Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary: "Head-to-Head Mock Draft!"

Release Date: June 11, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore
Guest: Jay Grizz (filling in for Mike Wright)

Episode Overview

In the "Head-to-Head Mock Draft!" episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore engage in an intense, competitive mock draft session. With Jay Grizz stepping in for Mike Wright, the trio delves deep into drafting strategies, player evaluations, and the dynamics of assembling a championship-winning fantasy football team. This episode offers listeners invaluable insights into mock drafting, tailored strategies for different league sizes, and the nuances of player selection in a live draft environment.

Setting Up the Mock Draft

The episode kicks off with enthusiasm as Andy and Jason prepare for their head-to-head mock draft. They announce the draft will take place on the Sleeper platform, with live tracking available on YouTube. The mock is set in a 12-team, half-point PPR (Points Per Reception) league, featuring the standard roster requirements:

• 1 Quarterback (QB)
• 2 Running Backs (RB)
• 2 Wide Receivers (WR)
• 1 Flex
• 1 Tight End (TE)
• 5 Bench Spots

Andy Holloway sets the scene:
“It's a 12 team league, half point per reception, traditional. One quarterback, two running back, two wide receiver, one flex, one tight end and then five bench spots.” (09:09)

Jason and Andy decide to draft back-to-back to increase the competitive tension, establishing a playful rivalry from the outset.

First and Second Rounds: Establishing Foundations

First Round Picks:

1. Andy Holloway: DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
   • “I'll be the one to break from the running back run and go with the best wide receiver in football.” (14:05)
2. Jason Moore: David Johnson (RB)
   • “It's between David Johnson and Joe Mixon. But David Johnson... he's going to be back on the up.” (12:42)

Andy prioritizes a stable, high-performing wide receiver to anchor his team, while Jason opts for a top-tier running back, highlighting different foundational strategies.

Second Round Highlights:

• Jason selects Mike Evans (WR), emphasizing the importance of securing reliable reception targets.
  “I think Mike Evans is as safe. I'm fine with him as my number one.” (22:45)
• Andy counters by drafting Dalvin Cook (RB), bolstering his running back depth.
  “Geronimo Allison... I like that for my team.” (27:20)

The early rounds reflect a balance between securing high-value players and addressing positional needs, setting the tone for their draft approaches.

Middle Rounds: Strategy and Player Evaluation

As the draft progresses into the middle rounds, Andy and Jason exchange strategies on balancing their rosters. Andy focuses on building a robust running back lineup with Dalvin Cook and Josh Jacobs, while Jason emphasizes flexibility and wide receiver depth with selections like Robert Woods and Allen Robinson.

Key Discussions:

• League Size Impacts:
  Andy and Jason discuss how draft strategies shift based on league sizes, noting that smaller leagues allow for more aggressive picks at key positions due to fewer teams competing for top talent.
  “If you're in a small league, everyone's teams are going to be great. They're all super loaded.” (06:21)

• Risk Management vs. Upside:
  Jason debates between securing high-floor players versus taking chances on high-upside talents, ultimately leaning towards players he believes will provide consistency throughout the season.
  “I'm going to take Mike Evans because I think Mike Evans is a double-digit touchdown threat.” (22:55)

• Tight End Positioning:
  The conversation delves into the strategic placement of tight ends, with both hosts expressing caution against early investments at the position unless a top-tier option is available.
  “I'm not willing to spend early on George Kittle... I like Brandon Cooks.” (27:34)

Notable Quote: Andy Holloway:
“This is why we say stay water in your draft.” emphasizing the importance of flexibility during the drafting process. (15:02)

Late Rounds: Deep Sleepers and Finalizing the Roster

In the later rounds, Andy and Jason focus on identifying and selecting deep sleepers—players with high breakout potential who can significantly boost their teams without requiring high draft capital.

Strategies Discussed:

• Value Picks vs. High Risk:
  Andy opts for players like Geronimo Allison, highlighting his potential as a breakout candidate.
  “Geronimo Allison should be the clear number two target.” (51:43)

• Balancing Roster Depth:
  Jason emphasizes the need for a balanced roster, ensuring he remains competitive across all positions while avoiding over-investment in any single role.
  “I'm going to take a wide receiver off the board, and his name is Cortland Sutton.” (50:45)

Notable Interaction: During the selection of tight ends, Jason debates between securing a reliable performer like Evan Ingram versus taking a high-upside option, ultimately choosing to bolster his wide receiver corps. This decision underscores the balance between securing safety picks and targeting potential breakout stars.

Conclusion and Final Teams

As the mock draft concludes, both hosts present their final team rosters, showcasing the outcomes of their strategic decisions throughout the draft.

Final Teams:

• Andy Holloway:

  • Quarterback: DeSean Watson
  • Running Backs: Dalvin Cook, Josh Jacobs
  • Wide Receivers: DeAndre Hopkins, Brandon Cooks
  • Tight End: Trey Burton
  • Flex: Lamar Miller, Dante Pettis, Geronimo Allison, Marvin Jones
  • Bench: Caleb Blodge, Matt Burrida

• Jason Moore:

  • Quarterback: Josh Allen
  • Running Backs: David Johnson, Kerryon Johnson, David Montgomery, Peyton Barber, Damian Harris
  • Wide Receivers: Mike Evans, Robert Woods, Allen Robinson, Cortland Sutton, Golden Tate
  • Bench: Evan Ingram

Notable Exchange: Andy Holloway:
“I'm going to take my number three overall quarterback. I'm going to take the stack of Hopkins and Watson, and I'm going to let that fuel this team.” (34:53)

Jason Moore:
“I'm going to take a wide receiver off the board, and his name is going to be Cortland Sutton.” (50:45)

The final rosters reflect a blend of high-floor and high-ceiling players, demonstrating the hosts' ability to adapt their strategies in real-time while maintaining competitive integrity.

Key Takeaways

1. Flexibility is Crucial: Both Andy and Jason emphasize the importance of remaining adaptable during drafts, avoiding rigid pre-determined strategies to better respond to unfolding draft dynamics.

2. Balance Between Positions: Successful team construction requires a balanced approach, ensuring depth and flexibility across key positions like running back and wide receiver.

3. Value Over Hype: Targeting players who offer high value and consistent performance potential often trumps choosing highly touted prospects with uncertain outcomes.

4. Understanding League Dynamics: Adapting strategies based on league size and scoring formats can significantly impact draft success and overall team competitiveness.

5. Importance of Sleepers: Identifying and securing sleepers in the late rounds can provide crucial depth and upside, potentially differentiating championship teams from the rest.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Andy Holloway:
  “This is why we say stay water in your draft.” (15:02)

• Jason Moore:
  “I'm going to take Mike Evans because I think Mike Evans is a double-digit touchdown threat.” (22:55)

• Andy Holloway:
  “I'm not willing to spend early on George Kittle... I like Brandon Cooks.” (27:34)

• Jason Moore:
  “I'm going to take a wide receiver off the board, and his name is going to be Cortland Sutton.” (50:45)

• Andy Holloway:
  “I'm going to take the stack of Hopkins and Watson, and I'm going to let that fuel this team.” (34:53)

This episode serves as an educational tool for fantasy football enthusiasts, illustrating practical drafting strategies, the significance of player evaluation, and the psychological aspects of competing in a head-to-head draft environment. Andy Holloway and Jason Moore provide a comprehensive look into the intricacies of mock drafting, offering listeners actionable insights to enhance their own fantasy football preparations.