Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Head-to-Head Mock Draft Episode Summary

Release Date: July 2, 2020

Introduction

In the July 2, 2020 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive into an engaging head-to-head mock draft tailored for fantasy football enthusiasts. Designed to mirror a typical 12-team Snake draft in a half-point PPR (Points Per Reception) format, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive look into the drafting strategies and decision-making processes of three seasoned fantasy football experts.

Draft Setup

The mock draft is structured as follows:

• League Format: 12-team Snake draft, half-point PPR
• Roster Positions: Quarterback, two Running Backs, two Wide Receivers, Tight End, Flex
• Draft Order:
  • Jason Moore: 7th pick
  • Andy Holloway: 9th pick
  • Mike Wright: 12th pick

The hosts emphasize that viewers on YouTube can follow along with the draft board, watching as each host constructs their roster in real-time.

First Round Picks

Round 1:

• Jason (7th Pick): Selects Dalvin Cook, prioritizing high-performing running backs and ensuring a strong foundation.

  • Jason Moore (10:28): "I'm going to draft Miles Sanders, pair him with Dalvin Cook so that I could focus on wide receivers in those middle rounds because there's so many I like there."

• Andy (9th Pick): Chooses Josh Jacobs, targeting reliable running backs to secure his primary position.

  • Andy Holloway (07:57): "I am at 40, which puts him at RB6."

• Mike (12th Pick): Opts for Austin Ekeler, focusing on versatile running backs who can contribute both rushing and receiving yards.

  • Mike Wright (11:53): "I am going to draft Miles Sanders, pair him with Dalvin Cook so that I could focus on wide receivers in those middle rounds because there's so many I like there."

The trio discusses the dominance of running backs in the early rounds, with all three prioritizing this position to build a competitive edge.

Second to Fourth Rounds

Round 2:

• Jason: Continues building his RB core by selecting Miles Sanders.
• Andy: Adds Kenyan Drake to complement his primary running back.
• Mike: Selects Aaron Jones, reinforcing his backfield strength.

Notable Discussion:

• Josh Jacobs vs. Kenyan Drake
  • Jason Moore (15:40): "If I can, you know, secure the roster spot with Alexander Madison, then I'm good."
  • Andy emphasizes Jacobs' potential to leap from RB11 to RB6 based on previous performance, showcasing confidence in his selection.

Round 3:

• Jason: Diversifies his roster by picking Amari Cooper as his first wide receiver.

  • Jason Moore (18:34): "I believe in Amari Cooper. I think what we saw in the beginning of last year and his fantasy dominance was real before the injury."

• Andy: Strengthens his WR lineup with Robert Woods, anticipating high receiving yards.

  • Andy Holloway (26:52): "Robert Woods could push for 100 receptions this year."

• Mike: Secures another WR with D.J. Moore, aiming for consistency and breakout potential.

  • Mike Wright (22:25): "He is my wide receiver."

Round 4:

• Jason: Adds depth with David Johnson, banking on increased involvement in the passing game.

  • Jason Moore (30:01): "David Johnson will be my third running back on this roster."

• Andy: Takes a gamble with DeSean Jackson, hoping for explosive plays.

  • Andy Holloway (55:44): "Desean Jackson joins my roster."

• Mike: Opts for Ronald Jones, weighing his speed and potential role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense.

  • Mike Wright (46:57): "He is the starting running back for the Tom Brady led Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

Middle Rounds (Fifth to Seventh)

Round 5:

• Jason: Focuses on wide receivers, selecting Terry McLaurin to bolster his receiving corps.

  • Jason Moore (31:06): "I'm going to draft Terry McLaurin and hope that you two gentlemen don't grab my, my Hollywood Brown."

• Andy: Continues building his WR team with additional picks like Darrell Henderson and Adrian Peterson.

  • Andy Holloway (37:07): "Chase Edmonds went next."

• Mike: Makes strategic picks such as Golden Tate, aiming for dependable WR contributions.

  • Mike Wright (47:12): "I like golden Tate. He is interesting to me as a wide receiver."

Round 6:

• Jason: Trades some depth and focuses on balancing his team, selecting versatile players.
• Andy: Adds Jalen Ramsey for defensive consistency.
• Mike: Picks Tyler Higbee for his tight end position, aiming for reliable points.

Round 7:

• Jason: Continues with Chris Thompson, seeking high upside wide receivers.
• Andy: Slots in Damien Harris to strengthen his running back lineup.
• Mike: Chooses Nikhil Harry, hoping for a standout quarterback performance.

Late Rounds (Eighth to Twelfth)

Round 8-10:

• Jason: Focuses on sleepers like AJ Brown and Devin Coleman to maximize upside.

  • Jason Moore (50:22): "I am taking him [Devin Coleman]."

• Andy: Selects players like DeSean Jackson and Jalen Ramsey, aiming for depth and potential breakout stars.

  • Andy Holloway (54:04): "I want to see what happens."

• Mike: Targets late-round gems such as Aaron Rodgers as a backup quarterback with high upside.

  • Jason Moore (57:48): "I'm going to draft Kyler Murray and find my quarterback here."

Round 11-12:

• Jason: Completes his roster with strategic picks, including Drew Brees as a backup quarterback.
• Andy: Finalizes his team with defensive selections and additional depth players.
• Mike: Closes out his draft with versatile players like Devin Coleman and Jalen Ramsey, ensuring a balanced team.

Final Team Compositions

Andy Holloway's Final Team:

• Quarterback: Drew Brees
• Running Backs: Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, David Montgomery, Sony Michel, Damien Harris
• Wide Receivers: Amari Cooper, Robert Woods, Hollywood Brown, DeSean Jackson, Jalen Ramsey
• Tight End: Jared Cook
• Defense: Jalen Ramsey
• Bench: Tyreek Hill, DeSean Jackson, Jalen Ramsey

Mike Wright's Final Team:

• Quarterback: Kyler Murray
• Running Backs: Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler, Mark Ingram, Ronald Jones, Tevin Coleman
• Wide Receivers: D.J. Moore, D.J. Chark, Golden Tate, Nikhil Harry, Jameson Crowder
• Tight End: Tyler Higbee
• Defense: Nikhil Harry
• Bench: Devin Coleman, Tyler Higbee

Jason Moore's Final Team:

• Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
• Running Backs: Dalvin Cook, Miles Sanders, David Johnson, Kareem Hunt, Alexander Mattison, Chris Thompson
• Wide Receivers: Amari Cooper, Terry McLaurin, Michael Gallup, Jerry Jeudy, DeSean Jackson
• Tight End: Evan Ingram
• Defense: Chris Thompson
• Bench: Devin Coleman, Jalen Ramsey

Note: The above team compositions are based on the final picks made during the mock draft episode.

Strategies and Key Discussions

Throughout the mock draft, the hosts emphasized the importance of positional balance, depth, and high-upside picks. Key strategies included:

• Early Running Back Focus: All three hosts prioritized securing strong running backs in the initial rounds to build a solid foundation.

• Wide Receiver Depth: Balancing the roster with dependable and breakout wide receivers was a common theme, with selections like Amari Cooper, Robert Woods, and D.J. Moore.

• Flexibility and Upside: Late-round picks focused on sleepers and high-upside players, ensuring flexibility and potential breakout performances.

• Backup Quarterbacks: Selecting backup QBs like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers provided security without sacrificing early-round picks.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (10:28): "I am going to draft Miles Sanders, pair him with Dalvin Cook so that I could focus on wide receivers in those middle rounds because there's so many I like there."
• Andy Holloway (07:57): "I am at 40, which puts him at RB6."
• Mike Wright (22:25): "He is my wide receiver."

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers mock draft episode provided listeners with an in-depth look into the drafting philosophies and strategies of three expert hosts. By navigating through various player selections, discussing potential pitfalls, and leveraging real-time decision-making, the episode served as an invaluable guide for fantasy football managers looking to optimize their own drafts.

The hosts concluded the episode by encouraging listeners to participate in their ongoing polls on Twitter (@theFFBallers) to vote for their favorite teams, fostering community engagement and friendly competition.

Final Reminder:

• Poll Participation: Support your favorite team by voting on Twitter @theFFBallers.
• Ultimate Draft Kit: Enhance your draft strategy with the Fantasy Footballers’ Ultimate Draft Kit available at ultimatedraftkit.com.

This summary encapsulates the pivotal moments and strategic insights from the Head-to-Head Mock Draft Episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, providing a comprehensive overview for both regular listeners and those new to the show.