Who would you pick to defend the planet in a science fiction football game? Photo by Frankula. Matt Waldman shares a few of his players to defend the planet from an alien civilization on the latest RSP Cast. The RSP Writers Project If you've never read the RSP Writers Projects, my favorite was the fourth one: An alien race reveals itself to the planet and its intention to take over the world. Being an advanced species with a sense of "fairness" (the closest but not quite accurate word on earth to describe a code they live by) they challenge us to sport they share in common with us. They win, they rule. We win, they go away. Their technology can bring back any player, living or dead, to their peak abilities for the purpose of the game. The writers picked teams and coaches, explaining their selections. For the fun of it, I shared my thoughts on my quarterback, my punter (not what you think), and one of my wide receivers in this week's podcast. Ifyouwant to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will findthe most in-depthanalysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2022Rookie Scouting Portfoliofor $21.95. Matt’s newRSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Packageis available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge. If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge. Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.
OBR's ace X and O's analyst Jake Burns kills it on Matt Waldman's RSP Cast with his thoughts on the state of the Cleveland Browns as we embark on 2022 NFL training camp. Let's acknowledge there’s a great big red elephant alum from Gainesville high in the room by the name of Deshaun Watson. I definitely have my own thoughts and feelings about Watson, this case, and the Browns organization in regards to this situation, but there are more than enough well-intentioned (as well as opportunistic) people covering this awful situation. We’re here to talk about Browns' football. This includes Watson from the football/organizational side of the equation as well as what the quarterback situation looks like on the field for Cleveland short-term and long-term, the strengths and weaknesses of the Browns heading into the year outside of the quarterback position: * Why Jacoby Brissett can be an upgrade to 2021 Baker Mayfield on the field and in the locker room. * What Deshaun Watson's game brings...
Matt Waldman's RSP Cast continues the preseason watchlist conversation with the players and situations that Matt is most interested in monitoring during training camp. This week, we’re continuing the preseason watchlist conversation with the players and situations that I’m most interested in monitoring during training camp. Players and scenarios I discuss include: * Can Marquise Brown and/or Rondale Moore replace the qualities of DeAndre Hopkins' game that made Hopkins a receiving juggernaut? * Do the Ravens see Lamar Jackson for what he really is or are they itching to make him what he isn't? * Depending on the answer to the previous question, Devin Duvernay could become a significant offensive factor. * Who will be the third option in the Bears' receiving corps? Depending on the answer, that option could wind up the second-most productive player or an afterthought. * Green Bay's passing game has a vacuum to fill and there are a lot of potential outcomes that are reasonable to pr...
Matt Waldman's RSP Cast discusses his outlook for Baltimore Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman's 2022 campaign and shows you how to use fantasy football projections to understand the process behind the totals. "Why no love for Bateman? This is what Jacob, a long-time reader, and listener, asked me about Rashod Bateman on Twitter after seeing the June update for the RSP's 2022 Dynasty Rankings and Projections Package. He included Matt Harmon’s assessment of Bateman as a talent with a lot of qualities similar to Keenan Allen and Justin Jefferson. It's a great subject to discuss something many fantasy GMs and fans don't understand about assessing talent--especially in fantasy leagues: Talent is only part of the equation. Usage, the skills of the supporting talent (OL and QB for a WR), and the history of the offense – a scheme that isn’t expected to make a significant change—are all important factors. This week, I take you through the RSP's projection process to explain why Bateman qual...
Matt Waldman shares his All-22 Rookie Watchlist — below the radar players whose draft capital did not match their talent. This week, we’re talking preseason skill player watch lists—the All-22 rookie Team--below the radar players whose draft capital did not match their talent. The odds are against these players earning early opportunities to contribute in an NFL offense but if circumstances allow it, they have the skills to exceed current expectations and potential go from a roster hopeful to a meaningful part of the gameplan within 6-18 months. These are players you should be considering for your expanded preseason rosters in dynasty leagues as well as have them on a running list for re-draft formats as preemptive additions. They have the talent and/or scheme fit to potentially do what James Robinson has done if given a true opportunity due to injury, suspension, an open-minded coach and staff, or some other exceptional circumstance. And of course, if you want to know about the ...
Matt Waldman shares his philosophies on managing fantasy lineups in this week’s RSP Cast. Now that the dust has settled on the 2022 NFL Draft, let’s continue the fantasy conversation with setting lineups: * How should I use lineup effeciency as a guide? * Which league variables impact lineup efficiency? * How does one get better with start/sits? * What resources are out there? * What type of relationship should I develop with these resources to get better? * How do I manage weekly start/sits? * How does the draft, trades, and free agency factor into my lineup decisions? Tune in! And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will findthe most in-depthanalysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2022Rookie Scouting Portfoliofor $21.95. Matt’s newRSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Packageis available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 201...
Matt Waldman shares his philosophies on building teams in dynasty leagues in this week's RSP Cast. Now that the dust has settled on the 2022 NFL Draft, let's discuss dynasty team building: * Self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses as a manager. * Minimizing weaknesses and leverage strengths: What this actually means. * My approach to startup and rookie drafts and how stockpiling talent fits within the strategy. * Safe picks: The difference between aiming for the bull's eye and aiming for the bull's eye through a hole in an apple sitting atop the head of a man standing in front of the target. * Trades: When, why, and how. * Waivers: When and how I spend. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2022Rookie Scouting Portfoliofor $21.95. Matt’s newRSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Packageis available for $24.95 If you’re a fant...
PFF Analyst Dwain McFarland returns to the RSP Cast for a reprised Data and Film show with a conversation about the wide receivers and running backs for the 2022 NFL Draft class. It's always fun to catch up with Dwain, who spent about a year contributing at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio site before joining Pro Football Focus as a full-time analyst. Dwain and I reconvene to discuss the differences between the film and data of several key receiver and running back prospects in this 2022 NFL Draft Class: * Where the data and film's red flags intersect and diverge on Treylon Burks. * Why Justyn Ross and Khalil Shakir's data screams potential value. * Why 40 times and other combine metrics are overrated data points for modeling future success. * The potential reasons the film and data part company on Alec Pierce and Rachaad White. * The factors that could skyrocket David Bell's, Calvin Austin's, and Kennedy Brooks' potential. * Why do the same metrics mean very different things for backs...
Trench Warfare author, Brandon Thorn returns to the RSP Cast for an in-depth conversation about offensive line and the notable Day 1-3 prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft class. If you aren't familiar with Brandon Thorn you should be. The author of the fantastic Trench Warfare newsletter that has a rich customer base of coaches, college and NFL players, and diehard fans, Thorn is one of the best independent analystis of the trenches (OL/DL). You can subscribe to Trech Warfare here. Thorn is also the OL scout for the Bleacher Report's draft coverage as an analyst at Establish the run. The coolest thing about Brandon's work is that he provides video scouting reports for Duke Manyweather's OL Masterminds, an annual conference where NFL offensive linemen convene to discuss the craft of line play — training, techniques, and mindset. This week, Brandon delivers a riveting hour of trench-related insights: * Why intuition and confidence are vital to offensive line play based on what NFL linem...
Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast weighs-in on the 2022 NFL Tight End prospect class — a class with a lot of intriguing mid- and late-round receiving options and covers what matters in his scouting of the position. Reminder: If you haven’t already, please check outJohn Hodgins’ GoFundMe story. He and his wife tried to recover on their own from a violent crime that cost them their retirement home and have been living day-to-day for too long. Even sharing their GoFundMe can be helpful, so please visit, read his story, and donate. I have. He's halfway to his goal. This week’s Pod: * The different approaches the NFL takes to scouting tight ends and where the RSP falls in that spectrum. * Some of the key areas I seek from tight end prospects. * Why Tre McBride, Cade Otton, Greg Dulcich, and Charlie Kolar are at the top of the board. * What makes Curtis Hodges, Cole Turner, and Jake Ferguson appealing. * The athletic potential of Isaiah Likely and Jelanie Woods and how their prospects diverge ...