Fantasy Football 2018 Episode Summary: "1/2 PPR Mock Draft + UDK Release!"

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the intricacies of preparing for the upcoming fantasy football season. Released on May 31, 2018, this episode primarily focuses on the launch of their highly anticipated Ultimate Draft Kit (UDK) and features a first-of-its-kind live half-point per reception (PPR) mock draft using the Sleeperbot platform.

1. Ultimate Draft Kit (UDK) Launch

Andy Holloway kicks off the episode with palpable excitement about the imminent release of the Ultimate Draft Kit. Scheduled to launch on June 1st, the UDK promises over a hundred player profile videos, comprehensive statistics, rankings, and in-depth analysis to arm fantasy managers with the tools needed to dominate their drafts.

• Andy Holloway [00:20]: "Every single stat and ranking and sweat and blood and tears and reports on everything you need to know is there. Dominate your draft at Ultimate Draft Kit."

• Jason Moore [02:31]: "Fantasy football calculator did an independent survey of league winners and those that had purchased the Ultimate Draft Kit were the majority of the highest percentage of the winners."

The hosts emphasize the depth and continuous updates of the UDK, highlighting its value as a premier resource for fantasy enthusiasts.

2. Introduction to the Half-Point PPR Mock Draft

Transitioning from the UDK discussion, Jason Moore introduces a novel segment: a half-point per reception live mock draft. Traditionally conducted by sharing a single team, this episode marks the debut of Jason and Andy competing head-to-head, with their separate teams being shared on social media for audience voting on the winner.

• Jason Moore [02:31]: "The Ultimate Draft Kit is out tomorrow though, if you haven't heard."

• Andy Holloway [12:52]: "The Fantasy Footballers mock draft."

This format change introduces a dynamic competitive element, allowing listeners to witness distinct draft strategies in real-time.

3. Conducting the Mock Draft

The mock draft unfolds with detailed discussions of each pick, reflecting the hosts' strategies and evaluations of player potentials in a 12-team, 14-round format. Key highlights include:

• Round 1: Andy selects David Johnson at the third pick, favoring his PPR potential over Ezekiel Elliott.

  • Andy Holloway [14:46]: "I love in a half point PPR David Johnson. I'm going to take him every day at the third pick spot here."

• Round 2: Jason opts for dual wide receivers with Saquon Barkley and Rob Gronkowski, while Andy balances his roster with wide receivers like A.J. Green and Adam Thielen.

  • Jason Moore [16:07]: "I have Saquon Barkley and Rob Gronkowski."

Throughout the draft, the hosts engage in lively banter, discussing player efficiency, role expectations, and potential impacts of recent signings, such as Brandon Marshall's move to the Seattle Seahawks.

• Andy Holloway [07:01]: "I think that Brandon Marshall is going to get 60 plus targets and if those targets are caught at a bad percentage, you know, that's not helpful."

4. Strategic Player Discussions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to evaluating specific players and draft strategies:

• Brandon Marshall's Signing: The hosts debate the fantasy implications of Marshall's role in Seattle, considering his historic performance versus his current efficiency.

  • Mike Wright [08:37]: "I will say, number one, let's see Brandon Marshall make the team. First of all, I don't think that's a guarantee at this point."

• Rashad Penny vs. Sony Michelle: Andy opts for Sony Michelle in the fourth round, seeking high upside over safety.

  • Andy Holloway [34:01]: "Would I prefer Royce Freeman or Sony Michelle? I think with my roster, I'm going to shoot for the moon here. I'm going with highest upside, not just safest win a championship. And that to me is still Sony Michelle."

• Quarterback Strategy: Jason selects Andrew Luck, aiming for high upside and potential dual quarterback flexibility.

  • Jason Moore [55:09]: "So I'm definitively going to go wide receiver. I've only got three and so I'm staring down the likes of Alan Hearns taking a shot with the Dallas wide receiver core."

5. Finalizing Rosters and Closing Remarks

As the mock draft concludes, each host presents their finalized team, reflecting diverse strategies and risk appetites:

• Jason Moore: Balances strong wide receivers with high-upside running backs and strategically streams quarterbacks.

  • Jason Moore [59:22]: "My roster is Saquon Barkley and Ronald Jones, Isaiah Cruell, Nick Chubb and Doug Martin. I took Rob Gronkowski in the second round with Hilton, Gordon, Edelman, Corey Davis and Danny Amendola as my wide outs."

• Andy Holloway: Emphasizes a balanced roster with a mix of reliable stars and high-potential rookies, along with dual quarterbacks for flexibility.

  • Andy Holloway [59:39]: "And then a wide receiver strong with AJ Green, Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith Schuster, Randall Cobb and smooth routes. Kenny Golladay."

• Mike Wright: Focuses on securing top-tier wide receivers and running backs, incorporating high-risk, high-reward players like Marshawn Lynch.

  • Mike Wright [63:23]: "At the running back position, not as known, but Rashad Penny, Darius Guice, Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Jones, Corey Clements."

The episode concludes with the hosts inviting listeners to vote for the best mock draft team via social media and reminding them of the upcoming Ultimate Draft Kit release.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [02:20]: "The Ultimate Draft Kit that we have been building for months, nay years is here releasing tomorrow on June 1st."

• Jason Moore [03:46]: "Half point per reception mock. This is a first for two reasons."

• Andy Holloway [34:01]: "I think with my roster, I'm going to shoot for the moon here. I'm going with highest upside."

• Jason Moore [55:28]: "I took Andrew Luck all in with the eighth pick in the ninth round. I'm a Ty Hilton owner in this draft."

• Mike Wright [62:24]: "It's the first three years of his career, he is average."

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its comprehensive approach to fantasy football preparation, combining the excitement of a live mock draft with the unveiling of a premium drafting resource. Listeners gain valuable insights into draft strategies, player evaluations, and the importance of adaptability in their own drafts. Whether you're a seasoned manager or new to fantasy football, the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers actionable advice and entertaining analysis to elevate your game.