Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Standard Mock Draft + Preseason News
Release Date: August 12, 2016

1. Introduction and Listener Acknowledgments

The episode kicks off with hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright welcoming listeners to the show. They express excitement about diving into the preseason action and building upon the momentum from their previous MVP-themed episode.

Andy Holloway [00:56]:
"Welcome into the show. Welcome to the podcast. Welcome one and all. It's Friday. The weekend is upon us. And not only that, but some preseason football action."

The hosts congratulate the winners of their listener leagues amidst a high participation rate of over 300 entries, emphasizing their gratitude towards the engaged community.

Andy Holloway [02:16]:
"We had 300 plus entries and I'm trying to go through and respond to the people that didn't make it as well. We emailed all the winners and it just means a lot to us to have you contribute your time and efforts towards that."

2. Quick Question of the Day: The Zero RB Strategy

The trio addresses a listener-submitted question from Twitter regarding the "Zero RB" strategy, which heavily favors wide receivers over running backs during drafts.

Todd Wiseman's Question:
"Has the 0 RB theory gone too far?"

Mike Wright [04:04]:
"I don't think that the 0 RB strategy has gone too far. I mean it's for where it works."

The hosts discuss the viability of this strategy in the context of 2016's NFL dynamics, considering the shift towards a pass-heavy league. They conclude that while the strategy hasn't gone too far, its effectiveness depends on league format and the overall popularity of the approach among players.

Jason Moore [05:23]:
"The only places that I actually think it's coming into a good era right now in the sense that like, you know, that strategy six years ago probably didn't work well for you but now with the passing of the NFL, I think that it's a good time for it."

However, they caution that if the strategy becomes overly popular, it may lose its edge. Ultimately, both Andy and Jason reveal they are not personally employing the Zero RB strategy in their drafts.

3. Preseason News Highlights

The hosts delve into significant preseason news, analyzing player performances and injury reports that could impact fantasy drafts.

a. Ladarius Green's Injury Concerns

Ladarius Green, a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is at the center of a controversy due to undisclosed headaches stemming from a September concussion.

Andy Holloway [08:33]:
"This Ladarius Green news is incredible. Not only is it not an ankle, it's headaches that are keeping him off the field."

They discuss the implications of Green potentially retiring due to concussion-related issues, affecting his value in both standard and dynasty leagues.

Jason Moore [10:13]:
"Right now, if I'm drafting, I'm certainly avoiding Ladarius Green, but I'm not as convinced that this is a career type of ending thing."

b. Washington's Rushing Retreat

Washington's running back situation appears unstable as their trio—Matt Jones, Chris Thompson, and rookie Keith Marshall—combined for minimal yardage in preseason plays.

Mike Wright [11:25]:
"They combined for eight carries for zero yards."

Andy emphasizes that while this performance is concerning, it's premature to base draft decisions solely on this, advocating for cautious optimism regarding player roles.

c. Saints' Rookie Michael Thomas Shines

Michael Thomas, the rookie wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, impresses with his body control and reliable hands during preseason, signaling a promising season ahead.

Jason Moore [13:31]:
"He looked great. He showed body control. He showed good hands."

Andy notes the depth Thomas adds to the Saints' offense, potentially increasing his value in PPR (points per reception) leagues.

Andy Holloway [13:39]:
"He looked like the best Patriots receiver that was out there, granted, since Brandon LaFell..."

d. Ravens' Running Backs Performance

Terrence West, Buck Allen, and Kenneth Dixon of the Baltimore Ravens display varying degrees of performance, with West showing unexpected speed and Dixon making significant gains.

Andy Holloway [14:49]:
"I thought Terrence West get to the edge on his second touchdown. He did look like somebody who had lost weight and... lost weight and he looks different."

Jason and Mike analyze the potential workload and reliability of these running backs, noting Dixon's impressive 19-yard run as a standout.

e. Broncos' Quarterback Play and Malcolm Mitchell's Injury

The performance of Broncos quarterbacks Sanchez and Paxton Lynch is scrutinized, with Sanchez showing promise but Lynch displaying abilities reminiscent of Jake Plummer. Additionally, Malcolm Mitchell of the Patriots suffers an elbow injury, raising concerns about his availability.

Andy Holloway [16:46]:
"I saw every snap from all of the Broncos quarterbacks... Paxton Lynch, he reminded me of Jake Plummer."

Jason Moore [19:50]:
"Hopefully Malcolm Mitchell is fine because that injury looked gruesome."

4. Mock Draft Breakdown: Standard League from the 12th Pick

The core segment of the episode features a live mock draft starting from the 12th position in a standard 12-team league, focusing on strategic selections and player evaluations.

a. Early Rounds (Picks 12 & 13)

The mock draft proceeds with the first two selections:

1. Pick 12: Lamar Miller (RB)
2. Pick 13: Latavius Murray (RB)

Andy Holloway [23:07]:
"Number one, Antonio Brown. Number two, Odell Beckham. Then David Johnson went. That's pretty high."

The hosts deliberate between selecting high-performing running backs like Jamal Charles and Lamar Miller versus opting for wide receivers such as Brandon Marshall or Allen Robinson.

Jason Moore [25:14]:
"I would rather have those guys that I think are going to finish as top five backs who are playing those first four weeks."

b. Mid Rounds (Picks 14-20)

As the draft progresses, the focus shifts to balancing the roster between running backs, wide receivers, and securing a tight end with Travis Kelce.

Mike Wright [26:56]:
"I think what we're taking here on the turn is Lamar Miller and Brandon Marshall."

The selection strategy emphasizes securing reliable running backs early while adding high-upside wide receivers to maintain depth and flexibility.

c. Late Rounds (Picks 21-35)

In the later rounds, the team composition solidifies with additional wide receivers like Dante Moncrief and DeSean Jackson, a tight end with Travis Kelce, and backup running backs such as Isaiah Crowell and DeAndre Washington.

Andy Holloway [40:49]:
"We have Lamar Miller and Latavius Murray at running back, Brandon Marshall and Dante Moncrief at wide receiver, Travis Kelsey sitting in the tight end, Ryan Matthews in the flex, and we have desea(n) Jackson and Marvin Jones on our bench."

The hosts discuss the importance of depth, potential breakout players, and the strategic avoidance of early quarterback selections to maximize value.

Jason Moore [52:51]:
"I think the depth is actually pretty good to have a bench with DeSean Jackson, Marvin Jones, Isaiah Crowell, DeAndre Washington, and Torrey Smith."

5. Key Strategies and Takeaways

• Balance Between RB and WR: The hosts advocate for a balanced approach in selecting running backs and wide receivers, emphasizing the importance of securing high-upside players in both positions.

• Avoiding Early QB Picks: They recommend waiting on quarterbacks, as the position depth allows for quality selections in the later rounds without sacrificing valuable early picks.

• Red Zone Targets: Emphasis is placed on drafting players with strong red zone potential, such as Marvin Jones, to maximize touchdown opportunities and point returns.

• Mock Draft as a Learning Tool: The episode underscores the value of participating in mock drafts to experiment with strategies and assess team composition without real-world consequences.

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the mock draft, the hosts reflect on their team's strengths and areas for improvement, highlighting their strategic choices and the potential for their drafted roster to perform well.

Andy Holloway [54:55]:
"So many red zones. So many red zones on the team."

They encourage listeners to engage with the community, revisit past episodes for deeper insights, and leverage resources like FantasyDraftWizard.com for future draft preparations.

Jason Moore [55:06]:
"Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter @TheFFballers."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [00:56]:
  "Welcome into the show. Welcome to the podcast. Welcome one and all. It's Friday. The weekend is upon us. And not only that, but some preseason football action."

• Jason Moore [05:23]:
  "The only places that I actually think it's coming into a good era right now in the sense that like, you know, that strategy six years ago probably didn't work well for you but now with the passing of the NFL, I think that it's a good time for it."

• Andy Holloway [08:33]:
  "This Ladarius Green news is incredible. Not only is it not an ankle, it's headaches that are keeping him off the field."

• Jason Moore [13:31]:
  "He looked great. He showed body control. He showed good hands."

• Mike Wright [14:49]:
  "They combined for eight carries for zero yards."

• Jason Moore [25:14]:
  "I would rather have those guys that I think are going to finish as top five backs who are playing those first four weeks."

• Andy Holloway [54:55]:
  "So many red zones. So many red zones on the team."

Final Roster from Mock Draft

Running Backs:

• Lamar Miller
• Latavius Murray

Wide Receivers:

• Brandon Marshall
• Dante Moncrief

Flex:

• Ryan Matthews

Tight End:

• Travis Kelce

Bench:

• DeSean Jackson
• Marvin Jones
• Isaiah Crowell
• DeAndre Washington
• Torrey Smith

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions, strategic insights, and key takeaways from the Fantasy Footballers' 2016 episode focused on preseason news and a standard mock draft from the 12th spot. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy player or new to the game, the analysis provided offers valuable guidance for building a competitive roster.