High Stakes Lowdown

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Scott and Michael Johnson - @Hypotheseyes@CoachJohnson717 & Michael Johnson

Winners of dozens of high-stakes fantasy football leagues in FFPC over the years, Scott and Michael Johnson currently sit in 19th place overall in the FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament, a competition that will award $1,000,000 to its first-place finisher at year's end.

In this episode, the brothers break down how Davante Adams' offense will be replaced over the next two months, whether the Bears will have a nasty three-headed approach...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Drew Jennings - @Hypotheseyes

A winner of 17 high-stakes FFPC leagues in his career, Drew Jennings finds himself in second place out of 18,000 teams entering Week 6 in the FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament, a competition that awards $1,000,000 to its champion.

In this episode, Jennings discusses how much short-term value there is with some hot waiver running backs this week, whether Jalen Hurts is ready to turn things around, and so much more.

If you’re a listener of th...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Jeff Hallas

An owner of two top-100 teams in the FFPC Main Event, a contest that will dole out a $1,000,000 Grand Prize, Jeff Hallas has also won eight high-stakes titles in his FFPC career as well.

In this episode, Hallas talks about the one great part of the Chargers offense, why "his guy" during draft season is crushing it at tight end, whether Drake Maye is "back" now, and much more.

If you’re a listener of...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Nick Zappone - @nzapp

Nick Zappone has won more than 20 high-stakes FFPC redraft and dynasty leagues over the years, but he is creeping up into the top-100 in the 2026 FFPC Main Event, a competition that pays out $1,000,000 to the champ this season.

In this episode, Zappone and Balkman discuss a potential changing of the guard among the Broncos receivers and the Chargers running backs, as well as who he's focusing on in the FFPC FAAB run ahead of...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Chris Birchby - @ChrisBirchby

An 85-time FFPC league champion, Chris Birchby has competed and won leagues not only in the FFPC Main Event, but the $5,000-entry Big Payback and the $10,000-entry High Society leagues as well.

In this episode, he sits down with Eric Balkman to talk about how bullish he is on Puka Nacua, how he thinks the Bears and Giants offenses will change without their starting quarterbacks, and so much more.

If you’re a...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Josh Siegel - @salesrecruiter_

A former champion of numerous high-stakes FFPC leagues, Josh Siegel is in the top 40 overall in the FFPC Main Event after Week 3. The winner will receive a $1,000,000 Grand Prize in 2026.

In this episode, he talks about the importance of spike weeks, going big in drafts and lineup-setting, the upstart Carolina Panthers offense, how to handle muddy backfields, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: David Shaw - @DavidShaw1965

A winner of 10 high-stakes fantasy football leagues in his FFPC career, David Shaw is going for the $1,000,000 Grand Prize in the 2026 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament.

In this episode, he discusses the builds of his teams, who his favorite Bears receiver to draft is, why he is drafting George Kittle with confidence, and so much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can get...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Mike Kuzma

2016 FFPC Mid-Stakes $250,000 champion and 37-time FFPC league champ Mike Kuzma joins Eric Balkman to cover a live FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament draft where 12 players are going for a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.

In this episode, Kuzma gives Balkman his opinions on team builds, player selections, and game theory on how to win the $1,000,000 Grand Prize in the 2026 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament as they give pick-by-pick analysis in this specific draft.

If you’re a listener of the...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Caleb Alcorn - @the_cal_alcorn

Caleb Alcorn, along with his co-manager Sean Isaacs, won the 2018 FFPC Pros Vs. Joe's Challenge, and they are back in the competition this year to try to win it again in just their second appearance ever.

In this episode, Alcorn gives you insight into two juicy fantasy nuggets that you need to know about regarding the Broncos' backfield, why Caleb Williams is going too high in FFPC Big Gorilla drafts right now...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: John Terry

John Terry, a 66-time FFPC league winner and 2022 FFPC "Never-Too-Early" Best Ball Tournament $25,000 Grand Prize winner, joins Eric Balkman to break down his Big Gorilla and FFPC Best Ball Tournament teams in 2026.

In this episode, Terry breaks down the first-round rookie receiver that FFPC players are letting slip too far in Big Gorilla drafts, the free agent running back that you need to be aware of, the impact of A.J. Brown's trade on both the...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Wilson Moy

Not only is he a 15-time FFPC league champion, but Wilson Moy won the 2023 FFPC "Never-Too-Early" Best Ball Tournament and the $25,000 that came with it.

In this episode, Moy tells Balky which Jaguars running back he is betting on in 2026, how much time he thinks George Kittle will miss this season, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can get a special 10% disc...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Mike Stiavnicky

Over the course of his FFPC career, Mike Stiavnicky has amassed 30 high-stakes league titles and is one of the most thorough team managers in the FFPC.

In this episode, the guys hash out Ashton Jeanty's new dynasty price, why Jayden Reed is still a fade, the reasons why Jaxson Dart is so difficult to evaluate, and much more!

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Frank Nunes - @franknu78644876

The sixth-place finisher in the 2024 FFPC "Never-Too-Early" Best Ball Tournament, Frank Nunes has added dozens of league titles in the FFPC over the course of his high-stakes career.

In this episode, they go hard on the Patriots' backfield, why he's down on a Ricky Pearsall breakout happening, what Rams stack he can't stop drafting, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Scott & Brad Thomas

Over the years, the father-and-son duo of Scott and Brad Thomas has combined for more than 3 division league titles in the FFPC, including Brad's 2024 FFPC "Never-Too-Early" Best Ball Tournament win.

In this episode, they explore how different the Buccaneers' receiving corps could look this year, which one of the "Big Three" rookie receivers they like best, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to Roto...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Ken Ford - @Forditude_FFB

Ken Ford was the 2021 FFPC Main Event runner-up, has won 10 high stakes FFPC league titles, and has finished in the top-50 the past two years in the FFPC Playoff Challenge #2.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the 2026 FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 and the strategy that goes into it. Topics include how thinking shifts in this competition as opposed to the World Famous FFPC Playoff Challenge, which players you must eat the chalk on, and...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Harshal Sheth

Harshal Sheth was the $100,000 co-champ of the 2015-16 World Famous FFPC Playoff Challenge and has played every single year since then as well.

In this episode, the guys break down this year's edition of the competition, including targets and fades (both player and team), as well as the secrets to unlocking the $500,000 Grand Prize at the end of the NFL Playoffs.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to Roto...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Brian Correro

Brian Correro shares his tale of leading the 2025 FFPC Main Event and its $1,000,000 Grand Prize heading into Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season, but ultimately finishing eighth overall for a five-figure prize instead. In this episode, the guys discuss Correro's massive Week 15, getting to the mountaintop in Week 16, and what led to him dropping to eighth at the end. They also break down some early player evaluations for 2026 FFPC drafts.

If you’re a listener of the sho...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Duke Viveros - @DukeViveros

10-time FFPC league-winner Duke Viveros is in play for a big move up the FFPC Big Gorilla leaderboard in Championship Week as he chases a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the fellas talk about what's wrong with Baker Mayfield, what to do with Michael Wilson in your Championship Week lineups, why Rhamondre Stevenson is a top-10 play in the final week of the FFPC Main Event Championship Round, and much more.

If you’re a...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Brent & Mark Messina

Former FFPC Main Event league champions Brent and Mark Messina find themselves just outside the top 20 in the Championship Round of the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a competition that will once again pay out a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.

In this episode, the players discuss why Kenneth Gainwell could once again be the key to fantasy success in Week 21, which AFC South tight end might be in for a big performance in Week 2 of the FFPC Main Event...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Allen Martirossian & Chris Ondrus

Former FFPC Main Event league champs, Allen Martirossian and Chris Ondrus, find themselves just outside of the top 50 in the Championship Round of the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a competition that will once again dole out a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the players discuss how to make the right lineup decisions on loaded Championship Round rosters, why Christian Watson might be better off on benches this week, how to treat the Carolina Panthers running backs against...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Mackenzie Kraemer - @MackNova

Mackenzie Kraemer has positioned three of his high-stakes leagues into league championship games this weekend, including one that sits 18th overall in the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a competition that will once again award a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the guys talk about roster construction as it pertains to the FFPC Championship Sprint, what running back that's still available in a bunch of FFPC leagues that needs to be picked up ASAP, rest-of-season outlooks on the...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Brad and Bob Kruse - @kruse_brad & Bob Kruse

Brad and Bob Kruse not only have 47 high-stakes fantasy football titles to their names in the FFPC, but they also sit in 51st place overall in the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a competition that will once again award a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the fellas banter about the potential for a late-season Luther Burden Breakout, why they are rostering four tight ends on their top FFPC Main Event team, how they...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Donny Andrews and Brady David - @dandrews66 & @bdavid16

Four years after Donny Andrews and Brady David won the $500,000 Grand Prize in the FFPC Footballguys Players Championship, they find themselves with a top-50 team in the FFPC Main Event, a competition that will award a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the players wax poetic on their faith in Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels in playing TreVeyon Henderson, who will start in the Giants' backfield this week in Detroit, and much more.<...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Dave Chioido - @dave_chiodo

Dave Chioido has won eight high-stakes FFPC leagues in his career and currently sits in 11th place overall in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament, a competition that will pay out a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.

In this episode, the hosts talk about how the high-stakes waiver wire has changed over the years, how they are treating the Packers in their starting lineups, why Brenton Strange still has value this season, and much more.

...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Kurt Kuekes - @ffbfan

Kurt Kuekes has 64 high-stakes fantasy football titles to his name in the FFPC and currently has two teams in the top-150 in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament (including one in 19th place), a competition that will pay out a $1,000,000 Grand Prize to the winner. In this episode, the fellas guys break down the changing wide receiver rooms in New Orleans, Seattle, Jacksonville, and Las Vegas after the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, who they're targeting on a thin F...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: John Pierce - @JohnPierce80

John Pierce is not only a 25-time FFPC league champion, but he has won some of the toughest leagues the FFPC has to offer, like the Varsity ($3,000 buy-in), Big Payback ($5,000 buy-in), and the High Society ($10,000 buy-in).In this episode, the fellas discuss the evolving backfields in Carolina and New England, who they are adding off the waiver wire before Week 9 in the FFPC, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show wh...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Tommy Herrin - @TommyIsland69

As we head into Week 8 of the season, Tommy Herrin currently has a squad that sits in fifth place overall in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament, a competition that will award a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the players converse on the rise of Brashard Smith and Oronde Gadsden, what to make of Tetairoa McMillan with Andy Dalton potentially at quarterback, the 2025 "bye-pocalypse," and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Steve Highfill

Steve Highfill has 29 FFPC high-stakes league titles to his name and also sits in 23rd place overall in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament, a competition that will award a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.
The guys talk about tough backfield situations for fantasy owners in both Pittsburgh and New England, whether Tre Tucker is here to stay, Harold Fannin’s flirtation with must-start status, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscr...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Larry Weinhauer - @LarryTBFootball

Two-time FFPC Varsity League champion Larry Weinhauer discusses his pursuit of a $1,000,000 Grand Prize in the 2025 FFPC Main Event and offers some Week 6 advice for players aiming for a $1,000,000 Grand Prize in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament.

In the show, the guys debate whether to trust Calvin Ridley after his Week 5 breakout, how to handle both Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers backfield, and much more.

If you’re a li...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Ted Rokas

Eight-time FFPC league-winner Ted Rokas shares his journey in trying to win a pair of $1,000,000 Grand Prizes in both the 2025 FFPC Main Event and the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla Tournament.

In this episode, the players break down what to do with your Ravens (potentially without Lamar Jackson) in Week 6, whether Calvin Ridley needs to be cut with bye weeks underway, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Derek Grier - @edelman24

Heading into Week 4, 17-time FFPC league champion Derek Grier has one of his teams in fourth place overall in the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a tournament that features a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.

In this episode, the guys discuss how the Giants' offense changes with Jaxson Dart at quarterback, how to handle the muddy situations at running back in Washington and wide receiver in Kansas City, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Derek Grier - @degrier66

Heading into Week 2, nine-time FFPC league champion Derek Grier had his squad in ninth place in the 2025 FFPC Big Gorilla, a tournament that features a $1,000,000 Grand Prize. In this episode, the players discuss why Deebo Samuel is in for a full resurgent year, the importance of being patient with rookies, who Grier is bidding on in his FFPC leagues heading into Week 3, and more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t su...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Jamey Joseph

After one week of action, the nine-time FFPC league champion Jamey Joseph finds himself in third place overall in the 2025 FFPC Main Event, a tournament that features a $1,000,000 Grand Prize.

In this episode, the guys talk about what usual AFC offensive juggernaut has them scared right now, whether there is a changing of the guard at tight end in Cleveland at the moment, and all things Week 2 in the FFPC.

If you’re a li...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Rick Ramaker

Fresh off his third appearance in the FFPC Pros Vs. Joe's competition, seven-time FFPC league champion Rick Ramaker, breaks down his draft with host Eric Balkman, along with his strategy on going for a pair of $1,000,000 Grad Prizes in the FFPC this season.

In this episode, the guys discuss whether Jameson Williams is a league-winner, what Keenan Allen is going to do to the rest of the Chargers receivers, how concerned they are with Matthew Stafford's b...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Vince Staffilino (@vc_staff)

This month, Vince Staffilino, who will be representing the Joes in the 2025 FFPC Pros Vs. Joe's Challenge as 42 FFPC Joe's will battle 42 industry pros for seven free 2026 FFPC Main Event entries to compete for the $1,000,000 Grand Prize, joins the program. He’s a former 21-time FFPC league champ as well.

In this episode, the guys talk about a mid-round AFC East running back FFPC players might be letting fall too far, which Bears receiver is...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST

Bill Van Ormer - @Wavo20

This month, Bill Van Ormer, who will be representing the Joes in the 2025 FFPC Pros Vs. Joe's Challenge as 42 FFPC Joe's will battle 42 industry pros for seven free 2026 FFPC Main Event entries to compete for the $1,000,000 Grand Prize, joins the program. He’s a former five-time FFPC league champ as well.

In this episode, the guys hash out how to handle George Pickens in FFPC Big Gorilla drafts, whether Derrick Henry is...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Josh Siegel (@salesrecruiter_)

Josh Siegel is a five-time FFPC dynasty league champ, but he's also been a redraft league winner in dozens of FFPC leagues as well. In this episode, he talks about how he's treating Terrance Ferguson who got drafted by the Rams, whether he believes in Tetaroia McMillan, Devin Neal's future in New Orleans, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can get a special...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Jay Yutronkie

Jay Yutronkie has won 15 FFPC high-stakes dynasty leagues throughout his career in classic, Superflex, and RotoViz TriFlex formats. In this episode, he talks about how he's treating Christian McCaffrey in his dynasty leagues, how good of a landing spot Stefon Diggs fell into, his favorite sophomore sell-highs, and more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can get a special 10% discount through the podcast homepage.

Host...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: BillWanke - @BillWanke

Bill Wanke won 10 high-stakes FFPC leagues last season and is no stranger to dynasty league titles as well. The guys talk about what you should be doing at the moment in your FFPC dynasty leagues, the proper way to value rookie picks, and much more.

If you’re a listener of the show who isn’t subscribing yet to RotoViz, you can get a special 10% discount through the podcast homepage.

Host: Eric Balkman (@Eric...

The High-Stakes Lowdown: A RotoViz Podcast: Eric Balkman chats with high-stakes fantasy football players.

GUEST: Paul Vanoostveen

This month, Paul Vanoostveen--a drafter who placed two teams in the top 10 of the 2024 FFPC Never-Too-Early Best Ball Tournament--joins Eric Balkman to talk about how he is trying to win the $40,000 Grand Prize in the 2025 FFPC Never-Too-Early Best Ball Tournament.

In this episode, the guys discuss whether George Kittle is going to be a hit for the second consecutive year, how the Never-Too-Early Tournament strategy differs from the FFPC Best Ball Tournament tactics, and much more.<...