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Unsolved Mysteries + Camp Injury Updates - Fantasy Football Podcast for 7/30

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

57 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Jul 30, 2026
Published
Thu, July 30, 2026
67
Player insights
29
Players mentioned
Topics
Bijan RobinsonChris RodriguezGeorge KittleTucker KraftTravis EtienneBo NixChris OlaveChristian KirkDeshaun WatsonJonathan TaylorJordan JamesJordyn TysonJustin HerbertMalik Willis
Player analysis

Player insights

67

Bijan Robinson

PositiveProjection45:29

The source notes that Bijan Robinson showed explosive plays in the passing game as a rookie, with capability as a fast runner at 4'3" and 209 lbs. His build and athleticism support upside potential, though the source emphasizes he had more isolated explosive plays than consistent chunk plays in the backfield.

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PositiveProjection45:29

The source notes that Bijan Robinson showed explosive plays in the passing game as a rookie, with capability as a fast runner at 4'3" and 209 lbs. His build and speed suggest potential for chunk plays in the backfield, though the source observed more isolated explosive plays than consistent production last year.

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NegativeUsage50:25

The source highlights a critical concern: neither Chris Rodriguez nor Bijan Robinson have huge receiving production profiles in the NFL. Robinson had only two targets as a rookie, one target in year two (13 games), and four targets in 13 games last year. This minimal receiving volume is problematic given that Travis Etienne's fantasy points came primarily from the receiving game, which is an important part of the Jaguars offense.

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PositiveProjection51:08

The source is bullish on Bijan Robinson's upside, stating he is 'gassed up' for Robinson and sees a range of outcomes where Robinson could be a total workhorse. The source compares Robinson's potential to how Liam Cohen used running backs in Tampa Bay (Bucky Irving) and Jacksonville (A. Chan Jr.), suggesting Cohen might deploy Robinson as the primary back. Robinson's upside is described as a three-down running back for a top-five offense with 'very, very substantial league-winning capability,' though the source acknowledges the profile is risky.

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PositiveBreakout51:08

The source expresses optimism about Bijan Robinson's potential, stating "I'm gassed up for Tootin." Robinson could be explosive and involved in the passing game where most fantasy points come from in the Jaguars offense. The upside scenario is that Robinson becomes a three-down running back for a top-five offense, which would provide league-winning capability.

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NegativeValue51:55

The source notes that Bijan Robinson is currently being drafted around pick 506 (early fifth round) but could see a substantial ADP jump to the top of the fourth round. At a top-four-round ADP, Robinson would offer significant value relative to his upside as a potential three-down back in a top-five offense, though the source acknowledges there is risk and a 100% chance of disappointment if he underperforms.

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NegativeBust52:20

The source explicitly states there is a 100% chance of disappointment with Bijan Robinson at a top-four-round ADP, describing his profile as 'very risky.' The risk stems from uncertainty about his role, the need to learn a complicated offense, and competition from Chris Rodriguez and potentially undrafted free agent LaQuinn Allen in the passing game.

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NegativeBust52:20

The source warns that Bijan Robinson's profile is a very risky pick. If drafted at the top of the fourth round (around pick 101), there is a 100% chance of disappointment according to the source. The risk stems from uncertainty around role, receiving volume, and whether he will truly become a workhorse or remain limited in the passing game.

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Bo Nix

PositiveValue31:00

Nix is available in the tenth round or later and fits the streaming quarterback profile. His rushing floor is approximately 300 yards, which should be a reliable baseline. The source likes him as a late-round quarterback option in the context of the streaming strategy still working in single-QB leagues.

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PositiveValue31:18

Nix is available in the tenth round or later and fits the late-round streaming quarterback profile. His rushing floor is approximately 300 yards, which provides a solid baseline for fantasy production in a streaming strategy.

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Brandon Aiyuk

NegativeInjury13:00

Brandon Aiyuk is hurt and unavailable for the 49ers, creating opportunity for other pass catchers on the team.

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Chris Olave

PositiveRole9:05

Chris Solave has no restrictions in his contract and is full go for training camp.

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PositiveRole9:15

Chris Solave has no restrictions in his contract and is described as 'full go' at training camp, indicating full health and availability.

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Chris Rodriguez

NegativeInjury44:00

Rodriguez was signed in the offseason and played at Kentucky with Liam Cohen. He is not on the PUP list and has started doing individual drills at camp. However, he is coming off foot surgery and did not participate in minicamp. The source notes he is a high-upside option in the Jacksonville backfield, but his availability and role remain uncertain given his injury status.

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PositiveRole44:00

Rodriguez was signed in the offseason and played at Kentucky with Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen. He is not on the PUP list and is starting to do individual drills at camp. He is coming off foot surgery and did not participate in minicamp. He is competing for carries vacated by Travis Etienne Jr., who had 312 opportunities, 260 carries, and 52 targets. Rodriguez is one of the offseason signings expected to compete for red zone opportunities.

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NegativeRole46:24

Liam Cohen described Chris Rodriguez as a tough, glass-eater type who will run through a wall for his teammates and coaches. However, the source indicates Rodriguez appears to be the backup in the Jaguars backfield and must learn a complicated new offense that Cohen said was very hard to learn, despite Rodriguez knowing it from his Kentucky days.

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NegativeProjection49:21

Chris Rodriguez posted 4.5 yards per carry last year with six touchdowns on a decent volume, and advanced metrics were very good. However, there is fatigue and dismissal around him due to years of injury and lack of opportunities, limiting his perceived upside despite solid efficiency.

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NegativeRole49:37

The source indicates Chris Rodriguez appears to be the backup in the Jaguars backfield and must learn a complicated new offense that Liam Cohen said was very hard to learn. Despite advanced metrics being good and the source liking him historically, the backup role and learning curve present significant obstacles to opportunity.

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NegativeUsage50:25

Chris Rodriguez has minimal receiving production in the NFL: two targets in year one, one target in year two (13 games), and a career-high four targets last season in 13 games. This limited pass-catching profile is a concern given that Travis Etienne's fantasy points came primarily from the receiving game, which is an important part of the Jaguars offense.

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Christian Kirk

NegativeInjury9:15

Christian Kirk is not practicing at 49ers training camp, continuing injury concerns for the San Francisco wide receiver room.

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NegativeInjury9:30

Christian Kirk is not practicing for the 49ers during training camp.

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Colston Loveland

NegativeRole22:00

Colston Loveland is mentioned as a second-year tight end in the tier with Tucker Craft if Craft were healthy and not injured.

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Cooper Rush

NegativeRole14:15

Cooper Rush was signed by the Falcons as a backup quarterback option while Tua Tagovailoa deals with a flare-up and Michael Penix Jr. is not yet cleared for full team activities.

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Davante Adams

NegativeValue11:05

Devante Adams is tied with Mike Evans as the two oldest players being drafted in the top 72 (first six rounds), making both vulnerable to age-related injury risk.

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Deshaun Watson

PositiveRole12:20

Deshaun Watson is a beneficiary of the 49ers' injury situation, with Kittle, Pierce, and Kirk all hurt; the source notes that all the news has been positive around Watson.

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PositiveRole13:00

Deshaun Watson is a beneficiary of the 49ers wide receiver injuries; with George Kittle hurt, Brandon Aiyuk hurt, Christian Kirk hurt, and Jauan Jennings gone, Watson is positioned to see increased opportunity in the San Francisco offense.

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George Kittle

NegativeInjury13:00

George Kittle is hurt and unavailable for the 49ers, creating opportunity for other pass catchers on the team.

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PositiveBreakout21:30

George Kittle was dominating in fantasy last year other than his injuries; if there were no injury, he would be drafted in the fifth round, much higher than his current ninth-round ADP, placing him behind McBride and Bowers but ahead of other tight ends; the source suggests buying the injury dip on Kittle could be a value play if he returns to form.

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PositiveValue22:00

George Kittle, if healthy, would be drafted in the fifth round or higher, well ahead of McBride and Bowers. His current discount due to injury creates value if he can return to form, though the source's analysis of injury dip data suggests 57% of injured players fail to meet their ADP expectations.

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NegativeInjury24:00

Kittle suffered an Achilles injury in the wild card round. The injury was a mid-tendon tear (closer to where the tendon meets the muscle of the calf), which generally has more favorable recovery outcomes than other Achilles injuries. However, age works against him. He's being drafted in the ninth round as approximately the tenth tight end. The source notes the risk-reward is unclear given his age and injury history, and hasn't drafted him in mocks.

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NegativeInjury24:24

Kittle suffered an Achilles injury in the wild card round. The injury was a mid-tendon tear (closer to where the tendon meets the calf muscle), which generally has more favorable recovery outcomes than other Achilles injuries. However, age works against him. He's being drafted in the ninth round as approximately the tenth tight end, and the source has not drafted him in mocks despite the upside, citing the risk-reward tradeoff.

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Isaac Guerendo

NegativeInjury13:45

Isaac Guerendo is also hurt, further limiting the 49ers running back depth with both Jordan James and Guerendo unavailable.

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Jauan Jennings

NegativeRole13:00

Jauan Jennings is gone from the 49ers, reducing the depth of pass catchers available to the offense.

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Jonathan Taylor

PositiveRole8:30

Jonathan Taylor is at practice and wants an extension; he stated, 'I have faith. There have been some good conversations, but I have faith between my agent and the front office,' indicating he is not holding out and suggesting a more collaborative relationship with the team than in past holdout situations.

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NegativeRole8:45

Jonathan Taylor is at practice and wants an extension, saying 'I have faith. There have been some good conversations, but I have faith between my agent and the front office.' Unlike a holdout situation, his presence at practice and positive tone suggest less concern about contract negotiations disrupting his season.

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Jordan James

NegativeInjury13:30

Jordan James, who seemed like he should be the favorite for the running back position for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a rib fracture and will be out for some time, opening the door for Kalen Black, their third-round selection.

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NegativeInjury13:45

Jordan James, who appeared to be the favorite for the running back position for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a rib fracture and will be out for some time, opening the door for other running backs on the roster.

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Jordyn Tyson

PositiveRole9:15

Jordan Tyson participated fully in 11 on 11 drills at training camp, indicating full health and involvement in team activities.

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PositiveRole9:15

Jordan Tyson participated fully in 11 on 11 drills during training camp.

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Justin Herbert

NegativeMatchup33:48

Herbert led the league in percentage of dropbacks pressured last year and was the first quarterback since 2018 to lead the league in that stat and make the playoffs. The Chargers' offensive line was historically bad, but they've now added two all-pro tackles. Herbert's schedule opens with Arizona (nearly 12-point favorites) and Las Vegas (8.5-point favorites), setting up for a strong first two weeks. However, week three at Buffalo and week four at Seattle begin a tougher stretch. Last year, Herbert scored 28 fantasy points in week one and became locked into rosters before falling apart.

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NegativeProjection42:00

Herbert led the league in percentage of dropbacks pressured last year, the first quarterback since 2018 to do so while making the playoffs. The Chargers' offensive line was historically bad, but they've now added two all-pro tackles and one of the best centers, which should dramatically improve his situation. However, the source cautions that Herbert had a strong week one last year (28 fantasy points) that locked him into rosters before falling apart. Week three (at Buffalo) and week four (at Seattle) will be tougher matchups after easy weeks one and two against Arizona and Las Vegas.

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Malik Nabers

PositiveBreakout21:30

Malik Nabers, who was expected to start on the PUP list, did not and is running routes at training camp looking very good. The source notes that if Nabers had no injury, he would be drafted in the first round, likely around the same tier as other elite wide receivers. With his current ADP around 402 (late fourth round), he represents significant discount value if he can return to full health and production.

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Malik Willis

NegativeProjection32:00

Willis could hit 500 rushing yards as a floor, but the source has concerns about the Titans' passing attack. The wide receiver room is weak (Malik Washington as WR1, Greg Dulcich as a sleeper), making it unclear how Willis will generate passing touchdowns. If Willis can reach 200-215 passing yards with 1.5-2 passing touchdowns, he could be a league-winner type late-round quarterback. However, the source is uncertain about the Titans' ability to develop a functional passing game.

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NegativeValue32:12

Willis is available in the tenth round or later and could hit 500-800 rushing yards, providing significant rushing upside. However, the source has concerns about the Titans' passing attack, with Malik Washington likely as the WR1 and Greg Dulcich as a sleeper. For Willis to be a league-winner, he would need to reach 200-215 passing yards and 1.5-2 passing touchdowns per game, which is uncertain given the offensive weapons.

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Michael Penix Jr.

NegativeRole14:15

Michael Penix Jr. is not cleared for 11 on 11 drills and may need four more weeks before returning to full team activities, limiting his availability at Falcons training camp.

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NegativeInjury14:50

Michael Penix is not cleared for 11 on 11 drills and may be out for four more weeks, creating a backup quarterback situation for the Falcons with Cooper Rush signed.

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Mike Evans

PositiveInjury11:00

Mike Evans, 33 years old, is tied with Devante Adams as the two oldest players being drafted in the top 72 (first six rounds). The source notes that Evans was a loss last year due to injuries and is currently the clear healthy option for the 49ers offense, but his age and injury history create vulnerability. However, the source also notes that Evans is being priced with an age discount, which is a positive factor compared to players like Derrick Henry who are still being drafted at premium prices despite age.

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NegativeInjury11:05

Mike Evans, at 33 years old, is tied with Devante Adams as the two oldest players being drafted in the top 72 (first six rounds); he was a loss last year due to injuries and is currently standing in the way of rookie Deshaun's dribbling, though he is the clear healthy option for the 49ers offense right now with Kittle, Pierce, and Kirk all hurt.

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Patrick Mahomes

NegativeProjection26:00

Mahomes' ADP has dropped every year for three years, falling from fifth round in 2025 to third round in 2024 to ninth round now. He suffered a torn ACL and LCL and will not see the rushing production from last year, which was critical to his fantasy value. Last year, much of his fantasy production came from rushing (he was on pace for over 500 rushing yards), not passing. His passing numbers average only 256 yards and 1.6 passing touchdowns per game. Without the rushing upside and with Kenneth Walker providing a running game, the source does not love his upside and doesn't think he'll be in the top 12 at the position.

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NegativeProjection26:00

Mahomes' ADP has dropped every year for the last three years, falling from fifth round in 2025 to third round in 2024 to ninth round now. The source is not confident in his upside because his 2024 fantasy production was heavily dependent on rushing (he was on pace for over 500 rushing yards), which will vanish due to both his ACL/LCL injury and the addition of Kenneth Walker to the running game. His passing numbers are weak (256 yards, 1.6 passing touchdowns per game average), and removing the rushing production leaves him outside the top 12 quarterbacks. The source does not love the upside.

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Quentin Johnston

NegativeRole39:00

Johnston is a wide receiver for the Chargers who does not move much from college on; he stays in one spot. Under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, versatility will help in the offense, and Johnston is expected to be one of the guys. McDaniel had very nice things to say about Johnston in training camp.

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NegativeRole39:00

Johnston is a player who never moves much from his position; he doesn't do anything else from college on. He's not versatile like McConkie. However, when McDaniel came in, he had nice things to say about Johnston, so the source expects him to be one of the guys in the new offense. The question is how the wide receiver roles will shake out between Johnston, McConkie, and Trey Harris.

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Ricky Pearsall

NegativeInjury9:15

Ricky Pearsall is not practicing due to knee swelling; the source expresses significant concern because this is the same knee that caused him to miss six weeks with a PCL strain last year and additional time with knee and ankle injuries. The team is exploring all options, with surgery being discussed as a possibility. The source notes that despite having an entire offseason to address the issue, the knee is already swollen again at camp, raising questions about whether the underlying problem was truly fixed.

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NegativeInjury9:45

Ricky Pearsall is not practicing due to knee swelling; this is concerning because it is the same knee that suffered a PCL strain last year, causing him to miss six weeks, and he subsequently missed additional time with knee and ankle injuries; the team is exploring all options, with surgery being discussed as a possibility.

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Tank Dell

PositiveInjury15:00

Tank Dell was not placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to start camp and will be held out of team drills to open camp, indicating he is progressing in his recovery from injury.

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NegativeInjury15:20

Tank Dell was not placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to start camp but will be held out of team drills to open camp.

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Travis Etienne

NegativeUsage44:00

Etienne vacated 312 opportunities (260 carries, 52 targets, 6 receiving touchdowns) in the Jacksonville offense. He had 53 rushing attempts inside the red zone, which was the fourth most in the NFL. These red zone opportunities are now up for grabs in the backfield. The source notes this reflects a great offense that was in the red zone frequently, with Etienne being the primary beneficiary behind only McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Derek Henry, and James Cook.

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NegativeProjection52:34

The source notes that Travis Etienne is a good, well-rounded player but not the best of the best. He finished as the running back 10 in fantasy football last year for the Jaguars offense. His fantasy points came primarily from the receiving game, which is an important part of the Jaguars offense.

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NegativeProjection52:34

The source notes that Travis Etienne is a good, well-rounded player but not 'the best of the best,' finishing as the running back 10 in fantasy football last year for the Jaguars. The source uses Etienne's RB10 finish as a baseline to contextualize the upside potential of Bijan Robinson in the same offense.

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Tre Harris

NegativeRole39:00

Harris technically led the Chargers' wide receivers in snaps when they were in the two-wide receiver set last year. He is a good wide receiver in his own right but has not had a lot of opportunity in the NFL. With the new McDaniel offense and the emphasis on two-wide receiver sets, Harris could see increased opportunity.

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NegativeRole39:00

Harris technically led the Chargers' wide receivers in snaps when they were in the two-wide-receiver set last year. He is a good wide receiver in his own right but hasn't had a lot of opportunity in the NFL. With McDaniel's preference for two-wide-receiver sets, Harris could see increased opportunity, but the source notes that training camp will be key to understanding how the wide receiver roles will be distributed among Harris, McConkie, and Johnston.

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Tua Tagovailoa

NegativeInjury14:15

Tua Tagovailoa suffered a flare-up and will be out of Falcons training camp; however, the source notes this is described as a minor issue with a timeline of days, not weeks.

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NegativeInjury14:20

Tua Tagovailoa suffered a flare-up and will be out of training camp; the source notes it is a minor thing expected to be days, not weeks.

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Tucker Kraft

PositiveBreakout21:30

Tucker Craft was dominating in fantasy last year other than his injuries; if there were no injury, he would be drafted ahead of George Kittle, likely in the fourth round or earlier; the source suggests buying the injury dip on Craft could be a value play if he returns to form.

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PositiveValue22:00

Tucker Craft, if healthy, would likely be drafted ahead of George Kittle and possibly ahead of second-year tight ends like Colston Loveland. His current discount due to injury creates value if he can return to the dominant form he showed last year.

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NegativeInjury28:00

Kraft is on the training camp PUP list to start the season. He was quoted as saying he'll probably come off the PUP very soon, though the source notes this quote was not directly sourced to Kraft himself. His injury occurred in November. The source is less open to drafting him in the sixth round due to the injury risk, though acknowledges he was an impact difference-maker at the position last year.

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NegativeInjury28:00

Kraft is on the training camp PUP list to start the season. He said he would "probably come off the pup here very soon," though this quote was not directly sourced to Kraft. His injury occurred in November. The source is less open to drafting him in the sixth round compared to other injured players, but is holding his breath on the situation. Kraft was an impact difference-maker at tight end last year, but the source notes the risk of spending a higher pick on a player who might not be ready week one.

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Full transcript

Episode Transcript

687
0:00Soccer teaches us lessons we can take with us long after we leave the field.
0:05That's why Bank of America and U.S. Soccer are committed to helping bring soccer to every school.
0:11Raise your hand to help at bofa.com slash soccer at schools.
0:15This is a Monday.com ad. TheSameMonday.com designed for every team.
0:18TheSameMonday.com with built-in AI, scaling your work from day one.
0:22TheSameMonday.com with an easy and intuitive setup. Go to Monday.com and try it for free.
0:27To the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.
0:32Welcome in. Thursday, July 30th. Mike Wright, Jason Moore, Andy Holloway.
0:36Welcome into the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. At the FFBallers over on X, Instagram.com slash FantasyFootballers.
0:41Jason's looking extra golfy today. That's a golfy shirt, is it?
0:44It is a golf shirt indeed. I have golf shorts on and it is time to do the laundry.
0:51So wait, did you... We golfed this morning and you showered.
0:55I did. I changed out of that golf gear into this golf gear.
0:59That's what I was wondering. So you switched from like the gear you played golf in to now gear you're not playing golf in.
1:07Correct. Because of the laundry. Because I've worn all my regular stuff.
1:11But you keep an abundance of golf outfits. I have definitely purchased a lot of golf gear.
1:17Do you... That is one of the keys to golf.
1:21My shirts in my closet are outrageous right now.
1:24Because I had a wardrobe before I took up golf.
1:27And now I have an entire golf wardrobe. Do you change at the turn?
1:32Well, if I need to, yeah. I mean, you know, you got to bring an extra shirt.
1:38How often do you need to? Well, usually it's the mustard and the ketchup from the hot dog.
1:44So yeah, it's pretty much every time. Hot dog ball.
1:47And sometimes he drives home from the turn. Yeah.
1:50Yeah. Sometimes you have to do that. I never turned around.
1:54Sometimes I wonder if Mike doesn't come to golf as much just because he doesn't want to follow the decorum and rules of golf.
2:02Which part? Like collared shirts and... The collared shirt part is pretty weird to me.
2:07I assumed it bothered you. Well, yeah. Because they're like, hey, your shirt looks just like mine.
2:13But that one. Have you seen what's going on with the neck?
2:17Holy crap. That's a fancy shirt. You'd feel the same way about like a fine dining, not letting you wear like a
2:25hat and you have to wear a collared shirt in a restaurant too?
2:29That one, I at least, I can vibe more with that one.
2:33Is it because of the like environment? Well, because you're all in an enclosed area.
2:39When you're golfing, it's like... They don't see you.
2:42No. The only people who see me are the people behind me because I'm so bad and too slow.
2:48I don't think Al Borland likes the dress code either.
2:52Luckily, he dresses like a golfer all the time.
2:55I do. But some golf courses make you wear a belt.
2:58I don't ever wear a belt. And... Why? Like you have to tuck in your shirt?
3:04And me and Kyle and Jason went to a restaurant once and I got turned away because I didn't have belt loops on my pants.
3:12Holy. I just can't stand dress codes, man. My man.
3:16I've been in the restaurant where they made me take the hat off.
3:20And what was under the hat was not good.
3:23It's like, you prefer this? And I was so self-conscious the rest of the time.
3:29We have a great show today. Unsolved Mysteries episode talking about...
3:32Belt loops? Yeah. Yeah. I didn't need a belt for the restaurant.
3:36I just needed belt loops. Oh. And I was wearing...
3:40I missed that. I was wearing some expensive joggers, but they didn't have belt loops.
3:45Wait a minute. You were wearing joggers? Yeah. What's wrong with that?
3:49I mean... At a fancy restaurant. That's like sweatpants.
3:52No. That's sweatpants to a restaurant. These are nice joggers.
3:56Yeah. Are they made of sweatpants material? No. Or are they made...
4:00When you walk, does it go... No. Khakis make that sound too, my guy.
4:04That's parachute pants. Unsolved Mysteries. Some NFL news to talk about.
4:08And the Ultimate Draft Kit is here. UltimateDraftKit.com. More updates to the mock draft tool have been made.
4:14We're getting the keeper support into those. And some other tweaks and changes to the settings for you.
4:20You'll probably see new updates to the UDK every day or two for the rest of August.
4:26The draft analyzer's in there as well. Mike, you were going to add something?
4:31I was just... The news. I mean, news is starting to pour out.
4:36Another... You're just saying you can get your news feed inside the UDK.
4:40Well, you can get your news feed, I'm saying, for the changes.
4:44Like, you know, you had... Like, the last month or so is really just a couple vibes here or there from some beat reporters.
4:52Now real stuff is happening, which... Like injuries. Always happens is the injuries.
4:57Yeah, that sucks. Yeah. All right. Quick question of the day comes in from Adam in Los Angeles.
5:03Hey, Ballers. How do you go about prepping for a live draft without a common ADP displayed and the randomness that can come from everyone following different ADPs?
5:12Should you reach earlier on players that you must have?
5:16Well, if you must have them, then probably. Or should you trust that players should fall to their, quote, normal ADP?
5:23It's a good question. I mean, our main league of record, we purposely every...
5:28We have a draft room. There is no ADP sorting there.
5:32You come prepared or you don't come. And so we're used to this format where you are...
5:37And I prefer it. Obviously, we have the UDK.
5:40That's what I draft with. That's what I bring to my draft.
5:45So the order of players I like are in there.
5:48But I do pay attention to the ADP on that.
5:51Like, our charts will always show the ADP of a guy.
5:55I'm not going to reach two rounds for a guy.
5:59Even if he's, like, the next up in the ranking, especially in the first half of a draft, that's just malpractice where
6:06it's like you still want to squeeze as much value as you can.
6:11So you will take some risks of letting a guy go that you know usually goes later.
6:16I will say that you also need to know your league.
6:20I know in our league, we're a keeper league.
6:23Rookies? Yeah. Rookies ADP, throw that crap out the window.
6:27If you want a rookie, you are taking him two or three rounds ahead of ADP sometimes.
6:32And so you just have to know that. That's not going to be the same in every league.
6:39Yeah. And positionally, like, you know, in our... Because we're in a keeper league, we know that there's a bunch of running backs that are kept.
6:47So all of a sudden that the shift of the supply of really usable running backs, it depletes rather quickly.
6:54So you have to know all those things. But have your rankings and just be ready.
7:00Just be ready to take your guys. Yep. Absolutely.
7:03All right. Let's talk news. News and notes from around the league.
7:07Okay. We have a decent amount to talk about.
7:10Jameer Gibbs, B. John Robinson, both on fifth-year option contracts, rookie contracts, not practicing on Wednesday as they await new deals.
7:17Get that money. Yeah. That will be happening very soon.
7:21I wonder, like, who's going to get it first?
7:24Like, what's the approach here? Are the Atlanta Falcons waiting?
7:27They're waiting for the Gibbs contract to set the baseline.
7:31Oh, man. They should be talking. Yeah. They should be a little collusion.
7:35No. The two general managers should be talking to each other.
7:39I believe that's called collusion. I was thinking B.
7:42John and Gibbs should be talking. Yes, they should.
7:45Whatever. Just go get the same contract. They're both going to get so much money.
7:50But it is interesting, the game of chicken, of, like, whoever goes second gets more.
7:55Yes. Because they'll be like, even if it's the quintessential, I want a dollar more.
8:00Whoever signs first, like, the smarter franchise is whoever, signs the first one to a contract.
8:06B. John Robinson is 24.4 years old. Jameer Gibbs is 24.3 years old.
8:10Same draft, same spot in terms of, like, the leverage is gone for both teams.
8:15I mean. Like, Algier's gone and Montgomery's gone. They're in such identical situations.
8:20They're the number one and two picks in most fantasy drafts.
8:23There's plenty of times where. And they both get paid.
8:27And right now they can't get hurt when they're waiting.
8:30Yeah. Where a veteran player is holding out for a contract and you're not sure if they're going to get it or not.
8:38There's no one unsure here. This is a situation where it's like, just figure it out.
8:44Jonathan Taylor. Let's try that again. Who was that?
8:47Jonathan Taylor. He is at practice. He wants an extension as well.
8:51He says, quote, I have faith. There have been some good conversations, but I have faith between my agent and the front office.
8:59So he is not. Okay. I'll hold in. That's one where if he was holding out, that would scare me a little bit more.
9:07He already did. Like, he did that years ago and then got the money.
9:12So maybe they have a better relationship now. Chris Solave has no restrictions in his, quote, full go.
9:18We love it. Jordan Tyson participated fully in 11 on 11.
9:22Love it. You're not going to love this one.
9:25The 49ers news is always 49ers news. We already, last show, Christian Kirk, not practicing.
9:30Right. No one wants to hear this. Ricky Pearsall, not practicing because of swellness.
9:35Swellness. You're thriving. You're really crushing it today, Andy.
9:38My knee is swell. Swellness? That's, I mean, I had, I had French toast for lunch.
9:43All right. That'll do it. Someone told me to get the.
9:47Do you feel swelling? Okay. So I've got. Somebody told me to get French toast because they said it would be good.
9:54And then I did. Here's what's really funny about that.
9:58Swellness. At lunch, you're doing just fineness. At lunch, at the end, Andy offers, if anyone wants some eggs, because we ordered
10:05from a breakfast place and it was just some like healthy eggs.
10:09It's like scrambled eggs. And I literally thought to myself, wow, good for you, Andy.
10:15You went healthy. You just. Oh, like I didn't eat enough.
10:18Like you didn't eat enough, but all you got was like some, some eggs.
10:23I didn't. Just find out. I got croissant French toast.
10:27Yeah, I did. You should try it. It's so good.
10:30Kyle is letting us know that swellness is a rare archaic word, meaning the quality of being swell.
10:36Well, Ricky Pearsall's knee is not swell. No. But it is swollen.
10:40Yeah. And the team says all options are being explored.
10:44There are concerns. He missed like six weeks last year with a PCL strain and then missed more time later with knee and ankle.
10:52And it's the same knee. Yeah. That same PCL.
10:55And all options. They are the S word. Surge.
10:58Being used. Yes. Yeah. No, that's the fact that it is the same knee that he had an entire off season for.
11:06And it is. It is. You all right? Yeah.
11:09Did you have some French toast? No. I saw a funny Slack message from you, Andy.
11:14You got me. Look, the issue here is it's already swollen up and it's the same knee that he struggled with last year.
11:22Yeah. They are probably going to have to rest.
11:25Didn't fix it. I'm not a doctor, but I mean, the options are rest more and pray more.
11:31And then hopefully it's fine. But what would lead you to think, oh, this time it'll work.
11:37It's terrible. That's a scary, scary proposition. I mean, the implications here, you know, Kirk, Pierce, all Mike Evans is.
11:44Kirk is banged up. Mike Evans is tied with Devante Adams as the two oldest players being drafted in the top 72 in fantasy.
11:52The first six rounds. Those are the two most vulnerable to, you know, I looked at this.
11:58I looked at the old players that we've taken, the top five that we've taken over the last three years in the
12:05top 72 and how things worked out. And the basic as the basic conclusion is this, that if you have age baked
12:13in as a discount, they kind of can work out.
12:16If you're paying up for them, they've been there's been some years where it can be injury.
12:22I mean, look at Mike Evans last year. He was a loss last year.
12:27Yes, he was one of the oldest again last year.
12:30And it was a loss because of all the injuries.
12:34But standing in the way of this is all to say standing in the way of rookie.
12:40Deshaun's dribbling. Yeah, is a 33 year old Mike Evans right now because Pierce saw and Kittle's hurt and Pierce.
12:46All's hurt and Kirk and Kirk is hurt. Yeah.
12:49And Jawan Jennings is gone. So and and all the news has been so positive around stribbling.
12:55So, yeah, dribbling is definitely a beneficiary here. But also, I do think I mean, Mike Evans, I stand a little bit more on an island.
13:04I mean, he is the clear one right now for this team is currently healthy.
13:09And I do think that there is I don't know what your study was as far as injury dip based on whether
13:17where that player has historically gone or just what rounds of the draft.
13:21But obviously, Mike Evans is not being drafted where he used to be drafted.
13:26No, no, he's he's priced where there's an age discount right now.
13:30Him and Adams are. So that's good. I mean, that's a good thing.
13:35You're not paying that. You know, somebody like Henry, like we're not pricing him factoring in age anymore.
13:41Like people just keep taking him at the top because we he's ageless or so it seems.
13:47All right. But there was also running back Jordan James, who seemed like he should be the favorite for the running back
13:54to position for the San Francisco 49ers. He suffered a rib fracture.
13:58So he will be out sometime, which opens that door back up.
14:02And it's basically Kalen Black, their third round selection till he is hurt.
14:07Yes. But Garendo is also hurt. You know that the electrical substation is it's already doing some work.
14:13Got one. Two. Got two. We have Falcons quarterback news to a tongue of Iloa suffered a flare up.
14:19He will be out at training camp. Oh, that's not good.
14:23But don't worry. Michael Penix is not cleared for 11 on 11 and it might be four more weeks.
14:30Yeah. So they are on. Hold the phone. They're throwing.
14:33They signed Cooper Rush. Oh, the two. Jack Strand.
14:36Yeah. The two injury right now. They're saying Gibbs more than B.
14:40Yeah. Yeah. Right now they're saying that it's a minor thing.
14:44It's, you know, days, not weeks for Tua. And in the meantime, Penix isn't out there.
14:49Tank Dell was not placed on the PUP to start camp.
14:53All right. But he will be held out of team drills to open camp.
14:58Yeah. Man, please get back, Tank. The world is better with you in it.
15:03Wasn't he a my guy the year he got hurt?
15:06Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. By one of us. I don't even remember who it was.
15:11That was yours. Yeah. All right. Chris Brazil, also pretty significant injury for the Carolina rookie.
15:16They're talking like eight weeks. Yeah. He was, he was carted off.
15:21Third round pick. Too early to tell. However, it could be pretty serious.
15:25All right. We've got a main segment coming up.
15:28Unsolved Mysteries. Diving into a number of questions and situations.
15:31And we'll find out what we think in just a minute.
15:35I'm just too old to be eating like a cake for lunch.
15:39I think. Probably. But it's just hard for me to resist.
15:43Because it tastes good? I think that if I didn't have, I wasn't like born with the genetics I have in my
15:51family, I could be one of the heaviest people on earth.
15:54You definitely eat worse than I do. A lot of times.
15:58Yeah. And you are in much better shape than I am.
16:02But you also work out more. So, you know, tomato, tomato.
16:06I will say when we went to the FFXpo, you also got a mountain of pancakes.
16:11Chocolate chip. I'll admit that that that was a mistake.
16:15Yeah. It was. It was. We got there and I was trying to tell you that pancakes are quite variable on the style in which they come.
16:24They could be like big, giant pancakes. Do you get a bunch of them?
16:29Do you get like a short stack? You got a bunch of big ones.
16:33This was the equivalent. This is the funny thing we do as people is we say cake for breakfast is ridiculous.
16:40Yeah. But then we say chocolate chip pancakes are acceptable, which is, I mean, what I got was the equivalent of a full birthday cake worth of thickness.
16:50Yeah. Yeah. Six inch deep, like, you know, eight by nine slice of cake covered that in syrup.
16:56And I felt ashamed of myself. But it was on the menu.
17:00Perhaps as a youth, I wasn't paying as much attention.
17:04You know, we had the chocolate chip pancakes or the smiley face stuff.
17:08I feel like the way they do it now, though, I think they're stepping it up.
17:14Well, they have. They have like that. That's more recent in history in giving all the bread in terms of like pancakes, the history of pancakes.
17:23Like and I like that. They're like, hey, American appetites, Mike.
17:26I don't know if you know this. They have increased cake for breakfast.
17:31No. What if I said I made it in a pan?
17:34You're like, oh, whoa, whoa. That's part of a balanced breakfast.
17:38Oh, yeah. It's in the name. It is right there.
17:42Yeah. It's just a cake in a pan that you cover with rich maple syrup instead of frosting and maybe sometimes have
17:49chocolate chips in it instead of sprinkles. Yeah. That you have in your oven cake.
17:54Right, right, right. Yeah. I would never have an oven cake for breakfast.
17:59But you put it in a pan. I'm in.
18:02We're we're a weird species. Yeah, we are. Here we go.
18:06So unsolved mysteries. All right. Our unsolved mystery. Number one that we're going to start with is should you buy the injury dip this year?
18:14There are four big names among others. Obviously, I mean, you could argue Jonathan Brooks and other players, too.
18:21But neighbors, Kittle, Tucker Craft, Patrick Mahomes. Jason, you know, we've had we've had conversations around buying the injury dip.
18:27Mm hmm. We looked up some information. Mm hmm.
18:31140 players from 2021 to 2025 who are either coming off of surgery.
18:35So they were limited in camp or they're picked or picked up a training camp injury like during camp.
18:41And so a pretty big sample size, 140 players.
18:45Just giving you the data before you answer the question.
18:4826 percent or 37 players exceeded their ADP. 57 percent failed to meet their ADP.
18:53That was 80 players in that sample. And then 23 players, 16 percent.
18:58They met ADP but did not exceed. So, you know, you look at that and you say like 42, 43 percent of
19:05them still worked out as a pick. Yeah. That's one way to look at it.
19:10Yeah. I mean, because if you meet your ADP expectation, then it's.
19:14Well, but keep in mind, you're buying a dip.
19:17So your expectation was for them to surpass lower.
19:20Of course. But I'm saying if they but you still drafted them like they gave you the points that they were drafted.
19:28You're hoping for more. No, I don't agree with that.
19:31Really? Yeah. Because I think buying the injury dip implies an expectation that surpasses the ADP 100 percent.
19:38Like I don't if I'm taking a player on a on a round, a multi-round discount and they perform to that round, I'm not happy with that pick.
19:47I would agree. I think generally speaking, you would you would not be happy with that.
19:53Obviously, not a bust. It didn't ruin your chance.
19:56But the opportunity cost of what what else you gave up in that round and more than 50 percent of them, 57
20:03percent didn't even meet that opportunity cost the same because they're they're meeting the they're meeting the price.
20:09So looking at this, this is 140 players from 2021 to 2025.
20:13This was a redo of a study that in 2018 on the things to remember episode, it was don't buy the injury dip.
20:21And at that time we had kind of looked at the data and it was really bad.
20:27It was like, you know, you more often than not, those dips don't pay off.
20:32Now, this data, you can argue whether, you know, you're happy or sad with not meeting the or with just meeting but not exceeding the ADP dip.
20:41Obviously, you can't argue that the majority, 57 percent.
20:45Correct. Failed to even get to the dip. 26 percent clearly happy with.
20:49So when I look at it, the way that I interpret that data is.
20:54Way more often than not, buying the injury dip doesn't pay off.
20:58Yeah, I would say that the idea of them paying off it for me, I interpreted that as outperforming the status quo
21:05at that spot and because you're trying to get a discount on them.
21:10So for me, 75 percent of the time, it doesn't work.
21:14So let's look at the specific players and how it applies this year because this year there's a handful of guys that we absolutely love.
21:22You know, a couple of tight ends in George Kittle and Tucker Craft that were dominating in fantasy last year other than their injuries.
21:30And then obviously Malik Neighbors who looked like he was going to start on the pup, didn't even start on the training
21:38camp pup and is running routes today and looking very good.
21:42Let's just put it this way. Neighbors, Kittle, Craft.
21:45Where do they go if there is no injury?
21:48Malik Neighbors goes in the first round. Yeah, for sure.
21:51You think he goes in the first round? If he was never injured, absolutely.
21:56He would be up there with... He was in the first round last year.
22:01At 112? That was with a, you're not sure we have a good quarterback.
22:06And George Kittle, you're talking about him... Fifth round?
22:09Yeah, probably. So he goes behind McBride and Bowers.
22:12Yes. But much higher than ninth round. And then Tucker Craft probably goes ahead of Kittle.
22:17Yeah, I would agree with that. Maybe even ahead of the...
22:21He'd be there with... In the second year guys?
22:24Loveland. Yeah. So that's kind of where, like, if you apply that data the way that I'm thinking about it with where
22:32they belong versus the discount you're getting, like, you know, if you drop Malik Neighbors at 402 and you get the performance
22:39of 402, would you have been happy with Malik Neighbors?
22:42Because I think you're going to appropriate these guys into spots that maybe isn't the same thing as what you would get there.
22:50I don't know. No, yeah. I don't think you would be happy with that.
22:55I mean, you're talking about wide receiver selection that you're trying to swing for the fences as opposed to right next to...
23:03Being drafted at the same spots, T. Higgins. You know, I would imagine that that would be a better pick than someone
23:10that is drafted and just barely performing at this level of a draft pick.
23:15So it seems like the ADP for Neighbors is likely to rise significantly.
23:19That video looked like it. Yeah, there's a video of him, you know, he's running, cutting, running routes.
23:26And seeing the video, he is 100% doing all those things.
23:29That doesn't mean he's ready to play football. No, but it's better than not seeing him do it.
23:35It is, except it's not better for ADP. No, but it's also way better than the video where he was at the
23:43celebrity baseball game and he looked like he couldn't round first.
23:47No, he looked like he had a stilt on or something like that.
23:51But so when you look at Neighbors, Kittle, Kraft, Patrick Mahomes, is the reward there in the draft to outweigh the risk of taking these players?
24:00Obviously, if you take Kittle and he doesn't start week one, you're now rostering two tight ends, right?
24:06You've traded the selection for Kittle and another pick to fill in for Kittle for a time.
24:12What is your outlook based on that data for those four guys?
24:16So I think everyone is priced, I think, appropriately.
24:19Like Malik in the fourth is, that's an expensive pick.
24:23There's great players going around there. But the upside is by the end of the year, you have a wide receiver who's returning first-round value.
24:31Kittle, because of the age and when the actual injury was, it was in the wild card round and it was an
24:39Achilles, where we just don't have tons and tons of data on guys tearing their Achilles.
24:44Betts did talk about the fact it's a mid-tendon injury.
24:48He said it's closer to where the tendon meets the muscle of the calf, and that is generally good news for Achilles' recovery.
24:55Outcomes are more favorable. But like you said, he does have age working against them.
25:01He does, but he's going in the ninth as about the tight end ten.
25:05I don't feel like the three of us have taken him in any mocks there.
25:10No, not usually. When he's been on the board.
25:14I haven't. I mean, I've been – the only one of these guys that I've been drafting is Malik Nabors.
25:20I think at the fourth-round value, that dip is big enough to where when he gets back to health, and I am
25:28aware that it's going to start slow, I'm willing to take that on.
25:32When he ends up rising from this, I'm probably also out on Malik Nabors because I think he'll end up – if
25:40he is on track to play week one and the videos look good, keep in mind he will – usually these players
25:47will have a period of time where they're not back to peak performance even when they're on the field.
25:54I imagine he's going to be drafted around like A.J.
25:57Brown, Nico Collins. So that would be like early second round right now.
26:02And that would be too expensive for me. The other guys I'm pretty much out on.
26:07Well, the one thing I was going to bring up was Patrick Mahomes just in the fact that his ADP has dropped
26:15every year for the last three years. But now – so our expectations for him are very low.
26:21They were going to be low if he was 100% healthy ending last year with the run that he had in fantasy.
26:28But ninth round Mahomes – he was fifth round Mahomes in 2025, third round Mahomes in 2024.
26:34Now he's ninth round Mahomes. He's basically like – I mean, he's a really late round quarterback.
26:40He had the torn ACL and LCL, not placed on the pup, not going to see the rushing production from last year.
26:48That's the issue. Because last year so much of his fantasy production came from the running game.
26:53He couldn't find someone to throw the ball to, and he scrambled like he had never done in his career.
27:00Had a ton of rushing yards, rushing touchdowns. Really had that dog in him.
27:05He was, you know, willing them on drives with his legs.
27:09That will vanish this year for two reasons. One is the injury, and two, they should have a running game with Kenneth Walker there.
27:17So if you take that away, I don't love the upside.
27:21He was quite a few fantasy points per game higher than his previous two years last year.
27:27Yeah, because the past few years have been horrifically bad.
27:30His passing numbers averaging 256 yards and 1.6 passing touchdowns per game.
27:34Like, you take away a good chunk of that rushing, and those numbers are not going to be getting done.
27:41He was on pace for over 500 rushing yards last year.
27:45So his points per game would have, you know, looking at last year, still not been good enough to be – I
27:52mean, that still would have put him outside the top 12.
27:56I don't think they've done enough to convince me to be in on Patrick Mahomes.
28:01George Kittle, to me, at that spot – because, Jason, I'm with you – of if you don't get an elite tight end, just wait, just wait.
28:10Because they don't make a difference anymore. They're all the same.
28:14George Kittle could be a difference. It comes with a huge amount of risk, but the risk of those other players is none, but the upside is none.
28:24Does that mean Tucker Kraff's off your board in the sixth round?
28:28No, not – no. So I think – I'm open to it.
28:32I think that – I am less open to it, but I'm – that one I feel like I'm holding my breath on.
28:40I know, Mike, you've talked about you're pretty in on Tucker Kraff.
28:44Yeah. What he was doing last year was an impact difference maker at the position.
28:49But you've got to spend a higher pick on a player that might not be their weak one.
28:55Yeah. That's why I'm out. I'm out on – Younger player, and his injury was in November.
29:01What was the latest? So the latest we've seen, he was – so he's on the pup.
29:07If you didn't hear that, Tucker Krafft is on the training camp pup to start.
29:12And he said, quote, I'll probably come off the pup here very soon.
29:16That was him? It's quoted as I. It was not sourced to Tucker Krafft.
29:21But – Probably. I'm just going to do some analysis here.
29:25Unsolved mystery number two. Can the streaming quarterback strategy still work in single quarterback leagues?
29:30This was something we talked about. But I feel like ad nauseum from probably the first year we started the show through maybe like five or six years.
29:39Because it was an elite strategy. So some data as you kind of craft your answer to the question.
29:46But some data that's interesting about the streaming quarterback strategy and what we've seen evolve in the NFL.
29:52Well, if you look – and Dwayne McFarlane tweeted this out.
29:56So this is where the data comes from. But the number of quarterbacks to throw for 250 yards a game.
30:03We were at 17 quarterbacks in 2016. 19 quarterbacks in 2018.
30:0616. 16. Yeah. Then in 2022, 2023, it was 10.
30:10And then 10. So I guess when the two shell started hitting.
30:14It started becoming very popular. Now, in 2024, there were eight of them.
30:18Last year, there were seven. So, I mean, we had a year in 2018 of 19 quarterbacks with 250 yards a game.
30:26Again, that's an average. That's the average of 250 yards a game.
30:30Now it's seven. We used to shoot for 250 and two when you're streaming a quarterback.
30:36And we're not seeing that as a very common average.
30:39Yeah, not an average across the season. But that's the point of streaming, right?
30:44Is you can find a matchup in a game where a guy who you would not usually expect averaging 250 and two
30:51should go out there and throw for 250 and two, if not more.
30:56Now, we have also seen the fewest total pass attempts last year in the last 15 years.
31:02Yeah. But scramble rates have risen. And that's where, when we're talking about late-round quarterbacks, streaming quarterbacks, you're looking for those guys that can scramble.
31:10That's today's NFL is using the legs more. That's better for fantasy football.
31:15So that's Jackson Dart. But we're more aware of that.
31:18And so those players are getting pulled up in drafts.
31:21Exactly. That's what happened. That's why the strategy, you know, if you're saying, oh, it hasn't worked as well lately.
31:28Yeah, because the average fantasy football player is wising up.
31:32This year, though, you still have a handful of guys who are interesting because they fit the bill.
31:38You know, 10th round or later, at least from the 80 p.m.
31:42I'm seeing right now, Bo Nix. Like, what's his rushing floor?
31:46300? Yeah, that's the floor. He should hit 300 yards.
31:49Tyler Shuck. I love him. He should hit 300 rushing yards.
31:53The next guy. Malik Willis. He could hit 500 rushing yards.
31:57Like, Malik Willis. He could hit 800. Malik Willis is the...
32:00So, along, though, with the rushing, because the rushing is just the floor.
32:05You need the passing to take you over the top to become a weak winning type of a quarterback.
32:11So that's the question for, like, in my opinion, I'll just do Shuck versus Willis.
32:16I'm so much more confident in the offensive passing attack of the Saints and Tyler Shuck.
32:22Certainly. But you're only getting, you know, I'm not getting Malik Willis rushing yards.
32:27But if Willis and that team, if they can figure out a way, that's a large but.
32:32I'm trying to figure out how, like, when your wide receiver one's probably Malik...
32:37Huge but. Probably Malik Washington. And we're talking about, like, Greg Dulcich as a sleeper.
32:42But if Malik Willis can find his way to 200, like 200 to 215, and he's...
32:48And you're getting, you know, one and a half to two passing touchdowns, then goodness gracious.
32:53So, all that being said, do you believe the late-round quarterback strategy...
32:57Yes. ...with including streaming, not just finding a nugget, but, like, actually having to play week-to-week streaming can still work?
33:04Yeah, I still believe it can. I do, too.
33:07Yeah, I mean, there are names we like. I mean, I think no matter what we say on the show, even if
33:15every show was dedicated to Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, those players' ADPs are not moving.
33:20So, there are going to be players like that, like Baker, Daniel Jones coming back, that are going to be out there
33:28for free on waivers every week, unless you're in a super flex league.
33:32So, yeah, it makes sense. All right, unsolved mystery number three.
33:36Number three. What does offense look like with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel?
33:40It'll look sexy. You think? Oh, I do. I think the offense is going to be great.
33:46It will look very different. It's a team that ran Justin Herbert into the ground, not just because of a bad offensive
33:54line, but also they didn't bring tight ends in line very much.
33:58They utilized 12 personnel on just 6% of their offensive plays.
34:02That's the lowest rate in the NFL. McDaniel, you know, he is a guy that's going to come in, and you look
34:09at the transactions, they brought a fullback in. They brought in two tight ends.
34:14One is a blocking specialist, David Njoku and Charlie Kohler.
34:17The offensive line just got so much help. Two all-pro tackles that weren't there last year.
34:23So, I think it's going to change a lot.
34:26To your point about Kohler and Njoku, like Mike McDaniel was one of the, you know, at least in Miami, maybe it was personnel related as well.
34:35But he only had three or more wide receivers on 41% of plays.
34:40He likes the two tight end sets. We were very, well, he likes two running backs.
34:45Sure. Like he, Mike McDaniel is willing to ebb and flow with trends or personnel.
34:50I know that having two running backs out there, the amount of time he did, you know, like from 23 on, he had A-chan.
34:58And it's like, well, A-chan's a running back, but he's just, he's a real versatile player.
35:04We need to get him involved in the passing game.
35:07So, what will it look like? I think you will have more 12.
35:12The idea of them running out Hampton and Keaton Mitchell is pretty interesting as well.
35:17Well, I mean, they also brought in Ingold to play fullback in front of Hampton.
35:22Yeah, you can count him too. You can count him too.
35:26In those personnel. Now, I, it's hard because the Chargers feel like, they feel like a team where like you go in
35:33to the doctor and the diagnosis seems like it's so simple.
35:37And he's just going to write you the most basic script and you're going to go home and get well.
35:44And now we're on like year five of like, you know what?
35:48You have, you, maybe you have a different disease than we thought.
35:52And we keep trying a different shot and a different medicine and a different vitamin.
35:57And we are always left with an illness. I think the personnel matters.
36:02And, and last year I was very excited for them.
36:05Yeah. I was going to say, we were, we got to be honest about like last off season with the Greg Roman combo.
36:13Right. But we were in that boat. But it's the, the, the thing that happened, the biggest change to me.
36:20I mean, we've talked about it a bunch, but they lost their two superstar tackles.
36:25So they went, I mean, look at it this way.
36:28Herbert had led the league in percentage of dropbacks pressured.
36:32That's the first quarterback since 2018 who led the league in that stat and made the playoffs.
36:38He was, they just didn't have an offensive line.
36:41Then they went out and got one of the best centers.
36:44Yeah. And now you get two all pro tackles.
36:47Like you're going to go from one of the worst to one of the best lines.
36:53And why didn't they give Greg Roman a pass and keep him?
36:57Why didn't they? Someone's got to take the fall, man.
37:00Well, but I mean, why can't they just say, yeah, we're our offensive line was all beat up.
37:07I mean, I feel like it was, I think it's oversimplistic to blame the offensive line by itself.
37:13So here's a question about the Chargers offense for fantasy.
37:16We just talked about it and it's great for fantasy.
37:20A lot of times people think you want more wide receivers on the field.
37:24You don't. The consolidation of only having two means that the targets go to the players that are on the field.
37:32However, there will be far more of that for the Chargers than what we're used to seeing.
37:37So the question comes down to Ladd, who is their best wide receiver.
37:42Like he's their best wide receiver, but he's been, you know, his slot rate the last two years, 71%, 64%.
37:49I just have no worries about Ladd getting on the field because I don't think Mike McDaniel's an idiot.
37:55Fair. If I thought he was an idiot, then I would, like if this was Nathaniel Hackett, not to, but you know, like a true idiot.
38:04You are saying Greg Roman's an idiot. No, he didn't.
38:07I mean, no, I'm not. He didn't take Ladd McConkie off the field a bunch.
38:13No, he just put him in the slot. No, no, no, that's the idiot part.
38:18The idiot part is not playing Ladd McConkie. It's not where you play Ladd McConkie.
38:23It's not playing him at all. So the fear with the breakdown of too wide is that McConkie will not be a part of it.
38:31Yeah. And I have no fear of that. Yeah.
38:34He should 100% be on the field for that.
38:37Last year, Trey Harris technically led the wide receivers in snaps when they were in the two wide receiver set.
38:44I'm just saying. Oh, I'm not laughing at you.
38:47I'm getting made fun of for saying McConkie. I had French toast.
38:52He's swelling again. I had French toast. And you know what?
38:55I'm happy I did. It was delicious. Malconkie calling.
38:58But if you look at it, what's funny is, I don't remember who tweeted it, variation of where wide receivers line up.
39:06One of the players that never moves the most was Quentin Johnston.
39:10Like he just doesn't do anything else. From college on.
39:13And the versatility is going to help in this offense for Ladd McConkie.
39:18This is a really big one for training camp to let us know.
39:22When McDaniel came in, he had a lot of very nice things to say about Qge.
39:28So it's like, well, then we expect him for sure to be one of the guys.
39:33Then is it going to be Ladd on the outside?
39:37And now you get some Trey Harris talk coming up who is like, he is a good wide receiver in his own right.
39:44He just hasn't had a lot of opportunity in the NFL.
39:48So it's pay attention here. To me, a lot of what happens with Los Angeles is that, and maybe why it's frustrating, is they're just made for conversation.
39:58I feel like every offseason we have tons of conversation around the Chargers since Herbert became their quarterback.
40:04And there's a lot of positivity around all their players.
40:07Every offseason. But I'm at the point now where I want to see it proven out on the football field.
40:14And I don't feel like we ever allow for the middle outcome.
40:18That you're just kind of okay. Is that what you think?
40:22What do you think this offense, regardless, throw the years in the past in the garbage or whatever, this offense, do you
40:30think they will be a middle offense, a top offense, or a poor offense?
40:34Not every offense has the opportunity to reach a top five offense.
40:38And this one does with the personnel and the coaching.
40:42But no, I think the most realistic outcome is that they are a 8 to 15 offense on the positive side.
40:49I think that's the most realistic outcome for the offense.
40:53Yeah, I usually like splitting the league when I think of offenses in thirds.
40:57To really think like the top third offense are good offenses and the bottom third offenses are ones I want to avoid.
41:05I think they'll be in the top third, which I think you think that too based on the 8 to 15 is more in the top third, right?
41:14No, no, it'd be more in the middle. Because a third means there's three groups.
41:20Yeah, but it goes past 8. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
41:24Yeah, 11. I mean, you can't evenly split 32 and 3.
41:27Well, if I say 8 to 15, like what numbers are more in the middle?
41:32Well, but do you count 11 as the top third?
41:36Because you can't. Oh, because there's 32 teams. Yeah.
41:39I did break it up 10, 10, 10 in my head.
41:43We shouldn't have really been. No, that's, hey, you can take two teams and just be like, Cleveland, we don't count you.
41:50We will get our calculators out. Well, I will say with the Chargers, if you're going to draft them, I think their schedule matters a ton.
41:59They open against Arizona where they're nearly 12-point favorites.
42:02Then they play the Raiders where they are 8.5-point favorites.
42:06This is incredible. Like last, it's just a reminder.
42:09Last year, Justin Herbert in week one scored 28 fantasy points and became so locked into everyone's roster that you're like, we did it.
42:17It's happening for Justin Herbert. Then it fell apart.
42:20I bring that up because week three is set up to do that again.
42:25Week three is at Buffalo. Week four is at Seattle.
42:28Seattle, then it's Denver, and then it's on the road against Kansas City.
42:33So while I think they're going to have a great first two weeks.
42:37Saying sell. I'm not saying sell. I'm just saying be honest with yourself about what just happened.
42:43Yeah, let me audit. They're going to beat the crap out of two of the, like Arizona and Vegas.
42:49Let me audit my comment. Bottom four teams. I think they will be a top one offense for two weeks.
42:56Okay. Let's take a break. I'll be right back.
42:59This is a Monday.com ad. The same Monday.com designed for every team.
43:03The same Monday.com with built-in AI. Scaling your work from day one.
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43:11Go to Monday.com and try it for free. All right.
43:14We have two more Unsolved Mysteries in time for one more.
43:18Oh. So you guys get to decide. Oh. We either talk about the Unsolved Mystery of Lamar Jackson bouncing back to elite form for fantasy football.
43:27Okay. Or we discuss the backfield for the Jacksonville Jaguars and how it will be split.
43:32Oh, well, that one's not a mystery. For Mike.
43:35I think it's right now not a mystery for Mike or I.
43:39Yeah, I'm. Yes. I'm a little gassy. Yeah, baby.
43:42Welcome. I'm a little gassed up. Come on, boy.
43:45Let's go. Let's go. This is the day. Today is the day that Chris Rodriguez just got.
43:51Yes. Active to go make plays at camp. To go train on the side.
43:56Yeah. Yeah. But he can do it now. I simply.
43:59Look. Tootin should. I mean, he's a high upside.
44:03All the offseason. Hold on. Let me find it.
44:06Chugga chugga. Where's our offseason, you know, best player in camp so far.
44:10But we haven't seen anybody else. Just saying. So are we discussing that one?
44:15Yeah, let's go there. Let's go there. No, I don't want to.
44:19How will the Jacksonville Jaguars backfield be split? Travis H.
44:22And Jr. Is vacating 312 opportunities, 260 carries, 52 targets, six receiving touchdowns.
44:27We have a lot of red zone attempts that he had in that offense that are, you know, going to be up for grabs.
44:35I think that's part of the discussion, right? Yep.
44:38But 53 rushing attempts inside the red zone. That was the fourth most in the NFL.
44:44And those are gone. So you got. That says.
44:47It's a great offense. That's what that says. You've got a great offense that was in the red zone at a time.
44:54And the guy that got the ball the most there.
44:58I mean, that's right behind McCaffrey, John the Taylor, Derek Henry, James Cook.
45:02And blank space for Jacksonville. So. Chris Rodriguez was one of the offseason signings.
45:07Had played at Kentucky with Liam Cohen. Not placed on PUP.
45:11Not starting to do individual drills at camp. He's coming off foot surgery.
45:15He did not participate in minicamp. Bashal Tootin. Sophomore.
45:18We brought it up on the show. When Liam Cohen talked about him, he said in year one, did a lot of
45:26great things, but also had to learn a complicated offense.
45:29Pass protections. You know, figuring out what to do.
45:32And a lot of it was not reacting. A lot of it was thinking.
45:37A lot of it was processing. And we all saw, you know, to me, what I saw the most out of Tootin
45:44as a rookie was explosive plays that ended up just happening more in the passing game.
45:50On a play here or there than it was, you know, chunk plays in the backfield over and over again.
45:57But he has that capability. He's a fast runner.
46:00He's 4-3-2. Yeah. At 2-0-9. Like, this is, he is, his build.
46:04Oh, boy. I'm sorry. You just seen the glass eater?
46:07Yeah. Yeah. I'm just, we got another. Oh. That was a good quote.
46:12Now, we've had a, hold on, we've had a crayon eater before and we know who that is.
46:18And his favorite color crayon is blue. Yes. Did we ever, hey, social guy, did we ever share that?
46:24Yeah, we did. Okay. Yeah, Cam Scadaboo said his favorite crayon.
46:28I don't follow him. He's a crayon eater, right?
46:31We got another category, Mike. Liam Cohen came out on Wednesday and said.
46:36This is troubling. About Crod. About Chris Rodriguez. He doesn't say a ton, but he's tough.
46:41He's one of those glass eaters. He is. He's going to run through a wall for his teammates, for his coaches, for their organization.
46:49So we're eating glass now. Okay. Which is more dangerous than crayons?
46:53Oh, yeah. By a, children can eat crayons. Are crayons like completely like non-toxic?
46:58Non-toxic? I think they probably have to be. Huh.
47:01There probably was a time where they were very toxic.
47:05It'd be a fun poop. Eating a toxic, oh, just a regular.
47:09No, not a toxic poop. Okay. A non-toxic crayon poop would be a colorful adventure.
47:14The glass one would be a painful. I think it would be a colorful.
47:19I think it would still be brown. There's only one way to find out.
47:24Oh, man. There is only one way to find out.
47:27Google. The Falcon just throws in the Slack channel, $2,000 and I'll eat a box.
47:32Oh, my gosh. Falcon, we know that Josh will do it for way less.
47:37Josh would eat a box of crayons for way less money.
47:41Let me take lowest bids from the newsroom. Okay.
47:44Now, we're already down to $1,200. Keep the bids coming in.
47:47$1,000. Wait, wait, wait. Wait, are we talking like 64 counts?
47:51No, no, no, no. Standard. 16? Children's. Whatever that is.
47:5512, 16. The normal pack. We all know what that is.
47:581,000. 900. 800. 400. Whoa. Oh, there we go.
48:01There we go. Let me tell you this. Okay, now we're into a price we might do it.
48:08We're out of range. Some of them might be eating crayons.
48:11We're out of range where I chip in 100.
48:14You guys chip in 100. We just needed one more.
48:18We got to get it to 300. Oh, Jeremy's in.
48:21Jeremy's good for this. First $300 for a box of crayons.
48:25That's $300. I'll chip in. That's what I mean.
48:28Oh, yeah. I'll take care of that. Matt, you're on the hook now.
48:33I got a new letter I want to buy.
48:36Are you eating a box of crayons for 400?
48:39I have good news for you. This might change.
48:42This might change. Yes, eating a box of crayons can make your poop colorful.
48:47So there is actually not just money in this, but an exciting time.
48:51Crayola has tested their products to ensure they pose no poisoning risk, though eating them is still not recommended due to the crayon.
48:59Oh, man. A box of 24 is the crayon standard.
49:02Okay, so we'll get back to this. 300 and you got a deal.
49:07400. I'm setting the line at three. Four. All right, you chime in if you change your mind by the end of the show.
49:15You said you have a new putter to buy, but you must not want it that bad.
49:21No. Listen, this does matter. Like, Crayola is a glass eater.
49:25Yes. And Crayola is a good player. And there are 53 red zone opportunities available.
49:30Chris Rodriguez, there's a fatigue and kind of like dismissal of him because of the years of injury and not getting opportunities.
49:37He was 4-5 a carry last year on a decent – I mean – I think it's more than – Six touchdowns last year.
49:45Yeah. No, he was actually – he was – some of the advanced metrics for Chris Rodriguez were very good.
49:52We've always liked him. Like, as a show, Crayola, we've always said when he gets his opportunities, he's been pretty good.
49:59But it does really seem like he's the backup, for one.
50:03Simply, he's coming in. He's got to learn this new offense that Liam Cohen said it took – it was very hard to learn.
50:11And so that – Well, he knows it from Kentucky.
50:15But go on. I doubt they're running Kentucky's offense still.
50:18But then you have – the biggest question to me in this backfield is who's going to catch passes.
50:25Because Travis Etienne, that's where his fantasy points came, was really in the receiving game.
50:30That is an important part of this offense. Now, neither one of these guys have a huge production profile in the NFL.
50:37But Crayola, year one as a rookie, had two targets.
50:41His number went down to one in year two.
50:44In 13 games played. And then last year in 13 games, he got his new career high with four targets on the season.
50:52So it's like that really – maybe he does steal the goal line.
50:56And that could be a problem. That's a problem.
50:59It is also possible we should keep the door open.
51:03One, the undrafted free agent running back, LaQuinn Allen, could be involved in the receiving game.
51:08He is a good pass protector. And so – but it does seem like if you're taking your shot on someone who's
51:16going to be, one, explosive, and two, involved in the passing game where most of the fantasy points are going to come
51:23from, it's – you know, I'm gassed up for Tootin.
51:27Also in the range of outcomes is that Bashal Tootin is a total workhorse.
51:31You know, it's like when Cohen was in Tampa Bay, when healthy, Bucky Irving was – he was the running back position.
51:39And truly, A. Chan Jr. was the running back position last year for the Jags.
51:44So, you know, we don't have a full gigantic sample here to go off of.
51:49But Cohen might just be one of these guys that's like, no, I don't want to tip.
51:55You know, I don't want to tip the play.
51:58Because if you have Krod back there, my defense that I'm calling in is I'm calling in a run stop.
52:05So I guess a good way to put it would be are you ever – if Tootin doesn't get gassed up –
52:12That's current – ADP-wise, which he will. But let's just say Tootin is drafted at the top of the fourth round.
52:20Because I think he probably will be. Top of the fourth round would be a substantial ADP jump for where he's going right now.
52:28Yeah, he's not going to go a 506, though.
52:31If the current – okay, make it 501. Okay.
52:34Okay, make it 501. Is there any chance you're going to be disappointed with that pick?
52:39100%. You think so? Yes. There is. Tootin's profile to me is a very risky pick.
52:45But the upside is a three-down running back for a top-five offense in the NFL, which will be very, very substantial league-winning capability.
52:53Travis Etienne is a good, well-rounded player, but I don't think he's the best of the best.
52:59And he was the running back 10 in fantasy football last year for this offense.
53:04You can tell Jason has made a significant shift in his Tootin mentality.
53:08I am worried about the liability of a box of crayons.
53:12So here's where I'm at. Oh. I mean, everything I'm seeing, non-toxic.
53:16Safety-y. They're more disgusting than dangerous. What's our lowest bid for one crayon?
53:20One crayon? We don't need 24 crayons. I just want to know.
53:2450. Okay. 40. $40 for a crayon? Now I'm feeling bad about doing not pay them enough.
53:30I'm out. Okay, 40. $40 for a crayon? Now let me ask you.
53:35Is the box of crayons for 400? No, it's 300.
53:38That's what it always was. Yeah, that's fine. I'd like to go higher if that's an option.
53:44Like more crayons? You'd like to eat more crayons?
53:47I thought you meant more money. I was like, this is not how negotiation works.
53:52$300. $300 for a box, $40 for a crayon.
53:55You decide. It's your choice. Up front. This is all off the record now.
54:00I just feel like our liability goes up with the more crayons we make them eat.
54:06Yeah, no, we're going to take this outside of the office.
54:09Yeah, TBD. But I do feel like this is nothing to do with the company at all.
54:15This is just friends goofing around, but social content.
54:18You know what I mean? Well, I mean, they would want to see our friends.
54:23Just documenting history. You guys can pay me and I'll pay Matt.
54:27Just to launder that a little bit. I would actually never ask, but would you like to ask?
54:34You know what? I am out. I will not be doing this anymore.
54:38Yeah, you guys shouldn't. Matt, you should have taken the deal.
54:42You didn't take it. We're done. But Jeremy has a question for you.
54:46Yeah. $40 for one crayon? Or $300 for a box of crayon?
54:50Would you like to offer me $400? I would not.
54:54I mean, you could be the last $100 of that $400 if you want the box.
54:59But I'm worried about impaction. He's got bowel problems already.
55:03That's my mind. I go $35. Oh! What is this?
55:06I'm back in. I'm back in. One crayon? Did you do more research?
55:10He's got the dog. It's one crayon. I'll do it for $30.
55:15Oh, my gosh. Okay. $30. This is great. Oh, my gosh.
55:18You could be doing it for the lint in my pockets.
55:22That sounds like you wanted more. I mean, yeah.
55:25How about $10? And then capitalism showed up. Yeah.
55:28Yeah. What a delight. All right. Sold to Matt for $30.
55:32That's between you and him. Yeah. I don't know what you're talking about.
55:36I have no idea what you're talking about. But we...
55:40Oh, it looks like the... If you do it, capture the social stuff.
55:44It looks like somebody bought a couple boxes. Yeah.
55:47They're on the way. Hopefully through your personal account.
55:50All right. That is going to do it for today's episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.
55:56Five days a week coming up in August. On Monday, we have the Ice and Fire episode.
56:02Oh, baby. So that's our next episode, right? Correct.
56:05Because Saturday is August 1st, which we go to five shows a week, Monday through Friday in August.
56:11Amazing. This Saturday, there won't be an episode of the Fantasy Footballers.
56:15However, on the YouTube... Oh, yeah. Okay. Our miniseries is back.
56:19It is. People have been hoping that we brought it back.
56:23If you want a short-form version of the Fantasy Footballers, just the highlights, just the tips.
56:28Just the tips by the Fantasy Footballers. YouTube.com slash the Fantasy Footballers.
56:32We just recorded those. Getting ready to release them.
56:35August is here. We're getting ready for the season.
56:38Ice and Fire, ranking shows, mock drafts, my guys, MVPs.
56:42It's all coming this August. Goodbye. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.
56:48Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com. And follow us on Twitter at the FFBallers.

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