Yahoo Fantasy Freak Show

We continue 'rankings week' on the pod by looking at what goes into making a good ranking for draft season. 4 for 4's John Paulsen joins Matt Harmon to discuss what goes into his draft rankings and what the common flaws are when people make them. The two then identify 6 position groups that are hard to rank and project this year and 6 players Paulsen is much higher on than consensus: (4:30) - What goes into actually making good fantasy rankings(13:30) - Position group hard to rank and project: Houston Texans WRs(24:35) - Position group hard to rank and project: Chicago Bears WRs(34:50) - Player hard to rank and project: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (42:10) - Position group hard to rank and project: Tennessee Titans RBs(45:40) - Position group hard to rank and project: Denver Broncos RBs(48:05) - Position group hard to rank and project: Buffalo Bills WRs(53:50) - 6 players Paulsen has above consensus ADPAnd check out Matt Harmon and Yahoo Fantasy on our socials:

It's rankings week on the pod and of course that means we have to talk ADPs. Late Round QB's JJ Zachariason joins Matt Harmon to identify the top 5 best and worst ADPs this draft season. The two find a few WRs, RBs and one specific TE they love where they're currently being drafted. They also find a few high profile QBs and RBs that are going way too high:(3:50) - Best ADP: Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle(9:05) - Worst ADP: Raiders RB Zamir White(19:15) - Best ADP: Ravens TE Mark Andrews(24:50) - Worst ADP: Lions QB Jared Goff(30:15) - Best ADP: Giants WR Malik Nabers(39:00) - Worst ADP: Lions RB David Montgomery (46:35) - Best ADP: Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (50:45) - Worst ADP: Packers RB Josh Jacobs(55:15) - Best ADP: Bengals RB Chase Brown (1:01:15) - Worst ADP: Texans QB CJ StroudAnd check out Matt Harmon and Yahoo Fantasy on our socials:

It's another edition of 'Mock Draft Monday' and this time we dive deep into our latest staff mock: A 12-team, full PPR, 3 starting WR format. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon to identify the biggest observations for the draft. Both found interesting trends in rounds 2-4 and identified a steep cliff for one position after the sixth round:(1:30) - Programming note: The pod is now five days a week!(2:55) - Mock Draft Monday: 12-team, full PPR, 3 starting WR format(4:00) - Dissecting Dalton's team: Malik Nabers in the 3rd, James Conner in the 6th(5:40) - The second round has ambiguity at WR and intrigue at RB(10:30) - Dissecting Matt's team: AJ Brown over Garrett Wilson, 4th round blunder(40:45) - WRs rule the early rounds(49:30) - Elite QBs are losing value in one QB leaguesAnd check out Matt Harmon and Yahoo Fantasy on our socials:

Small, subtle, instinctual biases in our heads affect our everyday decisions. Many of them are helpful: don't go into the woods alone at night. Some of them can be less helpful. The fact of the matter is that human psychology is with us everywhere we go: especially when it's fantasy draft season.On today's episode, Matt Harmon welcomes professor of brain and cognitive science Dr. Renee Miller onto the podcast to discuss how psychology affects our draft decisions, how to be aware of when our brains are lying to us and how to recognize when they're telling the truth.Common offseason situations that all fantasy managers experience have a correlated cognitive bias that can be explained, and if you know how to take advantage of your awareness, it can give you a leg up on your leaguemates. Matt and Renee discuss how your brain gets excited about pre-season hype, overvalues the first few weeks of the regular season and doesn't take variance into account with rookies.Give the show a listen — we promise you'll learn s

Tomorrow we flip the calendar to August a.k.a. the holy month of the fantasy football calendar. Draft season is here and we are here to help. With it being strategy week on the pod, Andy Behrens joins Matt Harmon to identify the 12 do's and dont's when drafting this season or any season in fantasy football. Consider this pod your blueprint to having the most successful draft possible this August.(1:10) - Full disclosure and introducing Fantasy U(3:55) - Do: Win the month of September(11:42) - Do: Know your opponents (and get out of your fantasy bubble)(16:17) - Don't: Over plan or over anticipate(22:25) - Don't: Be over confident with your picks past round 5(27:30) - Do: Take big swings in the draft on potential league winners(31:10) - Do: Keep an eye on rookie WRs but don't get attached(35:11) - Don't: Interrupt an opponent while they're making a mistake(39:44) - Don't: Worry about your RBs backups(42:54) - Do: Get to know your league settings before the draft(45:15) - Do: Be sure to compliment your roster(4

Can you smell it? Fantasy football season is HERE and so is another round of Mock Draft Mondays to help you get prepared for the 2024 season. Kicking off a fresh month of mock draft episodes, Matt Harmon is joined by Nate Tice to break down the results of a 10-team dynasty mock draft they participated in with the rest of the Yahoo Fantasy staff last week.They chat about Nate selecting Justin Jefferson with the first overall pick (and if Bijan Robinson should've been considered there), the ceiling of DeVonta Smith, if Puka Nacua's ADP should be even closer to 1.01, the evenly dispersed arrangement QBs drafted in this mock and a few dynasty sleepers to get hyped on this August.(1:00) - Why dynasty leagues?(12:15) - Nate's team & the argument for Justin Jefferson first overall(24:05) - Matt's team & is Garrett Wilson entering the elite WR tier?(28:30) - Where did QBs go in this dynasty draft?(34:20) - Why you should try to win your dynasty league every year(37:40) - 4th Round WRs: Devonta Smith, Tank Del

Training camps are opening across the country and there's no better time to get an insider's perspective on the biggest whispers at the buzziest camps. Yahoo's senior NFL writer Jori Epstein joins Matt Harmon to share her biggest observations and what she's hearing from Bears, Packers, Commanders and Cowboys camp.(4:10) - Whispers from Commanders camp: Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn bring good vibes(10:37) - Whispers from Packers Camp: All in on Jordan Love...and AJ Dillon's abs?(24:26) - Whispers from Bears camp: Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze have unique connection(35:47) - Whispers from Eagles camp: Hurts learning 95% new offense?(42:24) - Whispers from Ravens camp: It's finally Rashod Bateman's year(49:39) - Whispers from Browns camp: Amari Cooper quietly is balling(56:34) - Training camp whispers: Whats the latest with big name WRs and new contracts?(1:00:34) - Whispers from Cowboys camp: Lamb's deal is closer than Dak's

Training camps are in full swing this week and Joe Burrow's hair and Patrick Mahomes highlights have already taken over social media. Scott Pianowski joins Matt Harmon to identify the 12 biggest fantasy questions we have at the QB and RB position this summer and help you cut through the noise to know exactly what you should be paying attention to in training camps:(2:45) - Training camp viewers guide: QBs + RBs(3:10) - 6 questions we have at the QB position: Kirk Cousins + Aaron Rodgers return from injury, Anthony Richardson's recovery, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels readiness, Dave Canales and Bryce Young, Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh and QB camp battles in MIN, NE and LV(43:45) - 6 questions we have at the RB position: Blake Corum in LA, Chargers RB room, Titans RB split, Saints passing the baton, Bengals RB split, and Denver might do something drastic

Believe it or not, football is back! Well training camps are at least. As all 32 teams begin to open camp over the next two weeks we take a look at the biggest fantasy questions we want answered over the next month. Essentially, we dive into what you need to be paying attention to as a fantasy manager from practice reports. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon to identify the 12 biggest questions we have the WR and TE position heading into training camp season:(1:30) - PSA: Don't get sucked into training camp highlight videos(2:00) - 4 Burning Training Camp Qs we have for TEs(14:45) - 4 Burning Training Camp Qs we have for WRs(34:00) - 4 Burning Training Camp Qs we have for crowded WR rooms

For our final 'Flip the Script' pod of the summer we go out with a bang. Fantasy Points' Dr. Edwin Porras joins Matt Harmon on the pod to identify who this year's Breece Hall could be: A player coming off an injury that becomes a draft day gem. The two look at the top QBs, RBs and WRs coming off an injury riddled 2023 season that are primed to bounce back and out kick their current ADPs:(2:30) - Flip the Script: Who is this year's Breece Hall(7:15) - Candidate: Colts QB Anthony Richardson(14:15) - Candidates: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins + Jets QB Aaron Rodgers(19:45) - Candidate: Bengals QB Joe Burrow(24:15) - Candidate: Browns RB Nick Chubb(33:20) - Candidate: Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks(40:20) - Candidate: Broncos RB Javonte Williams(43:15) - Candidate: Rams WR Cooper Kupp(54:00) - Candidate: Texans WR Tank Dell(60:00) - Finalists + Winner

Our summer 'Flip the Script' series rolls on with one of the most anticipated episodes yet. Who is this year's Puka Nacua: A dark horse rookie WR that becomes a must have in fantasy. Fantasy Pro's Derek Brown joins Matt Harmon to identify the deep sleeper rookie WRs that are in ideal situations that could make them instant impact fantasy rookies in 2024 and beyond.(2:20) - Flip the script: Who is this year's Puka Nacua(3:55) - What did we miss about Puka Nacua as a prospect?(10:20) - Putting Puka's historic 2023 season into perspective(14:45) - Puka's fantasy outlook in 2024(20:35) - 1st candidate: Patriots WR Javon Baker(27:45) - 2nd candidate: Ja'Lynn Polk(32:50) - 3rd candidate: Broncos WR Troy Franklin(39:42) - 4th candidate: Malik Washington(43:10) - 5th candidate: Bengals WR Jermaine Burton(52:05) - 6th candidate: Luke McCaffrey(1:01:00) - Why we didn't consider these rookie WRs(1:04:00) - Finalists + Winner of this year's Puka Nacua

With July 4th in the rear view mirror, fantasy football season is just around the corner. The pod is back from vacation with Matt Harmon and Yahoo Sports Frank Schwab continuing our summer 'Flip the Script' series. In the latest installment the two try to identify this year's Cincinnati Bengals: A Super Bowl contender that crumbles for one reason or another: (2:36) - Flip the Script: Who is this year's Bengals? (Contender that crumbles)(6:00) - What went wrong for the Bengals 2023?(13:30) - What happened to Tee Higgins?(19:55) - AFC candidates: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins(44:55) - NFC candidates: San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, L.A. Rams, Green Bay Packers(1:01:30) - Finalists + Who is this year's Bengals?

Continuing our summer 'Flip the Script' series we take a look at who could be this year's Rachaad White: A dead zone RB that ends up becoming a top ten fantasy RB at the end of the season. Nate Tice joins Matt Harmon to identify this year's dead zone and pick which tailback could become the king of the RB dead zone: (1:39) - Flip the script: Who is this year's Rachaad White(3:27) - How did Rachaad White work in 2023 + 2024 outlook(12:40) - RBs to target in the 'post-dead zone'(19:55) - Candidate: Alvin Kamara(22:48) - Candidate: Aaron Jones(26:35) - Candidate: Rhamondre Stevenson(32:53) - Candidate: David Montgomery(36:46) - Candidate: Steelers RBs(40:05) - Candidate: D'Andre Swift(43:27) - Candidate: Zamir White(46:20) - Candidate: James Conner(48:05) - Candidate: Zack Moss(52:45) - Candidate: Jonathon Brooks(56:55) - Finalists + Winner(59:55) - Programming note: Pod goes on holiday next week

We continue our summer 'Flip the Script' series by trying to identify who this year's Jordan Love will be: A dark horse QB that comes out of nowhere to finish as a top 5 fantasy QB in 2024. Andy Behrens joins Matt Harmon for the pod as they look back at what made Love's year special in 2023 and who could potentially replicate that in the upcoming season:(2:05) - Flip the Script: Who is this Year's Jordan Love(6:05) - Jordan Love in 2023: What led to his meteoric rise in second half of season?(16:35) - What should we expect from Jordan Love in 2024? (21:45) - Candidate: Geno Smith (32:10) - Candidate: Will Levis (37:00) - Candidate: Baker Mayfield (43:10) - Candidate: Deshaun Watson (50:10) - Candidates: Sam Darnold + JJ McCarthy (58:15) - Deep dark horse candidates(1:02:30) - Finalists and this year's Jordan Love

We continue our summer 'Flip the Script' series by looking at who could be this year's Houston Texans. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon to look back at what made CJ Stroud, Nico Collins and Tank Dell so special in 2023 and allowed them to catapult from worst to first. The two look at the last place teams from last year and try to identify which can go worst to first and potentially provide a league winning fantasy combo at QB and WR: (2:00) - Shoutout to Yahoo's own Joe Deleone (4:30) - Flip the Script: Who is this Year's Houston Texans(6:55) - How does Stefon Diggs addition impact Texans WR fantasy value in 2024(19:20) - Candidate: Cincinnati Bengals (25:05) - Candidate: Chicago Bears(30:55) - Candidate: L.A. Chargers(37:55) - Candidate: Arizona Cardinals (47:00) - Candidate: Tennessee Titans(50:55) - Candidate: Washington Commanders (57:45) - Do you believe in Miracles candidates: Patriots and Panthers(1:07:10) - Finalists and winner of 'Who This Year's Texans' is

It’s the dog days of summer for fantasy folks, this is when the NFL goes dormant until training camps open mid-July, but we at Yahoo Fantasy are not slowing down. The 'Flip The Script' series is back. For those new to the series, we are essentially looking at the biggest fantasy surprises and disappointments of 2023 and identifying who we think can be this year’s versions of that. In our first pod of the series, Jorge Martin joins Matt Harmon to identify who this year's David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs could be:(1:50) - Flip The Script is back(3:25) - Who is this year's David Montgomery + Jahmyr Gibbs(4:45) - What made Montgomery + Gibbs so special in 2023?(13:50) - Candidates: De’Von Achane + Raheem Mostert(23:00) - Candidates: Najee Harris + Jaylen Warren(33:25) - Candidates: Brian Robinson Jr. + Austin Ekeler(40:25) - Candidates: Zack Moss + Chase Brown(46:35) - Candidates: Tyjae Spears + Tony Pollard(52:15) - Candidates: James Conner + Trey Benson(58:55) - Darkhorse candidates(1:02:50) - Four finalists(1

To conclude our 'Data & trends that will define 2024 season' we do a deep dive on rookie WR production through the years. Scott Pianowski joins Matt Harmon to look at historical data of rookies over the past ten seasons to see how rookie WRs are becoming more and more fantasy viable from the get-go. The two in the second half of the show attempt to identify which rookie WR you can trust in this class to bring you instant fantasy success this season.(2:15) - Data & trends series: Tracking the explosion of WR rookie production(7:25) - The 2014 WR rookie class changed everything(10:50) - Designed touches are getting rookie WRs involved early.... but is that a good or bad sign long term?(22:00) - WR rookie production over past decade based on draft capital spent(25:48) - Puka Nacua, Tyreek Hill, Amon Ra St. Brown have these three traits in common as late round WR gems(37:00) - Marvin Harrison Jr.: Green light to draft but is his ADP too rich?(42:55) - Malik Nabers: Yellow light to draft because Daniel Jon

We continue our 'Data & trends that will define 2024 season' series by taking a look at how the most innovative and elite offenses in the NFL are implementing full speed motion into their schemes. Underdog Fantasy's Josh Norris joins the pod to breakdown the explosion of full speed motion usage in 2023 and which team's could weaponize it even further in 2024.(2:00) - Data & Trend Series: Full speed motion is exploding in usage for the NFL's top offenses(9:58) - How the top offensive minds in the NFL are weaponizing full speed motion(19:45) - There's a stark contrasts in play-callers that 'get it' and don't in the NFL right now(25:20) - Is it better to be the WR in motion or the WR behind the motion? How important is QB buy-in on motion?(33:20) - Miami Dolphins: What more innovations will we see from them in speed motion?(41:50) - Green Bay Packers: Could motion usage help clear up WR room?(52:00) - New Orleans Saints: Can new OC unlock Rasheed Shaheed with motion concepts?(56:40) - Tennessee Titans: C

We continue our 'Data & trends that will define 2024 season' series on the pod by looking at how the run game is making a big comeback in ways that you wouldn't think. There is no better topic, we thought, for Nate Tice to make his pod debut as a full time Yahoo member. Tice joins Matt Harmon to look at how teams are weaponizing their run game and which teams could have great rushing attacks in 2024.(2:00) - Data and trends series: Is the run game back? (10:45) - This one type of run play is having a renaissance in the NFL(19:50) - How OCs, WRs, TEs and lineman are weaponizing the run game(37:45) - TEs are back and in a big way for offenses(42:05) - Teams that were efficient last year but made a big swing at RB(49:00) - Sneaky potential top-run teams based on 2023 peripheral data (1:07:05) - Bottom 3 run games from 2023 based on success rate and how they may improve

Over the next few weeks we will be diving into the data and trends that are critical to note heading into the 2024 NFL season. The first half of each pod, Matt Harmon and his guest will look at the trend in depth to see how it played out last season. The second half of the pod will be dedicated to trying to identify the players that will benefit most from that trend in the upcoming season.For the first installment of the series, Fantasy Points' Ryan Heath joins the show to discuss why '1st downs per route run' should be one of the biggest guides to determine the success and efficiency of wide receivers in the NFL.(1:50) - Data and trends that will shape 2024 NFL season series kicks off(2:54) - Data to know: 1st downs per routes run(8:15) - What is the difference between 1st downs per routes and yards per routes run(13:52) - What is a 'Big Play Merchant' and who are examples of that(17:19) - What is a 'Possession Merchant' and who are examples of that(25:45) - 1st downs per routes run star: Dontayvion Wicks(32