Fantasy Footballers Podcast: First MOCK DRAFT of 2020 + The Infinite One

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: May 7, 2020

Introduction: Setting the Stage for the Mock Draft

The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter among the hosts about Mike's initial reluctance to dive into the mock draft activity. Jason teases Mike for not participating as expected, setting a playful tone for the session.

Jason Moore (00:34): "I was waiting. I was. I was. I did it in my head. In my head. I was saying, it's mock draft time. And Mike's just sitting there letting us all down."

Despite the jest, the trio quickly shifts focus to the main event: the first mock draft of the season. They express excitement about testing their player projections and seeing how the draft dynamics play out live.

Andy Holloway (02:19): "Every year people ask, you know, what's the purpose of that mock draft? A lot of it is to just get a sense of the draft board and how it's moving month to month."

Segment 1: Buy/Sell – The Frank Gore Analysis

Before diving into the mock draft, the hosts engage in their beloved "Buy/Sell" segment, examining recent news about Frank Gore signing a one-year contract with the New York Jets.

Mike Wright (05:25): "As you know, we refer to Frank Gore as the Infinity Stone. He's collecting the stones. That's exactly what Frank Gore is doing."

They humorously liken Gore's career moves to collecting the Infinity Stones from the Marvel universe, highlighting his longevity and versatility in the NFL. The discussion revolves around whether Gore's experience and recent signing make him a "buy" or "sell" in fantasy leagues, ultimately concluding that Gore has been around long enough to be considered a safe asset.

Andy Holloway (11:14): "Frank Gore has played a while. He old? Yep, he's old. I don't think he's going to do much here for the Jets."

Segment 2: The Mock Draft – Picking Strategies and Player Evaluations

Round 1 Highlights:

The mock draft begins with the first four picks: Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Michael Thomas. The hosts discuss the safety and upside of selecting Michael Thomas early, emphasizing his high target volume and injury resilience compared to running backs.

Mike Wright (13:42): "The only thing that can stop Michael Thomas is injury, and it's just far less likely for that to happen than it is one of these running backs."

Round 2 –3: Balancing RB and WR Positions

Andy selects Dalvin Cook, noting his dual-threat capabilities with both rushing and receiving yards. The conversation heats up around Austin Ekeler, with some hosts bullish on his role in the Los Angeles Chargers' offense, while others express skepticism about his touchdown potential.

Andy Holloway (19:04): "The absence of Melvin Gordon, he's a centerpiece of the offense and like I said on the last show, at this point I'm accepting the production of Austin Ekeler in fantasy."

Jason contrasts his optimism with concerns about Ekeler's offensive context, ultimately agreeing to draft Ekeler alongside Dalvin Cook.

Round 4 –5: Wide Receiver Deep Dive

The discussion shifts to wide receivers like Amari Cooper, Odell Beckham Jr., and emerging talents like Calvin Ridley and D.J. Chark. Mike opts for D.J. Chark, valuing his consistent target share, while Jason leans towards Calvin Ridley, anticipating a breakout season.

Jason Moore (28:44): "Calvin Ridley is going to have a monster season. He's this year's Chris Godwin, if you will. A talented young guy who's been good when he's out there."

Round 6 –8: Enhancing Depth and Addressing Risk

As the mock draft progresses, the hosts address depth at running back and wide receiver, considering high-upside picks like Sony Michel and Marvin Jones. They deliberate on balancing proven veterans with potential breakout stars, emphasizing the importance of early-season performance to set the tone for the fantasy team.

Andy Holloway (35:25): "If you have three running backs, like Eckler isn't, I would start a draft like that."

Bench Strategy:

In the later rounds, the focus shifts to securing bench depth with players like Marlon Mack and Deontay Johnson, who offer potential high rewards with manageable risks. The hosts discuss handcuff strategies and the value of players who can emerge as starters based on early-season performance.

Jason Moore (59:06): "I would take the shot on a guy like Henderson here."

Segment 3: Concluding Thoughts and Final Rosters

As the mock draft concludes, the hosts reflect on their picks, praising their balance of solid performers and high-upside candidates. They acknowledge the evolving nature of player rankings and the importance of adapting strategies based on draft flow and emerging news.

Andy Holloway (63:25): "It's different, though, because you get used to seeing so many rosters from years past, and when you start to have some of these emerging names, that's one of the things a lot of fantasy owners out there see."

The session wraps up with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the upcoming NFL season, encouraging listeners to engage with their own mock drafts and share insights on social media.

Mike Wright (63:31): "Pretty good. I like the roster. I think we've got a good combination of solid pieces with upside pieces."

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (05:19): "Frank Gore has played a while. He old? Yep, he's old. I don't think he's going to do much here for the Jets."
• Mike Wright (13:42): "The safety and security of Michael Thomas is a warm, cozy blanket knowing that you still have incredible upside."
• Jason Moore (28:44): "Calvin Ridley is going to have a monster season. He's this year's Chris Godwin."
• Andy Holloway (35:25): "If you have three running backs, like Eckler isn't, I would start a draft like that."

Key Takeaways:

• Player Evaluations: The hosts emphasize the importance of balancing proven veterans with high-upside rookies and emerging talents, adapting to positional needs as the draft progresses.

• Draft Strategy: There's a clear preference for securing top-tier running backs early, complemented by reliable wide receivers and strategic depth picks to mitigate risks.

• Flexibility and Adaptation: The mock draft highlights the need to remain flexible, adjusting strategies based on the flow of picks and the availability of key players.

Conclusion:

The first mock draft of the 2020 season conducted by the Fantasy Footballers offers valuable insights into drafting strategies, player valuations, and the dynamics of building a competitive fantasy team. By combining humor, expert analysis, and strategic discussions, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive guide to navigating their fantasy football drafts with confidence and flair.

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