The Fantasy MVP Episode! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/4

Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast

The Fantasy Footballers podcast presents a special 'Fantasy MVP Episode' for the 2026 season, featuring expert picks and insights from hosts

Key takeaways

• Avoid overreacting to Week 1 fantasy performances—especially breakout games—as early results are often unsustainable.
• George Kittle's limited snap count due to injury creates risk but potential upside if he plays in high-leverage situations like the red zone.

Main topics

• Fantasy MVP picks for the 2026 season
• Week 1 performance pitfalls and how to avoid them

Notable quotes

"Don't be a human being. Otherwise, impossible." – On avoiding emotional reactions to Week 1 fantasy results.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call for listeners to share their own fantasy MVP picks, while

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:04) Once I lost so badly in my fantasy football league that I had to eat an entire can of dog food covered in wasabi. It was unpleasant. But now I've found the fantasy footballer's element draft kit. The days of dog food are gone as I dig into their breakouts, values, tiered rankings, and much more. If you want to join me in the winner's circle where you don't have to paint your butt cheeks like an elephant's face, Head over to www.OlimentDraftKit.com and prepare for your fantasy draft. To the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo! Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Speaker 1 (1:10) I realized I had to do a different intro because welcome into the Fantasy Footballers. I'm the backup host for today, but Andy is here. I'm just here so I don't get fined. So I couldn't do the normal intro. It's not a Nasty Boy show. So I kind of panicked and I just said the word yo a lot. Now I know at least one person out there thinks that you're hosting because you want more air time. Mike, we saw one of those comments. We did see that in the YouTube. So we did a mock draft yesterday. YouTube was elite yesterday. We did a mock draft yesterday, and it was very clear from the first. Speaker 1 (1:49) I don't know, five seconds of Andy talking that the voice is struggling. The sickness is going around our building. I'm doing my best. And so Andy's like, someone help me. And I'm like, I'm the hero. I can do this. And then YouTube was like, well, why did Mike take over? He must be upset that he doesn't get to talk enough on the podcast. The comment was spectacular. It was like. uh you know the vibe is off today mike mike mike must have complained behind the scenes that he doesn't get enough talking time there were quite a few wild comments on yesterday's show but because if you have been around me do we have the it's just weird that it goes from andy to mike leading the mock feels like mike complained he doesn't get to talk as much as the other guys say if you know anything about me i know that's what's so great you know Speaker 1 (2:42) that I complain that I don't get to talk enough. My favorite thing. Yeah, you are a talker. Especially like elevators, public spaces. But for the time being, I will be here as the, like I said, I will be the backup host. Welcome in. It's September 4th. It is Friday. It is MVP Day, a very special episode. We go out to the industry. We get some of our buddies out there. Because look. We're kind of isolated. We're our own thing. We're not out there. It's not a disrespect to what other people's work. We want to have our opinions, our projections, and that's what they also do as well. I always enjoy hearing them, or when we get them in, because we don't know who they're going to pick. I'm always like, is it going to be someone I like or someone I hate? It's just a different perspective. It's nice to get other... Speaker 1 (3:36) uh people's fantasy mvp obviously our fantasy mvp is on the show as well that is probably the most important there's so much going andy wouldn't miss this show because it's like this is a big show it's a big day the megalobull drafts start today oh there are people drafting today uh this whole weekend all the way through the very beginning of next week we have megalobull drafts if you want to get in on it go to megalobull.com it's free if you're a foot clam member uh just go Go and pick a spot. Five days worth of drafts. Five days worth of drafts. Get in. It's a fun format, a fun league. And if you win, which is difficult, you get in the Listener League for next year and you get a free Foot Clan for life, ultimate membership. And the bragging rights of winning the largest fantasy football tournament that I know of, at least. Also, if you just have your regular. Speaker 1 (4:31) fantasy football drafts as well. And you're like, oh, crap. I jumped in late. We have you covered. UltimateDraftKit.com. That is our premium resource to get you ready for the draft. Our tiered rankings. If you're just trying to binge and get ready, as I've talked to plenty of people, there's casuals. They realize, uh-oh, we got to get in there. So UltimateDraftKit.com. It is still available. It still will be updated. Speaker 1 (4:56) throughout the weekend if there is breaking news. I just realized this is the last show that we are recording before our League of Record draft. We won't be on air again until we have finished our draft. How exciting. I've got a funny feeling my draft's going to end up okay. Like my final roster. Well, you already drafted. Yeah. You've already drafted. You've already got all the guys. Yeah. So that's cool. I'm pretty excited. Yeah, I'm very excited for you. Do you like my deep voice? You sound like Adam Lefkoe. Lefkoe. Quick question of the day from J.K. in Phoenix. Hey, ballers, do you guys have any tips so that I don't overreact after week one's performance? Trying to avoid another Sammy Watkins. Oh, man, the Lizard King. 42 points in week one. Sammy Watkins in 2019. It was delightful, and I can tell you. Sammy Watkins in 2019 was on my roster. Oh, baby. Speaker 1 (5:59) Shout out to the Lizard King. Was he in your lineup for that week one matchup? I don't think so. Probably the next four weeks. That part I don't remember. Did I trade him? No. Because I had done it, guys. I had Patrick Mahomes wide receiver one. Wow. I did it, guys. I didn't even remember which team that was for. Right? That was the Chiefs. Am I remembering this right? Oh, it was absolutely. Well, he did it twice. He did it two different years, so I don't know which one that was. Yeah, maybe I'm thinking of the wrong year. Here's my answer. Oh, yeah, Chiefs versus the Jaguars in week one. Impossible. Yeah. Oh, yeah, that's what I kept to myself. I actually think the answer to this question, what are tips so you don't overreact? Don't be a human being. Yeah. Otherwise, impossible. If you can convert to robot, you may be able to handle it and take your emotions out because. Speaker 1 (6:52) Especially if you thought something about the player. If it's confirming your prior. Oh my gosh. If Blake Corum scores three times in week one. Just take your lap. Take your lap. You are the champion. And you know what? I don't think. I mean, the truth is bringing up a question like this is enough of just making sure. And after week one, we'll talk about it again and again. Oh, the 2024 Isaiah Likely, Jason. Oh, yeah. Oh, yes. The beginning of the end of Mark Andrews. Was dead and gone, and it had shifted to likely. Yeah, there's all sorts of examples like that. Last year, you know, I was high on Justin Herbert. Justin Herbert comes out in week one and scores like a bajillion points. It was like, yes. The only one that you can control is if it is a player that has done nothing ever, and they have a crazy week one like a Greg Ogletree. Speaker 1 (7:48) Oh, man. Then you might, I mean, he's still going to be the top waiver pickup. Yes. Yeah. But you might be able to say to yourself, let me have another week before I start them. Yeah. I mean, another week before you start them. But you also have to move on week one. The data on week one is, it is not like. guaranteed that that's going to continue happening. But the players that do break out kind of out of the blue, like Apuka Nakua, they usually don't get started in week five. You know, we talk about that in the waiver wire analytics is like the hits in week one are valuable. So pretty much just don't overreact. Don't make moves and trade based on that. With waiver wire, you have to make transactions. So go after those guys. Speaker 1 (8:37) We'll try to keep you grounded. Just tune in. We will go over it. The guys who explode in week one will give you at least our opinions on it. It's hard, man. It's really, really difficult to sift through that of what is going to end up being true and what is not. Speaker 1 (8:59) The Athletics' Matt Barrows? I think it's Barrows. Oh. I don't know. Why are we talking about Barrows at a time like this? Pizza time. Said he is sure 49ers tight end George Kittle, quote, won't be on the field for his usual 95% of the offensive snaps in week one. Thank you for that, Matt. Speaker 1 (9:22) It's obvious that he's not going to be out there for every snap. You don't come back off of the Achilles, barely get to week one, and then just because it's a game, say, okay, do what you can't do. The question is really, if you draft George Kittle, he made the flight, so as of now, I presume he's going to be active. Yes. I don't know if you can start him. The report that I want is Mr. Barrows or Barrows say, I'm hearing George Kittle. As soon as they're in the red zone, George Kittle will be on the field. Yeah. Because if that's the case, then you can still play George Kittle. A George Kittle week one line of three for 17 with two touchdowns, if he's playing in the red zone, that's not impossible for George. There's just a chance for a little Kittle. Yes. There's a chance for an itty-bitty little Kittle. There is some major risk. Speaker 1 (10:16) Hopefully we'll get more information. This is what I'm bringing to the show today. Yeah, some good work over there. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers returned to practice Thursday. That's good news. That was starting to get a little sweaty with the undisclosed injury. Patriots running back Travion Henderson with his ankle injury not spotted at Thursday's practice. He has not practiced since August 24th. This has been. a long time sitting out. Obviously, they are game planning for week one. He's not practicing. So this is a player that. Speaker 1 (10:49) And honestly, if he is active week one, I don't know if you put him out here. I love this news because it bails me out of everything. You know what I mean? Like, genuinely. Not from the teams you already drafted him, bro. Well, no, I know. I still do think. I mean, I do believe that by the second half of the year, Travion Henderson is going to be the primary running back and great for fantasy. That's the shot I'm trying to call. Obviously, anyone who is on that side thinking it's going to happen from week one is wrong. I mean, this before the injury. Speaker 1 (11:19) Everything was Ramondre is the lead guy. Ramondre is doing everything better. Travion is still hurting with pass protection. Add in the injury. If I drafted Travion Henderson, obviously it depends on my roster, but I would be looking for someone else to start. And there are other options that some of these backups. I don't know if you go to Roshon Johnson. Let's talk about the Bears news. But it's just a reminder. The Patriots-Seahawks is Wednesday, so there's not even like the extra, oh, Thursday or maybe even the weekend, and you're playing the Super Bowl champs. I... Even if he's back, Henderson is going to be. He'll be low in our rankings. He'll be a terrifying week one start opening day when he's struggling with pass protection. There's no need to do it. I'm probably finding a different option. And then late yesterday, this one popped through. Speaker 1 (12:25) She's really good for my fantasy MVP, really good for my bold prediction. We don't have a ton of updates, but here's what happened last night. Bears wide receiver Roma Dunzey and running back DeAndre Swift left practice early on Thursday. I saw a report that Rome was expected to be fine. I think we did get updates that were both very positive. I didn't see the Swift one. Swift was a cramp. Yeah, I didn't see that. Swift is fine. I had looked. A little while after the news broke, it was basically the first update we got was that the Rome thing was minor. And they weren't saying anything about Swift. It wasn't a concern. But the Swift one, when he went down in practice, was a lot of pain and it looked bad. But it was always midsection. That was the encouraging thing about the Swift news. It was not his leg. It was like he's grabbing his midsection, which... Speaker 1 (13:19) Well, that's great. I mean, obviously that means Swift should be fine for week one. My Roshan, I hadn't seen that it was a cramp yet, and I hadn't gotten the update. Brother, you've got to start hydrating the day before. I'm pretty sure they stay. I think Swift is hydrating all the time. Well, then you need the pickle juice. There it is. That's the solution. Butterfly Stretch and pickle juice. I don't know why this is so hard. Seriously, why? It's really not that difficult. Why are NFL teams? They're not coming to us. I mean. We have the answers. We know you're listening. We know that. Just come to us. If you just go to ButterflyStretch.com, you will understand. Oh, my gosh. I forgot we did that. And by the way. I got to go check it out. Currently. Speaker 1 (14:03) Active groinindex.com. Oh, it's beautiful. Oh, we're back. We're back. Oh, groinindex lives. Well, that is. Which is very, you might notice similarities between groinindex.com and butterflystretch.com. You might. But that's the best news that I have heard all day. Novelty domains are our expertise. Also, how does nobody own ButterflyStretch.com? Well, somebody does now. You can make offers. I am willing to sell. Before we jump into the Fantasy MVP, we're going to take our first quick break. Who's your Fantasy MVP? Speaker 1 (14:58) Andy has the buttons, but I am the host. That was incredible teamwork. Yeah, I heard it, and then, you know. Then you thought about it, and you were like. That's it. Oh, yeah, that's me. Reminder, so Fantasy MVP, we reached out to our friends around the industry, and we said basically like. You know, this is up to you. Is it your favorite value pick of the draft? Is it just your favorite pick? Is it you're calling your shot on a breakout? So we kind of leave it open to the fantasy expert and their insight, how they want to handle it. So we're going to start off here. Great friend of the show, Rich Rebar at Lord Rebs from over at Sharp Football Analysis. Absolutely legendary mind in the space. Let's hear what he has to say. Speaker 1 (15:46) All right, footballers, this year my fantasy MVP is Colston Loveland. He ended the season with at least 15% of the team's targets in each of the final nine games, was targeted on 24.7% of his routes for just under two yards per outrun over that span, and over the final five games, he played on 81% of the team dropbacks, receiving a target on 31% of his routes with 2.34 yards per outrun. Even in a split season of work as a rookie, he showcased his weekly upside. He had four top three scoring weeks at the position. Speaker 1 (16:15) Only Trey McBride matched that and had more. And as Loveland came on to close the season, we saw Ben Johnson adopt more of that 12-13 personnel. They were sixth in 12 personnel, second in 13 personnel over that span. Chicago is elevating Luther Burden into DJ Moore's role. This allows Loveland to remain a featured target in the offense and Cole Komet's presence lets Loveland move around the formation and arguably the de facto slot receiver. But as a rookie, he played everywhere. 57% snaps in line, 22% from the slot, 17% out wide. Speaker 1 (16:45) and he can win everywhere. Ben Johnson wants to score the most points in NFL history, and Colson Loveland's going to score the most points for any tight end this season. Whoa. That ended with a fire take. I love it. Lord Reeves, lord of the nerds. Reeves and his dad, I mean, he always brings incredible information. Obviously, you agree with this, Mike, since that is... Yeah, no notes. That's one of your my guys. So there is a lot of unanimous... opinion on Loveland here. We