Transcript of Top 10 RB Rankings + Trash Talkers - Fantasy Football Podcast for 8/12

The time is coming swiftly. The middle rounds are now close for the unskilled. Yet here you are, unprepared. You fools. This season you will find all kinds of foes, eager to watch your draft crumble with wasted picks. There can only be one ultimate draft kit. Only one that can bend them to its will. And it does not share power. You must wield the UDK and send your opponents back to the shadows. You shall not pass on this chance to send your league mates into the deep. Fly, you fools, to UltimateDraftKit.com.

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.

Ah, welcome in. The Fantasy Footballers Wednesday, August 12th. Mike the Fantasy Hitman, Jason Moore, Andy Holloway back at it. Top 10 running back show. We'll jump into some mailbag. We got lots going on. It is that time of year. We're in the midst of an opportunity for that UDK for life if you want to win that.

What an opportunity it is.

What an opportunity, Mike. For life. For life.

Goodness.

And a signed Jamar Chase jersey. Pick up the UDK before August 24th. Use it to prepare for your draft. Set the foundation for your team. We are priming up. Draft season is here. I cannot wait. I've had some opportunities to trade some picks and I've, I've not done it simply because I don't want to take away some of my draft day fun.

Understandable.

And One thing you've always said is that your draft picks can't get injured.

No.

So if you trade some draft picks for keepers, their groins are fine. Right.

Yeah.

I, um, much like J.K. Dobbins, everything is fine.

Yeah. Can't get hurt. No. If you trade for him, you're fine. Now it was like yesterday, I think Jason and I were talking a little, it was a bigger deal as some Hampton and Jacobs and other pieces. I passed on it. And then the next morning you get the news that like Puka Nacua and Jacobs could still face discipline. And I was just thinking about my discipline where my headspace would have been.

Yeah, it would have been great.

You would have just been, I mean, he might not. I mean, I still think the odds are probably maybe that he doesn't, but, but we hadn't heard anything about it for quite some time. And then I would have been so upset.

And then a reporter who will not be named on this podcast delivered some news that—

Is that who it was?

Yeah.

You don't name him now?

No.

Okay. But what's his name? Schmom.

Oh man.

Schmellicero?

No, no, no.

Oh no.

It wasn't him?

What?

No, he's moved past Tom.

Yeah. Oh, me and Tom, I'd squash that beef. Like me and him.

I see.

He's got that beef.

Me and him are cool now.

You're talking about the big dog.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Whoa, whoa, big dog. Michael.

Mike, I've known you for 20 years. You hold grudges. You do. You pick a few. You do it on both sides. You got your favorite guys that you hold on to forever.

Never let go.

That you'll never let go of. Trey Lance in the house.

I'm a loyal person.

Ben Sennett.

And then you—

Any minute.

I am the Senate.

But then if it's the wrong side, It's a forever thing.

It feels like I was slighted at the FF Ballers on X.

Quick question comes in. Describe the trash talk between the three of you in your leagues. What are your main tactics? Are there any comparisons to a character or evil villain?

Ooh.

Describe yourself or one of the other ballers. Who's the, who's the biggest trash talker when things are going right among the three of Jason?

I don't know that. Do you think I think I'm the biggest complainer when things go wrong?

Yeah, you are the whiniest.

Yeah, babies for sure.

Yeah.

That's not trash talking.

You trash talk yourself. I think I think you dog yourself. My usual go-to when I mean it's not trash talk, but it's the same spirit of what you're talking about is the early congratulations, the building you up, the setting you, you know, it's, it's like telling someone how while they're playing at golf to try to throw them off their game.

No, that's not trash.

No, but it's like gift talking.

Yeah, exactly. That's my version.

I would say Mike has become pretty annoying in recent history because—

Insufferable.

Insufferable.

Because I won both the leagues? What is the problem here?

Yep, that'll do it.

Yeah. I'm just champing over here, man.

Yeah, I'm just saying it's annoying because what happens is like—

I know the truth is Pretty annoying.

We have a lot of conversations and then you'll just inject yourself in as the guy that's going to win instead of these other conversations all the time.

I think one of my favorite trash—

I do have a lot of confidence in my dynasty.

Your dynasty team is what I'm talking about.

Would you like to read through my roster? No. So the other—

I looked at it. I don't know how it stops for 10 years.

The other day I was making a trade. I've got a solid roster in our dynasty league. Yes, your dynasty team is pretty good. I'm competing along with—

Silver will look good on you.

And I think there it is. And I, I was, I was just, I was looking at trades in the league and I've got the whole, you know, where you see the whole league at once on the board. And I came across your team. I start just reading and I was just like, oh no, you're so good. That team is loaded.

I was like, wait, and the bench, Ja'Marr Chase and CeeDee and George Pickens.

Yeah.

And Ken Bone walking into freaking Kansas City, who we'll talk about today.

Did you see who was on my bench, Jay?

Do you remember who was on my bench? His bench is great too.

Garrett Wilson.

Oh my God.

He doesn't even—

That guy can't even crack my starting roster.

This is what I'm talking about. Yeah. This is exactly what I'm talking about.

It's just a good team.

Most people, if they don't— I mean, you should do what you're doing. It's just that—

Win? Yeah, I'm doing it.

A lot of people have to equivocate because there are paths to losing. And you're in a position where you're like, your bench is much better than my starting roster.

Well, that's not fair. Your team isn't. Your team, you have blown your team up for a rebuild.

On purpose.

Yes.

Repo man showed up.

Yeah. No, I mean, you can't compare. You can't compare that.

No, but like you're not going to win, Jay.

Did you know? How dare you?

Did you know that? You're not going to win this year. You won't be winning.

It just takes one week for Mike to lose. One bad week.

And you won't have it.

It's going to be a—

this is how good my team is. Other people will talk garbage for me.

That's what I just did, didn't I? I'm your co-man. My team's name in that league right now is Mike's Butt.

Yeah.

Because in our league, the winner gets to name the last place team and current placeholder is Mike's Butt.

That's fine. Mike, you— And Mike was like the silver medalist a couple of times. He was on, we were taunting with that when we had two titles.

All right. Anyways, look, we're this far in. I hate this.

Why?

What a stupid question that has got us now talking about Mike's team.

But I would never do that.

People are going to want to know.

My team only has Gibbs, Walker, Hampton, CD, Amon-Ra in our league of record. And then like a bunch of picks.

So here's Mike's team. He's got Joe Burrow. And Jared Goff with Flacco behind Burrow.

This is his dynasty team.

Christian McCaffrey. So you got age here. McCaffrey and Derrick Henry.

Yeah.

And Ken Bone Walker and Jamar Chase and CeeDee Lamb and running backs. George Pickens.

Jordan Mason probably, right?

Yeah. And Rico. And all, and all three insurance running backs.

Yeah. And you got Pat Bryant who's been the—

Oh bro, Pat Bryant.

And Garrett Wilson.

This is the best show we've ever done.

And Dontavian Wicks. Oh, and Trey McBride.

Oh yeah. Wait, did you say Loveland?

He has McBride.

Oh, you have Loveland too. Oh my gosh. This is disgusting. I'm out. I'm quitting this league. I don't like this league.

You have McBride and Loveland.

All of my picks.

Oh my gosh.

All of them.

You never traded any away?

No.

No.

This is the greatest constructed roster.

I hate everything.

Cheers, everybody.

We cannot do this show anymore.

No. I'm out.

Move on.

News and notes from around the league.

The NFL Network, Ian Rapoport talking about the fact Puka Nacua is dealing with minor soreness. He had left with a trainer. It's in his groin. It's been a bad, bad week for groins.

As Jason would say. Just do a butterfly stretch.

Someone teach these dudes how to butterfly stretch. That's obviously what's missing.

You sit on your butt. You bring your feet together and it looks like you got two little butterfly wings.

Yeah, you push down.

You've lost me. They don't know what that is. There's no way.

High concept.

Emeka Egbuka limped off with trainers and that was today.

Yeah, this is like 20 minutes ago.

He's watching the rest of practice with his cleats off. No other reports. If we get one before the end of the day, we'll let you know.

I do like that the follow-up was, Abuka with both cleats off.

Yeah.

Thank you for specifying both of them.

I mean, I guess if you have one off, you think maybe it's just an— that's the leg. That's the ankle. I don't know. It's just a funny report.

Mike Evans did return to practice with the quad injury.

There he goes.

And J.K. Dobbins returned to practice. Well, returned to individual drills. Yes.

So nothing to see here.

No, everything's fine. Everything's fine.

Yeah, good luck, JK. Stay healthy. Today should be, today should be fun. We're counting down the top 10 running backs. All of our consensus rankings, player projections, sleepers, breakouts, bust values are in the UDK at ultimatedraftkit.com. Let's go ahead and jump right in.

Running backs.

All right. What makes a top 10 running back in fantasy? Since 2015, among those finishing in the top 10, 79% averaged 19 or more opportunities per game. That was part of your discussion with Hampton yesterday, trying to get to that number. 72% of top 10 running backs saw at least 50 targets. You want to be involved in the passing game.

And the 28% is named Derrick Henry.

It feels like, yeah, that's pretty much it. And then 94% of top 5 running backs had 10 or more total touchdowns. So that's a huge number. That's nearly everyone always 10 or more total touchdowns. You would have to be basically Ekeler levels of like receiving work.

I mean, 94%. That's like, if you want to be, you got to, you have to have the touchdown upside, which is why.

And that's in the last 11 years. So you're talking about a long, like a lot, a large sample.

Yeah.

I mean, that, that's why we prefer you know, players on good teams. Teams that are going to win are going to score more points. And it's not always the case, but you really need 10 touchdowns.

The average, if you just average out the last 10 years, it's 20 opportunities, 255 rushing attempts, 1,182 yards. So you don't have to lead the league in rushing by any stretch. 10.5 rushing touchdowns, 68 targets, 53 catches, 436 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns. 2.7.

Before we move on, I just, I figured I'd look this up since we were just talking. You need 10 touchdowns. Here is the current sportsbook top 5 for 10 or more rushing touchdowns.

Oh, nice.

Number 1, Jameer Gibbs has the highest odds to get 10 touchdowns ahead of Derrick Henry, who's number 2. Jonathan Taylor.

Yeah.

Number 3, James Cook. Number 4 and number 5, Kyren Williams. I did that whole bit to get to Kyren Williams.

Yeah. Yeah.

They're a good team. Well, if you're going to, if you're going to do the top, you got to do the top 5.

Right. Yeah. Of course.

Number 6, Blake Corum. No, I'm just kidding. Who's number 6?

6 is Javonte Williams.

Okay. I mean, that says something.

Yeah.

And then he doesn't— he'll have the targets. The yards will be like 112.

Yeah. It's— I mean, it's worth noting, you know, the debate at 101 of Gibbs versus Bijan. We haven't said Bijan's name. And that to me is the—

I have moved Gibbs ahead. Yeah. So I'm— I think we're fully unanimous now of Gibbs should be the first pick.

Number 10.

By the way, Josh Allen is at 11.5 rushing touchdowns.

Yeah, he would be third on this list as far as odds to get to 10.

Chase Brown at number 10. Jason and Mike have him at 8. I have him at 11. I love Chase Brown as well. It's just how it broke down. He is, he's kind of, it's a perfect situation for Cincinnati, I think, with Chase Brown being their back. He's been So consistent the last 2 years. Just look at the points per game numbers. 14.3, 14.6. There have been reports in camp of him lining up in the slot more. He is a pass catcher. He is not a triple B, right? He's not a big body back. He's not going to— but that's what I'm saying for Cincinnati.

It's awesome because he's right in that. He's 5'10", 210 is what I see listed. Like that is 210 to 215 is truly a— you could take it like that's the perfect weight where you can be agile enough to work in the receiving game and you're still big enough to go between the tackles.

Chase Brown had 5 games last year in the 17 where he scored a rushing touchdown.

Yes, that is true. But obviously the team environment to be able to score a lot of touchdowns, double-digit touchdowns, the Bengals would be there. I mean, here's the nice thing. You have to remember last year how bad the beginning of the season was for the Bengals. Burrow got off to a slow start, got injured, and then they didn't have Flacco until Week 6. So that team environment, you know, Chase Brown, a lot of people are like, ah, he's just a product of the team environment. And maybe that's true because the team environment is fantastic. And now Joe Flacco is the backup. So should Burrow go down, we saw Chase Brown be fine with Flacco. If you look at Flacco from Week 6 on, You've got a Chase Brown, Chase Brown from the Flacco weeks. You know, that would be, he was on pace for 1,200 yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 93 targets with 7 receiving touchdowns. He was better than the running back 8 finish that he had last year. And that's pretty darn good.

Chase Brown is, he's one of my favorite picks in fantasy. The, I like, I think he is a talented running back, but the situation is just so perfect. He does like, he's not, you know, that the, like McCaffrey, Gibbs, Bijan player where if everything goes terrible for the Bengals, it will. I don't think Chase Brown can overcome that, but they're set up in such a situation of this year where they're more protected than ever. They're— and you said they're talking about lining up in the slot. We like hearing that little news blurb. They're also talking of just an emphasis of this year, as seems like more and more teams are now, is, okay, we're going to get back to under center. We want more explosive runs from Chase Brown, who was already a pretty explosive player from that Week 6 on, you know, when Joe Flacco kind of fixed the offense through the ending with Burrow. Chase Brown's running for 5.1 a carry. Like he was already a very efficient running back on the ground during that time.

320 opportunities last year. Are you perfectly comfortable with him as your RB1?

Yes.

100%. Yeah.

If you want to start with a high level wide elite wide receiver and then come back and get Chase Brown, that, that's like my favorite, my favorite start when you're in the middle to late.

If you can get Amon-Ra St. Brown, You know, or sometimes JSN goes fourth, but assuming that Amon-Ra goes as the fourth wide receiver gone and come back around and grab Chase Brown, I adore that start. I mean, the depth chart around him is just, it's a 30-year-old Samaje Pirine is the backup and then it's Taj Brooks. Like there's no one else here.

He has majorly dodged the draft, the free agent market.

Yeah.

The only kind of negative about Chase Brown, his red zone success rate has been bad. 13 carries inside the 5 2 years ago, only 6 touchdowns on the 13 carries. And that's inside the 5. 13 carries inside the 5 last year, only 4 rushing touchdowns. 31% of those converted. The most opposite compared to number 9, Derrick Henry. Forever and always.

The Yeti.

Uh, I didn't realize how low I have him. Interesting. He comes in at 9. I guess I have him at ADP.

Yeah, I don't blame you for having him there. I've got him at running back 6 and I don't—

I got him at 12.

I don't love it. I mean, there's tons of risk. DeAngelo Williams was the last running back to be 32 years old or older with 10 rushing touchdowns. It's not an easy feat and this— I know he's a Yeti, but guys, he's actually a human being.

Yeah, I mean, it's— I've heard there are, there are some changes, right? The offense is changing. We have a new system in place. We'll see what that becomes. Mike, you got him at 7. His sleeper ADP is RB12. So you get him late round 2. That, that seems great. I mean, I'd swear I haven't ranked— I would take him at ADP with no, no qualms.

I mean, he was the running back 3. The running back 2, missed half a season as the running back 16, then the running back 4, then the running back 8, then the running back 2, then the running back 7. It's like he is just a top 10 running back every year of his career. The only question, the only thing is, did father time catch up? And that's the— if he— if it hasn't, and it—

let me read the concerns on the top 10 ranking shows that we've had for him over the last 5 years. So in 2021, we said he, he has a lack of targets, which was true. 2021. In 2022, we said the age was starting to become a concern. In 2023, we said—

that was a long time ago—

age and wear and tear. In 2024, we said age. In 2025, fifth season in a row basically with an age concern. Yeah. It's the Frank Gore. Now it did, it did end up happening at some point in time. They Do— if you want to look at a way it kind of slows, I don't think it goes to nothing. That's where I think the pick is fine. You've got a new offensive system and you've got an offensive line that just lost— like we talked about Gente. They picked up Tyler Lindinbaum. He's gone. They lost their All-Pro fullback in Ricard. Gone. They lost their tight end Charlie Kohler. Got a big contract to go to Los Angeles. They lost Isaiah Likely. There is— They're the 26th ranked offensive line. And this is, you know, he's not going to have 50+ receptions. So, you know, and that, that would be the maybe things could slow a little bit, but they're projected to win a bunch of games.

It's, yeah. And when they win, oh, when they win, Derrick Henry scores a ton of points. And the, the way to stop Henry is you have to, you hit the train before it starts going. So if the offensive line is not given him some room to at least get a couple steps to get up to speed, then things may not be so great. That's— it's really— I mean, it's really just age. Do you want to bet that this is the year that Henry falls off? Then avoid him.

It just feels like at ADP, it's like that would be a fall off. So if at the end of the year you're like, oh, Henry finished at RB12, you're like, oh crap, but that's where you're drafting him.

And the thing is, is I don't think that there's a world where he finishes at 12. You know, he's going to finish like 18 and, and the, you know, it didn't happen. He got 8 touchdowns or he's going to finish it, you know, 8 or better. The question I have is like, if you're at that point in the draft and you're not drafting your first running back, would you rather, you know, pair your first running back with Derrick Henry or like Jeremiah Love, the young, the complete opposites, the higher upside?

Pair your first running back with Henry every time.

Yeah.

I just feel like it's so solid.

And the, like Henry has historically, as the temperatures drop, he does transform into the Yeti as it gets cold.

And that's science. That's not like a bit.

No, no.

This is like—

The bit is, is it snowing in Vermont?

Right.

Because that is, that's like Groundhog Day.

I don't know if people, people probably don't notice. We sometimes we goof around. This is, Science.

But I'm saying like, so I know that at the halfway point or whatever of the year, Derrick Henry will hit transformation 3 and then he'll just start dominating again. But the first 6 matchups for the Baltimore Ravens.

Oh baby.

Favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite.

It's not just favorite, favorite, favorite, but these aren't great defenses. Colts, Saints, Cowboys, Titans. Falcons.

Oh my.

Yeah, it should be fine. All right, we'll take a break and we'll continue the countdown. Before we continue the countdown, dude, you got— when we say this is science, we want to read this to you. Yards per attempt for Derrick Henry. September, 4.31. October, there's a little crisp in the air, 4.78. Oh, November.

Now it's getting chilly.

It's a little— put on a windbreaker, put on a jacket. December, 5.26. January, 6.09. The longer— that's not how age works, brother.

Yeah. That's how— it's how—

that's how a freak of nature works.

It's how tackling a car works. I mean, that's—

it's just—

I'd rather— if I have to tackle a car, I'd rather not be freezing.

Give me a car in September.

It's like the season is a hill and he picks up speed. That's how it seems. So that's, that's the data. He does get better over time. The team also just starts riding him when the weather gets bad.

It always feels like to start the year, they're like, we're going to try to open this up. And then by the end of the year, they're like, we should just keep giving the ball to Henry.

Jacoby Lane, you know, he's probably going to take over the entire league. Hey, maybe only player I got on that dynasty team of mine.

Number 8.

Ashton Gentry comes in at number 8, just 22 years old. I got him at 7. Jason at 7. Mike at 11. He is the RB6 by ADP. I can't believe I'm below ADP on Ashton Gentry.

The ADP is a bummer.

That's, I mean, you are, you got to get a great performance from Gentry for that first round draft capital. We know the workload's going to be there. We know the upgrade in play calling is there with Clint Kubiak. We know they added Tyler Lindenbaum, the aforementioned All-Pro center from Baltimore that is there to help solidify an offensive line. You certainly, I think, have a lot of reasons to like what you've seen from Gentry so far. Efficiency-wise, they weren't good numbers as a rookie, but he had so much volume and that those things are not necessarily sticky. I think the upside of Gente is pretty high. I mean, I don't think that Gente— I think he could finish as the RB1. I mean, I think that's possible for Ashen Gente with the targets. His target totals, we all have them above, you know, 65 targets on the year. That fits the threshold. We all have them about or above double-digit touchdowns. That fits the threshold. And we all have the opportunities pretty high. I just, Yeah, so the, the doesn't mean that he, I think he'll be number one. It just certain guys can do it.

Certain guys can't.

Yeah, the negative, the biggest negative is that he's on a poor team that does not project to score a ton of points. And so that's, you know, are you going to get the double-digit touchdowns? That one that 94% of these top 10 backs get. It's a hard environment to see it happening. Now, as a reminder, he had 10 touchdowns last year. So he had 5 receiving, 5 rushing. He is a freak of nature talent-wise. I do think that this offense will be significantly better. The combination of the, of Clint Kubiak and the offensive line upgrades and the health of Brock Bowers and Kirk Cousins coming in to start as far as like dumping off the ball. I mean, you saw when Bijan was there with Kirk Cousins, he was thriving in the passing game. To me, I think I'm very in on Ashanti Gentry. Unfortunately, seems like everybody is. And so that's where the ADP is at running back 6. That's kind of, I mean, I've got him as my running back 7. So I think you're, you're drafting him where he kind of belongs. I don't necessarily think it's an easy path for him to finish top 3.

He's talented enough.

73 targets last year, over 50 receptions.

Yeah. I mean, he's, he's certainly talented enough. I, you know, I agree with you. He could be.

Who do they want to throw the ball to? Who else can you?

It's Brock Bowers and Gente. That's it. Buck, buck, buck, Byron Gentry.

I mean, so Mike has him a little bit lower. I think Mike has brought up with whether it's Achan, whether it's Gentry, like you don't want a running back on a losing team, but you know, certain ones can thrive.

Those two players to me are the, like you, I went and I compared those two guys next to each other and my interpretation was that I think that the Raiders offense will be improved versus last year and the Dolphins offense will be worse than it was last year.

Wow.

And then when I look at the—

that's bad.

Yeah. Yeah. And then when I look at really bad, the talent of both guys, both outrageously talented. I think Ashanti Gentry is the better, more talented running back. Now that's where—

yeah, it's funny. I have them ranked the same. I probably disagree on those two points. I think Achan's the better back, better receiver. And I think the Dolphins will be, you know, a pretty okay offense relative to Las Vegas. But we both know that JNT is going to get a workload and it's hard to get guaranteed 300+ opportunities.

It is the— you have the issue too of Fernando Mendoza is just waiting to take over. Like, could he be better than Kirk Cousins? Yeah, that is a variable. But just historically, it's hard to make a transition to being a professional quarterback. They don't come in and put up a whole bunch of stats, especially, you know, when it comes to touchdowns. So there's a chance that halfway through the year, the offense gets worse as they're trying to acclimate Mendoza and look forward to 2027. The opening schedule, cupcake Miami, that's fantastic. But then it's the Chargers. Saints, okay, but Chiefs at Patriots at home against Buffalo. Like that, this is an absolute, this is, this is a horrifically bad opening schedule for the Raiders. And I guess, Jay, my, my question for you is, because I'm, Ashton Jetty is a great player, but historically you, one of your philosophies is you want to know for sure your first rounder is going to work.

Yeah, it's safe.

And it's exactly is safe because everyone in the first round has massive upside. They wouldn't be in the first round if they didn't. But Ashton Gentry feels very unsafe to me compared to the other guys there.

I would agree that he is a riskier pick at that point where I've taken Ashton Gentry in drafts is oftentimes at the beginning of the second round. And so then it's totally fine.

Yeah. So you don't think he's safe?

I do not. I don't, I don't think the environment is safe at all.

You're a big Kubiak fan though, right?

I am.

Yeah. I like what they did with the line. I think he, I think he's a safe pick. It's, you have to decide between a bunch of guys in this range. And that's the issue for me is, but I mean, I don't think Hampton feels safe. I feel Hampton feels exciting.

I feel safer in the environment of, of the Chargers being, a top 10 scoring offense.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Like versus the Raiders feel like they're probably a bottom 10.

It's funny because it's like Chase Brown feels safer.

Yes, he does to me.

But I guess what you're doing here when you draft Gente is you're, you're taking your percentage chance at the running back one overall. That, that's what you're signing up for. You're getting a guy who can, I don't think Chase Brown would be the running back one overall. Gentee has that kind of built-in talent where—

He was the RB12 last year, and I don't know if I saw a worse situation for a running back in the league.

I mean, the worst team in the league, the worst quarterback in the league, the worst coordinators in the league, the worst offensive line coaches in the league last year.

All of it was terrible. I just think the volume will outpace it, but that's why the debate's fun. Now you're back.

Okay.

Is this guy safe?

Number 7.

Don't care.

It's Ken Bone Walker.

It's not safe.

So funny because he's, you know, I think he's very safe.

Yes.

I think he is.

He's very safe.

But I think his volume is way safer than people are really thinking.

Oh, I thought you were going to say Vingentia. I was like, that's crazy.

No, no, no, no, no. But I'm saying like, I think he's going to be an incredibly high volume player. You could do, you can go to the health. Which I mean, the, in terms of games played, he's really only had one year that was a major bummer. His rookie and sophomore year, he played 15 games. If a running back, if misses 2 games, that's considered totally normal. 11 in 2024. Okay. That's an injury problem. And then he plays the whole year last year. Obviously his, you know, it felt like the opportunities were being throttled with Zach Charbonnet coming in. But they gave him the cash.

I have—

they immediately—

concerns about Kenneth Walker.

They immediately went to go get him. And all reports coming out of training camp for, for what this team, the identity of this team, how much they're going to lean on, on Ken Walker and in the receiving game as well. I like Walker at 209 is, is theft.

I mean, Andy Reid, Mahomes back, great offensive line, no threat in the red zone, no threat in the passing game. Maybe Breshard Smith takes some opportunities, whatever. The identity of the team is built around Kenneth Walker now. If he can just, you know, when Andy Reid has a— stay healthy, he's going to be a monster.

When Andy Reid has a stud at the running back position, they're workhorse.

Yeah.

Like that's what he does. He hasn't had a stud for years.

They're going to give him absolutely everything.

Yeah, he's very safe.

He is. So here's my view of Walker. Absolute monster. I agree with you, Mike. Steal of a draft at the back of the second, the back of the second for a guy who's going to get all the work for a team that's going to win a ton of games, who is very talented. With a great offensive line, everything.

With a top 10 offensive line.

He is every single check mark perfect across the board. And I'm just waiting to see how it doesn't work. That's how it feels. Because somehow, some way, every year, whether it's injuries.

People are agreeing with that.

He played the entire season last year for the Super Bowl champs. He's the running back 22. It's somehow, some way. I feel like he's just built to disappoint. But how? I don't know how. I don't know how it's going to happen.

I honestly think it's just going to be fine. I think it'll be something that we look back at the beginning of Ken Walker's career with all those question marks. And I've gotten to the point where I'm like, I can't find the pathway where it doesn't work out other than injury, which is everybody's pathway to not work out.

So he's going to be awesome.

Agreed.

Number 6.

All right. This guy ends up ahead of him because of me, I think.

Yes.

This is, this is one of the flag plants that my numbers bore out. Mike, what are you doing over there?

I just, I hate.

You hate your ranking?

I hate everything about this situation because Achan is awesome.

Achan, I have him at 4. I got him as my running back 4. You guys at 10 and 9 being drafted at 8. Obviously, I can't escape the fact the talent and the volume that I think we're going to see. I like Malik Willis. I think the offense will get some stuff done. There was a really funny clip, I think 2 days ago with his head coach saying he's going to give him 40 to 45 opportunities a game that he will literally not let him tap his head to come off the field, that he will carry him back to the sideline after 40 carries a game.

Like you can't, you can't dream as a fantasy football manager. For any coach to say anything better because there was no sarcasm, not joke. I mean, obviously it was hyperbolic, but he's literally telling us the truth, which is he gets everything. He's the center of the offense.

Yeah. This is a situation where I'm just, everybody has to pick their players that they're in on and you can always create storylines of why you believe or don't believe. This is one where I believe the fantasy community is making a horrible mistake in doubting the production of De'Von Achane by carving out a bunch of reasons why it might not work for Miami. 100% of his games last year on a horrible team, he was above 10.5 fantasy points. That is the best, most consistent running back that you had in football. The identity of this team, the talent of this player, it's just one where I'm like, I think we're going to screw up overanalyzing what can go wrong and not recognizing how many opportunities this player is going to have over the course of the year.

Yeah, I have him lower in my—

and he can score at any any minute. Like Gibbs. I mean, he is a Gibbs level talent to me.

Yeah, he's awesome. I would love to have Achan on my roster where I still like where I have him ranked at 10, which is obviously well behind you. I won't end up with a lot of him simply because I think when push comes to shove and I'm deciding between these running backs we're talking about, all of these guys, the Gente or Achan, the Walker Achan, the Chase Brown or Achan. Like I'm going to end up with those other guys over Achan and I could be making that terrible mistake like a lot of people are making that you're predicting, Andy. My rationale for that is, you know, the last 2 years no one has thrown to the ball to the running back more than Tua. You lose Tua, you then replace him with a quarterback who can scramble and have mobility. They're still going to throw the ball a lot to Achan, but I would expect he gets fewer targets in the passing game than he had with McDaniel and Tua. That, so if that comes down a little bit, and like I just said a minute ago, I think their offense is worse this year than it was last year losing Waddle.

Obviously you've got McDaniel's noise, man.

Just noise.

Just noise. Sure.

But in my estimation, like remember when Cam Newton couldn't throw to running backs?

Right. No, that's what I said. He's going to get a lot of targets. But do you, are you saying you think Malik Willis will without Mike McDaniel, Malik Willis will target Achan more this year?

I think, I think he'll get the same amount of targets. I mean, we weren't talking about 105 Ekeler targets. We're talking about 85 targets. Yeah, I think he'll get 85 targets. You don't, you said they don't have Waddle. Where does, where do targets go?

Vacated targets from wide receivers often go to running back.

So I am just saying like, to me, it's noise. I'm not saying what you're saying is invalid at all. I'm saying to me, these are things that I think will get me a discount on him. For you, it won't be a discount because you won't have him. It's just a flag plant for me on the town.

Where is, where is he going ADP-wise? Is he ahead of this?

Early, early second.

Okay. So just as far as running backs go, it's, it's right for me.

The hard bar is right next to Chase Brown.

Hampton, Chase Brown, Walker.

And I prefer Chase Brown. Yeah.

Hampton, Chase Brown, Walker going behind him. That'll be tough. I mean, Yeah, obviously incredible talent. Where did he finish last year?

6th.

Okay.

With his best points per game of his career.

He had 12 touchdowns.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, the nice thing about him is exactly like Gibbs where on any play, even if they're up, I mean, he had so many late fourth quarter games put out of reach, goes and scores from 65 yards. I, to me, this, he got paid. The other thing, I mean, nobody talks about this, the commitment to him. He's their face of the franchise. And then you go listen to the coach talk.

I hate that I can't argue.

Yeah.

Like anything you're saying, like, yeah, no, those are all on the, those are all true things on the plus and the negative side.

Everything is true. And the, the one maybe tiebreaker when I'm looking at this is if he does get like 30 touches a game, which would be outrageous. He's £191. I mean, he's probably heavier now. But my point is like, there's also, he's undersized to be a, you know, carry an entire team for 2 seasons in a row. So.

All right. Moving on.

Number 5.

James Cook just keeps getting better. 12.4 fantasy points per game up to 15, up to 16.8 last year.

I mean, he feels like he gets no respect. Even in my heart. I think we got there.

I think we got there. He's there for me mentally. He's elite tier. Uh, we are number 5, number 5, number 4.

That's where we got right over you.

I mean, he's being drafted as the RB5 off the board. I think we got there, Jay. I think, I think it came with last year's performance, leading the league in rushing.

I guess where I'm at is I never ever ever take James Cook because he's going where the last of the elite wide receivers are. So if I, if I'm deciding between Like all these running backs that are at the next turn in the second round, these, these Walker, Achan, Hampton, like I love all those guys and I don't really love the wide receivers there.

Yeah, that's right.

So I just can't take James Cook there because I'm always taking JSN or Amon-Ra or, or, or CD and then coming around and grabbing these other running backs. But James Cook's awesome.

Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, Jefferson or James Cook?

James Cook.

Okay. Yeah, TD regression has not existed for James Cook. His opportunities. Ballooned from 245 to 349 last year, right?

There's rumors that they're going to pass more. I could see them getting Cook more involved in the passing game. He's got room to go up there.

If they run more, it's James Cook. If they pass more, he'll have more receptions.

He's so good.

Yes.

And he's on the Bills. Like, he's on one of the best offenses in the league.

He is on the Bills.

I mean, it's just like, you know, we're talking about Achan and the Dolphins. You're going to have so many touchdown opportunities. Yeah, it's just tough because I've like never drafted him.

Yeah, I mean, his quarterback will score 12 times on the ground and he'll still be fine. That's the wild thing.

Yeah, those odds that I was giving earlier in the top 5, both James Cook and Josh Allen were in the top 5 and there's 32 teams.

And he's on the Bills.

The Bills.

All right, we'll take a break. We'll come back with our top 4. Well, you know, general overview of the top 4. They're very good at football. Number 4, Jonathan Taylor comes in at number 4. I've got him, I guess, the lowest at 6. Jason at 4, Mike at 5. He's being drafted at 4. He's really good.

Oh, Jason's stank face.

Yeah, I'm— I don't know, man. I'm getting a little bit sour on the Colts. Like, I— It's so weird because I like the opportunity that Josh Downs has. I've talked about him a lot as one of the latest wide receivers that I really like. I love Tyler Warren, dog. I just don't know if the vibes are great right now for the Colts. Their schedule is very, very difficult. They open Baltimore, Kansas City, Houston, Pittsburgh in Week 5. It's like, It's going to be tough sledding. You know, so I don't know. I find myself not excited for Jonathan Taylor. But if you remember, and I've talked about this, like last year before Daniel Jones went down, he was the runaway running back one.

He was, he was, which he's done before, by the way, in 2021.

He was points ahead of Christian McCaffrey until Daniel Jones went down. And he's a freak of nature.

You could point out the, he's coming off a tremendous workload. So back when he was the running back one in 2021, he had 383 opportunities, followed it up with two injury-plagued seasons. He got back up to that number last year, 378 opportunities. That can be tough on a running back to stay healthy, something you can pay attention to. And that is, you know, he's missed games 1, 2, 3, 4 years of his career. Maybe that's in the back of your mind. I think Daniel Jones playing at an MVP level, then winning 8 out of 9 games certainly helped last year. He's been a great running back when his team has been good. He slowed down a little bit when obviously he hasn't had the quarterback play or the offense, but yeah, I mean, no complaints.

Scored 20 fantasy points per game last year on the season. That's including the second half with, you know, Grandpa Rivers throwing him the ball. Also the vacated targets. On this team, we, you know, just like we talked about with Achan losing Waddle, the targets often go to the running back and he can catch it. He can catch it. Where's, I mean, is this similar to James Cook where he's pretty close?

I have James Cook ahead of Jonathan Taylor now.

Yeah. I'm just saying draft, like in the draft, are you able to grab, you know, one of those JSN, Amon-Ra?

He's at 106.

Oh yeah. You're in the same category. He's at 106 versus 109 for Cook.

Yeah, I think, I think I'd rather have—

Oh no, J.S.

Ennis.

I think I'd rather have not CeeDee, but if I could grab J.S. Ennis or Amon-Ra.

Puka.

Oh, definitely. I mean, Puka and Ja'Marr Chase ahead, but those 4 wide receivers I think I would take over, over Jonathan Taylor.

I mean, we, I feel like we made a mistake not talking about Puka could get a suspension too.

Yeah, that's been, you know, he who Mike shall not name. Was reporting, yeah, was reporting that both Puka and Jacobs, there are still discussions going on in the NFL as to potential suspensions.

Number 3, Christian McCaffrey comes in at number 3. We all have him at number 3. He's being drafted as number 3, but he'll probably be number 1, right?

It's, there's really not much of a discussion to have here. It's if McCaffrey stays healthy, he's probably the number 1 running back or at the—

he's top 3.

At the floor of a healthy Christian McCaffrey, he's the running back 3 and a— but a difference maker at finishing at running back 3. It just means 2 other guys happen to have like crazy seasons.

He's coming off a season with 440 opportunities. If you remember the last time this has happened, I think DeMarco Murray in 2014 had 449. That's a lot.

I think the last time Christian McCaffrey had that many, including the—

Oh no, he's actually never had that many.

Well, I'm just saying his 2019 season, he had 428 in season, man. And then he was of course missed the next year with injury.

There's no one you feel more nervous about injury with. Still.

And that's fair.

But I mean, anybody can get hurt other than you told me Bijan can't last year, which you were right about.

And I was right. I mean, I will say this, the injury stuff that we talk about with these players and you go, well, anyone can get injured. That's true. I don't really care about injury history that much for most guys. But what I do care about when it comes to the potential for injury is age. Sure. So like when I look at Saquon and Christian McCaffrey coming off of large workloads and they're 30, that's where it's like, it's just, you know, it's, it's more, it's more difficult to recover quickly should an injury happen.

Is it more comforting to say 3 of the past 4 years he has been number 1 or number 2?

That's very comforting.

Yeah, that's a good way to put it. That's nice.

Like those, the, the 2 Carolina years, I mean, that's just Oh, he's so good. Fluky stuff. He's, he's so good. The offense, you know, they keep losing their wide receivers. Christian McCaffrey last year, 129 targets. There's, there's not a world where he doesn't get 100-plus targets again. And it's just somehow remains unstoppable because he's, he, he caught 102 of them for 925, 924 yards. That's, 9.1 yards per catch. Like these are high numbers for, for a running back. It's very effective. He's had 7 receiving touchdowns in 2 of the past 3 years. And the one when he'd had none is because that was one of the years he got hurt. It's what do you— it's time to ask yourself, what do you believe? Will he get hurt or will he not?

Yeah. I mean, I think the only reason he's not going at number 1 is because you have 2 guys this year.

Yes.

That are significantly younger. That have already proven it. And so you get to take the odds, right?

Yes.

You get to take odds with you that these guys are going to be better starting with number 2, Bijan Robinson.

Yeah, he's pretty good. Before the last thought I had on McCaffrey, because I'm looking at this strategically for 2026, you're in that first round of the draft. Personally, I find that the top, those top 4 wide receivers that I love, I'm leaning towards them over James Cook and over Jonathan Taylor. And I can't decide when I'm, when I'm there and I'm staring at JSN, Amon-Ra and Christian McCaffrey, which one is the right pick? Can you guys just tell me?

It's probably CMC.

Unfortunately, I cannot. I knew what it was last year, but I I don't know this year.

Yeah, I mean, a more valuable thing for your team is if you get Christian McCaffrey playing at a high level. That's the most valuable.

Fair.

Bijan, number 2, it's gotten better every single year, got paid this offseason. Oh wait, that's the same thing with number 1. Jameer Gibbs gotten better every single year, got paid this offseason. Both are 24 years old.

Both lost their backups that encroached on touchdowns for them.

One's on a really good team.

Yeah.

I mean, that's, that's the biggest difference is one is on a team projected to score, you know, top 3 in the NFL and one is, you know, a 500 at best team that is not projected to score as much.

The path for Bijan to outscore Jameer Gibbs is it's Tua. It's Tua as the quarterback for the vast majority of the season. And then, and we continue to see the the highest check down to the running back rate that we continue to see that.

I think it's—

that's to me like that's kind of the only way.

But think about what you just said with your words in your mouth.

Yeah.

You just said that the— his best— his— the thing I know is best for him is Tua.

That's why he said that.

Yeah.

I have moved Bijan to 2. I'm with you guys on Gibbs.

It says something though to me what you looked up earlier. Gibbs is the number 1 highest odds of double-digit touchdowns. Bijan did not crack that list of the top 6. That says something to me. That's a differentiator. I think Gibbs has the potential this season to have one of those years, an LT style, CMC style.

I feel like he has the chance to score the most fantasy points ever at the running back position.

I mean, you look at what Dan Campbell's philosophy was as an offense with a team with Montgomery who could catch the football. When he took over as the play caller, Gibbs had the 7th most receptions of any player in the NFL. That's what you need. That's the LT. That's a CMC. You want this guy to be like standalone as if he was just a wide receiver with the receiver numbers. He's in the top 5 at the position. And so that, that is in the realm of possibilities because the offense Detroit favored in 14 of 17 potential to score a ton of points. That's the differentiator. Both guys are going to be awesome. Both guys could easily finish number 1. It's funny because they Neither has. I mean, they haven't had that year. It's like when Chase had never finished at 1 and we're like, we always drafted him at the top because you know it's coming. You know, it's just the offensive system. It's the same reason you said you like Hampton more than Gente.

This is a year where frequently I don't want the number 1 pick. Like you'll have, you know, kind of a tier of, oh, here's 5 or maybe even 6 guys. I want to start my draft with them. So I'd rather start where my second pick is going to be better. The way that ADP and the market looks like it's shaking out this year, I want the number one pick. I want Gibbs because on the way back that turn, I'm going to get two other—

the 2-3 turn is great.

Yes, I love the players going in that range. So if I could stack it with the guy who has the highest potential of of carrying teams into the fantasy playoffs and fantasy championships, I will actually want the number 1 pick this year.

Yeah, we talked about Gibbs is, you know, as far as the sportsbook odds to have 10 regular season rushing touchdowns, he's number 1 in the league. And Bijan is number 8 in the league. But Jameer Gibbs to have double-digit touchdowns is -370. That means If you want to make $100, you have to bet $370. It's that kind of—

Yeah, you want me to—

That's wild.

You want me to blow your mind? Here are players that had more carries inside the 5 than Bijan and Gibbs last year. Sean Tucker, Blake Corum, Jacory Crosby-Merrick, Chris Rodriguez, Ramondre. Both players should have more opportunities in that regard.

Where's my bill drop? Hey, there it is.

So it's like you take— Gibbs, 19+ fantasy points per game, 2 straight years. Bijan, 18+, 2 straight years, and you give them goal line. And then Gibbs is on a good team. I don't know. These are easy picks. You know, I think in a different season, CMC is the number 1 pick. If these guys are not just entering their prime at 24 years old, I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't. I will say this. If you, if you want to shoot the shot on CMC, I don't think you're you're doing a wrong thing there. I mean, San Francisco should win games. He did stay healthy all last year. He takes care of himself. His injuries have been freak injuries. If you want to do it, do you think that's wrong?

I don't, I don't think it's wrong. You're just the, the level of fire that you need to be there is maybe not worth it. But you know, like the argument for McCaffrey. So 2 of the last 3 years because we're sandwiched with a, he played 4 games in did nothing for fantasy, but 22.4 points per game and 21.5 points per game. Neither Jameer or Bijan in their first 3 years has surpassed 20 points per game. So the ceiling for McCaffrey might be a little higher, but when you're weighing out the risk of what those other 2 guys are, I'll take them.

Yeah. Since we've been talking through the top 10 and we've been talking about 10 rushing touchdowns and the odds, a couple other interesting tidbits to close out the top 10. I noticed that, so Bijan was 8th. Gente is 13th highest odds at the running back position.

Who's, wait, so who's between Bijan and Gente?

Between Bijan and Gente is Saquon Barkley, A'marrion Hampton, David Montgomery.

Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, they're a good team.

Ken Walker III and then Jentyn.

Where's Chase Brown?

Chase Brown for 10 rushing touchdowns.

Nowhere, right?

Chase Brown is a little further down. He is a— Davon Achane is 23rd.

Yeah.

So Chase Brown is ahead of that. But yeah.

All right.

Let's do some mailbag.

Mailbag.

Oh yeah.

Alec in Wisconsin. By the way, if you have a question, go to the site, thefantasyfootballers.com, click that submit a question button or dial our voicemail hotline 302464-TFFB. Alec in Wisconsin says, hey, ballers, simple question. If I'm a rebuilding team in dynasty, would you trade away Jonathan Brooks off his hype or hold out and hope he takes over and you have a better value? I would be the latter. I would do the latter. I don't think the trade value on Jonathan Brooks is as good as it could get.

So let's just say if you could get a 27 late first.

Oh, I would do that.

I may do that.

Yeah.

Okay.

I think it's more of a, can you get a second?

I would not do it for a second.

I think you can definitely get a second for Jonathan Brooks right now.

So he's very young.

So we're both, we're both, I think all three of us are the same, which is if you can get a first for Jonathan Brooks.

Yes, do it.

I would do it. And I don't do it for a second.

Johnny Johnson writing in from Grand Junction. Johnny Johnson in Grand Junction. I don't think that's a real name.

That's not a real name.

It is a real name. He used to play running back for the Cardinals when I was there.

We had a Johnny Johnson.

What was his middle name?

Jonathan.

Steve.

Who does? What is my last name?

Johnson.

What should we name our son? John.

I don't get it.

It literally says son of John.

What has been your least favorite draft spot to draft from and why?

Not the first.

Least favorite spot. I think, I think my least favorite is wherever I have to take Jefferson.

I mean, that might be my real answer.

Yeah.

Wherever I feel backed into Jefferson. Because the problem is, is you get maybe 2 swings at that decision. If you're at 9, 10, 11, yeah, you might, or 8, you might, you pass on him. Oh gosh, I didn't take him. I took, I took Ginty.

Yeah.

All right. Oh no, he's there again.

Yeah.

I think right now my least favorite spot is around like 9, 9 to 12. Those, those, that's where I don't want to be this year.

It hasn't felt great. All right, we're going to wrap it up. We got a mock draft show tomorrow and we're bringing the mock draft mayhem back by popular request. And on Friday, one of our biggest episodes, top 10 tips and tricks. Don't miss it. We'll talk to you then.

Goodbye. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com. Follow us on Twitter @TheFFBallers.