Digest

This episode of Fantasy Focus Football podcast dives into eight storylines that will shape the 2024 season, with a particular focus on the Atlanta Falcons offense, the potential for sophomore slumps among quarterbacks, the challenges of aging running backs, and the emergence of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks. The hosts, Stefanie Bell and Mike Clay, discuss the Falcons' offensive upgrade with the arrival of Kirk Cousins and the impact of new offensive coordinator Zach Robinson. They also analyze the potential for second-year quarterbacks like CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young to make significant leaps in their sophomore seasons. The episode delves into the challenges of aging running backs, highlighting the performance of players like Derek Henry, Alvin Kamara, Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, James Conner, and Joe Mixon. Finally, the hosts discuss the potential of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks, who is coming off an ACL injury but has the potential to be a breakout player. The episode provides valuable insights and analysis for fantasy football enthusiasts, offering guidance on drafting strategies and player projections for the upcoming season. The episode ends with a shoutout to Stefanie Bell, the host of the show, highlighting her contributions to the podcast and her expertise in fantasy football.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Fantasy Focus Football podcast, hosted by Stefanie Bell and Mike Clay. They discuss their location and the fact that they are recording the show remotely due to vacation season. They also mention the absence of their colleagues, Daniel and Fields, who are on vacation.

00:03:03

Atlanta Falcons Offense

This Chapter focuses on the Atlanta Falcons offense and the changes that have occurred during the offseason. The hosts discuss the departure of Arthur Smith as head coach and the arrival of Zach Robinson as offensive coordinator. They analyze the potential impact of these changes on the fantasy value of players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. They also discuss the upgrade at quarterback with the arrival of Kirk Cousins and his potential impact on the offense.

00:18:32

Sophomore Slump or Fantasy Jump for Quarterbacks

This Chapter explores the potential for second-year quarterbacks to make a significant leap in their sophomore seasons. The hosts discuss the historical trend of quarterbacks making a jump in their second year and analyze the prospects of CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young. They also discuss the value of drafting quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts, who have already proven their worth in the NFL.

00:33:47

Aging Running Backs

This Chapter examines the challenges of aging running backs in fantasy football. The hosts discuss the shorter shelf life of running backs compared to other positions and the impact of wear and tear on their performance. They analyze the prospects of players like Derek Henry, Dalvin Cook, Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, James Conner, and Joe Mixon, who are all 28 years old or older. They also discuss the potential for younger running backs to emerge as fantasy stars.

00:49:14

Rookie Running Back Jonathan Brooks

This Chapter focuses on the potential of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks, who is coming off an ACL injury. The hosts discuss the risks and rewards of drafting Brooks, considering his injury history and the potential for a slow start. They also compare Brooks's potential to other rookie running backs who have made a significant impact in the NFL.

00:54:28

Comparing Rookie Jonathan Brooks to Aging Running Backs

This Chapter compares the potential of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks to the performance of aging running backs in their rookie seasons. The hosts analyze the fantasy points totals of players like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, and Breeze Hall in their rookie seasons and compare them to Brooks's projected performance. They discuss the factors that could contribute to Brooks's success, including his skill set, the Panthers' offensive scheme, and his potential for a breakout season.

00:59:49

Outro

This Chapter concludes the episode with a shoutout to Stefanie Bell, the host of the show. The hosts express their appreciation for her contributions to the podcast and her expertise in fantasy football. They also thank Tyler for producing the episode remotely and for his work behind the scenes.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key storylines that will define the 2024 fantasy football season?

  The eight storylines discussed in this episode include the Atlanta Falcons offense, the potential for sophomore slumps among quarterbacks, the challenges of aging running backs, and the emergence of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks.

• What are the potential impacts of the changes to the Atlanta Falcons offense?

  The arrival of Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Zach Robinson as offensive coordinator is expected to lead to a more pass-heavy offense, which could benefit players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.

• Which second-year quarterbacks have the potential to make a significant leap in their sophomore seasons?

  The hosts discuss the prospects of CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young, all of whom have the potential to become fantasy stars in their second year.

• What are the challenges of drafting aging running backs in fantasy football?

  Aging running backs often face a decline in performance due to wear and tear and increased injury risk. The hosts discuss the performance of players like Derek Henry, Alvin Kamara, Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, James Conner, and Joe Mixon, who are all 28 years old or older.

• What are the risks and rewards of drafting rookie running back Jonathan Brooks?

  Brooks is coming off an ACL injury, which carries some risk, but he has the potential to be a breakout player. The hosts discuss the potential for a slow start and the importance of managing his workload.

• How does the potential of rookie running back Jonathan Brooks compare to the performance of aging running backs in their rookie seasons?

  The hosts compare Brooks's projected performance to the fantasy points totals of players like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, and Breeze Hall in their rookie seasons. They discuss the factors that could contribute to Brooks's success, including his skill set, the Panthers' offensive scheme, and his potential for a breakout season.

• What are some other rookie running backs that fantasy football enthusiasts should consider drafting?

  The hosts mention Trey Benson, Blake Horum, Kyron James, and Zach Evans as potential late-round flyers who could emerge as fantasy stars.

• What are some of the key factors to consider when drafting quarterbacks in fantasy football?

  The hosts discuss the importance of considering a quarterback's potential for growth, their experience in the NFL, and their ability to make plays both with their arm and their legs.

• What are some of the key factors to consider when drafting running backs in fantasy football?

  The hosts discuss the importance of considering a running back's age, injury history, workload, and involvement in the passing game.

• What are some of the key resources that fantasy football enthusiasts can use to improve their drafting strategies?

  The hosts mention ESPN.com as a valuable resource for fantasy football information, including player rankings, injury reports, and analysis.

• Who is Stefanie Bell and what is her role in the Fantasy Focus Football podcast?

  Stefanie Bell is a sports analyst and host of the Fantasy Focus Football podcast. She is known for her expertise in fantasy football and her engaging personality. Bell is a popular figure in the fantasy football community and is highly respected for her insights and analysis.

Show Notes