Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Fantasy Football 2017 - Mock Draft Madness + Good Situations"

Release Date: August 23, 2017

1. Introduction and Show Overview

The Fantasy Footballers, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, kick off the episode amidst the chaos of preparing for their mock draft. Despite Andy Holloway feeling under the weather, the trio ensures audiences are ready for an insightful and engaging session focused on mock drafting and identifying "good situations" in fantasy football.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [00:02]: “When it comes to my draft, I don't mess around. The Fantasy Footballers Ultimate Draft kit… the competition won't stand a chance.”

2. Fantasy Football News Highlights

The hosts delve into the latest news impacting the fantasy landscape:

• Odell Beckham Jr. Injury: Beckham suffered a sprained ankle after a hit in a Monday night game. Despite the severity, an MRI indicated a likely quick recovery.

  • Jason Moore [10:12]: “His post-game interview, just how cool and collected he was… I was just kind of surprised from what we've seen from him in the past.”

• Matt Forte's Availability: There's uncertainty surrounding Matt Forte's availability for Week 1, leading to discussions about Blau Powell as a potential starter.

  • Andy Holloway [11:37]: “That's big news.”

• Cam Newton and Paxton: Cam Newton is set to play Thursday, while Paxton has been named the starter for the Broncos amidst ongoing quarterback debates.

3. Mock Draft: Strategies and Initial Picks

The core of the episode revolves around a PPR (Point Per Reception) mock draft in a 12-team league. The hosts strategize their picks from the third spot, balancing between running backs and wide receivers.

Draft Setup:

• League Type: PPR, 12-team
• Roster Composition: 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 Kicker, 5 Bench Spots
• Starting Position: 3rd spot

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [17:41]: “I think PPR makes it easier for me.”
• Andy Holloway [16:28]: “We are doing a mock draft… this show will be live on Wednesday.”

4. Player Highlights and Positional Discussions

Running Backs:

• Terrence West vs. Robert Kelly: Andy advocates for Terrence West due to his starting role, while Mike introduces Robert Kelly as a reliable, albeit limited, option.

  • Mike Wright [06:02]: “Robert Kelly… he rarely loses yards, but he’s got basically no upside.”

• Dalvin Cook vs. Christian McCaffrey: A debate on drafting Dalvin Cook for his PPR potential versus the high ceiling but higher risk of McCaffrey.

  • Jason Moore [21:20]: “I would be taking Dalvin Cook over Christian McCaffrey if you want to.”

• Isaiah Crowell: Discussed as a safe floor option with consistent volume.

  • Jason Moore [22:30]: “I think Isaiah Crowell would probably be my pick.”

Wide Receivers:

• Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr.: The initial round heavily favors top-tier WRs, emphasizing their PPR value.

  • Jason Moore [18:35]: “If this was a standard league, I would still be taking Antonio Brown here.”

• Larry Fitzgerald vs. Michael Crabtree: Jason opts for Larry Fitzgerald for his consistent reception numbers, while Andy supports securing multiple WRs before considering back-ups.

  • Jason Moore [32:15]: “I am absolutely fine with saying this guy could be a top 12 wide receiver next year.”

Quarterbacks:

• Dak Prescott vs. Backup QBs: The hosts discuss whether to secure a QB early or wait until later rounds, considering positional scarcity.
  • Jason Moore [38:12]: “And Dak Prescott is on average… he might very well be gone.”

Tight Ends:

• Zach Ertz: Highlighted as a valuable TE choice with potential to be an upper-echelon player in PPR.
  • Jason Moore [30:53]: “My guy is Zach Ertz that we talked about.”

5. Team Roster Construction

The mock draft progresses with strategic selections aimed at balancing high-floor players with potential high-impact stars. By the end of the draft, the hosts have constructed competitive rosters, each emphasizing depth and flexibility.

Final Team Highlights:

• Andy Holloway:

  • QB: Dak Prescott
  • RBs: Isaiah Crowell, Dalvin Cook, C.J. Anderson, Doug Martin
  • WRs: Antonio Brown, Michael Crabtree, Larry Fitzgerald, Eric Decker
  • Bench: Marvin Jones, Alvin Kamara, others
  • Notable Decision: Opted for Dalvin Cook to balance his RB lineup.

• Jason Moore:

  • QB: Dak Prescott
  • RBs: Isaiah Crowell, Dalvin Cook
  • WRs: Antonio Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Crabtree, Eric Decker
  • Bench: Zach Ertz
  • Notable Decision: Prioritized top WRs and secured Zach Ertz for TE strength.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [35:05]: “I really like the team.”
• Andy Holloway [35:03]: “That's insurance for injury.”

6. Strategic Insights and Final Advice

The hosts emphasize the importance of staying adaptable post-draft, managing bye weeks effectively, and not getting too attached to draft outcomes. They advocate for active roster management throughout the season to navigate player injuries and performance variances.

Key Takeaways:

• Flex Position: Prioritize wide receivers in PPR formats but maintain a strong running back foundation.
• Bye Weeks: While not a primary focus, be mindful of critical bye weeks to ensure roster flexibility.
• Draft Confidence: Trust in your draft strategy and remain proactive during the season to capitalize on waiver wire opportunities.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [38:04]: “You have to know your surroundings.”
• Jason Moore [47:35]: “Don't get too low. If you leave a draft, they get. Man, things just didn't fall my way. Just wash the draft off and move forward to week one.”

7. Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up the mock draft session, reaffirming their team's strengths and the strategies employed to build competitive rosters. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with their community for ongoing advice and support throughout the fantasy football season.

Final Remarks:

• Jason Moore [48:28]: “Thanks for listening. We really have had an enjoyable lead up to the draft season and hope you stick with us for the rest of the year.”
• Andy Holloway [47:35]: “I made it through. I had a good time.”

Additional Resources:

• Draft Board: Available on fantasyfootballers.com
• Community Join: jointhefoot.com
• Social Media: Follow on Twitter @the_ffballers

This episode provides a comprehensive guide to mock drafting strategies, player evaluations, and roster construction, making it an invaluable resource for both novice and veteran fantasy football enthusiasts.