Lion's Lair: 2024 Offense, Defense, and Fantasy Insights

1
00:00:11,954.599214975 --> 00:00:12,794.599214975
We are those guys.

2
00:00:12,794.599214975 --> 00:00:16,714.599214975
We hope to be your guys bringing you the latest from the National Football League.

3
00:00:16,714.599214975 --> 00:00:20,334.599214975
And Nick, I'm excited to dive into our next team preview.

4
00:00:20,494.598214975 --> 00:00:26,364.599214975
Again, we're talking, are we going to get to all 32? No, we're going to get to the ones from me and you instead.

5
00:00:26,964.599214975 --> 00:00:30,444.599214975
Nick Ferguson, what's going on, my man? Nothing much, man.

6
00:00:30,514.599214975 --> 00:00:32,104.599214975
Uh, fantasy.

7
00:00:32,164.599214975 --> 00:00:36,374.599214975
I mean, well, my fantasy league hasn't started yet as far as No, me neither.

8
00:00:36,954.599214975 --> 00:00:42,694.599214975
Wait a minute, didn't you have like a 13 day draft? It was closer to three weeks.

9
00:00:42,704.599214975 --> 00:00:43,524.599214975
It's for charity.

10
00:00:43,524.599214975 --> 00:00:44,514.598214975
It's good cause, Nick.

11
00:00:44,514.599214975 --> 00:00:52,474.599214975
So no poo pooing that, but it just goes to show you that the guys who are on your roster in July aren't necessarily the ones you want come August.

12
00:00:52,484.599214975 --> 00:00:56,494.599214975
So from a fantasy perspective, it's, you know what, I got to be honest.

13
00:00:57,134.599214975 --> 00:01:01,204.599214975
The team we're going to look at today, I think is very good from a fantasy perspective.

14
00:01:01,444.599214975 --> 00:01:09,614.599214975
This is one of the best offenses from a year ago with their offensive pieces, top five in their position rankings.

15
00:01:09,834.598214975 --> 00:01:11,354.598214975
So let's just get right to it, Nick.

16
00:01:11,544.598214975 --> 00:01:20,34.599214975
Uh, the Detroit Lions getting to their first NFC championship, their first NFC North division title since 1993.

17
00:01:20,314.599214975 --> 00:01:26,554.599214975
So from an unprecedented level of success, but let's be honest, something we didn't necessarily.

18
00:01:26,919.599214975 --> 00:01:38,209.599214975
You know, we kind of saw this coming, maybe not, uh, runners up in the NFC, but we thought that from an offensive production, this was going to be one of the best teams coming into last year.

19
00:01:38,209.599214975 --> 00:01:43,659.59921497
What did you think this time a year ago, and what was kind of You know, the results we saw in 2023.

20
00:01:44,589.59921497 --> 00:01:54,609.59921497
Well, last year, this time, I thought they were going to be real competitive because I know Dan Campbell, he shocked a lot of people when he came in, he had the ankle bitings and kneecaps.

21
00:01:54,609.69921497 --> 00:01:59,599.59821497
People laughed at the Detroit Lions and Dan Campbell.

22
00:01:59,934.59921497 --> 00:02:03,784.59921497
But they surprise and continue to surprise a lot of people.

23
00:02:04,124.59921497 --> 00:02:19,934.59921497
So for me coming into last season, for me, all their hopes relied on the quarterback position and keeping Jared golf, uh, healthy and what golf was able to do last season, he threw for more than 4, 000 yards, 30 touchdowns.

24
00:02:20,634.59921497 --> 00:02:26,284.59921497
12 interceptions that tell you he was quite efficient and that offense was definitely moving forward.

25
00:02:26,324.59921497 --> 00:02:34,504.59821497
So I know a lot of Detroit Lions fans were kind of shocked, shaken, and frustrated by the loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

26
00:02:34,864.59921497 --> 00:02:40,384.59921497
But the Detroit Lions is definitely one of those teams who that's going to, so, so I guess shock.

27
00:02:40,424.59921497 --> 00:02:41,734.59921497
Well, you know what? Let me take that back.

28
00:02:41,884.59921497 --> 00:02:47,114.59821497
They're not shocking anymore because no one knows exactly who they are.

29
00:02:47,124.59921497 --> 00:02:53,354.49921497
But the thing about the Detroit Lions is that man, they are here to stay and these are not your fathers.

30
00:02:55,544.59921497 --> 00:02:58,834.59921497
No, um, they had everybody coming out.

31
00:02:58,844.59921497 --> 00:03:01,154.59921497
They just hosted the NFL draft.

32
00:03:01,454.59921497 --> 00:03:01,954.59921497
I go.

33
00:03:01,974.59921497 --> 00:03:04,814.59921497
So we're Detroit is happening.

34
00:03:05,74.59821497 --> 00:03:11,864.59921497
And I think from the coaching standpoint, you mentioned Dan Campbell, but for the second year in a row.

35
00:03:12,99.59921497 --> 00:03:20,39.59921497
I think you and I are both shocked that both coordinators, right? Ben Johnson running the offense and your former teammate Aaron Glenn running the defense are still there.

36
00:03:20,249.59921497 --> 00:03:35,269.59821497
So how does continuity from a successful 2023 campaign carry over specifically another year with this system on both sides of the football going to benefit the players and kind of game day overall? It's vital.

37
00:03:35,269.59821497 --> 00:03:35,999.59821497
It's important.

38
00:03:36,19.59821497 --> 00:03:38,729.59921497
Uh, I mean, everyone loves consistency.

39
00:03:39,189.59921497 --> 00:03:46,9.59921497
And all you have to do is look at the Philadelphia Eagles after they lost the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

40
00:03:46,259.59921497 --> 00:03:53,209.59921497
They lost both of their coordinators and they were scrambling last year trying to build somewhat of consistency with their team.

41
00:03:53,239.59921497 --> 00:03:57,789.59921497
So Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, as you spoke, both of those guys being in house.

42
00:03:58,114.59921497 --> 00:04:01,354.59921497
It helps because now there is that continuity.

43
00:04:01,424.59921497 --> 00:04:08,914.59921497
Those are the words that you're using when you're talking about teams, especially playoff teams, consistency and continuity.

44
00:04:08,944.59921497 --> 00:04:16,564.59821497
So that would allow them to both stay on schedule offensively, but also make their defense somewhat better, uh, secondary.

45
00:04:16,564.59821497 --> 00:04:19,354.59821497
That was much more line last season, but should be much better.

46
00:04:19,574.59821497 --> 00:04:23,474.59821497
We're tearing an honor from Alabama, uh, playing one of one of those corners.

47
00:04:24,434.59821497 --> 00:04:32,139.59921497
We let's, let's do, let's talk about that defense, right? Because Tell me from a philosophical standpoint, right? You talked about the emphasis.

48
00:04:33,594.59921497 --> 00:04:47,414.59921497
Getting the corners, which, uh, I think above all, you know, the explanation for that, Nick, is, well, they were, uh, bottom five in terms of, uh, defenses allowing, uh, passing yardage.

49
00:04:47,544.59921497 --> 00:04:47,794.59921497
That's right.

50
00:04:47,794.59921497 --> 00:04:54,64.59921497
There were fourth, uh, in the NFL and the commanders, chargers, and Buccaneers were worse defensively defending the pass.

51
00:04:54,444.59921497 --> 00:05:00,474.59921497
So they took a huge approach to try to add a second corner.

52
00:05:00,954.59921497 --> 00:05:02,634.59921497
To solidify that defense.

53
00:05:02,634.59921497 --> 00:05:11,704.59921497
Again, that's Aaron Glenn's specialty, the position he played for over a decade in the National Football League, uh, and sometimes having to pick up the slack for the safety play there in Houston, I might add.

54
00:05:11,984.59821497 --> 00:05:14,734.59921497
But the, okay, we're not going to do that right now.

55
00:05:15,44.59921497 --> 00:05:16,854.59821497
Very serious with me on that one.

56
00:05:17,524.59921497 --> 00:05:18,424.59921497
No, no, I'm not.

57
00:05:18,424.59921497 --> 00:05:19,804.59921497
I'm, I'm, I'm letting It's not true.

58
00:05:20,284.59921497 --> 00:05:21,94.59921497
It's not true.

59
00:05:22,309.59921497 --> 00:05:23,729.59921497
I'm, I'm gonna let them fly.

60
00:05:25,854.59921497 --> 00:05:27,894.59921497
You mentioned Terry Arnold in the first round.

61
00:05:27,894.59921497 --> 00:05:29,214.59921497
Ennis Rakes straw Jr.

62
00:05:29,214.59921497 --> 00:05:30,414.59921497
Outta Missouri, round two.

63
00:05:30,414.59921497 --> 00:05:30,474.59921497
No.

64
00:05:30,474.59921497 --> 00:05:34,344.59921497
So they attacked it not just in the draft, but in free agency as well.

65
00:05:34,344.59921497 --> 00:05:36,864.59921497
The addition of Carlton Davis coming over from Tampa Bay.

66
00:05:37,724.59921497 --> 00:05:51,564.59921497
Really, if you are a Lions fan, or you're just kind of getting, you know, acquainted to getting back in the NFL season, Dan Campbell this week had to answer questions about both Arnold and Rake Straw, as well as Carlton Davis, all dealing with injuries.

67
00:05:51,564.59921497 --> 00:06:09,749.59821497
Terry and Arnold, I think most significantly, the chest injury in practice, who still hasn't got back out on the field, and they're really hoping that He can get a little more action before the regular season starts, but whether it's for Arnold or Raekstra or Carleton Davis, you know, Dan Campbell does a nice job of saying, Yeah, they're trending in the right direction.

68
00:06:09,769.59921497 --> 00:06:12,189.59921497
When are they going to play? I don't need to answer that at this time.

69
00:06:12,399.59921497 --> 00:06:15,739.59921497
But again, you're putting these guys in bubble wrap.

70
00:06:16,79.59821497 --> 00:06:29,89.59921497
Um, you know, we'll zoom out once we wrap up the preseason talking about How certain injuries, um, uh, like the cart coming out during the preseason is very different than it would be coming out in the regular season.

71
00:06:29,359.59921497 --> 00:06:31,474.59921497
So, um, I'm certainly encouraged.

72
00:06:31,654.59921497 --> 00:06:49,304.60021497
Um, you know, one of the biggest weaknesses they had on what was a great defense, uh, they attacked in as many ways that they could so that they had some flexibility, um, to make sure that they not just maintain but exceed the level of play that they built.

73
00:06:49,629.59921497 --> 00:06:51,49.59921497
Um, a year ago.

74
00:06:51,349.59921497 --> 00:06:53,339.59921497
Uh, the same goes against the run game.

75
00:06:54,9.59921497 --> 00:07:03,219.59921497
Hey, Nick, did you know when you give up a ton of yardage in the passing game, that usually leads to a pretty good run defense? Second fewest allowed yards on the ground.

76
00:07:03,619.59921497 --> 00:07:04,969.59921497
Opponents just 3.

77
00:07:05,309.59921497 --> 00:07:06,809.59821497
7 yards per carry.

78
00:07:07,79.59821497 --> 00:07:09,409.59921497
Although 15 touchdowns on the ground.

79
00:07:09,664.59921497 --> 00:07:11,904.59921497
Was in the bottom third of the National Football League.

80
00:07:12,204.59921497 --> 00:07:18,124.59921497
Uh, the biggest addition that they made on their defensive line, adding DJ Reader coming over from the Houston Texans.

81
00:07:18,414.59921497 --> 00:07:20,494.59921497
It's a common theme that we sort of have here.

82
00:07:20,704.59921497 --> 00:07:37,194.59921497
Uh, while he is in for year number eight, um, I, you know, I think plugging up the run while providing some support for Aiden Hutchinson, like you can fix the back end, but maybe the best way of doing that.

83
00:07:37,589.59921497 --> 00:07:39,809.59921497
Is to solidify a pass rush.

84
00:07:39,939.59921497 --> 00:08:07,109.59921497
Does DJ really instigate the run game to then help out the pass rush? Um, you know, what, what approaches do you think on top of that backfield on the Lions did right, uh, in their free agent and draft this offseason? Well, considering the fact that Aaron Glenn was a tough man to man corner, I'm not surprised he went out and tried to get Terry Arnold to beef up his coverage in the secondary because.

85
00:08:07,474.59921497 --> 00:08:13,864.59921497
When you are a little deficient up front, and Agent Hunterson, I mean, that's your go to guy.

86
00:08:13,864.59921497 --> 00:08:14,954.59921497
That's your motor guy.

87
00:08:15,204.59921497 --> 00:08:19,894.59921497
That's the guy who's creating all those pass deflections and speeding up the quarterback.

88
00:08:20,204.59921497 --> 00:08:21,744.59821497
But you have to help him out.

89
00:08:22,14.59821497 --> 00:08:43,519.59921497
So by going to get Terry Arnold, a guy who can play man to man coverage, It gives Aaron Glenn and the Detroit Lions a little more that they can operate with in the secondary because what I saw them doing last season, they would have to bring an additional pass rusher to get after the quarterback, which left a much more line secondary kind of out in space and one on one.

90
00:08:43,669.59821497 --> 00:08:46,869.59921497
And that's why they were relatively exposed.

91
00:08:47,99.59921497 --> 00:08:56,234.59921497
So now when you kind of make sure that you are You give your pass rush an opportunity and that's all he was trying to think about doing.

92
00:08:56,494.59921497 --> 00:09:05,794.59821497
Because when you look at the team as a whole, the Lions offensively made up for the deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball with all the offensive weapons.

93
00:09:05,964.59821497 --> 00:09:11,34.59921497
But when they needed to stop the most, they really couldn't get that stop.

94
00:09:11,34.59921497 --> 00:09:14,409.59921497
So they're hoping that That some of these additions would definitely help out.

95
00:09:14,679.59921497 --> 00:09:21,9.59921497
DJ Reader, I mean, listen, when he was with Seattle Seahawks, he was a, he did a great job as being the run stuffer.

96
00:09:21,259.59921497 --> 00:09:24,309.59821497
He kind of duplicated that same performance with the Houston Texans.

97
00:09:24,689.59921497 --> 00:09:28,159.59921497
Right now, I think he might be a little nicked up, a little injured.

98
00:09:28,519.60021497 --> 00:09:35,639.59921497
Uh, but if the Lions can't overcome some of the injury deficiencies early in camp, it's going to hurt them later on in the season.

99
00:09:36,909.59921497 --> 00:09:45,429.59921497
Yeah, again, you can, we can preach that the same guys are there from a year ago, that there's, again, continuity, but at the same time, if they're not out on the field together right now.

100
00:09:46,309.59921497 --> 00:09:54,899.59921497
What exactly, you know, does that mean? Um, switching over to the offensive side of football, because I know you were teasing that fantasy perspective.

101
00:09:55,199.59921497 --> 00:09:57,99.59921497
Um, it all starts in the trenches.

102
00:09:57,119.59921497 --> 00:10:00,199.59921497
We'll get to the skill players in just a moment, Nick.

103
00:10:00,479.59921497 --> 00:10:04,164.59921497
Um, Jonah Jackson leaves for the LA Rams.

104
00:10:04,444.59921497 --> 00:10:10,794.59921497
They add some depth and free agency adding Kevin Zeitler, a long, long time guard, most recently of the Ravens.

105
00:10:11,84.59921497 --> 00:10:18,744.59921497
And then they also added, um, uh, the two year deal for Graham Glasgow.

106
00:10:19,234.59821497 --> 00:10:22,569.49921497
Um, So sorry, three years, 20 million.

107
00:10:22,569.59921497 --> 00:10:25,919.59921497
One of the top free agents they retained.

108
00:10:26,159.59921497 --> 00:10:29,69.59921497
So the interior offensive line, still a strength.

109
00:10:29,309.59821497 --> 00:10:31,259.59921497
The tackle play, of course, still a strength.

110
00:10:31,709.59921497 --> 00:10:50,914.59821497
So they are hoping to win many of those battles in the trenches, which allows Their offense to cook, um, specifically with the passing game, um, Jared Goff, year four now, I believe, uh, it all kind of hangs on, you know, how many pass catchers they have on this team.

111
00:10:50,924.59921497 --> 00:10:58,634.59921497
I mean, you can check off Amin Ra, 196 catches in his first two seasons, tied Michael Thomas and Justin Jefferson all time.

112
00:10:58,904.59921497 --> 00:11:03,394.59921497
And so, going into year three, what does he do? Set career bests across the board.

113
00:11:03,534.59921497 --> 00:11:08,574.59921497
119 catches, 1, 515 receiving yards, and then 10 touchdowns.

114
00:11:08,824.59921497 --> 00:11:11,564.59921497
Uh, Sam Laporta crashing out onto the scene.

115
00:11:11,754.59921497 --> 00:11:14,64.59921497
86 catches, 10 touchdowns as him.

116
00:11:14,524.59921497 --> 00:11:16,104.59921497
Touchdowns for him as well.

117
00:11:16,394.59921497 --> 00:11:20,804.59921497
And they do this while sustaining two Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery.

118
00:11:21,174.59921497 --> 00:11:44,194.59921497
Uh, Gibbs was, uh, Let's say criticized based on his position when he was selected early in the 2023 draft, but the versatility that he brings along with at least two pass catchers, what are you looking as far as the next evolution in the Ben Johnson offense knowing Jared Goff has all these weapons to distribute to? Well, the idea is that golf would be more settled in.

119
00:11:44,384.59921497 --> 00:11:48,584.59821497
And for me, the true mark of a quarterback is what you do on third down the side of the red zone.

120
00:11:48,974.59921497 --> 00:11:54,614.59821497
But you can only be as effective in those two areas if you know the playbook back and forth.

121
00:11:54,994.59921497 --> 00:12:03,609.59921497
And we've seen a lot of this around the league when coordinators change, It makes things really difficult for the guy on the center who's deemed to be the most important.

122
00:12:03,979.59921497 --> 00:12:10,99.59921497
But I am going to project that this is going to be another exceptional season for Jared Golf.

123
00:12:10,389.59921497 --> 00:12:16,449.59921497
And all of this is based on the fact of keeping all your core offensive weapons together.

124
00:12:16,449.59921497 --> 00:12:22,839.59921497
Like you mentioned, Sam LaPorta, who was a monster last year statistically, but also in fantasy football.

125
00:12:23,109.59921497 --> 00:12:26,574.59921497
If you keep that guy You know, healthy and keep him upright.

126
00:12:26,614.59921497 --> 00:12:27,854.59921497
You can keep him in the core.

127
00:12:27,854.59921497 --> 00:12:28,894.59921497
You can flex him out.

128
00:12:29,104.59921497 --> 00:12:30,394.59921497
He's a matchup nightmare.

129
00:12:30,514.59921497 --> 00:12:37,164.59921497
I, you know, when I look at Sam LaPorter, to me, he is a better version of Travis Kelsey.

130
00:12:37,204.59821497 --> 00:12:38,934.59921497
Travis Kelsey is older.

131
00:12:38,934.59921497 --> 00:12:43,224.59821497
Obviously he's not as fast, but LaPorter is really athletic.

132
00:12:43,274.59921497 --> 00:12:52,294.59921497
That would give more opportunities out in the field, but more importantly, inside the red zone, as they call it, the green zone for the Detroit Lions.

133
00:12:54,129.59921497 --> 00:13:00,549.59921497
Are they Amara and Sam Laporta? You separated one in the red zone versus one between the 20s.

134
00:13:01,29.59921497 --> 00:13:24,259.59921497
Are they, because they both run out of the slot pretty frequently, how do they, you know, how does Jared Goff attack the middle of the field and kind of build both of these, um, pass catchers up all while still trying to figure out outside receiver and whether or not Jamison Williams can deliver on his first round potential? Well, that's the thing when you have two guys who can open up.

135
00:13:24,484.59921497 --> 00:13:26,964.59921497
Things either outside or outside for your quarterback.

136
00:13:27,224.59921497 --> 00:13:34,174.59921497
It makes it easier to find open reads and also, it makes it easier as far as the scheming standpoint from Ben Johnson.

137
00:13:34,464.59821497 --> 00:13:38,124.59921497
Because we're not just talking about those two guys, James and Wilson.

138
00:13:38,404.59921497 --> 00:13:42,794.59921497
You just mentioned David Montgomery was very efficient in the Lions offense.

139
00:13:42,854.59821497 --> 00:13:45,14.59921497
So was Jabir Gibbs in his first year.

140
00:13:45,364.59921497 --> 00:13:48,864.59921497
And Gibbs was excellent dumping it off to him in the screen game.

141
00:13:48,864.59921497 --> 00:13:55,34.59921497
Reminds me, A lot of Darren Sproles, a bigger version of Darren Sproles, and that kid can go and that's a mere give.

142
00:13:55,74.59921497 --> 00:14:02,594.59821497
So when you have all those offensive elements working for you, usually the pitfall is, well, you only have one football.

143
00:14:02,694.59921497 --> 00:14:05,154.59921497
You can't throw it to anyone, right? Which is true.

144
00:14:05,639.59921497 --> 00:14:10,609.59921497
But it presents issues defensively as far as who you're going to single out.

145
00:14:10,619.59921497 --> 00:14:11,759.59921497
And here's what it's going to work out.

146
00:14:11,759.59921497 --> 00:14:13,919.59921497
And this is why if you're a Lions fan, you're going to love it.

147
00:14:13,919.59921497 --> 00:14:21,969.59821497
If you're Ben Johnson, you love it even more because each week is going to be a different guy that the Lions are going to lean on to close out games.

148
00:14:23,529.59921497 --> 00:14:26,699.59921497
So let's turn the page to the more important.

149
00:14:27,129.59921497 --> 00:14:29,739.59921497
Discussion, Nick, is from that fantasy perspective.

150
00:14:30,79.59921497 --> 00:14:38,89.59821497
So if the Lions are going to game plan feature certain players for particular matchups versus others, obviously game script matters too.

151
00:14:38,89.59921497 --> 00:14:40,9.59921497
If they're winning, they want to run the football.

152
00:14:40,89.59921497 --> 00:15:01,149.59921497
If they need to come from behind, if they've got a heated, uh, NFC North battle against the likes of Green Bay or Chicago, um, like I'm just trying to figure out, you know, Which of the pass catchers, running backs, you covet from this Detroit Lions team, because yes, you want the ceiling.

153
00:15:01,399.59921497 --> 00:15:04,189.59921497
You want these guys to win games against the Vikings as well.

154
00:15:04,219.59821497 --> 00:15:17,409.59921497
Didn't forget you, but which, I mean, you also want a floor and a level of consistency, which is something that we've expected from Amon Ra the last three years or Sam LaPorta last year as the overall tight end one.

155
00:15:17,729.59921497 --> 00:15:20,129.59921497
So how do you determine, you know.

156
00:15:20,584.59921497 --> 00:15:30,934.59921497
I guess do you have a, a priority for any one of these guys in particular, your strategy surrounding the Detroit Lions and assessing them for fantasy? And then I can give you my own take as well.

157
00:15:31,434.59921497 --> 00:15:36,674.59871497
Well, I'll say this because of the chemistry that, uh, has been forged between St.

158
00:15:36,674.59871497 --> 00:15:38,654.59821497
Brown and Jared golf.

159
00:15:38,694.59821497 --> 00:15:43,174.59921497
If you are in a PPR league, I mean, you're going to lean heavily on St.

160
00:15:43,174.59921497 --> 00:15:49,434.59921497
Brown because he's, well, he's going to get the ball no matter what, inside, outside, they're going to find a way.

161
00:15:49,719.59921497 --> 00:15:51,349.59921497
To funnel the ball to him.

162
00:15:51,359.59921497 --> 00:16:01,689.59921497
Now, if we're talking inside the red zone, I'm thinking maybe LaPorter just because of his athleticism and his size, because that reminds me a lot of a guy.

163
00:16:01,709.59821497 --> 00:16:17,589.59821497
I faced Tony Gonzalez, but the thing that makes it really difficult, because when you look at the backfield, you're saying, okay, well, Which back do you think is going to get the most touches, not carries, the most touches? And for me, that's going to be a game to game type of viewpoint.

164
00:16:17,829.59921497 --> 00:16:24,599.59821497
But, based on pure explosion in that alone, I would lean more heavily towards Gibbs than Montgomery.

165
00:16:25,589.59921497 --> 00:16:28,439.59921497
Okay, so I'm a David Montgomery guy as well.

166
00:16:28,679.59921497 --> 00:16:33,859.59921497
Uh, I think you're getting floor where Jameer Gibbs is certainly going to have the spike weeks, but it's the price difference too.

167
00:16:34,924.59921497 --> 00:16:37,264.59921497
Jameer Gibbs is an end of the first round pick.

168
00:16:37,414.59921497 --> 00:16:40,554.599215
If I want a lion in the first round, it's definitely Amun Ra for me.

169
00:16:40,834.599215 --> 00:16:45,434.599215
And David Montgomery, meanwhile, is going closer to running back 20.

170
00:16:45,574.598215 --> 00:17:04,479.599215
Clearly an RB2, but at the same time, someone who you can either start as your, again, RB2, or if you're a running back heavy draft, he can come off the bench and, again, Any injury to one or the other Gibbs or Montgomery, I'd say that other running back is immediately a top five, top 10 fantasy asset.

171
00:17:04,909.598215 --> 00:17:08,329.598215
I love what you said about Amon Ra.

172
00:17:08,589.599215 --> 00:17:15,899.599215
So I'm just going to start naming receivers and you say stop when Amon Ra is someone you would draft over him.

173
00:17:15,969.599215 --> 00:17:16,399.599215
Okay.

174
00:17:16,719.599215 --> 00:17:17,269.599215
Okay.

175
00:17:17,549.599215 --> 00:17:17,879.599215
Okay.

176
00:17:17,879.599215 --> 00:17:21,199.599215
Why receiver number one, according to fantasy football, CD lamb.

177
00:17:21,959.599215 --> 00:17:22,299.599215
Yes.

178
00:17:22,849.599215 --> 00:17:23,389.599215
My reek.

179
00:17:23,489.599215 --> 00:17:25,769.599215
Do you want Amon Ra over CD lamb? Yup.

180
00:17:27,409.599215 --> 00:17:27,819.599215
Done.

181
00:17:27,904.699215 --> 00:17:35,474.599215
The reason why I say that because, all right, I know CD RAM was a fantasy darling last year.

182
00:17:35,754.599215 --> 00:17:48,924.599215
And when you look at the Cowboys and you say, okay, well, what other options does that Prescott have outside of CD RAM? Well, first and foremost, We don't know what the situation with the Dallas Cowboys and CD Lamb is going to be entering the season.

183
00:17:49,304.599215 --> 00:17:51,884.599215
So that's the first conundrum you have to get over.

184
00:17:51,884.599215 --> 00:17:59,344.599215
Now, could you draft him, stash him on your, your fantasy roster with the idea that you know what, eventually he's going to play for me.

185
00:17:59,404.599215 --> 00:18:00,884.599215
I like to bet on sure things.

186
00:18:01,174.599215 --> 00:18:09,354.599215
And we're talking about a sure hand and wide receiver, a guy that people slept on years ago, who only continued to get better and better.

187
00:18:09,354.599215 --> 00:18:12,304.599215
And when you look at his route running, it is.

188
00:18:12,814.599215 --> 00:18:21,304.599215
Not as superior as Devontae Adams, but this is a guy who's got that quick change of direction and they use him in multi ways.

189
00:18:21,444.599215 --> 00:18:23,734.599215
I mean they can put him out wide, he can do work.

190
00:18:24,214.599215 --> 00:18:32,144.598215
But when Ben Johnson motions him down, gets him matched one on one and when defense is in a sub package, that's the go to guy.

191
00:18:32,304.598215 --> 00:18:35,564.599215
They always know, but he seems to get open.

192
00:18:35,764.599215 --> 00:18:40,144.598215
Sort of like some guys that used to play for the Patriots, you know Julian Elderman.

193
00:18:40,399.599215 --> 00:18:42,319.599215
You know, those type of guys, you know, Madola.

194
00:18:42,559.599215 --> 00:18:44,469.599215
So, Armand Ross St.

195
00:18:44,469.599215 --> 00:18:51,829.598715
Brown is, is like that because he can find those soft spots, but he's a little more explosive when you talk about hitting that second gear.

196
00:18:51,829.598715 --> 00:18:54,199.598215
So that's why I put him over CeeDee Lamb.

197
00:18:54,239.599215 --> 00:18:58,644.499215
But, but, but for the sake of conversation, I want to hear what your list is.

198
00:18:59,44.599215 --> 00:19:02,974.599215
What's going to be like anyway? Um, I have CD lamb one.

199
00:19:03,14.599215 --> 00:19:03,974.599215
I know what I'm doing.

200
00:19:03,984.599215 --> 00:19:05,124.599215
We fantasy football.

201
00:19:05,124.599215 --> 00:19:11,294.598215
Hasn't had the wide receiver one repeat as the wide receiver one since the Andre Hopkins in Houston.

202
00:19:11,304.598215 --> 00:19:16,754.600215
Again, this is like a Houston Texans episode in a way when he did it back to back years, 2017, 2018.

203
00:19:17,564.598215 --> 00:19:20,384.599215
Uh, I basically have it CD lamb Tyree kill.

204
00:19:21,44.599215 --> 00:19:24,394.599215
Uh, and then Amin Ra and Justin Jefferson flip a coin for me.

205
00:19:24,634.599215 --> 00:19:25,254.599215
Genuinely.

206
00:19:25,474.599215 --> 00:19:29,214.599215
I'm not knocking Justin Jefferson because JJ McCarthy got hurt.

207
00:19:29,569.599215 --> 00:19:36,49.599215
We knew Sam Darnold was starting anyway, and again, he ate with Nick Mullins, your guy.

208
00:19:36,189.599215 --> 00:19:40,369.599215
If Nick Mullins is back in, I feel pretty comfortable with Justin Jefferson overall.

209
00:19:40,589.599215 --> 00:19:45,409.598215
But from a PPR perspective, Amon Ra's 3, maybe 4 behind Seedy and Tyreek.

210
00:19:45,739.599215 --> 00:19:49,79.599215
Well, I mean, I'm not that far off between your number 1 and number 2.

211
00:19:50,99.599215 --> 00:19:58,489.598215
Once again, when you look at Tyreek Hill, I'm thinking Jalen Waddle and that Bivia running back that Mike McDaniels loves to throw to in a screen game.

212
00:19:58,769.599215 --> 00:20:04,599.598215
That may take some of his catches away, but Tyreek is going to get his based on explosive plays.

213
00:20:04,649.598215 --> 00:20:06,209.598215
We know that for sure.

214
00:20:06,429.599215 --> 00:20:10,909.599215
Inside the red zone, I mean, Tyreek Hill wasn't known for that, but we can't see the Chiefs.

215
00:20:11,159.599215 --> 00:20:16,139.599215
But when you're talking about explosive plays over 20, 30 yards, That's where he was.

216
00:20:16,299.599215 --> 00:20:17,589.599215
That's where he was money.

217
00:20:18,59.599215 --> 00:20:19,459.599215
Well, Nick, here's the thing.

218
00:20:20,669.599215 --> 00:20:22,159.599215
Here's the good thing about Tyree Kill.

219
00:20:22,189.599215 --> 00:20:25,189.599215
If you're catching 30 yard bombs, you don't have to worry about the red zone.

220
00:20:25,369.599215 --> 00:20:27,849.598215
You can score from 80, 80, 70 yards out.

221
00:20:27,849.599215 --> 00:20:30,649.599215
Why worry about what goes on in the red zone? Exactly.

222
00:20:30,809.599215 --> 00:20:38,489.599215
So, so the only competition For Tyreek Hill is his heir apparent in Jay Lenoir, right? Yep.

223
00:20:38,759.599215 --> 00:20:39,619.599215
Who I like too.

224
00:20:39,769.599215 --> 00:20:40,479.599215
Who I like too.

225
00:20:40,769.599215 --> 00:20:53,429.598215
But where was he on your list? Um, he's, he's probably a couple tiers below, but I have him, you know, I pretty much have him grouped with like, Puka and Cooper Cup, Garrett Wilson.

226
00:20:54,299.599215 --> 00:20:55,939.599215
I have them above Chris Alave.

227
00:20:56,99.599215 --> 00:20:58,69.599215
This is, this is based on vibes, mostly.

228
00:20:58,229.599215 --> 00:20:59,759.599215
I just don't trust the New Orleans Saints.

229
00:21:00,99.599215 --> 00:21:08,459.599215
But, I have them, clearly, if you've got a crop of 12 wide receivers, I have them somewhere between 12 and 15, probably.

230
00:21:08,459.699215 --> 00:21:17,859.599215
Even though What, does this have anything to do with Tyreek Hill on the NFL Top 100? He was the number one player.

231
00:21:18,259.599215 --> 00:21:26,899.599215
Does this have anything to do with that? Well, I mean, yes, if Tyree kills number one, then that means Jalen Waddle has to be two, obviously.

232
00:21:27,569.599215 --> 00:21:32,849.599215
Uh, Nick, we'll get back to, I mean, clearly we've got more fantasy stuff we need to cover before we get into the season.

233
00:21:33,29.598215 --> 00:21:36,859.598215
But circling back to the Detroit Lions, we do this with every NFL team.

234
00:21:37,109.599215 --> 00:21:45,309.599215
Nick, I'm asking you for the floor and the ceiling with the Detroit Lions team, which again, First time they won the division since 1993.

235
00:21:45,559.599215 --> 00:21:47,139.599215
Uh, I do not know.

236
00:21:47,159.599215 --> 00:21:51,549.599215
I was definitely not alive the last time that they were back to back division champions.

237
00:21:51,839.598215 --> 00:21:57,489.599215
So Nick, I'm going to ask you what the floor is for this team, whether it's a wild card division, miss the playoffs.

238
00:21:57,709.598215 --> 00:22:09,109.599215
And if they do have, you know, that ceiling of making the Superbowl, even winning it, because let's, let's be honest, if it, if it wasn't for their, you know, they've addressed the corner position.

239
00:22:10,254.599215 --> 00:22:15,414.599215
That's the reason they didn't get into the Super Bowl, was the corner let the ball doink off his helmet.

240
00:22:15,864.599215 --> 00:22:18,74.599215
And, uh, Brandon Ayoub came up with that grab.

241
00:22:18,964.599215 --> 00:22:25,264.599215
So the floor for me for the Detroit Lions, they're going to win the NFC North, right? Okay.

242
00:22:25,274.599215 --> 00:22:26,234.599215
Back to back.

243
00:22:26,764.598215 --> 00:22:33,164.598215
The ceiling for them, they're right back in the mix again in that NFC Championship game.

244
00:22:33,794.599215 --> 00:22:49,64.599215
I'm not saying they're winning it, but I'm putting him right back in that same game, right? Maybe with the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch, but the outcome is still the same because I just believe in Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey.

245
00:22:50,34.599215 --> 00:22:51,814.598215
Okay, so we did this with Amon Ra.

246
00:22:51,814.599215 --> 00:22:53,564.599215
We can do it with the NFC as well.

247
00:22:54,79.599215 --> 00:22:55,939.599215
You've got the 49ers above the Lions.

248
00:22:55,949.599215 --> 00:23:03,619.599215
Any other teams you want to point to specifically in the NFC that you have ahead of Detroit right now? Ooh, ahead of Detroit.

249
00:23:03,799.599215 --> 00:23:21,639.599215
Um, no, you know what? I'll, I'll stay in the NFC North, uh, after having the chance to look at, uh, the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love, and talking to, had a chance to talk to Brian Goonkoops of all things, right? Uh, and commended him on putting.

250
00:23:21,709.599215 --> 00:23:23,419.599215
Together a, a great team.

251
00:23:23,419.599215 --> 00:23:26,509.599215
So that Packers team is gonna be, uh, right there.

252
00:23:26,509.599215 --> 00:23:29,539.599215
There's no, you know, playoff, hangover or anything like that.

253
00:23:29,569.599215 --> 00:23:30,829.599215
They're just gonna get much better.

254
00:23:32,19.599215 --> 00:23:33,99.599215
He's Nick Ferguson.

255
00:23:33,159.599215 --> 00:23:33,999.599215
I'm Alex Hardy.

256
00:23:33,999.599215 --> 00:23:35,679.599215
Those are the Detroit Lions.

257
00:23:35,889.599215 --> 00:23:38,949.599215
Make sure you go back on earlier episodes of those guys.

258
00:23:39,9.599215 --> 00:23:42,399.599215
For any other teams you want to, uh, hear from us.

259
00:23:42,399.599215 --> 00:23:43,929.599215
We've done about a half dozen of these.

260
00:23:44,49.599215 --> 00:23:46,869.599215
Probably have about a half dozen to go with a week left here.

261
00:23:46,869.599215 --> 00:23:56,879.599215
So pick got the Nick, we have much you our audience, uh, YouTube, apple Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts, if you want to hear or see us.

262
00:23:57,29.599215 --> 00:24:03,49.599215
And last thing, Nick, before we split, uh, I saw you with Coach Prime.

263
00:24:03,49.599215 --> 00:24:04,969.599215
See what I did there? See you with Coach Prime.

264
00:24:04,969.599215 --> 00:24:05,29.599215
Yeah.

265
00:24:05,334.599215 --> 00:24:05,534.599215
Yeah.

266
00:24:05,539.599215 --> 00:24:08,599.599215
Uh, you had a conversation with him earlier this week.

267
00:24:08,954.599215 --> 00:24:17,64.599215
And before we get on out of here, make sure you let our audience know where they can find that because correct me if I'm wrong, they'd be nuts if they missed this interview with Coach Prime.

268
00:24:17,544.599215 --> 00:24:27,804.599215
Yeah, you can find that on Nick Ferg's show on YouTube, but also follow me at Nick Ferguson underscore 25 on all your social media handles.

269
00:24:29,494.599215 --> 00:24:30,544.599215
He's Nick Ferguson.

270
00:24:30,624.599215 --> 00:24:31,534.599215
I'm Alex Hardy.

271
00:24:31,724.599215 --> 00:24:35,764.599215
We'll be back with more NFL previews and fantasy football content.

272
00:24:35,764.599215 --> 00:24:37,94.599215
We just have to at this point.

273
00:24:37,334.599215 --> 00:24:48,644.599215
So until Until next time, what do you have to say for the people, Nick? Make sure you choose your friends wisely because show me your friends, I will tell you who you are.

274
00:24:48,644.699215 --> 00:24:56,404.599215
Is that, is that about, is that about me? No, I didn't say anything about you.

275
00:24:57,264.598215 --> 00:25:00,635.374215
Do you feel it's about you? It's not about me.