better defensively from a personnel standpoint. Offensively, I do think that they have just a ton of talent. Obviously, they're all names we know, right? DK Metcalf is a stud. Tyler Lockett is a veteran with great speed. Now
Starting point is 00:44:54 you've got second year JSN in the mix. You've got two great running backs. Did you see Seattle's social media post a JSN camp highlight. Oh, the left-handed grab. It was incredible. And it was last offseason? Yeah, it was a year-old video. Whoopsie-doozles. It was a last offseason video. Sorry, go on.
Starting point is 00:45:19 I didn't mean to. It was just too outrageous. How does that happen? You don't have any for this year? Yeah, they don't have footage. Remember this? Except it wasn't a remember this. It was just like outrageous. How does that happen? You don't have any for this year? Yeah, they don't have footage. Remember this? Except it wasn't a remember this. It was just like, check this out.
Starting point is 00:45:29 Yeah, but I mean, I remember it. Yeah? Because it was last year. So Ryan Grubb coming over to the offensive coordinator. If the defense stinks and they've got to play catch-up, the way that they can talk all they want about running the ball, and they have spoken a lot about wanting to run the ball, I don't think that that is going to be what plays out this was the University of Washington
Starting point is 00:45:49 team that had Roma Dunzey had Jalen McMillan had Jalen Polk and they used those three wide receivers in in great ways and they comp very well here and in fact Ryan Grubb has talked about them as comps he's he's comped uh you, DK Metcalf to that Odunze role. He's comped JSN to that Jalen Polk role. So this isn't like me making this up. This is probably what's going to happen. Now, whether that system works from college to NFL is TBD, but it does excite me for the opportunity for more offensive output
Starting point is 00:46:22 and less victories, if that makes sense, for fantasy football. I'm more skeptical because of this offensive line and trusting Geno Smith to perform with an offensive line that, you know, Ryan Grubb at Washington was like second in the entire nation in sacks given up. You know, what happens when, you know, I could see Seattle kind of re-rolling what happened last year where you're a little bit disappointed at all of the skill position players
Starting point is 00:46:45 even if they're more pass heavy. I don't know if that's going to be what transpires. I like DK Metcalf's value. I have a hard time with the Jason Lockett thing right now. I think Kenneth Walker's role is secure. You mean their ADPs or picking between the two of them? I think just knowing how to make that bet.
Starting point is 00:47:01 Yeah, just the belief that you're making a bet on a new offense and Geno Smith. And so I guess let me put it this way. If the season starts in five weeks in, Tyler Lockett is really good. Not surprised. If the season starts in five weeks in, Jason is really good. I'm not surprised. So because of that, I don't.
Starting point is 00:47:24 You feel like you're out or you sprinkle – I'm out on those two. You're not going to sprinkle them in on a couple rosters? Where's the JSN ADP right now? JSN is wide receiver 47 in the middle of the ninth. I'd sprinkle that. Okay. I'd sprinkle that, yeah.
Starting point is 00:47:39 But I'm just saying from a predictability standpoint – I'd sprinkle that. Yeah, I'd sprinkle that. I'd sprinkle that. You wouldn't sprinkle that? No, I'd sprinkle that. I'd sprinkle that. You wouldn't sprinkle that? No, I'd sprinkle that. A little bit. Where's Lockett?
Starting point is 00:47:48 Not drafted? He's in the 11th round, like wide receiver 50. Can I ask you a question? Yeah. Would you sprinkle that? Yeah, I will. I don't think I'm going to sprinkle that. You won't sprinkle that?
Starting point is 00:47:56 I don't want to. I'm watching the calories on the sprinkles on that one. He's had one bad year. But it was last year. And it was the oldest he's ever been. Maybe it was the end. Until now. Maybe that was the beginning of the end for Lockett. But if
Starting point is 00:48:09 it's not... I mean, they paid him and he finished way ahead of Jason. Fair. Now let me ask you again. Would you sprinkle that? I will not sprinkle that, sir. Alright. Sir, I will not. Mike, I can't talk him into a sprinkle. I'm not sprinkle that, sir. All right. Sir, I will not. Mike, I can't talk him into a sprinkle.
Starting point is 00:48:27 I'm a sprinkle. We're all sprinkling some Metcalf for us. Yeah, I'm more fire hose than Metcalf. I think Metcalf is one of those guys. Yeah, you have been, haven't you? I just think it's not even that I believe he's going to have some top five season and you've got to draft him everywhere. It's just where he is being drafted.
Starting point is 00:48:51 It's at his floor. It's at his floor. Yeah. Wide receiver 22. Wide receiver 22. He's the clear cut one. He's, outside of his rookie season, he has never finished as low as the wide receiver 22. So, I just, I don't, you know, he's at the floor. If he ends up with
Starting point is 00:49:04 the touchdowns that he basically should have had last year based on his utilization around the red zone, then he is in the top 12. So I just love him at the value. I don't feel like I gave a ton of actionable advice because of my general lack of confidence in Geno Smith and the offensive line, which is now ranked 31st, by the way. Yeah. And the least amount of money spent on it in the entire National Football League. So what happened to, you know, I don't pretend to be a complete offensive line guru, but they had to, it was like two years ago, they had the rookies where it was
Starting point is 00:49:43 like the tackles were awesome and the future of this offensive line was going to be great and then all of a sudden their offensive line sucked last year and the reason it's cheap is because of that you know they they were able to have those those great bookends as rookies but did they just suck or get injured yeah they dealt with injuries charles cross right but i'm hoping that that can rebound like if they you know the the potential just two years ago, it was seen that the future of this offensive line is going to be really good. So, you know, the PFF expectation is really, really bad, 31st. Here's the thing.
Starting point is 00:50:17 Pete Carroll, what was the identity with Pete Carroll? What was it generally? Generally the identity. Defense and run the ball. So is Geno Smith the kind of quarterback that can run that kind of offense i think yes i think he proved it is he the kind of quarterback that you can put the team on his shoulders with a bad defense and a questionable offensive line that's where it's like ryan grubb can want to do everything he wants to do can geno execute that to the degree that it's a top half
Starting point is 00:50:45 offense I don't believe that I and that is the debate yeah I mean whether he's got the clutch gene to pull out victories in the end I don't think we've seen that enough whether he's got the ability to put up high counting stats I think he does I, we saw it two years ago. The last question with Seattle is just, is there a fatigue there for Kenneth Walker right now? Change of offense. There definitely is. There was so much excitement a couple years ago. There was excitement after his rookie season.
Starting point is 00:51:18 It looked like this was a top five dynasty rookie running back, or running back, period. And then they spend the second rounder on Charbs. The next year for Walker is, it's okay-ish. It's not great, but it really wasn't terrible. So as long as the expectations are appropriate for Walker, I think he's still a fine pick. He is being drafted in the fifth round, RB16, Jason.
Starting point is 00:51:45 What did we just talk about with James Conner? Where's the ADP for James Conner? James Conner, I thought, was 19 or something. Yeah, in our rankings, he's content to 17. Conner is ADPR. He's a round later. Do you want Walker in the top of the fifth or Conner in the top of the sixth? Whew.
Starting point is 00:52:04 Gosh, I think I want Walkerer more there and that might be really really surprising yeah that surprises me um but if you if you look so kenneth walker got injured in in week 11 last year when he came back i don't know how much he was dealing with that and obviously the split with the rookie um he wasn't that great after that injury but when he was out there to start the year the first 10 weeks he was the running back six he was dominant and we were it was Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker and it was like these two guys we should have known they were so great earlier we should have known that these guys coming in weren't going to take the mantle now there's more wild cards this year whole whole new regime, whole new, you know, it's like that what happened last year, you can't just project it forward.
Starting point is 00:52:48 But what happened last year from training camp and on was that Walker was the dude. Charbonnet was the backup. And so Walker's talent has been seen. Um, I do think he'll be the clear cut one. He's a younger explosive athlete than James Conner is. So I like both guys, but I'm not – I think Walker right now has fallen to a place where I'm actually excited because there's a – I see how it could work for him, and a lot of the guys around that range is just kind of a mid-pick that doesn't have upside.
Starting point is 00:53:20 Do we mention Noah Fant's name? It's fine. We should. I'm fine. If we mention Davis Allen, yeah, Holy Parkinson, you're darn right.
Starting point is 00:53:28 We're mentioning Noah Fant. The final team we'll talk about on the final episode. Oh, that was it. Of our divisional breakdown. Yeah, that's it. That was the,
Starting point is 00:53:38 he said mentioned. Okay. I mentioned his name. His name is Noah Fant. Go on. The final team that we get to talk about is the Arizona Cardinals, who were 4-13 last year, which earned them the right to select Marvin Harrison in this year's draft.
Starting point is 00:53:55 And it's almost comical to just remember where they were in the first half of the year because it was the Joshua Dobbs experiment in Arizona. Who they traded for on August 24th. in the first half of the year because it was the Joshua Dobbs experiment in Arizona. Who they traded for on August 24th. Right before the season began. Then he started for them. Is that bad? Then they traded them away.
Starting point is 00:54:17 They traded him away. It was a wild year. They played very hard for Jonathan Gannon with very little talent on both sides of the football. They were a much better team once Kyler Murray got back, and I want to explain that because they were 21st in points per game on the year, right, 19th in total yards. But they had Josh Dobbs for nine weeks, and then they had Kyler for the final nine weeks.
Starting point is 00:54:49 With Dobbs, they were 28th in points per game. With Kyler, they were 10th. With Dobbs, they were 26th in yards per game. With Kyler, they were 9th. In fact, with Kyler, they were 9th in plays per game, 9th in EPA per play, and they were actually the second- best team in terms of turnovers. So they were a much better football team.
Starting point is 00:55:08 They started 1-8. They went 3-4 because they had a quarterback, right? Like the Cardinals played much better with their starting quarterback there, and they still didn't have much talent at wide receiver. So we saw the breakout of Trey McBride. That was part of the storyline. Yeah, they had a broken Hollywood Brown, a rookie Michael Wilson, and obviously no Marvin Harrison Jr. You got Marvin Harrison going into his next
Starting point is 00:55:31 year. You add Zay Jones to the roster and Marvin Harrison has a legitimate one to a team that was top 10 in yards per game, points per game, plays per game, EPA per play, and turnovers per drive with Kyler, this should be a good offense because the defense has not solved its roster problems. So this is going to be a good offense, period. They were one of the worst defenses in football last year. They're projected for just six and a half wins this year. And, you know, just to back up your point, they're going to have lots of opportunities to throw the football.
Starting point is 00:56:08 And they have talent that will be relevant for fantasy that they've added to this roster. Not just Marvin Harrison, but, you know, the emergence of Trey McBride, looking forward to this year's. Zay Jones was added in the offseason. And, you know, Hollywood Brown is gone. Rondell Moore is gone because we had to trade for Desmond Ritter real quick. Did it. Gotta get him. Gotta get him.
Starting point is 00:56:29 But, you know, I have said it. I don't think Marvin Harrison can bust. But can he return value on the wide receiver nine? Highest ADP ever for a rookie wide receiver. I am a believer in that. I will acknowledge it's possible that he doesn't reach that point but I think
Starting point is 00:56:46 as a wide receiver one to view him as wide receiver one in general I'm comfortable so let me ask you this if he were to have a thousand yards and seven touchdowns that would be a bust for fantasy that would be a wonderful wonderful rookie season for an NFL player no not for him
Starting point is 00:57:02 not for the expectations in the draft capital no a thousand yards is not acceptable like right now his line across most sports books is a thousand point five receiving yards now obviously those numbers are usually a little bit less because of injury risk and and betting the under but he can bust for fantasy football he can can't in redraft. I don't think he can bust in the NFL. He's a perfect prospect. Yeah, and everything out of camp has just been incredible. So, Harrison, you're paying the price.
Starting point is 00:57:35 That's the story for fantasy. We're not going to get into, you know, I don't think any of us are picking the Cardinals to win this division. Well, dude, we haven't got there. We haven't got there. We haven't got there. But you do have a very clear, perfect situation for him. You do, but man.
Starting point is 00:57:51 He is, I don't know if you guys know this, but he is their veteran wide receiver. Rookie Marvin Harrison is the veteran in that locker room. The way that the other guys are talking about him is like, man, I can learn so much from this vet. He is already established as the complete and utter alpha there. We've also seen what Kyler does with an alpha. We've gotten the DeAndre Hopkins experiment or experience over time.
Starting point is 00:58:20 We got it with the Trey McBride at the end of last year. When he fades back to pass, guys, he has to make a decision. And it's not going to be a lot of Greg Dorsey, Zay Flowers, and Michael Wilson. Or sorry, Zay Jones and Michael Wilson. The first read is going to be a lot of Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride and James Conner. So at least from a consolidation of options and the fact that when you have a team that was that high in the draft and won four games, it's an opportunity for value and fantasy when a team is that bad because they had a tale of two seasons. Kyler was not there for half the year.
Starting point is 00:58:57 So if you told me that the – if we came into the season and Kyler had played a whole year at the exact same pace he played last year, these players are going higher in drafts, minus maybe Mark. And Kyler is way higher. Kyler is as excited as I am for Trey McBride, which is extremely excited for him. I think that this offense is really hyper-focused two-skill player situation. But Kyler's ADP for what he can bring to the table with rushing,
Starting point is 00:59:32 they waited until he was totally healthy to go. This wasn't a, we have hopes and dreams, we're going to force you out there week one and we're going to let you heal up while you play. It was, no, we're just going to throw half the season in the garbage, let you come back, get your legs underneath you, and then we'll go from there. We're playing for 2024, and his upside is a top three fantasy quarterback. If Marvin is as good as the crowd, like the ADP is saying he is
Starting point is 01:00:04 that good, and then Trey McBride comes through at least with most of the promise, Kyler's going to be excellent for fantasy football and be a steal. Do you feel compelled to make some bear cases for Kyler, Jason? I mean, I feel like this show gets extra criticism if we say something good about a Cardinal player for fantasy. Yeah, we do. We are from Arizona.
Starting point is 01:00:31 We are unapologetic Cardinals fans. But we've lived the mucky muck, and we see the sucky suck. Like, this is – Chop that up. Boston. We get it. Kyler Murray's bear case is injury. There is no other.
Starting point is 01:00:48 For fantasy football purposes, Kyler Murray can flame out as not being a franchise quarterback, not help the team win enough games. But for fantasy purposes, this is a mobile rushing quarterback who can pass. I mean, I think you said it, Andy, his 17-game pace from the games he played, it included 518 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. If you do that, you can pretty much stink in the passing game and still be okay for fantasy, and he didn't. He was almost 4,020 in the passing game, and that was without Marvin Harrison Jr. So no, there is no bear case for Kyler Murray other than he's been
Starting point is 01:01:21 injured, he's smaller, he could get injured again. But Anthony Richardson could get injured, was injured. I'm drafting him like crazy. Lamar Jackson could get injured. I want the mobile rushing quarterbacks. And he's probably the best value in the entire draft of that group because you've got to go fifth round where there's very valuable players for Anthony Richardson. And Anthony Richardson hasn't proven what Kyler already has proven and the only other super mobile rushing quarterback is Jaden Daniels who you get cheaper but you've never seen it and you don't know that he can pass well and you don't know that he can have a good rookie year doesn't quite have the weapon so I think in the entire like if I could pick one player this has nothing to do with being a Cardinals fan
Starting point is 01:02:00 this is just fantasy football take names take teams of it. Kyler's the best quarterback value in the draft. Over the last three years, Kyler has been a top 12 quarterback 61% of the time. That is the fifth highest rate for that metric. Will we get guff on my take there for being a homer?
Starting point is 01:02:20 I mean, we always will, but it is what it is. If you want to dismiss Kyler Murray because we think he's a value, do it at your own peril because historically he's a 20.3 points per game player over his entire career. Very few people like that. Yeah, so it's just go look at last year's numbers. Go look at his career and then give him Marvin Harrison.
Starting point is 01:02:47 And another year of – remember, Trey McBride did not go into last season as the pass-catching threat. He didn't go into training camp installed in as that guy. So this is going to be the potential for a leap forward for McBride as well. From week six on, Trey McBride was on pace for 103 receptions, 1,000 yards, and four touchdowns. At tight end, that is unbelievably great, other than the four touchdowns. Yeah,
Starting point is 01:03:12 the touchdowns to hit ceiling, to hit tight end one, those touchdowns have to come up. But I feel like his last year, he was the only show in town. So that's the bear. If you want to have an argument against Trey McBride, it's, well, Kyler had no one else really to throw the ball to,
Starting point is 01:03:32 but it's a matter of watching Trey McBride play. This isn't a guy who you're like, well, he's just getting really good opportunities. No, the guy is an excellent football player. He's coming through the promise of the draft that he brought to the Cardinals, and now he will be a featured piece. It could be even better for him to have Marvin Harrison on the field. Who was – remind me, Clay.
Starting point is 01:04:02 Who was Mr. Necessary? Charles Clay? Charles Clay. The Buffalo Bills, yeah. who was Mr. Necessary? Charles Clay? Charles Clay. The Buffalo Bills, yeah. Remember Mr. Very Necessary? Oh, that was was that Nick O'Leary? Yep. Those are guys who were just a guy. Those were guys who had great opportunity
Starting point is 01:04:17 by necessity. Obviously the name. That's not what McBride did last year. He was skying up and snagging balls out of the air. He was a manimal out there. Cardinals, heavy underdogs in five of their first six games. Sounds like offense.
Starting point is 01:04:34 They're not going to win on the defensive side of the ball. We're breaking down the division. I'm going 49ers, Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks. I'm going... I'm going to go Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks. Same. I'm going. I'm going to go. Do it. Do it.
Starting point is 01:04:46 I'm going to go Rams, 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks. That is it for today's episode and for all the divisional breakdown shows. So scroll back. You want to hear us break down any division for fantasy. They're all done. New episodes on Tuesday. Goodbye. Goodbye.
Starting point is 01:05:10 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 at the FFBallers.

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