CouchScouts Podcast Ep. 36 RB's with the most to gain and the most to lose

CouchScouts
19 Jun 202440:06

TLDRIn episode 36 of the CouchScouts podcast, hosts Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson discuss running backs with the most to gain or lose in the 2024 season. They analyze players like Zamir Wright, Javonte Williams, and Marshon Lloyd, who have high potential for value increase, as well as established stars like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley who may face a decline. The show also promotes their free Discord community and rookie guide, emphasizing the importance of evaluating players' potential in dynasty leagues.

Takeaways

  • 🎙️ The CouchScouts Podcast, hosted by Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson, discusses running backs with the most to gain and lose in the 2024 season.
  • 🏈 Zamir Wright, a Raiders running back, is highlighted as a player with significant potential to outperform his current startup ADP ranking of 23.
  • 🔍 Ja'Marr Chase's value increase after a strong rookie season is used as a comparison for potential growth in value for running backs like Zamir Wright.
  • 🤕 Gavonte Williams is discussed as a potential bounce-back candidate after recovering from a severe knee injury that affected his performance.
  • 🚀 Marshon Lloyd is identified as a late-round rookie draft pick with high upside, especially considering his current low ADP ranking.
  • 💰 The podcast emphasizes the value of their free Discord community for Dynasty football enthusiasts to discuss trades, drafts, and player news.
  • 📈 The hosts provide a detailed analysis of running backs' potential based on their current ADP, past performance, and team situations.
  • 🛑 Christian McCaffrey is mentioned as a player with the most to lose due to his high ADP ranking and potential for regression, especially considering his age.
  • 🏁 Saquon Barkley's value is questioned due to the potential for a crowded backfield and the historically run-heavy approach of the Eagles' offense.
  • 🚨 Jonathan Taylor's high ADP is flagged as risky, given his recent underperformance relative to expectations set by his breakout season.
  • 📊 The podcast concludes with a reminder of the importance of evaluating player value objectively, especially for running backs with high draft capital and potential for decline.

Q & A

  • Who are the hosts of the CouchScouts Podcast Episode 36?

    -The hosts of the CouchScouts Podcast Episode 36 are Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson.

  • What is the main topic of discussion in Episode 36 of the CouchScouts Podcast?

    -The main topic of discussion in Episode 36 is running backs with the most to gain and the most to lose heading into the 2024 season.

  • What is the purpose of the free Discord group mentioned in the podcast?

    -The purpose of the free Discord group is to provide a platform for Dynasty football enthusiasts to discuss trades, draft decisions, and player news, helping each other navigate their fantasy football strategies.

  • What is the 'rookie guide' mentioned in the podcast and how much does it cost?

    -The 'rookie guide' is a comprehensive 70-plus-page PDF covering over 60 prospects with in-depth film breakdowns, strengths, weaknesses, and rankings. It costs $10.

  • Who is the first running back discussed in the podcast as having the most to gain in the 2024 season?

    -The first running back discussed is Zamir Wright of the Raiders, who is currently being drafted at a startup ADP (Average Draft Position) as running back 23.

  • What was significant about Zamir Wright's performance in the last four weeks of the previous season?

    -In the last four weeks of the previous season, when Zamir Wright was the starter due to Josh Jacobs being hurt, he handled over 70% of the snaps in three out of those four games, had 17 or more carries in all of those games, and was involved in the passing game.

  • Which running back besides Zamir Wright is discussed as having a significant potential to gain in the 2024 season?

    -Gavonte Williams is another running back discussed as having a significant potential to gain in the 2024 season, currently being drafted at a startup ADP as running back 22.

  • What was the major injury Gavonte Williams suffered during his sophomore season?

    -Gavonte Williams suffered a devastating multi-ligament knee injury, including an ACL and MCL tear, during his sophomore season.

  • What is the general consensus among the hosts regarding Marshon Lloyd's ADP and his potential value?

    -The hosts believe that Marshon Lloyd, currently going as RB 40 in startup drafts, is a screaming value and has the potential to vastly outperform his current ADP due to his talent and the possibility of an expanded role.

  • What is the rationale behind the discussion of Austin Ekeler being undervalued in startup drafts?

    -The rationale is that Austin Ekeler, despite finishing as RB 26 last year despite missing a significant part of the season, is currently being drafted at RB 41. The hosts believe that if he returns to form, he could easily rise in ADP.

  • What is the honorable mention running back discussed by the hosts and why?

    -The honorable mention running back is JK Dobbins, discussed because despite being drafted at RB 47, there is a belief that if he can stay healthy and lead the Chargers' backfield, he could gain significant value.

  • Which running back is identified as having the most to lose heading into the 2024 season and why?

    -Deon Achain is identified as having the most to lose due to the crowded running back room in Miami, making it difficult for him to secure a significant number of touches.

  • What are the concerns regarding Christian McCaffrey's value heading into the 2024 season?

    -The concerns are that Christian McCaffrey, being drafted as RB 2 or 3, has limited room to rise in value and, given his age and potential for injury, could see a significant drop in value if he doesn't perform at an elite level.

  • What factors contribute to Saquon Barkley being considered as having the most to lose in the 2024 season?

    -Factors include the Eagles' historical use of an RB by committee approach, the potential for a less effective offensive line without Jason Kelce, and Barkley's age, which will make him 28 by the next season.

  • Why is Jonathan Taylor considered a running back with the most to lose heading into the 2024 season?

    -Jonathan Taylor is considered at risk due to his high ADP (RB 5), recent underperformance relative to expectations, and the potential for further disappointment if he doesn't have an outstanding season.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Podcast Introduction and Background

The script begins with the hosts, Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson, introducing episode 36 of the 'Couch Scouts' podcast. They discuss their current situations, with Matt Jackson having a busy week due to Vacation Bible School (VBS). Matt Rert is absent, dealing with personal matters, but the show continues with a focus on the 2024 season's most valuable and vulnerable players. The hosts also promote their free Discord community for die-hard Dynasty football fans and mention a paid rookie guide for in-depth analysis of prospects.

05:01

🏈 Discussing Running Backs with the Most to Gain in 2024

The hosts delve into the topic of running backs who stand to gain or lose the most in the upcoming 2024 season, using startup ADP data from Dynasty Data Lab. They highlight Zamir Wright of the Raiders, who has a current startup ADP of running back 23, and discuss his potential to outperform this ranking given the Raiders' commitment to a volume running back strategy and the departure of Josh Jacobs.

10:02

📊 Analyzing Post-Hype Sleepers and Injury Recovery

The conversation shifts to Gavonte Williams, who had a promising rookie season but suffered a severe knee injury in his sophomore year, causing his dynasty value to plummet. Despite this, the hosts believe he could rebound and outperform his current ADP of running back 22, especially considering his past on-field talent and potential recovery from injury.

15:02

🔍 Spotlight on Marshon Lloyd and Austin Eckler

Matt Jackson chooses Marshon Lloyd, who currently has a Dynasty ADP of running back 40, as a potential value pick due to his explosiveness and speed. The hosts also discuss Austin Eckler, who despite past injuries and an uncertain future, could be a valuable pick at his current ADP of running back 41, given his past performances and potential role in the running back room.

20:04

🚀 Honorable Mention for JK Dobbins

An honorable mention is given to JK Dobbins, who, despite a history of injuries, including an Achilles tear, could see a significant gain in value if he recovers and performs well in the Chargers' backfield. His current ADP of running back 47 is seen as a potential steal if he can regain his form.

25:07

📉 Running Backs with the Most to Lose in 2024

The second half of the show focuses on running backs who have the most to lose in the 2024 season. Deon a chain from Miami is highlighted as a potential risk due to the crowded running back room and the challenge of securing touches in the Dolphins' offense, despite his undeniable talent.

30:10

⚔️ Debate Over Devon Hains and Christian McCaffrey

The hosts engage in a debate over Devon Hains' value, with one host expressing concern about the crowded backfield and the other acknowledging his talent but also the risks. Christian McCaffrey is also discussed, with the hosts noting his high ADP and the potential for his value to decrease, especially considering his age and past injuries.

35:11

🏹 Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor's Vulnerable Positions

Saquon Barkley is identified as a running back with a lot to lose due to the Eagles' historical use of an RB by committee approach and the potential for a diminished offensive line. Jonathan Taylor's recent disappointing seasons and high ADP are also discussed, with the hosts suggesting that he may not live up to his current value if he doesn't have an outstanding season.

📢 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

The hosts conclude the show by discussing their availability on various podcast platforms and invite listeners to engage with them on social media. They also tease the expansion of their podcast to more platforms and encourage listeners to leave reviews to help the show grow.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡CouchScouts Podcast

The CouchScouts Podcast is the title of the show being transcribed, indicating that it is a podcast hosted by individuals who likely scout or analyze sports, specifically focusing on strategies and insights related to sports such as American football. In the script, it is the platform where the hosts, Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson, discuss players with the most to gain or lose in the upcoming 2024 season.

💡Dynasty rosters

A Dynasty roster in the context of American football refers to a team in a fantasy league that is maintained over multiple years, with players often retained based on their long-term potential and performance. In the script, the hosts are discussing which running back players on Dynasty rosters have the most to gain or lose in terms of their value for the upcoming season.

💡Running back

A running back is a position in American football, typically responsible for carrying the ball down the field by running. The term is used in the script to focus the discussion on this specific group of players within the Dynasty rosters, analyzing their potential gains or losses in performance and value.

💡Startup ADP

ADP stands for Average Draft Position and refers to the average round in which a player is drafted in fantasy football leagues. Startup ADP is a specific type of ADP used in the context of new or 'startup' leagues, which may have different dynamics compared to established leagues. In the script, the hosts use Startup ADP to evaluate the current perceived value of players like Zamir Wright and Gavonte Williams.

💡Volume

In the context of American football and fantasy leagues, 'volume' refers to the number of opportunities a player gets to touch the ball, such as carries or targets. The script discusses how certain running backs like Zamir Wright could benefit from an increased volume of carries, which can significantly impact their fantasy value.

💡VBS

VBS stands for Vacation Bible School, which is a Christian educational program for children during the summer. In the script, Matt Cooper mentions VBS to explain why he is at his parents' house and has a different background, indicating a personal anecdote related to his day-to-day life.

💡Rookie guide

A rookie guide in the context of the podcast refers to a resource or publication that provides in-depth analysis and information on new players entering the league, often used by fantasy football enthusiasts to make informed decisions about drafting rookies. The hosts mention their own rookie guide, which is a 70-plus-page PDF covering over 60 prospects.

💡Discord

Discord is a communication platform that allows users to create and join groups for text, voice, and video chat. In the script, the hosts promote their free Discord server as a place for fans to engage in discussions about Dynasty fantasy football, trades, and draft decisions.

💡PPR

PPR stands for Points Per Reception and refers to a scoring system in fantasy football where players receive points for each catch they make, in addition to yards and touchdowns. The script mentions PPR in the context of evaluating player performance, such as Gavonte Williams' finish as RB17 in PPR leagues.

💡Injury

Injuries are a common topic in sports discussions, especially in the context of fantasy sports where a player's health can significantly impact their performance and value. The script refers to injuries such as ACL tears and multi-ligament injuries, which have affected players like Gavonte Williams and their subsequent dynasty value.

💡RB1 and RB2

RB1 and RB2 are terms used in fantasy football to denote the first and second ranked running backs in terms of fantasy points. These terms are used to categorize the level of performance expected from a player. In the script, the hosts discuss the potential for certain running backs to achieve RB1 or RB2 status based on their situation and performance.

Highlights

Introduction to CouchScouts Podcast Episode 36, focusing on running backs with the most to gain and lose in the 2024 season.

Matt Cooper and Matt Jackson discuss their personal lives and the impact on the podcast's recording schedule.

The hosts introduce their free Discord community for Dynasty football enthusiasts.

Promotion of the rookie guide for an in-depth analysis of over 60 prospects, available for $10.

Zamir Wright, Raiders running back, is highlighted as a potential high-value player for the 2024 season.

Analysis of Javonte Williams' potential to outperform expectations following his recovery from a severe injury.

Gavonte Williams' situation with the Broncos and his potential for a comeback season are discussed.

Marshon Lloyd's value and potential in the running back market are examined.

Austin Eckler's current ADP and his potential to regain his former top-tier status are debated.

JK Dobbins receives an honorable mention for his potential to make a significant impact despite past injuries.

Deon a chain's crowded running back room in Miami and his potential to lose value are discussed.

Christian McCaffrey's high ADP and the risks associated with his age and potential decline are highlighted.

Saquon Barkley's situation with the Eagles and the challenges he faces in maintaining his value are examined.

Jonathan Taylor's high draft cost and the possibility of a drop in value if he doesn't excel are debated.

The hosts discuss the expansion of podcast platforms and the availability of CouchScouts on various apps.

Invitation for listeners to engage with the hosts on Twitter and to leave reviews on podcast platforms.