Fantasy football fanatic Rainn Wilson, from “The Office,” crushes Austin Ekeler with a devastating trade | Ekeler’s Edge
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler joins Yahoo Sports’ Fantasy Expert Liz Loza to preview the biggest fantasy implications in the AFC West showdown between Austin’s Chargers and the undefeated Raiders. AE30 makes his picks between some of football’s brightest stars. And Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight Schrute, details the long-running fantasy football league involving the cast and crew from “The Office.”
Video Transcript
[CHEERING]
RAINN WILSON: I traded you.
AUSTIN EKELER: You traded me? Oh my goodness.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LIZ LOZA: What is up, everyone? Welcome to "Ekeler's Edge." I'm Liz Loza. And this, of course, is Chargers running back, fantasy football superstar, and Taurus sun sign, Austin Ekeler.
AUSTIN EKELER: Shout out to all the Taurus's out there. Yeah. But looking forward to this episode, guys. It's going to be a good one.
LIZ LOZA: We do. We got a great show for you. Austin's going to look ahead to another key AFC West clash. We'll play "Make Your Pick." And we have actor, as well as fantasy football trash talker extraordinaire, Rainn Wilson joining the show.
DWIGHT SCHRUTE: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
AUSTIN EKELER: Definitely looking forward to speaking with Rainn because I know he has me on his team. But before we get to then, let's get to some of these picks.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LIZ LOZA: All right, Austin. We're going to start once again in the AFC West with your big 30 to 24 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead. My goodness. And by the way, you had another big day as well, 107 total yards and a receiving score.
AUSTIN EKELER: Hey, I got to make sure I come through for the fantasy owners. And, obviously, my team is first, Chargers. But then I got to put some flavor on it and make sure I do my work for the fantasy owners as well out there. So shout out to all those people that have me on their team.
LIZ LOZA: Let's talk about the match-up that you guys have in week 4. You and your Chargers are going to keep it in the division for the second straight week. And you play host to the 3 and 0 Raiders, like we saw any of that coming at us, on Monday Night Football.
AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah. Hey, our division is not messing around. Like, our division is coming to play.
LIZ LOZA: This match-up showcases two powerful passing games. The Raiders lead the league, averaging nearly 380 yards per game, while you're Chargers rank fourth with 307.3 yards passing per game. But from a fantasy perspective, what I am most intrigued by is this Mike Williams career renaissance. I mean, prior to this season, his production came mostly on like 20 plus yard receptions. But that is not the case this year. He's been catching the ball all over the field. I need you to talk to me about it.
AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah. I think the numbers speak for themselves, as far as what we're trying to use Mike for this year. In the past, like you said, it was always these bombs down the field. But the thing is, he's not like one of those 4, 3 guys that's really going to take the top off. So I think our coach is kind of like, you know what? Let's try using Mike underneath a little bit more.
And I think it's definitely paid off because, he's a big body, 6' 4", right? Big frame and can move. And if you get the ball to someone like that in space, he has these giant broomstick arms that he stiff-arms people with and gets an extra 10 yards down the field.
LIZ LOZA: Well, we got to talk about the Raiders because, like I said, they are surprising a lot of folks. Derek Carr is leading the league in passing and he's pushing the ball deeper down the field. He's averaging ADP of 9.2 yards. Now, I know your defense is going to do everything they can to shut down the silver and black, but between Hunter Renfroe, Henry Ruggs, and Bryan Edwards, which of these pass catchers not named Darren Waller could have the biggest fantasy impact?
AUSTIN EKELER: Oh, definitely Ruggs. Just the way he's been progressing and he's been growing as a player. We got to double team this guy. But you can't double team every single play. And so, there's going to be those little spots where, hey, he's singled up or he's got a one-on-one in man, and you're going to be able to give him ball. So I think Henry Ruggs is going to be someone that we're going to try to shut down, absolutely. I hope my defense shuts all of them down. But I think Henry Ruggs is going to be one of their go-tos besides Darren Waller.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LIZ LOZA: Austin, last week you correctly called starting Derek Carr over Teddy Bridgewater, but I do think I should remind you that I suggested going with Ja'Marr Chase over Rondalle Moore. It's fine though, we gave the people some good information.
AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah. Hey, you definitely killed it with that.
LIZ LOZA: I'm going to give you two players and you tell me who you would start in week 4. And we're going to kick it off with two stud receivers who've, like, kind of underwhelmed so far this season for fantasy managers. The first of which is Tyreek Hill, he's coming off a pair of quiet outings. And he's at the Eagles. Or Stefon Diggs, he's home versus the Texans.
AUSTIN EKELER: I'm actually going with Stefon Diggs. I'm going to go with the high rollers, I'm going to go with the guys that have continued to be scoring high amounts of points. Moving the ball, I think Diggs is you inevitably going to be a part of that scoring. And I just think he's just outside of it, right? They're in a situation kind of like us and Chargers, they had so many different weapons that are playing well.
You have great players. You can't hold these guys down. They're eventually going to continue to do what they've done in the past, Tyreek being the same. So I don't think you can go wrong with either of these picks, but I'm going to go Stefon Diggs.
LIZ LOZA: I'm going to have them very close, probably back-to-back in my rankings. The one thing about the Houston, Buffalo match-up is that Buffalo is favored by over 16 points. And I know that this is a pass friendly offense, I know that Brian Daboll doesn't like to pump the brakes. But I think there could be more opportunities for the running game for Zack Moss. We've seen him come on over the past few weeks.
And so, I do think Stefon Diggs scores in this one, but I also think Tyreek Hill flirts with close to 100 yards. They've got a scheme him into the game plan more frequently after two quiet weeks.
AUSTIN EKELER: So are you going with Tyreek then?
LIZ LOZA: I think I'm going to go with Tyreek, overall.
AUSTIN EKELER: All right. I like it. I like you. We shall see. Time will tell.
LIZ LOZA: Let's move to the quarterback position. We've got Sam Darnold, who is flourishing in Carolina. But, he's going to be without Christian McCaffrey. And he's at the Cowboys. Or, we also have Taylor Heinicke, who's coming off of a down outing, but he has a really nice match-up against the Falcons. And he's at Atlanta for that one.
AUSTIN EKELER: I feel like Taylor Hynek is going to be the quarterback here. I do think Chris McCaffrey not being in the picture is going to make a big difference. And just seeing what the Cowboys defense just did with the Eagles, I think they're going to struggle. Yeah, I think Taylor Heinicke is going to pull it through with the Falcons, who I think have been struggling just defensively. So I think that's going to play out. And I'm taking Taylor over this one.
LIZ LOZA: Wow, going Heinicke. I mean, after Sam Darnold showed up pretty well on Prime time. He's got 10 days to figure out a game plan without CMC. But I'm with you. I think there is some sneaky rushing upside that Heinicke can bring for fantasy purposes. So we're in alignment on this one.
AUSTIN EKELER: All right. All right. Hopefully, this one plays out then.
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: We'll see. We're going to change it up a little bit on this last one. Rob Gronkowski was banged up last week at the Rams, but the MRI on his ribs came back negative. Austin, is there any way that Gronk doesn't smash in this game? Do you think he'll really be limited by the rib issue?
AUSTIN EKELER: The ribs could be definitely a thing. I've dealt with rib injuries in the past. And yeah, I mean, there's no hiding from ribs. But when you have more motivation where it's a team that you used to play for, there might be a little salt, who knows with the whole Tom situation. It gives you an extra motivator just to want to play the hardest that you've been playing against that specific team. And I'm looking forward to watching them play.
LIZ LOZA: Whoa, I think we are all looking forward to watching this match-up. But for fantasy purposes, Dalton Del Don, who is one of our experts here at Yahoo Fantasy, his Fearless Forecast for Gronk at the Patriots is 5 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Are you going over or under that line?
AUSTIN EKELER: I'm going to take the over on that. I think that you're going to be a little chemistry between Tom and Rob. That's something that we've been used to for years that we used to see with the Patriots. I mean, it'll be just kind of a little slap in the face to the organization. Like, hey, because Tom's out there proving, like, you know what? You guys let me go way too early. You guys didn't believe in me, and I think that's awesome where Tom is out there still doing it at his age. And with Rob too.
LIZ LOZA: I love it. I am totally with you. I think this match-up is going to feature the three S's, lots of smash, lots of Gronk spikes, and plenty of salt. You called it.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LIZ LOZA: We are very excited to say that we are now joined by actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, and most importantly, fantasy football fanatic, Rainn Wilson. Thanks for being here, Rainn.
RAINN WILSON: Liz and Austin, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be with you guys. Thanks for having me on your little show.
AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah, thanks for joining us. We're looking forward to it. We've had some special guests, but I would say up to this point, you're my favorite. Definitely my favorite.
RAINN WILSON: Oh. You hear that, Liz?
AUSTIN EKELER: I'm saying special guest. Liz is always here to hold it down. But Rainn, yeah, definitely looking forward to this, man.
LIZ LOZA: I think it's safe to say that, Rainn, you are most well known for your portrayal of Dwight on "The Office," but what we really want to talk to you about is "The Office" Fantasy Football League. How did it start? Who's involved?
RAINN WILSON: So "The Office" Fantasy Football League is Dunder Mifflin. We do it there on Yahoo. I think 12 years we've been going. And me and John Krasinski and Brian Baumgartner from the cast are very strong. A lot of crew members. Our commissioner was the stand in on the show. And a bunch of writers. And it's pretty cutthroat and we take it pretty darn seriously. I've won once, I think. I came in third like twice. But usually, I'm down in the bottom third.
LIZ LOZA: Rainn, I think it's interesting that you have already mentioned your former classmate, Brian Baumgartner, AKA Kevin Malone on "The Office." He was recently a guest on "The Rush" here on Yahoo Sports, and he had this to say about your fantasy exploits.
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER: Rainn talks more trash than anyone. Week to week when you are competing against him, you will hear from him almost daily. And on Sundays, multiple times. Giving you updates as to how much he's kicking your ass, even though you're looking at it at the same time. He gets a little quiet when he's getting beat, though, that's for sure.
LIZ LOZA: So Rainn, I mean, what say you to that? Is it true?
RAINN WILSON: It's true. What can I say? Guilty.
[LAUGHTER]
We have a good time. No. I lay it on a little heavy. I lay it on a little thick.
LIZ LOZA: So Rainn, we know that you're invested, but what about John Krasinski? How are they at it?
RAINN WILSON: John Krasinski did Yahoo auto draft because he was shooting "Jack Ryan" in like Romania or something like that. And he is in first place. He is the only 3 and 0.
AUSTIN EKELER: OK, Yahoo. Yahoo.
LIZ LOZA: Well, Yahoo auto rankings by the way, Yahoo auto draft is in accordance with the experts rankings. So you're welcome.
RAINN WILSON: All right. Well, I don't know. I'm looking at this team of his, I'm like, I don't know how he's done it. It's an OK team. I give it a B+, but I don't think-- it doesn't look like a 3 and 0 team to me. Sorry.
AUSTIN EKELER: How have you been doing this year?
RAINN WILSON: Well, thank God in my "Office" Fantasy Football League I traded Austin Ekeler, running back, for the Los Angeles, San Diego Chargers for Ezekiel Elliott to Brian Baumgartner. And then Elliott got me like 26 points last night.
AUSTIN EKELER: You traded me?
RAINN WILSON: I traded you.
AUSTIN EKELER: You trade me? Oh my goodness.
RAINN WILSON: Hold on a second. Hold on a second. The reason I traded you is I had you in my other league. And I just wanted to mix it up a little bit.
AUSTIN EKELER: OK. OK. I'll take that.
LIZ LOZA: Austin, you should know, because Rainn and I are in a different league together. And I drafted on behalf of Joel McHale, who's in the league. And Rainn and I got into a bidding war over you in that. So he has your back. Tell him, Rainn.
RAINN WILSON: I went to the mat for you, man. I way overpaid. This is an auction league.
AUSTIN EKELER: Overpaid.
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: Don't say that. Don't say that.
[LAUGHTER]
AUSTIN EKELER: Man.
RAINN WILSON: I way overpaid.
AUSTIN EKELER: You need more from me is what you're saying. I'm going to do my best. Hey, it's not enough points for Rainn. Rainn needs more from Austin Ekeler.
LIZ LOZA: Thank you so much for joining us, Rainn. We really appreciate you being here.
RAINN WILSON: Hey. So much fun. And Liz, I'll see you in our little league. And Austin, what a pleasure to see you, man. I hope to see you play live one of these days.
AUSTIN EKELER: Heck yeah. You might not see me soon, but you'll see me on your fantasy team. Hey, I'll score you a bunch points and that'll be, like, my little wink to you. Like, hey, I got your back, Rainn.
RAINN WILSON: I love it.
LIZ LOZA: Wow. That was was a jam-packed--
AUSTIN EKELER: Oh. Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, Liz. Before we keep going, like, don't be trading me away, you guys. Like, come on. Like, look, I'm getting consistent, we're getting a roll. And Herbert's roll in the offense is going. And so like, yo, take it easy, take it easy on the trades for now. Sheesh
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: Nobody does more for fantasy managers than Austin Ekeler. Come on y'all, you can't be trading away my co-host.
AUSTIN EKELER: I'm telling you. But hey, if that's the decision, I hope I'm going to make you regret it. So good luck, you guys, this week in fantasy. Catch some Monday Night Football. It's going to be a good one, us against the Raiders. And peace out.