Upper Hand Fantasy’s Faraz Siddiqi Talks His Career, Parker Washington, George Pickens

someone that I came across, met at the NFL combine and then just watching his content on Instagram, upperand fantasy, has been doing a fantastic job. Faras Sadiki is the man, the myth, the legend behind that account. Faras, how you doing, man? >> Thanks, man. I appreciate that intro, man. No, no, I'm doing great, man. I'm doing great. Uh, I appreciate that a ton, dude. >> Dude, of course. I mean, we're out here in Vegas like Draft Nation's event. Uh, I'm so glad that you you've been able to come out here and give us the time to be to interview you because and I'm I'm not just saying this, but you are the best fantasy content creator out there. I know I've interviewed a lot of people and I do not care because I'm going to go on the record and say that at UpperHand Fantasy is the best fantasy content out there. >> That's crazy. >> I I I'm just saying >> I I listen man, I that that means the world to me. I appreciate that ton. I mean, listen, we that I mean, we do strive to to to to do just that. You know what I mean? We want to be the best and um you know, we we do try to do a lot of things that are a little outside the box in terms of how we present our content. We still want people at the end of the day to win their leagues, right? And that's the goal always. Um, but I think the way that you present the content and the way that people consume the content, uh, is uh, it's it's a, you know, it's a little bit of, uh, it's a little bit of science, a little bit of, you know, a little bit of magic, a little bit of, you know, a little bit of, you know, trial and error, right? All that kind of stuff. And and and it just kind of you kind of stir that in a pot and then you come up with what you come up with in the kind of content that you put out, right? So, I appreciate that, man. That that that means a lot. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, like you look at not just going to I joked about this with Lawrence, but you're not just that guy that takes consensus rankings and it's like I'm going to shift JSN over Aman St. Brown and then call it my rankings or something like you actually here are the players, here are the roles they're going to be playing. Here's like the the target share, the split with the back field. Here are the coaches that come in. Here are the roles that they're playing, the X, the Z. and and it's just fascinating stuff and it appeals not just to the fantasy audience but to the NFL audience as well. So if you guys are not following at UpperHand Fantasy check them out that was supposed to be a closer but let's getting it out of the way in the beginning but I I I want to talk about your journey though. How did you get into content creation? >> It's a great question man. I actually started my career as a software engineer uh out of college because uh I'm I'm a I'm a boy from Pakistan. You know, my my parents were from Pakistan. So, of course, it was either doctor, lawyer, or engineer, right? So, I picked the engineer route. Uh >> my parents are from Pakistan as well. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Look at that. I mean, I I I could have I maybe would have guessed it, but >> I mean, I saw I saw the name Sadiki and I was like, I knew how to pronounce his name, so I was like, >> there you go. Right. So, uh my brother My brother. Um, so no, what so I I started out in that route and I you know I got my degree electrical engineering and uh started my career as a software engineer because I was kind of interested in coding and software and stuff like that but like it just it didn't call to me right and I and I had a little bit of an itch for entrepreneurship for I always was was interested in like seeing content online about entrepreneurship but like I didn't know how to get started. I didn't know how to how to kind of scratch that itch. I had no idea what direction to go in. But then I I found Gary Vee's content. So Gary Vee like 10 years ago, you know, was putting out a lot of content around, hey, like you can put out content about anything of any interest and as long as you put out good content, like you can make money from that thing, it can turn into a business. So I was like, all right, well, I read a book, his book called Crush It at the time, and um that was the impetus for me to like just start putting stuff out there. So, I started putting out like still graphics on Instagram with like the longest captions you ever see. It was like basically an article in my caption, right? >> And, you know, started putting that out and, you know, I think there wasn't, you know, you the vanity metrics back then, you know, the likes and that sort of thing. Like, you couldn't really get that much out of that. You you you didn't know. But I guess the indicators for me early on to keep going were you know little comments here and there like oh like this was a great read or like hey this was a good analysis or like you know think small things here and there that told me like okay like let me just keep going and keep trying. Um and yeah man that was that's kind of how I got started and obviously it evolved from there. >> That's amazing. Yeah Gary Vee you can post literally 10 times a day. Yeah. No >> that guy. >> Yeah. Yeah. really motivating stuff and I I mean he still continues to preach that like just keep on posting like you can get into freaking uh Smurfs if you love Smurfs. >> Exactly. Exactly. That was the big thing and he you know what it's what's what I respected by him too is that his messaging has never changed. His messaging has stayed the same for for a decade you know. >> Well well the thing also that he says is like people get on to him for like saying the same thing over and over like your content yourself Gary Vee is getting boring but he's like I'm just preaching what works. >> Exactly. It it actually reminds me of something that a video that I recently or or you know videos that I've recently been posting about uh about certain players I'm targeting in drafts for example >> and I I would get comments like these are the same players that you keep talking about and I'm like >> well these are the players that I like for this year like imagine if I g put put out a video a different video every time with different players then you would have no idea who I'm targeting right so it's like well don't you want to know what I believe in right it's the same thing with Gary Vee it's like he believes in certain things and he will continue to preach those things and his beliefs don't change. Now his beliefs can evolve and then he could change his opinion about things which is good, right? You want to change your opinion about things that you have new beliefs in. But it's it's just that on a micro level, right? It's just you believe in something, put it out there and have conviction behind it. You know what I mean? If there if there's new evidence as time moves on, >> I will potentially shift my stance on guys because there's new stuff on the table, right? Like we don't put out takes in May and then just continue to talk about those same takes until August. Like we have to like we have a lot of new information. We have camp, we have preseason, we have coach uh things coaches say. There's a lot of new information that comes in that we have to take into account until kickoff. >> It's no wonder that you've had the success. You've been able to build a team. Who is that guy that's narrating in your videos cuz the guy that says round one, round two, who is that guy? >> So, it's it's it's one of two guys. It's either Scott who's our video lead. Uh he handles all video stuff and we have a team of editors under him. And then or or Zach who's our creative director and he's kind of like the magic behind all of the videos in terms of our process. Um and we can get into the process stuff but like we actually run our content kind of like a manufacturing plant in terms of like we have you know very regimented uh steps in order in terms of like from an what what you know uh amounts to an idea that gets approved for a video all the way to it getting posted. And we have a lot of steps in between and we can identify bottlenecks and things like that uh and constraints that help us you know figure out all right well what will give us the best quality and quantity in a certain period of time right that's kind of how we how we run things but yeah that that's it's either Scott or Zach basically. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's it's just fascinating to hear like the I mean, empire might be like I don't want to feed your ego or anything, but like the business, I guess, behind like what you've been able to build from something that you started. Someone that started my own thing and works independently now full-time in it. I just want to just grow it to a bigger scale and I'd be happy and content with the rest of my life just doing this. for you. Do you feel like you made it to the pinnacle of your career doing what you love to this scale or do you feel like that there's more out there for you? >> So, there's always more out there and I'm always striving for more and I do think that there's a much higher ceiling that we can reach. However, where I am in my life right now, if you ask me, what are you doing this for? or where are you trying to be to make you at Zen happy? I'm kind of I'm kind of there right now to be honest with you because I think one of the things about business in general is it's one of the greatest things that exists where you can learn skills and apply them. It's one of the things where what other medium in life is better at being able to teach you skills and then having something there for you to apply it to and to see the results, right? And there's not that many things in life that you can just do that to. So I think because of that and I and I think about it that way. Um it's it's business is almost like the ultimate personal development tool. And that's kind of how I look at it. I grew as a person so much because of business and because of all the things I learned about business and you know being able to learn how to do marketing and sales and uh create systems and all that kind of stuff and like being able every day trying to solve new problems and you know you know I I I get from one problem and I and I go to a bigger problem the next and I look for that next problem to solve right and it's just a bunch of problem solving and like for me it's like I'm good with that like that's life that's that's what else do I want to do? Like I don't need, you know, money is great and the money might be the byproduct of this stuff, but like just being able to do what I'm doing now and then also being able to do it in a way where I'm able to uh spend time with my family too and have those buckets kind of like full. I I I feel good about that. You know what I'm saying? Like I just feel fulfilled, you know? Thank God, right? Everybody's healthy, you know? my my my kids are healthy, my my my wife and my mom, you know, healthy, my my I have great friends, and it's like for me to think that there's that I'm I I have to reach something else for me to be satisfied or happy or content. I I just don't want to think like that. But at the same time, when it comes to business and developing myself as a person, as a human being and a dad and a husband and those types of things, I think uh it's it's super important. And but you know because I'm on that journey right now. It's almost like you know when people say like enjoy the process like I I think that's a it's a lot of woo woo around that but it's like if you I think if when I apply that to how I'm living my life right now I feel pretty content. So I'm happy. I think that does that answer your question. Okay. >> Yeah 100%. And I can kind of relate to you because it's like to me having that freedom of doing what you love um as opposed to like maybe working for another company cuz like it could be like oh yeah money you know you get like this amazing offer uh from ESPN to be a fantasy analyst. You know you work alongside Field8 or whoever. Um yeah that's cool but then like what does that encompass? you know, you got to have like there's limitations on like what you can do, but like having that freedom to spend that time with your family and just build on that side. I think it's amazing. Yeah. So, that's like something that I strive for like with my with my wife and a future kid. We're about to uh have have a child. So, >> Oh, that's amazing. >> I didn't even get into like who you're pretty bullish on. Oh, yeah. >> I I I mean, I watch your videos and I'm aware. >> Um but >> just just tell me those people that you're really big on. And I'm not talking about like again you're just moving this person up like two spots in the rankings as opposed to ADP. I'm talking about the guys that you would >> you're not going to draft them three or four rounds above ADP, but like in your personal rankings you have them that high. >> Yeah. So I would say and I think this might be a popular take here, but I think I'm going to do whatever I can to get Parker Washington on my team. like he's obviously you can you know his ADP is like seventh roundish right now but I do think that he's somebody that in in in champ in like NFC NFC or like these big leagues like he's going to go earlier and you you're going to have to reach on him like in the fifth round maybe and maybe even earlier you know cuz like I think with Luther Burton's injury you know people might be pushing him down a little bit and then Parker Washington might be somebody that people reaching for right kind of like opposite ends of the spectrum right now um but so he's I I'm just bullish on the Jaguars offense in general like I'm I'm I really want to draft have Trevor Lawrence where he's going as like one of my top quarterback uh targets. And then you know what? To be honest, man, like I'm I'm a little higher on Bashel Tutin than a lot of people. Uh I think Bashel Tutin, I think there's a there's a legitimate talent gap between him and Chris Rodriguez. I think Rodriguez does a lot of things well, but he's more like a bruiser, that sort of thing. I think he potentially uh has a role that's similar to what Toutin had last year. Maybe a little bit more work. Uh maybe he sees like 100 carries this year. I think that's a solid workload for him. Maybe 100 plus maybe. But I think Tutin is going to be like the primary guy. Like think about uh ETN's role last year and then maybe you know take >> a Chan I'm sorry >> Travis Achan uh his uh you know his workload from last year like maybe you take a away a little bit. Uh but I do think that the touchdowns will probably go up for for him you know cuz I think he's still a good good goal linebacker back. I know Rodriguez is like supposedly like going to be the goal line back but I I don't think he's going to be the primary guy. I think once they get into games, I think Tuton's going to be able to show his explosiveness, his speed, his agility, his his agility, and all that kind of stuff. And I think people will understand that there there is a legit legitimate talent gap between those two guys. Like Liam Cohen uh drafted Bucky Irving a couple years ago based on the fact that like he was one of the most efficient running backs in college football, period. Basel Tutin was literally the most efficient running back in uh coming out of his draft class in the Power Five. Ashton Jenty was coming out of that class two, but he didn't play in the power five or power four, you know, he was a group of five player. So, the level competition wasn't as good. So, uh I'm not saying he's better than Ashton Jenty. I'm just saying that like from a on the on paper and even on the film, like he's a good running back. So, I I think in Liam Cohen's system in the offense, I think the offense is going to like, you know, a rising tide lifts all boats. I I never get that one right on the first try, so I'm glad I did that. Uh but I think I think he'll benefit from the offense as well. We had Kugi on Dave Kugi right before you and he was like I know a lot of people are high on Basel Tutin but I like Chris Rodriguez. He was his person that like is three or four rounds higher than than ADP. Uh but then also with Parker Washington I just want to touch up on this. So everybody's saying okay fade Brian Thomas Jr. because you don't know how the we don't know how the Jaguars offense is going to operate at the end of the day. Uh with Travis Hunter being a recoil as well. Jacobe Meers, who knows? Like I know he's going to be utilized more more as a blocker, but um what if we're wrong about Parker Washington? It's actually Parker Washington's one that's going to be the odd man out and it's back to Brian Thomas. Has that cross your mind? >> Yeah. Yeah, I can see that. Um but you know, there's there's just so much evidence at this point where that would be a huge surprise to me personally. Like it it all signs are pointing to Brian Thomas Jr. being the ex receiver and running more downfield routes based on how he was deployed last year, how he was, and then how uh things are shaping up from training camp and uh and that sort of thing. And then Parker Washington said it himself. He like kind of like leaked it. He's like, yeah, well, I'm going to be playing in 11, 12, 21 personnel, meaning that, oh wait, so like >> 21 >> that means that he's he would be the exceiver in those situations cuz there'll be one receiver on the field. Um so that's good to know. That means that he's being prioritized as the primary receiver. um even in when he has to be the exceiver. Uh you know, now he's he doesn't profile as an exceiver. He's more of a flanker type. Uh but I'm just excited about the fact that in 12 personnel, two wide receiver sets that he's going to be on the field as that flanker alongside Brian Thomas Jr. Matt Harmon, you know, has a term called the sacrificial exceiver. Um where like they take on sometimes the best corner and they have to deal with the press coverage and that sort of thing, but also like clear things out for the rest of the offense. And I think that's going to be a lot of what BTJ is going to be doing. I don't think he's going to have a high reception number. Like I can see his receptions being around 65ish, something like that. Nothing too crazy. I think he's going to have a solid year, but I I don't know if the consistency is going to be there with him. Um and I think and and from what we've seen from training camp reports is that when Travis Hunter is going to come rotate in, he does he's not rotating in for Parker Washington. He's actually rotating in for Brian Thomas Jr. >> Wow. >> So Brian Thomas Jr. might not actually have a full route participation. Usually extra receivers do. Um it seems like Parker Washington might have the highest rout participation of all of them. Um and in 12 personnel it'll be Jacobe Myers who's off the field and then Jacob Myers will come in um on in 11 personnel and then maybe Parker Washington and Jacobe will will shift between the slot and the flanker role. Uh and we'll kind of see that that rotate. But that that's all indications are pointing to that being the deployment. >> Yeah. >> So that's kind of what was making me super bullish on him. And then you look at what he what he did late last season just an amazing amazing connection with Trevor Lawrence and he's killing it in camp too right now. So like it's just the drum beats so loud it's just super hard to fade him right now. >> I mean you sold me on that. I mean I I was kind of like the I I've been a Brian Thomas truther for the very longest time and I'm still believe that he's a very talented player. Very talented for sure. It's about rules like you said and and that's why I appreciate your content that makes a lot of sense. I I pay attention to the coach speak as well. So hearing Liam Cohen say all that that's that's amazing. Uh one last thing that I wanted to do with you. So, what I've been doing is I've been doing a mock draft, a 12 team half PPR, drafting from the 101, and everybody that's been coming on here, they pick one player, and I'm just creating like a a team full of from strangers. So, like, let's just hope >> that we build a solid team. But I'm going to show you the team right here. >> Um Austin Eckler was on first. Who do you think he picked? >> Uh with at the 101. >> At the 101, >> I'm going to guess Gibbs. The other guy, >> Bjan, huh? >> The other guy, >> Chase. >> He went Christian McCaffrey. Oh, I love that. I love I love that. >> You loved it. >> I love that. Hey, listen. It makes sense, man. You know, well, listen. Eckler was a former overall RB1 for fantasy. So, he's taking another >> overall RB1, you know? So, he has he has a connection with Christian McCaffrey. >> Fair. And then, uh, we had Dave Klug on and then he chose Malik Neighbors. So, like this is very like boomer. Hopefully the injuries are not a concern at all. Um, but now you're at the 3-1. We've got some good names on the board. We got Nico Collins. You know, you can scroll around. That's at wide receiver, I believe. But >> this is some these are some great names, >> I believe. Yeah. Josh Allen's already been taken. So, >> so the guys are on the board that I'm considering right now. Uh, Nico Collins is on the board. Uh, uh, um, Jeremiah Love, George Pickkins, Ky Williams, Rashi Rice, Josh Jacobs. But like, and Chris Lave I'm considering at the two three turn. Is this the 12 team? >> This is 12 team. >> Okay. So, I'm considering him as well. Um, but for me personally, um, I'm I'm I want somebody who's going to be on a an amazing offense, you know, so I got to go George Pickkins here, man. >> George Pickkins. Can Can I hit the button? >> Yeah, lock it in. >> Hit the button. George Pickkins, man. George Pickins, >> you know, he he basic he outscored CD Lamb last year. CD Lamb only had one more target than Pickkins per game. He only had one more red zone target than Pickins per per game. Uh, he just fits the offense so well. Him and Dak have such a great connection. You know, I was actually huge on Pickkins going into last year. Uh, and I'm so and I was a Pickkins hater before that, you know, when he was on the Steelers because he was in such a limited role, you know, and we talk about roles, right? How how much of a difference roles can make. If Brian Thomas Jr. was on the Cowboys, he he's fully capable of of playing a role similar to Pickkins, right? So, it really depends on like this talent plus the role that you're in, how you're deployed, all that kind of stuff. But anyway, George Pickkins, I I love this right here. >> I love that, too. Yeah. Oh my god, some great names still on the board here, man. >> I know. Yeah. Well, hey, we can't give any more insight to the next person. So, we got to let the next person cuz I didn't want to I think uh Klui said like if it was up to him, he would go Nico Collins, but I didn't want to tell you that. >> Super close. Super close. I'm a big Nico guy. Love Nico. Um he was somebody that, you know, I was very high on before he became a superstar. Um I just >> not huge on CJ Shroud, you know what I mean? Like a lot of up and downs right there. So that's the reason why I went George picks. I just went for the firepower offense. just let's get some touchdowns. You know what I'm saying? >> I love it. Well, I love the way the team is uh panning out right now and I love everything that you're doing with your Instagram and I'm definitely going to keep on uh watching out for you and >> I appreciate I appreciate the kind words too, man. It means a lot, dude. >> Yeah, for sure. Fas Sadiki Upperand Fantasy. Go check him out. Does the best work in the fantasy football business, thank you so much for the time, >> man. Appreciate you, man.