Jeff Ratcliffe of FTN Fantasy joined Yahoo Fantasy Plus subscribers on Wednesday, August 6, for a fantasy football AMA on our invite-only Discord server. This is the latest exclusive benefit for Yahoo Fantasy Plus subscribers.
Wondering what you missed? Don’t worry, we have highlights from the session below. Make sure you don’t miss out on the next expert AMA, unlock the invite-only Discord, optimized lineups, smarter waiver and trade advice with Yahoo Fantasy Plus.
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We’re a few weeks into NFL training camp and this week we’ll get our first big slate of preseason games. This should give us plenty of insight into who is ahead in positional battles as depth charts continue to take shape. It won’t be long until the heart of fantasy football draft season at the end of the month. This recap can help you prepare with plenty of insight.
Question: Do you think rookie WR Tory Horton will be a legit part of the Seahawks offense this season?
Answer: Depends on what you mean by legit. I don’t think he’ll be fantasy relevant out of the gate, but there is a pathway to reps with MVS (WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling) ahead of him. He’s worth monitoring in redraft, but is more of a dynasty asset right now.
Question: Whats your stance on where to draft Chiefs WR Rashee Rice and how will he impact fantasy rosters?
Answer: It’s tough to have a stance until we find out his suspension length. We initially anticipated in the range of eight games. If it’s eight, that’s rough. That’s over half the fantasy regular season, which is a long time to eat up a bench spot or IR spot. But his legal result was less than some expected, so there’s a chance the suspension is shorter. If it’s six games, that’s better, but four or fewer will have him moving up my board. All reports suggest he’s recovered from the ACL, so he should pick right back up where he left off when he gets back on the field.
Question: Im drafting at No. 9 in a 0.5-point PPR league. Do you have 1-2 players I should be zeroing in on at that spot?
Answer: No, instead I recommend using a cheat sheet you trust. That will allow you to maximize value in that spot. You could be at 1.09 and the 5th player on your board falls to you. If he does, scoop value. Worst-case scenario, you get the No. 9 player on your board if it goes chalk.
Question: Does Matthew Staffords injury potential impact any of the Rams offensive players? Any concern that the injury could linger into the fantasy season?
Answer: It could if it lasts, but all reports suggest they’re just taking their time with him. However, if we still haven’t made progress in the next two weeks, it’s fair to move Puka Nacua and Davante Adams slightly down in rankings.
Question: Im interested in drafting Bears WR DJ Moore but am worried about last season. Do you think Ben Johnson will help Caleb Williams enough to make Moore a legit target?
Answer: He’s set up to be the top target in what should be an improved offense. Last year was a mess for the Bears, and it started with the coaches. They no longer have that problem. Moore is solid where he’s going in drafts as a back-end WR2.
Question: I kind of want to avoid Christian McCaffrey in drafts but am worried its going to bite me. Is CMC worth drafting or does it depend on the spot you can get him at?
Answer: He’s definitely worth the risk in the first round of 1QB leagues, but I can’t blame you after last year. In these types of situations, I advise people to consider their own risk tolerance. If the reward isn’t worth the risk for you, it’s okay to not take the player. But I view him as a top-10 option who will be taken somewhere in the middle to the back half of the first round in 1QB leagues.
Question: When you are drafting is there a specific player(s) from the 8th pick where you see good value in the first and second rounds?
Answer: I prefer to not zero in on specific players. My aim is to set my draft board up correctly, so that I can scoop the top player on my board in the first round. The worst player would be my No. 8 guy (which is Giants WR Malik Nabers right now). But it could be one of my top 7 if they fall. But let’s say I got Nabers. In the second round, I will go after the top RB on my board to start a Hero RB build.
Question: Who are your biggest fades this draft season?
Answer: Oh man. I have a ton.
Middle Rounds: Isiah Pacheco, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, Brian Robinson Jr., Chris Olave, Jakobi Meyers, Deebo Samuel Sr., Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin, Khalil Shakir, Tyler Warren.
Late rounds: Rhamondre Stevenson, Rachaad White, Najee Harris, Jerome Ford, Austin Ekeler, Michael Pittman Jr., Cooper Kupp, Josh Downs, Rashid Shaheed, Christian Kirk, Rashod Bateman. There are more, but those are the big ones.
Question: Is there a rookie being slept on right now that will have a fantasy impact in the first few weeks of the regular season?
Answer: I do think Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue and Browns RB Dylan Sampson are interesting late-round targets. In deeper leagues, Texans RB Woody Marks is an appealing dart. But I don’t think any of them pop right away.
Question: What player are you lowest on compared to current ADP?
Answer: I have to actually look at ADP, but I know Harrison is going WR14 in best ball. I have him at WR19. I’m also lower on Hampton. Have him RB16. His ADP has shot up to RB12, which is very aggressive.
Question: Hey Jeff, what do you make of the Jaguars backfield? There’s a lot of hype surrounding Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten will be in the mix. Is there any specific way you’re approaching them in drafts or just avoiding?
Answer: Given the reports out of Jacksonville, Bigsby is the most interesting player for me. The Jags are kinda stuck with Etienne given his contract. And while people are focusing on Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr. is also in the mix. Head coach Liam Coen talked up Allen in the offseason program. But really this comes down to who comps the best to Bucky Irving. Coen made Irving a breakout start last season. For me, that player is Bigsby, and he’s still a late-round selection in most drafts.
Question: Who are some of the players youre drafting most?
Answer: I’m getting a lot of the Hero/Zero RBs. So some of the rookies: Kaleb Johnson, TreVeyon Henderson, Cam Skattebo. Guys like Jordan Mason, Tank Bigsby, JK Dobbins, Tyjae Spears, Trey Benson, Braelon Allen. At TE, like the late round guys: Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts. There’s WR value up and down the board, so not really zeroing in on anyone there.
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