NFL Fantasy Football Podcast artwork

NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Josh Jacobs Placed on the Exempt List + Sophomore Surge or Purge

STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.

29 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 2, 2026
Published
Wed, September 2, 2026
16
Player insights
16
Players mentioned
Topics
Brock BowersChristian McCaffreyDavid MontgomeryGeorge KittleHarold FanninJa'Marr ChaseJosh JacobsKyle MonangaiMalik NabersMarShawn LloydOdell BeckhamQuinshon JudkinsTee HigginsTreVeyon Henderson
Player analysis

Player insights

16

Brock Bowers

PositiveBreakout27:12

The source predicts a massive season for Brock Bowers, projecting 150 catches, 1,600 yards, and 8-9 touchdowns. This would break the NFL single-season reception record and make him a top-five overall fantasy player, driven by his role as the primary target in an offense with limited competition.

Insight page

Christian McCaffrey

NegativeProjection22:02

The source notes that running backs historically see a dip in production following a 400-touch season, citing that no back has finished in the top 12 after such a workload since 2010.

Insight page

David Montgomery

PositiveProjection27:59

The source predicts a career year for David Montgomery, projecting 1,200 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns based on his high-volume opportunity and efficiency in the backfield.

Insight page

George Kittle

NegativeInjury3:57

Kittle is trending toward playing in Week 1 against the Rams after two positive practice days. The source speculates he may be used on a rotational basis rather than a full workload due to his Achilles injury and the team's depth at tight end.

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Harold Fannin

PositiveUsage24:09

The source recommends a 'purge' for Harold Fennin Jr. because his 23% target share last year was a product of a lack of competition. With new receivers like Casey Concepcion and Denzel Boston added to the roster, his usage is expected to regress from being the team's sole option.

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Ja'Marr Chase

PositiveInjury2:21

Despite being limited in practice with a knee issue, the source expects him to play in Week 1 against Tampa Bay. Trevor Sikama notes that Chase indicated he could have returned to practice, suggesting the limitation is precautionary.

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Josh Jacobs

NegativeInjury8:25

Placed on the commissioner's exempt list due to legal issues. The source notes there is no set timetable for his return and a possibility he misses the entire season.

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Kyle Monangai

PositiveSleeper15:50

Monangai is identified as an ideal backup running back, having averaged 4.4 yards per carry and nearly 3 yards after contact last year. He is considered a direct beneficiary if DeAndre Swift misses time.

Insight page

Malik Nabers

PositiveUsage6:43

The source suggests that Odell Beckham Jr.'s presence on the field will draw defensive attention, potentially providing Malik Nabers with more space to operate and increasing his fantasy value.

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MarShawn Lloyd

PositiveSleeper9:06

With Josh Jacobs on the exempt list, the source views Lloyd as a viable fantasy asset. He is described as explosive and athletic, and the source expects Green Bay to utilize him heavily to provide balance to their offense.

Insight page

Odell Beckham

NegativeRole5:46

While the source notes he is not the player he was during his initial Giants tenure, his presence on the roster will draw defensive attention, which could create opportunities for Malik Nabers.

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Quinshon Judkins

PositiveValue25:10

The source expresses a positive outlook on Quinshawn Judkins, noting him as a player to like on the Browns roster.

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Tee Higgins

PositiveInjury2:24

Dealing with a heel contusion, but the source reports that head coach Zac Taylor does not consider the injury overly concerning and expects him to play in Week 1.

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TreVeyon Henderson

NegativeBust22:12

The source labels Tre'Vion Henderson a 'purge' candidate, noting that while he led the team in rushing, he also led in negative or zero-yard carries. His explosive play rate is comparable to Rhamondre Stevenson, but his boom-or-bust nature suggests his production will be lower than his rookie year.

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Woody Marks

PositiveSleeper13:44

The source highlights Marks as an explosive, dynamic back who led the team in runs of 10+ yards. He is recommended as a bench stash or priority waiver add, particularly if David Montgomery misses time.

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Zavion Thomas

PositiveSleeper20:02

Thomas is recommended for deep leagues due to his elite speed (21.99 mph in preseason). While Luther Burden may be ahead of him, the source believes Thomas will see opportunities if Burden struggles or misses time.

Insight page
Full transcript

Episode Transcript

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0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Whether you're a seasoned NFL fan or new to the game, there's one place to keep up with all of it.
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0:24Get new episodes of the NFL Report Monday through Friday, all season long.
0:28Listen to the NFL Report Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:34We are creeping just this much closer to the start of the season.
0:38It's the NFL Fantasy Football Show. Mike Yam, Trevor Sikama with you.
0:42We're knocking on the door. We got a preseason watch list for you.
0:46We got hot takes, no hot wings, just some bold predictions a little bit later in the show.
0:51And by the way, one of our good friends from NFL.com, Matt Akata is going to be with us as well.
0:58We got a little sophomore purge or surge. The word purge, it's triggering for me.
1:02I'll explain that a little bit later. But Trevor, I should probably say hello to you, Matt.
1:08Are you ready for the start of the season or what?
1:11I am so ready for the start of the season.
1:14When we have this extra time now without the fourth preseason game, the buildup just gets us to this point where next week's going to be incredible.
1:22I cannot wait for it, man. That anticipation. I'm starting to feel a certain way at the edge of my seat, getting
1:29ready for a Super Bowl rematch to kick things off.
1:32But we'll talk all about that as the season gets officially here.
1:36But we got some headlines to get to. This is pretty significant here for fantasy owners.
1:41Jamar Chase limited this week in practice with the knee.
1:44I'll also throw Tee Higgins' name into the mix because of a heel contusion.
1:48It doesn't seem, according to Zach Taylor, that it's going to be overly concerning.
1:53Both those guys expected to play in week one.
1:55But how are you treating this, Trevor? Look, I'm still believing in these guys basically until I'm told that they're not going
2:02to be in the lineup, especially in week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which their secondary has got to be a
2:09whole lot better this season because it was not good over the last couple of years.
2:14And so with Chase, it seems fine. I mean, he even said I could have gone back in that very practice, but they didn't want me to.
2:22I think this is more of caution more than anything else.
2:26Yeah, no, I'm with you there. Meanwhile, I am almost shocked by this story.
2:30Ray, he's one of my favorite players in the league.
2:33He's one of the best interviews that we have in the NFL.
2:37George Kittle, a couple positive days, two days of positive practice.
2:40And guess what? He's making the trip. He's got the passport ready.
2:44Niners leaving today for this game against the Rams in Australia.
2:47Kittle trending in the right direction to play with the Achilles injury.
2:51Are you as surprised as I am that we're talking about this in week one?
2:56I'm extremely surprised and I love George Kittle just as much as anybody else to the point where I'm looking at this going, wow, I'm really excited.
3:04And then I go, oh, my gosh, please don't be coming back too early.
3:08We need you this entire season because you're too much fun of a football player to watch.
3:14I wonder if this is going to be a little bit like maybe Aaron Donald situation where if he does travel, if
3:20he does make it, it's going to be on a rotational type of basis.
3:25The San Francisco 49ers have a couple of tight ends that they like to go to anyway.
3:30So it's not going to be a full plate for Kittle like we're used to.
3:35But I mean, it's great to even have this conversation with him potentially playing in this first game.
3:40Yeah. One of the cool things that Giants fans probably smiled when they saw this ad on social media.
3:46Yeah. OBJ making that 53 man roster. You know, it's interesting.
3:49You can see him rocking that number three on social media.
3:53They did a little clip where they added the one there who says 13 is not lucky.
3:58Let's go. That's the number that he wore in the five seasons with the G men.
4:03I've seen more positive buzz about him and really Malik neighbors coming off of that injury.
4:08Giants wide receiver room, maybe a little more talented than people are giving him credit for.
4:13Yeah. So I need some clarification here. If you've got a 13 Odell jersey from way back when it is still considered
4:20vintage or can it not be considered vintage anymore now that he's wearing 13 again?
4:24Look, is Odell what he was in those first three, four years when he was with the Giants?
4:30No. But I do think that his name carries a lot of weight and secondaries are going to want to know where 13 is.
4:37And anytime that's the case, anytime you can even get a split second where the defense isn't paying attention to Malik neighbors,
4:44that's a big time bonus and something that is valuable.
4:47So is he going to stuff the stat sheet?
4:50No. And from a fantasy perspective, not sure that you're ever starting him in your lineup, but he is going to matter
4:57to those people who own Malik neighbors tickets, because I think that that is going to go up if Odell can continue to play well.
5:04Some really significant news for fantasy owners and really for the Green Bay Packers.
5:09They're running back. Josh Jacobs placed on the commissioner's exempt list.
5:12He was scheduled for a November 17th court appearance because of two misdemeanor charges stemming from a may arrest in a domestic violence incident.
5:20Their general manager, Brian Gunek, who said on Tuesday that he does anticipate Jacobs playing at some point, but it should be noted here.
5:27Commissioner's exempt list. Like there's not a set timetable for this.
5:30There's a, there is the possibility. We don't even see him on the field this year.
5:35We're not exactly sure how this thing tracks. Good kids kept saying, Trevor, we're going to let the legal system play out.
5:42And typically that's slow. Yeah. And, and when it comes to a fantasy perspective, I like Marshawn Lloyd here.
5:48I really do. I think that he is viable for you to pick up or draft depending on whether your league has started or not.
5:56Look, I remember scouting Lloyd when he was at Southern Cal and at South Carolina.
6:00He's a talented player. He's got the explosiveness. He's got the athleticism.
6:04He's just been banged up. He's been hurt. And that's been the story throughout his career.
6:09But man, you look at Green Bay. Green Bay was right around the middle of the pack last year when it came
6:16to running the ball on first down. It's what they want to do, but they weren't very good at it.
6:22They were bottom 10 in the NFL and EPA per rush.
6:25When it came to those rushes to start those drives on first down, they're going to continue to want to do that.
6:32And I think they're going to try to put the blocking scheme in front of Marshawn Lloyd to get the most out of that ground game.
6:40They need that balance in their offense. And I really do think that Marshawn Lloyd could be a legit fantasy player for
6:47you to release the first half of the season.
6:50Yeah, by the way, in our league, already grabbed.
6:53I got to imagine he's getting picked up on a whole lot of waiver wires across the league.
6:58And this is typically what happens when you're doing your drafts late rounds.
7:02You start thinking about some backups just as some insurance.
7:05I want to stick with this running back theme here, Trevor, though.
7:09Give me three guys. Let's actually start with Blake Horum because I know you're a little bit of a fan of what
7:16he can do as a backup just in case Kyron Williams goes down.
7:20Yeah, I mean, look, this is a nice one-two combination anyways.
7:23I think Blake Horum is going to get some action as part of a committee.
7:28We know that Kyron Williams is going to get the majority of the touches and the carries.
7:33But Blake Horum is going to get in the game every single week for the Los Angeles Rams.
7:39And if Kyron Williams were to ever miss time for whatever reason, it's basically just Blake Horum's backfield.
7:44And that's what it was like for him in Michigan a couple of years ago when he was in college, when he
7:51was getting the lion's share of everything that that backfield had to offer.
7:55So we know that he can take a full plate of whatever you ask running backs to do because we saw it
8:02when Michigan was playing at a really high level with him in the backfield.
8:06I love his style. It's very similar to Kyron Williams.
8:09They won't have to change a lot when he comes into the game.
8:13So I like Blake Horum as somebody that you put on your bench no matter what, but especially if Kyron were to
8:20miss any time, this guy immediately becomes an RB2 at worst for you.
8:24Houston has David Montgomery, but they also have Woody Marks, who's got your attention.
8:28Yeah, Woody Marks to me is still the more explosive back.
8:32And that was the case last year as well.
8:34He had the most explosive runs of 10 yards or more on the team.
8:39Now, the blocking was very inconsistent, especially between the tackles getting north to south, really getting downhill.
8:44The Texans just were not very good at it.
8:47They're certainly hoping they're a lot better at it this year.
8:50They bring in David Montgomery to hopefully be better in the power run game anyways.
8:55But I think that that will also bleed over into Marks, who when I was watching Marks scouting him coming out of
9:02college, I felt like he would be perfect for a mid and outside zone run scheme.
9:07But then he gets to the league and I saw him play decently well between the tackles as well.
9:12Not super efficient, like I said, because the offensive line was inconsistent last year, but it was a little bit better.
9:19I thought the vision was better than I thought it was going to be, given what he showed in college.
9:25So all of that to say, I think he's the explosive and dynamic back out of that backfield regardless.
9:31But if David Montgomery, again, were to miss any time, this guy's getting a lot of carries.
9:36And so, again, somebody I think you should keep on your bench or as a priority type of player if he's in
9:43the waiver wire, if he got shorter leagues. We got a little more on Montgomery, by the way, coming up here, but
9:50he's one of my favorite names to say. So I'll say it.
9:53Kyle Monungay. Yeah, I mean, Monungay is fantastic, right?
9:564.4 yards per carry average. This is somebody who averaged almost three yards after contact per attempt last year.
10:02We've seen him be the back when he was at Rutgers.
10:05And obviously, DeAndre Swift is the guy who's starting the season as the RB1 there.
10:10But make no mistake, again, this guy's going to get in the game.
10:14And if Swift were to go down for whatever reason, it immediately becomes the Monungay show.
10:19He's already given you evidence to believe in him.
10:22This is an ideal backup running back to have in your league.
10:26Yeah, the Bears in that offense. I think a lot of us are anticipating another uptick in season two with Ben Johnson at the helm and Caleb Williams.
10:344,000 yards passing. It feels like it's going to happen this season.
10:38Keep in mind, we are one week away from the start of the season.
10:42Let's go. Patriots and Seahawks looking for a competitive week one game.
10:46I heard Mike Vrabel after practice the other day say, hey, we're not necessarily worried about what's going to happen in February.
10:53I want to take care of business throughout the course of the season.
10:57An uptick in terms of strength of schedule for this Patriots team this upcoming season.
11:01But you touched on it. We get one less preseason game.
11:05So a little bit less of a sample size.
11:08To make some educated guesses on some fast risers who could make an impact.
11:12Give me two names on the offensive side that you've been paying attention to in drafts.
11:17So the first one, we're talking about backup running backs.
11:20Mike Washington Jr., the running back for the Las Vegas Raiders.
11:23I mean, he's got to be all the way up there.
11:27We didn't know what his workload was going to be like behind Ashton Gentry.
11:31And even independent of Gentry's injury that he's recovering from right now, Mike Washington Jr.
11:36showcased that size, that athleticism, that balance, that yards after contact ability, that coaches just love anyways.
11:41And so this went from Gentry getting the lion's share of the carries to, you know, I think it's something where it's not going to be evenly split.
11:50But Mike Washington Jr. is going to get plenty of work in this offense.
11:54And again, if Gentry's going to miss any time with that injury, you've got to feel good about this guy.
12:00Zavian Thomas is next for me here with the Chicago Bears.
12:03And if you watch that third preseason game, you know exactly why.
12:07I don't need to tell you anything. But for the entire preseason, five targets, five catches, 140 yards, a touchdown.
12:13That run that we see on the screen there, the fastest any player ran during the entire preseason.
12:1921.99 miles per hour, according to NGS. Speed is why this guy was drafted in the third round by this team.
12:25And yes, I think that Luther Burden is first in line when it comes to those sort of designed explosive plays.
12:32But again, Luther Burden, maybe if he misses time or maybe he's got some drops, has some inconsistencies, they're not going to be afraid to play this guy.
12:40So I don't know how deep your league is out there, but if it's a super deep league, you better have Zavian
12:47Thomas on your bench if he's available. And if it's not a super deep league, again, keep an eye on him.
12:54Maybe it's better to get ahead of the curve than behind it when it comes to adding this player in what should
13:01be a very, very potent offense this season. Yeah, this dude's an explosive.
13:05By the way, if you're listening to the show as a podcast, just go to YouTube and check out some of the video.
13:12This dude is not slow. Speed kills. Meanwhile, I got a running back for you.
13:16Killing Black, the kid out of Indiana, national champion, the running back now rocking a Niners uniform.
13:22You talked about Christian McCaffrey the other week. Trevor, you made reference to what happens when he gets to that 400 touch mark.
13:29Typically, when he's in that ballpark, it is a dip in production the following season.
13:33The last time we had a running back finish in the top 12 after a 400 touch season, Chris Johnson back in 2010.
13:40So the sample size, not great. Black to me in the preseason has been electric.
13:45I used to live in San Francisco in that Bay Area.
13:48Still keep tabs on what's happening with this Niners team.
13:52The people covering this team really like what he can bring to the table.
13:56And then from a Baltimore Ravens perspective, Jacoby Lane, the rookie out of USC.
14:00I live in SoCal now. I'll tell you, Lane can absolutely ball.
14:04And this is a team with Lamar Jackson that's going to be targeting this dude.
14:08Is he their wide receiver one? No, we know that's Zay Flowers' job.
14:13But keep in mind, Bateman's got some legal issues.
14:15Maybe that's a candidate here. I think Lane could potentially be a wide receiver too in this team's offense.
14:21To me, definitely a guy to monitor over these next few weeks.
14:25If you're in a deep league, make sure you go and you stash him.
14:29Now, one of the things that I've sort of noticed on ESPN, Trevor, and I got to be honest, I haven't played
14:36in one of these leagues before, but a knockout league.
14:39You remember the show Highlander? There can only be one.
14:42Am I just aging myself with that reference? Okay.
14:45It's kind of like that, but for fantasy. The lowest scoring team each week is eliminated.
14:50Thank God. Take a seat. Eliminated teams, rosters, those guys released to waivers.
14:54Let's go. Remaining managers bid weekly on release players and or free agents.
14:58And the process repeats until only one manager is left standing.
15:01So Trevor, because you are my expert, if you are giving some advice to someone who's like, yo, that league is for me, what do you tell them?
15:10So these leagues are a ton of fun. It's so different.
15:13It's a combination of a lot of different things and why you would play.
15:18But first of all, you got to remember, it's win now.
15:21It is truly a week-to-week type of league. So you have to have players on your roster that are ready to perform this week.
15:28No injured guys, no guys that are not sure if they're going to be in and out of the lineup.
15:35You need players who you know can show up for you that week.
15:39Because if you have one week where you really slip up, that's it.
15:43Your entire season can be over. The second thing for this year specifically, hammer running backs that you know are going to get carries.
15:50So I think that people are going pretty heavy on running backs no matter what kind of fantasy league they're in this year.
15:57For guillotine leagues, it's extremely important because you have to have that volume to start the season.
16:02And as other teams get eliminated, there will be more options to get running backs later that are going to have the opportunity to get carries.
16:10But to start, you got to hammer those running backs that you know are going to get touches and carries to survive those first couple of weeks.
16:19The third rule, I normally like in regular fantasy football leagues, I normally like stacking.
16:23You know, for example, if I got Joe Burrow, I like to have Jamar Chase as well, right?
16:29I like those combinations. But you got to be very, very careful about having players that are on the same team.
16:35Because if one team has a bad week and you've got two, maybe even three players from that team in your starting lineup, you're probably done.
16:44That season is over. So it's all about mitigating that risk.
16:47No injured players. No, oh, what they could be in the future players.
16:51None of these teams, none of these teams where you're really stacking a ton of players from a single team.
16:57You got to diversify. You got to play high floor.
17:00Or that's how you survive in these guillotine leagues.
17:03I love it because it's like basically playing a brand new season every single week.
17:08And by the way, you just don't want to be last is really what it comes down to.
17:13So an opportunity to bid on some of those players.
17:16Once again, very, very cool stuff. Maybe as the season rolls on, Trevor, you and I should just have like a list
17:23of guys and maybe provide some advice because this is sort of like a newer fantasy life, so to speak, that people can sort of dabble in.
17:31Just something to keep your eyes on as we get closer to the season.
17:36Meanwhile, Ashton Gentry, Mecca Buka, we talk about these guys as a sophomore surge or purge.
17:41NFL.com's fantasy expert, Matt Akata, is going to be in studio with me and we'll get his take on that coming up.
17:47You know the feeling. You make a pick in your fantasy draft and the entire room groans because they wanted that player.
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19:22It's my time today! Woo! It's a beautiful day for some football!
19:25Ashton Gentry through the hole! Touchdown Raiders! Deuce in the end zone!
19:29Raiders running back Ashton Gentry clearly an absolute monster as you just heard.
19:33In fact, he led all rookies in fantasy points last season with 245.1.
19:37The others in the top five, Jackson Dart in the second position there with 241.6 points, Tett McMillan 211.4 points, RJ Harvey
19:44at 206.6, and Travion Henderson not far behind at 206.2 points.
19:47For a little bit more on the rookies who are now sophomores in the league, Matt Akata from NFL.com is going to be joining us every single week.
19:56Starts and sits but we got a little fun game for both you and Trevor.
20:00We got a surge or a purge for some of these sophomores.
20:04So Matt, I'm going to let you start things off here.
20:08Ashton Gentry we saw the highlights we know what he's capable of doing.
20:12Surge or purge? Yeah, I kind of cheated and took the middle road here.
20:16I'm going merge on Ashton Gentry. I love the talent.
20:19I love the talent. He forced the fifth most missed tackles last year.
20:23He's explosive. He's a great receiver but this offense was the worst in football in 2025 and yes, I love Clint Kubiak.
20:30I like the upgrades at QB and O-line but the Vegas offense is not going worse to first.
20:35They might optimistically go worse to mid and then this ankle sprain and the rise of Mike Washington Jr.
20:41who Trevor praised earlier in the show. I think Gentry ultimately ends up right around where he did as a rookie fringe RB1 so surge feels too strong.
20:50Purge is just wrong. Merge. All right. Normally I'd crush you for it but it does make sense where you're going.
20:56Trevor, I need you to be a little more definitive here.
21:00Surge or purge Tedrow McMillan. I will be very definitive on the surge side of things with Tedrow and McMillan because it
21:07felt as though he was the passing offense for the Carolina Panthers last year and yet just a 21% target percentage for him.
21:14I think that number is closer to 30 this year.
21:17So whatever Tedrow and McMillan was able to do last year I think that this year's numbers could potentially dwarf it.
21:23So major surge for Tedrow and McMillan who's going to be the passing offense for Carolina.
21:28All right, Matt. I feel like there's only one answer here.
21:32Jackson Dart. Keep in mind I'm a Giants fan.
21:34Surge or purge. Which way are we going? No merging this time.
21:38A full surge on Jackson Dart in his 12 starts last year.
21:42He led qualified quarterbacks in rushing yards per game and scored nine touchdowns on the ground.
21:47Ended up averaging 20 fantasy points per start. That would have been QB5 last year and he did it without Malik Neighbors
21:54and largely without Cam Skadaboo not to mention Isaiah Likely, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., Francis Mally Noah.
21:59I love how New York is built around Dart.
22:02I think he's a top 10 lock, a good bet to crack that elite top five and honestly a dark horse QB1 overall.
22:09I love it. Back in my good graces. Go G-Man.
22:12Trevor, we'll go to the running back. Tre'Vion Henderson, which way are we going?
22:16Surge or purge? I'm going to go purge here with Henderson and I think it's because yes, I understand that he led
22:23the team in rushing yards last year, but he had the most rushing yards that were also negative rushes or zero yard rushes as well.
22:31And when you look at the explosive plays, he actually had the same amount of 10 plus yard runs as Ramondre Stevenson.
22:38His were just longer in nature. So I think that that just speaks to how boom or bust Tre'Vion Henderson is.
22:44He had a boom year last year. I think it's a little bit lower this year, so I'll go purge versus what he did as a rookie.
22:52Yeah, Trevor's just saying that because in our league, I actually have Henderson, so you're hoping for maybe you being right on that prediction.
23:00Matt, Mecca, my lord, this dude, when he was healthy out on the football field, the guy was a monster.
23:06Surge or purge? Yeah, I'm going surge-ish on Ibuka.
23:09Hopefully, I don't get in trouble again. Obviously, he was incredible through five weeks.
23:13You just said it. Wide receiver three overall, nearly 90 yards a game, five scores, but the rest of the year, he was invisible.
23:2140 yards a game, one touchdown after October 5th.
23:23I think it's because of the hamstring injury he suffered in week six.
23:27Then Baker Mayfield got banged up. The two never really got back on the same page, especially downfield.
23:33I think they iron out a lot of those kinks and are great again in 2026.
23:38The only reason he's not a full surge for me is I don't think he hits top three numbers again.
23:44I think he hovers more around the decent wide receiver two range.
23:48By the way, keep in mind, Baker also playing for a huge contract as well.
23:52They were unable to come to an agreement before week number one.
23:56Maybe it happens before the start of the season, but as of now, you've got to imagine some of those numbers.
24:03Ibuka could be the beneficiary of a big season for Baker, but Trevor, Harold Fennin Jr., which way we going?
24:09Purge or surge? Purge. Yeah, I think that Harold Fennin is still going to be a big part of their offense, but I think the answer is purge.
24:17He had a 21%, no, excuse me, 23% target share last year because simply put, there just wasn't really anybody else.
24:24No receiver, whether it was a wide receiver or a tight end, had above a 19 target share percentage last season.
24:30You got new wide receivers, Casey Concepcion, you've got Denzel Boston, the quarterback situation still very much in flux, and so I
24:37think that he'll be a factor in this offense, I just don't think that he's going to be the only option the
24:44way that it felt like he was the only option for them the previous season.
24:49So still a good player, but I think compared to that usage he had last year, I get to go with Purge there.
24:56Yeah, I'm with you here on Fennin. Matt, I'm just curious from a Browns perspective, anyone on that roster you do like from a fantasy perspective?
25:04Yeah, I like Casey Concepcion and PPR a good amount, and I actually like Quinshawn Judkins a decent bit.
25:10Yeah, just a couple names there. By the way, I'm glad you made reference to Casey because he's also a guy got on my roster as well.
25:18This show might slowly as the season unwinds, just be all about my fantasy team, which no one will absolutely like, but
25:25Matt, appreciate that analysis on that, but it is time to get some bold predictions here and an opportunity for you guys
25:31to go on record with some hot takes. So Trevor, break this down for me.
25:36If you said bold prediction for the season, just look into that crystal ball.
25:40What do you got for me? I think that Tyler Algier finishes with more rushing yards than Jeremiah Love does this season.
25:47I'm worried about the high ankle sprain going into the year, and even more so than the worry on Jeremiah Love, I'm just a huge fan of Algier.
25:56There's a reason why they signed him. There's a reason they gave him that contract, and Algier averages 4.3 yards per carry in his career.
26:04That's on an offense that had all those carries and touches going to Bijon Robinson.
26:08His rookie season, let us not forget, Tyler Algier had over 1,000 yards.
26:12When he has been given the touches, he has rewarded the teams that have done so for the Falcons over the year.
26:19So I'm a huge Tyler Algier fan, and with an offensive line that struggled with run blocking last year, might kind of do the same this year.
26:27You get a player who's just going to run behind his pads, get good yards after contact, healthy yards per carry averages,
26:34they're not going to want to take that guy off the field.
26:38So I think that Jeremiah Love will certainly get his, but man, I think that Tyler Algier is going to lead that team in rushing yards this season.
26:47I feel like I got to rethink my bold take because the reality is like that is bold, Matt.
26:52I mean, look, I think we all like what Alger brings to the table, but Jeremiah Love, like we anticipate like sort
26:59of a huge season, but you're right, ankle injury right now, still week one status in doubt, but Matt, I'm saying, I'm saying.
27:06All right, hear me out, Yammer. Brock Bowers will finish the season as a top five scorer in all of fantasy by breaking the NFL receptions record.
27:15No, not the tight end record that Trey McBride broke last year.
27:18I'm talking about Michael Thomas's 149 catches from 2019.
27:21Oh, Kata, you're crazy. 150 catches, a tight end, please.
27:24Oh, really? Hey, can anyone tell me who owns the rookie receptions record at any position?
27:29It's Brock Bowers. Yeah. Yeah. With 112 in a year, Jacoby Myers caught 87 passes and their quarterbacks were Gardner Minshew, Aiden O'Connell and Desmond Ritter.
27:37Now he's got Cousins and eventually probably Mendoza at QB.
27:40His top, top competition in targets is Trey Tucker, Jalen Naylor.
27:44Give me 150 catches, 1600 yards, eight or nine TDs and he's a top five player in fantasy overall.
27:50Yeah, really quick, really quick. Whose team is he on in our league in fantasy?
27:54He's yours. Yeah. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Which is fine. Last thing here, David Montgomery, career year form.
27:59I think you double the totals from a season ago, 1200 yards on the ground and let's give him 16 touchdowns on
28:06the year just based off of just ridiculous production and opportunity had to share that backfield.
28:11I know you were loving up Woody Marks earlier in the show.
28:15I think he balls out. Matt, great job by you as always.
28:18You're going to be joining us every week with a fresh edition of Start and Sits, which you can read on NFL.com.
28:25Thanks for checking us out. The entire draft room groans because you just took the guy they wanted.
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