0:00Good morning, Matt Waldman. Good morning, dear listeners. Welcome to the feel or [ __ ] it podcast. Lot going on.
0:06Lot of teams having OTAs right now. A lot of little newsy tidbits rolling out and and and delivering us all kinds of
0:14reasons for optimism and worry and concern and and probably a lot of it is is not Yeah, there's drama. Not all of it is
0:24going to to be something that has an impact on us, but we're going to pretend it does because that's what we do in the
0:29moment. Uh we're all waiting for it's June 1st by the way as we record this.
0:32So, we're all waiting for A.J. Brown to get traded. We all think he's going to the Patriots. Nobody really knows.
0:38There's various reporting. Some says it's deals done. Some says the two sides are far apart. Especially expect when you get like fairly credible reporters
0:47reporting both things is because nobody actually knows. So, we'll wait and see. A lot of talk about different pieces here. So, we'll discuss
0:54some of them. Probably not A.J. Brown, so but but plenty of things to kick around, Matt. What's going on over at RSP
1:03worldwide headquarters?
1:04>> Yeah, we're about 2/3 of the way through projections for the first release of them for 2026 if you're going to say June is really the first time
1:13that we look at the season fully.
1:16That's coming out probably no later than the 10th of June.
1:21Actually, I know it'll be no later than the 10th of June. And then soon after that I'll have rankings up at
1:26Footballguys for redraft rankings complete with comments and upside downsides and probably an article that talks about my
1:35first release of those redraft rankings.
1:38And so yeah, if you're if you're RSP subscriber, you can get the dynasty and rankings the dynasty rankings and projections package
1:47for $24.95 at Mattwaldman.com.
1:51I usually do my first release in June and then there's two then two updates in August usually, and then update in September, October, and
2:01then I usually give one sometime between November and January, and your last update is always in June. So, if you've if you haven't paid for 2026 yet, you
2:12get a reminder in June. If you bought your first If you bought for this year, then your first one is officially in
2:18June as well.
2:19Um so, there's that and uh I would say that's pretty much what's what's going on. We're going to talk about some of
2:25these players, I think.
2:27>> going to talk about some of them. And by the way, I'll be talking about more of them very soon. You will hear me if you
2:31haven't been watching my On the Hot Seat programs on Tuesday on the Audible channel of Football Guys. You're instead waiting for me to grace the airwaves of
2:39SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio again.
2:41That will happen starting Sep- No, September. July 7th. Uh or July 6th.
2:48July 6th. The Monday after >> Will you be gracing it like with tap shoes or something? Like tap shoes tap shoes putting on the ritz
2:55>> I'll be pretty much doing it the same way I do this.
2:57>> Jazz hands?
2:58>> Yeah, jazz hands always.
3:00Um but yeah, 5 days and 5 nights a week 8:00 to 10:00 Eastern time, same time, and then that'll probably crank up
3:05during the season to 7 days a week, but uh throughout the course of preseason we'll be on me and Dempsey. Uh that'd be
3:11Mike Dempsey doing our thing. So, if you've been waiting for that, it's coming soon. Also, in the meantime, catch all my fantasy notebooks. There's
3:17a lot going up every single day at footballguys.com. Don't miss out. I'm Bob Harris. I approve that message. Now, Mr. Matt Waldman. Some of the things
3:25that have been going on. DJ Moore traded to the Buffalo Bills.
3:29Uh a trade that has happened. It is the in progress. Uh a little talk like you know, he's working his way to understand the
3:37offense. I think most of us thought he knows that offense. He played for Joe Brady in Carolina and had a great his
3:42best season up to that point of his career uh with Joe Brady as his play caller. So, uh but he says it's a work a
3:49little bit of a work in progress. Josh Allen says the same thing.
3:53Um, let's see this. DJ Moore will be the Bills leading receiver. Feel it or [ __ ] it.
3:58>> I feel it, but I don't think it's going to be by as large of a margin as maybe people think of from the Carolina days.
4:05I think there's a lot more receiving talent in this room. And so, I think he'll be the target leader. That I don't
4:13know if he'll be the receptions leader.
4:14I think Khalil Shakir could have the edge on him there. But, I think he'll also be the yardage and touchdown leader. Um,
4:21and so, de facto, yes, you're probably looking at him as the Bills wide receiver one, but I don't think it's by
4:28a huge margin. I don't think we're looking at a 1,400 yard season or even a 1,200 yard season. I'm not sure if we're even going
4:36to see 1,000 yards out of DJ Moore this year.
4:40>> Well, so that goes back to something. I mean, Joe Brady since his arrival in Buffalo as the play caller, his one
4:48of his prime objectives for Josh Allen has been open man. Don't force it to any single receiver. The reason for this was
4:56to lower his interception rate. They did that successfully or they have done that successfully. It went up a little bit more last year, but it was down the year
5:03before and they they're pretty convinced that's the reason why. So, I don't think you'll see them forcing anybody the ball to anybody. I don't think this receiving
5:11core changes materially. There's just another really good player in the mix and it's DJ Moore. And if I'm drafting a Buffalo Bill
5:18receiving receiver, it's probably him.
5:21He's not like overpriced, I don't think.
5:24Um, but but you're right, it could be Khalil Shakir. We'll see what they do with Dalton Kincaid, uh, the tight end
5:30who last year played what, 37% of the snaps?
5:34You know, they they just don't trust him to stay on the field. So, I think we'll see a lot of DJ Moore. I'm with you. I
5:38feel this, but I'm not like feeling it into my very soul.
5:43>> Yeah.
5:44Yes, I would agree. I think I think you're still going to see Shakir Kincaid and Moore as the top three and there's
5:51not going to be huge separation in any any single category by one of these players except maybe in targets and that'll be more and I think he'll get
6:00more targets cuz he'll be targeted more downfield um and but his percentage will be lower just by the nature of the fact that he's
6:09the vert he's going to be more of the vertical guy.
6:12>> Keon Coleman breakout not in a minute.
6:14Feel it or [ __ ] it.
6:16>> Yeah, [ __ ] it. I I don't think I don't think that's happening. I mean I think he'd be better off as a big slot
6:21somewhere and I don't think it's going to be obviously here um but I think that he can have I don't think he's going to have a bad
6:29season in terms of efficiencies but I don't think he's going to be the guy that he's going to bust out and suddenly
6:35be one of the top two receivers on this team.
6:39>> I think the Bills would like to see just a little more maturity and give you a step forward right now. Uh Calvin Austin
6:43the III uh the former Steelers great now a Giants great uh uh he will be the Giants leading receiver this year. Feel
6:51it or [ __ ] it.
6:52>> You know, it's funny. I mean I said this only because it was you know, we've talked so much about him in Pittsburgh
7:02um when you think about this team, I mean they're they're thinking about bringing Odell Beckham back just so >> Well, just in the last few moments they
7:12brought Braxton Berrios on after working out Odell Beckham JuJu Smith-Schuster uh another veteran and Berrios. Berrios
7:22got the nod. There's a lot of talk last night about Odell Beckham like what his role would be versus what he's paid.
7:29Uh so perhaps that calculation didn't work out or maybe there's maybe they're still going to add a piece. But I but
7:35but we know Malik Nabers the you know, the recovery is >> is uh yeah.
7:41>> not going as ideal as we'd like for sure and and and and probably not as ideal as like Darnell Mooney. So it's projected
7:48to be Neighbors and Slayton as the immediate starters along with Austin as the top three but Slayton's coming off like a hernia
7:55surgery or something. I'm going to probably look that up but he's coming off a surgical procedure. So so there is going to be room there early in the
8:02season for somebody to pick up the pace a little bit.
8:06>> Yeah, because I've been with Neighbors we have to understand that you know, we had a really good show Brandon Angelo and I did when we talked about
8:13recovery and this is this is one of Brandon's specialties working with pro athletes with their recuperation periods and with from injuries and he said that Neighbors may
8:23have to be a little bit more of a different receiver than what he was in coming out because of the nature of
8:30this injury that it's a little bit more he's going to be more Devante Adams like than like the the speedy quick twitch guy on the
8:40level that he was coming out not as much of a Jamar Chase type of guy as as he was coming out and I think that
8:49obviously Devante Adams has had a great career and still has quick twitch ability but it's not on the level of what Chase does. And I think you know,
8:58he says that may take some time to acclimate and Neighbors already shows the technical skills to be able to make that transition but it is a bit of an
9:07ego thing. It's a bit of a maturity thing to have to change your style up.
9:11We were talking about how JK Dobbins had to change up his style from being one of the most lightning quick guys that you
9:19would see at the running back position to having to be more of a a grinder. And he's done it extraordinarily well but a
9:28lot of guys don't make that transition.
9:31So Neighbors will probably have to do that and he's probably not going to be ready. So when you look at this, you've
9:37got Darnell Mooney, who really had a lackluster year last year. He's been up and down at times. So, I think it's very
9:44possible that Calvin Austin ends up in that Wan'Dale Robinson role, even though they don't necessarily are going to use him, you know, it's not Brian Daboll's system
9:55anymore, but uh Austin can play outside and inside, and I can see how he winds up being one of the top two receivers in
10:04terms of targets and um receptions and yardage. I think that could very well happen. It just depends on how quickly Malachi Fields breaks out.
10:14>> All right. And I I agree with that. And also, it was a hernia uh surgery for sports hernia for uh for Saquon. And and Rafton signed,
10:24but it sounds like Odell Beckham will still be working out. But I still think that's a That seems like a huge reach. I
10:29mean, are we really expecting the you know, the contract to match what the That's my concern, right? Like, Odell Beckham's going to have a contract
10:37desire, the Giants are going to have a role desire, and do those things dovetail? I don't know that they will.
10:43>> is a good special teamer, so they can put him on Yeah, and I think that's really where they want to put him, and
10:49that makes >> Well, Gunner Olszewski uh tore his Achilles this week.
10:53>> That's right. And that's where I was going, so you got it.
10:57>> All right. All right, so I think we figured that out. Calvin Austin all the way.
11:00>> [snorts] >> There we go.
11:03Where's our Steelers fan who who >> [laughter] >> We'll see about that. Malik Washington in Miami, also a dearth of uh high-end talent in
11:11that receiving core. Uh he will be a 1,000-yard receiver this year, feel or it, Matt Wallman.
11:16>> I'm going to say [ __ ] it, though. I think he's the one with the best chance to get it. I think he's going to get 100
11:21targets, um but I think that in this offense, they want to use um Malik Willis as kind of a a Jordan
11:29Love-esque type of player, but with more rushing upside and probably less passing upside. And so, when you look at his numbers game by game or you look at his
11:38season stats, you're looking at these gaudy 10 to 12 yards per attempt type of numbers from on the season, but it's in
11:46with with a limited number of games. And I think that that's something that um you know, he's it looks gaudy, but I don't think it's
11:55going to translate to the field um you know, to that level for an entire season. So, instead I think that what
12:05you're going to see is probably more like 30 3,000 to 3,200 yards out of Malik um Willis and 20 touchdowns and then maybe
12:13about 7 or 800 yards on the ground.
12:15He'll be fantasy viable, but I don't think the efficiencies I don't think you're going to see a lot of guys with
12:22like 70% catch per um catch rates in this team. It's going to be more in the 50s to 60s and it's going to be shorter
12:31passes over the middle. Um so, you know, Malik I think Washington's going to lead the receivers, but I think if he gets over 800 yards he had a
12:42really strong year um for this team.
12:45>> If I made you draft another Miami Dolphins wide receiver, Jaylen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, anyone else the field uh
12:56who would it be?
12:57>> I'd probably go with Tutu Atwell um if I had to draft him inside of the 15th round. And then and then if I had to and
13:07then if I could wait off for somebody from waivers, it'd probably be Kevin Coleman. I'd probably take a look at him
13:14because he's a good slot receiver.
13:16>> A lot of buzz about Greg Dulcich as well and again it's the opportunities are certainly there, but he's been dominating the tight end former Broncos,
13:23Giants.
13:24So, it sounds like he has at least the inside track on the starting job there.
13:29Lot of guys have inside tracks on starting jobs that we were not particularly fantasy relevant in recent past.
13:36We were a year early on Mr. Pat Freiermuth. Feel it or [ __ ] it, Matt Waldman?
13:42>> I'm starting to say feel it.
13:44>> I felt it last year.
13:45>> Yeah, I felt it last year, too. And I I'm starting to think that that's possible because last year we heard Pat Freiermuth we
13:54heard all the reporters talk about how Pat Freiermuth was going to be the heart and soul of this offense, and it didn't
14:00happen. But, we didn't hear Pat Freiermuth say that. This year Pat Freiermuth is saying my I like the role that I can have in this
14:10offense, and it's just up to me to make it happen as to the frequency that I want it to.
14:17>> You know who else didn't say it? It was Arthur Smith. He didn't say it.
14:20>> That's right.
14:21>> Mike McCarthy might.
14:23>> Yeah. So, I look at this and I think that you know, do I think that Freiermuth is you know, I mean he's he's an end of the
14:31draft type of flyer that you that you would consider. I don't have him as one of the leading receivers right now
14:41for the squad, but I can see I can see an air a situation where he ends up being the red zone leader, you know,
14:49like in terms of touchdowns, and that elevates him from maybe he can be a 600-yd you know, you know, 500-600 yd receiver
14:58with eight to 10 touchdowns. And if he can do that, he might very well you know, be in a become the fantasy factor
15:06we thought last year.
15:07>> Yeah, tight ends have had been more impactful in Mike McCarthy's offenses, for sure, than they Well, Arthur Smith, they were
15:13impactful, but it was like 30 of them.
15:15Right?
15:16>> [laughter] >> They shotgunned the position. A little less of that. And they're hearing that Darnell Washington, who is an intriguing
15:23character, up over 300 plus pounds is less intriguing than he is at 270. So, we'll see what happens with him. He may put
15:31some work in.
15:33In in Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley gave old Todd Gurley a call and said, "Let's talk about this offense."
15:40Gurley and Sean McVay current coordinator were teammates with the Rams and and Gurley had a couple really good good years in the zone running game that
15:49Sean McVay runs and so Barkley running outside zone, um, is he a bad fit for this offense? Feel it or [ __ ] it?
15:58>> I'm going to say [ __ ] it. I think he's I think he's going to be fine.
16:03I I do think that he's a much stronger gap runner than he is a zone runner, but I don't think that it's a severe
16:10weakness of his anymore. I think that he's learned to become more patient. Um, he's learned not to to try to do cut
16:20backs or bounces at the wrong time. Um, I think he's looking for a certain nuance The fact that he's searching out
16:25Gurley to get some nuances and for feel for how to go about doing things considering that they both were excellent athletes with that speed power
16:35burst combination nation and that movement combination that they both had in their peaks um, means that Barkley can probably relate well to what Gurley
16:44would be telling him. So, I think that it's if anything it's just a little extra homework and that's going to that's going to help him out. Um, could
16:52I see him maybe having year having a season that's not as strong or doesn't get him back to his peak seasons? Absolutely, but I don't think
17:03the bottom's fallen out. Still think he's going to be a worthwhile running back one.
17:07>> My pal John Shipley over at si.com written in the last week that Parker Washington has looked dynamic as he ever has uh, during OTAs for the
17:17Jacksonville Jaguars.
17:19Um seems like Brian Thomas Jr. is going to stick around. Travis Hunter going to play still both sides of the ball. Uh we
17:25still have Zay Jones there. Uh I guess you know, I guess you know, like I I think right now I think Brian Thomas Jr. is
17:32going slightly ahead of Parker Washington in drafts like a a few picks.
17:36Uh is that the correct order? Will Parker Washington be the Jaguars receiving leader field or [ __ ] >> I'm feeling it. It's the Parker
17:43Washington show. This is uh I think we've we we've moved on from Calvin Austin to to Parker Washington over the past couple of years.
17:52>> Look at his score.
17:53>> Uh know, but uh yeah, I don't think it I think it's going to be this is I think there's three
18:00players in in in this uh passing game that are going to be strong or solid to strong fantasy options. And it's Myers,
18:11Thomas, and Washington. I don't think Brenton Strange is going to be a huge thing. Um I don't think Travis Hunter's going to
18:19be a huge thing um this year. I think that what you're looking at is probably Myers is going to get the most targets.
18:26I don't think Washington will be that far away. Um but I think Washington's going to have slightly more yards because Myers is more the dirty work guy
18:35over the middle and the shallow ranges, whereas I think Washington, while not as fast as not as blazing fast guy, still
18:44finds a way to get open in those zones and win those contested plays. And he has good quickness and he's strong after
18:50the catch. So, I think any I also think he's the best got the best red zone um rapport with Trevor Lawrence. And
18:59Brian Thomas and Trevor Lawrence are still working on the deep game and trying to figure out how to be on the
19:05same page. Uh if you ask me, I think Brian Thomas is going to be the third best receiver out of this trio. And I
19:12still don't think that they're going to have a great fit. Um it may be a slightly more improved, but I don't
19:19think he's going to be a 1,000-yard receiver, whereas I think Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers have a chance to get there.
19:26Um I don't think any of these I don't have anybody projected at 1,000 yards, but I have Meyers and Washington close,
19:33and Washington's the closest and has has the touchdown lead, too.
19:38>> I think that seems like fairly reasonable. Devin Duvernay, who has been kind of an outlier player over the course of his career, great return man,
19:45uh says he can be more.
19:47Says he can be a asset in an offense. Is Arizona the place he can be that asset?
19:52Feel or [ __ ] it?
19:52>> I'll say [ __ ] it, but I'm feeling his statement cuz I I believe that, too. I think Devin Duvernay could easily have
20:00been um Why I can't remember his name is Danny Wood- I think he could have been a more dynamic Danny Woodhead if they had given
20:10him a chance to be that type of player.
20:12Um he was a five-star running back recruit at Texas, and Texas in the um you know, in the years that he was
20:21there, not only did they use him as a deep threat, but they used him out of the backfield as a running back and a
20:26receiver out of the backfield. And it's for the life of me with these spread offenses, it it confused me that Baltimore wouldn't use him out of the
20:35backfield like Woodhead. Um they had a real opportunity to do more of that than they did. He's a Pro Bowl kick returner,
20:42you know, and yes, maybe his route game isn't unbelievably strong um when he came into the league, but I would I
20:50would like to see a team use him a little bit more from the backfield and creatively. They could get a lot more
20:57volume out of him and make him a a really worthwhile weapon. I don't see the Cardinals doing that unless it's in
21:03an absolute emergency, which would mean that Jeremiah Love, Trey Benson, James Conner, and Tyler Algier would have to be
21:12hurt or ailing big time. So, it you know, he's worth he's just worth talking about cuz if he winds up on the right team with the you
21:21know, he's 28.
21:23If it happens next year or the year after, maybe he could be a guy that a team stumbles upon how they should have used
21:31him all along. Doubtful it happens, but worth mentioning.
21:35>> Yeah, it's I think it's hard to you know, see how that will translate into fantasy relevance if it you know, I'd like to
21:42see him have a happy ending. I want all of us to have happy endings uh in the best way possible.
21:48Luther >> Robert Kraft would be the great place for him to sign when speaking of happy endings cuz that's where Woodhead got
21:55his got got his happy ending was a chance to be able to play out of the backfield like that. We don't mean
22:01anything by that, do we?
22:03>> No, nothing at all.
22:04>> No.
22:04>> Uh don't mean anything by saying Ben Johnson, thank you, sir uh for letting us know what we need to know. I'm buying Luther Burden the third
22:12stock right now based on how he's approached his off season, Johnson told us this week. It's been electric.
22:20Came on strong late last season, Matt. I know you have strong feelings for Mr.
22:24Burden and uh you have big opinions, so go ahead. He'll lead the Bears in all receiving categories. Feel it or [ __ ]
22:30it.
22:31>> I'm going to say feel it. Um he maybe maybe we see more touchdowns for actually I'll say [ __ ] it cuz I'd say
22:41Kholson Loveland's probably going to get more touchdowns. He may end up with more receptions or very close to Burden. I have them tied in receptions right now.
22:51I'm very close in targets, but it's going to be Burden and Loveland as the one-two punch in this offense with Adunze as a nice um
23:00co-star or cameo roles at times where he'll still be a good fantasy play, but I think that you know, to listen to
23:10to Ben Johnson and say, "Listen, there was a route that Luther Burden ran in practice that um, was the best I've seen
23:17someone run that route, um, you know, in the way that you would technically want to run it, and I've had some good players run those routes,
23:26um, you know, so >> in a I'm in a superflex uh, uh, draft right now, dynasty draft ongoing, and I took uh, I
23:37want to say Amon-Ra St. Brown, uh, and then my second receiver is Luther Burden the III. I feel like I'm getting the same guy in the same
23:45offense. Uh, disabuse me of that notion.
23:47I I set that up like that cuz I know a lot of people think that that uh, Ben Johnson drafted Burden to be the new
23:53Amon-Ra St. Brown or the Bears' version of that. Is that Is that too big of a a gap there?
23:59>> I'd say that I'd say that in spirit he is the Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Bears' offense, but the Bears' offense, the
24:06version of that is more aggressive with the the slot player and the inside-outside guy that Burden is.
24:13Burden's going to have bigger yards per catch numbers. He's going to be a bigger play um, option who can get deep in ways
24:22that they didn't use St. Brown. Um, so I think Burden may not have as many catches, but he's going to have bigger
24:31plays and probably, um, you know, I look at St. Brown right now and I would say he's probably going to be he's more of a touchdown threat.
24:41Burden might get there, but I would say that St. Brown's still the more productive player, but Burden will be the most productive receiver in this
24:49offense, wide receiver.
24:50>> Yeah, I think you know, if you're out there investing in dynasty, it's probably a pretty good investment to to get in on these young Chicago Bears. I
24:58believe in this superflex one Dave Klugey took I want to say Williams way earlier than anyone expected. Um Maybe fourth overall?
25:09>> Yeah, I he's I I he's banking on them running a lot more 11. I'm banking on them running more 12. And I think that
25:16that's where Xavion Thomas It was Xavion Thomas he was interested in?
25:20>> No, he grabbed I was talking about Caleb Williams. Fourth overall in a superflex.
25:24>> I'd do that.
25:25>> Drake Maye, ahead of Joe Burrow, ahead of Jaylen Daniels, Lamar.
25:28>> I'm I'm with him. I'm totally with him.
25:31Yeah.
25:31>> I'm I'm not surprised by that. That's why I brought it up. Always want to give Matt Waldman an opportunity to shine on
25:36the players that he loves. Speaking of that, Chris Brooks got an opportunity in Green Bay at see well, possibly, right? Like
25:45MarShawn Lloyd health has been an issue.
25:48He's supposedly healthy now, but he's not doing any work in OTAs. That's interesting more so because Josh Jacobs finds himself in a little hot water. He
25:56was charged for some domestic violence uh issues and then released and the charges were dropped, yet still being investigated, right? So, you know, there
26:07we may not have seen the tail end of this. Chris Brooks is a guy uh who is going to get some
26:11opportunities at some point if something were to happen. Is he Can he be an effective starter in Green Bay if the if the need arises?
26:20>> [ __ ] yes, he can. And I know there are a lot of people that go the burst isn't great or he's not he's not super fast.
26:26He's got good burst. He has excellent change of direction skills.
26:30Terrific decision-making and he's a a strong blocker and receiver. I think he's going to be the number two back on this team. I don't think MarShawn Lloyd
26:38is well well-loved on this team and they they need a lot more proof of concept from him.
26:45Um so, if Josh Jacobs ends up, you know, fine in terms of being able to play this year and play most of the
26:52year, I still think Chris Brooks is capable of giving you 150 carries and 600 yards this year and maybe close to 800 yards
27:02of offense total.
27:04Um and then if they end up having to go with Brooks as the lead back, I don't think he's going to be the bellcow that
27:11they asked Josh Jacobs to be, but I think he's capable if they if they if the offensive line doesn't get too
27:19banged up and plays reasonably well, I could see Chris Brooks getting 200 40 to 260 carries as a one-off type of
27:28guy who gives you 1,200 yards and people like, "Where did this guy come from?"
27:32>> He's going to go all Emmanuel Wilson on us there over an extended period of time.
27:36>> Well, yeah. I mean, and who did they send packing?
27:39>> They sent him packing.
27:41I do think they like they're still hoping Green Bay that Marshawn Lloyd can be a thing. He's played a single game since his arrival
27:49in 2024.
27:51It's But But some of it is like kind of a chronic hamstring issues, but also appendicitis and I mean, it's been
27:59a It's been a tough run for him. We'll see what happens.
28:02>> Yeah.
28:03>> Well, can't blame Sam for that. I think we all like that.
28:06>> or coconut oil. I don't know.
28:09>> That's so judgmental.
28:11Uh let's judge Sam before he's coming off her her had a herniated disc, had the surgery, not yet working his way
28:17back in 2023. He had one one overall, the first of the really big rookie breakout seasons for fantasy investors. Is that
28:26going to be his best season ever? Feel or [ __ ] it.
28:28>> I'm going to say feel it.
28:30>> [laughter] >> I think that I think that that was it and you know, you worry about back injuries are troublesome as it is.
28:37Um his ability to start and finish season the season has been questionable.
28:44And I think that this offense with Jameson Williams coming to the fore and Isaac Teasdale being an exciting option.
28:51It's It's one of those deals and then them bringing in Kyler Tyler Conklin as a just in case for LaPorta. That tells
28:59me that I don't know if they have confidence in LaPorta being able to play an entire year and be able and be able
29:05to handle the uh the punishment of being the type of tight end that he is. So, I think he can give you 12 games and maybe that gets
29:13you in the range of 40 to 50 catches, but I don't think he's going to be a viable fantasy tight end.
29:22>> He's tight end seven in points per game when he was healthy last year. He's been inside the top 10 all of his seasons.
29:27He's been relatively productive. Drew Petzing had a lot of success with the tight end we all like called Trey McBride uh during his time in Arizona.
29:35I'm not like I'm not out there actively pursuing a guy coming off back surgery.
29:39>> Yeah.
29:40>> And and I think he's going probably higher than I'm comfortable taking him.
29:44I think he's being drafted well inside the top 10 like tight end seven or so, tight end seven or eight maybe
29:51uh in current ADP.
29:53>> Where's Mark Andrews in comparison?
29:55>> after that. Way after that.
29:56>> I take Mark Andrews. Yes, yeah, I'd take Mark Andrews over LaPorta every day.
30:00>> I think that you know, that's where I end up going if I'm like if I hit a certain band. For me there's the you
30:05know, and this foreshadowing this coming week's fantasy notebook is a review of the tight ends from top to bottom. But you have the you know, the the
30:14the the Bowers, McBride tier, the Loveland, Warren, Fanning, Kraft tier.
30:22And then the next tier is like a lot of guys who have done it, but not so recently and and he's in that tier and
30:28like I feel like if I if I'm overspending, I think he's going around seven or eight.
30:33I'd probably just wait till later and get a guy like you said like like Mark Andrews. Or there's a lot of others who
30:38I like also outside that top end range, that top 12 range. There's a lot of guys going in that range like, you know,
30:45George Kittle, who I think is fine, but I don't know when he's going to play.
30:48Travis Kelce, I think has another good year. He's coming off a tight end three season, but I don't know if I would
30:52rather not invest in a younger player.
30:54Maybe I still land Travis Kelce, but I grab one of the higher upside plays.
30:57Isaiah Likely going outside that range, going to a new opportunity. Chigo Okonkwo getting a new opportunity. A lot of guys that, you know,
31:05available crazy late. So, we'll see what's going on with all that. But, I'm kind of with you. I'm not like I think I
31:10think we may have seen the best of Sam LaPorta. We may have seen the best of Tank Dell, also. Although, he is working
31:16on the side. They're managing his workload. He's had the Tories, what was it? ACL, every damn ligament you have in a knee. ACL, MCL, LCL.
31:26I think he dislocated his kneecap, as well. So, sat out all of last year. He has made significant progress, but he's
31:33still not ready to practice.
31:36Texans taking a patient approach with him. He's running routes, cutting from one but not at full speed. So, the hope is he'll ramp things up in training camp
31:43this summer. I guess the question for you, Mr. Matt Waldman, is he worth a late round pick, like a last round flyer
31:49in your fantasy draft, sir? Feel or >> just about anybody's worth a last round flyer. So, yes. But, that's it. That's
31:57it. I mean, we're at the we're at the Mason-Dixon line for feel it or [ __ ] it at this point for him. Yeah. I wish him
32:04the best. I hope he proves us wrong.
32:07Because there's so many players I would rather invest in early. Um and because of the surrounding talent that's already there in Houston,
32:17he's going to have to look he's going to have to look pre-injury Malik Nabers like, like the way he did, um
32:25in order for that to happen. And I just don't believe that's going to be the case.
32:29>> Yeah, so, you know, somebody grabs him late and as gives them a heroic run, good for them.
32:35>> Yeah. will shake their hands and congratulate them. I'll probably be taking chances on other players who are not coming off that serious an injury.
32:41Ladd McConkey not coming off a serious injury unless it's his feelings cuz it was a tough year last year or at least
32:46our feelings were hurt by his production. Uh will he be a top-10 fantasy wide receiver this year? Field or [ __ ] it, Matt Waldman?
32:52>> I'm starting to feel it because it's Mike McDaniels with um Yeah, I mean Mike McDaniels is going to run this offense and if that's the case,
33:02I think we're going to see these receivers really get peppered with targets. I think that McConkey could be north of 150 targets this year um
33:13and be, you know, if you look back at what they did in Miami, that was the case. The one-two punch of
33:19Hill and Waddle were were massive and I would say McConkey's every bit the route runner Hill is um and and quick enough, just not super
33:28fast, but he's he's better quarterback, um good offense. I think they're going to go in that direction and that means that Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston
33:40are are fine one-two punch to have.
33:43>> I would [clears throat] not be uh upholding my family duties if I did not note Trey Harris uh is making making some waves. Uh he's
33:50drawing some really high praise and uh for his development this summer and Quentin Johnston's gotten some good reviews, too, but it sounds like, you
33:57know, those are the three people are talking about. If I had my druthers, Trey Harris at a viable price would be
34:03absolutely fantastic for me. Bob Harris cuz I support all the Harrises. Ashton Jeanty, >> Where's cousin Najee?
34:10>> Cousin Najee? Seattle maybe in the future, maybe Green Bay. We'll see.
34:15Sorry, Chris Brooks.
34:17>> This is a Brook- This is a Brooks I don't have any Brookses in my family, but for some reason I like people I like
34:23running backs with their last name Brooks. Kenneth, Chris, um you know, Jonathan, you know, there we go, Taj. Yeah, there we go.
34:32>> All right, if you will Christian McCaffrey's workload that workload last year 400 plus touches. Feel it [ __ ] up at Walmart.
34:40>> [gasps] >> Oh, wow. You know, I would say probably probably close. I haven't more than about 350 touches.
34:51Um not quite four. But I think that's mainly because I'm not a believer in the offensive line just yet. I love the fact
35:01that they did figure out a way to get get their center from the get Lindstrom, you know, so that's a big boost.
35:08>> You know, Linderbaum excuse me not Lindstrom. Yeah, Linderbaum. But um I think that I think he's going to come close to that.
35:16And I and I think, you know, I think he'll have I think he'll have the neighborhood between you know, 14 to 18 total touchdowns probably
35:24somewhere in the the neighborhood of 16 to 1700 yards from scrimmage. Um that's a strong year and he could be top five
35:33out of that.
35:33>> Yeah, I think our the action jet he will get this year. I I will be closer to the one we drafted
35:39last year. Um and not really catching any discounts this year or anything, but he was probably going a little over a little
35:46over price.
35:46>> for what you got last year and you paid for what you get this year.
35:49>> No, no I think well >> Cuz wasn't he top wasn't he top wasn't he like 10th or 11th or 12th?
35:55>> 15th. Let me look.
35:57>> And and >> maybe points per game he was a little higher.
36:00>> Yeah, points per game he was top 12. I think he was 10th or 11th.
36:05>> He was 11th.
36:05>> Yeah, and then and ADP was like pretty much 12. Like running back 12. Like running back 10. So he you got what you
36:14paid for. It's just that people were bitching and moaning about it because >> Yeah, he was 16th overall. So 16th in
36:21overall scoring 14 and a half points per game ranked higher. So I think that was the there's a there's some wiggle room in
36:27there.
36:27>> And it was ugly. They were ugly moments, that's for sure.
36:31>> No no uglier than Chip Kelly concerned about his dance.
36:36I think this year we'll get all that sorted out and not worry too much. We'll worry more about the running. And I do
36:40think the offensive line adjustments, I mean, Linderbaum, I you know, not great at pass protection, but a road grading kind of guy in the middle of line,
36:49that's a that's got to be a positive.
36:51Maybe a little better health and a little better luck. All right, that's all we're doing today, Matt. We're going to go out and do some other things now.
36:57I want everyone out there to go to MattWalman.com.
37:01Get the RSP. If you have not ordered it now, order up.
37:05Never too late to get the full edition, the pre-draft, post-draft, and then all the ancillary materials, the dynasty rankings, the the additional things.
37:14What's the price on that, Matt Walman?
37:16>> 20 Well, 21.95 for the RSP. The dynasty rankings and projections is 24.95.
37:22And, you know, and if there's a problem, me and Bob will drive up in a U-Haul and Yeah, THERE WE GO. [laughter]
37:31GOOD TIMING, BOB.
37:32>> THERE WE HAVE [laughter] IT.
37:34All right, everybody. We'll be back next week. Uh go to footballguys.com.
37:38My fantasy notebooks are coming out now like daily installments and then a compilation piece on Sunday, so you can digest it however you want it. If you're
37:47eager beavers, go get it a piece at a time and build your own little dam or otherwise, damn it, I'll build it for
37:52you at the end of the week.
37:53>> It'll be a happy ending one way or the other, wood head.
37:56>> I think we'll stop right there. I don't think I can top that. Love you. Bye.
38:00>> Love you. Bye.
