Fantasy Focus Football: Mike Clay's Playbook – Planning a Winning Draft Strategy

Episode Overview: In this episode of Fantasy Focus Football, hosted by ESPN experts Daniel Dopp, Field Yates, and Mike Clay, the team delves into Mike Clay's Playbook—a comprehensive guide designed to help fantasy football enthusiasts craft a winning draft strategy for the upcoming season. Released on August 5, 2025, this episode focuses on breaking down the playbook's key components, offering actionable insights on drafting quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

1. Introduction and Playbook Breakdown

Daniel Dopp kicks off the episode by introducing the topic, highlighting the significance of Mike Clay's Playbook in aiding fantasy managers:

"[10:35] Mike Clay: One more question."

The playbook is divided into three parts:

• Part One: Draft strategy, focusing on how to approach each position.
• Part Two: Strategies for different league types, including Dynasty and Best Ball.
• Part Three: In-season management, covering waivers and trades.

Field Yates emphasizes the modular structure to make the extensive content more digestible:

"[11:13] Field Yates: Yeah, break it up into pieces."

2. Quarterback Strategy

The discussion begins with quarterbacks, a crucial position in fantasy drafts.

Field Yates outlines his approach to tiering quarterbacks, identifying the "Big Four" as the primary targets:

"[13:05] Field Yates: The Big Four this year are Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Jaden Daniels."

He explains his skepticism towards Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield, citing their limited rushing floors compared to the top tier:

"[13:06] Field Yates: The big four averaged 741 yards and nine touchdowns from the ground last year... So what are the odds Burrow and Mayfield are going to do it again?"

Mike Clay adds to the conversation by analyzing team defenses and their impact on quarterback performance:

"[14:19] Mike Clay: The defense looks absolutely terrible on paper."

Key Takeaway: Target the top-tier quarterbacks early in the draft, prioritizing those with strong rushing capabilities to ensure a higher floor.

3. Running Back Strategy

The running back position is dissected next, with a focus on balancing proven veterans with emerging young talents.

Field Yates highlights the average age of top running backs and the associated risks:

"[25:16] Field Yates: The average age of a top 15 fantasy running back the last five years is 25.1."

He discusses the dilemma of choosing between aging stars like Christian McCaffrey and younger prospects such as Bijan Robinson and Chase Brown:

"[28:21] Field Yates: I want to focus on the young, breakout running backs."

Mike Clay emphasizes the importance of depth and the potential of "insurance" running backs:

"[31:21] Mike Clay: Do you feel as though they are worthwhile investments if you don't have that starting running back on your roster?"

Field Yates concurs, advocating for securing backup running backs to safeguard against injuries:

"[31:43] Field Yates: Yes, absolutely. In fact, I think that's perhaps the better way to win a championship."

Key Takeaway: Invest in a mix of elite young running backs and reliable backups to maintain flexibility and depth throughout the season.

4. Wide Receiver Insights

Wide receivers offer a wealth of options, making drafting strategies varied and position-specific.

Field Yates identifies a clear top tier consisting of players like Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson, but notes a significant drop-off after:

"[35:04] Field Yates: There's a clear top tier, and then it becomes a lot more grouped together."

He underscores the importance of targeting receivers drafted within the first three rounds, citing historical data:

"[42:05] Field Yates: 86% of the top 50 receivers were picked in the first three rounds of the draft."

Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp discuss the value of rookies and the rarity of late-round wide receivers breaking into the top ranks:

"[43:38] Mike Clay: Only five receivers who were outside the top 90 as rookies ended up having top 30 seasons."

Key Takeaway: Prioritize wide receivers selected in the early rounds to maximize performance potential, while being cautious with late-round picks based on historical success rates.

5. Tight End Strategy

Tight ends can provide a significant positional advantage but require strategic drafting due to limited elite options.

Field Yates highlights Brock Bowers and Trey McBride as top tight end targets:

"[48:35] Field Yates: Brock Bowers and Trey McBride were elite options last year."

He recommends George Kittle as the best value tight end, arguing his consistency makes him a worthy investment:

"[49:29] Field Yates: The best value overall at tight end this year is George Kittle."

Mike Clay discusses Travis Kelce, suggesting that waiting to draft him can still be advantageous given his role as Patrick Mahomes' primary target:

"[52:03] Field Yates: Travis Kelce is still Patrick Mahomes' biggest safety blanket."

Key Takeaway: Secure one of the elite tight ends early if possible, but prioritize top-tier performance and consistency over positional scarcity.

6. Listener Q&A and Interactive Segment

The episode features a lively Q&A segment where listeners pose specific draft-related questions.

Question from Jamar: "Is Brock Bowers worth spending an early second-round pick on in a 10 to 12 team league?"

Mike Clay and Field Yates debate the value of Brock Bowers, ultimately agreeing that while he is a strong candidate, managers must weigh positional needs and draft flow before committing early:

"[58:16] Mike Clay: Yes, I would bet that Brock Bowers would go end of round one in a 16 team league."

Question from Matthias: "Which 49ers wide receiver is the one to target? Are you going after Juwan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall?"

The hosts discuss the potential of both players, leaning slightly towards Jennings due to his established track record, while acknowledging Pearsall's value based on draft positioning and opportunity:

"[63:27] Mike Clay: I'm going with Jwan Jennings."

Key Takeaway: Tailor your draft strategy to specific league formats and player potential, utilizing expert opinions to guide critical drafting decisions.

7. Final Takeaways and Closing Remarks

As the episode concludes, the hosts summarize the core strategies outlined in Mike Clay's Playbook:

• Prioritize elite quarterbacks and running backs early to build a strong foundation.
• Invest in top-tier wide receivers within the first three rounds to maximize scoring potential.
• Secure a reliable tight end to gain positional advantage, but don't overcommit if higher value picks are available.
• Flexibility and depth are crucial; be prepared to adjust strategies based on draft flow and the availability of players.

Field Yates encourages listeners to "go with the flow" and "follow the value" during drafts, emphasizing the importance of adaptability:

"[34:05] Field Yates: Don’t panic... follow the board and take the values."

Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp reinforce the significance of mock drafts to practice and refine strategies ahead of the actual draft day.

Closing Quote:

"[36:26] Daniel Dopp: This is why we mock draft. Don't wait until your actual draft to implement a strategy."

Final Note: For a comprehensive understanding and detailed strategies, fans are encouraged to read Mike Clay's Playbook and stay tuned for forthcoming parts focusing on various league types and in-season management tactics. The collaborative insights from ESPN's fantasy experts provide a robust framework to navigate the complexities of fantasy football drafts effectively.

This summary captures the essence and key discussions from the podcast episode, providing valuable insights for both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers alike.