Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast - Week 14 Waivers + Dart Throws, Difference Makers - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/3

Episode Date: December 3, 2024

Waiver Wire pickups for Week 14 on today’s fantasy football podcast! With the fantasy playoffs around the corner, find out who can be a difference maker and who is droppable! Plus, QB streamers, injury updates, and more! Manage your redraft, keeper, and dynasty fantasy football teams with the #1 fantasy football podcast. -- Fantasy Football Podcast for December 3rd, 2024. (00:00) - Intro  (09:45) - Difference Makers (17:15) - NFL News (20:50) - Waiver Wire (20:55) - RB Waivers (29:00) - WR Waivers (38:30) - TE Waivers (44:40) - DST Waivers (47:20) - QB Streamers (50:55) - Mailbag (51:00) - Drop Jonathon Brooks? (51:45) - Jonnu Smith or Cade Otton? (52:55) - Is Brock Bowers a keeper player? (54:25) - Determining dynasty draft order Connect with the show: Subscribe on YouTube Visit us on the Web Support the Show Follow on X Follow on Instagram Join our Discord Check out today's sponsors: Studio is brought to you by Amazon Prime Difference Makers presented by IAMS Pet Food News & Notes presented by USAA. Visit https://USAA.com/Insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Sunwing Vacations. Look, we all love football, but what I think you'd love even more right now is a dream trip with Sunwing. I love a good vacation, and maybe you've not been able to go on your dream vacation before because of a hefty price tag or where you found organizing activities complicated. But with Sunwing, you can get the best offers on all-inclusive packages covering flights, transfers, meals, drinks, and activities. Your beach chair is calling. Book your sunny escape at sunwing.ca or with your travel agent. Your wallet will thank you. Sunwing Vacations. Save more. Do more.

This episode is brought to you by Mitsubishi. What does ambition look like to you? Suits, awards, money, fame? These are the things that most people think of, but that's an incomplete picture because actually ambition is on the inside. It's an invisible grind, a pursuit, and it's yours. No one can take it from you. So that thing you love, winning championships in your league, keep doing it. Even if it doesn't look like earning millions going pro or winning a Nobel Prize, Mitsubishi Motors is there to help champion your next goal, adventure or passion. Mitsubishi, drive your ambition.

The Fantasy Footballer Studio is brought to you by Amazon Prime. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright. Welcome in! Tuesday December 3rd, the Fantasy Footballers Podcast back with you. It's W day it's also in most leagues the final week of the regular season Fantasy football league including the Megaloball And if you're playing in the Megaloball it is I am yes You just have to be in the top half of your league top six last year was top three

we're making it more like most leagues. And when I say more like most leagues, waivers will also be open during the playoffs, unlike in the past. Our commissioners are going to look at every drop to make sure things are on the up and up and keep you safe and sound at night. But the playoffs are upon us,

but I do feel like we're burying the lead here. Okay. Of what we got to witness last night. Oh, the Denver Cleveland extravaganza? The seven hours of, I mean, that game, it was commercial-filled football. It was the longest, is that what it was? I don't know. It was.

It was the longest game I can remember, because it started at. I'm sleepy right now, because I did not get my beauty rest. And you're West Coast. Yeah. There were 152 combined plays, which is the most of any game this year, and it didn't go to overtime. OK. And they were just going at it.

It was awesome. Yeah, that was a really, really fun game. We'll dig into the stats here. I do need to announce our Megalodon giveaway winners. Hashtag Spatchcock, hit number nine in trending. Justin with the Breeze Hall Sign mini helmet, Dan with the Devon H. Anne Sign jersey, and Robin with the Justin Jefferson signed jersey.

And I believe Al Borland, you reached out to these individuals, so if your name is Justin, Dan, and Robin. You already know if you win. You already know. Check your ex. That's right. Okay, and you made contact with all the winners?

Right, your former girlfriend or boyfriend, yeah. Okay, so which of the three names needs to be on the lookout for your message that hasn't gotten back to you you remember Al I'm double checking that would be Robin oh he's probably on a on a crime you know Batman Robin it was an attempt probably on a crime I you know I'm fighting crime yes yeah like he's been assigned like he's got to go out and take care of Batman is not assigned anything bad man chooses I got anything people are in charge Boston. Yeah, I feel like Mike would have made that joke No, I would have landed that day. Okay, so I was there. It just was the wording. Yeah, okay

That's all I meant. Yeah, but that's everything about a joke. That's fair. The wording is a big part of the joke It's the thought that counts, you know words slash timing equals joke ah Okay, I mean I stand Robbins on a crime right now I stand corrected. All right It's not every day you get to make a Robin joke, and I need to put more effort into it. You can find us on X at the FF Ballers, the numbers from last night's game. Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards,

whoo doggie! Which included 235 of them to Jerry Judy, 111 of them to Elijah Moore, 52 and two for David Njoku. And there you go. Thank you, David. Yeah, no, it was funny. He also threw six touchdowns, four of them to his teammates,

two to the others. It was the most Jamis that Jamis can be. I mean it's why for fantasy football you've always loved games where he plays because the other team has to score. Oftentimes they get to score with their defense but then the best thing about Jamis is his pick six because it just means he he's out there the next play throwing the ball more. And he tried to throw a seven touchdown at the end of the game. He really did.

The interception, couldn't run it all the way back. One of the things that stood out from the game, the hot hand was Jaleel McLaughlin in this one, 14 for 84, actually ran well, six a carry, estimate three carries, Javante Williams, four carries for one yard and the touchdown. Dude, oh man.

You can't trust. Which you just ignore the touchdown. I don't think you can trust the backfield. They really truly are a hot hand approach and I give them credit for that. Now for fantasy that stinks, I don't like that. But I give credit because McLaughlin was clearly the best runner.

Like he was, he looked great yesterday. He looked great and so they didn't go away from him. They said, hey, let's just keep using the guy who's working against his defense. But that means if next week it's Estime or the next week it's Gervonta, you know, the other guys got fresher legs, it is hard to throw a Denver running back into your lineup.

We're going into one of the biggest, if not the biggest, bi-week situation ever for the final week of the fantasy season. I think if you just play whoever did the best the game before, if you need one, that's what I'd do. Yeah, that's probably what most people would do. Because they'll probably get the first chance at hot hand and just... Maybe they stay hot. If you need the dart throw, that's what I'd give a do. Just because they'll probably get the first chance at hot hand and just... Maybe they stay hot. If you need the dart throw, that's what I'd give a go. He did look very good and McLaughlin should be on a lot of waivers, so it's definitely a name worth picking up, but man.

I don't understand why Gervonta keeps getting to be the starter. Like loyalty. It's respect. It's so strange to me. Is that what you considered him in this game? You're saying first snap? Yeah. Whatever.

But I was like, first snap, well, if you're going hot hand, you get the first try. Yeah. Luckily his hands are as cold as ice. He will, luckily. But not for the Broncos, and they should know this. Like, I'm fine with S, or with McLaughlin. Yeah, great, he got the hot hand.

But like, it's not Givante. Put S to me out there, just see what happens I'm fine with S or with McLaughlin. Yeah, great. He thought he got the hot hand but like It's not Givante put estimate out there. Just see what happens if it's estimate You're saying it that he shouldn't get the first carry like for instance last year when he or last week when he had eight carries For negative two total yards They should have been like he's got 12, his last 12 carries have gained negative one yards. That is correct. Over two weeks. Like I said, what are we doing here? Negative one yards, one yard. Frostbitten hands. On 12 carries, with a touchdown though. Courtland Sutton 6 for 102.

By the way, Jerry Judy could be pulling the Amari Cooper of last year. Flacco came in, made Amari Cooper a league winning, uh, player. Jerry Judy at this point, just hot magma, obviously on the same page with Jamis. And a lot of this is he wins down field a lot and Jamis is willing to chuck it. Whereas, you know, a lot of where he was winning before, Deshaun Watson can't do that. So, you know, Jamis Winston becomes interesting for fantasy playoffs.

Absolutely, he absolutely does. The, like, against Denver, I didn't have the courage to play him or recommend him. Clearly that was wrong. Almost 500 passing yards and four touchdowns will take that. But it gives you just more confidence of, I was talking about it with you guys in Slack, of Jamis has now started,

what, we got five, five games. He has been over 330 passing yards in three of five. Like this dude is- That's a lot. Yeah, that's- That's not like, you know, saying, oh, that's a good game, you got 250. 330 as your barometer, and he's getting that most of the time.

He can throw three pick sixes and still get you what he did last night. 46 fantasy points in our league. Here's the thing, Jerry Judy, since the Jameis Winston takeover, he is, and keep in mind, they had a bye week and they had a snowball game. Since that time, he is the wide receiver three, behind only Jamar Chase and shockingly, Cortland Sutton.

Yeah, yeah, who had a good game in this one. It's rare that your defense can give up 500 plus yards, the way Denver did, and still score a bunch of fantasy points, but two touchdowns will do that. And three sacks on the night. And that was your game. It was a fun one. It was exciting.

Marvin Mims taking over the throne. I've got it on now. The Marvin Mims throne over Troy Franklin is 52.2 to 45. Wearing that throne. Yeah, it took a... Did I say throne? It took a 93 yard touchdown.

You said you were wearing it and then you even did the action of pulling... Yeah, it was a crown. You wanna put that throne on your head to keep them shoulders real strong. So mix that with the Robin joke and we're off to a good start. So I'll push this button.

["Difference Makers Theme Song"] You see all those thrones we were wearing in that video clip there? Pretty neat. It's a crown. That's the word. That's the word. That's where the crown's where the king sits.

Yes. I don't think you want to sit on the crown. No, you don't. Yikes. So heavy is the butt. That sits on the crown. See, that's how you do it. Swish.

That's how you do it. Swish! That's how you do it. The timing, the word choice. It matters, man. All right. Today's Difference Makers, we will focus on the headline name in the waiver section of today's show, which is we got-

Jordan Mason. No, no, we got huge news yesterday. What happened? We got the news that. Wait, what happened? We got the news that Christian McCaffrey was placed on IR. That was not surprising after the rumors. What was surprising is in the midst of our very competitive, fun, pickleball match,

we also got a text that Jordan Mason had suffered a high ankle sprain in the same snow game and was now being placed on IR. Now there was some rejoicing in the Pickle Palace by Al Borland and myself because we thought that the kind of favorite in League of Record standing in the way of Al Borland's championship and my potential repeat had just picked up Jordan Mason who was looking like, you know, Jordan Mason's been,

first four weeks of the season, was like one of the best running backs in football. He's gone, he's just gone. It was like, I mean, I want him to be well and get healthy, but also, it was a miracle. When it was that little blip in the back of the head, when, because Mason came in, it was running really well.

And then he was out. And then he was gone and it was all Garendo and in my head I'm like, it's cause it was a blowout. It's cause it was a blowout. And it was, no, it's cause he. It blew out his ankle. Yeah, he had a high ankle sprain, now he is gone. And so now we are gonna talk about Isaac Garendo

as the number one waiver pickup of the week Which he should absolutely be he should be I don't care if you're loaded at running back You have to stop people from getting the race you do. I mean whoever has the waiver priority Whoever if you're in a waiver priority league Merry Christmas you Merry Christmas and also you must put in that claim. Whoever has the most fab Put in that claim look at your league most fab, put in that claim. Look at your league. Look at who has how much fab. And spend a dollar more than everyone else.

Or spend it all in your hopes that other people don't do this. This is not a guarantee that Isaac Gurindo is going to be a league winner in and of himself. But there's a percentage chance that he is a significant part of the playoff run when he had opportunities this year week eight 63 percent of snaps 14 for 85 and a touchdown and the key there for Isaac Garendo if you watch him play He is not the runner by any stretch that McCaffrey is nor Mason. Both are much better running backs

what Isaac Garendando has is opportunity and elite speed. A hundredth percentile speed score. Yeah it's one big play. It's a CJ Spiller-esque opportunity to run the football. Now they play Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit for the next four weeks and no matter what to Jason's point about defending against even if They play Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit for the next four weeks. And no matter what, to Jason's point about defending, even if you weren't gonna play him, he has the possibility, be it 10%, be it 20%, to be an RB one.

I put the poll out this morning to get the opinion from the Foot Clan. I said, Isaac Grendel will be an RB what? The rest of the way, an RB one, two, or three. 64% of you think he'll be in RB two. And then it's basically split between RB one and RB three. Now this is a team that is not playing good football. They're not moving the ball the way they want to.

They're not winning ball games. They are dealing with injuries at the quarterback position, wide receiver position, linemen, all of it. Yeah, you could see them start shutting players down, you know, as we approach them. They're not out yet, though. No, they're not at all. I'm just saying that that could be a potential letdown

for Garando going forward. But if you're a longtime listener, if you listen during the draft season, you know, when we're getting and we're scouting prospects, I talk about it all the time, there is a combination that almost always works for fantasy football. That is a 220 pound running back who can run sub-4-4.

That's what, you know, my Flintstone character, you know, set me apart the, why can't, Isaiah Pacheco, thank you. Oh, I couldn't help you man, I'm sorry. And yeah, give me the, there it is. But Isaac Arendo is 221 pounds, ran 4-3-3. So Mike, you're talking about the 100 percentile speed score. It just doesn't get better than that.

So that size speed combo usually works. You also have what usually works is just the scheme, the Shanahan scheme. You look at end of season running backs, Matt Burrito, Burrito, weeks 10 to 15, back in 2018, he had 15.4 fantasy points per game. Raheem Mostert was a league winner. Jeff Wilson was a league winner.

Elijah Mitchell was a league winner. This year Jordan Mason stepped, whoever it is, is just, they do well. And I'm not saying this is a top five back. I don't think that. I don't think that's what's going to happen. They don't throw the ball to the running back as much when Christian McCaffrey isn't there. This is a weekly starter on the waivers right now. It's a big opportunity. The O line for San Francisco is still ranked number one in PFFs run blocking grades. I would say we're not going to project him to be top five,

but that would not be surprising. No, it's not impossible for him to be in RB1 rest of the way. Yeah, the next three weeks, all the way up until championship week, they have the 10th easiest schedule adjusted for running backs. Now, we won't know who else is involved until we get to see a game plan without McCaffrey and Mason. Mason's injuries this year, he like missed some time

in a game, then he came back and played, you know, is Patrick Taylor going to be involved? Right. What's the workload going to be like? Is Debo Samuel going to get more involved in the running game? Those are all possibilities, but he's got a bottom third running matchup. So good matchups for him for three straight weeks before you get Detroit in week 17. And who knows how healthy they'll be. So you need to pick them up if you can afford to do so whether you're going to play them or not. He's a great opportunity for your team and it's a

wild card that just shows up last minute for the playoffs. That was Difference Makers presented by IIMS Pet Food. When you choose IIMS you can see a difference in your pet with your own eyes. Healthy energy in five days, healthy digestion in ten days, and healthy skin and coat in just 25 days. Feed I'ms and see a visible difference. News and notes from around the league presented by USAA Insurance. You know what's ironic is that the 49ers could use some of the I'ms for people product that you were thinking about Mike because healthy is not how I described that team.

No. Into the news, we said it Mason and McCaffrey to IR, Taysom Hill out for the year, torn ACL, plus additional damage out for the season. Not going to be a difference maker for you. John Harbaugh said Rashad Bateman's knee injury is not considered long term. They're going into the bye week. And he also had comments on Deontay Johnson that were, you brought up some, but- Yeah, this was the second time he sounded horrible.

That was a new one? Yeah, that's not the first time. I thought that was the new one. Yeah, that's that's not that was the first. No, there was another thing where it's like they got to figure things out. Something is off there. Like, I don't know if Deontay Johnson, I think snap for the Ravens or, oh, I don't think he does. Or turns into like, you know, they figure it out. I don't know.

I think my sources tell me he took a dump in the locker room in. And that was a no, no, it was a no, no. Like, yeah he took a dump in the locker room in and that was a no-no It was a no-no like it was just the head coaching locker room. No, no, no This was just on the bench like near the players. No, I nobody likes this guy We and the reason Baltimore made the trade was that they're gonna get a compensatory pick for him That's better than the one they traded away anyways, so they're not smart. They're not The quote from John Harbaugh, at this time I'm gonna have to wait.

This is regarding comment. There are moving parts we're going to have to figure out and explore. That's not a normal thing. There's not a, there's not moving parts to, here's another answer. Yeah, Deontay's gonna be a big role the rest of the season, especially with Bateman's injury.

Yeah, Deontay, we're just gonna try to continue to get him up to speed and see what he can do for this team. Moving parts is we're trying to figure out which U-Haul to put his stuff in so he can head out the door. Yeah, he'll just be like, I respect that question. Thank you for asking. I'm not going to answer it. Yeah, tomorrow will be I don't answer questions about players not on the team

Josh Downs Shane Stiken said he's unsure he'll return after the bye shoulder injury That's gonna be really up in the air Dallas Goddard's knee injury likely to sideline him on a week-to-week basis and So he's not gonna be an option if like Devontae Smith can't go which is his really only opportunistic situation. And Romeo Dobbs returned to a limited practice for the Packers. That one matters. It does.

Mostly to me because, Dantavian Wicks was actually kind of involved. He had this highest snap count on the year with Dobbs out. He had four catches, I think. It was only for 30 yards. But if Dobbs had been projected to be out yet again for Thursday I would have actually been looking at Wicks as a dart throw. Sure it is a short week so he'll have to he'll clear soon if he's going to be able to go

Thursday. We'll have information early this week. And so we still have no news or updates on Chris Olave, who's eligible in week 15 to come back. Yeah, I've heard nothing. Yeah. I don't think you're gonna. It's not great. It's not great.

All right, that was today's News and Notes, presented by USAA Insurance. Learn more at USA.com slash insurance. We'll take a break. We'll hit the waiver wire. All right, let's jump in. Welcome to the Waverwire. All right, we have Waverwire names to talk about because we've got the Broncos Colts commanders Ravens Patriots and Texans all on by no Lamar

No, Nico Collins. No mixing no Bo Nicks. No Sutton. No Anthony Richardson. No Ramon Dray No, Jaden Daniels. No Terry McLaurin Yeah, oh your your reminder one was a joke. Yeah, cuz I mean have we even had Ramon Dray? Yeah, it'll be yeah, we've had Ramon Dre? Yeah. Little bit. Yeah, we've had him. Little bit. He feels gross because that team feels gross right now. And because his play has been gross.

If you are skipping ahead to the waiver wire section, we talked extensively about Isaac Gurindo in the difference makers segment. So that was like a few minutes ago. TLDR, get him. Spin it all. Number one. Burn your priority.

Make sure he's rostered. And he's not rostered in almost any league of relevance. Behind Isaac Orindo is a world of running back dart throw. It's worth saying, he is out there on some dynasty waivers. So dynasty, you might not usually go to the waiver wire and he'll be rostered in far more of the dynasty leagues, but there could be a- Just in case.

An important asset in certain dynasty leagues. To me, there are two categories of running backs if you go beyond Gorindo. And you guys can tell me if you agree, disagree. There is the boring Ben Neyres and the what if maybes. To me, the what if maybes are Jaleel McLaughlin with the 14 carries. Unfortunately, he's on by though.

Right, right. But I mean, if you're looking to the playoffs. Yeah, yeah. Sincere McCormick. Yeah. Who none of us knew existed. Who? Who existed. Now, you don't remember

that name coming through? You're saying, I do, I do. I'm just saying that people are hearing that for the first time and they're not sure if you're saying that this MacCormick guy is like really heartfelt. Yeah. No, he's. He is sincere. His name is Sincere. Sincere. Which is kind of a cool name. It's pretty neat. Sincere McCormick, 12 for 64 on the ground. He was the predominant running back. Derailed my Amir Dula express. Amir Dula was exclusively kind of third down dude and special teams. He's a rookie, undrafted free agent.

To me, it's just like, we've been around the block with Gus Edwards on the waiver wire, okay? He has been a name mentioned more often than not and that has led to six for 32 against Atlanta in minimal. He is not a pass catcher, right? So he has to make a big play and he has done none of that this year. He is like a plotter.

He is not even getting opportunities necessarily around the goal line this week against Kansas City It's a very tough matchup. I do think us Edwards is still Rosterable he's gonna be you know the starting running back back for a good Chargers team But I really want to play the matchups and you know two of the next three weeks for him Denver and Kansas City are not exciting matchups at all. You're not winning your playoffs with Gus. I would much rather pick up Vidal Sessun. Yeah, Kamani Vidal, who only four opportunities, but...

You can't start him right now, but just saying over this next month, I mean, if he would be primed to take over. That's what you want to find here, in my opinion. Unless you are just plugging a hole with four points, that's what you want to try to find. And your opportunities there, you had bigger games from players that you didn't expect. Chris Rodriguez was 13 for 94 in a touchdown.

Austin Eckler is not back. This team runs the ball a ton and they blow people out a ton. Now he's on by. But just keep them in the back of your mind. The same thing goes with McLaughlin. The same thing goes with Sincere McCormick. And then there's the insurance guys, the guys we talk about every single week, you know, like how we were telling you, make sure you, your roster and Jordan Mason. Sometimes, sometimes things get crazy, but you do want those backups rostered. The two guys that stand out to me personally are Blake Corum, who was getting more involved,

had his most workload of the season this last week, and Braylon Allen, as you know, Breeze has dealt with his stuff, and we've talked about what a good running back schedule the Jets have down the stretch. Those two guys are, like, I'm still blown away. Tank Bigsby in that category, just in case something happens with the ETN or they are looking to just mix it up.

Yeah, if Trevor Lawrence was healthy and active, I would be far more excited about Tank, but I think the Mack Jones-led version of the Jaguars, I'm not sure how much you can get, but yeah, I mean, he's in that that conversation you can throw Ray Davis in that conversation Kenneth Gainwell on that conversation the deep league player that like this is deep league, but We're back Kendra Miller of the New Orleans Saints. Oh, yeah. Oh my gosh Is he that is back that is the appropriate response to just simply chuckle and remember, yes, Coach Riz of the Saints

has said that he's going to be designated to return. Remember the story of he was banished to the IR with an injury that was not IR worthy. At least that's what the report was by former head coach Dennis Allen, who hated Kendre Miller. Which means he's healthier than we even expect. Mike, this is a great name to name.

That's the whole point is I think he's healthier than someone who's just normally coming off of the IR. And moving forward, this team is fully committed to Alvin Kamara this year and next year. That's fantastic. Good for them. But at some point this team will be officially not in the running and then how do you run out Alvin Camero? Who's your future next year? Right. Who's old and potentially wearing him down or even hurting him? So I think that Kendra Miller could be worked in

over the next few weeks. You had Jamal Williams play, I think he got one carry this last week while Kamara's getting 23. He's toast, he's done. Williams is toast. And then you have Taysom Hill, who is a really important running back. That was one of the issues early in the season

when we were talking about Kendra Miller's upside was the goal line work might go to Taysom. Well, it won't now. So I think that's the fact that Riz has talked up Kendra Miller instead of being the guy just... Well, yeah, he didn't talk him up. I mean, I watched the press conference. He just said that he doesn't have a dog house and that it's going to be about consistency and staying healthy. So why are you interested in it? I'm comparing it to former head coach.

Yeah. Who's like, how do you think of, what do you think of Kendra Miller? And he's like, I hate that guy. I have no idea. Why did we draft him? He sucks, I hate him. Oh, he's got a little boo boo, I'm putting him on IR.

So yeah, the Riz loves Kendra Miller. But Kendra's- Compared to Alan, yes. Yeah, but Kendra's been talented. So yeah, it's a deeper league, but he should be available everywhere. I didn't realize he was eligible this week. I am of the opinion that you can drop Gus Edwards.

I think so too. Because he's one of the drop candidates people want an answer about. Kareem Hunt, I also think it doesn't feel good, but I think you can. I agree. I actually think you can drop Kareem Hunt. Kareem Hunt is, he is dropable,

but I think he's another, like he's an insurance guy. Yes. So he's right in there. Maybe even- Would you rather roster like a Braylon Allen who is nothing unless a braced injury happens or a Kareem Hunt who probably is nothing unless a Pacheco injury happens. They're the same for me. Same tier. Same tier. If I'm not counting on either one, Alan's probably... I mean, we already know Cream Hunt's upside is pretty good if Pacheco was hurt again, but yeah, those are insurance

backs. Moving on to wide receiver, I think we're going to have some debate here. No, we're good. But Adam Thielen is near the tippy top of the list ten targets eight or ninety nine and one Adam Thielen You know 51% rostered tough matchup against Philly So you don't love that but the playoffs schedules pretty good, Dallas, Arizona Tampa Bay Through the playoffs Adam Thielen could be pretty relevant.

I mean. Do you like him more than Ligette? Cause I would actually still prefer Xavier Ligette. I'd go Adam Thielen. Okay. Yeah. I'm trying not to let the recency of this last week overwhelm. And so to me, and I'm not saying you are,

I'm just saying in my opinion, it's very close and I want the explosive play opportunities. Adam Thielen has, he's obviously a much better NFL wide receiver than Ligette right now. But Ligette is the athletic guy who could have a 70 yard touchdown. They're both very involved. We talk about Adam Thielen had 10 targets, that's great. Ligette had 8 targets this last week so I don't have a problem taking a shot with either one, whichever you prefer.

I think if you're in a full PPR, you're probably gonna count on Adam Thieland for a higher number of receptions. To me, it's not even just PPR, it's the last two weeks. When Thieland has played, I mean, he just came back two weeks ago, but it's Ligettes at 56 yards against the Chiefs, played the whole game. 94% of the snaps. The next week against Tampa, 96% of the snaps. The next week against Tampa 96% of the snaps 4 for 53. Like Adam Thielen immediately walked into 10 targets of his first full game back and I he will

be I think he's gonna be really relied on by Bryce here. Yeah so those guys are near one another to me Westbrook-Akene 27% rostered, 3 for 61 and 2 plays every snap, plays for a team that throws the ball and plays Jacksonville. To me the Jacksonville Westbrook-Akene matchup, you know Adam Thielen against Philadelphia might PPR his way to whatever six for 42 right West Brick Aquina is a play for it for a touchdown he's one for 46 and a touchdown yeah or two for 94 and two touchdowns I mean that is the gamble you're looking you know when you're in the waiver wire it's not a it's not a super structured order

this week when you have buys. Because are you an underdog? And you're suffering these buy weeks and you need to shoot for the moon? Because if you need to shoot for the moon, to me, that is, that's Westbrook at Keeney, that's MVS, Marquez, Valdez, Skantling with New Orleans, who you lose Taysom Hill in the passing game.

It's another missing piece. And they play the Giants. You look at Elijah Moore because of the yardage. I'm going to chase the Browns. I really am. Cedric Tillman and Elijah Moore. Cedric Tillman is the name that we need to bring up because concussion protocol, I don't know that we've heard an update yet on this week. However, because he got hurt, people had to drop him.

And like I said 330 passing yards and three of five games for James Winston. I want in on that. If Tillman is back from his concussion I would imagine he goes right back into maybe not 1A or number one but 1A with Jerry Judy but he would certainly go above Elijah Moore but if Till is out, then Elijah Moore is in. And the other name I want to bring up, because you don't have Gabe Davis, you don't have Christian Kirk, and you saw 12 targets. And I don't ignore targets.

So Parker Washington for Jacksonville had 12 targets with six for 103 and a touchdown. To me he is, look you're going, oh well you don't have Trevor Lawrence, he did a lot of his damage with Mac Jones in this game. Yeah. And so I'm gonna bring his name up.

Tennessee still doesn't have, like they put Snead on IR. So Parker Washington, 12 targets. I am looking at that. I'm looking at the 14 from Elijah Moore. And if you need somebody, you can pay attention to a talented player in Parker Washington. I think there's a lot of directions you can go. You have Keon Coleman coming back from the wrist injury who looked good before he went. I think timeline wise, I expect him to be back this week. It was close this last week.

So there's actually a handful of startable wide receivers. This week, you have to look at your roster and decide, am I going for touchdown upside? Am I going for PPR? You know, floor that's raised. And the more that I think about these players, though, I do, like Cedric Tillman is, Yeah, baby.

I think one of the only people here who have a combination of floor and ceiling when healthy, that could be a weekly start. The, and the deep league name I will throw out at wide receiver, it's Brandon Cooks. Dallas Cowboys, he was, it was his first game back from his really long injury stint, only played 39% of the snaps, and yet he

walked into seven targets in that time period. CD Lam, old man Jones says, the Moon Man says that CD will be good for Monday. Is he? Be right, Moon Man. Is CD Lam gonna be good to go? So that's like as you're moving through the week, Brandon Cooks is not gonna be a hot commodity but if as we get more news on CD Lam, he could raise in popularity. Let me bring up four names

that are the top drop candidates from Twitter that will disgust you to hear them but it is the time of year where it's no longer hold for later right so you have to make tough decisions on your bench six by teams tank Dell is the number one answer by far tank Dell there are a lot of people we just he's dead man that I would play over tanked out. I think you can draw You know, this is this is a player where it's all a matter of you know, what what is your league? What are your options? But he has been a huge disappointment CJ Stroud has not looked the same. He hasn't taken that year to Step forward. He hasn't even looked as good as he did as a rookie.

And so, yeah, I mean, we just discussed, like Cedric Tillman, if he's out there versus Tank Del, I'd drop him in a heartbeat. Debo Samuel. I can't do it. I wouldn't drop him because. Somehow been worse than Tank Del. I can convince myself of the story of what has happened

the last couple weeks here with Debo, so I wouldn't drop him. Roma Doonze? No, I would not drop Rome. I don't believe that it will happen. Here's the problem, is that you'd much rather have, DJ Moore has been great. Yeah.

And then you'd rather have Kenan right now than no Doonze. For sure, yes. So then it just becomes hard because, do you start Roma Arduinze when he's the third best for Caleb? Fully agree with that. Like I mean if I need a guy right now, you know, the Browns, Adam Thielen, I would I would make that move. I'm just I'm saying in general I'm not rage dropping Rome. With the offense turning things around it would be, again, I'm not rage dropping Rome. With the offense turning things around, it would be, again, I'm not projecting it,

but I'm leaving the margin open that, over this last month, something could click here for the rookie, a top 10 pick, a talented wide receiver. You're out? Yeah, barring injury. I have a hard time putting them into my starting lineup right now. There are other names.

When will Rome be built? I know they say it's not a day, but what about like 13 weeks? Was Rome built in 13 weeks? I think it takes two years. To build a city? To build Rome a doomsday. So sophomore year without Keenan there, presumably. Oh, so sophomore year, that means it only took a year to build Yeah, I mean, I mean, I know what you're saying. Let's say you know how construction works JSN

Would you'd say it took two years for JSN to get going you wouldn't say one year No, you know, so that's what I'm saying. Okay, if Rome does it next year, we'll say Rome will be so popular I will throw one other name out. Can you answer how long it took for the Colosseum in Rome to be built? Because I have that answer for you. I would guess...20 years? Mike, you want to take a shot?

20? Ooh. That's going to be bad for a dunze if that was the answer. I'm going to go... those Romans. I'm going to go 8 years. You nailed it! Yeah baby! Started in 72 AD. I know anything workers, oh, yeah, 80 AD Wow, so eight years. That's crazy. I'll do it one name that I will bring up

We will remind you to tomorrow to drop it like it's hot and look for players that get dropped That maybe they shouldn't have but But one player. Oh, that's happening this week, by the way. One player I expect to hit some waiver wires based on two bad games, but those games are understandable. And I think the situation going forward is Joann Jennings. If Joann Jennings. Oh my goodness, I would pick him up. Ends up hitting the waiver wire after a bad game that was in the Snow Bowl with the loss of Christian McCaffrey.

You figure targets are going to go to the wide receiver position, and George Kittle and other players a little bit more. So just keep your eyes out there for Joanne Jennings. All right. Let's talk about another Joanne here in the tight end spot, Joanne Johnson, who is not rostered anywhere and we're digging deep for tight ends, but we've had Taysom Hill knocked out. We've also had Juwan Johnson be the number one tight end with this same quarterback in 2023, last year. Week 15, tight end nine.

Week 16, tight end four. Week 17, championship week. The number one tight end in fantasy was Juwan Johnson, and no more Taysom Hill. It's not like MBS is a volume play in the offense. There's a world where Juwan Johnson gets volume. I think there's a world where Juwan Johnson gets volume and can help people win championships. I do not believe that world is this week. The Giants just don't give up a lot to

the tight end position whatsoever. So if you're playing and he's not a guy that I'm stashing for weeks, You know, he's widely available. So I'm not as bullish. The name that is clearly, you know, he's rostered in the majority of leagues. But if Ferg Daddy is out there, that you're bringing up Brandon Cokes, we don't, Jake Ferguson, Fergalicious,

Turd Ferguson, Jake Ferguson, if he is available in your leagues, that would be the name I'm searching. Ferg Turgelson. Ferg Turgelson. Ferg Turgelson. That's a big hat. He's the name I would want the most because you saw the targets going to the tight end position.

He has been dealing with the concussion. C.D. Lamb has banged up. The matchup this week is good. Everything is lining up. And alternatively, if he's out, I would be happy to play the schoonmaker again, the Cowboys' backup. My deep play, like if Mike brings up Kendra Miller,

and then who was the other name you brought up? Brandon Cooks. Brandon Cooks. My deep play is Tommy Trimble. Because Tommy Trimble, I watched, I mean Mike and I were glued to the Carolina game. Tommy Trimble played 100% of snaps, he is the tight end for the Carolina Panthers.

He lines up outside and he was five for 77 in this game. I'm not saying, I mean this is deep, deep tight end play. This is a name you don't normally hear, but Jutavion Sanders is gone. So that was the rookie tight end that was making waves and starting to get plays. If you believe in Bryce Young's emergence and throwing the football,

I do think Trimble will get targeted. I feel like Trimble has been such a disappointment, a colossal disappointment based on name. When you're coming out and your name is Tommy Trimble, I just really had third-round pick. I had high hopes because he was awesome. If he was awesome, if he came out and was a really good player, and his name is Tommy Tremble, we could do things with that. We could. We've never had even an opportunity.

Well I think the name, it exemplifies, you will be trembling to play him. Like if you put him in your lineup, you'll be trembling. Other names to bring up, Zachary still only 64% rostered. We do have a note here from head coach Dave Canales. Well, just erase the tape. Who says the hope is Jalen, what's it, Jeremy, that wide receiver, Jalen, for the Panthers? Oh, Coker.

Thank you, Jalen, Jalen Coker. Yeah, I don't care about that, but Jatavian Sanders might be able to return this week. So. Delete it all. Never happened. Never happened. Like I said, my deep play is Noah Gray.

Is Jatavian Sanders. at all. Never happened. Never happened. Like I said, my deep play is no gray. No gray. I've I'm letting the wave just wash over my body. I'm just going to accept for 58. I'm accepting. I'm accepting that Noah Gray is playable in fancy football. I fought it for so long and it's a thing. You're in. I yeah. I mean, four for 58 did not score but six targets. Dude, six targets for a tight end off the waiver wire? Who has touchdown on the side? Absolutely. Yeah we're getting into some names that are uncomfortable. We do have more names on our waiver wire tool if you know the guys we're talking about are rostered, deeper guys and even the opposite people that guys we're talking about are rostered deeper guys and even

the opposite people that maybe we're skipping over because they're probably not available in most leagues but if you use our tool on the website go to join the foot comm you can you know log in there and It will sync with your leagues. So whoever is actually on your waivers. We can highlight them prioritize them for you It's a really helpful tool that's new this year. If you haven't checked it out, play-offs are coming. This is the time. If you're already a supporter of jointhefoot.com

and you just haven't been using the tool, just check it out. It's really helpful. I wanna circle back to wide receivers for a moment because we have a little bit of an update and so I wanna bring Joshua Palmer's name up. John, wide receiver. Lad McConkey.

I don't know if he plays. Jim Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh came out and said that he's working through a couple of things. He's going to be evaluated this week. Harbaugh said, we'll see if he practices. So, you know, there's a world where they're going up against Kansas City this week. Quinton Johnson can't catch the football.

Will Disley and Will Disley for the tight end spot. Don't delete him from contention just because he had one down week. He was involved. That's a bad mistake to make if you think he's going to be involved in the offense. And then Josh Palmer has had games against Kansas City in the past. And if Vlad McConkey and his 600 targets is not there, I just want his name brought up. If La-Dee-Dee is not active,

and this is a Sunday night football game, I think Will Disley becomes my favorite waiver wire pickup of the week. Kansas City has leaked points to the tight end position. When we saw Quinton Johnston out as that wide receiver two for the Chargers, Will Disley was so involved in the target packing order. So I would expect that's a good sneaky name to pick up, especially because even if he's rostered,

you're going to see Disley hit waivers when they run tomorrow morning. Yeah. So any other tight ends you want to mention, Mike? Let me get back to the dock. No, no, no, I think we've, we've got them all. All right. Let's go ahead and take a break and we'll get into defenses and our quarterback streamers. All right. Uh, it's a helpful reminder, be prepared for your playoffs.

Um, there are good defenses that you've been playing every week that have some troubling matchups coming up. In particular, the Steelers. The Steelers defense, you know. Oh yeah. They're always a threat, but you know, you gotta go to Philadelphia and then to Baltimore and then play Kansas City for your three playoff weeks.

I mean, that is a gauntlet. That is not the way that I want to play. I don't think they're going to hold up well. No, and they play Cleveland this week. Sure, maybe they get to pick sixes from Jameis, or Jameis just puts up 30-plus points on him and they don't do anything. They seem very risky.

This week in particular, I like the Saints against the Giants with DeVito Orlach. Yep. I like the Cardinals against Seattle at home, and they get to follow up with New England and Carolina, which is a multi-week. I mean, the Cardinals defense. Yeah, the Cardinals defense has been good.

Like, I like the Saints better this week. But if the Saints and the Cardinals were both out there and I look like I'm playoff-bound, I would put the Cardinals ahead of the Saints simply because you're talking. They're just a better defense. And you're talking about a three week, beautiful stretch of perfect matches.

Do you like the Saints this week on the road against the Giants or the Tennessee Titans at home against Mac Jones? I prefer the Saints still. I chose this last week in the League of Record looking at this week. I picked up the Saints in preparation. I was a little worried last week. I picked up the Cowboys to play against the Giants and then I was sad that it was Drew Lock and then it turned out just fine. So I'm going to target the Giants.

Tennessee is not the same defense that they look like they were at the beginning of the year. They are 29th in terms of fantasy points scored. They are 27th in terms of points against Snead unlocked a better part of their defense, I think, when they had him. Seattle plays Arizona. If you want to play both sides of that one. Tampa Bay, their defense is not good, but they play Las Vegas.

You can try that matchup on for size I thought it would be a good matchup for the Chiefs last week it wasn't but that's an opportunity for you and then Cincinnati plays Dallas this week I'd be scared to play that defense too if I'm honest yeah it makes sense but the the matchup is there but. But there's so many good streaming defensive options for this week. You want to mention any more? No, just the fact that the Saints are at 14%,

the Cardinals are at 16%, the Titans are at 6%. As far as how much their roster is available. That's amazing. Full stream ahead. Full stream ahead. All right, straight out of the stream finder tool at Footclan headquarters, I'm going to go with Russell Wilson. Russell Wilson. Can't stop.

Cleveland is a great game you want to target for potentially high scoring affairs. Russ had a great week averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Top 10 in three of the last six starts. And these Jamis games, man, you have the play volume that goes through the roof. You have opportunities for Cleveland to score. I mean, Cleveland is going to put points up on the board. That's what they're doing with Jamis.

And then, now I don't remember if we got an update, but there was like, at some point Denzel Ward was, they got him on camera running to the locker room. I don't remember if he came back or not. He was dealing with a cramp. Okay, so he did come back? A calf cramp. I don't know if he came back,

because it was late in the game, but they were trying to massage him on the sideline, then he ran, I'm assuming he was running in for an IV, but I don't know any more than what I saw. Oh, right, yeah, but I don't know any more than what I saw. Yeah, all right. Yeah, but you got, Jay. I've got Tua going to play against the New York Jets. If you focus on Miami's numbers since week eight,

which was when Tua returned, they're averaging 27 points per game. That's fantastic. That's sixth best. 38 passing attempts per game. That's the seventh most in the league. Four of six Tua starts have hit the over and then you can also focus on the Jets and you could say this great sauce

gardener led awesome defense. I mean they packed their bags. They are gone. They've lost eight of their last nine games since week six. They're allowing 26 points per game over the last month. Their 30th against fantasy quarterbacks. I'm happy to play to it. And ladies and gentlemen, it's nasty, but hopefully you don't need to make this move. I'm just putting it out there because of all the bye weeks. If your league is quarterback crazy

and there's not many options available and you're like, oh, oh, what do I do? Will Levis, AKA Bananarama, will be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars. And obviously, Westbrook-Akinae is good for a touchdown. Banana-Rama! If we can get Calvin Ridley back and cooking, it's just the Jags are allowing eight yards per attempt.

Well, you know there'll be two touchdowns to Westbrook-Akinae. Oh, two now?'ll be two touchdowns to Westbrook-O-Kinney. Oh, two now? Yeah, two. Okay. He's moving it. He doesn't like this garbage about odds. Here's the thing. Here's the thing, and we all know what's coming.

If you look at the start percentage, I don't have it in front of me. If you look at the start percentage for Westbrook-O-Kinney, I'm sure it's like 6% started. And it's about to go to 60% started because people are finally going to buy in the matchups perfect. Ain't no chance he gets a touchdown. None. Because we're all counting on him? Because he's going to be in line up. The process is... 11% started. Just look at the targets. I don't care. Look, he's on pace for 95 targets over the last five games. That's good enough.

It is. It's good enough. He's been unbelievably great. That's 1,000 yards if you don't count the touchdowns, which would be 17 pace. But if you just throw those out, 1,000 yards, that is a startable player. That is. But he's only been started 11% of the time.

And because of that. Yeah, because of fear. Terror. Will Levis, I think, is an actual streaming option because he is widely available. Okay, that's dirty. It is. That's dirty.

Sometimes you gotta get in the mud. All right, let's answer a couple mailbag questions. You guys wanna do that? Sure. Mailbag. Mailbag, ooh yeah. Well, Andrew in Kentucky wants to know, can he drop Jonathan Brooks?

Sure, you can't but he's he's an insurance running back and he finally finally got some play and He looked good. He looked good in the in the in the receiving work I mean it was only like three receptions, but on those catches broke multiple tackles He didn't have ran a dude over He didn't have a ton of volume, but you saw what you hoped to see. He looked like the collegiate player who was fast. He was fast, capable on the NFL field, it was cool to see. Should something happen, obviously this is Chuba's team, but if Chuba goes down, then Jonathan Brooks is going to be very good for fantasy. Jared in Iowa, week 14, when to get in?

Do I stay in the flames with John Oos Smith in a tough matchup or pivot to Kate Otton who has dropped off lately but has a great matchup? No, you stay with John. You have to take the wide receiver one for the Dolphins. What's wild is I was in this boat with Kate Otten riding the high of Kate Otten. I had Johnny Smith on my roster.

I sold him off for five fat. It was like, I'm gonna ride Kate Otten and taste some Hill. I wish I had Johnny back real bad. Yeah. Whoops-a-doozles. James in Minnesota, does the last three weeks of Garrett Wilson concern you for upcoming playoffs?

Yes. Should I start considering Joann Jennings over him? Yes. If everything is good, like Brock Purdy is there and they're not playing in a blizzard, then Joann Jennings is an absolute must start. I agree. Alright, and then Clyde in Tampa, is Brock Bauer the keeper for next season?

I would be forced to take him as a first or second round pick. Yeah. Probably should be, yeah. Brock Bauer's, you, I guess I didn't want to throw it out and not because it sounded hyperbolic, but pausing to think for just a moment,

is Brock Bauer's in the first round next year? I think he might be drafted in the first round. I would not draft him in the first round. I'm just saying ADP. ADP, he'll be the one-two turn. Yeah, early second at the latest. Yeah, this is a player who's the best pass-catching tight end in football as a little bitty baby boy,

or as a giant baby boy. But I still think he's gonna have a touchdown problem, which is his problem now, for next year with the quarterback situation. He is dominating. He's dominant. I mean, he is, wow, he's so good. You're gonna have rookie, I mean, rookie tight ends for two consecutive years

will be the number one tight end in fantasy. But this one, I, like, I'm in on. I mean rookie tight ends for two consecutive years will be the number one tight end in fantasy But this one I like that. I mean that is that is the fact. Yeah, I mean that is just what I'm saying like Laporte was a He was a warning on this show of like well going into this being overdrafted Yes going into this year was my point isn't the longevity of it. It's the impact of a rookie tight end in year one Two straight years. We're gonna have a number one. And we've got some pretty talented guys that are gonna be pretty hot draft picks coming out in college this year. So you need to pay attention to what the weapon can be right away. And Joshua Sherman writes in, by the way if

you have a question for the show you can go to the website thefantasyfootballers.com click the submit a question button or dial or voicemail hotline 302 464 tff be Josh writes in my friends and I are in a area in year two of a dynasty league and we're trying to figure out how the draft order is determined so to be max points for or record or playoff finish is it different for playoff teams versus non playoff teams there's a great question is there's a there's a handful of good ways to do it, but I know that in our main dynasty leagues we changed to where the teams that don't make the playoffs, it is done based upon max points for.

This is something that I know the Sleeper platform shows you. It makes it very easy and obvious, and it's very easy to switch over to that. And what Max points for does is it stops teams from feeling like they need to tank. Because if they had players on their bench, you know, they're wanting to play bad starters so that they lose this matchup,

that is not gonna help them. Because if they score a lot of points on their bench instead of in their lineup, it doesn't matter if they won or lost. At that point, it's just who's got the best actual team? The worst actual team that would score the fewest points if everybody made the right start sits, they get the best pick.

Yeah, we switched to it this year. We don't have results in. I will say that, we haven't run multiple drafts this way. But it does seemingly fix that issue. The tanking issue is fixed. The tanking issue, which is, it's very difficult. Because you're like, oh, my dynasty team is crap. I can't make a run for it.

You know what makes my team better? The 101. It's. But then you have this, the integrity of the league, it's a really hard problem to solve. Yeah, I would say like, the jury's out on whether we like it. Yeah, we don't know.

Because it is taking away some of the drama of the win and loss records for the teams at the bottom. So you want the managers of those teams to play integrists fantasy football and put the right players in, but then. But it's not in their best interest. But it's not in their best interest.

But like when that drama does exist, it is fun. Like right now, max points four is not, there's no variable in it really, right's no like starts it decision that impacts it or match up or so I think that some of the drama I don't know we'll probably stick with it but it is going to be something to look at when we see what the final order looks like yeah I don't think either one is wrong or bad they're they're just different options based on what your preferences all right tomorrow we tomorrow we'll have Hungry for More. We'll preview the Thursday Night Game, which should be a fun one. We'll have some mailbag and a whole lot more. And then we'll get into

the upcoming Thursday, starts of the week, match-up breakdowns, and the Wheel of Shame on Friday, among other things. So, that'll do it today. Check out JoinTheFoot.com for our community, for the Ultimate Dashboard for bonus episodes of the show, premium tools. Check all that out and we'll catch you tomorrow. Goodbye. 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 FF Ballers.