Podcast Summary: Fantasy Focus Football – "Mike Clay's Players to AVOID in your Fantasy Draft" | Released July 9, 2025

Hosted by ESPN's Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay, and Stephania Bell, "Fantasy Focus Football" delivers daily strategies, previews, injury reports, and in-depth debates to enhance your fantasy football experience. In this episode, titled "Mike Clay's Players to AVOID in your Fantasy Draft," Mike Clay shares his expert insights on players to be cautious about during your fantasy drafts, discusses the five hardest players to rank heading into the 2025 NFL season, and evaluates whether certain players and items are properly rated.

1. Players to Avoid in Your Fantasy Draft

a. Bijan Robinson ([02:57] - [05:42]) Mike Clay emphasizes that Bijan Robinson is often the first overall pick and argues that he is worth the investment. Despite a slow start last season, Robinson emerged as Atlanta's feature back from week six onwards, consistently ranking in the top five at the running back position. Clay notes, "Robinson was the number one running back in fantasy from week six on, with 22.8 fantasy points per game" ([04:37]).

b. Breece Hall ([05:42] - [08:25]) Breece Hall presents a more complex scenario. Mike Clay expresses concerns about Hall's efficiency and the potential impact of Justin Fields taking on some of his workload. He states, "Breece Hall is not a guy I find myself drafting very much" ([07:24]). Daniel Dopp counters by positioning Hall as an RB2, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his usage in the Jets' offense.

c. Lad McConkey ([08:47] - [10:07]) Contrary to earlier apprehensions, Mike Clay endorses Lad McConkey as a solid third-round pick. He highlights McConkey's consistent performance and his strong connection with quarterback Justin Herbert. "He was bottom line is I'm all in on McConkey" ([09:37]) underscores Clay's confidence in McConkey's reliability and high target share.

d. Rasheed Rice ([10:07] - [14:02]) Rasheed Rice is another player Clay recommends. Despite some uncertainties regarding potential suspensions, Clay believes Rice is a valuable pick in the fourth round for 10-team leagues. "You have to look back at what he did last year... if you have Rasheed Rice right now, he is worth that investment" ([12:53]).

e. Justin Fields ([14:37] - [16:27]) Justin Fields is portrayed as a high-ceiling quarterback option, especially valuable for his rushing ability. Mike Clay positions Fields as a viable QB1 option in the 13th round, noting his ability to consistently produce high fantasy points through his legs. "Fields is at or near the top of that list for sure... he's going to be in our Quarterback 1 discussion" ([15:30]).

2. Mike Clay's Five Hardest Players to Rank Heading into 2025

a. Travis Etienne ([20:14] - [25:42]) Ranking at number five, Travis Etienne presents a dilemma due to Jacksonville's uncertain backfield dynamics. Clay discusses the emergence of Tank Bigsby and the draft of Bial Tutin, which could impact Etienne's role. "ETN is tricky... the floor here is low as well" ([22:18]).

b. Odunze ([23:12] - [26:05]) At number four, Odunze's role in the Chicago Bears' crowded offense makes him a challenging player to rank. With multiple receivers vying for targets, Clay questions whether Odunze can secure a high target share. "Can he get a 25 target share in this offense? It's kind of hard to find that with all these other mouths to feed" ([24:02]).

c. Mark Andrews ([26:11] - [28:00]) Mark Andrews ranks third due to his fluctuating target share and dependency on touchdowns for fantasy points. Last season's surge in touchdown targets was extraordinary and unsustainable. "He was first in touchdowns but 20th in targets... that was a career high in touchdowns for Lamar Jackson" ([27:47]).

d. Alvin Kamara and Saints' Quarterback Room ([28:26] - [30:42]) Alvin Kamara and the Saints' unstable quarterback situation come in as the second hardest to rank. Kamara's reliance on the passing game and the uncertainty surrounding the Saints' quarterbacks pose risks. Clay remarks, "This team could really struggle" ([28:18]).

e. Marvin Harrison Jr. ([30:42] - [33:04]) Taking the top spot, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a high-risk, high-reward player. Despite his impressive pedigree, last season's underperformance due to misutilization raises concerns. "He's tough because we think he could be a top 10 player, but if it goes like last year... we're going to have overdrafted this guy" ([31:15]).

3. Hype Meter: Properly Rated, Overrated, or Underrated?

a. Xavier Worthy ([35:28] - [35:45]) Mike Clay assesses Xavier Worthy as underrated, believing he has significant potential in Rasheed Rice’s offense. "Under hyped for Xavier Worthy" ([35:45]).

b. Air Fryers ([35:45] - [36:03]) Air fryers receive an appropriate rating. While popular, Clay acknowledges their genuine utility and widespread appeal. "Appropriately rated" ([36:03]).

c. Najee Harris ([36:28] - [37:08]) Najee Harris is deemed overhyped by Clay, citing his placement in drafts and questioning his role in the Chargers' offense. "Overhyped it is for Harris" ([37:08]).

d. Deep Dish Pizza ([37:19] - [38:00]) Deep dish pizza is also rated as appropriately hyped. While Clay personally prefers other styles, he appreciates the general popularity and quality. "Appropriately rated" ([37:53]).

e. Jaden Daniels ([38:02] - [38:56]) Jaden Daniels is considered underrated, with Clay highlighting his high ceiling and improved offensive support. "Jaden Daniels has a great chance to be the number one scoring quarterback this year" ([38:17]).

4. Additional Insights and Closing Remarks

Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp wrap up the episode by discussing upcoming features and mock drafts. Clay mentions ESPN's enhancements to player projections and upcoming articles, ensuring listeners have access to comprehensive tools for their fantasy drafts. Daniel Dopp encourages listeners to engage with past episodes and stay tuned for future insights from other ESPN experts.

Notable Quotes:

• "Bijan Robinson was the number one running back in fantasy from week six on, with 22.8 fantasy points per game." — Mike Clay [04:37]

• "Breece Hall is not a guy I find myself drafting very much." — Mike Clay [07:24]

• "Fields is at or near the top of that list for sure... he's going to be in our Quarterback 1 discussion." — Mike Clay [15:30]

• "ETN is tricky... the floor here is low as well." — Mike Clay [22:18]

• "Appropriately rated." — Mike Clay [36:03]

Conclusion

In this episode of "Fantasy Focus Football," Mike Clay provides valuable advice on which players to approach with caution during fantasy drafts. From analyzing the potential of Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall to evaluating the uncertainties surrounding Marvin Harrison Jr. and Alvin Kamara, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the 2025 fantasy landscape. Additionally, the Hype Meter segment offers a light-hearted yet insightful take on various players and everyday items, ensuring fantasy managers are well-equipped to make informed decisions.