As we approach the start of the 2018 NFL season, we’re excited to launch a new series where we’re featuring several of the top experts in the fantasy industry. Our aim is to help you get to know each analyst a little better with info about their path to becoming a fantasy expert, advice for helping you win your leagues and answers to fun questions mixed in.
We encourage you to follow each expert, check out their rankings and enjoy the interview! Up next is Matthew Freedman of FantasyLabs.
Expert: Matthew Freedman
Site: FantasyLabs
Twitter: @MattFtheOracle
Archive: https://www.fantasylabs.com/articles/
Rankings Accuracy: No. 6 Overall In-Season (2017)
New betting guideline: If an underdog’s mascot is literally a dog, take the points.
– Matthew Freedman (@MattFtheOracle) March 17, 2018
Describe the journey that culminated in you becoming a fantasy football expert.
The last time I told this story, it took maybe 8,000 words. I was a Ph.D. student researching a dissertation on Shakespeare, but I basically spent all my time researching for fantasy sports. I realized that I should just start writing about fantasy sports. I started writing and eventually podcasting at RotoViz. Just under three years later, I had a full-time job at FantasyLabs.
If you have one piece of advice for anyone looking to become a fantasy expert, what would it be?
Be different, be at least a little funny, and don’t suck at writing.
What is the best part of being a fantasy expert?
Getting paid to do what I would be spending all my time doing anyway if I had a “real” job.
On the flip side, what is the toughest part of being a fantasy expert?
Staying ahead of all the competition. Most fantasy analysts are friendly with each other, but we’re also all driven people who want to improve each day. It’s not enough to do your best in this industry. Your best has got to be better.
What fantasy advice of yours has garnered the most memorable reaction (and was it good or bad advice)?
I have something of a reputation as a small wide-receiver savant. If there’s a wideout under 5’10” and 185 pounds, I’ve probably written thousands of words about him. I was a big pre-draft John Brown supporter in 2014. Evan Silva of Rotoworld once referred to me as “The John Brown Guy.”
Is there anything commonly accepted in fantasy football that you’re against?
It’s kind of popular to dislike kickers and defenses, but I actually like leagues with those positions: I get an edge when league mates draft those positions too soon, and I think I can also find above-average players at those positions.
What’s the biggest mistake you see fantasy players make?
Everyone drafts quarterbacks too soon. Even most experts.
What’s your favorite non-fantasy football activity?
I like to pretend to read, although I don’t read nearly as much as I want to.
Excluding people from FantasyLabs, what are 5 Twitter accounts fantasy owners should follow?
Evan Silva: @EvanSilva
Rich Hribar: @LordReebs
Shawn Siegele: @FF_Contrarian
Kevin Cole: @Cole_Kev
Dave Caban: @DaveCabanFF
If you weren’t a fantasy football expert what would you be?
A stay-at-home husband. (I’m about 67% serious.)
What’s the book that you recommend most to family and friends and why?
I don’t recommend books to people because I don’t want to seem like a pompous jackass. But if you’ve never read Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, you’re not good enough to hang out with this pompous jackass.
If you could only listen to one song all day, what would it be?
“Alive” by Pearl Jam. If I could hear only one song, I’d want one that would tell me, “Look, this is horrible, but you’re still ALIVE.” Either that or the theme song from “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” — not the Bryan Adams song but the main orchestral composition. I’m a big fan of soundtracks.
If you could only watch one movie all day, what would it be?
The entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy on loop forever and ever, because I consider that whole thing to be just one never-ending movie.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Infinite influence.
Gronk revealed a few years ago that his AIM screen name was ChickMagnet4Lyfe. Be honest and tell us what your handle was.
I was never on AIM, which probably explains a lot about my life.
When this article appears in a Google search result in 5 years, what player will you hope you predicted as a sleeper in 2018?
1) I bet this profile won’t appear in a Google search result in 5 years — at least not on the front page, and if it’s not on the front page it doesn’t exist. 2) Are there any sleepers anymore? 3) Courtland Sutton.
What about a player that will disappoint fantasy owners in 2018?
Dalvin Cook: He was great before his ACL injury in 2017, but he has a lot of risk.
What is your 2018 Super Bowl prediction?
I don’t make Super Bowl predictions, and if I did I wouldn’t tell you what they were because they’d definitely be wrong. That said, Patriots beat Eagles, 38-28. Bet all your money on it.
Thanks to Mike for taking the time to answer our questions. For more, visit FantasyLabs and follow @MattFtheOracle.
And check out our entire Fantasy Football Expert Q&A:
Rudy Gamble (Razzball)
Mike Wright (The Fantasy Footballers)
Fantasy Football Expert Q&A: Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)
