Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Mock Draft! News, Notes, and Mailbag
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into a comprehensive mock draft session, discuss the implications of Tom Brady's suspension, share important news and notes from the NFL, and address listener mailbag questions. The trio provides expert analysis, strategic insights, and lively banter to help listeners navigate the upcoming fantasy football season.

Tom Brady’s Suspension and Its Fantasy Implications

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about Tom Brady’s impending suspension. The hosts debate the length and fairness of the suspension, reflecting on the NFL's evolving stance on player conduct.

• Andy Holloway emphasizes the severity of Brady’s punishment, comparing it to the leniency shown during the Spygate scandal:
  "[01:00] I absolutely think it was Justice. ... it's my best against your best, not me trying to skirt a couple rules."

• Jason Moore weighs in on the organizational repercussions, arguing against penalizing teams for individual player misconduct:
  "[03:16] I don't have any problem with suspending Tom Brady for four games, but taking a draft pick away from the team. No, no, no."

• Mike Wright considers the fantasy impact, questioning whether key Patriots players like Gronkowski or Edelman should be downgraded:
  "[05:31] If you missed it during our discussion, a four game suspension for one of the best quarterbacks in football on a team with several players that will be impacted."

The hosts conclude that while Brady’s suspension is a significant event, it presents both challenges and opportunities for fantasy managers, particularly in leagues where Brady is a pivotal player.

Mock Draft Recap

The heart of the episode revolves around a detailed mock draft, where each host selects players for their fantasy teams. The discussion covers selections across the first three rounds, highlighting strategies, player evaluations, and potential pitfalls.

First Round Highlights

1. Eddie Lacy (#1 Overall) - Mike Wright
   Mike selects Lacy as the top pick due to his productivity and reliability:
   "[13:27] Eddie Lacey. What made you go Lacey here? ... he's super productive, super reliable."

2. Le'Veon Bell (#2 Overall) - Jason Moore
   Jason opts for Bell, believing his suspension doesn’t detract from his fantasy value:
   "[14:09] Jason Moore: No, no. Because it's a half point PPR and any. Anything that is remotely PPR."

3. Aaron Rodgers (#3 Overall) - Andy Holloway
   Andy surprises some by selecting quarterback Rodgers early:
   "[14:43] Mark team in our mock drafts. He had Eddie Lacy, Lev Bell, and now Aaron Rodgers."
   He later reflects on this pick, suggesting it might be too early:
   "[14:48] Mike Wright: Where you're going to have to take him?"

4. Adrian Peterson (#4 Overall) - Jason Moore
   Adrian Peterson is chosen for his return to Minnesota and expected performance:
   "[15:27] You know, they have the weapons. ... Adrain Peterson off at number four."

5. Jamal Charles (#5 Overall) - Andy Holloway
   Jamal Charles is selected despite concerns about his workload under new coaching:
   "[17:44] Andy Holloway: Yeah, I just. I am down. ... taking in all the variables and you make an educated decision on the upcoming regression of LaShawn McCoy up in Buffalo."

6. Rob Gronkowski (#6 Overall) - Mike Wright
   Mike opts for Gronkowski, balancing his suspension with his impact as a top tight end:
   "[18:19] Mike Wright: So I went, I went big man Rob Gronkowski."

7. Julio Jones (#7 Overall) - Andy Holloway
   Andy selects Julio Jones, valuing his consistent performance as a top wide receiver:
   "[20:34] I took him ahead of Forte. One of the guys that we're a little bit concerned about this year took him ahead of Lynch."

8. Matt Forte (#8 Overall) - Jason Moore
   Matt Forte is chosen despite concerns about his workload and performance metrics:
   "[21:57] ... draft pick. Forte first and then C.J. anderson."

9. C.J. Anderson (#9 Overall) - Mike Wright
   Mike selects Anderson as part of a balanced approach focusing on running backs:
   "[19:47] Andy Holloway: Right? Yeah, we know that."

10. Marshawn Lynch (#10 Overall) - Andy Holloway
    Marshawn Lynch is taken to bolster the running back position, albeit with some reservations:
    "[21:57] ... C.J. anderson goes at number nine overall, followed by Marshawn lynch and then LaShawn McCoy."

11. LaShawn McCoy (#11 Overall) - Jason Moore
    LaShawn McCoy is picked, reflecting the league's RB-heavy tendencies:
    "[22:24] Mike Wright: You wouldn't take lynch before Gronk?"

12. Antonio Brown (#12 Overall) - Mike Wright
    Antonio Brown rounds out the first round, signaling a shift towards wide receivers:
    "[24:41] Jason Moore: Very running back, heavy first round as you would normally expect."

Second Round Highlights

• Odell Beckham Jr. (#13 Overall)
  Mike Wright selects ODB to balance the team with top-tier wide receivers:
  "[25:33] Mike Wright: And this is something I think we're going to see a lot of, especially with this guy. Aaron Rodgers actually went off the board to the owner of the third team in our mock drafts. He had Eddie Lacy, Lev Bell, and now Aaron Rodgers."

• Andrew Luck (#15 Overall)
  Selecting quarterback Andrew Luck adds elite QB potential to the team:
  "[27:32] Mike Wright: He took Andrew Luck again, this just pairs Andrew Luck with Marshawn lynch."

• Demaryius Thomas and Calvin Johnson (#16 & #17 Overall)
  These picks emphasize value and positional strength in the second round:
  "[28:30] Andy Holloway: Calvin Johnson that late is historically is a crazy thing."

Third Round Highlights

• Randall Cobb (#19 Overall)
  Andy accidentally selects Cobb instead of Jordy Nelson, leading to light-hearted banter:
  "[41:53] Andy Holloway: ... that's what happened. I forgot I was on the turn and I was going to take Jordy at the end of the second, and I switched."

• Jimmy Graham (#22 Overall)
  Jimmy Graham is chosen to reinforce the tight end position:
  "[45:42] Jason Moore: ... Jimmy Graham goes off the board."

• Peyton Manning and Other Selects (#24-#28 Overall)
  The hosts evaluate mid-round selections, discussing their potential and risks:
  "[47:11] Mike Wright: ... Justin Forsett at third round."

News and Notes

Beyond the mock draft, the hosts share updates and observations about emerging players and team strategies:

• Kevin White: Described by Bears reporter Dan Pompeii as the most impressive rookie wide receiver, sparking excitement among the hosts.
  "[09:14] Mike Wright: ... Kevin White as easily the most impressive rookie wide receiver he's ever seen walk through the doors."

• Rashad Perryman: Mentioned for his consistent ball-catching capability as a first-round pick.
  "[10:09] Andy Holloway: Kevin wide in the slot."

• Joseph Randall: Todd Archer from ESPN Dallas predicts he will handle the bulk of the Cowboys' carries, challenging DeMarco Murray’s role.
  "[10:27] Jason Moore: ... it's Pokemon for this means nothing other than speculation."

• DeMarco Murray Concerns: The possibility of workload sharing in Dallas backfield affects his fantasy value.
  "[35:19] Mike Wright: He belongs in the first round."

Strategies Discussed

The hosts explore various draft strategies, evaluating their effectiveness and potential outcomes:

• Zero RB Strategy: Jake's team exemplifies the Zero RB approach, focusing early rounds on wide receivers and quarterbacks while later rounds fill the running back slots. The hosts debate its viability, especially in an RB-heavy league.

• Positional Runs: Observing a wide receiver run in the second round, the hosts discuss the importance of balance and avoiding over-concentration in one position.

• Value-Based Drafting: Emphasized by selecting players based on their expected performance relative to their draft position, rather than strictly adhering to positional needs.

• Stacking: Pairing quarterbacks with receivers from the same team to maximize point potential, although noting the risks if team performance falters.

Mailbag Highlights

Listener questions are addressed, providing tailored advice on various fantasy football dilemmas:

1. Danny Woodhead vs. Bishop Sankey:
   Mike Wright prefers Bishop Sankey in standard leagues, citing Woodhead’s injury concerns.
   Quote:
   "[51:08] I will take Sankey. ... I'm worried about Woodhead getting actually the amount of attention that we think he's capable of."

2. Drafting with Multiple Early Picks:
   For a manager with the first pick in a 10-team standard league who traded down for multiple early picks, the hosts advise focusing on securing top running backs to leverage the league's RB-heavy nature.
   Quote:
   "[53:15] Jason Moore: ... if you don't come out with two running backs then you've made a mistake."

3. Two-Quarterback League Strategies:
   The importance of securing at least one reliable quarterback early is emphasized, with recommendations to target studs early and consider streaming QB options.
   Quote:
   "[59:03] Andy Holloway: Well, exponentially."
   "[60:42] Mike Wright: Take a stud and then apply the streaming philosophy."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a brief promotion encouraging listeners to leave five-star reviews on iTunes and follow the podcast on social media. The hosts emphasize their commitment to providing valuable insights and engaging content to help fantasy managers succeed throughout the season.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway on Draft Strategy:
  "[14:20] Jason Moore: ... I'm going to throw up more."

• Jason Moore on Player Value:
  "[43:11] Jason Moore: ... I'd be even higher than this."

• Mike Wright on Mock Draft Execution:
  "[12:12] Mike Wright: Yeah. You can go on and mock draft instantly against."

• Discussion on DeMarco Murray’s Role:
  "[35:09] Jason Moore: ... he’s is super productive until he gets hurt."

• Mailbag on QB Value in 2-QB Leagues:
  "[59:52] Jason Moore: Yeah, I think Teddy Bridgewater."

This episode serves as a valuable resource for fantasy football enthusiasts, offering strategic guidance, player evaluations, and practical advice to navigate the complexities of the draft and season. The hosts' expertise and engaging discussions equip listeners with the tools needed to build competitive and winning fantasy teams.