1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: What's the friends, and welcome into Fantasy Pros. This is 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: the Fantasy Football Podcast. I am Chris Welsh, and I've 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: got two of the brightest and best minds at Fantasy Pros. 4 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 1: And what are we here to talk about? 5 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 2: Wait? Wait? Where? 6 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: Oh wait? No, I've got patent Debro. Sorry, I've got 7 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 1: patent Debro. Still pretty great. You guys sync that up fantastically, 8 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: by the way, hat tip to both of you. We've 9 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: got Pat fitz Morris and Derek Brown, the King of 10 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 1: Bros Debros, in the house where we're gonna be talking 11 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: about some running backs. We're not gonna go insane with 12 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: tons and tons of ranks, but we're gonna get hyper focused. 13 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: We're gonna talk about four running backs that these fine 14 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: gentlemen cannot stop drafting because there's floor, there's upside. They've 15 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: just got to have them. And guess what their ECRs 16 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: might be kind of juicy because they are players that 17 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: are very obtainable. So we've got four of them to 18 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 1: be tackling today. Debro, what's up, brother? You ready to 19 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: talk some running backs? 20 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: Hell? Yeah, Welsh, I mean, this is the sex Appeal show, right, 21 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 2: like it's all in vogue. The year of the running 22 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: back is back run the dang ball, I mean, passing 23 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 2: is out the window in the NFL. So this is 24 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,279 Speaker 2: oh right, like we're stylish here, correct. 25 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: Okay, very interesting take. Pat, I would say, does this 26 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: show and this conversation make the case why you can 27 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: get back into all your early wide receivers and not 28 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: have to play the early running backs. This might be 29 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: the case. It's not like a no running back situation 30 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: or anything like that, but these are maybe some of 31 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: the players are going to make it a little bit 32 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: easier for you to tap, you know, wide receiver, tight 33 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: end for you, Pat, or wide receiver, wide receiver. What 34 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: do you say about that? 35 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 3: Yes, value running backs. Here are the guys we're going 36 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,040 Speaker 3: to talk about. Walsh, and I believe everyone we're going 37 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 3: to discuss today has an ECR of RB twenty or later. 38 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: Okay, so there you have it. You want to get 39 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: a little bit heavier in the wide receiver streets, Maybe 40 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: you want to make sure you're getting yourself a Rock 41 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: Bauers or something like that. These are some running backs 42 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: that might be speaking to you. If you guys want 43 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: to join in the conversation, you can go to Fantasy 44 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: bros dot Com slash NFL slash rankings. You can check 45 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: out all the rankings we've got going on. You can 46 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 1: look away. These fine gentlemen have everybody the expert consensus ranks. 47 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 1: I believe we're up over fifty plus rankers that are 48 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: on there right now. That's only going to continue growing. 49 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: And there's lots of other plays you can check out 50 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: the ADP to compare against lots of good fun stuff. 51 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: So go and check that out. If you want to 52 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 1: follow along, let's jump into it. We've got four running backs, 53 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 1: deebro We are going to start with you, your first 54 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 1: running back. He's a guy you can't stop drafting. He's 55 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: of value. We're looking Best Ball versus ECR. We got 56 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 1: the whole thing under the sun. Which running back do 57 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: people need to know about? 58 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 2: That? 59 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: You are going to be targeting every. 60 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: Single time I log into draft a Best Ball team 61 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 2: or I'm looking at early ADP. David Montgomery stands out 62 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 2: to me as a massive value. He's RB twenty in 63 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 2: Best Ball, RB twenty four in ECR, and I just 64 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 2: think people are forgotten what Joe Mixon did in this 65 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: exact offense a few years ago in twenty twenty four, 66 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,679 Speaker 2: Mixon was fifth and opportunity share top fifteen and snapshare 67 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,239 Speaker 2: thirteenth and freaking carries. He finished with two hundred and 68 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 2: eighty one touches in that offense, and there's nothing stopping 69 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: Montgomery from flirting with that number or three hundred touches 70 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 2: this year. And he's not washed. Guys. That's the other 71 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 2: part about this. They look at the age of Montgomery 72 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,239 Speaker 2: and they say, can he still be in every down 73 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 2: back what we saw in Chicago? I think he can. 74 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 2: Like last year on a per touch basis, he was 75 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 2: still awesome in Detroit twelfth in yards are to contact 76 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 2: pert tentp. We want to talk about three down skill 77 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 2: set and him shoving Woody Marks into a clear, just 78 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: change of pace role, which I think is going to happen. 79 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:26,959 Speaker 2: He was also twenty second in yards per route run 80 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 2: twelfth and first downs per route run. Montgomery beat Woody 81 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 2: Marx on every single per touch efficiency metric last year 82 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: and as well as a pass protector. Regardless of whatever 83 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 2: you look at, Montgomery is a better running back. I 84 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 2: think they're going to ride him into the ground this year, 85 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 2: very much similar to Joe Mixon, and he's a top 86 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 2: fifteen back For me, I think he's got RB one 87 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 2: upside if all the things hit. 88 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: What do you think, just real quick before we get 89 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: Pats take on this, what do you think the biggest 90 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: factor between the best ball and the ECR ranks is? 91 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: Why is best ball? Again, it's not like a tier difference, 92 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: but it's you know, it's closing in on like mid 93 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: RB two versus the back end of RB two. Why 94 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 1: do you think the best ball ranking differs from his ECR. 95 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 2: I think his people and best Ball will push him 96 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 2: up a little bit more. Maybe they're more in line 97 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 2: with my thinking and saying he's probably one of the 98 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: best volume bets that you can make at that part 99 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,119 Speaker 2: of a draft, So that pushes him up the board 100 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 2: just a little bit versus like ECR and people ranking, 101 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 2: Like you got a lot of other running backs, Like, 102 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 2: however you want to devise this up, like do you 103 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 2: want to go for upside? Do you going to go 104 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,599 Speaker 2: for the safe veteran in the volume play and stuff? 105 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 2: So I think some people could be gravitating to younger 106 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: or potentially sexier names at the low end RB two 107 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 2: territory and it kind of pushes Montgomery down the board. 108 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 2: A little bit. 109 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: I think volume is a really interesting thing there too, 110 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 1: best Ball. Maybe you know, if it's not their first 111 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: running back, or if it is their first, you know, 112 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: maybe the volume plays into wanting to take some shots later. 113 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 1: Or if it is their second running back, maybe they 114 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: took a shot a little bit earlier. So volume seems 115 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,359 Speaker 1: like it's in play there. Pat, what's your take on 116 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: David Montgomery here? Obviously ECR versus Beastball is kind of interesting, 117 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: but where do you think he is on the reign 118 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: of like, you know, value betting a guy that you 119 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 1: want to take and you think experts are going to 120 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 1: be taking. 121 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, if you can wait and get Montgomery, if you 122 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 3: do go with a wide receiver heavy approach in the 123 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 3: early rounds, Montgomery is a really nice target in the 124 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 3: fifth round or so because there is built in volume firm. 125 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 3: I don't see who's going to challenge him for early 126 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 3: down carries in Houston, and Houston has that great defense 127 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 3: should provide plenty of for unfriendly game scripts. And I 128 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 3: think he returns value if he just gets five, six, 129 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 3: seven touchdowns this year. The nice thing is there's a 130 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:42,840 Speaker 3: path to ten eleven, maybe even more touchdowns than that 131 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 3: because he's going to be the goal one guy. 132 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, touchdown equity seems like it's I've stared at him 133 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: in his ranking and like you look at potential upside 134 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: even though he doesn't feel like a quintessential upside play, 135 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: It's like touchdown equity seems like it's like a much 136 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: more of a premium or in the positive side for him. 137 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: He was Bestball RB twenty, ECR thirty four. Pat super fascinating. 138 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: Your player is the opposite Best Ball twenty four RB 139 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: and then ECR twenty. I know this has been one 140 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: of the guys you've been talking about, but you're talking 141 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: about players that not just experts are drafting, but Pat Fitzmors, 142 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: the expert is drafting and wanting to have on a 143 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: lot of teams. That player is who. 144 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 3: It's Bucky Irving, And I don't know if the experts 145 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:26,799 Speaker 3: are really drafting him. Every expert I'm seeing on Twitter 146 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 3: is fading Bucky Irving. My affinity for Bucky is somewhat personal. 147 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 3: I was very out on him in going into his 148 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 3: rookie year after he ran a four or five five 149 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 3: at the combine at one hundred and ninety two pounds, 150 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 3: even though he had two really good seasons to wrap 151 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 3: up his college career at Oregon, even though a lot 152 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 3: of the talent evaluators were raving about him. Started his 153 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 3: rookie year as for Shad White's backup, but he was 154 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 3: getting about a thirty of the offensive snaps, maybe like 155 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,039 Speaker 3: nine carries a game. I wound up picking him up 156 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 3: in one of my leagues just before the midpoint of 157 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 3: the regular season, and just before the Bucking reduced for 158 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 3: Shad White's role and made Bucky their lead back. I 159 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 3: already had a pretty good team, and adding Bucky to 160 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 3: the mix just gave my team a nitro boost. From 161 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 3: Week ten on, Bucky averaged one hundred and fifteen yards 162 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 3: from scrimmage per game, scored five touchdowns. He was RB 163 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 3: seven and a half point PPR scoring over that stretch 164 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 3: right between Chase Brown and Derrick Henry. Now Bucky's ECR 165 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 3: sitting at RB twenty and I think like fifty fourth overall, 166 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 3: that's middle of the fifth round. And I get that 167 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 3: Bucky is coming off kind of a rough season. He 168 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 3: had foot and shoulder problems last year, only played ten games. 169 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 3: He went from five point four yards per carry at 170 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 3: three point four. I really believe the drop off was 171 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 3: more about the Buccaneers offensive line than Bucky himself. Tampa 172 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 3: Bay's offensive line just injury ravaged last season. Tristan wurfsmissed 173 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 3: five games, Cody Mack missed fifteen games. Luke Getticky missed 174 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 3: six games. Buccaneers o line had ranked second in the 175 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 3: league in adjusted lineyards in twenty twenty four. That's a 176 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 3: run locking metric for those not initiated with that stat. 177 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 3: In twenty twenty five, they dropped to twenty second in 178 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 3: adjusted lineyards. So I acknowledged that the Buccaneers might continue 179 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 3: to give Sean Tucker the goal line work. But Bucky 180 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 3: is still Tampa Bay's lead back, and I don't want 181 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 3: to hear that Kenneth Gainwell is taking over. Gainwell averaged 182 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 3: six point seven carries a game for Pittsburgh last year, 183 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 3: and that was a career high. And Bucky Irving is 184 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 3: a better pass catcher than Kenneth Gainwell. Bucky has averaged 185 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 3: one point five to six yards per route run for 186 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 3: his career, Gainwell one point one nine. Bucky in twenty 187 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 3: twenty four led all qualifying backs in yards per carry 188 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 3: after contact yards after contact per kerry excuse me, three 189 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,959 Speaker 3: point nine to three had a breakaway run right run 190 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 3: rate of thirty four point nine percent ranks sixth in 191 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 3: the league in rushing yards over expected per attempt, just 192 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 3: ahead of Jamior Gibbs and James Cook. Bucky is a 193 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,720 Speaker 3: great player. I can't wait to see what he's gonna 194 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 3: do with a healthier offensive line. That's a very good 195 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 3: offensive line when it's intact. Even in a bad year. 196 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:10,559 Speaker 3: Last year, Bucky average twenty point three carries per game. 197 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 3: He is not a committee back. Don't believe that. Yeah, 198 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 3: I just I think he's a really good value, right. 199 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: And also, like you use an word healthy is really 200 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: interesting because I think there was just a lot of 201 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: health questions that were just following him and the valuation 202 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: of what people wanted to put on him. But like 203 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: he's already running practices, you know, like he's out, like 204 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: he like that. That I think is one of the 205 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: biggest things to be an eye opener, because I think 206 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 1: you would almost have the conversation of, like, you know, 207 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: do you really want to focus more on the injury 208 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: or do you want to focus more on the other 209 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 1: the other running backs that are there? What is going 210 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: to take away. I'm just not sure a healthy Bucky 211 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: Irving can be taken off the field at a dramatic degree 212 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 1: that drops his value. So he does seem like a 213 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: really good value. But Debro, you've been checking your head. 214 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: You're not in full agreement. Obviously there's roles. Kenny Gainwell 215 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: could play a passing role. John Tucker can play a 216 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 1: goal line role. But does that not make Bucky Irving 217 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: still a top twenty running back? Does it take him 218 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,439 Speaker 1: out of being a top twenty running back? Which you I. 219 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 2: Think the I really love Pat's point about the offensive 220 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 2: line last year because it was decimated. They couldn't block anybody, 221 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: they couldn't keep Baker Mayfield upright. I think this offense 222 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 2: could definitely bounce back this year. My biggest concern about 223 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 2: Bucky Irving, like I and to Pat's point, yes, Bucky 224 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 2: has been the superior receiver to Gainwell over his career. 225 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 2: Gainwell kind of closed the gap with the usage and 226 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 2: stuff last year one point four to four yards per 227 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 2: route run them bringing him in off the street. And 228 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:39,079 Speaker 2: we've seen Rashad White factory into this backfield in both seasons. 229 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: My worry for Bucky is if Gainwell can just be 230 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 2: Rashod White, but actually be better than Rashad White, which 231 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: is kind of a low bar to clear because Rashad 232 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 2: White's never been efficient in his entire NFL career, even 233 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 2: his massive like RB one season that has him in 234 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 2: the case, then I worry about Gainwell carving more of 235 00:10:57,559 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: a role than what we saw previously before we'reshot White, 236 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 2: but I do think Bucky will still retain the lead 237 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 2: back role. My bigger worry for Bucky Irving is the injuries, 238 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 2: like and it's it's I don't want to ding him, 239 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 2: and I didn't ding him coming out because we're living 240 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 2: in a new era of the NFL where if you're 241 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 2: sub two hundred pounds, it used to be like a 242 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 2: really big knock on you as a prospect and looking 243 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 2: at your you know your projecting your volume forward. But 244 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 2: then we had Jamier Gibbs, Austin Eckler says, high devon 245 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 2: a chan other players of that size to where they've 246 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 2: been given runs of backfield. But those guys have held 247 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 2: up to the volume. And Bucky, I mean even looking 248 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 2: at last year, he had a foot sprain and a 249 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 2: shoulder ac joint sprain. You rewind to twenty twenty four 250 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 2: hip back, toe, and hamstring issues, and the thing that 251 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:45,560 Speaker 2: kind of got buried in all of that was the 252 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 2: toe issues seemed like it wasn't a short term thing. 253 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 2: It's something he's dealt with since college and might deal 254 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 2: with on and off his entire NFL career. So the 255 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 2: size kind of is showing up for Bucky Irving. Can 256 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 2: he stay healthy and those health concerns are whipped pushes 257 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 2: me with Bucky Irving down the trough just a little 258 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 2: bit versus other running backs in that range. But depending 259 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 2: on how my team makeup and stuff like that, am 260 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: I willing to draft Bucky Irving at some spots because 261 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 2: he could be a massive value if he can stay healthy. Yeah, 262 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 2: it's possible. 263 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: Conversation is gonna be very interesting over the next month 264 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: how this starts to transpire around Bucky Irving. But just 265 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: remember Pat was there first. We got two more running 266 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:28,840 Speaker 1: backs coming up. But the running backs we're talking about 267 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: today are values because you know they're simply too cheap, 268 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: But that only matters if you know when to take them. 269 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: With draft intel, you can see how your league mates 270 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: have drafted in the past. Spot who tends to push 271 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 1: running backs up the board and build a plan around 272 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 1: your actual draft room. 273 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 2: So before you. 274 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:47,959 Speaker 1: Assume one of these running back values is going to 275 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: fall back to you and follow our ECR, make sure 276 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: you go to Fantasypros dot com slash intel. That's Fantasypros 277 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:56,839 Speaker 1: dot com slash Intel, use draft Intel and know when 278 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: you need to make your move. Debro, we're jumping back 279 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,199 Speaker 1: you for your second running back value that you're drafting 280 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: all over the place. And this is the lowest of 281 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: whether it's Best Ball or ECR, this is the lowest 282 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: of any of the running backs values that we have 283 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: on the board. And you, my friend, want to give 284 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: us a little Tony Pollard, So why don't you drop 285 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: it for us? Why Tony Pollard is a RB value 286 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:19,320 Speaker 1: that you're drafting this season. 287 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 2: He is an RB three across Best Ball and ECR 288 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 2: RB thirty one on both of those different iterations of 289 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:28,959 Speaker 2: rankings and ADP and stuff. And I don't understand why, 290 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 2: Like I'm not worried about Tajy Spears. Taj Spears, we 291 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 2: haven't seen him be ultra efficient. We haven't seen him 292 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 2: be able to stay on an NFL field. And you 293 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 2: look at what Brian Dave, All, the new OC for 294 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 2: the Titans, has done in his entire career as an 295 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:47,520 Speaker 2: offensive coordinator or a head coach. He rides one running 296 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 2: back religiously. You can go all the way back to 297 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 2: Devin Singletary even before that, Peyton Hillis. We can talk 298 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 2: about Saquan We could talk about win cam Scataboo before 299 00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 2: the injury. You can talk about Tyrone Tracy before that, 300 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 2: and Devin's Singletary before Tyrone Tracy took his job. It 301 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 2: has been one running back and it's going to be 302 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 2: one running back in Tennessee this year, and that guy 303 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: is going to be Tony Pollard. So I don't understand 304 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 2: why he's not an RB two in rankings. I get 305 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 2: that he had a disappointing season, but again, we all 306 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 2: think that Tennessee is going to improve this year. The 307 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 2: question is how much we're discussing an offense that crushed 308 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 2: Pollard because he couldn't score any freaking touchdowns. He was 309 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 2: forty ninth in red zone touches. This offense was bottom 310 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 2: three in points per game and red zone scoring attempts 311 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 2: per game. Those numbers are going up with better play 312 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 2: from cam Ward. The addition to Cardinell Tate, the addition 313 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 2: to Wandel Robinson, Calvin really hope hopefully being healthy and 314 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 2: if he can't do it, then Ella Ao Manor or 315 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 2: Shamiri DK can hopefully step up there and an improved defense. 316 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 2: And quietly, I don't think that people understand that this 317 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 2: offensive line, well, I'm not telling you this offensive line 318 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 2: is going to be a top twelve unit this year. 319 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 2: They were close to that last year. And run blocking 320 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 2: this this offensive line at the thirteenth best yards before 321 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 2: contact per a tenth last year. And that is also 322 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 2: without like fielding a competent passing attack. If they do 323 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 2: that this year, they could be top ten in that metric. 324 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: And then we're discussing they're opening up consistent holes for 325 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 2: Tony Pollard in an improved offense. He owns the backfield. 326 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 2: He wasn't washed. Last year amongst forty nine qualifying backs, 327 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 2: he was twenty second in yards up to contact per attempt. 328 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 2: So I keep drafting Tony Pollard, and at this price point, 329 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 2: I will continue to draft Tony Pollard because he's an 330 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 2: RB three who is really an RB two, although nobody 331 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 2: seems to put respect on his name. 332 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: Pat Is this though. I mean, Deebro's making a great 333 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: case here. But the thing that maybe still floats out 334 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 1: there is like, is Tony Pollard going to be the 335 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: guy unquestioned player? Because if you do believe that, I 336 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 1: think it is hard to not look at like him 337 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 1: outside the top thirty as being a great value. If 338 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: he's going to be untouched in that offense. Is that 339 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: what you believe or do you think there's bigger questions 340 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: around Tony Pollard and him usage as an RB one 341 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: in his. 342 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 3: I think he's the guy, and we saw how well 343 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 3: he played down the stretch last year when the Tennessee 344 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 3: passing game finally got going, that was the key. They 345 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 3: just debro said it. They couldn't get anything going early 346 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 3: in the year. So even though Pollard at the backfield 347 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 3: to himself with tij Spears on IR it was a 348 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 3: rough start, but then gets it going late in the 349 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 3: season once cam Ward starts cooking a little bit, rattles 350 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 3: off three straight one hundred yard rushing games late in 351 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 3: the season. Also, the schedule was kind of sneaky tough 352 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 3: last year. During that slow start, he had the Texans twice, 353 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 3: the Rams, the Jaguars. Some really good run defenses, and yeah, 354 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 3: I think things set up pretty nicely for Pollard this year. 355 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 3: He's in a better spot. 356 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: All right, final running back, we're going to be talking 357 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: about ECR just as an RV to both the same 358 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: overall fense FORSE expert consensus rank and best ball rank. 359 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: DeAndre Swift interesting, they might wasn't sure that we were 360 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 1: going to get in here and Pat, that is your guy. 361 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 1: So the RB two of values. You went from Bucky 362 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: Irving to DeAndre Swift. Talked to us about why you're 363 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: going to be drafting him a whole bunch and why 364 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: he is such a great rby value. 365 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 3: Because Welsh, I think it's rarely a bad idea to 366 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 3: attach yourself to the NFL's best play callers, and Bears 367 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:15,920 Speaker 3: head coach Ben Johnson might be the best running game 368 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 3: designer in the league. Bears were third in rushing yardage 369 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 3: last year. They averaged four point nine yards per carry 370 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:24,639 Speaker 3: as a team, which also ranked third. They were third 371 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 3: in rushing DVA, only behind the Rams and the Bills. 372 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 3: Ben Johnson also had the running game humming when he 373 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 3: was in Detroit as their offensive coordinator for three years. 374 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 3: The Lions ranked twelfth fourth and second in rushing DVA 375 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:42,639 Speaker 3: during Johnson's tenures the OC and Ben Johnson likes to 376 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 3: run the ball. The Bears were eleventh in terms of 377 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:50,679 Speaker 3: highest percentage of running game running plays. Last season. Swift 378 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 3: had thirteen hundred and eighty six yards from scrimmage in 379 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 3: ten touchdowns. He was RB fifteen in half point PPR 380 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 3: scoring he catches passes. The Bears have a good offensive line, 381 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,439 Speaker 3: they have Ben Johnson as that run game mastermind. Swift 382 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 3: is RB twenty three in ECR fifty seven overall, And look, 383 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 3: I'm a kyalaman on Guy fan. I think he's good, 384 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 3: but he's not going to displace DeAndre Swift. It's going 385 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 3: to be a two way backfield in Chicago. But the 386 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 3: Bears are going to be among the league leaders in 387 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,400 Speaker 3: total running back output because of Ben Johnson. 388 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: So that's where I was going to go with you. 389 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 1: Debro was like, are we forgetting what about kalaman On Guy? 390 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: Were forgetting about him? He has an ECR of thirty three. 391 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,600 Speaker 1: But the ending there is where Pat, you know, kind 392 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:35,159 Speaker 1: of put the icing on the cake. If yes, it 393 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: can be tough sometimes maybe just on the surface level. 394 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 1: Looking at the Bears and you like, can both of 395 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:40,640 Speaker 1: these guys eat? I was going to say, are one 396 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: of these two players DeAndre Swift at twenty eighty three 397 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: or kaman On Guy at thirty three too overly ranked? 398 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,119 Speaker 1: But if you believe this is going to be a 399 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 1: very run heavy offense, both of these guys are going 400 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: to be able to eat and be serviceable as either 401 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:55,119 Speaker 1: an RB two or flex. So talk to us about 402 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: kalaman On Guy is well attached to DeAndre Swift here 403 00:18:57,840 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: this offense and can they both thrive? 404 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 2: I think they could both thrive if they stay as 405 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 2: run heavy as they are, which I think with Ben 406 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 2: Johnson it's going to be at least illegue average with 407 00:19:06,359 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 2: passing rate, so I think you're still going to get 408 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 2: plenty of rushing volume here. I think Manonguy is appropably priced, 409 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:17,000 Speaker 2: maybe a tad bit overpriced. I think Swift is criminally underpriced, 410 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 2: Like he was RB sixteen and PPR points per game 411 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 2: even after monog Guy's emergence after week nine, he was 412 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 2: still RB twenty in Fantasy points per game, and so 413 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 2: if we see and he was he best in Manonguy 414 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 2: in every single per touch efficiency metric out there mistackle rate, 415 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 2: explosive run rate, rushing success rate, everything. So I don't 416 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 2: think Swift is going away, and I think at this 417 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 2: low end RB two RB twenty three price tag, he's 418 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 2: underpriced and I'm going to be drafting him too. I 419 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 2: agree with Patty. 420 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:48,399 Speaker 1: Here beautiful from DeAndre Swift, Pollard, Dave Montgomery, and Bucky 421 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 1: Irving laid the groundwork for four R and B values, 422 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: four ORB values that you don't have to put a 423 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 1: top twenty tag on you can get later in drafts. 424 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: Build your team up, build your wide receivers, build your 425 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: tight ends. Make one one of these guys in RB 426 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 1: two and in some cases some great RB three's. What 427 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 1: do you guys think though? Do you think these are 428 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: great values? And if not, what values are you guys 429 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 1: looking at? Put in the comments below. We'd love to 430 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: hear from you. You guys want to check out all 431 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: the rest, go to fantasypros dot com slash NFL slash 432 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 1: rankings to check out what all the rankings look like 433 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: as they change throughout the season, and check out all 434 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,199 Speaker 1: the great stuff that Pat and Debro have going on 435 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: here at Fantasy Pros. Thanks so much for hanging out. 436 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:25,200 Speaker 1: I'm Chris Welsh. We will talk to you next time 437 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: right here on Fantasy Pros. 438 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,440 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening to the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football podcast. 439 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 2: If you love the show, the best freeway to support 440 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 2: us is by leaving a positive review on Apple Podcasts 441 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 2: at Fantasypros dot com slash review, or on Spotify. Follow 442 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 2: us on x, Instagram and TikTok at Fantasy Pros, and 443 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 2: subscribe to our YouTube channel at YouTube dot com slash 444 00:20:46,640 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 2: Fantasy proSP