Last updated on August 15th, 2019
With preseason kicking off, the NFL is in full swing. That can only mean one thing, it’s time to start prepping for your fantasy football drafts! For most, getting up to speed for a draft can be a daunting task, considering the daily, dynamic movement throughout the league. Fortunately, podcasts are a great medium for instant reaction and analysis perfect for the sport. Fantasy football podcasts have skyrocketed along with the game.
In the information age that we live in fantasy advice is widespread. Chances are your league mates are looking at the same generic fantasy magazines, articles, and rankings cheat sheets as yourself. Gaining an edge over your competition is more challenging than ever and will require transforming your thought process as a fantasy gamer.
Listening to fantasy football podcasts is an easy and free way to learn how to think like the pros do. The list below is composed of shows that will not only challenge you as a fantasy gamer but also entertain you as a consumer with limited time. You will notice there are several mainstream network omissions from my rankings. Although you can’t go wrong with the big network shows, several of the larger podcasts focus more on entertainment and generic fantasy advice.
More blood, sweat, tears, and creative energy goes into producing these podcasts than can be imagined. It’s my hope that anyone reading will listen, subscribe, and enjoy all the shows on the list as much as I do.
Without further adieu, here are my top 15 fantasy football podcasts for 2019.
Lesser known than some of the other more mainstream shows on this list, The Fantasy Football Fellas deserve your listenership. The Fellas host a year-round podcast that consistently puts out multiple, weekly episodes that meticulously cover every fantasy format imaginable. The shows are short but informative with episodes arriving in your playlist early in the morning just in time for commuting.
Seth McKinley and Kyle August form the dynamic duo of the Fantasy Fellas. Both hosts have a natural chemistry on air from spending multiple football seasons together behind the microphone. The guys do an exceptional job of staying topical, in touch with the current fantasy climate. Instead of droning on about surface level news and rankings, Kyle and Seth debunk fantasy narratives with evidence-based analysis.
What I enjoy the most about the podcast is the Fellas commitment to interacting with listeners. Often, they host listener leagues and giveaway events. The Fellas are approachable, often taking time to answer complex league questions for their audience. The shows consistency has paid off with a growing audience and is well worth subscribing to.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Former NFL Scout Matt Manocherian combines forces with Football Outsiders analytics guru Aaron Schatz to give listeners a comprehensive rundown of the inside workings of the NFL. For fantasy players, both FBO and SIS sites normally require a subscription to access rare but useful data. Thankfully on the podcast, Matt and Aaron leverage their sites unique data into actionable fantasy advice free for subscribers.
Although the podcast isn’t fantasy football centric, the conversations are next level. I can’t remember the last episode when I didn’t learn something new. Topics can range from the effectiveness of play action under center versus out of shotgun, to teams passing aggressiveness on third down. The coinciding analytics of both sites insulates the topics with next level analysis. Listening to the Off The Charts Football podcast has become a routine part of my fantasy draft prep and I suggest readers do the same.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
The Fantasy Feast Podcast has long been a staple of my playlist. The show is hosted by the multi-talented Ross Tucker and features a glimpse into the mind of the Fantasy GOAT himself Evan Silva.
Contrary to most podcasts, the Feast is essentially a fantasy brain dump powered by the incredibly detailed mind of the former senior Rotoworld blurb master. If you’re a fan of Silva’s matchup column or team previews (why wouldn’t you be?), the Feast is a great way to rehash the articles in more details. Tucker, as a former player is very knowledgeable about the intricate details of offensive line play. He will also occasionally add insight from a league insider perspective.
With Evan Silva recently cofounding Establish The Run, The Feast will soon feature a new co host. Seeing as all the Ross Tucker Network podcasts are incredible, I’m sure the Feast will add another budding fantasy star in the making. In addition, the new Establish The Run podcast, featuring Silva along with longtime Fantasylabs creator Adam Levitan, is a must listen addition to your playlists. You can’t go wrong hitting that subscribe button on both podcasts.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Fueled by the excellent projection tools on 4for4Football.com, the Most Accurate Podcast takes a deep dive into all things fantasy football. Hosted by Greg Smith, the show features one of the pioneers of fantasy projections in John Paulsen. Paulsen is a longtime participant in the FantasyPros accuracy challenge where he has routinely finished above his peers. Paulsen’s nuanced approach to the numbers make his advice sought after to say the least.
With the help of the sharp staff at 4for4, Paulsen, Smith and frequent industry guest make this podcast one of the most barebones, information dumps available. The podcast frequently dives into interesting strategy series ranging from tight end streaming strategies to the impact of offensive lines on your favorite fantasy players. 4for4 also is coming out with can’t miss content and The Most Accurate Podcast is yet another reason why the site is so popular.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
The Fantasy Black Book Show Podcast is the offshoot from the #1 bestselling Fantasy Football Book Series on Amazon hosted by Joe Pisapia (formerly SXM radio and FNTSY Radio) along with The Welsh and Scott Bogman (InThisleaguePod). Hosted by Fantrax Podcast Network, the guys are the indie darlings of the fantasy world right now.
The Black Book Show has to be one of the funniest fantasy pods on the planet, but don’t let the humor fool you, the Black Book crew know their stuff. A combination of high brow fantasy insight and anything goes humor, the Black Book is the equivalent of hanging out with our buddies over drinks while you debate sports and mock each other. The chemistry is through the roof with this trio. It’s part of the Fantrax Podcast Network and they bring in big time industry guests as well. You can find it on iTunes and all podcast sites.
The Lowdown
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Fitz on Fantasy needs to be an instant add to your fantasy football podcast playlist. Although the show is early in its genesis, the quality of fantasy football content is first class. Pat Fitzmaurice is a well-respected fantasy OG. In addition to assuming the lead analyst role at thefootballgirl.com, he also is a mainstay atop the prestigious leaderboards of the FantasyPros annual ranking competition. Pats experience writing and editing also clearly translate to the podcasting sphere as Fitz is an eloquent conversationalist.
Understanding the importance of differentiation in a show, the atmosphere of Fitz On Fantasy tends to feel more like a conversation between long friends in the backdrop of a coffee shop or bar. In fact, the episodes often have a calming On the Couch with Sigmund Bloom vibe to them.
What draws listeners to Fitz on Fantasy? From the peeled back nature of the conversations, to the enjoyable Ska band intros, the podcast is unique. Fitz steers his conversations with guest to focus more on the journey, process, and experience of fantasy football versus simply the results. This open-ended dialogue allows listeners to get a glimpse into the minds of some of the best and brightest in the industry.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | PodBean
The Pro Football Focus Fantasy Podcast bring the analytically inclined football site into the fantasy podcasting sphere. The show is informative, concise, and appeals to fantasy players of all experiences. The mastermind behind PFF’s excellent fantasy projections, Jeff Ratcliffe, lends his talent to the podcasting fore. Jeff provides plenty of actionable advice, offered in an easy to digest format with episodes not lasting longer than 30 minutes.
Perfect for the commute to work, Ratcliffe goes the solo route as host, utilizing PFF’s unique statistics to craft sharp strategies. As the leader of the #Ratpack, Jeff can smoothly articulate the complexities of PFF stats, quickly transforming listeners into smarter fantasy players.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Rotoworld is the lifeblood of the fantasy community and acts as a hub of information for all things football. No site is more trusted to give accurate, timely, and sharp analysis than the folks at RW. Some of my fondest early football memories revolve around clicking the refresh button on the Rotoworld site during free agency to get the latest blurbs on my favorite players.
The quick but hard-hitting analysis so prevalent in the Rotoworld blurbs easily transitions to the podcast. Host Josh Norris (Anime enthusiast and a draft savant in his own right) does a terrific job of highlighting the expertise of each of the Rotoworld writers to include rankings maven Pat Daugherty and waiver wire guru Raymond Summerlin. Not only do listeners of the Rotoworld Football Podcast get a nice glimpse into the process behind the rankings but Norris and company excel at seamlessly maneuvering between the big picture and granular levels of fantasy football.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
The Action Network Football Podcast combines sports betting, seasonal fantasy, and Daily Fantasy Sports into one jam-packed show. A newer pod, the Action Network pulled out all the punches bringing in 3 of the best (and 3 of my favorite) fantasy football projectors in the world. Chris Raybon offers a unique approach on analysis, utilizing game theory methodology to think outside the box. The appropriately named “Oddsmaker” Sean Koerner is a monster addition to the squad, having taken down the FantasyPros #1 ranker crown 3 different years. Outspoken place kicker advocate, disenfranchised Cowboys fan, and Rotoviz OG Matthew Freedman masterfully controls the mic as the host. Like the Dallas triplets of old, the 3 co hosts have a natural chemistry that enhances insightful and free flowing conversations.
Although Action Network might hint at a betting focus, what’s great about the podcast is that listeners will take away valuable advice no matter what your mode of entertainment via football might be. As the director of predictive analytics, the Oddsmaker fuels precise betting analysis that few other fantasy pods can match. Raybon is one of the sharpest DFS minds in the industry and his sometimes contrarian point/counterpoints with Freedman can make for some dynamic listening material.
Once the grind of the NFL season is in full force, time is sparse both as a consumer and analyst. Limited time means cutting down my podcast playlist. One indispensable show that remains immune to the chopping block is the Action Network Football Pod.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
The Audible is the longest running show on this list, withstanding the test of time thanks to the Football Guys higher level analysis. The Football Guys fantasy football empire owes its growth to their cerebral approach and diverse group of specialized analysts that cater to a broader audience. Free thinker and Fantasy OG Sigmund Bloom leads a group of experts that give listeners access to every scope of the fantasy game. Advice flows freely from renowned film grinder Matt Waldman, injury expert Dr. Jene Brammel, Broncos insider Cecil Lammey, and a host of other sharp writers.
The podcast features a few different variations to include the ever popular “On The Couch” series where Bloom casually dives into critical analysis with the help of experts from around the industry. Other episodes include in-depth previews into each conference, division, and individual team. What makes these deep dives next level is the micro analysis. Brammel provides unique medical perspectives on the latest injuries. In addition, Waldman also adds to the depth of the show by offering film-based backgrounds on younger players of note. Lammey is the rare NFL Insider that also has deep ties to the fantasy community.
Football Guys has certainly evolved over the years, crafting the podcast into one of the most informative and easy to listen to shows on the list. I can still remember episodes of “On The Coach” from 2 years ago as the insightful conversations really resonate with listeners such as myself.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
FantasyPros is one of the staples of the fantasy industry and with good reason. By levering the rankings of hundreds of experts, the site enables players to think like the pros.
The FantasyPros Football Podcast embodies the expertise of the website, pairing former PFF analyst Mike Tagliere (Taggs) with longtime host Bobby Sylvester. The due have a natural chemistry which allows for a free-flowing conversation rich with fantasy gold.
Analytically minded Taggs demonstrates the rare ability to articulate complex stats into easy to understand breakdowns. Not to be outdone, Sylvester is probably the most underrated host in the industry. Although he provides comedic relief, usually in the form of hot takes, Bobby also displays a knack for effortlessly creating interesting fantasy debates.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
What more can be said about the Fantasy Football Ballers? As a true underdog story, this podcast is universally loved by fantasy fans around the globe. Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike the “Hitman” Wright, form the holy triumphant of the baller’s nucleus, embracing a heuristic approach to fantasy football. Why do fans flock to the show? It’s a combination of accurate rankings (all 3 FFB members reside at the top of the annual expert rankings), in depth analysis, specialized strategy series, and most of all, their trademark off the wall humor.
Though I tend to run against the grain when it comes to my selections of fantasy podcasts, the Fantasy Football Ballers still catch my ears easily. As an independent podcast, the rise of the Ballers has been truly astounding yet well deserved. The guys have a natural back and forth chemistry, which leads to a very balanced show rich in both advice and entertainment. The podcast consistently produces new episodes constantly, yet the depth and quality continue to improve. The Fantasy Footballers force listeners to simultaneously have fun and learn.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Football is a game of inches and Fantasy Football often is a game within a game of small edges. Leveraging the slightest tidbits of information or knowledge can often be the difference in securing a championship or missing the big dance entirely. Fueled by some of the brightest minds in the fantasy world, Rotoviz is the ultimate means of converting edges into championships.
As a penny pincher there are few subscriptions that I pay for and let alone swear by. Rotoviz is a rare exception. The analytically centric content makes a subscriber feel like Marty McFly using the Sports Almanac that tells the future.
RV Radio takes the excellent tools and written content from the site and runs with it on air. There are several podcast series within the RV network that cover everything from dynasty and redraft to best ball. The series showcase the exceptionally sharp staff at RV led by fantasy savant @FF_Contration (aka Shawn Siegele). Do yourself a favor and subscribe to RV radio (its free), your league mates will curse your name as your trophy collection sees a sudden spike.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
I haven’t missed an episode of the Late Round Podcast in over 2 years. The show is simply compelling, can’t miss fantasy football genius. Hosted by the author of “The Late Round Quarterback” and NumberFire boss JJ Zachariason, the podcast seemingly covers every imaginable topic under the sun.
How does Zachariason manage to pack so much sharp content into only 15 minutes? The Late Round QB has an evergreen episode for every fantasy question in the books and this holds true since the pods inception. Listeners can find the same meticulous insights on a SuperFlex strategy show from 2 years ago, as with a tight end streaming show from last week.
Throughout this article I’ve been highlighting shows that I believe make listeners better fantasy players. The Late Round QB is the architect of teaching versus telling. J.J. painstakingly researches topics but forces listeners to focus on the process versus the results. If you just want rankings or start or sit decision, then this fantasy football podcast might not be for you. If you want to have fun well growing exponentially as a fantasy decision maker than I suggest hitting that subscribe button and throwing on a pair of headphones.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
I came across the RotoUnderworld Radio Show last summer and listened to one episode coming away less than impressed. The weird thing was the opening monolog was on my mind all day, and I couldn’t shake the divisive but unique fantasy takes that had entered my consciousness. I relented to trying another episode. The next thing I know, the entire summer lineup of episodes had been listened to multiple times within a week.
Against the grain of mainstream fantasy, RotoUnderworld Radio pushes the envelope, dismissing surface level analysis in favor of analytically driven and evidenced based truths. Hosted by Matt Kelley, RotoUnderworld Radio is simply the best Dynasty Football podcast on the planet, but it doesn’t stop there. The quality of the pod, both in substance and depth, make it a must listen spectacle for fans of any fantasy format.
Appropriately named (by himself) the “Podfather” takes no prisoners as the host, intently zigging where so many others in the industry are boringly zagging. Personifying the entertaining role of the fantasy supervillain, Kelley is trigger happy to shoot barbs with his detractors and even quicker to spin a counter narrative to the fantasy echo chamber. Along with his co host and partner in crime Nate List(@AnOutragedJew), the Podfather brings in the brightest minds in the industry to dive deeper on the topics that matter most.
The Lowdown:
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Unfortunately, I can only include so many shows on the list. The truth is there are a whole host of fantasy football podcast that deserve more attention. Here are a few honorary mentions that could very well make the top 15 list in the near future.
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