Fantasy Football - AFC North Breakdown + Don’t Be Surprised! - Podcast for 7/7

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Welcome in. Tuesday, July 7th, the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. That's F-O-O-T, footballers, not to be confused with. That would not be a football? No, football. Bro, we're done. We're done with that. Tapping out for four years?

Come back later. On to the real football. That's pretty embarrassing, though. That's pretty embarrassing. I don't even know what you're talking about, so. That's pretty embarrassing. Well, what you missed, Mike, is I played goalie for the United States last night, and this was my first time playing soccer or football, so my bad. My bad, America. Yeah, and our country says goodbye to soccer for another four years, but that is not what this show is about. We're happy to be back with you. It is a Tuesday episode. We begin our divisional breakdown episodes. Oh, man. It's go time, baby. Yeah, something happens over the summer when you hit a certain point, and then the highlights

that you're watching of players start to get you tingly. Like, you're just ready for the season to begin and for things to actually matter and for, you know, to draft Jameer Gibbs at number one in our league of record. Any of those things. That'll be fun for you. On the way. But today we're talking AFC North. Divisional breakdown shows begin, as do three shows a week. We are into that time of the year. Five shows a week starting in August. We've got our big live event at the end of August. We've got the kickoff to the season shortly after that.

The draft kit is flowing. The updates are going. Nice. Yeah, I got you back. Nice. Driving bars. That was the first thing that, yeah, that was great. You guys are a rhyming duo. Oh, we're back. We are so back. But no, we didn't get to say it because, like, we prerecorded last week's shows. We were all on separate family trips getting some vacation time in before the season begins. Ironically, Jason was in, he was on a cruise. We went to the Caribbean. Yes, I went to the Heat. Mike and I were both in Alaska, not together. Correct. You were in Anchorage.

Yes. Were you there the whole time? Did you guys run into each other? No. No, I didn't go to Anchorage. Pretty big place. I was in Anchorage for most of the time, but then I was in Girdwood for a few days. That sounds made up. Girdwood? Yeah. Yeah, shout out to the 20 people that live. Dude, they were having, like, this huge event, and I was like, what? People live in Girdwood? Oh, the Girdwood Fest? Oh, man. Yeah. You don't even know. I thought about going. But no, we cruised to Alaska. I had never been on a cruise before. That was fun, and it was much colder than wherever you were, Jay.

Yeah. You were sweating? Yes. But we're excited to be back. We didn't get a chance to talk about July 1st is when the draft analyzer released, so the UDK in its full form, I guess, is available now. So you can basically sync with your league, analyze your draft, see a breakdown of basically your strengths and weaknesses, how you align with each of us, different tips and tricks based on your roster. It's a great tool you'll be using a lot over the next couple of months into your regular drafts. We also have a big, big upgrade coming to the UDK very, very soon.

It's very exciting. And it's going to work with the draft analyzer very well to help you guys prepare for drafts. It's probably the biggest feature being added since we've ever launched the UDK. And it's not at an extra cost or anything. You just get a huge upgrade to the UDK. It should be, I mean, I think next week or two. Whoa, whoa. You might see it up here. Just log in, you know, go to myudk.com and look from time to time. I was going to say, where would- Download the app. Where would someone purchase an incredible tool first? The app will be the place where that finds its way first.

UltimateDraftKit.com. Yeah, yeah. But lots to talk about there. We've got news to catch you up on. Let's get into it right now. News and notes from around the league. If possible, Brandon Ayuk has become crazier since we left. Oh, yeah, it's possible. It is possible because he's proven it. Every video he posts gets crazier and crazier. And I remember the Antonio Brown hit that changed him. I don't remember the Brandon Ayuk one. I thought he was not playing football while he went crazy. But something happened. If you are unaware, he just is basically posting videos of himself on the reg, just going crazy.

Just talking nonsense. He has been very vocal that he would like to be released by the 49ers. And? And then go sign with the Washington Commanders to play with Jane Daniels, his best friend, who now he is in a fight with online and in social media. And then some people are saying it's fake. Listen. Didn't seem. Here's exactly how the NFL works. It's very weird. It works this way for psychiatric problems. It works this way for legal problems. If you can still run 22 miles an hour on the field, he will find a way to play football. A team will endure anything.

Maybe. And if you listen to George Kittle talk about Brandon Ayuk, despite saying, hey, if you want him, you get to deal with all of that. He still said, I mean, he's running faster than he ever ran before the injury. I think he will find his way into a football team. The thing is, is he's on a football team. And that's his problem. If he was released, if he was a free agent, he would absolutely find a buyer. But the San Francisco 49ers have the option to just say. Yeah, he was put onto what? The left team list or something?

The left team list. If? I'm not. Look, if he wasn't good at football, we would never talk about him again. That's all I'm saying. And I think we'll talk about him again. I don't know if it'll be this year. I don't know. I don't know when it'll be. I don't know. But if you can run 22 miles an hour and play wide receiver and get that contract and you still got it, then you'll find a team. The problem is the 40. All the power is with the 49ers. Oh, I get it. And with this new list. Give him a smack.

Well, I'm saying with the list, which we are just hearing about, this left team list. Yeah. That seems like you're just like, see you later until Brandon Iyuk wants to actually talk to us and play ball. Yeah, this is from a couple hours ago. Brandon Iyuk says he won't be filing for reinstatement because he doesn't want to do business with the team. Under this scenario, the 49ers can leave him on the left squad list. He would remain on the team, but not count against the roster or receive pay. So that's. He's received a lot of pay. Well, yes. In the past.

Patrick Mahomes reported by Albert Breer that he's training towards being cleared for 11 on 11 work at the start of training camp. We'll take it. Kirk Cousins took all the first team reps in the offseason practices. Yeah. That makes sense. Well, you know, it's because Mendoza was. Oh, yeah. He was cruising with you. He was on a cruise. How do you know he was on a cruise, Andy? Tell us. Because my son took a picture with him. That was a random thing to find on an Alaskan cruise. Yeah. That's where we got all the information that Cousins is taking all the first team reps.

Here's what happened. I was on. We were on the cruise. And as one does, you get texts from your kids rather than seeing them. So I was getting a text from my son on the cruise that said, Fernando Mendoza is on board. And I said, no, he's not. He's at OTA getting reps with the team. That doesn't make any sense. And then I got a picture. Yeah. And indeed he was. But yeah, I think, you know, the process here for the Raiders is pretty simple. You're going to let Kirk Cousins play some games. You're going to probably lose them. Eventually the ground swell will be strong enough to get your rookie in there.

And, you know, it's not like there's a laundry list of wide receivers that were like, oh boy, we really need one of these quarterbacks to give us value. Are they the weirdest team? The Raiders? When it comes to the wide receiver depth chart you've ever seen? Yeah. I mean, they're up there with, you know, the Dolphins and some other teams where it's like, I don't know. But the truth is they have two stars. Yes. And it's just a weird combination where it's your, I guess it's like the Cardinals, right? You've got a superstar tight end and running back. And that's where you expect most of the work to go.

I mean, Jalen Ayler definitely picked the right team to sign with. To look real nice. Chris Rodriguez, there was a report from The Athletic saying don't be surprised if he carves out an important role. There was also a report. The quotes? Don't be surprised. I know. If he could do something. We've got to do more of those. Oh, I know. We've got to break news. We have full authority to do those kind of posts. It is. Listen, don't be surprised if, insert name here, plays football for them. I said with all due respect. It didn't happen. Oh, I said don't be surprised.

I didn't say it was going to happen. Were you surprised when it didn't happen? Listen, LaQuint Allen was making headlines last week as well. I told this to Jason yesterday, not to buy into hype train too much because we've got it from all three now. LaQuint Allen should be third down back for Jacksonville. They like him. They want to use him there. Chris Rodriguez is a thumper. He was the, you know, he was at Kentucky with Liam Cohen and he, 1200 yards and, you know, maybe he's the goal linebacker and then Basial Tootin, the younger, you know, player with more upside.

There's a chance Jacksonville is a really great offense with two frustrating situations at wide receiver and in the backfield. Could be. Because, you know, on one hand, Basial. I won't be surprised. Yeah. Don't be surprised. I won't be surprised. No. Whatever you say, I won't be surprised. You will not be surprised. Both, Liam Cohen has shown a willingness to. Expect the unexpected, everyone. Spread the ball around. So there's one player that benefits from success on offense, no matter what happens in the backfield or in the wide receiver room. And that's Trevor Lawrence. But Brenton Strange has got a contract. Parker Washington.

Have you seen the numbers for slot wide receivers with Liam Cohen in his career? They're pretty good. They're unbelievable. Everybody he's ever had. And that's Parker Washington. And then all the offseason hype. Brian Thomas Jr. The chemistry is really there this year. Oh, yeah. You got Travis Hunter still. Oh, you got Jacoby Myers. I mean, that's a lot of mouths to feed. And then, oh, we're going to pass to some of these running backs. And then LeQuint Allen's going to catch the ball. Like, Basial Tootin can catch it. Yes, he can. So I don't know. I feel like it is a little bit messy.

Yeah. I mean, it's a reason to go in on Horse Boy. If you want. Oh, man. I forgot about that. Yeah. We forgot about that. Oh, there he is. Yeah, Horse Boy is here. There he is with his fake haircut. Trevor Lawrence, a young stallion, will be valuable for fantasy. I don't think there's a world where he gets as much rushing touchdowns as he had last year. So the passing numbers will have to come up. But it could happen. I mean, losing Travis A. Chan Jr., being in a second year in the system, I think it. I like Trevor Lawrence.

What is our rule here? What are we doing with the A. Chan thing? I don't know. The first announcer says ETN, we're good, right? That's why we say Travis A. Chan Jr. Exactly. You have to say the whole thing. Travis. No, don't do this. Hey, you said it. I made a mistake. Don't be surprised if I say Travis now. Having said all that, I am still very, very in on Tootin. For the time being. Don't be surprised. Don't be surprised if I change my opinion. Are you, I mean, is he in my guy category? We're pretty close, man. I am very excited about the player, the opportunity, and the offense.

It all makes sense. I don't know, man. Another report comes out. Don't be surprised if Chris Rodriguez cars out in an important role. But he's not even playing football right now. No, we didn't expect him to be full go for training camp. That's the last report. But no, he's not playing football. Clearly not a lot of people are playing football. They're taking cruises right now. Up until this point, nothing super matters because the training camp can change everything. Bashal Tootin for me is the running back 27 in my UDK rankings. I don't know where he is for you guys. Let me find him real quick.

I'm not a subscriber, so I wouldn't know. I am at 24 currently. Okay. 24 as well. I have C-Rod, Crod, as we call him. Crod. At 47. 49. So we're similar. Okay. Al said, Brandon Aik needs to take a cruise and not buy the Wi-Fi package. You are not wrong. The gap between being crazy and letting people know you're crazy. Yeah, it's an important one. You need a bigger gap than that. And you know what is usually the protective layer? The agent who he fired. Hey, get an agent and they will be like, I am my own PR. Give me your phone right now.

Our guy needs some friends. He needs to be grounded. He needs some friends right now. He filmed himself in a closet taking 50s out of a backpack and throwing them on the ground. He filmed himself just getting closer and closer to the camera. Just circling back and then be like, look, I'm closer. Look, I'm closer. Have you guys seen that one? Yeah. Yeah, I saw it. I did not see this. It's a great screenshot for different reactions. Yeah, don't buy the Wi-Fi. He was so good. Somebody go. One year. Somebody go disconnect his router and he'll never know. He would never know.

He'll just be talking into his phone and no one will see him. Someone help him, please. Yuck. Okay. We'll take a quick break because I want to jump into the AFC North Divisional Breakdown. Let's get divisional. All right. It is that time of year. This does feel like the series of shows where we turn the corner on the season, getting ready to start in training camp. Was that a new graphic up there? No, sir. Okay. It was new last year. Well, I just watched it for the first time. It's pretty nice. I like it. All right. A reminder of what these shows are all about.

We're starting with the AFC North. They are a general overview of the offseason changes. It might be about different players that were added, subtracted, rookies, head coaching changes. How the offense might function this year. Our takes on win totals. Who could win the division? We looked back at the stats, and it was pretty close last year, I think, in terms of getting, you know, I might have won by one pick or something like that. But we were all pretty close on getting some of the teams. I think it was 10-9-9 on getting teams right in terms of division picks. Here we are.

The AFC North, if you remember. This one, just like everyone expected. It was decided in week 18, if you remember Pittsburgh, last second touchdown, Calvin Austin, yes, the Steelers won the division. 10-7. And you know what? Just saying it like that, I'm going to get so much hate. But let's be honest. Like, what? What was that team? They won seven. In their one-score games, they went 7-3. And we've seen this so many, time after time after time, when the ball bounces your way in all the close-scoring games, it's not sticky. Well, I mean, it might be for them, because they just never seem to lose.

But a huge change, you know. The Mike Tomlin era is over. During 19 seasons as a head coach, Mike Tomlin never finished with a losing record. Sounds like someone who just lost his job. No, he walked away. He walked away, Mike. Their win total last year was 8.5. Vegas' preseason win total. They were 7-3 in one-score games. This year, their preseason win total, 8.5. And Warren Sharp has their strength of schedule at 18. But a first-place schedule means they'll be playing in New England, in Pittsburgh. Or, sorry, in Philly. Also, they'll play in Pittsburgh. Denver, they'll play this year. They were not.

The reason that we say that, and it's not. Look, on one hand, incredible job by Mike Tomlin and this team. They always find a way to be resilient, to win close games. I would not just attribute that to luck. I would attribute it to veteran quarterback mixed with good coaching. But this was the 26th-ranked offense in yards per game. So it wasn't an offense in fantasy that we enjoyed. I mean, when Kenny Gainwell leads the way for your team in terms of receiving, after you paid DK Metcalf, you know, none of the hype or excitement around the tight ends paid off.

I was looking at, they have the most vacated targets in the NFL. Yes. And I was like, how? They didn't lose anyone. They lost, like, Calvin Austin and Johnnie Smith. Oh, Kenny Gainwell. When that is. Which, by the way, those were probably, I mean, DK Metcalf was bad. Yeah. So those were your targets. Johnnie Smith was a big target. Well, this is going to be a crazy change because you have both. You have a big change in the players and, at the same time, a big change in the philosophy of the team. Like, Tomlin was a known commodity. And while, obviously, you've got Mike McCarthy, who we've got plenty of years with him, this is a new experience, new team, new players.