Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast

Another day, another curveball for the 49ers backfield. After reports that Jerick McKinnon is suffering a setback in his ACL recovery, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon discuss the San Francisco backfield and how, while the news is disappointing, it actually adds clarity to the previously foggy RB situation (1:10). Later, our experts are joined by Christopher Harris of HarrisFootball.com to debate players whom they’re wayyyy off the consensus on (6:40). Some of these players include Mark Ingram and Stefon Diggs (who our experts are higher on than most) and James Conner and Kyler Murray (lower on than the consensus). Our experts then preview the AFC East New England Patriots (33:30), New York Jets (39:30), Buffalo Bills (45:20) and Miami Dolphins (49:20). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To the surprise of pretty much the entire sports world, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck announced that he was retiring from football on Saturday, August 24. If you can imagine the shockwave Luck’s retirement made throughout the NFL, then the reverberations his decision have made and will continue to make in fantasy football are just as big. Liz Loza and Matt Harmon break down the stunning events in this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast (0:30). Jacoby Brissett will now be the starting QB of the Colts. Liz and Matt give their thoughts on Brissett being a viable fantasy option now that he’s at the helm of this offense. And speaking of which, what does this all mean for the fantasy weapons of Indy? Big names like T.Y. Hilton, Marlon Mack, and Eric Ebron all have to be viewed in a different light in fantasy drafts (12:40). Elsewhere in the NFL, Cam Newton went down with a sprained left feet during the Panthers third preseason game against the Patriots. Lots of optimism surrounded Newton after he showed off a new throwing motion and some pretty deep ball completions in training camp. Not to mention, two uber-talented, young wideouts ready to break loose in Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore are at his disposal, but the foot injury put a damper on those highlights. Nonetheless, Panthers GM Marty Hurney said the team is “cautiously optimistic” that Newton would be ready by Week 1. Liz and Matt give their thoughts on the matter (21:15). The Houston Texans' Lamar Miller also went down with an injury over the weekend and the worst was confirmed, as he was placed on the IR with a torn ACL. Matt & Liz discuss the confusing RB situation in Houston and ask whether the Texans' starter is even on their roster right now (22:45). Our experts then preview the NFC East New York Giants (27:50), Washington Redskins (40:30), Philadelphia Eagles (44:20) and Dallas Cowboys (50:40). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're only about 13 days from season kicking off in Chicago, but who can even focus on the upcoming NFL season when the XFL is back, baby! Liz Loza & Matt Harmon briefly grade the new XFL team names and logos (1:05) before opening the show for real by taking a listener question about boom-or-bust players (4:30). In discussing John Brown, Tre'Quan Smith, Adam Humphries, Marvin Jones, Tyrell Williams, Damien Williams and Jared Cook, they talk about some high-risk/high-reward options, the types of variances that exist with theses players and also some floor-play options. Later, Matt & Liz are joined by none other than Yahoo Fantasy’s very own Scott Pianowski to discuss strategies for fantasy owners heading into auction drafts (16:30). Our experts then preview the AFC West Oakland Raiders (28:45), Denver Broncos (38:20), Los Angeles Chargers (43:00) and Kansas City Chiefs (49:30). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football podcast, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon open the show with the news that Patriots WR Josh Gordon has been reinstated (1:50). They discuss the fantasy outlook for the troubled wideout and the bare cupboard of Patriots pass-catchers. Later, Matt & Liz discuss a few guys who are in the news for a myriad of reasons, like Case Keenum being named the Week 1 starter in Washington (5:50), D.K. Metcalf needing surgery in Seattle (11:00), Darwin Thompson getting some consideration in Kansas City (14:45) and Justice Hill trying to stand out in a the crowded Baltimore backfield (23:00). Our experts then preview the NFC West in the Arizona Cardinals (29:15), Los Angeles Rams (42:00), San Francisco 49ers (45:20) and the Seattle Seahawks (51:45). To wrap up the show, Matt & Liz take a listener voicemail about new Cleveland Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. (56:25) Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Well, this isn’t good. After a report that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck would probably not play the entire preseason this year because of a calf injury, Colts’ owner Jim Irsay said it’s a bone issue. And before talking about this “small little bone,” Irsay referenced Kevin Durant (we all remember what happened to KD’s Achilles in the NBA Finals) and how everyone is erring on the side of caution after the new Brooklyn Net’s injury. This is obviously not the news fantasy football gamers want to hear in regards to Luck. Liz Loza and Matt Harmon try to make sense of it all in this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast. Is it his calf? Is it his ankle? What “small bone?” Luck is one of the few quarterbacks who can actually challenge Patrick Mahomes for the title of top fantasy QB in 2019, as Luck’s situation in Indy is arguably the best it’s ever been since he was drafted. Yet, what does this injury mean for his fantasy value (1:20)? After discussing this bit of bad Luck (get it?), Josh Norris of RotoWorld calls in to help Matt and Liz put some players on notice. They warn fantasy owners about the likes of Nelson Agholor, Rashaad Penny, Dante Pettis, Sammy Watkins and Jarvis Landry (7:00). Josh and our experts then preview the AFC South Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and aforementioned Indianapolis Colts for fantasy (28:00). To wrap up the show, Matt & Liz take a listener voicemail about the Los Angeles Rams confounding backfield situation (47:10). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Well, we’re just about to enter the second week of the NFL preseason, and already the fantasy hype meters for quite a few players have either skyrocketed or plummeted. You can imagine the overreactions that come from all that. So it is fantasy overreaction day on this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast. But before they can get to preseason overreactions – Liz Loza & Matt Harmon analyze the great Antonio Brown helmet overreaction of 2019 (0:25). Back to some impressive preseason performances, Liz & Matt discuss the Friday night 84 yard, 1 TD performance from James Washington — who is battling for a top-3 WR spot with the Steelers — and is now slated to go the Hall of Fame after his performance against the Buccaneers. They also use the weekend's games to anoint Royce Freeman, Dexter Williams, Rashard Higgins, Jamison Crowder and Spencer Schnell to the HOF...or at least discuss their fantasy value for this season (10:35). Also on the show, Matt gets all upset about the Duke Johnson trade to the Houston Texans (30:35) Next, Liz and Matt continue their divisional previews with their roundup of the NFC South New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38:48) Finally they take some listener voicemails including one from a very frustrated fantasy commish struggling with the yearly August task of finding a time for his league to draft (55:20). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Liz Loza and Matt Harmon are joined in this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast by a familiar face (and very familiar voice), the Big Noise himself, Brad Evans! Before they can get to the regularly scheduled program, Liz, Matt and Brad have the great David Montgomery debate of 2019 (1:00). Friendships will be tested. Minds will be opened. Chicago running backs will be discussed. Next, they dissect one of the looming stories of fantasy draft season: The major holdouts of Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott (8:45). We already went through a tough year (or lack thereof) with Le’Veon Bell last season, and nobody wants to deal with that again. So, our experts discuss how to manage holdouts in fantasy. As the holdouts cause the running backs to fall in drafts, when is it the right time to scoop them up? Speaking of running backs, Liz, Matt, and Brad discuss the runners of Round 1 (19:45). How many should go in the round? Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and David Johnson seem like virtual locks, but what about the likes of James Conner, Melvin Gordon, Le’Veon Bell, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook — and even Todd Gurley? Our experts finish up by previewing the AFC North Cleveland Browns (26:45), Baltimore Ravens (31:20), Pittsburgh Steelers (38:10) and Cincinnati Bengals (49:10). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Follow Brad @YahooNoise  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Liz Loza and Matt Harmon are joined in this week’s Yahoo Fantasy Football podcast by three very special guests. Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright — the Fantasy Footballers themselves — are here! The Fantasy Footballers discuss their history, how they came to be and how they grew to become the fantasy powerhouse they are today (2:15). Yahoo Fantasy listeners already know Liz and Matt's strategies like the “Zero-RB” theory and the “Just-Don’t-Draft-Anyone-On-The-Giants-Or-Bengals” strategy. Andy, Jason, and Mike also reveal some of their key strategies for this year (10:35) Next, the crew reveals some of the 2018 fantasy takes they’d like to apologize for, in the spirit of Le’Veon Bell apologizing to fantasy gamers who drafted him last season (24:10). Finally, Liz and Matt begin their forthcoming NFL divisional breakdown for August with the NFC North and the Chicago Bears (36:05), Detroit Lions (43:10), Green Bay Packers (50:50) and Minnesota Vikings (59:05). They wrap up the show taking a few listener questions on Derrius Guice, players to watch out for in the preseason and whether Patrick Mahomes is worth being selected in the 2nd or 3rd round (1:05:30). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Training Camp is in full swing, and players are already doing their best to show out. Unfortunately, not all is well. As players begin to up their intensity, so too does the risk of injury rise. We’re seeing some big names banged up already, with the biggest headline involving A.J. Green, who suffered yet another lower-body injury, this time to his ankle. He will reportedly not be on the field for a couple of regular season games. The Bengals have been hit hard by injuries to the O-line too — so what should fantasy gamers do about this team (3:50)? Liz and Matt help fantasy gamers sift through the early wave of injuries in this week’s fantasy football podcast. [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] Elsewhere in injury and transaction news, Matt and Liz cover the Lions cutting RB Theo Riddick and the health scares caused by Titans RB Derrick Henry and Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill (22:15) On to a more positive note, the fantasy drumbeat continues to grow for key players (26:15). Curtis Samuel, a Harmon favorite, continues to shine in camp. Jordan Howard is reportedly getting first-team reps with the Eagles thus far, which may damper the thoughts of Miles Sanders’ truthers. Kalen Ballage continues to be a thorn in the side of fantasy owners waiting for that Kenyan Drake breakout season. Liz and Matt then bring up some true Hollywood tales, including that time Ryan Phillipe saved one of Liz’s kids, and who might be her fantasy savior this season (34:20). Oh, and before we go: With football season in full effect, we will be returning to twice-a-week episodes starting next week! Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Let’s face it: Every single fantasy football draft season, we as fantasy gamers all fall in love with that one specific player that we become convinced is gonna go off. Whether it’s the hype or the analysis or the predictions, we’re certain that this player will take us to the fantasy promised land. And then it all goes to crap, and the player either does nothing or fails to meet any and all expectations. We get thirst-trapped. [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] For many, the 2018 version of that thirst-trapper was Royce Freeman (sorry Brad). But hey, it happens to us all. People got thirsty for Freeman. So, who are people getting thirsty for this season? In this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon identify the players who fantasy gamers are set to be thirst-trapped by (4:30). They include Geronimo Allison, Darrell Henderson, Austin Ekeler, Derrius Guice, and Kenny Golladay, to name a few. Next, our experts talk about the experience of being at Comic-Con last week, where Marvel revealed a plethora of movies for Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Thanos out of the picture, the MCU has a hole where villains should be, but the NFL and fantasy sure don’t. Yet, where there are villains, there’s the chance for redemption. So, Liz and Matt choose who the football villains of 2019 are and whether they deserve another shot (22:30). Are we to forgive the likes of Corey Davis, Leonard Fournette, Marquise Goodwin, Devin Funchess, and Trey Burton? Finally, Liz and Matt talk through some player props for the 2019 season (42:00). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As much as summer is full of outdoorsy activities, it’s also a season to binge watch TV shows (the television and air conditioner are especially enticing when it’s 100 degrees outside). In this episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon investigate some fantasy takes through the lens of their latest obsession: season three of Stranger Things. They talk about some NFL takes that might be could be from the upside-down but might be more likely than you think, including: - how Royce Freeman could be Denver's top back this year (4:40) - why Tom Brady should be ignored in drafts (11:10) - why the Cardinal's run game will be more impressive than its new-look passing attack (17:25) - a claim that a certain ornery Giants WR could maintain fantasy relevance on an otherwise crappy team (26:00) [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] Moving away from strange scenarios, Liz and Matt look to 2019 NFL future bets and go through some divisional winner odds, picking out some value picks and some stay-aways (31:40). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fantasy Football players awoke to the news that stud running back Melvin Gordon was holding out against the Los Angeles Chargers in an attempt to receive a new contract. According to Gordon, he will not be reporting to camp until a new deal is made. If no deal is made, he will demand a trade! Matt Harmon and Liz Loza break this news down and much more in this week’s Fantasy Football Podcast episode (2:15). [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] If Gordon indeed lives up to his demands, does this affect your thoughts on his fantasy draft value? He’s been a perennial first-round talent the last couple of seasons, but as we’ve seen with Le’Veon Bell, a draft-day fall could be in the cards for the Chargers RB. On that same note, does Austin Ekeler become more than just a handcuff now? Liz and Matt then move onto quarterback strategies for fantasy drafts. They’ve preached waiting on a QB as opposed to investing a high pick on names like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson too early. They talk about which QBs to target and which to avoid if you wait on QB until the late rounds (7:05). Our experts then return to the 2018 draft class, the class that gave us the likes of Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley. Liz and Matt take a long look at the class and see which now-second-year players — guys like DJ Moore, Sony Michel, Kerryon Johnson, and Hayden Hurst — are set to take a Mahomes-level sophomore leap this season (22:20). Finally, Liz and Matt reveal some early draft trends they’ve noticed from their time in the Scott Fish Bowl this year (46:25). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Summer is here, and that’s not the only thing to get excited about. In this week’s fantasy football podcast, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon talk about the launch of Yahoo’s new game, Best Ball (1:50)! Yahoo Fantasy Best Ball launched on desktop with free public leagues and will be launching on mobile later this summer, along with private and paid leagues. If you’ve never played or never heard of Best Ball before, it’s a format that removes the week-to-week roster management and automatically starts your best players every week. Doesn’t get any more convenient than that. Best Ball highlights the best part of fantasy (the draft) and takes away the grind of the regular season. [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] You’ll draft 20 players overall and every week the highest scorers at each position will be automatically added to your lineup. That’s 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 FLEX & 1 DEF/ST (nope, no kicker). No adds, drops, or trades. Best Ball is about your drafting skills and your ability to construct strong rosters. And since it automatically chooses the highest scorers at each position, that means you won’t have to worry about that random Sunday where DeSean Jackson goes nuts for 170 yards and 3 TDs — on your bench. Next up in this episode, Liz and Matt wanted to talk a little bit about independence (20:15). With the 4th of July around the corner, they decide to declare themselves independent from all those fantasy football takes that suck. Things like not drafting a guy because he did nothing for you the year before. What fantasy football takes are you canceling this year? Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

So, how high are you drafting Brett Favre in your 2020 fantasy football drafts? By now you’ve no doubt come into contact with the random, now-deleted Instagram post from the man himself claiming to be coming out of retirement for the 2020 season. So, because why not, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon start this week’s fantasy football podcast trying to answer the question: Where should Favre be in the 2020 fantasy QB rankings? In more believable news, Kyle Rudolph — who was recently speculated to be a trade candidate — signed an extension with the Minnesota Vikings. So, with this new information, who is the more draftable Viking tight end: Rudolph, rookie Irv Smith, or neither? [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] On the subject of tight ends — which were such a headache in 2018 — Liz and Matt offer some general strategies for drafting them (4:35). Are they reaching for the top tier trio of Zach Ertz, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle, or are they waiting to fill the position? And if they wait, what are their thoughts on streaming tight ends week-to-week from the later rounds? Next up, Liz and Matt outline who they’re not only looking to avoid but who they’re staying away from in drafts at both running back (24:55) and wide receiver (. They split the positions by tiers and reveal who they will not be targeting (34:45). Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy. Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports Podcast family at https://apple.co/2Abi8jk or at yahoosports.com/podcasts  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week’s fantasy football podcast, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon discuss what a “Fantasy Ma’am” is. A “Fantasy Ma’am.” Yes, Liz delves into ... whatever that is. Later, our experts deliver some quarterback news. Russell Wilson has come out and said he wants to play until he’s 45 (but will the Seahawks protect him enough to achieve that goal?). Andy Dalton apparently loves his new head coach, Zac Taylor, while Baker Mayfield is being drafted ahead of the likes of Matt Ryan and Drew Brees — are gamers getting too hyped on the Browns signal caller, or is the hype warranted? [Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today] Liz and Matt got an interesting voicemail this week. A fantasy football gamer has been debating whether he should forego the 10th overall pick in his 10-player, full-PPR keeper league draft in favor of keeping stud running back, Christian McCaffrey. Run-CMC went nuts in fantasy last season, delivering first round value. And lest we forget, McCaffrey went viral earlier this year for showcasing Hulk-like arms, so maybe the best is yet to come? That said, this particular fantasy gamer is questioning keeping him and letting his draft pick go, especially considering that Carolina added Jordan Scarlett and Elijah Holyfield in the 2019 NFL Draft. What should he do? Remember to leave your voicemail for a future episode at 888-85-YAHOO (that's 888-859-2466). And please remember to rate, review and subscribe on your podcast provider of choice and send us your questions for future episodes on Twitter @YahooFantasy Follow Liz @LizLoza_FF Follow Matt @MattHarmon_BYB  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.