PodcastFrom Fantasy Focus Football
The HOTTEST Takes for the 2026 Fantasy Football Season | ESPN Fantasy
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
34 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Aug 26, 2026
Published
Wed, August 26, 2026
22
Player insights
20
Players mentioned
Topics
Christian McCaffreyJalen HurtsBrian Thomas Jr.Bucky IrvingChase BrownColston LovelandGeorge KittleIsiah PachecoJames CookJaxon Smith-NjigbaJonathan TaylorJonathon BrooksJustin HerbertJustin Jefferson
Player analysis
Player insights
Brian Thomas Jr.
PositiveBreakout26:10
Brian Thomas Jr. is identified as a strong candidate to be the best Jaguars wide receiver in points per game, despite currently being drafted as the third option on the team. While his production was largely tied to Mac Jones, his ceiling significantly exceeds that of Parker Washington or Jakobi Meyers.
Insight pageBucky Irving
NegativeBust29:12
The take that Bucky Irving will finish as a top-five running back is dismissed due to his playing style, the Buccaneers' three-headed backfield committee, and a shoulder injury.
Insight pageChase Brown
PositiveValue28:31
Chase Brown is highly recommended as a running back target in the second or third round, with Gatorade Electrolytes ranking him inside their top ten.
Insight pageChristian McCaffrey
NegativeBust10:38
Liz Loza and Daniel Dopp both project Christian McCaffrey to finish outside the top 10 running backs. McCaffrey is 30 years old and coming off a career-high 450 touches. His efficiency has already declined, evidenced by a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season, and the analysts expect further regression in both his rushing and receiving production.
Insight pageNegativeValue28:14
Christian McCaffrey is discussed as a potential pick at the 1.05 spot in a 12-team half-PPR draft, though Gatorade Electrolytes suggests passing on him in favor of high-tier wide receivers.
Insight pageColston Loveland
PositiveBreakout7:25
Liz Loza projects Colston Loveland to finish as the overall TE1. She notes that Trey McBride's 11-touchdown season is likely to regress and that Brock Bowers struggled with a sophomore slump and injury. Loveland, who was the TE2 from weeks 9-18 last season, showed elite production in his final four games, averaging 12 targets, 7 catches, and 94.5 yards per game.
Insight pageGeorge Kittle
PositiveProjection21:55
Liz Loza projects George Kittle to finish as the TE1 on a points-per-game basis. Despite his age, Kittle averaged 19.2 fantasy points per game from weeks 8-18 last season. Loza argues that with an aging Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, Kittle remains the primary pass-catching threat in the San Francisco offense.
Insight pageIsiah Pacheco
PositiveProjection29:16
Daniel Dopp projects Isaiah Pacheco to score more rushing touchdowns than Breece Hall. Dopp notes that Pacheco is effective in goal-line situations and could match David Montgomery's previous production in that role. Conversely, Hall has never exceeded five rushing touchdowns in a season and is entering year five with a groin issue and competition from Braelon Allen.
Insight pageJalen Hurts
NegativeProjection21:36
Jalen Hurts is projected to finish outside the top 10 quarterbacks due to expected regression in efficiency and a perceived decrease in the quality of weapons within the Philadelphia offense.
Insight pageNegativeBust33:37
Liz Loza projects Jalen Hurts to finish outside the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks. She highlights a steady decline in his fantasy points per game from 25 in 2022 to 18.7 last season. Loza attributes this to the loss of AJ Brown, decreased efficiency in the 'tush push' (under 63% conversion rate), and a tougher late-season schedule.
Insight pageJames Cook
PositiveValue18:25
Daniel Dopp and Liz Loza view James Cook as an undervalued asset who is being overlooked by fantasy managers. They suggest he is a better target than Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor, noting that the Bills are expected to increase his involvement in the passing game.
Insight pageJaxon Smith-Njigba
PositiveValue28:14
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is highlighted as a top-tier wide receiver target for a team drafting from the fifth position in a 12-team league.
Insight pageJonathan Taylor
NegativeBust15:38
Daniel Dopp projects Jonathan Taylor to finish outside the top 12 running backs. Taylor has exceeded 300 carries in back-to-back seasons, a threshold that historically correlates with poor follow-up performance; only four of 13 comparable backs in the last 15 years played every game the following season. Dopp expects efficiency regression despite the Colts' offense running through him.
Insight pageJonathon Brooks
PositiveBreakout24:19
Liz Loza expects Jonathan Brooks to take over the Panthers' backfield by Halloween. She notes that the team ignored the position in the draft, leaving no rookie competition, and that Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring issue. Loza believes Brooks could start as the RB1 by week one.
Insight pageJustin Herbert
PositiveProjection30:38
Justin Herbert is considered a strong candidate to finish as a top-10 quarterback under the new offensive scheme.
Insight pageJustin Jefferson
NegativeProjection24:46
While finishing as the WR1 is a possibility, it is considered a bold take because the team is relying on Kyler Murray to learn a new playbook and solve offensive problems, and the top of the wide receiver rankings is extremely competitive with players like Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase.
Insight pageKenneth Gainwell
PositiveUsage29:36
Kenneth Gainwell is projected to potentially match Bucky Irving in fantasy points, with Gatorade Electrolytes noting he could draw 90 targets in full-point PPR formats.
Insight pageKenneth Walker III
PositiveValue28:25
Kenneth Walker III is recommended as a target for managers looking for a running back in the second or third round of a 12-team draft.
Insight pageLadd McConkey
PositiveBreakout30:44
Ladd McConkey is a high-upside target who is preferred over Davante Adams at current draft costs. He is compared to Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a potential breakout candidate in his second season.
Insight pageMichael Pittman
PositiveProjection5:11
Daniel Dopp projects Michael Pittman Jr. to finish as a top-25 wide receiver, citing his role as a 'short area king' who benefits from Aaron Rodgers' declining arm strength and reliance on short-area passing. Despite a tough strength of schedule for the Steelers, Dopp argues this will lead to increased target volume over the middle. Pittman is currently a value pick with a 10th-round ADP.
Insight pageParker Washington
NegativeUsage26:21
Parker Washington is noted as having a solid floor, but there is skepticism regarding his overall ceiling compared to Brian Thomas Jr. in the Jaguars' offense.
Insight pageSean Tucker
NegativeUsage29:51
Sean Tucker is noted as a factor in the Buccaneers' backfield who is expected to vulture frustrating touchdowns.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00Propel Fitness Water with Gatorade Electrolytes, Zero Sugar, and Vitamins.
0:03Propel Hydrates Better Than Water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self.
0:10What propels you? Propel with Gatorade Electrolytes. It's coming now a little bit.
0:15Um, hold on. You were a little cocky in the beginning.
0:18I'm Liz Loza. This is Facts vs. Feelings. And today's fact is that cooler heads don't always prevail.
0:24Hi, Daniel Dopp. Hi, Liz Loza. We're back in Bristol.
0:28Yes, that means I'm out of the little box, back in the big box.
0:32It's getting a little confusing which box you're going to put me in week in and week out, but that's how this goes.
0:40We don't put people in boxes. Thank you. I mean, we do for a job, but I don't know.
0:46You do. You do. You do, actually. No big deal.
0:49Yeah, yeah, yeah. We put people in tears. We don't put people in boxes.
0:54Speaking of tears, we might shed some on today's episode.
0:57Oi! Come back and finish me off, you wimp!
1:00What's the matter? Too spicy for ya! Yeah, we're doing some hot takes, my friends.
1:05Hot takes episode. That means we're going to bring four hot takes to the table.
1:10Each one is going to get more and more spicy as we move on.
1:14We've got four spices, hot sauces ready for us.
1:17Yeah. I don't even want to think about it.
1:20No, we should just go for it. I'm dreading this because I've done it once already.
1:26This is your first time. I've never done it on camera.
1:29I'm pumped to be able to do this here with you.
1:33Also, we are not, there are no retakes. No, this is it.
1:37This is it. It's one and done. So, it is time for some hot sauce and some hot takes.
1:43What are we going to do to prep the situation?
1:46We've got some honey. I think we should coat the tummy with some...
1:51All right, we're going to coat the... This is how it works, and I have never done this before.
1:57I think this is a Hollywood trick. You coat your stomach?
2:00Coat the esophagus and your stomach. How much do I do?
2:04Just squirt it in there. I don't know. Oh, that's a lot.
2:08Oh, whoa, whoa. I didn't do that much. Why don't you tell me?
2:12I asked for a lot. I don't know. I'm just...
2:16I've never done... You're the professional here. I've never done this before.
2:19And then we've got... You've got chocolate milk. Yes.
2:22I've got coconut milk. Yep. And an old school Hollywood buffet of hot sauces.
2:27I love the studio rep. Okay. What's the first one?
2:30The very first one that we're going to have here starts on the left.
2:35This is sriracha. Pickled garlic. Pickled garlic sriracha. Okay.
2:38So we're going to start mild, medium, spicy. You want me to go first?
2:42You go first. All right. Now I'm going to start here.
2:46I'm going to take a chip. Okay. I'm going to load it up with this sauce first.
2:52And we have four of them, by the way.
2:55Let's see. Oh, hold on. This is... I got to get some of this out of here first.
3:00That's your throw up cup. I understand. I understand.
3:03All right. That's a lot. Is that a lot?
3:06That's a lot. Here we go. This is how we're doing the first one.
3:11My first hot take is that Michael Pittman finishes as a top 25 wide receiver in fantasy.
3:17And you know why? I can feel it now.
3:19It kicked in a little bit. Boy, this is where we're starting.
3:23Oh, my God. What did they do to us?
3:26Okay. Michael Pittman Jr. Short area king. I know you love a short area king, Liz Loza.
3:32Perfect match for his quarterback in Aaron Rodgers because of his declining skill set.
3:37Can't throw the ball super far downfield, but he can still throw the ball short.
3:41Last year, Aaron Rodgers had 5.8 air yards per attempt, which was 33rd in the NFL.
3:47Where's a backup quarterback? That's also, though, why Kenny Gainwell had such a good season.
3:52He's not there anymore, though. I think that's a point you're trying to get to.
3:57That's the whole point, Liz. So Steelers right now have the fourth hardest strength of schedule at the wide receiver spot.
4:03And Aaron Rodgers actually has the 10th hardest strength of schedule at the quarterback position.
4:08I actually think that helps out my Michael Pittman take because I think that just means more and more dump offs from
4:16Aaron Rodgers to Michael Pittman over the middle. That's a perfect amount.
4:20His ADP is in the 10th round. Great value.
4:22That is my mild take. My weakest of all my takes.
4:26Top 25 for Michael Pittman, Jr. How are you feeling as I prep mine?
4:31Good. Good. I feel good. It was hot at first in the mouth, but it didn't do like any cerebral stuff yet.
4:38OK, so my mild take, and this probably shouldn't be much of a surprise, but it is that Colston Loveland finishes.
4:45Do I have to say it? No, you're not.
4:48You're looking at me like, OK. All right. You do.
4:51All right. I got to eat it. I got to eat it.
4:55That's all right. Everyone loves eating on camera. It's like one of our favorite things to do is like have someone film you while you eat food.
5:04That's not bad. No. That's not bad at all.
5:07Well, OK. I'm quite a bit whiter than you are.
5:10So like all of these are going to be a little warmer for me.
5:15Oh, this is fine. Colston Loveland will finish as tight end, as fantasy's tight end one overall.
5:20Here's why. McBride had three touchdowns in 2024 and then 11 in 2025.
5:24That is why we don't chase touchdowns. They're that fluky.
5:28So we expect those 11 touchdowns to regress this coming season.
5:31Brock Bowers, who's obviously the other top ranked tight end.
5:35Um, epic rookie season, but then a kind of slump of a sophomore effort.
5:39He did hurt his foot in week one. He was working through that injury.
5:44So I think there's plenty of opportunity here for Colston Loveland, who after being unleashed by Ben Johnson, exploded.
5:50He was fantasy's tight end two from weeks nine through 18.
5:54And over his last four games of the season, I love these stats.
5:58He averaged 12 targets, seven catches and 94 and a half receiving yards per game over his last four, including the playoffs.
6:05Medium take. Mm. You guys have heard me say this before.
6:09What is this one, Liz? This one is called tropical amarillo.
6:12That means yellow in Spanish. Oh, okay. Nice. It's probably derived from the amarillo pepper.
6:17Okay. That's. Oh, it's. Yikes. That's what it looks like when it comes out.
6:22I'm going to say that. I brought my wipes, by the way, if you need them, if we need to stop down.
6:29All right. Is that enough? I think so. All right.
6:32Let me draw. This is the second one. I'll let Liz go ahead and do it too.
6:38All right. My take. Yeah. That Christian McCaffrey will finish outside the top 10 at the running back spot.
6:44That doesn't hit me as hard as the first one.
6:48Amarillo. I wonder if it's going to be one of those sneaky ones.
6:52I hate it when they sneak up on you like that.
6:55All right. We'll see. This isn't bad so far.
6:58Well, you know what? I think CMC's regression is going to sneak up on fantasy managers because you and I are in lockstep on this one.
7:07Yes, we are, girl. All right. 450 touches last year across the regular season and the playoffs.
7:12Most of his career. It's his third season in the NFL with more than 400 touches.
7:18The dude is just a king at the running back spot.
7:21We know that. But he's 30 years old, coming off the heaviest workload that he has ever had.
7:27Historically, we see running backs regress. I understand the idea is that a lot of that production came from the receiving game.
7:34I still think there can be regression in the receiving game and the efficiency that he has there because the running game
7:42regression already has started to happen with Christian McCaffrey.
7:45I was all in on him last year. 3.9 yards per carry, career low yards per carry for Christian McCaffrey.
7:51But that was masked. That lack of efficiency was masked by the work in the passing game.
7:57We were both more in on him last year than we are this year.
8:01This is why fantasy football is played in different seasons.
8:052025 is not 2026. It's a new year, baby.
8:08That's right. So I am out this year. I think there are plenty of other heavy hitters at the running back position that I'll be able to target.
8:17And even if I don't want Christian McCaffrey in the first round, there's plenty of other superstars at the wide receiver spot even I could pivot to.
8:26So I got to be honest. I am disappointed.
8:29This one didn't hit me as hard, Liz. I don't know why.
8:32Oh, well, that first one didn't hit me at all.
8:36I'm sure the last ones will. OK, well, we'll see.
8:39Also, just to your point, like this was one of the arguments I made about Saquon Barkley last year and I was like, boom, we don't like it.
8:48And you were spot on about it. Finished as the RB14 overall.
8:52So it's not that I don't think either of us believe that Christian McCaffrey won't put up numbers.
8:58It's just that they will not be top three numbers.
9:01And that's how he's being drafted. I just want to make sure everyone understands that point.
9:07Fully with you. I'm also. Well, I got it.
9:10I got to eat. Oh, yeah, you got to do this first.
9:14Yeah. Yeah. We're both talking about running backs here, though.
9:17I like that our our next spicy take is is two running back takes here.
9:22How does it feel to you? I'm fine. Yeah, I.
9:25All right. That's fine. Well, then that means the last two are going to be really bad.
9:31We're going to get cocky. Yes. I also think fantasy managers are getting a little cocky when they draft Jonathan Taylor because
9:38they are expecting that a player who has cleared 300 touches in back to back seasons was one carry shy of the
9:45rule of 370 last season will just continue to thrive off of volume.
9:49Now, again, he might do that. He's going to see.
9:53I mean, when I look at the Colts offense, do I think it's not going to run through Jonathan Taylor?
9:59No, of course it is. But I don't think he can be efficient.
10:03And I do expect him to regress because here is a this is a kind of intense stat.
10:09I'm actually glad I put this one here because you have to pay attention for it.
10:15But Taylor is one of just two running backs to have gone over 300 carries in back to back seasons of the other 13.
10:22Just six reached 1000 rushing yards in the following year.
10:26And only four of those 13 running backs played every game the following season.
10:30They were LaDainian Tomlinson, Chris Johnson, Michael Turner and Marshawn Lynch.
10:34So that is 15 years worth of data. Yeah.
10:37We're talking four players that basically we're hoping that Jonathan Taylor makes it five.
10:41Yep. So that's it. I think Jonathan Taylor finishes outside of the top 12 fantasy producers at the position.
10:48And that's another guy that where you're drafting the running back.
10:51So he's probably coming off the board as either running back three, four or five in your league.
10:57I can't see him. You know, it depends on how you feel about CMC.
11:02I don't think he's going too much after James Cook.
11:05That's the thing, though. I would rather have James Cook over CMC or Jonathan Taylor.
11:10I think he's completely under the radar and being overlooked because.
11:14I don't know, I think everybody kind of like just takes the Bills offense for granted because they find the passing game frustrating.
11:21Agreed. I'm with you on that. And James Cook, they talked about adding more passing game work.
11:27Receiving work. Yes. Like that could be so good.
11:30All right. That's not what we're talking about. OK.
11:33I like it. All right. Low energy, unfocused, foggy.
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12:20This is where I think things get spicy. Maybe the rubber meets the road.
12:25Oh, no, that's Da Bomb. That's what they put on.
12:28I know. Yeah, I know. Is it Da Bomb X?
12:31Is the X the last one? I'm skipping ahead.
12:34I'm not sure. I've had that X one. I'm not.
12:38I'm not sure. Oof. Let's just see how this.
12:41Oof, that's really. I'm like really fine right now, though.
12:44I haven't even had it. Well. That's thick. It is thick.
12:47Is that too much? Is that not enough? I'm going to spread it out.
12:52I don't know. I like that you're going first, though.
12:55Okay, there we go. This is Da Bomb. Okay.
12:58This is my spicy take. I might need Q.
13:01I may need some more milk here, depending on how this one goes.
13:05Wow. Whoa. Oh, no, no, no. Do you need tissues?
13:09Whoa. That's different. You got to spit out. That's different.
13:12I'm going to say it before I can't talk.
13:15George Kittle finishes as tight end one on a points per game basis.
13:19Holy smokes. Holy smokes. I also. Liz? Yeah. That one's real.
13:23Okay, okay. Okay. Okay, so listen. George Kittle's last seven seasons in the league.
13:27Oh, no. I'm scared. Tight end three. Tight end two.
13:31Tight end three. Tight end four. Tight end two.
13:34Tight end six. Tight end one. Tight end three.
13:37Last season. Last season. Are you laughing at my pain?
13:40No, I'm laughing in line for the roller coaster and people are coming off.
13:45I'm already crying. Okay. Weeks eight through 18 average 19.2 fantasy points per game.
13:49That was tight end one. Do you want to get any of this gone?
13:54Do we need to piss all of us out for this season?
13:58Mike Evans is old AF. Why are you crying?
14:01It's really hot. Debo Samuel is 30. Stripling's a rookie.
14:04Doesn't know there's offense. George Kittle could be the tight end one on a points per game basis.
14:10And then we'll pass catch on San Francisco. Okay.
14:13Can I tell you? I need to take the time out.
14:16Okay, that's fine. You speak now. Can I tell you that I did my takes out of order?
14:22What? I did. We can't retake this, Liz. I know.
14:26So I'm going to go back and I did the hot sauces in the right order.
14:31But my medium take, I jumped straight to my spicy take.
14:34But I'm going to eat this first. You put double dips, I think.
14:39Okay. All right. Here we go. It feels really nice when the liquid is just in my mouth.
14:45Not after I swallow, but it just coats it.
14:48Oh, I just want to keep it in there.
14:50It's real peppery. But I'm not that bad. I'm okay.
14:54Maybe I should see. Okay. You are inhuman. So my medium take is that I've been obviously talking up Jonathan Brooks over Jonathan Brooks throughout the preseason.
15:03I think he's going to take over the Panthers backfield by Halloween.
15:07But I actually don't think that that's that spicy and the bomb is supposed to be very spicy.
15:12What? So I'm going to say by week one, I'm kind of okay.
15:17Okay. Mike Clay even said today on Focus that he thought it's coming now a little bit.
15:22Hold on. You were a little cocky in the beginning.
15:26It's not horrible, but I am nervous for the next one.
15:29How do you think I feel? I just think Jonathan Brooks, no Rico Dowdle.
15:34The position was ignored by the team over the NFL draft.
15:37So there's zero rookie competition. And Chuba Harper's got this hamstring issue.
15:41Yeah. So I think Jonathan Taylor could start as the Panthers RB1 week one, but he is definitively taking over the backfield by Halloween.
15:49Do you need me to vamp a little bit more?
15:52Because we're up to the next one. That was straight up.
15:56No joke. I just heard. I didn't hear anything you said.
16:00Disagree with me. I'm trying not to die. Is that one?
16:03You know what? Maybe we just need more honey.
16:06One more? Can I do one more honey before?
16:09I would. I would. That was hot. These are not fake tears.
16:13I don't know how you're doing this. I'm okay.
16:16What's wrong with me and my Midwestern sensibilities? I'm from the Midwest too.
16:20Yeah, but this is the last dab Thermageddon. It's heat level 11 out of 10.
16:25No, 11? That's more than 10. I know. One more.
16:29Yeah. Okay. Okay. All right. I need one more before I do it.
16:33I'm so sorry. It's okay. You're blowing your nose.
16:36I'm okay. You want me to go first? You should go.
16:39Yeah. You want me to go first? Okay. All right.
16:43No. No, I don't want you to go first.
16:46No? Okay. Whatever you want right now, honey. I'm here for you.
16:50My brain can't think as fast as this right now.
16:53Let me just go first. Okay. Why don't you go first?
16:56Okay. It's hot. I'm not... It's uncomfortable. But, you know, I didn't have an epidural the last time, so...
17:03Oh, I don't like how chunky that is. Yeah, I'm gonna...
17:06I like it thick, but... Okay. Okay. That seems like maybe I did it.
17:11I overdid it. Maybe. Okay. Quentin, can I have more milk?
17:15Did you already cruise through that? Okay. Mm-hmm. Mm.
17:17Thank you, my friend. Producer Q. All right. Here we go.
17:21This is my absolutely scalding take to match the thermal butt juice that I'm about to eat.
17:27That's it. Thermal butt juice. Okay. And it is...
17:30I gotta eat it first. Yeah. It's all right.
17:33I'll hold it down. I'm good at this part.
17:3611 out of 10 on that heap. You got it.
17:39You got it, kid. Yeah. All right. Oh, Daniel, you're gonna be in trouble.
17:43Uh-oh. Okay. All right. Go get your milk. Scalding hot take.
17:47I'm actually fine. Isaiah... This one's not bad. This one's not as bad as the bomb.
17:52I'm totally fine. Isaiah Pacheco scores more rushing touchdowns than Brees Hall.
17:56Here's the calculus on that. David Montgomery, who... Isaiah Pacheco's role is now in Detroit, right?
18:01What did you just say? Isaiah Pacheco scores more rushing touchdowns than Brees Hall.
18:06I thought that's what you said. It took me a second.
18:10I'm sorry. But that's a hot take. That's a scalding take.
18:13This one's not bad, honey. You're gonna do better.
18:16This one's fine. Um, so last year, David Montgomery, playing the RB2 role to Jameer Gibbs, managed exactly eight rushing scores.
18:23Isaiah Pacheco, who we know is pretty good at the goal line.
18:27He's not efficient anywhere else, but short-rooted goal line situation, he can dominate.
18:31I think he could match David Montgomery's numbers from last year.
18:35Remember, Montgomery was thriving, not even thriving. He was working in a limited capacity, both in terms of volume and production.
18:42Brees Hall right now is currently projected for exactly eight rushing touchdowns per Mike Clay's projections.
18:47But Brees Hall has never managed more than five rushing touchdowns in a professional season, and he's entering year five of his career with a groin issue.
18:56And we know Braylon Allen is there. So, like, I think that Isaiah Pacheco scores more rushing touchdowns than Brees Hall.
19:03I love that. Guys, I'm fine. I love... Are you serious?
19:06I'm fine. Why? How? I don't know. Do you do this?
19:10Is this, like, a thing in the household? I think that just...
19:14I mean, culturally, I probably have more hot sauce than you.
19:18Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry about this downtime, but I do not know how you are able to do this.
19:24All right. This is my last one. Do we have another one?
19:28I'm kind of into this. We have a cool-down segment after this, Liz Loza, which I will desperately need.
19:35Here. Can I have more? Oh, do not. I will get through this first.
19:39All right. My last take is... How much should I do?
19:43Is that enough? Do I need to do more?
19:46You do not need to do more than that.
19:49Oh, dang. How about that? Is that enough? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:52Okay. That looks like your underwear. Oh, my gosh.
19:55Yes. I'm sorry. I told you that in confidence.
19:58Look, I'm going to be here in solidarity with you.
20:02See? I'm going to take a second one. Okay.
20:04My nose is going to run. I'm sorry. That's okay.
20:08You don't have to apologize. Thank you for locking eyes with me while I did that.
20:13You're welcome. I'm here for you, honey. Yeah. It really helped.
20:17My stalling hot take is Jalen Hurts finishes outside of the top 10 of quarterback.
20:22My son is crying. It's okay. Okay. Jalen Hurts.
20:24I'm going to read your take for you. Jalen Hurts finishes outside of the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks.
20:30I think it's a really... Yeah. He's disappointed he's been outside of what?
20:35The top six or at least five in back-to-back seasons.
20:38I got you. Jalen Hurts has been top 10 for five straight seasons.
20:42So you're like, wow. Is he really going to not be top 10 finally?
20:47That efficiency has fallen off a cliff, Liz. It was QB8 last year.
20:51It sure was. 25 points per game in 2022.
20:54That fell to 21 points per game in 23 and 24.
20:58I shouldn't have touched my nose. I feel it in there now.
21:02I feel it in there. Don't put your hands near anything else.
21:05Okay. Okay. Under your arms, Liz. I'm fine, honey.
21:08I'm sorry. Oh, gosh. That hurts. The bomb was rough.
21:12It's like I put Icy Hot in my mouth.
21:15All right. AJ Brown. Oh, last season, you said QB8?
21:18Yeah, he was. So he started a couple years ago, 25 points per game down to 21 points per game.
21:25Last year, 18.7 points per game. Yeah. That's a regression.
21:28AJ Brown is gone. Yeah. Offensive line and that tush push, not as effective Hurts.
21:33This came from you. Great stat from you, Liz.
21:36Thank you. Hurts converted on under 63% of those tush push attempts.
21:40I just burped. I'm sorry. It's okay. All right.
21:43The rushing is what buoyed his value. I think we get more sequined this year.
21:47I think you get less Hurts. Yeah. No AJ Brown.
21:51This is a scalding take in part because Philly does have a super easy schedule in the beginning of the season.
21:58I hear it gets tough late. But it gets really tough late in the playoffs.
22:03So I think Jalen Hurts finishing outside the top 10 because of that regression in efficiency and less weapons in his offense.
22:10Hey, man, I said it. Yeah, wait. Can you tell people the voicemail number?
22:14Yeah. We, I don't know it. Three, two. We got a new one.
22:19And call us with your voicemails. Three, two, three.
22:22Three, nine, one, four, eight, five, five. And it's.
22:25Okay, wait, wait. Yes, please call us. The voicemail line is back.
22:29Call in with your hot takes and your questions.
22:31Remember, you can ask us about fantasy. You can ask us about anything.
22:36Maybe you have dating advice. Maybe you want to know about our favorite hot sauces.
22:41That number is three, two, three, three, nine, one, four, eight, five, five.
22:45Right now, we apologize. There might be like a generic Google voicemail greeting, but that's just temporary.
22:50I'm going to be. They're going to make me record it right after this.
22:55So my voice might quiver a little or maybe not at all.
22:59So it's going to be back soon. Anyway, three, two, three, three, nine, one, four, eight, five, five.
23:05Propel Fitness Water with Gatorade electrolytes, zero sugar and vitamins.
23:08Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self.
23:15What propels you? Propel with Gatorade electrolytes. Wow. It's a little early for ice cream.
23:20It's never too early for ice cream. It's comfort food.
23:24All right. All right, Liz Loza. We're back. Hi, Daniel.
23:27How'd you do? Did okay. Yeah. I used the restroom.
23:30Yep. I consumed a lot of milk. You did.
23:33And we're not done. This is a cool down period.
23:36Mm-hmm. We've requested ice cream and we have some in front of us.
23:41Strawberry. It's your favorite flavor. Strawberry. It is my favorite flavor.
23:44I appreciate that you actually like manifested my favorite flavor without even asking me.
23:49Let's cool down with some fan hot takes. Okay.
23:52Because we've had a lot of input from our fans.
23:55We're going to start with the first one, Jim Rush.
23:58I'm still working through it, girl. Okay. Give me a break.
24:02I'm actually, I am a little bit like this is the first time ever I am kind of mad at you.
24:09I know. I can tell. Like we've never fought and I, this is it.
24:13Like I hurt and you're like an angel and everything's fine and it doesn't, it's.
24:18I don't, I'm sorry. I, when my mom did tell me when she was pregnant with me, her, like her craving was jalapeno covered pizza.
24:27So maybe just like in utero, I developed a stronger resistance to heat.
24:31I did not think we were going to talk about your mom's utero today.
24:35But then we got here. So that's cool. Let's get to Jim Rush.
24:40Jim Rush wants to know, do you think he wants to know about your, well, he wants to know about probably Justin Jefferson.
24:47Justin Jefferson will finish as wide receiver one. That's the hot take from our fan.
24:52Yeah. I don't, I mean, I, I think that that I do appreciate the hot take and I do think it is a possibility.
25:00I just keep coming down to the fact that like this team is relying on Kyler.
25:05I hate homework Murray to learn an entire playbook and solve the problem.
25:10And I know that we're like, Oh, Kevin O'Connell is such a, look at what he did for Sam Darnold.
25:16But like, brah, the system didn't work for JJ McCarthy and he was hand selected.
25:21Like, I don't know. I think wide receiver one is bold.
25:25It is supposed to be a hot take. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.
25:31And if you were attached to maybe any other quarterback, I mean, like we are worried about Garrett Wilson because of Geno
25:38Smith, but we're not worried about Justin Jefferson because of Kyler Murray, understanding obviously that there's a talent gap between those two wide receivers and quarterbacks.
25:46But I think it's, um, it is a hot take to be wide receiver one because the top of the wide receiver room is really hard.
25:55It was really hard to get up there over Puka and Jamar.
25:59It's really tough. I like the second one a lot.
26:02Beherm 1180 says 1187. Do you not need any of your ice cream?
26:06I'm not going to eat it. By the end of the year.
26:10I'm saving it for you. BTJ is the best Jags wide receiver in points per game.
26:16Um, Brian Thomas Jr. Points per game. He's being drafted as the third Jags wide receiver right now.
26:21I mean, I think. I've said this and continue to buck against the consensus because everybody is so pro Parker Washington and I understand why.
26:30But I do think BTJ, I mean, the biggest, um, ding, right, is that the bulk of his production, positive production came
26:37with Mac Jones and not Trevor Lawrence. So maybe this is a chemistry issue.
26:41Sometimes you just, Hey, sometimes you just don't vibe with someone.
26:45You would hope that a first, like a first round draft pick would be able to adjust.
26:51I think there is substantial evidence to make this true because the other two options are Parker Washington or Jacoby Myers, who again, have solid floors.
26:59I'm just not completely sold on the Washington experience.
27:02And the ceilings that they have is not even close to what BTJ ceilings would do.
27:07BTJ ceilings, that's right. All right, next one. I think we got a voicemail, no?
27:12A voicemail. Okay. From Dan from Iowa, depending on how good it is, this may be an only Dan's return caller.
27:19Yo, this is Dan from Iowa. What up D-Dop and Liz Letts Goza?
27:23First question was, should my team name be my Danaconda don't?
27:27In my football related question, I have a fifth pick in a 12 team half PPR.
27:32Probably looking at a high tier, high wide receiver in my first pick.
27:37What kind of running back should I target in the second or third round?
27:41Appreciate you guys. See ya. Okay. Let me just say that our listeners and our fans are the coolest.
27:47Just the best. Like, more of that, please. Like, this is where the broken toys live.
27:53This one's extra broken right now. Can we appreciate the weirdos?
27:56We are not for the, like, robots and the cardboard cutout.
28:00So, Dan from Idaho, Dan from Iowa, excuse me, fits right in.
28:04Yes, he is right. I think that he's going to end up with a wide receiver.
28:09Probably JSN. JSN, Puka, or Amun-Ra, if you're not going to go with CMC at five.
28:14Yeah. And you don't go CMC at five, which I wouldn't.
28:18And it's a 12 teamer. Yep. So, that means that, I don't know, I think you probably can get, like, KW3.
28:2517. Yeah, you can get, I would think, KW3.
28:28Chase Brown. You're looking at Chase Brown in that same range.
28:31Maybe Jeremiah Love or Omari and Hampton, if you want to dip that low.
28:36But I think that range of what you're talking about probably is.
28:40Who would be your favorite for him? As a fellow Dan.
28:44I love Omari and Hampton and Chase Brown the most out of those two.
28:48I also do like Ken Walker III and Jeremiah Love, but I have Chase Brown and Hampton both inside of my top ten.
28:56So, I would go with either one of those two.
28:59Okay. I like that. Oh, this one is, this one is a wow take.
29:04This one is as poopy as you almost were.
29:06F2. F, D, F, J. Fideo. F, say it?
29:09Fideo. Fideo, thank you. Underscore 32. Thank you, Liz.
29:12You're welcome. I appreciate that. Bucky Irving is going to finish as a top five running back.
29:18Girl, in what universe? I don't know. This is...
29:21Are they in a Tampa Bay only league? Maybe?
29:24A Florida man league. Yeah, that's what it is.
29:27A Florida man only league. I don't know. Between the playing style, the three-headed hydra, the shoulder injury.
29:33Kenny Gainwell might finish as a higher... Not top five.
29:36No. But I wouldn't be shocked if Kenny Gainwell finished with as many fantasy points as Bucky Irving.
29:42In full point PPR, you're not wrong. He's going to draw 90 targets this season.
29:47Kenny Gainwell will. That is... I think people forget about Sean Tucker being there.
29:51Because Sean Tucker's going to get some frustrating touchdowns.
29:54We should just stop, friend. You're so... You... By the way, friend, you just did all of that and you still came up.
30:02It's at least a new thing in my brain.
30:05Like, it touched a spot that I've never tapped into.
30:08Da Bomb is your own personal fantasy ayahuasca. Yeah, I feel...
30:12That's what it is. I had to go sit in a dark room for a while.
30:17All right. Next one comes from... From... At Richie underscore vibes.
30:21Chargers will have a top five quarterback, wide receiver, and running back this season under Mike McDaniel.
30:26That is spicy. I don't think it can be top five, Liz.
30:30But I think that we could find our way into something similar to this number.
30:35Top 10. I think so. Definitely. Top 10, easy.
30:38Justin Herbert could be a top 10 quarterback. Definitely.
30:41Amarion Hampton could be a top 10 running back.
30:44For sure. Lad McConkie was wide receiver 13 his rookie year.
30:48Got Keenan Allen to his second year. There's a shot that he goes back to being that guy here in this offense.
30:55I keep saying it. I will take Lad McConkie over Devontae Adams, where he is going every single...
31:01Me too. I think if there is a player that could have a JSN-like breakout, it is this season.
31:07It is Lad McConkie. We have another voicemail. Voicemail from No Name Provided.
31:11Anonymous. Hope you guys are having a good day.
31:14My question is, I have a unique league. This is the 19th year of my league.
31:19We play with a quarterback, six flex positions, a defense, an IDP, and a kicker.
31:24What would your draft strategy be in a 10-person snake league with six flex spots?
31:29Thank you. Thank you, Anonymous. Again, these are creative.
31:32This is the place. Like, if you want boring takes and you have boring questions, this is not the show for you.
31:39We are not the people for you. I love that people continuously come to us with like, we have this unique system.
31:47Like, what is your opinion? Girl, they're finding a home and you're happy to be it.
31:52I love this. And my simple answer is load up on wide receivers.
31:56You don't have to worry about the volatility of running back if all you have is six flex positions.
32:02It's not completely different, frankly, than this year's scoring system for the Scott Fish Bowl, which is a tournament that both Dopp and I play in.
32:11Agreed. I think I would look at it more like positionless football, and it really just does become the best player available on the board.
32:19If that best player is a running back, then that's fine with me if it's a running back.
32:25If it's a tight end, it's a tight end.
32:28So, but I'm not searching for or trying to like seek out a position.
32:33I'm just looking at the best prospect that is available at that point.
32:37I play in a single IDP league. Do you play in any IDP leagues?
32:41I have one league where there's an IDP element.
32:44Okay. But it's not an IDP league. So, I almost always just have to wait because I don't play them very often, to be honest.
32:53Don't do a lot of analysis around it. I just take my defensive stuff last, to be honest, at that point because it's not what I'm locked into.
33:02I want to get my offensive side done and know what I'm doing there.
33:06I will plug our colleague Tristan Cockroft. He does a ton of IDP work and I would encourage Anonymous to go check
33:14out Tristan's work on the dot com because he is excellent at it.
33:18But we still want your hot takes. Call in with more of them.
33:22323-391-4855. And don't forget to leave us a review.
33:25It always helps us. Oh, and don't forget to leave us your Instagram handle when you leave us your voicemail so that
33:32we can tag you on social and you know that your question has been answered.
33:37Last call. Today we learned that Daniel Dopp' tear ducts are in perfect working order.
33:42That our listeners are awesome out-of-the-box thinkers who only make this show better.
33:46And that often cooler heads do not, in fact, prevail.
33:50Or at least they're just not as much fun.
33:53Please keep those voicemails coming. The number to call is 323-391-4855.
33:56Until next time, may your facts be solid, your feelings be right, and your busts, let them be someone else's problem.
34:03What is the first word? I'm Liz Loza. Okay, three.
34:06That is a blooper reel. Yes! Yes! Yes!