Fantasy Football Podcast 2017 - Early MOCK DRAFT Episode!

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: March 22, 2017

Introduction

The episode kicks off on March 22, 2017, with hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright gearing up for their earliest mock draft of the year. The trio expresses excitement about diving into mock drafts, aiming to provide listeners with strategic insights and actionable advice to dominate their fantasy leagues.

News and Notes

Before delving into the mock draft, the hosts touch upon several pertinent news items affecting the 2017 fantasy football landscape:

• Kelvin Coleman Signs with the Packers:
  Andy Holloway [09:12] highlights Kristen Michael's return to the Packers' backfield alongside Ty Montgomery, signaling stability and potential depth for fantasy managers.

• Latavius Murray's Ankle Surgery:
  Jason Moore [12:35] discusses Murray undergoing ankle surgery to remove bone chips, assuring listeners that it shouldn't significantly impact his availability for training camps.

• Cam Newton's Shoulder Surgery:
  Jason Moore [12:22] notes that Newton will undergo surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff, raising concerns about his health and performance prospects.

• Marshawn Lynch's Future:
  The hosts speculate on Lynch's potential return to the Oakland Raiders, with Jason Moore [11:20] emphasizing that if Lynch returns, it will likely be with Oakland, impacting fantasy considerations.

Mock Draft Overview

The primary focus of the episode is conducting a comprehensive 12-team standard snake mock draft from the third overall pick. The hosts discuss their strategies, player rankings, and the rationale behind each selection, providing listeners with a play-by-play guide to navigating their own drafts.

Round 1

• Pick 3: David Johnson
  Jason Moore [17:19] endorses Johnson as his top pick, appreciating his dual-threat capability as both a runner and receiver:
  “His usage as both a running back and a pass catcher is just off the charts.”
  Mike Wright [17:39] opts for Ezekiel Elliott, valuing his consistent performance.

Round 2

• Pick 15: Mark Ingram
  The hosts debate between wide receivers and running backs, ultimately choosing Ingram for his reliability:
  Andy Holloway [25:06] states, “I'm putting David Johnson and Ty Gurley on the roster.”
  Jason Moore [25:13] concurs, emphasizing the importance of securing a dependable RB.

Round 3

• Pick 27: Doug Baldwin
  Mike Wright [27:05] selects Baldwin, appreciating his steady contributions despite some inconsistency:
  “He's a guy that I think will be around in a few more picks.”
  Jason Moore [27:29] expresses reluctance but acknowledges Baldwin's value.

Round 4

• Pick 38: Tyreek Hill
  Choosing Hill represents a strategic gamble on high upside:
  Andy Holloway [46:21] reflects on Hill's potential, while Jason Moore [46:24] highlights his explosive capability.

Subsequent Rounds

The hosts continue to navigate the draft, filling out their rosters with a mix of established stars and high-potential sleepers:

• Wide Receivers: Selections like Michael Crabtree and John Brown aim to balance proven performance with breakout potential.
• Running Backs: Latavius Murray and Doug Martin provide depth, addressing possible injuries and bye weeks.
• Quarterback: Mike Wright [54:10] finalizes Kirk Cousins as his QB1, balancing current value with future potential.

Strategy and Insights

Throughout the mock draft, the hosts share valuable strategies:

• Early Running Back Focus: Prioritizing top-tier running backs early to ensure a strong foundation.

• Flexibility in Later Rounds: Balancing depth with upside, allowing flexibility to adapt to player performances and injuries.

• Quarterback Streaming: Emphasizing the importance of streaming QBs rather than rushing to secure one early, especially given the depth and variability at the position.

Notable strategic discussions include:

• Andy Holloway [22:07]:
  “I like doubling down on reliability there.”
  Emphasizing the value of securing dependable players early.

• Jason Moore [30:11]:
  “Fourth round is always muck.”
  Highlighting the unpredictable nature of mid-round selections and the importance of tier-based decisions.

Final Team Roster

By the end of the mock draft, the hosts finalize their teams with a balanced mix of running backs, wide receivers, and a single quarterback:

• Starting Lineup:

  • RB1: David Johnson
  • RB2: Mark Ingram
  • WR1: Doug Baldwin
  • WR2: Michael Crabtree
  • QB1: Kirk Cousins
  • Flex: Latavius Murray / Jameson Crowder / Doug Martin / Tyreek Hill
  • TE1: Kyle Rudolph

• Bench:

  • WR: John Brown, Jameson Crowder
  • RB: Doug Martin, Tyreek Hill, Latavius Murray
  • QB: Kirk Cousins
  • Kicker & Defense: Matt Bryant, and others as needed.

Jason Moore [50:25] reflects on the robustness of their roster:
"Starting running backs of David Johnson and Mark Ingram. We got tried and true."
Mike Wright [50:52] emphasizes the strategic placement of their quarterback, allowing flexibility and depth in other positions.

Final Thoughts

The hosts conclude the episode by reiterating the importance of mock drafts in preparing for the real draft. They caution listeners against overvaluing mock draft grades and stress the need to focus on building a championship-caliber team rather than satisfying algorithmic evaluations.

Andy Holloway [59:54]:
"If you want to win that, just close your eyes and hover your button over auto draft or whatever draft, whoever it says to draft every single time and then you'll get an A and you'll lose horrifically."

They also promote their Ultimate Draft Kit, offering extensive player profiles and strategies to further aid listeners in their draft preparations.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway [01:57]:
  “You got part of that, right? But I'm trying to shame him into trading me AJ Green so he can get a better flex than Tyler Higby.”

• Jason Moore [04:10]:
  “And he missed three games in the middle of the season where he was not playing.”

• Mike Wright [21:15]:
  “I think when not compared to who's left on the board.”

• Andy Holloway [22:07]:
  “I like doubling down on reliability there.”

• Jason Moore [46:24]:
  “Tyreek Hill could... I like Tyreek Hill.”

• Andy Holloway [59:54]:
  “If you want to win that, just close your eyes and hover your button over auto draft or whatever draft, whoever it says to draft every single time and then you'll get an A and you'll lose horrifically.”

Conclusion

This early mock draft episode from The Fantasy Footballers provides a thorough exploration of drafting strategies and player evaluations for the 2017 fantasy football season. By blending insightful analysis with engaging discussions, Andy, Jason, and Mike equip listeners with the knowledge and confidence to approach their own drafts strategically, aiming to secure a winning edge in their respective leagues.