Top 10 RB Rankings + Trash Talkers | Fantasy Football 2026 - Ep. 1948 — Transcript

Full transcript

1. 0:00The time is coming swiftly. The middle rounds are now place for the unskilled. Yet here you are, unprepared, you fools. This season you will find all kinds of foes eager to watch your draught crumble with wasted picks.
2. 0:23There can only be one ultimate draught kit. Only one that can bend them to its will. And it does not share power. You must wield the UDK and send your opponents back to the shadows. You shall not pass on this chance to send your reedmates into the deep. Fly, you fools.
3. 0:53Welcome to ultimate draught kit dot com.
4. 1:03Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.
5. 1:21Welcome in.
6. 1:23Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, and Mike Wright.
7. 1:52Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, and Mike Wright.
8. 1:54Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, and Mike Wright.
9. 1:55Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, and Mike Wright.
10. 1:56What an opportunity it is.
11. 1:57What an opportunity, Mike.
12. 1:58For life?
13. 1:59For life.
14. 2:01Goodness.
15. 2:02And to sign Jamar Chase's jersey, pick up the UDK before August 24th.
16. 2:06Use it to prepare for your draft.
17. 2:09Set the foundation for your team.
18. 2:12We are priming up.
19. 2:13Draft season is here.
20. 2:15I cannot wait.
21. 2:17I've had some opportunities to trade some picks, and I've not done it simply because I don't
22. 2:23want to take away some of my draft day fun.
23. 2:27Understandable.
24. 2:27And one thing you've always said is that your draft picks can't get injured.
25. 2:33No.
26. 2:34So if you trade some draft picks for keepers-
27. 2:36Their groins are fine.
28. 2:37Right.
29. 2:38Yeah.
30. 2:39Much like J.K. Dobbins, everything is fine.
31. 2:43Yeah.
32. 2:43Can't get hurt.
33. 2:44No.
34. 2:44If you trade for him, you're fine.
35. 2:46No.
36. 2:46It was like yesterday, I think Jason and I were talking a little- It was a bigger deal.
37. 2:51It was some Hampton and Jacobs and other pieces, and I passed on it.
38. 2:56And then the next morning, you get the news that Puka Nakua and Jacobs could still face discipline.
39. 3:02And I was just thinking about-
40. 3:04You lack discipline.
41. 3:05Where my head space would have been.
42. 3:08Yeah.
43. 3:08It would have been great.
44. 3:10You would have-
45. 3:10I would have just been- I mean, he might not.
46. 3:13I mean, I still think the odds are probably maybe that he doesn't, but-
47. 3:17But we hadn't heard anything about it for quite some time.
48. 3:20Oh, I would have been so upset.
49. 3:21And then a reporter who will not be named on this podcast delivered some news that-
50. 3:26Is that who it was?
51. 3:27Yeah.
52. 3:28You don't name him now?
53. 3:29No.
54. 3:29Okay.
55. 3:31But what's his name?
56. 3:32Uh, Shmom?
57. 3:34Oh, man.
58. 3:35Shmelisero?
59. 3:37Uh-
60. 3:37No, no, no.
61. 3:38Oh, no.
62. 3:38It wasn't him?
63. 3:38What?
64. 3:39No.
65. 3:39He's moved past Tom.
66. 3:40Yeah.
67. 3:41Oh.
68. 3:41No, me and Tom are-
69. 3:42I'd squash that beef.
70. 3:45Like, me and him-
71. 3:46I see.
72. 3:46He's got the new-
73. 3:47Me and him are cool now.
74. 3:48You're talking about-
75. 3:49Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
76. 3:50Whoa, whoa.
77. 3:51Big dog.
78. 3:53Pfft.
79. 3:53Michael.
80. 3:54Mike, I've known you for 20 years.
81. 3:57Yeah.
82. 3:57You hold grudges.
83. 3:59You do.
84. 4:00You pick a few.
85. 4:01You do it on both sides.
86. 4:03You got your favorite guys that you hold on to forever.
87. 4:06And you will never let go.
88. 4:07Yeah.
89. 4:07That you'll never let go of.
90. 4:08Yeah.
91. 4:09Trey Lance in the house.
92. 4:09I'm a loyal person.
93. 4:11Been Senate.
94. 4:12Uh, and then you-
95. 4:13Any minute.
96. 4:13I am the Senate.
97. 4:15But then if it's the wrong side, it's a forever thing.
98. 4:19It feels like.
99. 4:21I was slighted.
100. 4:22At the FF Ballers on X, quick question comes in.
101. 4:25Describe the trash talk between the three of you and your leagues.
102. 4:27What are your main tactics?
103. 4:30Are there any comparisons to a character or evil villain?
104. 4:34Ooh.
105. 4:35Describe yourself or one of the other ballers.
106. 4:38Um, who's the, who's the biggest trash talker when things are going right among the three of you?
107. 4:43Jason?
108. 4:44I don't know.
109. 4:45Do you think?
110. 4:47I don't know.
111. 4:48I think I'm the biggest complainer when things go wrong.
112. 4:49We still have a lot of chances.
113. 4:50Yeah, you are the whiniest of babies.
114. 4:52Yeah, for sure.
115. 4:52Yeah.
116. 4:53That's not trash talking.
117. 4:54You trash talk yourself.
118. 4:55I think, I think our-
119. 4:56You dog yourself.
120. 4:57My usual go-to when it, I mean, it's not trash talk, but it's the same spirit of what you're
121. 5:03talking about is the early congratulations, the building you up, the setting you, you know,
122. 5:08it's, it's like telling someone how well they're playing at golf to try to throw them
123. 5:13off their game.
124. 5:14No, that's not trash.
125. 5:14No, but it's like gift talking.
126. 5:16Yeah, exactly.
127. 5:17That's my version.
128. 5:18I would say Mike has become pretty annoying in recent history because-
129. 5:23What?
130. 5:24Insufferable?
131. 5:25Insufferable?
132. 5:26Because I won both the leagues?
133. 5:28Yeah.
134. 5:28What is the problem here?
135. 5:29Yep, that'll do it.
136. 5:30Yeah.
137. 5:30I'm just champing over here, man.
138. 5:33Yeah, I'm just saying it's annoying because what happens is it's like-
139. 5:36I know, the truth is pretty annoying sometimes.
140. 5:38We have a lot of conversations and then you'll just inject yourself in as the guy that's going
141. 5:43to win instead of these other conversations all the time.
142. 5:45I think one of my favorite trash-
143. 5:47I do have a lot of confidence in my dynasty team.
144. 5:50Your dynasty team is what I'm talking about.
145. 5:51I will say this.
146. 5:52Would you like to read through my roster?
147. 5:53No, so the other-
148. 5:54I looked at it.
149. 5:55I don't know how it stops for 10 years.
150. 5:56The other day, I was making a trade.
151. 5:59I've got a solid roster in our dynasty league.
152. 6:03Yes, your dynasty team's pretty good.
153. 6:04I'm competing along with the best-
154. 6:06Silver will look good on you.
155. 6:07And I-
156. 6:08Thank you.
157. 6:08There it is.
158. 6:09And I was just- I was looking at trades in the league and I've got the whole- you know,
159. 6:15where you see the whole league at once on the board.
160. 6:17And I came across your team.
161. 6:19I start just reading and I was just like, so no.
162. 6:24You're so good.
163. 6:25That team is-
164. 6:26Yeah.
165. 6:27Loaded.
166. 6:28I was like, wait.
167. 6:28Things have worked out.
168. 6:29And the bench.
169. 6:29Jamar Chase and Seedy and George Pickens.
170. 6:35Yeah.
171. 6:35And Ken Bone walking into frickin' Kansas City, who we'll talk about today.
172. 6:39Did you see who was on my bench, Jay?
173. 6:40Do you remember who I was there?
174. 6:41His bench is great, too.
175. 6:42No.
176. 6:42Garrett Wilson.
177. 6:43Oh, my God.
178. 6:44He doesn't even need a-
179. 6:44That guy can't even crack my starting roster.
180. 6:46This is what I'm talking about.
181. 6:47Yeah.
182. 6:48This is exactly what I'm talking about.
183. 6:48It's just a good team.
184. 6:50Most people, if they don't-
185. 6:53I mean, you should do what you're doing.
186. 6:55It's just that-
187. 6:56Win?
188. 6:56Yeah, I'm doing it.
189. 6:57A lot of people have to equivocate because there are paths to losing.
190. 7:02And you're in a position where you're like, your bench is much better than my starting roster.
191. 7:07Well, that's not fair.
192. 7:08Your team isn't.
193. 7:09Your team, you have blown your team up for a rebuild.
194. 7:12On purpose.
195. 7:13Yes.
196. 7:13Repo man showed up.
197. 7:15Yeah.
198. 7:15No, I mean, you can't compare.
199. 7:17You can't compare that.
200. 7:19No, but you're not going to win, Jay.
201. 7:21How dare you?
202. 7:23Did you know that?
203. 7:24You're not going to win this year.
204. 7:25You won't be winning.
205. 7:27It just takes one week for Mike to lose.
206. 7:29One bad week.
207. 7:30And you won't have it.
208. 7:32It's going to be a tough-
209. 7:33This is how good my team is.
210. 7:35Other people will talk garbage for me.
211. 7:37That's what I just did, didn't I?
212. 7:39I'm your co-man.
213. 7:40My team's name in that league right now is Mike's Butt.
214. 7:44Yeah.
215. 7:45Because in our league, the winner gets to name the last place team and current placeholder
216. 7:50is Mike's Butt.
217. 7:52That's fine.
218. 7:52Mike, you-
219. 7:53And Mike was like the silver medalist a couple times.
220. 7:57Yes.
221. 7:57He was on-
222. 7:58We were taunting with that when we had two titles.
223. 8:00Yeah.
224. 8:00All right.
225. 8:01Anyways.
226. 8:01Look, we're this far in.
227. 8:03I hate this.
228. 8:04What a stupid question that has got us now talking about Mike's team.
229. 8:08But people are going to-
230. 8:09I would never do that.
231. 8:09People are going to want to know.
232. 8:10My team only has Gibbs, Walker, Hampton, C.D., Amon Ra in our league of record.
233. 8:14Yeah.
234. 8:14And then a bunch of picks.
235. 8:16So here's Mike's team.
236. 8:18He's got Joe Burrow and Jared Goff with Flacco behind Burrow.
237. 8:21This is his dynasty team.
238. 8:22Christian McCaffrey.
239. 8:24So you got age here, McCaffrey and Derrick Henry.
240. 8:26Yeah.
241. 8:27And Ken Bone Walker and Jamar Chase and C.D. Lamb and-
242. 8:31Is that the end of running backs?
243. 8:31George Pickens.
244. 8:32Jordan Mason probably, right?
245. 8:34Yeah.
246. 8:34And Rico.
247. 8:36And all three insurance running backs.
248. 8:38Yeah.
249. 8:38And you got Pat Bryant who's been the-
250. 8:41Oh, bro.
251. 8:41Pat Bryant?
252. 8:42Mm-hmm.
253. 8:44And Garrett Wilson.
254. 8:44This is the best show we've ever done.
255. 8:46And Dontavian Wicks.
256. 8:46Oh, and Trey McBride.
257. 8:48Oh, yeah.
258. 8:49Wait, did you say Loveland?
259. 8:50He has McBride?
260. 8:51Oh, you have Loveland, too.
261. 8:52Oh, my gosh.
262. 8:54This is disgusting.
263. 8:56I'm quitting this league.
264. 8:58I don't like this league.
265. 8:58You have McBride and Loveland.
266. 9:00Also-
267. 9:00All of my picks.
268. 9:03Oh, my God.
269. 9:03All of them.
270. 9:04You never traded anyway?
271. 9:05No.
272. 9:06No.
273. 9:06This is the greatest constructed roster-
274. 9:08I hate everything.
275. 9:09Cheers, everybody.
276. 9:10We cannot do this show anymore.
277. 9:13No, I'm out.
278. 9:13Let's move on.
279. 9:14News and notes from around the league.
280. 9:23The NFL Network, Ian Rappaport, talking about the fact Pukunakua is dealing with minor soreness.
281. 9:29He had left with a trainer.
282. 9:30It's in his groin.
283. 9:32Ah!
284. 9:33Yeah!
285. 9:33It's been a bad week for groins.
286. 9:37As Jason would say, just do a butterfly stretch.
287. 9:41Yeah, they got someone teaching these dudes how to butterfly stretch.
288. 9:44That's obviously what's missing.
289. 9:45You sit on your butt.
290. 9:46Mm-hmm.
291. 9:47You bring your feet together.
292. 9:48And it looks like you got two little butterfly wings.
293. 9:50Yeah, he pushed down.
294. 9:50You've lost me.
295. 9:51They don't know what that is.
296. 9:53There's no way.
297. 9:54High concept.
298. 9:54Yeah.
299. 9:54Emeka Abuka limped off with trainers, and that was today.
300. 9:59Yeah.
301. 9:59This is like 20 minutes ago.
302. 10:01He's watching the rest of practice with his cleats off.
303. 10:04No other reports.
304. 10:05If we get one before the end of the day, we'll let you know.
305. 10:07I do like that the follow was Abuka with both cleats off.
306. 10:12Yeah.
307. 10:13Thank you for specifying both of them.
308. 10:15I mean, I guess if you have one off, you think maybe it's just that's the leg, that's the ankle.
309. 10:21I don't know.
310. 10:22It's just a funny report.
311. 10:23Mike Evans did return to practice with the quad injury.
312. 10:25There he goes.
313. 10:27And J.K. Dobbins returned to practice.
314. 10:28Well, returned to individual drills.
315. 10:30Yes.
316. 10:33Nothing to see here.
317. 10:34No, everything's fine.
318. 10:35Everything's fine.
319. 10:37Yeah.
320. 10:37Good luck, J.K.
321. 10:38Stay healthy.
322. 10:40Today should be fun.
323. 10:41We're counting down the top 10 running backs.
324. 10:43All of our consensus rankings, player projections, sleepers, breakouts, bus values are in the UDK at ultimatedraftkit.com.
325. 10:53Let's go ahead and jump right in.
326. 10:58Running backs.
327. 11:01All right.
328. 11:02What makes a top 10 running back in fantasy?
329. 11:05Since 2015, among those finishing in the top 10, 79% average 19 or more opportunities per game.
330. 11:13That was part of your discussion with Hampton yesterday, trying to get to that number.
331. 11:1872% of top 10 running backs saw at least 50 targets.
332. 11:21You want to be involved in the passing game.
333. 11:24And the 28% is named Derrick Henry.
334. 11:26It feels like, yeah, that's pretty much it.
335. 11:28And the 94% of top five running backs had 10 or more total touchdowns.
336. 11:32So that's a huge number.
337. 11:34That's nearly everyone always 10 or more total touchdowns.
338. 11:38You would have to be basically Eckler levels of receiving work.
339. 11:43I mean, 94%.
340. 11:44That's like, if you want to be, you have to have the touchdown upside.
341. 11:48And that's in the last 11 years.
342. 11:51So you're talking about a large sample.
343. 11:54Yeah.
344. 11:55I mean, that's why we prefer, you know, players on good teams.
345. 12:01Teams that are going to win are going to score more points.
346. 12:03And it's not always the case.
347. 12:04But you really need 10 touchdowns.
348. 12:07The average, if you just average out the last 10 years, it's 20 opportunities.
349. 12:13255 rushing attempts.
350. 12:181182 yards.
351. 12:19So you don't have to lead the league in rushing by any stretch.
352. 12:2210.5 rushing touchdowns.
353. 12:2568 targets.
354. 12:2553 catches.
355. 12:27436 receiving yards.
356. 12:28And two receiving touchdowns.
357. 12:302.7.
358. 12:31Before we move on, I figured I'd look this up since we were just talking.
359. 12:36You need 10 touchdowns.
360. 12:39Here is the current sportsbook top five for 10 or more rushing touchdowns.
361. 12:46Oh, nice.
362. 12:47Number one, Jameer Gibbs has the highest odds to get 10 touchdowns.
363. 12:52Ahead of Derrick Henry, who's number two.
364. 12:55Jonathan Taylor.
365. 12:56Yeah.
366. 12:56Number three, James Cook.
367. 12:59Number four.
368. 13:00And number five, Kyron Williams.
369. 13:03Mmm.
370. 13:04I did that whole bit to get to Kyron Williams.
371. 13:07Yeah.
372. 13:07Yeah, yeah.
373. 13:08They're a good team.
374. 13:09Well, if you're going to do the top, you've got to do the top five.
375. 13:12Right.
376. 13:12Yeah.
377. 13:13Of course.
378. 13:14Number six, Blake Corr.
379. 13:16No, I'm just kidding.
380. 13:17Who's number six?
381. 13:19Six is Javante Williams.
382. 13:21Okay.
383. 13:21I mean, that says something.
384. 13:23Yeah.
385. 13:23And then.
386. 13:24He doesn't.
387. 13:24He'll have the targets.
388. 13:25The yards will be like 112.
389. 13:27Yeah.
390. 13:27It's, I mean, it's worth noting, you know, the debate at 101 of Gibbs versus Bijon.
391. 13:33We haven't said Bijon's name.
392. 13:35And that to me is the.
393. 13:36I have moved Gibbs ahead.
394. 13:38Yeah.
395. 13:39So, I think we're fully unanimous now if Gibbs should be the first pick.
396. 13:44Number 10.
397. 13:46By the way, Josh Allen is at 11 and a half rushing touchdowns.
398. 13:49Yeah.
399. 13:49He would be third on this list as far as odds to get to 10.
400. 13:53Chase Brown at number 10.
401. 13:56Jason and Mike have him at eight.
402. 13:57I have him at 11.
403. 13:58I love Chase Brown as well.
404. 14:00It's just how it broke down.
405. 14:02And he is, he's kind of, it's a perfect situation for Cincinnati, I think, with Chase Brown being
406. 14:10their back.
407. 14:10He's been so consistent the last two years.
408. 14:13Just look at the points per game numbers.
409. 14:1414.3, 14.6.
410. 14:16There have been reports in camp of him lining up in the slot more.
411. 14:21He is a pass catcher.
412. 14:23He is not a triple B, right?
413. 14:25He's not a big bodied back.
414. 14:27He's not going to.
415. 14:27But that's, that's what I'm saying for Cincinnati.
416. 14:29It's awesome.
417. 14:30He's not, he's, he's right in that.
418. 14:32He's 5'10", 2'10", is what I see listed.
419. 14:34Like that is, 2'10", to 2'15", is truly a.
420. 14:38Yeah, you can take the work.
421. 14:39It's like, that's the perfect weight where you can be agile enough to work in the receiving
422. 14:44game and you're still big enough to go between the tackles.
423. 14:47Chase Brown.
424. 14:47He only had five games last year in the 17 where he scored a rushing touchdown.
425. 14:52Yes, that is true.
426. 14:53But obviously the team environment to be able to score a lot of touchdowns, double digit
427. 14:57touchdowns, the, the, the Bengals would be there.
428. 14:59I mean, here's the nice thing.
429. 15:01You have to remember last year how bad the beginning of the season was for the Bengals.
430. 15:06Burrow got off to a slow start, got injured, and then they didn't have Flacco until week
431. 15:10six.
432. 15:11Yes.
433. 15:11So that team environment, you know, Chase Brown, a lot of people are like, ah, he's just a product
434. 15:16of the team environment.
435. 15:17And maybe that's fine because the team environment is fantastic.
436. 15:20And now Joe Flacco is the backup.
437. 15:23So should Burrow go down?
438. 15:25We saw Chase Brown be fine with Flacco.
439. 15:28If you look at Flacco from week six on, you've got a Chase Brown, Chase Brown from the Flacco
440. 15:34weeks.
441. 15:34Um, you know, that would be, he was on pace for 1200 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 93
442. 15:41targets with seven receiving touchdowns.
443. 15:45Uh, he was better than the running back eight finish that he had last year.
444. 15:52And that's pretty darn good.
445. 15:53Chase Brown is, he's one of my favorite picks in fantasy.
446. 15:59The, I like, I think he is a talented running back, but the situation is, is just so perfect.
447. 16:05He does.
448. 16:06Like he's not, you know, that the, the like McCaffrey Gibbs Bijon player, where if, if
449. 16:14everything goes terrible for the bangles, it, it will, I don't think Chase Brown can overcome
450. 16:19that, but they're, they're set up in a, such a situation of this year where they're more
451. 16:24protected than ever there.
452. 16:26Andy, you said that they're talking about lining up in the slot.
453. 16:28We like hearing that little news blurb.
454. 16:30They're also talking, uh, uh, just in an emphasis of this year, as seems like more and more teams
455. 16:37are now is, okay, we're going to get back to under center.
456. 16:39We want more explosive runs from Chase Brown, who was already a pretty explosive player from
457. 16:45that week six on, you know, that when Joe Flacco kind of fixed the offense through the,
458. 16:50the ending with Burrow, Chase Brown's running for 5.1, a carry.
459. 16:55Like he was already a very efficient running back on the ground during that time.
460. 16:58So 320 opportunities last year.
461. 17:00Are you perfectly comfortable with him as your RB?
462. 17:04Yes.
463. 17:05A hundred percent.
464. 17:05Yeah.
465. 17:06If you want to start with a high level wide elite wide receiver and then come back and
466. 17:10get Chase Brown, that, that's like my favorite, my favorite start when you're in the middle
467. 17:14to late, if you can get Amon Ross St.
468. 17:17Brown, um, you know, or sometimes JSN goes fourth, but assuming that Amon Ross goes as the
469. 17:22fourth wide receiver gone and come back around and grab Chase Brown.
470. 17:26I adore that start.
471. 17:28I mean, the, the, the depth chart around him is just, it's a 30 year old Samajay Pirine
472. 17:34is the backup.
473. 17:36And then it's Taj Brooks.
474. 17:37Like there's, there's no one else here.
475. 17:39He has matrix dodged the, the last few drafts, the free agent market.
476. 17:44Yeah.
477. 17:44The only kind of negative about Chase Brown, his red zone success rate has been bad.
478. 17:4913 carries inside the five, two years ago, only six touchdowns on the 13 carries.
479. 17:54And that's inside the five, 13 carries inside the five last year, only four rushing touchdowns.
480. 17:5931% of those converted the most opposite compared to number nine, Derek Henry forever.
481. 18:07And always the Yeti, uh, I didn't realize how low I have him.
482. 18:13Interesting.
483. 18:14He comes in at nine.
484. 18:16I guess I have him at ADP.
485. 18:18Yeah.
486. 18:18I don't blame you for having him there.
487. 18:19I've got him at running back six and I, I don't, I got him at 12.
488. 18:23I don't love it.
489. 18:24I mean, there's, there's tons of risk.
490. 18:26Uh, D'Angelo Williams was the last running back to be 32 years old or older with 10 rushing
491. 18:31touchdowns.
492. 18:32It's, it's not an easy feat.
493. 18:34And this, I know he's a Yeti, but guys, he's actually a human being.
494. 18:40Yeah.
495. 18:40I mean, it's, I've heard there are, there are some changes, right?
496. 18:45The offense is, is changing.
497. 18:46We have a new system in place.
498. 18:48We'll see what that becomes.
499. 18:50Mike, you've got him at seven.
500. 18:52His sleeper ADP is RB 12.
501. 18:54So you get him late round two.
502. 18:57That, that seems great.
503. 18:58I mean, I'd, it's where I have him ranked.
504. 19:01I would take him at ADP with no, no qualms.
505. 19:03I mean, he was the running back three, the running back two missed half a season as the
506. 19:09running back 16, then the running back four, then the running back eight, then the running
507. 19:12back two, then the running back seven.
508. 19:14It's like, he is just a top 10 running back every year of his career.
509. 19:18The only question, the only thing is, did father time catch up?
510. 19:23And that's the, if he, if it hasn't and it.
511. 19:26Let me read the concerns on the top 10 ranking shows that we've had for him over the last
512. 19:31five, five years.
513. 19:33So in 2021, we said he, uh, he has a lack of targets, which so I know it's true.
514. 19:392021 in 2022, we said, um, the age was starting to become a concern in 2023.
515. 19:45That was a long time ago.
516. 19:46Age and wear and tear in 2024.
517. 19:48We said age in 2025, um, fifth season in a row, basically with an age concern.
518. 19:55Yeah.
519. 19:55It's the Frank Gore.
520. 19:56Now it did, it did end up happening at some point in time.
521. 20:00They do.
522. 20:01If you want to look at a way, it kind of slows.
523. 20:04I don't think it goes to nothing.
524. 20:06That's where I think the pick is fine.
525. 20:08You've got a new offensive system and you've got an offensive line that just lost.
526. 20:12Like we talked about Gentry.
527. 20:13They picked up Tyler Lindenbaum.
528. 20:15He's gone.
529. 20:16They lost their all pro fullback in Ricard gone.
530. 20:19They lost their tight end.
531. 20:21Charlie Kohler got a big contract to go to Los Angeles.
532. 20:23They lost Isaiah likely there is, they're the 26th ranked offensive line.
533. 20:28And this is, you know, he's not going to have 50 plus receptions.
534. 20:34So.
535. 20:35And like, and that, that would be the, uh, maybe things could slow a little bit, but they're
536. 20:40projected to win a bunch of games.
537. 20:41It's yeah.
538. 20:42And when they win, Oh, when they win Derrick Henry scores a ton of points and, and the,
539. 20:47the way to stop Henry is you have to, you hit the train before it starts going.
540. 20:52So if the offensive line is not giving him some room to at least get a couple steps to
541. 20:56get up to speed, then things may not be so great.
542. 21:00That's it's really, I mean, it's really just age.
543. 21:04Do you want to bet that this is the year that, that Henry falls off?
544. 21:07If it's a tough one, then avoid it.
545. 21:09It just feels like at ADP.
546. 21:11Yeah.
547. 21:11It's like, that would be a fallout.
548. 21:13So here's at the end of the year, you're like, Oh, Henry finished at RB 12.
549. 21:15You're like, Oh crap.
550. 21:17But that's where you're drafting.
551. 21:18And the thing is, is I don't think that there's a world where he finishes at 12.
552. 21:21You know, he's going to finish like 18 and, and the, the, you know, it didn't happen.
553. 21:27He got eight touchdowns or he's going to finish it, you know, eight or better.
554. 21:30The question I have is like, if you're at that point in the draft and you're not drafting
555. 21:35your first running back, would you rather, you know, pair your first running back with
556. 21:40Derek Henry or like Jeremiah Love?
557. 21:42The, the young, the complete opposites, the, the high upside, you pair your first running
558. 21:48back with Henry every time.
559. 21:50Yeah.
560. 21:50I just, I just feel like it's so solid.
561. 21:52And the, like Henry has historically, as the temperatures drop, he does transform into the
562. 21:59Yeti as it gets cold.
563. 22:01And, and that's science.
564. 22:02That's not, that's not like a bit.
565. 22:04No, no.
566. 22:05This is like, the bit is, is it snowing in Vermont?
567. 22:08Right.
568. 22:08Because that is, that's like Groundhog Day.
569. 22:10I don't know.
570. 22:11People, people probably don't notice.
571. 22:12We, we sometimes we goof around.
572. 22:14This is science.
573. 22:16Science.
574. 22:17But I'm saying like, so I, I know that at, you know, the halfway point or whatever of
575. 22:23the year, Derek Henry will, you know, hit transformation three and then he'll just start
576. 22:28dominating again.
577. 22:29But the first six matchups for the Baltimore Ravens.
578. 22:33Oh, baby.
579. 22:34Uh, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite.
580. 22:36It's not just favorite, favorite, favorite, but these aren't great defenses.
581. 22:40Colts, Saints, Cowboys, Titans, Falcons.
582. 22:44Oh my.
583. 22:45Yeah.
584. 22:45It should be fine.
585. 22:47All right.
586. 22:47We'll take a break and we'll continue the countdown.
587. 22:56Before we continue the countdown, it, dude, you got, when we say this is science, we want
588. 23:01to read this to you.
589. 23:02Yards per attempt for Derek Henry, September 4.31 October.
590. 23:08I, there's a little crisp in the air.
591. 23:104.78.
592. 23:11Oh, November.
593. 23:12That's getting chilly.
594. 23:13It's a little, put on a windbreaker.
595. 23:15Put on a jacket.
596. 23:16Um, December 5.26 January 6.09.
597. 23:24The longer that's not how age works, brother.
598. 23:27Yeah.
599. 23:28That's how it's how that's how a freak of nature works.
600. 23:32It's how tackling a car works.
601. 23:34I mean, that's, it's just, I'd rather, if I have to tackle a car, I'd rather not be free.
602. 23:39Give me a car in September.
603. 23:41It's like the season is a hill and he picks up speed.
604. 23:43That's how it seems.
605. 23:44So, that's, that's the data.
606. 23:47He does get better over time.
607. 23:49The team also just starts riding him when the weather gets bad.
608. 23:53It always feels like to start the year, they're like, we're going to try to open this up.
609. 23:58And then by the end of the year, they're like, we should just keep giving the ball to Henry.
610. 24:02Jacoby Lane, you know, he's probably going to take over the entire league.
611. 24:05Hey, maybe.
612. 24:05Only player I got on that dynasty team of mine.
613. 24:10Number eight.
614. 24:11Ashton Gentry comes in at number eight, just 22 years old.
615. 24:14I got him at seven.
616. 24:15Jason at seven.
617. 24:15Mike at 11.
618. 24:16He is the RB6 by ADP.
619. 24:18I can't believe I'm below ADP on Ashton Gentry.
620. 24:21ADP is a bummer.
621. 24:23That's, I mean, you, you are, um, you got to get a great performance from Gentry for that first round draft capital.
622. 24:31We know the workload's going to be there.
623. 24:33We know the upgrade in play calling is there with Clint Kubiak.
624. 24:37We know they added Tyler Lindenbaum, the aforementioned all pro center from Baltimore that is there to help solidify an offensive line.
625. 24:45You certainly, I think have, um, a lot of reasons to like, like what you've seen from Gentry so far.
626. 24:54Efficiency wise, they weren't good numbers as a rookie, but he had so much volume and that those things are not necessarily sticky.
627. 25:02I think the upside of Gentry is, is pretty high.
628. 25:05I mean, I, I don't think that Gentry, I think he could finish as the RB1.
629. 25:10I mean, I think that's possible for Ashton Gentry with the targets, his target totals.
630. 25:14We all have them above, you know, 65 targets on the year.
631. 25:20That fits the threshold.
632. 25:21We all have them about or above double digit touchdowns.
633. 25:25That fits the threshold.
634. 25:26And we all have the opportunities pretty high.
635. 25:29I, I just.
636. 25:30Yeah.
637. 25:31So the, the doesn't mean that he, I think he'll be one, number one and just certain guys can do it.
638. 25:35Certain guys can't.
639. 25:36Yeah.
640. 25:36The negative, the biggest negative is that he's on a poor team that does not project to score a ton of points.
641. 25:43And so that's, you know, are you going to get the double digit touchdowns?
642. 25:46That one that 94% of these top 10 backs get.
643. 25:48But it's a hard environment to see it happening.
644. 25:52Now, as a reminder, he had 10 touchdowns last year.
645. 25:55So he had five receiving, five rushing.
646. 25:58He is a freak of nature talent wise.
647. 26:01I do think that this offense will be significantly better.
648. 26:06The combination of the, of Clint Kubiak and the offensive line upgrades.
649. 26:11And the health of Brock Bowers.
650. 26:12And Kirk Cousins coming in to start as far as like dumping off the ball.
651. 26:16I mean, you saw when Bijan was there with Kirk Cousins, he was thriving in the passing game.
652. 26:22To me, I think B, I, I'm, I'm very in on Ashton Gentty.
653. 26:27Unfortunately, it seems like everybody is.
654. 26:29And so that's where the ADP is at running back six.
655. 26:32That's kind of, I mean, I've got him as my running back seven.
656. 26:35So I think you're, you're drafting him where he kind of belongs.
657. 26:40I don't necessarily think it's an easy path for him to finish top three.
658. 26:44He's talented.
659. 26:4573 targets last year, over 50 receptions.
660. 26:48Yeah.
661. 26:48I mean, he's, he's certainly talented enough.
662. 26:50I, you know, I agree with you.
663. 26:52He could be.
664. 26:52Who do they want to throw the ball to?
665. 26:53Who else can you?
666. 26:54It's Brock Bowers and Gentty.
667. 26:55That's it.
668. 26:56Brock, Brock, Brock Bowers and Gentty.
669. 26:58I mean.
670. 26:59So Mike has them a little bit lower.
671. 27:01I think Mike has brought up with whether it's A-chan, whether it's Gentty.
672. 27:06Like you don't want a running back on a losing team.
673. 27:09But, you know, certain ones can thrive.
674. 27:11Those two players to me are the, like you, I went and I compared those two guys next to each other.
675. 27:18And my interpretation was that I think that the Raiders offense will be improved versus last year.
676. 27:27And the Dolphins offense will be worse than it was last year.
677. 27:31Wow.
678. 27:31And then when I look at the.
679. 27:32That's bad.
680. 27:33Yeah.
681. 27:33Yeah.
682. 27:33And then when I look at the talent of both guys, both outrageously talented, I think Ashton Gentty is the better, more talented running back.
683. 27:44Now that's where.
684. 27:45Yeah, it's funny.
685. 27:45I have them ranked the same.
686. 27:46I probably disagree on those two points.
687. 27:48I think A-chan's the better back, better receiver.
688. 27:51And I think the Dolphins will be, you know, a pretty okay offense relative to Las Vegas.
689. 27:57But we both know that Gentty's going to get a workload.
690. 28:00And it's hard to get guaranteed 300 plus opportunities.
691. 28:03It is the, you have the issue too of Fernando Mendoza is just waiting to take over.
692. 28:10Like, could he be better than Kirk Cousins?
693. 28:13Yeah, that is a variable.
694. 28:15But just historically, it's hard to make a transition to being a professional quarterback.
695. 28:21They don't come in and put up a whole bunch of stats, especially, you know, when it comes to touchdowns.
696. 28:28So there's a chance that halfway through the year, the offense gets worse.
697. 28:32As they're trying to acclimate Mendoza and look forward to 2027.
698. 28:37The opening schedule.
699. 28:38Cupcake Miami.
700. 28:40That's fantastic.
701. 28:41But then it's the Chargers.
702. 28:42Saints, okay.
703. 28:43But Chiefs at Patriots at home against Buffalo.
704. 28:47Like, this is an absolute.
705. 28:50This is a horrifically bad opening schedule for the Raiders.
706. 28:53And I guess, Jay, my question for you is, because Ashton Gentry is a great player.
707. 29:00But historically, you, one of your philosophies is you want to know for sure your first rounder is going to work.
708. 29:09Yeah, it's safe.
709. 29:10And it's, exactly, it's safe.
710. 29:12Because everyone in the first round has massive upside.
711. 29:15They wouldn't be in the first round if they didn't.
712. 29:16But Ashton Gentry feels very unsafe to me compared to the other guys there.
713. 29:23I would agree that he is a riskier pick at that point.
714. 29:28Where I've taken Ashton Gentry in drafts is oftentimes at the beginning of the second round.
715. 29:33And so then it's totally fine.
716. 29:36Yeah, so you don't think he's safe?
717. 29:38I do not.
718. 29:39I don't think the environment is safe at all.
719. 29:42You're a big Kubiak fan though, right?
720. 29:44I am.
721. 29:44Yeah, I like what they did with the line.
722. 29:46I think he's a safe pick.
723. 29:49You have to decide between a bunch of guys in this range.
724. 29:52And that's the issue for me.
725. 29:54But I mean, I don't think Hampton feels safe.
726. 29:56Hampton feels exciting.
727. 29:58I feel safer in the environment of the Chargers being a top 10 scoring offense.
728. 30:03Yeah.
729. 30:05Versus the Raiders feel like they'll probably be a bottom 10 scoring offense.
730. 30:08It's funny because it's like, Chase Brown feels safer.
731. 30:12Yes, he does to me.
732. 30:13But I guess what you're doing here when you draft Gentry is you're taking your percentage chance at the running back one overall.
733. 30:21That's what you're signing up for.
734. 30:23You're getting a guy who can.
735. 30:24I don't think Chase Brown would be the running back one overall.
736. 30:28Gentry has that kind of built-in talent.
737. 30:31He was the RB12 last year, and I don't know if I saw a worse situation for a running back in the league.
738. 30:39I mean, the worst team in the league, the worst quarterback in the league.
739. 30:41The worst coordinators in the league.
740. 30:43The worst coordinators in the league.
741. 30:44The worst offensive line coaches in the league last year.
742. 30:47All of it was terrible.
743. 30:48I just think the volume will outpace it.
744. 30:50But that's why the debate's fun.
745. 30:51I'm in on Gentry.
746. 30:52Yeah, you're back.
747. 30:52Okay.
748. 30:53Is this guy safe?
749. 30:55Number seven.
750. 30:56Don't care.
751. 30:57It's Ken Bone Walker.
752. 30:58Not safe.
753. 31:00It's so funny because he's, you know, I think he's very safe.
754. 31:08I think he is.
755. 31:09He's very safe.
756. 31:10I think his volume is way safer than people are really thinking through.
757. 31:15Oh, I thought you were going to say than Gentry.
758. 31:15I was like, that's crazy.
759. 31:16No, no, no, no.
760. 31:17But I'm saying, like, I think he's going to be an incredibly high-volume player.
761. 31:21You can go to the health, which, I mean, in terms of games played,
762. 31:29he's really only had one year that was a major bummer.
763. 31:32His rookie and sophomore year, he played 15 games.
764. 31:35If a running back misses two games, that's considered totally normal.
765. 31:3911 in 2024, okay, that's an injury problem.
766. 31:42And then he plays the whole year last year.
767. 31:43Obviously, it felt like the opportunities were being throttled with Zach Charbonnet
768. 31:48coming in.
769. 31:49But they gave him the cash.
770. 31:50I have zero concerns about Kenneth Walker.
771. 31:53They immediately went to go get him.
772. 31:55And all reports coming out of training camp for what this team,
773. 32:02the identity of this team, how much they're going to lean on Ken Walker,
774. 32:06and in the receiving game as well.
775. 32:10Walker at 209 is theft, in my opinion.
776. 32:16I mean, Andy Reid, Mahomes back, great offensive line,
777. 32:19no threat in the red zone, no threat in the passing game.
778. 32:23Maybe Brashard Smith takes some opportunities, whatever.
779. 32:27The identity of the team is built around Kenneth Walker now.
780. 32:30If he can just, you know.
781. 32:32When Andy Reid has a true stud.
782. 32:33Stay healthy, he's going to be a monster.
783. 32:34When Andy Reid has a stud at the running back position,
784. 32:38their workhorse.
785. 32:39Yeah.
786. 32:39Like, that's what he does.
787. 32:40He hasn't had a stud for years.
788. 32:43They're going to give him absolutely everything.
789. 32:46Yeah, he is very safe.
790. 32:47He is.
791. 32:48So here's my view of Walker.
792. 32:51Absolute monster.
793. 32:54I agree with you, Mike.
794. 32:56Steel of a draft at the back of the second.
795. 32:58The back of the second for a guy who's going to get all the work
796. 33:01for a team that's going to win a ton of games,
797. 33:03who is very talented, with a great offensive mind, line, everything.
798. 33:08With a top 10 offensive line.
799. 33:10He is every single check mark perfect across the board,
800. 33:17and I'm just waiting to see how it doesn't work.
801. 33:20That's how it feels.
802. 33:21Because somehow, some way, every year, whether it's injuries.
803. 33:24People are agreeing with that.
804. 33:25He played the entire season last year for the Super Bowl champs,
805. 33:29and he's the running back 22.
806. 33:3022, somehow, some way, I feel like he's just built to disappoint.
807. 33:36But how?
808. 33:37I don't know how.
809. 33:38I don't know how it's going to happen.
810. 33:39I honestly think it's just going to be fine.
811. 33:41I think it'll be something that we look back at the beginning
812. 33:43of Ken Walker's career with all those question marks,
813. 33:46and I've gotten to the point where I'm like,
814. 33:48I can't find the pathway where it doesn't work out other than injury,
815. 33:51which is everybody's pathway to not work out.
816. 33:53He's going to be awesome.
817. 33:55Agreed.
818. 33:56Number six.
819. 33:57All right, this guy ends up ahead of him because of me, I think.
820. 34:01Yes.
821. 34:02This is one of the flag plants that my numbers bore out.
822. 34:08Mike, what are you doing over there?
823. 34:09I just, I hate.
824. 34:11You hate your ranking?
825. 34:12I hate everything about this situation.
826. 34:14It's Devon A-chan.
827. 34:15Because A-chan is awesome.
828. 34:17Devon A-chan, I have him at four.
829. 34:18I got him as my running back four.
830. 34:20You guys at 10 and nine, being drafted at eight.
831. 34:22And obviously, I can't escape the talent and the volume that I think we're going to see.
832. 34:30I like Malik Willis.
833. 34:31I think the offense will get some stuff done.
834. 34:33There was a really funny clip, I think two days ago, with his head coach saying he's going to give him 40 to 45 opportunities a game.
835. 34:42It was awesome.
836. 34:42That he will literally not let him tap his head to come off the field.
837. 34:45That he will carry him back to the sideline after 40 carries a game.
838. 34:49You can't dream as a fantasy football manager for any coach to say anything better because there was no sarcasm.
839. 34:57I mean, obviously, it was hyperbolic.
840. 35:00But he's literally telling us the truth, which is he gets everything.
841. 35:05He's the center of the offense.
842. 35:08Yeah, this is a situation where I'm just, everybody has to pick their players that they're in on.
843. 35:13And you can always create storylines of why you believe or don't believe.
844. 35:17This is one where I believe the fantasy community is making a horrible mistake in doubting the production of Devon A-chan by carving out a bunch of reasons why it might not work for Miami.
845. 35:27100% of his games last year on a horrible team, he was above 10.5 fantasy points.
846. 35:32That is the best, most consistent running back that you had in football.
847. 35:36The identity of this team, the talent of this player, is just one where I'm like, I think we're going to screw up overanalyzing what can go wrong and not recognizing how many opportunities this player is going to have over the course of the year.
848. 35:49Yeah, I have him lower in my...
849. 35:51And he can score at any minute.
850. 35:53He can't.
851. 35:53I mean, he is a Gibbs level...
852. 35:55That's why I hate this.
853. 35:56He's a Gibbs level talent to me.
854. 35:57Yeah, he's awesome.
855. 35:59I would love to have A-chan on my roster.
856. 36:03I still like where I have him ranked at 10, which is obviously well behind you.
857. 36:09I won't end up with a lot of him simply because I think when push comes to shove and I'm deciding between these running backs we're talking about, all of these guys, the Jenty or A-chan, the Walker A-chan, the Chase Brown or A-chan.
858. 36:22Like, I'm going to end up with those other guys over A-chan.
859. 36:25And I could be making that terrible mistake like a lot of people are making that you're predicting, Andy.
860. 36:30My rationale for that is, you know, the last two years, no one has thrown the ball to the running back more than Tua.
861. 36:38You lose Tua.
862. 36:39You then replace him with a quarterback who can scramble and have mobility.
863. 36:42They're still going to throw the ball a lot to A-chan, but I would expect he gets fewer targets in the passing game than he had with McDaniel and Tua.
864. 36:50So if that comes down a little bit, and like I just said a minute ago, I think their offense is worse this year than it was last year, losing Waddle.
865. 36:58Obviously, you've got McDaniel, Waddle.
866. 37:00Just noise, man.
867. 37:01Just noise.
868. 37:02Just noise, sure.
869. 37:03In my estimation.
870. 37:05Remember when Cam Newton couldn't throw to running backs?
871. 37:07Right.
872. 37:08No, that's what I said.
873. 37:08He's going to get a lot of targets.
874. 37:10But are you saying you think Malik Willis will, without Mike McDaniel, Malik Willis will target A-chan more this year?
875. 37:16I think he'll get the same amount of targets.
876. 37:18I mean, we weren't talking about 105 Eckler targets.
877. 37:21We're talking about 85 targets.
878. 37:23Yeah, I think he'll get 85 targets.
879. 37:24You said they don't have Waddle?
880. 37:27Where do targets go?
881. 37:29Vacated targets from wide receivers often go to running back.
882. 37:32So I'm just saying, like, to me it's noise.
883. 37:34I'm not saying what you're saying is invalid at all.
884. 37:37I'm saying, to me, these are things that I think will get me a discount on him.
885. 37:40For you it won't be a discount because you won't have him.
886. 37:43It's just a flag plant for me on the talent.
887. 37:45Where is he going ADP-wise?
888. 37:47Is he ahead of early second?
889. 37:49Okay, so just as far as running backs go.
890. 37:53It's right.
891. 37:54For me, the hard part is right next to Chase Brown.
892. 37:57Hampton, Chase Brown, Walker.
893. 37:58And I prefer Chase Brown.
894. 37:59Yeah, Hampton, Chase Brown, Walker going behind him.
895. 38:02That'll be tough.
896. 38:03I mean, yeah.
897. 38:04Obviously, incredible talent.
898. 38:07Where did he finish last year?
899. 38:08Six.
900. 38:09Okay.
901. 38:10With his best points per game of his career.
902. 38:14He had 12 touchdowns.
903. 38:15Yeah.
904. 38:16Yeah.
905. 38:16I mean, the nice thing about him, he's exactly like Gibbs where on any play, even if they're
906. 38:21upper.
907. 38:22I mean, he had so many late fourth quarter games put out of reach, goes and scores from
908. 38:2765 yards.
909. 38:28I, to me, this, he got paid.
910. 38:31The other thing.
911. 38:31I mean, nobody talks about this, the commitment to him.
912. 38:34He's their face of the franchise.
913. 38:36And then you go listen to the coach talk.
914. 38:37I hate that.
915. 38:37I can't argue.
916. 38:38Yeah.
917. 38:39Like anything you're saying, like, yeah, no, those are all, those are all true things.
918. 38:43On the plus and the negative side, everything is true.
919. 38:47The one maybe tiebreaker when I'm looking at this is if he does get like 30 touches a
920. 38:54game, which would be outrageous.
921. 38:56He's 191 pounds.
922. 38:57I mean, he's probably heavier now.
923. 38:58But my point is like, there's also, he's undersized to be a, you know, carry an entire
924. 39:07team for two seasons in a row.
925. 39:10So.
926. 39:10All right.
927. 39:11Moving on.
928. 39:12Number five.
929. 39:13James Cook just keeps getting better.
930. 39:1812.4 fantasy points per game up to 15, up to 16.8 last year.
931. 39:23I mean.
932. 39:24And he feels like he gets no respect.
933. 39:26Even, even in my heart.
934. 39:27I think we got there.
935. 39:28I think we got there.
936. 39:28He's there for me mentally.
937. 39:30He's elite tier.
938. 39:31We are number five, number five, number four.
939. 39:35That's where we have him right.
940. 39:36He's got to let it wash over you.
941. 39:38I mean, he's being, I mean, being drafted as the RB five off the board.
942. 39:41I think we got there, Jay.
943. 39:42I think, I think it came with last year's performance leading the league in rushing.
944. 39:46I guess where I'm at is I never, ever, ever take James Cook because he's going where the
945. 39:53last of the elite wide receivers are.
946. 39:55So if I, if I'm deciding between like all these running backs that are at the next turn in
947. 40:01the second round, these, these Walker, H and Hampton, like I love all those guys and I don't
948. 40:06really love the wide receivers there.
949. 40:07Yeah.
950. 40:07That's so I just can't take James Cook there because I'm always taking JSN or Amon Ra or,
951. 40:12or, or, or CD and then coming around and grabbing these other running backs.
952. 40:15But James Cook's awesome.
953. 40:16Yeah.
954. 40:17That makes sense.
955. 40:17I mean, Jefferson or James Cook.
956. 40:19James Cook.
957. 40:20Okay.
958. 40:22Yeah.
959. 40:23CD regression has not existed for James Cook.
960. 40:25His opportunities ballooned from two 45 to three 49 last year.
961. 40:30Right.
962. 40:31There's rumors that they're going to pass more.
963. 40:34I could see them getting Cook more involved in the passing game.
964. 40:37He's got room to go up there.
965. 40:38If they run more, it's James Cook.
966. 40:40If they pass more, he'll have more.
967. 40:42He's so good.
968. 40:42Yes.
969. 40:43And he's on the bills.
970. 40:44Like he's on one of the best offices on the bill.
971. 40:47I mean, it's just like, you know, we're talking about H and the dolphins.
972. 40:51You're going to have so many touchdown opportunities.
973. 40:54Yeah.
974. 40:55It's just, it's just tough.
975. 40:56Cause I've like never drafted.
976. 40:57Yeah.
977. 40:57I mean, his quarterback will score 12 times on the ground and he'll still be fine.
978. 41:01That's the wild thing.
979. 41:02Yeah.
980. 41:02The, the, uh, those odds that I was giving earlier in the top five, both James Cook and,
981. 41:07uh, Josh Allen were, were in the top five and there's 32 teams.
982. 41:12And he's on the bills.
983. 41:14The bills.
984. 41:15All right.
985. 41:15We'll take a break.
986. 41:16We'll come back with our top four.
987. 41:21What's up foot clan.
988. 41:22You are confident and disciplined and focused on details.
989. 41:24Just like everyone here at the fancy footballers, right?
990. 41:27Those are words you've used to describe us.
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1004. 42:17Well, uh, you know, general overview of the top four.
1005. 42:24They're very good at football.
1006. 42:26Number four.
1007. 42:27Jonathan Taylor comes in at number four.
1008. 42:30I've got him, I guess, the lowest at six.
1009. 42:32Jason at four.
1010. 42:33Mike at five.
1011. 42:33He's being drafted at four.
1012. 42:35Um, he's really good.
1013. 42:38Oh, Jason's thank face.
1014. 42:40Yeah.
1015. 42:40I, I, I'm, I don't know, man.
1016. 42:43I'm getting a little bit sour on the Colts.
1017. 42:45Like I, I, it's so weird because I like the opportunity that Josh Jones has.
1018. 42:51I've talked about him a lot as one of the latest wide receivers that I really like.
1019. 42:55I love Tyler Warren dog.
1020. 42:58I just don't know if the vibes are great right now for the Colts.
1021. 43:02Um, their schedule is very, very difficult.
1022. 43:06They opened Baltimore, Kansas city, Houston, uh, Pittsburgh in week five.
1023. 43:10It's like, it's going to be tough sledding, uh, you know, so I don't know.
1024. 43:16I'm, I, I find myself not excited for Jonathan Taylor, but if you remember, and I've talked
1025. 43:21about this, like last year before Daniel Jones went down, he was the run away running back
1026. 43:25one.
1027. 43:26He was, he was, which he's done before, by the way, in 2021, he was points ahead of Christian
1028. 43:30McCaffrey, uh, until Daniel Jones went down and he's a freak of nature.
1029. 43:36I mean, you can point out the, he's coming off a tremendous workload.
1030. 43:40So back when he was the running back one in 2021, he had 383 opportunities, followed it
1031. 43:45up with two injury plagued seasons.
1032. 43:48He got back up to that number last year, 378 opportunities.
1033. 43:53That can be tough on a running back to stay healthy.
1034. 43:56Something you can pay attention to.
1035. 43:58And that is, you know, he's missed games one, two, three, four years of his career.
1036. 44:03Maybe that's in the back of your mind.
1037. 44:04I think Daniel Jones playing at an MVP level, them winning eight out of nine games certainly
1038. 44:10helped last year.
1039. 44:12He he's been a great running back when his team has been good.
1040. 44:15He's slowed down a little bit when obviously he hasn't had the quarterback player, the,
1041. 44:19the offense, but yeah, I mean, no complaints.
1042. 44:22Scored 20 fancy points per game last year on the season.
1043. 44:25That's including the, the second half of, you know, grandpa rivers throwing them the ball.
1044. 44:30Also the vacated targets on this team.
1045. 44:33We, you know, just like we talked about with HN losing waddle, the targets often go to
1046. 44:36the running back and he can catch it.
1047. 44:38He can catch it.
1048. 44:39Where's, I mean, is this similar to, uh, James cook where he's pretty close?
1049. 44:44I have James cook ahead of Jonathan Taylor now.
1050. 44:48Yeah.
1051. 44:49I'm just saying draft, like in, in the draft, and are you able to grab, um, you know, one
1052. 44:55of those JSN Amon.
1053. 44:56Oh yeah.
1054. 44:57You're in the same category.
1055. 44:59He's at one Oh six versus one Oh nine for cut.
1056. 45:00Yeah.
1057. 45:01I think, I think I'd rather have not CD, but if I could grab JSN or Amon raw Puka.
1058. 45:09Oh, definitely.
1059. 45:10I mean, Puka and Jamar chase ahead, but those four wide receivers, I think I would take over,
1060. 45:15over Jonathan Taylor.
1061. 45:16I mean, we, we, I feel like we're made a mistake not talking about Puka could get a suspension
1062. 45:22too.
1063. 45:23Yeah.
1064. 45:23That's been, uh, you know, he who Mike shall not name was reporting.
1065. 45:28Yeah.
1066. 45:29Uh, was reporting that, uh, both Puka and Jacobs, there are still discussions going on in the
1067. 45:37NFL as to potential suspensions.
1068. 45:41Number three.
1069. 45:42Christian McCaffrey comes in at number three.
1070. 45:44We all have him at number three.
1071. 45:45He's being drafted as number three.
1072. 45:48Um, but it'll probably be number one, right?
1073. 45:51It's, uh, there's really not much of a discussion to have here.
1074. 45:57It's if McCaffrey stays healthy, he's a, probably the number one running back or at the top three
1075. 46:06guy.
1076. 46:07So you say it at the floor of a healthy Christian McCaffrey, he's the running back three and
1077. 46:12a, but a difference maker at finishing at running back three.
1078. 46:16It just means two other guys happen to have like crazy seasons.
1079. 46:19He's coming off a season with 440 opportunities.
1080. 46:24If you remember the last time this has happened, I think DeMarco Murray in 2014 had four 49.
1081. 46:30That's a lot.
1082. 46:31I think the last time Christian McCaffrey had that many, including the.
1083. 46:36Oh no, he's actually never had that many.
1084. 46:39Well, I'm just saying his 2019 season, he had a 428 in season.
1085. 46:44Um, man.
1086. 46:46And then he was of course missed the next year with injury.
1087. 46:49It's.
1088. 46:50There's no one you feel more nervous about injury with.
1089. 46:52Still.
1090. 46:53And that's fair.
1091. 46:54But I mean, anybody can get hurt other than you told me Bijan can't last year.
1092. 46:59Which you were right.
1093. 46:59And I was right.
1094. 47:00I mean, I will say this, the, the injury stuff that we talk about with these players and you
1095. 47:04go, well, anyone can get injured.
1096. 47:05That's true.
1097. 47:06I don't really care about injury history that much for most guys.
1098. 47:09But what I do care about when it comes to the potential for injury is age.
1099. 47:13Sure.
1100. 47:13So like when I look at Saquon and Christian McCaffrey coming off of large workloads and
1101. 47:18they're 30, that's where it's like, it's just, you know, it's, it's more, it's more
1102. 47:24difficult to recover quickly.
1103. 47:26Should an injury happen.
1104. 47:28Is it more comforting to say three of the past four years he has been number one or number
1105. 47:36two?
1106. 47:36That's very comforting.
1107. 47:38Yeah.
1108. 47:38That's a good way to put it.
1109. 47:39That's nice.
1110. 47:40Like those, the, the two Carolina years, I mean, that's just, that he's so fluky stuff.
1111. 47:46He's, he's so good.
1112. 47:48The offense, you know, they keep losing their wide receivers.
1113. 47:52Christian McCaffrey last year, 129 targets.
1114. 47:57There's, there's not a world where he doesn't get a hundred plus targets again.
1115. 48:01And it's just somehow remains unstoppable.
1116. 48:05Cause he's, he, he caught 102 of them for 924, 924 yards.
1117. 48:11That's 9.1 yards per catch.
1118. 48:13Like these are high numbers for, for a running back.
1119. 48:16It's very effective.
1120. 48:17He's had seven receiving touchdowns in two of the past three years.
1121. 48:22And the one when he'd had none is cause that was a, one of the years he got hurt.
1122. 48:27It's what do you, it's time to ask yourself, what do you believe?
1123. 48:32Will he get hurt or will he not?
1124. 48:34Yeah.
1125. 48:34I mean, I think the only reason he's not going to number one is because you have two guys this year.
1126. 48:38Yes.
1127. 48:39That are significantly younger that have already proven it.
1128. 48:43And so you get to take the odds, right?
1129. 48:47Yes.
1130. 48:48You get to take odds with you that these guys are going to be better starting with number two.
1131. 48:53B. John Robinson.
1132. 48:55Yeah.
1133. 48:55He's pretty good.
1134. 48:57Um, before the last thought I had on, on McCaffrey, because I'm, I'm looking at this strategically for 2026.
1135. 49:05You're, you're in that first round of the draft.
1136. 49:08Personally, I find that the top, those top four wide receivers that I love, I'm leaning towards them over James Cook and over, uh, Jonathan Taylor.
1137. 49:19And I, I can't decide when I'm, when I'm there and I'm staring at JSN, Amon Ra and Christian McCaffrey, which one is the right pick?
1138. 49:29Can you guys just tell me?
1139. 49:30It's probably CMC.
1140. 49:32Unfortunately, I cannot.
1141. 49:33I, I knew what it was last year, but I, I don't know this year.
1142. 49:36Um, yeah, I mean, the, the, the, you, a more valuable thing for your team is if you get Christian McCaffrey playing at a high level.
1143. 49:43That's the most valuable thing.
1144. 49:44Fair.
1145. 49:45B. John, number two, gotten better every single year.
1146. 49:48Got paid this off season.
1147. 49:50Oh wait, that's the same thing with number one.
1148. 49:54Jameer Gibbs gotten better every single year.
1149. 49:56Got paid this off season.
1150. 49:57Both are 24 years old.
1151. 49:58Both lost their backups that encroached on touchdowns for them.
1152. 50:02One's on a really good team.
1153. 50:04Yeah.
1154. 50:04I mean, that's, that's the biggest difference is one is on a team projected to score, uh, you know, top three in the NFL.
1155. 50:10And one is, you know, a 500 at best team that is not projected to score as much.
1156. 50:17The path for B. John to outscore Jameer Gibbs is it's Tua.
1157. 50:21It's Tua is the quarterback for the vast majority of the season.
1158. 50:25And then, and we continue to see the, the highest check down to the running back rate that we continue to see that.
1159. 50:31I think it's, that's to me, like, that's kind of the only way.
1160. 50:34But think about what you just said with your words and your mouth.
1161. 50:36Yeah.
1162. 50:37You just said that the, his best, his, the thing I know is best for him is Tua.
1163. 50:41That's why he said, that's why I have moved B. John to two.
1164. 50:44I'm with you guys on good.
1165. 50:45It says something though, to me, what you looked up earlier, Gibbs is the number one highest odds of double digit touchdowns.
1166. 50:51B. John did not crack that list of the top six.
1167. 50:55That says something to me.
1168. 50:56That's a differentiator.
1169. 50:57I think Gibbs has the potential this season to have one of those years, an LT style, CMC style.
1170. 51:05He could, I feel like he has the chance to score the most fantasy points ever at the running back position.
1171. 51:10I mean, you look at what Dan Campbell's philosophy was as an offense with a team with Montgomery who could catch the football.
1172. 51:16When he took over as the play caller, Gibbs had the seventh most receptions of any player in the NFL.
1173. 51:21That's what you need.
1174. 51:22That's the LT.
1175. 51:23That's a CMC.
1176. 51:24You want this guy to be like standalone.
1177. 51:26If he was just a wide receiver with the receiver numbers, he's in the top five at the position.
1178. 51:31And so that is in the realm of possibilities because the offense, Detroit favored in 14 of 17, potential to score a ton of points.
1179. 51:39That's the differentiator.
1180. 51:40Both guys are going to be awesome.
1181. 51:42Both guys could easily finish number one.
1182. 51:45It's funny because they neither has.
1183. 51:47I mean, they haven't had that year.
1184. 51:48It's like when Chase had never finished at one and we're like, we always drafted him at the top because you know it's coming.
1185. 51:54I mean, you know, it's just the offensive system.
1186. 51:58It's the same reason you said you like Hampton more than Gentiles.
1187. 52:01This is a year where frequently I don't want the number one pick.
1188. 52:07Like you'll have, you know, kind of a tier of, oh, here's five or maybe even six guys.
1189. 52:13I want to start my draft with them.
1190. 52:15So I'd rather start where my second pick is going to be better.
1191. 52:19The way that ADP and the market looks like it's shaking out this year.
1192. 52:24I want the number one pick.
1193. 52:27I want Gibbs because on the way back that turn, I'm going to get two other.
1194. 52:31The two, three turn is great.
1195. 52:32Yes.
1196. 52:33I love the players going in that range.
1197. 52:35So if I could stack it with the guy who has the highest potential of carrying teams into the fantasy playoffs and fantasy championships,
1198. 52:45I will actually want the number one pick this year.
1199. 52:47Yeah, we talked about Gibbs is, you know, as far as the sportsbook odds to have 10 regular season rushing touchdowns,
1200. 52:54he's number one in the league.
1201. 52:55And Bijan is number eight in the league.
1202. 52:59But Jameer Gibbs to have double digit touchdowns is minus 370.
1203. 53:05That means if you want to make $100, you have to bet $370.
1204. 53:11It's that kind of.
1205. 53:12Yeah, you want me to blow your mind?
1206. 53:15And here are players that had more carries inside the five than Bijan and Gibbs last year.
1207. 53:19Sean Tucker, Blake Corum, Jacory Krosky, Chris Rodriguez, Ramondre.
1208. 53:25Both players should have more opportunities in that regard.
1209. 53:29Where's my bill drop?
1210. 53:30There it is.
1211. 53:32So it's like you take Gibbs, 19 plus fantasy points per game, two straight years.
1212. 53:37Bijan, 18 plus, two straight years.
1213. 53:39And you give them goal line.
1214. 53:42And then Gibbs is on a good team.
1215. 53:43I don't know.
1216. 53:44These are easy picks.
1217. 53:46You know, I think in a different season, CMC is the number one pick.
1218. 53:49If these guys are not just entering their prime at 24 years old, I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't.
1219. 53:55I will say this.
1220. 53:56If you want to shoot the shot on CMC, I don't think you're doing a wrong thing there.
1221. 54:01I mean, San Francisco should win games.
1222. 54:04He did stay healthy all last year.
1223. 54:05He takes care of himself.
1224. 54:07His injuries have been freak injuries.
1225. 54:09If you want to do it, do you think that's wrong?
1226. 54:11I don't think it's wrong.
1227. 54:13You're just the level of fire that you need to be there is maybe not worth it.
1228. 54:18But, you know, like the argument for McCaffrey, so two of the last three years, because we're sandwiched with a...
1229. 54:25He played four games and did nothing for fantasy.
1230. 54:28But 22.4 points per game and 21.5 points per game.
1231. 54:35Neither Jameer or Bijan in their first three years has surpassed 20 points per game.
1232. 54:42So the ceiling for McCaffrey might be a little higher.
1233. 54:47But when you're weighing out the risk of what those other two guys are, I'll take them.
1234. 54:51Yeah.
1235. 54:52I...
1236. 54:52Since we've been talking through the top 10 and we've been talking about 10 rushing touchdowns and the odds, a couple other interesting tidbits to close out the top 10.
1237. 55:03I noticed that...
1238. 55:04So Bijan was 8th.
1239. 55:06Gente is 13th.
1240. 55:11Highest odds at the running back position.
1241. 55:13Who's...
1242. 55:13Wait.
1243. 55:14So who's between Bijan and Gente?
1244. 55:16Between Bijan and Gente is Saquon Barkley, Amarian Hampton, David Montgomery.
1245. 55:23Yeah.
1246. 55:23Yeah.
1247. 55:23I mean, they're a good team.
1248. 55:24Ken Walker III and then Gente.
1249. 55:26Where's Chase Brown?
1250. 55:27Chase Brown...
1251. 55:28For 10 rushing touchdowns.
1252. 55:29Yeah, he's got to be nowhere, right?
1253. 55:31Chase Brown is...
1254. 55:32You'd have to combine the rushing receiving.
1255. 55:34...is a little further down.
1256. 55:36He is a...
1257. 55:37Devon Achan is 23rd.
1258. 55:39Yeah.
1259. 55:40So Chase Brown is ahead of that, but yeah.
1260. 55:43All right.
1261. 55:44Let's do some mailbag.
1262. 55:48Mailbag.
1263. 55:49Mailbag.
1264. 55:50Oh, yeah!
1265. 55:51Alec in Wisconsin.
1266. 55:52By the way, if you have a question, go to the site, thefantasyfootballers.com.
1267. 55:55Click that submit a question button or dial our voicemail hotline.
1268. 55:58302464-TFFB.
1269. 56:00Alec in Wisconsin says, hey, Baller, simple question.
1270. 56:03If I'm a rebuilding team in Dynasty, would you trade away Jonathan Brooks off his hype?
1271. 56:08Or hold out and hope he takes over and you have a better value?
1272. 56:13I would be the latter.
1273. 56:15I would do the latter.
1274. 56:17I don't think the trade value on Jonathan Brooks is as good as it could get.
1275. 56:20So let's just say, if you could get a 27 late first.
1276. 56:26Oh, I would do that immediately.
1277. 56:27I mean, I'd do that.
1278. 56:27Yeah.
1279. 56:28Okay.
1280. 56:28I think it's more of a, can you get a second?
1281. 56:31I would not do it.
1282. 56:32You could definitely get a second.
1283. 56:33Do it for a second.
1284. 56:33I think you can definitely get a second for Jonathan Brooks right now.
1285. 56:36He's very young.
1286. 56:38So we're both, we're both, I think all three of us are the same, which is, if you can get
1287. 56:41a first for Jonathan Brooks.
1288. 56:42Yes, do it.
1289. 56:43I would do it.
1290. 56:44And don't do it for a second.
1291. 56:46Johnny Johnson writing in from Grand Junction.
1292. 56:49John.
1293. 56:49Johnny Johnson and Grand Junction.
1294. 56:51I don't think that's a real name.
1295. 56:52Grand Junction.
1296. 56:52Jollorado.
1297. 56:53That's not a real name.
1298. 56:55It is a real name.
1299. 56:56He used to play running back for the Cardinals when I was born.
1300. 56:58We had a Johnny Johnson.
1301. 57:00What was his middle name?
1302. 57:01Jonathan.
1303. 57:02Jonathan.
1304. 57:03Steve.
1305. 57:04Who does?
1306. 57:05What has been?
1307. 57:06My last name's Johnson.
1308. 57:08What should we name our son?
1309. 57:09John.
1310. 57:10I don't get it.
1311. 57:12It literally says son of John.
1312. 57:14What has been your least favorite draft spot to draft from and why?
1313. 57:18Not the first.
1314. 57:21Least favorite spot?
1315. 57:23I think my least favorite is.
1316. 57:25Wherever I have to take Jefferson.
1317. 57:27I mean, that might be my real answer.
1318. 57:30Yeah.
1319. 57:30Wherever I feel backed into Jefferson.
1320. 57:34Because the problem is, is you get maybe two swings at that decision.
1321. 57:38If you're at nine, 10, 11.
1322. 57:40Yeah.
1323. 57:41Or eight.
1324. 57:42You pass on him.
1325. 57:43Oh, gosh.
1326. 57:44I didn't take him.
1327. 57:44I took.
1328. 57:45I took Jinty.
1329. 57:46Yeah.
1330. 57:46All right.
1331. 57:46Oh, no.
1332. 57:47He's there again.
1333. 57:48Yeah.
1334. 57:48I think right now my least favorite spot is around like nine, nine to 12.
1335. 57:55Those, those, that's where I don't want to be this year.
1336. 57:57It hasn't felt great.
1337. 57:58All right.
1338. 57:58We're going to wrap it up.
1339. 57:59We got a mock draft show tomorrow and we're bringing the mock draft mayhem back by popular
1340. 58:05request.
1341. 58:05And on Friday, one of our biggest episodes, top 10 tips and tricks.
1342. 58:09Don't miss it.
1343. 58:10We'll talk to you then.
1344. 58:11Goodbye.
1345. 58:14Thank you for listening to another episode of the fantasy footballers podcast.
1346. 58:19Join our fantasy football community on join the foot.com and follow us on Twitter at the
1347. 58:25FF ballers.
1348. 58:26...
1349. 58:40...
1350. 58:40...