Rotoworld Football Podcast

With less than one week to go until the 2021 NFL Draft, Pat Daugherty, John Daigle and Denny Carter join Matt Stroup to break out the Good Football Show lie detector on some of the most prominent rumors circulating. We consider whether the 49ers and Mac Jones is an elaborate smokescreen — and if so, who is the smokescreen for? Plus, will the Bengals prioritize protecting Joe Burrow over adding Ja'Marr Chase, will the Panthers target a quarterback even after trading for Sam Darnold, and will the Falcons swing for the fences with Kyle Pitts, or draft Matt Ryan’s successor in Justin Fields? We hit all of these rumors and much more, plus the demise of the European Super League and what it means for Pat's FIFA habit.

Corey Parson (@TheFantasyExec), Thor Nystrom (@thorku), Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports), and Eric Froton (@CFFroton) delve into the latest NFL Draft Props. Which QB do the 49ers really want? Will the Cowboys draft some defensive help 10th overall? Which running back could the Steelers select? The group answers those questions, and discuss major value wagers in anticipation of next week’s draft.

Eric Froton and Thor Nystrom join Matt Stroup to look at what the teams in the NFC South should do (and maybe will do) in the 2021 NFL Draft, with the Saints needing wide receiver depth behind Michael Thomas, the Falcons debating best quarterback available vs. Kyle Pitts, the Panthers with an opportunity to land Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, and the Bucs with an opportunity to hit a home run with the final pick of the first round. Also on this episode: a breakdown of the linebackers and defensive backs expected go in the first round, including Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain and Jaycee Horn.

Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter evaluate pass-catching running backs from a zero-RB perspective. They also take a look at the latest news, including the 49ers' persistent Mac Jones rumors, the Steelers' plans at running back, and Julian Edelman's retirement.

Two weeks ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, Pat Daugherty, John Daigle and Denny Carter join Matt Stroup to look at some of the players we are targeting (or plan to target) in every fantasy draft. We debate the upside of both star wide receivers in Atlanta (Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley), discuss why the ceiling is absurdly high for A.J. Brown, and break down our expectations for Cam Akers, J.K. Dobbins and Ezekiel Elliott coming off his maddening 2020 campaign.

Thor Nystrom and Eric Froton join Matt Stroup to look at the needs for the NFC North teams in the 2021 NFL Draft. Will the Packers finally add a first-round wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers to throw to — and if so, who will it be? Meanwhile, the Bears are in a difficult spot — priced out of the quarterback market — as they start the Andy Dalton era. We discuss the potential options for the Vikings to shore up their offensive line (including the dream scenario of trading up to land Penei Sewell), and the pass catchers the Lions could potentially target at seventh overall (with Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts and Jaylen Waddle among their best-case options). Plus, a look at Eric’s list of the top five EDGE rushers in this class, headlined by Miami’s Jaelan Phillips, who retired — and un-retired — before his breakout 2020 season.

Corey Parson, John Daigle and Thor Nystrom discuss notable prop bets ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Among the odds discussed; Which QB will the 49ers select 3rd overall? When will Ja'Marr Chase and Devonte Smith be drafted? And, no RB's selected in the 1st round?

Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter take a look at 2021 running back sleepers through the "zero RB" prism. They debate the mid-round merits of backs like Damien Harris, Tony Pollard and Gus Edwards. They also examine later-round options, including Zack Moss and Darrynton Evans.

John Daigle and Pat Daugherty join Matt Stroup to look closely at some situations where the upcoming NFL Draft could put a considerable dent in an established player's fantasy value. We discuss the looming threat to James Robinson's upside in Jacksonville, the moment in the Draft when we'll know Chase Edmonds is in the clear for Arizona, why Raheem Mostert may have missed his window in San Fran, and how the Dolphins draft capital signals clear concerns for Myles Gaskin. Also on this episode: We react to the Sam Darnold trade (and consider his outlook in Carolina), and lay out the menu for our Fantasy Football Masters Dinner.

Thor Nystrom and Eric Froton join Matt Stroup to discuss the draft needs for all the teams in the NFC East — from the suddenly intriguing Washington Football Team to the Eagles, who have traded down to 12th overall and appear set to move forward (for at least one year) with Jalen Hurts. Should Philadelphia and Washington target a wide receiver in the first round? Would the Giants or the Cowboys put other needs aside if one of the top pass-catchers (like DeVonta Smith) is still on the board? We examine all of those possibilities, then Eric brings us a detailed breakdown of the top interior defensive linemen in the 2021 NFL Draft, led by Alabama’s Christian Barmore.

Patrick Daugherty, Denny Carter and Hayden Winks discuss 2020’s “prayer yards” all stars, wide receivers who failed to convert bountiful air yards opportunities into, you know, actual yards. The players debated include D.J. Chark, Marquise Brown and Darnell Mooney. The gang also talks about their post-COVID excitement, while Hayden makes an announcement at the end of the show.

John Daigle, Pat Daugherty and Denny Carter join Matt Stroup to break down 10 big surprises from NFL free agency. We discuss Aaron Jones returning to Green Bay (and what that means for Jones and AJ Dillon), the massive target share that looms for A.J. Brown in Tennessee after the team didn't add a big-name wide receiver, and how the Panthers' plans at QB leave a huge opportunity for a yet-to-be-determined passer. Plus, the Ravens, Chiefs and Saints all have at least one question mark at wide receiver, so we examine what that means for Marquise Brown, Mecole Hardman and Tre'Quan Smith. Also on this episode: Denny brings us the Andy Dalton hype that we didn't realize we needed.

Thor Nystrom and Hayden Winks join Matt Stroup to complete Part 2 (picks 17-32) of our NFL Mock Draft. With the top five quarterbacks already off the board during Part 1, attention shifts in this part of the draft to high-upside wide receivers, including Rashod Bateman and Terrace Marshall Jr. Thor also stuns the draft room by picking an RB 30th — and one who is not Najee Harris. We also see a run on edge rushers, and the Super Bowl champ Tampa Bay Buccaneers hitting another potential home run at the end of the first.

Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter analyze teams and players bound for positive touchdown regression in 2021. They debate Jerry Jeudy's breakout odds, Cooper Kupp's bounce-back potential, and Justin Herbert's sophomore outlook, amongst many other topics. They also begin the show with an early look at how the 17-game season might affect fantasy campaigns.

Patrick Daugherty, John Daigle and Denny Carter join Matt Stroup to break down some of the recent free agent moves from the latest wave of transactions. We discuss new homes for Will Fuller, Kenny Golladay, Mike Davis, Tevin Coleman, Phillip Lindsay and Mark Ingram, and old homes for Juju Smith-Schuster, T.Y. Hilton and Chris Carson. We break down the fantasy impact of each free agent decision, and how drastically it changes the outlook/ADP for the players and their old/new teammates, including Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Also on this episode: Denny makes the stunning admission that PPR is a scam.

Thor Nystrom and Hayden Winks join Matt Stroup for Part 1 of our first round mock draft. We break down picks 1-16, complete with an early run on star quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance after multiple trades near the top of the draft. We also see the San Francisco 49ers grab another potential star for their already potent passing game, and dynamic new receiving options for the Lions and Eagles.

Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter talk the "left behind" winners of free agency, players who could see a boost in fantasy value after their former teammates left for new franchises. Chase Edmonds and Tyler Higbee lead the pack, while Pat and Denny also debate Anthony "Firk Daddy" Firkser and Bryan Edwards, amongst others. Finally, a challenge is issued at the end of the pod following a shocking Denny tweet.

John Daigle, Pat Daugherty and Denny Carter join Matt Stroup to discuss a number of recent free agency developments, including some potential backfield chaos in Detroit and Las Vegas, with the Lions and Raiders adding Jamaal Williams and Kenyan Drake, respectively. We also look at what should be a suddenly exciting offense for the Washington Football Team, which has added Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel. Plus, the Bears add Andy Dalton, the Patriots add Hunter Henry, and the new/old reality for a number of veteran receivers changing cities, including John Brown, Marvin Jones and A.J. Green.

Hayden Winks and Thor Nystrom join Matt Stroup to break down some notable prop bets ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. We discuss the foregone conclusion of Trevor Lawrence going first overall to the Jags, and why it's Zach Wilson and not Justin Fields (or anyone else) who's favored to go second overall. Plus, a look at the first running back, wide receiver and offensive lineman potentially off the board, with Travis Etienne, Ja'Marr Chase and Penei Sewell at the center of the conversation. We also look at the needs for the teams in the AFC West, with the roster for Jon Gruden's Raiders suddenly in a dire situation.

Patrick Daugherty, John Daigle and Denny Carter discuss the initial hours of free agency, including Cam Newton's return to New England and Jonnu Smith's addition. They break down Aaron Jones' surprise new deal with the Packers and debate how Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston's quarterback competition might play out.