Live Head-to-Head MOCK Draft + HOF Game Takeaways

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary: Live Head-to-Head MOCK Draft + HOF Game Takeaways (August 3, 2018)

Release Date: August 3, 2018

Welcome to this action-packed episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, where hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the latest happenings in the fantasy football universe. This episode features a live head-to-head mock draft and insightful takeaways from the Hall of Fame (HOF) Game, providing listeners with expert analysis and strategic advice to bolster their fantasy rosters.

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I. Introduction and Celebrations

The episode kicks off with a light-hearted celebration of Tom Brady's 41st birthday.

• Andy Holloway (01:16): “Happy birthday, Tom Brady, 41 years young.”
• Mike Wright (01:30): Responds humorously about knowing Brady's date of birth, adding a playful tone to the show.

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II. Hall of Fame Game Takeaways

The hosts transition into discussing the recent HOF Game, sharing their observations and key takeaways that could influence fantasy football strategies.

• Mike Wright (02:40): Shares excitement about seeing Robert Griffin III (RGIII) back on the field, noting, “It was really great to see him back out there slinging it.”
• Jason Moore (03:10): Comments on Hayden Hurst’s performance, highlighting the importance of the eye test over mere statistics: “If you're new to fantasy football... you need to learn... especially at the tight end position.”
• Andy Holloway (04:37): Offers a critical perspective on the increased number of penalties, suggesting it's a result of new rule implementations aimed at player safety: “Every time they institute a new rule... you're going to get flags to send a message.”

Key Insights:

• Player Performances: RGIII’s return showcases his potential resurgence with the Ravens, while Hayden Hurst’s utilization-friendly display provides valuable insights for tight end selections.
• Rule Changes: The increased penalties reflect the NFL’s commitment to safer gameplay, although it may lead to controversial calls that affect game dynamics.

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III. Fantasy Football News

Shifting focus to broader fantasy football news, the hosts discuss significant player movements and their potential impacts on fantasy drafts.

• Andy Holloway (07:58): Announces, “The Patriots signed Eric Decker, formerly of the Titans, to a one-year contract.”
• Jason Moore (09:06): Critiques Decker’s fantasy value, stating, “I have no fantasy interest in Eric Decker whatsoever.”
• Mike Wright (10:09): Considers Decker’s touchdown potential but remains skeptical about his long-term reliability due to his competition with Rob Gronkowski: “Eric Decker, he's a touchdown monster.”

Key Insights:

• Eric Decker Signing: While a seasoned receiver, Decker’s integration into the Patriots’ offense may offer touchdown upside, but his fantasy appeal is debatable given the presence of Gronkowski and the uncertainty surrounding his targeted usage.

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IV. Live Head-to-Head Mock Draft

The centerpiece of the episode is a live, head-to-head mock draft conducted in a half-point PPR league using the Sleeper app. The mock draft provides a real-time demonstration of drafting strategies, player selections, and the dynamic nature of fantasy football drafts.

Highlights and Notable Moments:

1. Draft Positions and Initial Picks:

   • Jason Moore (15:09): Starts at the fourth overall pick, choosing Ezekiel Elliott over Antonio Brown: “I've got to saddle a stud and a stud is a stud running back or Antonio Brown.”

2. Running Back Strategy:

   • Andy Holloway (16:04): Emphasizes the importance of securing a top-tier running back early: “If you've got one of those top four picks to not get one of those huge advantage running backs is just, you know, I think that's a mistake.”
   • Mike Wright (16:49): Explores a zero RB approach, considering Alvin Kamara but ultimately selecting Antonio Brown: “I am strongly considering going with a closer to a zero running back approach.”

3. Wide Receiver Selections:

   • Jason Moore (21:14): Chooses Odell Beckham Jr. to ensure stability at the wide receiver position: “I could also go wide receiver, wide receiver. However, it will be a long and torturous wait for a running back.”
   • Andy Holloway (25:34): Advocates for drafting based on personal rankings over ADP trends: “If you view it as a value getting Jameson Crowder in the eighth round at the running back position.”

4. Quarterback Picks:

   • Jason Moore (36:40): Opts for Tom Brady in the sixth round, labeling him as an MVP-caliber quarterback: “he is the MVP.”
   • Mike Wright (54:15): Chooses Aaron Jones, emphasizing his potential as a break-out candidate despite a two-game suspension: “I can survive until he becomes.”

5. Final Team Rosters:

   • Jason Moore: Concludes with a balanced team featuring Odell Beckham Jr., Larry Fitzgerald, Robbie Anderson, Jordan Howard, and Tom Brady among others.
   • Andy Holloway and Mike Wright: Finalize their teams with strategies reflecting their draft philosophies, such as Andy focusing on a mix of high-upside players and Mike adhering to a zero RB strategy with depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright (16:49): “I am strongly considering going with a closer to a zero running back approach.”
• Andy Holloway (24:20): “Don't just go by the networks that you're using, whether you're drafting or Yahoo.”
• Jason Moore (25:21): “Adam Thielen was the pick.”

Key Insights:

• Draft Strategies: The hosts showcase different approaches, including securing top running backs early, balancing wide receivers based on personal rankings versus ADP, and experimenting with zero RB strategies.
• ADP Considerations: Emphasizes the importance of understanding how their league mates might be drafting and the potential pitfalls of following ADP blindly.

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V. Best Ball Segment: Evaluating “Basketball” Picks

In a bonus segment, the hosts discuss the concept of “basketball” players in best ball leagues—players who might not consistently start but can boom in certain weeks, akin to basketball players’ high-scoring games.

• Jason Moore: Introduces the topic by comparing fantasy football wide receivers to basketball players, questioning what constitutes a bad basketball pick.
• Andy Holloway (63:38): Defines a bad basketball pick as a player who isn't a touchdown scorer and consistently gains minimal yards: “...a guy that's a possession between the 20s guy who's later round and he's not a touchdown scorer.”
• Mike Wright (65:22): Advises avoiding players with limited roles or aging performance, using Chris Carson and LeGarrett Blount as examples: “Like Chris Carson. I'm going to...”

Key Insights:

• Player Selection in Best Ball: Focus on players with the potential for high-impact performances rather than consistent but low-output players. Emphasizes valuing touchdown potential and usage volume over mere yardage accumulation.

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VI. Conclusion and Final Team Overviews

As the mock draft concludes, each host summarizes their finalized teams, reflecting their strategic choices and the balance between risk and stability.

• Jason Moore: Ends up without a tight end, advocating flexibility based on league rules: “If a league does not dictate, you exit the draft having every starting position filled a la your kicker defense.”
• Andy Holloway: Finalizes a team with a balanced mix of running backs, wide receivers, and key players like Travis Kelsey: “Ezekiel Elliott, Jerick McKinnon and Kerryon Johnson... Travis Kelsey locking it down at tight end with big Ben Roethlisberger.”
• Mike Wright: Wraps up with a zero RB strategy, focusing on depth and high-upside running backs: “Antonio Brown, Gronkowski, Amari Cooper, Alan Robinson and Marvin Jones holding down my wide receiver position.”

Final Thoughts: The mock draft serves as a practical demonstration of varying drafting philosophies, highlighting the importance of adaptability, understanding league dynamics, and making informed decisions based on both personal rankings and ADP trends.

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VII. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with a reminder for listeners to engage with the podcast on various platforms and to participate in upcoming community activities, ensuring they stay informed and connected throughout the fantasy football season.

• Mike Wright (65:45): “Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our Fantasy Footballers small community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter at theffballers.”

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Andy Holloway (01:16): “Happy birthday, Tom Brady, 41 years young.”
• Mike Wright (02:40): “It was really great to see him back out there slinging it.”
• Jason Moore (09:06): “I have no fantasy interest in Eric Decker whatsoever.”
• Andy Holloway (24:20): “Don't just go by the networks that you're using, whether you're drafting or Yahoo.”
• Jason Moore (25:21): “Adam Thielen was the pick.”
• Mike Wright (16:49): “I am strongly considering going with a closer to a zero running back approach.”
• Andy Holloway (63:38): “...a guy that's a possession between the 20s guy who's later round and he's not a touchdown scorer.”

This comprehensive episode provides valuable insights into both real-game NFL developments and strategic fantasy football drafting, equipping listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance their chances of winning their leagues.

Transcript

[Mike Wright]

Hey, fookland, are you looking. Are you looking to join a better league up your fantasy game? Well, I want you to head over to JoinTheFoot.com this is your way that you can help support the show, get all kinds of perks, including an extra podcast every single week, a bunch of premium tools to use during the season, and you get access to the exclusive foot clan leagues where you get to meet and hang out and post with other people listening to the show who are all about having a good time playing fantasy football. So if you want to check that out and support the show, go to jointhefoot.com hi, this is Eric Dickinson, NFL.

[Jason Moore]

Hall of Famer, and you listen to the fantasy footballers podcast.

[Andy Holloway]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers podcast coming to you from Draft.com Studios with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.

[Jason Moore]

Welcome in mock, mock, mock, mock, mock, mock, mock.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Friday, August 3rd.

[Andy Holloway]

Whoa. Juicy. August 3rd.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, sir.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, then, happy birthday, Tom Brady, 41 years young.

[Jason Moore]

41 today.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

So. So, spring chicken, did you actually know, like, do you have Tom Brady's date of birth memorized?

[Jason Moore]

Okay, on his date book, I was.

[Mike Wright]

Gonna say, man, you. This is. This is creepy. Creeping me out.

[Jason Moore]

Over here's a question for you. Is there anything you can get Tom Brady for his birthday? Is there anything that anybody can get Tom Brady? Does he have everything anybody could ever get or want?

[Mike Wright]

I know what he needs. He needs a Chia Pet. He needs an Abraham Lincoln Chia Pet.

[Jason Moore]

That's the only thing.

[Andy Holloway]

He would like that a lot.

[Mike Wright]

I guarantee the plant man does not have one of those.

[Jason Moore]

Hmm.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. No, I think that would mean a lot to him, Mike.

[Mike Wright]

I'm amazoning it to him right now because I have his address.

[Jason Moore]

We have a great show for you today. We have a mock draft, half point PPR mock draft, live on the show, bringing you all of our thoughts and strategy and dreams live. And we're going head to head to head, so you'll get a chance to vote on which team you like the most. We'll catch you up on the latest fantasy football news and information. We got a good quick question. Everybody's excited. The hall of Fame game. You guys watch it?

[Andy Holloway]

I did.

[Jason Moore]

Did you guys hold your eyes open and watch it?

[Mike Wright]

I saw some of it and I've.

[Jason Moore]

Got a couple takeaways.

[Mike Wright]

My first. I really have one takeaway.

[Jason Moore]

Sure.

[Mike Wright]

And it just. It was exciting to watch Robert Griffin play football. When I saw him out there, I went, holy crap. Number one, I totally forgot he was on the Ravens. Number two, I Mean, he was such a sensation for the league, Rookie of the year and the injuries and everything that happened was. Was really unfortunate. So it was, it was just great to see him back out there slinging it and Brashad Perryman causing interceptions right away.

[Andy Holloway]

He's doing what he does.

[Jason Moore]

Whenever you are the starting Wyatt out for the hall of Fame game, you're on the roster bubble. That's Rashad Perryman's situation. Yeah, it was strange seeing Robert Griffin III on the Ravens without the. The dreads hanging out of the back of the helmet. Thankfully, he did not get hurt and he played well. Actually, Lamar Jackson's getting some heat for that performance last night. I think there was some good, some bad. You saw the. The kind of agility in the pocket. It's going to take some time. The actual takeaway for me and now was Hayden Hurst, specifically because they lined him up frequently outside. He showed some good hands. You know, it wasn't like an impressive stat line, but you're not looking. We've said this before in the preseason, it's the eye test more than the stat line. Right. If you're out there, you're new to fantasy football and you want to know what you can take away from the preseason, I think you need to learn, you know, especially at the tight end position, you get to see evidence of a player's athleticism. Julius Thomas, years ago, preseason evidence showed us that he was going to be Peyton Manning's number one guy. I think Hayden Hurst showed well to me last night.

[Mike Wright]

I will say this, and if you're going to give the eye test, make sure you watch in entirety, because like I said, I saw very little of the game. What I saw of Hayden Hurst was him lined up. I think he was in the slot, super easy pass and just dropped it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

So that was my high test. So if you are doing that, make sure you take in more than one play before you're making all of your.

[Jason Moore]

Judgments, which is difficult when you have a Hall of Fame game and you have all those baskets.

[Andy Holloway]

Certainly so hard to watch the hall of Fame game in its entirety. It is very difficult because that is some bad football. Obviously, a lot of the news centered around the flags on.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, let's talk about that briefly.

[Andy Holloway]

Here's the deal. I mean, my take ON that is 100% that we've seen this. Every time they institute a new rule that everyone's worried about preseason, especially like the first week of the preseason, you're going to get flags to send a message saying, look how much we're going to call this. And then when the regular season rolls around, it's like the rule exists, be careful. But they're not calling it like that.

[Jason Moore]

There's a lot of paranoia out there right now, especially based on that end zone call where, you know, the receiver basically lead ish with their head. But you know, the safety. Yeah, the safety hit it. You know, hit the receiver with his shoulder in the middle of the stomach.

[Andy Holloway]

It turns out his head was actually in front of his shoulders in this situation, it was above it.

[Jason Moore]

Well, that's the key you got as a defender. You gotta figure out how to get your head.

[Andy Holloway]

You gotta remove your head.

[Jason Moore]

You just don't have one.

[Andy Holloway]

If you wanna be able to tackle, you gotta dip your head way back.

[Jason Moore]

Turtle, you gotta go, turtle.

[Andy Holloway]

There you go.

[Jason Moore]

Pull it in.

[Andy Holloway]

Turtle shirt.

[Jason Moore]

Turtle shirt. But no, I'm more on Jason's side. I don't think it's going to be as big of a problem during the season. But you are going to have the head scratching calls because when you have humans wearing the zebra stripes, you're going to have errors and you're not going to really go back and review those. So you're going to have some plays that you're going to be like, oh, my gosh.

[Mike Wright]

And in the defense, I believe of the referees and the league, they have to make the game safer and it's going to be a very painful process of getting it there.

[Jason Moore]

I believe they just hit $500 million in settlement payments regarding concussions since that news item kind of took off.

[Mike Wright]

So it's going to be rough and there's going to be people upset saying, this isn't football.

[Andy Holloway]

A lot of people complained about getting those hard tackles out and they're like, this isn't football. We're used to it. And the game sped up and is awesome.

[Mike Wright]

And if you want football to, in my opinion, if you want football to survive long into our aged years, when I'm on arp, I want football around. And these are things that are going to have to happen to keep the game alive.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's talk fantasy news.

[Andy Holloway]

News and notes from around the league.

[Jason Moore]

If you want to go beyond the podcast, the latest news and information, not only about this show, but about everything going on in the NFL that affect your fantasy team. Follow us on TwitterFFballers. You can subscribe to this show not only on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, but you can also subscribe and watch it on YouTube. And if you subscribe and you click the little bell you'll get notified if we do a surprise livestream. A Q and a. Jason is glaring into the camera with.

[Andy Holloway]

You've just given the YouTube some love.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he was. He was grinning. So. News and notes. Hey. The Patriots, they signed Eric Decker, formerly of the Titans, to a one year contract.

[Mike Wright]

Well, we shall see.

[Andy Holloway]

He's got a chance. You brought up a good point. I think on yesterday's show, Andy, when it was, you know, Marcus Mariota had a very.

[Jason Moore]

You mean when I predicted this exactly. Right. The day before.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, the news was that he was there, so it was an amazing prediction.

[Mike Wright]

If I had called Eric Decker signing to the Patriots before we had heard Eric Decker is visiting the Patriots, that would have been. Then I would be. Holy crap. Andy is Nostradamus.

[Jason Moore]

I did say they will sign him.

[Mike Wright]

Sure, sure. That's a low risk opportunity, huge reward. Clear.

[Andy Holloway]

I was trying to give you was that you brought up the fact that Marcus Mariota had a bad year last year. Their passing volume was way down and so were the problems with Decker. All Decker's fault. Or perhaps we just didn't, you know, we just didn't see him utilized the right way and maybe he still got it. To be fair to you, Andy, you're usually the one that I think predicts the end of careers. You often see when the wheels fall off. And how do you feel about Decker?

[Jason Moore]

I have no fantasy interest in Eric Decker whatsoever. I talked to Jake Seeley yesterday on another podcast. I would still. If I'm in a league, I would still sign Kenny Brett over Eric Decker today. There's no part of me that's interested in trying to start Eric Decker for two of four weeks without Julian Edelman. So in regards to practical help for the Patriots, sure. I think it helps the Patriots in regards to fantasy. You can, you can do a. What did I say before? A three sided coin and decide between Philip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Eric Decker on who not to want. I mean, it's just not practical. They're not going to ask Eric Decker to be the old Eric Decker either when he comes in and fills the, you know, the depth chart.

[Mike Wright]

Well, and Eric Decker, he's a touchdown monster. That's. This is what Eric Decker does. However, he has some competition at that because he has. This is the first time the monster is competing with a larger monster on his team in Gronkowski. So we'll see. I'm with you.

[Jason Moore]

You're the monster till you're not the monster.

[Mike Wright]

Exactly. He was a monster in a small pond.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

If you're in a dynasty league and Decker's on the wave wire, of course, scoop him up, see what happens. But when it comes to redraft, I, at least at this point, have no interest in Eric Decker.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Quincy Nunois. We heard about an injury to him yesterday. He's going to be sign laid one to two weeks with a thumb injury. Yeah, that's better than what it could.

[Mike Wright]

Have been a back or a neck injury.

[Jason Moore]

Missed some camp, though, trying to come back from the neck injury last year. Brandon Marshall, toe ankle, hamstring. He's been cleared to participate in team drills at Seahawks camp. Percentage chance that Brandon Marshall has relevance.

[Mike Wright]

This year, Mike, I'm going to go 35%.

[Jason Moore]

That's pretty high.

[Andy Holloway]

I think that's a really solid percent because I think it's like 50% that he makes the team.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And then if he makes a team, you know, 60% of being somewhat relevant.

[Jason Moore]

What's between 50 and 60?

[Andy Holloway]

Oh.

[Jason Moore]

I don't. I. You guys have a higher expectation of him than I do. I guess the Doug Baldwin news is pretty big.

[Mike Wright]

That weighs into my decision on making the team.

[Jason Moore]

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[Mike Wright]

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[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

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[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

Hey, Foot clan, listen up. I know a lot of people listening. They already have the Ultimate Draft Kit and if you have it, you know what's in it and you love it. But for anybody that doesn't know, we've got a lot of new listeners. That's the month of August. The Ultimate Draft Kit is first of all, it's the tool that the three of us pour ourselves into. We spend the entire year working on this product, but it's also one of the most proven tools to help facilitate fantasy championships year after year. The rankings from last year ranked in the top five. So look, you're going to get all our rankings, all our blurbs. You want to see us break down and talk about all of the best players you can watch. Little quick minute, 2 minute, 3 minute video profiles on all these top guys. There's draft cheat sheets and all sorts of things that you are going to love in it. It's only 29.99. It is the best value in fantasy. So we highly Recommend. Go to ultimatedraftkit.com get it today. You're going to want to read the stuff in there before your draft and you will very much enjoy it. Bring home that hashtag footclant [e-mail] and.

[Jason Moore]

I think when we talk about the Ultimate Draft Kit, I'm going to start bringing up some of these FAQ questions that we get sent in. Here's the most recent one. How often are the tiers updated in the Ultimate Draft game?

[Andy Holloway]

The tiers are updated every single time we make a tweak to any player, which is every single day. So there will never be a situation where I go in or Mike or Andy goes into our rankings, adjusts a player and the tiers do not reflect it. So you can always be confident in our tier based drafting wits. The Fantasy Footballers mock draft.

[Mike Wright]

So rude.

[Jason Moore]

Well, he screamed witch. So I was looking around, I was like, is there a witch somewhere in there?

[Andy Holloway]

It's a steak. Turned me into a newt. No, I'm just saying which, you know, I've got the Ultimate Draft Kit pulled up for this mock draft.

[Jason Moore]

I was gonna say we are about to enter a half point mock draft. Jason. Now I did a random draft spot selector and Jason ended up with the fourth spot.

[Andy Holloway]

I like it.

[Jason Moore]

Mike is drafting from the sixth spot.

[Mike Wright]

I'll take it.

[Jason Moore]

And lucky me, I got the 12 overall. I'm at the turn. So this will be kind of fun. I mean, an opportunity. This is why you mock draft and we mock draft using the sleeper app. We've been doing it all off season. Every one of our mock draft shows is using the sleeper app. It's great. You can pause it when you need to. You can undo errors like all of your picks.

[Andy Holloway]

Jason, thank you for letting me undo them.

[Jason Moore]

Lot of updates every single week with the sleeper app. And so we are going to jump right in right here, right now. Todd Gurley goes off the board at number one, Lev Bell at number two, David Johnson number three. And Jason, you're sitting there at number four. And I'm actually curious who you're going to go with here at the fourth overall pick in a half point league. By the way, standard roster construction here. Quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, tight end, flex position and then five bench spots.

[Andy Holloway]

There you go. This pick for me at the fourth spot is only between two players. That's it. It's Ezekiel Elliott or Antonio Brown. I've said you got to saddle a stud and a stud is a stud running back or Antonio Brown. I'm taking Ezekiel Elliott. If you've got one of those top four picks to not get one of those huge advantage running backs is just, you know, I think that's a mistake.

[Jason Moore]

So you've got, you got Zeke and then Saquon Barkley ends up going at 105 directly after Jason's pick, which puts Mike into an interesting position because I actually don't know where the rubber meets the road for you and Alvin Camara. I have no illusions of Alvin Camara getting to me at 112 so I can openly discuss his name. And ask you, Mike, is he even in consideration for you?

[Mike Wright]

Yes, he is in consideration. The three guys I'm looking at, Antonio, Alvin Kamara and Melvin Gordon and sitting right here at the sixth spot and the fact that we have we have three teams going, I am strongly considering going with a closer to a zero running back approach. Just so. Just as it's an experiment here, yes, it's a mock draft for the Foot Clan to go, but I want them to know my thought process. If I was actually here at the 6 and Camara Gordon, Antonio Brown were there, I would most likely end up taking Alvin Camara. But for the show, I'm going with Antonio Brown and we'll see what happens by the end if I can get the running backs to fill out my team.

[Jason Moore]

All right. By the way, you can get a more visual look at this mock draft by going to YouTube and watching it on there. We'll have the video of the draft board interspersed with our mock draft. But Jason took Zeke, Mike got Antonio Brown at 106. DeAndre Hopkins went next, Melvin Gordon at 108 and then Alvin Camara at 109. Leonard Fournette, Cream Hunt. And here I am on the clock and I've got to make a pair of picks. One of the more overt things that stands out to me is Look, Odell Beckham Jr. Is sitting there and Julio, you could stack them at the 112. I could. I could also go wide receiver, wide receiver. However, it will be a long and torturous wait for a running back. And I'm going to take. I will take Odell Beckham Jr. And now I'm looking at the running back position with options like Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman, Jordan Howard, Jerick McKinnon. I'm looking at stability for my roster in this half point league right now. And there is the upside of Jerick McKinnon. I've talked about him as one of the guys outside of the top 10 that I think could finish at number one if things go perfectly right in that system. But I want to illustrate for our listeners, when you are drafting and I know you've got the draft sheet printed out, but you are playing against, not just, you know, the draft sheet, you're playing against your league mates. I'm playing against these two gentlemen as well as all the other players in this league. And I'm playing to lose. And I need to weigh my roster construction. Right. You draft a guy, I took Odell Beckham Jr. Well, I want stability at my running back position, not risk with my first pick because I chose to go with a wide receiver. So I'm actually going to go with a guy I know is going to give volume and I'm going to take Jordan Howard over Jerick McKinnon over Dalvin Cook. I like the guaranteed workload of Jordan Howard to. Because I'm waiting a while for another running back, another opportunity. So I took Jordan Howard, Devonta Freeman went next, Keenan Allen, Dalvin Cook, Julio and A.J. green going at 205 and 206. Are they just the best values in fantasy football right now, those two players?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, quite possibly. The fact that you could start a roster with Melvin Gordon and Julio Jones is absolutely preposterous. This is people swinging the pendulum too far in my opinion, to the running back position. So I'm on the clock. I'm in the middle of the second round. The wide receiver, if I was going to go that way.

[Jason Moore]

I know your pick now is it's.

[Mike Wright]

Easily Michael Thomas because he is. He's a tier 2 guy according to our rankings. According to my rankings. But I've been doing it all off season. I'm not. Can't stop, won't stop. Middle of the second round, Rob Gronkowski is on my team. All right.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you've been saying any second round, that's basically, basically where you're grabbing them.

[Jason Moore]

Jason did not get Michael Thomas to drop to him because he went right after Gronkowski and now you're on the clock.

[Andy Holloway]

That would have been really nice to have those guys pair up for me. So at wide receiver, Devonte Adams is great. Doug Baldwin, if he was healthy, would have definitely been in consideration here. Mike Evans still available. I think I'm going to stack running backs here, though. My first two rounds, I've got a quick pick. You know, six picks from now, I get to pick again. I think I'm going to be happy with that wide receiver. I might even go three running backs if for some reason I can get the two guys I want. The two guys I want would be Jerick McKinnon and Joe Mixon. You know, I'm going to play the ADP game here. I know right now Jerick McKinnon has a higher ADP than Joe Mixon. So the only one of those two that has a chance to get back to me, I think, is mixing. I'm going to draft Jerick McKinnon.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, there's no way. There's no way.

[Andy Holloway]

I know that. Yeah. Joe Mix, two points later.

[Jason Moore]

So Jerick McKinnon, you took him at 209, but so now that the game.

[Mike Wright]

Is over and you lost, you knew you were going to lose the ADP game, right?

[Andy Holloway]

I don't have any regrets of not taking Joe Mixon because I both of those guys are in the same vein. To me, they are both people with secure volume on, you know, with, you know, good opportunities to score, especially in half point PPR. So I'm absolutely fine taking McKinnon there.

[Jason Moore]

So you pair McKinnon with Ezekiel Elliott, a guaranteed on the, you know, touch workload in terms of handoffs. I love that combo. Let's talk about the ADP game for a second before. Before Jason gets his third pick in. And by the way, after McKinnon, Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, Lashawn McCoy, three more running backs. So going double Running back, at least initially, looks like a good decision. You know, maybe if you like mixing more, that was the bad decision. But you played the game. Devonte Adams, Doug Baldwin, Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry there at 303. Goodness gracious. Let me ask this question about the, the ADP game that we play. I think that there are, you know, there are a lot of situations where you're, you're not playing in an experts league, you're not playing in a league with people that are sitting looking at the average draft position charts every single day of the week. And yes, you get an idea based on how mock drafts are happening. But all of our leagues are different. Everybody's league is different. And how do you weigh the ADP game and certain players? Here's an example. Jason, Alex Collins, his average draft position is about the first pick of the fourth round. But Alex Collins by name. Right. Running back for the Baltimore Ravens, not as prominent. Right, Right. It's not like Jordan Nelson's name in the fantasy community. So I can see Alex Collins going in the sixth or seventh round of a lot of non expert home league drafts.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, absolutely. He's the type of guy that will drop. So yeah, you have to weigh that in when you're making your decisions. Is this a big name or is this someone that, you know, a lot of people might not want?

[Mike Wright]

Well, it's the name and the, we know the adp, we know outside source adp. But essentially the ADP for your league is the rankings that are right in front of everyone.

[Jason Moore]

So explain that brief.

[Andy Holloway]

So let's.

[Jason Moore]

We're playing. That's one of the tips we brought up before.

[Mike Wright]

You're playing to the room. So we're drafting with the sleeper app and it has, it has their rankings.

[Andy Holloway]

Just, you know, their ADP in there.

[Mike Wright]

Yes. So that's, that's what other people are going to see. That's what we see. Even as someone who's in fantasy football 365 days a year, it can still be difficult where I have my own rankings. But then someone else is going well at the top of the board here is Mike Evans.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, here, let me give.

[Mike Wright]

I'm like, oh well, Mike Evans is the number one pick.

[Andy Holloway]

Perfect example here. Right. So Mike Evans is on the board. I'm picking a wide receiver here. Here's how the sleeper bot, Evans has fallen. The sleeper app ADP goes. Mike Evans, Ty Hilton, Tyree Kill, Adam Thielen, Stefan Diggs. To me in my personal rankings, the rankings that I have, you probably have.

[Jason Moore]

Thielen ahead of it.

[Andy Holloway]

Thielen is far and away the first, but there's always that temptation.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, no. Mike Evans is at the top of this list. I should pick him. Go with what you think is the right. Call the research you've done before the draft and don't just go by the networks that you're using, whether you're drafting or Yahoo. But.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, but realize that Mike Evans is being put in everybody's face by that platform.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

And so I am drafting powerful and.

[Mike Wright]

Evans in your face and I am drafting.

[Jason Moore]

If you had drafted Mike Evans right there, I would have just been. All of our advice goes out the window. Adam Thielen was the pick.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

And so you have Ezekiel Elliott, Jerick McKinnon, Adam Thielen and then Mike Evans did go next. So, Mike, you did not get it. You did not get the temptation of going like three pass catchers to start the draft. But maybe you still have that.

[Mike Wright]

No, I'm still going to go with it. I'm sticking with this strategy.

[Jason Moore]

All right.

[Mike Wright]

I'm going to ride it out.

[Jason Moore]

So where are you headed, Mr. Antonio Brown? Rob Gronkowski, you have the best player at two positions right now. That is, are you tempted to go the best kicker on the board now.

[Mike Wright]

That you brought it up ironically, you.

[Jason Moore]

Can go best quarterback.

[Mike Wright]

I could, but I'm not gonna go best quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

I tried as much.

[Mike Wright]

As much as I'm in on this experiment, I shan't be going early round quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

That should be the late round quarterback like motto. I shan't go quarterback.

[Mike Wright]

So I'm looking at Hilton, Larry, Fitz, they're still. They're kind of the upper tier guys left for me, I was kind of hoping that Mike Evans was going to get to me. I will attempt to play the ADP game a little bit here with Larry Fitzgerald. Although it's a very, very long wait and I don't think that he is going to come back to me. However, the player who is the highest ranked for me now going through all the lists doing a double check, it's actually Amari Cooper. So I'm going to stick with my board. I have Amari Cooper as a one and now I have two wide receiver ones and the best tight end in football.

[Jason Moore]

All right, this is true. Ty Hilton went after Amari Cooper. You took him at 306. Zach Ertz, another tight end off the board. Jay Ajayi went at three, a little bit ahead of where we've seen lately.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Darius Geiss was a player that I was hoping would get back to me at 3:12, he did not. He went at 310. Tyreek Hill off the board. And now I feel like, you know, I'm the kid in the back of the car who's been saying, are we there yet? Because I feel like it's been a while since I got a chance to make a pick and that's what happens at the turn. Odell Beckham Jr. Jordan Howard are my first two picks. And look, I'm going to wait a while. Again, this is the, this is the game you play. So I'm looking at my board. I see, you know, Aaron Rodgers still hasn't gone off the board. Not going to be my pick here. Running backs available. I've got some rookies sitting there. Rashad Penny, Sony Michelle Ronald Jones, Royce Freeman. I see Stefan Diggs, Larry Fitzgerald. I don't like being at the 12.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, yeah. I hate the 12.

[Jason Moore]

I'm not really excited about that right now.

[Andy Holloway]

One of the things that you have to do when you're at the turn is you have to throw ADP out completely. You can't. You know, we talk about exploiting when a guy can come back to you, but if you want a player, you have to reach for them when you're at that turn because every time that you get your two pack, there are so many players gone that you're in whole other tiers by the time it gets back to you. So grab the players you really truly like and believe in regardless of if you're reaching a little bit for them when you're at the turn.

[Mike Wright]

Also, if you're on the turn, make sure you are doing some hefty calisthenics between your picks. I mean, you got to keep that blood going.

[Andy Holloway]

You don't want to just highly recommend the push up.

[Mike Wright]

The push up.

[Andy Holloway]

The one, the single. The single position.

[Mike Wright]

Do some burpees, just do some squats.

[Andy Holloway]

Get down, give me one.

[Mike Wright]

One is all you need.

[Jason Moore]

Unfortunately, there is not a running back that I'm in love with at this pick. And in hindsight, seeing Alex Collins here, who I look at in the same vein of Jordan Howard with being a, you know, volume type of guy, in hindsight, I wish I had taken Jerick McKinnon at oh Rugrats. I do the third round tilt. The easier pick for me here I'm staring down Larry Fitzgerald, Stefan Diggs, Josh Gordon. I'm going to take Larry Fitzgerald right here. I'm sorry, Mike. I promise it wasn't based on.

[Mike Wright]

He wasn't going to make it back.

[Jason Moore]

More than Likely and man. Alex Collins, Kenyon Drake, Rashad Penny. This is tough, guys. This is really tough. I'm going to take Alex Collins, I'm going to listen to my board. Alex Collins and Jordan Howard, they're going to get me through the night. I need Odell Beckham Jr. To give me those big weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Alex Collins and Larry Fitzgerald paired with Jordan Howard and Odell Beckham. I think you're off to a great start. I love Alex Collins in the fourth, even though you have to take him as the first fourth round pick.

[Jason Moore]

I think I have a healthy meal. I just, I don't have the, you know, the one thing on the plate that makes me just Odell Beckin Jr. Certainly is. But. But I feel pretty good. I feel like I have a good, healthy plate full of food there.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, so after you picked Stefan Diggs, went. And the first quarterback goes off the board in the fourth round. Aaron Rodgers, Kenyon Drake, Demarius Thomas and Josh Gordon off the board leading up to. Mike. Mike, are you sad that Josh Gordon.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Was drafted so you would have taken him here?

[Mike Wright]

I would have considered him here, but there's. There's actually, there's players I have ranked higher than Josh Gordon. I'm sad that demarius Thomas didn't make it to me. That would have been an easy pick for him.

[Jason Moore]

Let me, let me bring something up real quick.

[Mike Wright]

Watch out.

[Andy Holloway]

The hype train. Here it comes.

[Mike Wright]

Put your shoes on. You don't want it to run over you.

[Jason Moore]

Are you buying on any of the hype with Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, Talk about, you know, Gordon's not reported to camp. Jarvis Landry is the go to receiver.

[Mike Wright]

So you're telling me.

[Andy Holloway]

You just described why.

[Mike Wright]

You're telling me that the best wide receiver in camp has turned into the go to guy.

[Jason Moore]

This is why I bring it up, because I've seen it on Twitter already. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Fair.

[Jason Moore]

I would not doubt the driver's. Landry's ADP rises due to the small amount of news that basically the news is this Jarvis Landry is Jarvis Landry.

[Mike Wright]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

But. So I guess that's a no from you.

[Mike Wright]

No, that is. That is a no from me.

[Jason Moore]

Is he. Where are you headed right now?

[Mike Wright]

So I'm gonna. I'm gonna take another wide receiver. I am going to follow my board and initially the name I thought I was going to go with was Marvin Jones here in the fourth round, but checked out the board where. I mean, the projections are already. They're all thought out. I don't have the emotion of, ooh, this guy's dropped to me. And we've, we just talked about this in the office how the off season has been very quiet for this guy.

[Jason Moore]

Is it Alan Robinson?

[Mike Wright]

It's Alan Robinson.

[Jason Moore]

I just put a mark on my draft board next to him. We talked about it last night. Like, you've heard nothing about Alan Robinson.

[Mike Wright]

He's recovering from his acl, which was week one, so he should be good to go. He got a boatload of money, a couple yachts to go play for the Chicago Bears, and no one is talking about Alan Robinson. And the ceiling is so incredible. I will say pairing Cooper with Alan Robinson is a little risky.

[Andy Holloway]

Risky.

[Mike Wright]

I have Antonio Brown, though, locking my wide receiver position down so that at least smooths those edges a little bit for me. And Marvin Jones is the same type of player. Lower, lower catch total, but big plays getting me. Touchdown. Touchdown. One touchdown from Marvin Jones.

[Jason Moore]

Give me some touchdown, please.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you, sir, for your touchdown. I'm going to go. I'm going to go with Alan Robinson.

[Jason Moore]

All right. Rashad Penny taking any temptation away from Jason there.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. So here he's dropped.

[Jason Moore]

By the way, his average out position has dropped significantly since the Chris Carson hype has. Has come about now. I talked about him a little bit yesterday and my opinion of Rashad Penny is like, I still think he's going to be pretty darn good, but I think it might be a little while. I think you might be happier with Penny from week seven, eight on. On.

[Mike Wright]

Maybe. Let me going through. If you are, you have to love this. If you like Rashad Penny, you are loving what is happening.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

With the ADP drop. And I was on another podcast and I gave this opinion of why, why do I like Rashad Penny? And this is taking the talent out of it. Why I like Rashad Penny is because I'm going to give credit to the NFL franchise, to the people that are running the Seattle Seahawks. If you spent a first round pick on a team that has holes all over the defense, that has holes at the offensive line, you have holes in a lot of places. And you spent a first round pick on Rashad Penny. And it turns out that the guy who was the fifth or sixth to the last pick in the NFL Draft in 2017, Chris Carson. Chris Carson, you're right. Turns out to be your running back. You suck. You are really, really bad at your job. So that, that's why I still, even with all the Chris Carson hype, I know Pete Carroll loves to hype up his guys but even with that hype through it all, that's why I still stick with Rashad Penny will be the guy.

[Andy Holloway]

I fully, I fully agree with most of what you're saying. I would not doubt if Chris Carson comes out week one and is still the lead guy for, you know, a minute. You are in Dynasty and you have Chris Carson a great. I could not agree more. Sell. When are you going to get value from Chris Carson in the future?

[Jason Moore]

I don't know if I agree with your take, Mike.

[Mike Wright]

Why is that?

[Jason Moore]

Because if you have taken an undrafted or late round player and you're, you've scouted him properly and you've made him a relevant piece of your team, you don't suck. You've done your job. Arian Foster was undrafted, Ben Tate was a second round pick and Aaron Foster getting the starting job.

[Mike Wright]

How did Aaron Foster. But how did Aaron Foster get his job?

[Jason Moore]

Well, Binte got hurt.

[Mike Wright]

Exactly.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And I look Rashad Penny is far and away more talented than Chris Carson. No doubt about it. I'm not. Chris Carson is one third of the problem. The offensive line and the game scripts are the other.

[Andy Holloway]

Would you agree that if you have Kris Carson right now and Dynasty you would sell him get value very short.

[Jason Moore]

Window especially if he's declared the starter.

[Mike Wright]

Oh my goodness.

[Jason Moore]

That's the moment that you send the eight trade offers out.

[Andy Holloway]

So I'm on the clock here and when I look at the wide receivers and the running backs available, there's pretty much a large tier where I'm happy with, you know, if I took Juju or Golden Tate or Marvin Jones, those players like one versus the other means nothing to me. Right. And when I look at the running backs on the board it's pretty much I've gotten to the list of my rookie running backs that I like the best. The guy I've got ranked the highest and I know this is a hot take is actually carry on Johnson but this is way too early that we're talking, you know, depending on which format you're in, you're a couple rounds too early here. So I'm going to do something I have not done once this entire off season. Not in any of my best ball, not in any mock draft even inspired by Mike. I'm going to play here and see what happens if I actually take the value that has dropped here in Travis Kelsey. I've not drafted a fourth round tight end. I think that's the pick anywhere. But he is different then every, you know, he's the teardrop. He's the last one of those top three. And there is a big difference between whether I pick him or Kyle Rudolph later.

[Jason Moore]

So what's interesting, Jason, to ask this question, you took Kelsey, but you knew you had a pretty quick turn. You're only waiting six picks to your next pick, right? So the risk of losing that tier of tight end was greater than the risk of losing all of the wide receivers in your tier now. Brandon Cooks, Juju, Jeffrey, they all went after Kelsey. Lamar Miller, Sonny Michelle, Deshaun Watson as well. Are you happy with your decision?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, no, I am very happy with my decision. I mean, so far, the real thing to me, here's what it's going to come down to. And I'll just. I'll say this because you guys will have picks. I'm not going to draft Kerryon Johnson here. I'm going to see if he gets back to me at the 6 9. If he gets back to me at the 6 9, I will be so thrilled with Travis Kelsey.

[Jason Moore]

Sure.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, but. So that means if I'm playing that game again, I'm going wide receiver. It's between three guys. Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Chris Hogan, who has been rising up my boards a lot. Hogan is, I think, a bigger play guy, a higher opportunity to just be a home run. But given the fact that I only have Adam Thielen right now, I want to go a little safer. The safe pick to me is Golden Tate.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

So I'm taking Golden Tate, Adam Thielen, Travis Kelsey. Boo.

[Mike Wright]

This man.

[Andy Holloway]

Ezekiel elliott, and Jericho McKinnon.

[Jason Moore]

So Mike is two picks after Jason, and in case you're curious, I believe he wanted Golden Tate.

[Mike Wright]

90 receptions for 1,000 yards, man. That was to go with the risky guys, with the high variance guys with Cooper and Alan Robinson.

[Jason Moore]

So Mike, push comes to shove on the 0 RB strategy. Right now you have Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, Marty Cooper, Alan Robinson. From a starting lineup perspective, you have filled all the available spots that you can actually start a pass catcher. You know, this pick, if you go with a wide receiver, is now a rotational bench spot. There's no arguing that.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. Which still falls into that zero.

[Jason Moore]

Of course, yes. But I'm bringing that up because it's theory versus practicality. Like right now, you can draft Ronald Jones, Royce Freeman, Deion Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, Kerryon Johnson. Viable starter options. Where are you going? What. What. What's the decision here?

[Mike Wright]

So it was. It. It came down to I was. I really wanted Golden Tate and then.

[Jason Moore]

His compadre still there. Wait Marvin Jones.

[Mike Wright]

Really?

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

He has dropped, apparently. I miss, man. I don't know if I can go. Cooper Robinson, Marvin Jones.

[Andy Holloway]

You better get your start. Sits right.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, you better get them. Oh, that's a fantastic point. But he. He. Marvin Jones. For all the people out there, Marvin Jones is the highest ranked wide receiver.

[Jason Moore]

He also finished number 11 last year.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, I think he nine.

[Mike Wright]

I think he can be absolutely a stud. But I'm going to take a little Peekski over at the running back position and just see what's happening. Royce Freeman, Deion Lewis. I have Marshawn lynch ranked as a running back, too. So those are. Those are guys that I am considering. This is a very difficult pick for me. Of. Do I go in on that first running back? Which man. And then I thought Lamar Miller was there, but apparently he's been drafted.

[Andy Holloway]

Lamar Miller was just drafted between my picks.

[Mike Wright]

If I was in a live draft, this would be the first call out for the double pick.

[Jason Moore]

Because I thought you were gonna say this would be the first time you use a lifeline.

[Andy Holloway]

Booed by the phone, a friend. Make a pig.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, it would have been me going, oh, oh, give me. Lamar Miller was already taken. Idiot.

[Andy Holloway]

Bro.

[Jason Moore]

So who's the pick? Mike, we do have several rounds to go.

[Mike Wright]

Don't. Don't rush me. Don't rush me. I'm gonna take Marvin Jones.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. You're sticking with it.

[Andy Holloway]

I was wondering if you were gonna go that route, and my opinion was that was 100% the right. If you're going 0 RB. Marvin Jones is just such a value here this late to have a quality wide receiver.

[Jason Moore]

All right. After Marvin Jones. Jimmy Graham, Dion Lewis, Russell Wilson. Russell Russell, Chris Hogan and Ronald Jones. I made a decision before you two picked in that fifth round of who I wanted to fall to me if I, you know, I have the 512 and the 601. I'm not picking again until the end of the seventh round and the beginning of the eighth round. I am going to take a quarterback. I'm going to take the quarterback that I, you know, led the league last year in total yards, and I'm going to take Tom Brady. Tom Brady is going off the board here because I have a very, very long wait and I view him as a value in the beginning of the sixth round or right around where he should, where I'm tempted by that. Right. I'm not spending a fourth round pick on Aaron Rodgers. I'm spending a pick for the mvp.

[Andy Holloway]

I realize had you made your other selection first, you could have said you got Tom Brady in the sixth.

[Jason Moore]

I know, I know. Which I will get heat for. Really stupid of me. At this point though, I'm staring down some options. Jarvis Landry's there. Corey Davis is there. I love Corey Davis. Sammy Watkins, tier wise, I want to wait and see if I can get Robbie Anderson in the next run through Alex Collins, Jordan Howard, a little bit of risk with Alex Collins and how things shake out there. And because look, I'm at the turn I did it to. I'm so tempted to just take care on just to hurt Jason but unfortunately that's not how my board is drawn up. So I'm going to take Royce Freeman and the upside of Royce Freeman, he's.

[Mike Wright]

Probably going to be my.

[Andy Holloway]

He's such a good pick here. Royce Freeman I fully believe will be the starter and a valuable rookie this season.

[Jason Moore]

Michael Crabtree, Greg Olson, Evan Ingram, Corey Davis, Tree Cohen. Gentlemen, we gotta move a little quicker on these picks, but Mike, you're back on the clock. You still don't have a running back.

[Mike Wright]

That is true. And I'm going running back here and I have the same thing of knowing, knowing how the room is working. I know who I'm playing against and even if Jason had not said it verbally, I know that he's going to go Kerryon Johnson now how in the world.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, you know he is.

[Mike Wright]

I'm saying that I knew he would go carry on because I know Jason and this is what we're talking about. You got to know your league mates.

[Jason Moore]

But are you going to take care.

[Andy Holloway]

Of Marshawn lynch is an artist.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. I was like, you can't take carry on when you have no running backs.

[Mike Wright]

Well, I would take carry on if I felt there was an actual chance Marshawn would actually make it back to me. But there is not a chance of that because he is the top player in this, in our draft room, he's the top running back according to the sleeper app and that's who is the top guy for me. So he's not making it back.

[Andy Holloway]

That makes a lot of sense.

[Jason Moore]

I will let you know that during your pick selection you took Marshawn lynch, your first running back. You I in my opinion, when you go 0 RB to this point to the sixth round, you gotta have a guy that is guaranteed week one carries. And I know that we all believe in carry on Johnson, but he is not guaranteed week one carries.

[Mike Wright]

Of course.

[Jason Moore]

And he wrote me a note I.

[Andy Holloway]

Did happen to write down if you.

[Mike Wright]

Want to read that, Mike Jason wrote a note. He showed Andy said if Mike drafts Carry on Johnson, he's dead to me.

[Andy Holloway]

You darn right.

[Jason Moore]

But I am I fair to push this button, Jason?

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you push that button. Oh, I am so happy to have him. Close to the seventh round. The 609 to pair with Ezekiel Elliott, Jerick McKinnon.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, man, oh man.

[Andy Holloway]

It makes my Travis Kelsey pick feel mighty nice.

[Jason Moore]

Carlos Hyde, Marlon Mack, Julian Edelman, Will Fuller, Sammy Watkins. Somebody that I hope somehow snuck to 712 but of course it won't. Carson Wentz off the board at 7:03 and Jason back on the clock. Who's your pick?

[Andy Holloway]

You know my pick here. I could go running back or wide receiver. I'm pretty even on both. So it's going to be whichever guy I like the most. When I look at the board, there's two players that stand out to me. There's Rex Burke had huge high upside at the running back position. I know you're highballing him, Mike. And there's Emmanuel Sanders. Another really Emmanuel Sanders.

[Mike Wright]

So freaking good. Jason.

[Andy Holloway]

And so this is going to come down to my roster. I've got Zeke Jerick McKinnon and carry on Johnson. And carry on Johnson. I like that I only got Thielen and Golden Tate for those reasons. Even though I like the upside of Rex Burkhead. I think Emmanuel Sanders plugs in as a really nice safe option for me. You're welcome.

[Mike Wright]

Mike makes it to me.

[Jason Moore]

He did. Emmanuel Sanders off the board. Tevin Coleman went next. I was. I was waiting for Mike to hold up the. If Jason drafts Rex Burkett, he is. He is dead to me. Sign Mike. Are you going with sexy Rexy?

[Mike Wright]

Oh, sexy Rexy going to flexi now I on my. On my starting roster. I love it.

[Jason Moore]

Now again it's an interesting pick in light of some other, you know, Isaiah Cruella full time starter available. But I think it's. It makes sense. It makes sense for who? How you value Rex Burkhead.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

And his role. Drew Brees, Cam Newton next. Making me happy as.

[Mike Wright]

Making me happy as well as it.

[Jason Moore]

Will push further down the line here some wide receivers. Devin Funches, Marquis Goodwin, Delaney Walker. I'm on the clock now with my back to back picks. I'm looking at players like Randall ka. I'm looking at players like Robbie Anderson who I love and is definitely going to be my pick.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I was going to say I would be shocked if you didn't take Robbie.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Robbie. Robbie is the pick for me. I love Robbie Anderson. This season and now I'm, I'm looking at, hey, how do I weigh this out at tight ends? I'm probably waiting to the very end. Although I'm in the eighth round here. I won't get Trey Burton, but I'm going to.

[Mike Wright]

If you pass, you.

[Jason Moore]

If I pass, I won't. But I don't. I don't need Trey Burton. There are other options there.

[Andy Holloway]

You should draft Kyle Rudolph because he's.

[Jason Moore]

It's. It's a. It's a good option. I'm looking at doubling up on wide receivers at this point, so Randall Cobb's in consideration. Healthy back in camp, Aaron Rodgers, Jameson Crowder, a player that I think will excel with Alex Smith. But I think it's a little bit too early for me to want. I don't view it as a value getting Jameson Crowder in the eighth round at the running back position. Isaiah Crowell is sitting there. I think he's going to be heavily involved. So it's between Isaiah Crowell and Randall Cobb. For me right now, I don't think I can get another bonafide starting running back, so I'm going to change and go with Isaiah Cruel.

[Mike Wright]

Dang it.

[Jason Moore]

So Kirk Cousins off the board. Next, the Jacksonville D. Nice and early.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm not a huge fan of Isaiah Crowell, but to have a starting, locked and loaded starting running back in the eighth round, I mean, I'm going to.

[Jason Moore]

Find value at wide receiver later. I'm not going to find Isaiah Crowell later.

[Mike Wright]

The two running backs who I hoped, one of them dropped, it was Isaiah Cruell and CJ Anderson. Clearly you took the jets running back Crowell at the turn and C.J. anderson, who is. I don't care about the toy train running through of people hyping up Christian McCaffrey, going to get 30 touches a week. CJ Anderson is going to be involved, and he's going to be involved around the goal line as well.

[Jason Moore]

Carolina paid to bring him in, fill that Jonathan Stewart role.

[Mike Wright]

So I am.

[Jason Moore]

So. Where are you going, Mike?

[Mike Wright]

I am incredibly bummed that CJ Anderson did not make it back.

[Andy Holloway]

You're tilting.

[Mike Wright]

No, I'm not. I'm not tilting. Mini tilt. Many, many tilt happens.

[Jason Moore]

It's called.

[Andy Holloway]

It's just a Jenga lean. You have not fallen over.

[Mike Wright]

But it was a sturdy lean.

[Andy Holloway]

It was a good lean.

[Mike Wright]

It's a little wobble. It's a rigid. It's a rigid lean. And at this point, we are in the eighth round. I have my two guys who will be starting for me and they can cover for at least a handful of weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

I know who you're drafting and I can't wait.

[Mike Wright]

You can't wait?

[Andy Holloway]

I can't wait for this pick because you're going to let the right guy fall to me.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, well, fair enough.

[Andy Holloway]

Are you taking Aaron Jones?

[Mike Wright]

I'm taking Aaron Jones who is just what I thought. Running back, Green Bay Packers. He is suspended for two games.

[Jason Moore]

But I love that pick. Mike.

[Mike Wright]

I believe Aaron Jones, that might be.

[Jason Moore]

The pick of the draft is the.

[Mike Wright]

Best running back on Green Bay and I can survive until he becomes.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, well, there's a three pack of Green Bay players. You took Aaron Jones right after him. Randall Cobb, a great value this late in the in the draft. I like Ty Montgomery the best of the three running backs. In fact, C.J. anderson was. Was in there before Jamal Williams. So this is a huge run of Green Bay players in the eighth round. But I took time Montgomery, I still think he is going to be the passing downs back and used around the goal line and in the passing role. And so I, I'm a big fan.

[Jason Moore]

Of that in the eighth, Jamal Williams, Aaron Jones. Ty Montgomery went 805, 807, 809.

[Mike Wright]

That's pretty.

[Jason Moore]

We're going to see that a lot. I think Mike's pick of Aaron Jones is one of the best picks of the draft because you went past catchers early and you know a player like Rex Burkhead who regardless of how well he performs, does have a limited role. Aaron Jones is a breakout candidate for a 0 RB team.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, completely agree.

[Andy Holloway]

So I could use either position here, running back or running back.

[Jason Moore]

Doing all right there.

[Andy Holloway]

Doing fantastic. My team breaks down. Ezekiel Elliott, Jerick McKinnon and Kerryon Johnson. Ty Montgomery. I feel good at running back. Adam Thielen, Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders. I feel solid at wide receiver but I don't have like the highest ceiling at wide receiver. So a player here that I would consider drafting, I like him at the value. Alan Hearns, who I think is a starting guy. He doesn't fit this team. I've already got Emmanuel Sanders and you know, guys that are going to be involved but might not be the highest ceiling. I'm going to swing for the fences here and I'm going to. I'm going to zig where all the Miami Dolphins beat reporters are zagging. You know, everyone always does great. Miami give me the hype train, right? Because Miami, there's never been a player that doesn't do good and then they all stink. So I'm taking the one guy they're giving the oh, he's not having a good camp. And I'm taking Devontae Parker because his upside is if he ends up being the wide receiver one he got off to a really hot start last year in preseason and the first couple weeks got injured, dealt with injuries. I think he's a higher upside play.

[Mike Wright]

He dealt with his own stinkiness as well.

[Jason Moore]

No disrespect, but I hate that pick.

[Andy Holloway]

None taken.

[Mike Wright]

I said no disrespect.

[Jason Moore]

It is the perfect contrast to the Aaron Jones pick, in my opinion. But I'm very out on Devonte Parker as being an impactful player. But you know, the pedigree is there, I'll give you that. Chris Thompson goes next. Mike, you're on the clock. Time to make a pick. We got to cruise through these final rounds.

[Mike Wright]

I'll try and speed it up here. I'm going running back again because I just, I have to load up the. I got to load up my bench with these potentials, right? Because at this point there's no starting. Well. There's a couple guys who may be starting like LeGarrett Blunt and Devonte Booker, but I don't perceive them to be starting for very long. So I'm looking at Duke Johnson, Corey Clement and Latavius Murray. Those are the three guys that I am deciding between very different roles in their offenses. And I am going to go with the hopeful nature that he does earn the red zone work as he did this past season. It might be a little bit early, but because of the way that I've drafted my team, it's going to dictate that a little bit. So I'm going to grab Corey Clement, even if he's not necessarily the highest guy on my board.

[Andy Holloway]

Running back for the super bowl champions.

[Mike Wright]

Philadelphia Eagles Running back for the Philadelphia Eagles and I believe that he can work more into the passing downs role. He was sensational once he inherited that role and they like him. They trust him. They trust him near the goal line.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Andrew Luck went next. Robert Woods, Nick Chubb, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, some of the quarterbacks going off the board, I waited. I took Isaiah Cruella. I did not take Jameson Crowder. He fell again to me. But I am staring down an interesting decision, one I haven't tried to make this entire offseason. The that is Jameson Crowder versus Actually, you're not going to believe it, but Kelvin Benjamin. Kelvin Benjamin joined the Buffalo Bills roster mid season, dealt with injuries, wasn't integrated into the offense, but they paid for him. There is no one else. So I look at that decision and I'm starting to rise slightly on Kelvin Benjamin because if you are the number one guy and you have that kind of size and red zone capability, even if we don't like the offense, I have to concede the fact that he may be targeted early and often with touchdown potential. Jameson Crowder is going to need massive volume with an average yards per target of about 7 yards. I'm going to take Kelvin Benjamin.

[Mike Wright]

I feel like Kelvin Benjamin is a handyman who actually comes in and breaks your stuff.

[Jason Moore]

That's his role on your team.

[Mike Wright]

That's what I'm comparing him to.

[Andy Holloway]

He's a demolition man.

[Mike Wright]

No, because he gives you his business card and it says Kelvin Benjamin. I fix it and then he comes in and he's actually wrecking Ralph and just your, your garbage disposal and your windows are just shattered.

[Jason Moore]

Well, if I need to escort him out, Mike, I will. I took Jameson Crowder right after him. So I went Benjamin and Crowder, double wide receivers, both I view as values. At the end of the 9th and early 10th, we're back on the clock with Mike's pick. We saw Cooper Cup, George Kittle, Philip Rivers. Neither of you guys have a quarterback yet. I know you're waiting certainly. Are you thinking here at 10:07 at all?

[Mike Wright]

I'm going to take a little, a little peek and it's all, it's all similar tiered quarterbacks at this point, so. And I've got a running back. I passed on him last round to get Corey Clement and that was Duke Johnson. So I'm going to grab him.

[Andy Holloway]

I think Duke Johnson here is a great value. The worry that Jarvis takes it away is real. But he was in PPR, the RB12 last year.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I'm not expecting 12, but if I can get a, to get him.

[Andy Holloway]

In the 10th round, pass catching running.

[Mike Wright]

Back who can end up, you know, in that mid-20s.

[Jason Moore]

Now for the record, Mike went oh, wide receiver, tight end, wide receiver, wide receiver, wide receiver. So five pass catchers and then he's gone five consecutive running backs. Yep.

[Mike Wright]

Love it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I'm, I'm a little upset here. So I did not agree with Mike on the tiered nature of the quarterbacks.

[Mike Wright]

There was one guy that's fair.

[Andy Holloway]

There was one guy that I really do have a step above. I talked about it on the divisional breakdown, but I'm high on Ben Roethlisberger this year. So I grabbed him in the 10th round. Really hoping that DJ Moore made it back to me at wide receiver and.

[Mike Wright]

Unfortunately, rookie for the Carolina Panthers.

[Andy Holloway]

Rookie for the Carolina Panthers, who I believe could be the number one wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers this season.

[Jason Moore]

I thought about it. That's a great pick you're taking, DJ Moore.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I would have came back to me.

[Jason Moore]

He went before. Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

But he did not come back to me. So now I am staring between. I can go either route. I can go wide receiver, you know, someone like Sterling Shepard to be safe or a high upside hopeful guy like a Josh Dockson who's. I mean, I've already got. I've already got Devonte Parker. Those guys are basically the same guy to me. So I'm going to look at running back and take a guy that I think no will have no value.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Week in, week out, you'll be the goal line back. And should an injury happen to Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, I think will be very valuable.

[Mike Wright]

Perfect.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Mike, I'm very happy there is a running back here that I do not want you to take my.

[Mike Wright]

At this point because I have gone zero running back. There is a rookie running back who, who could turn into a starting. You're going to take running back for the Indianapolis Colts. So I am going to grab Jordan Wilkins here. Honestly, I should have taken him last round instead of Duke Johnson.

[Jason Moore]

But I so disappointed in you because I wanted him so badly, corrected my.

[Mike Wright]

Mistake, and now I have the upside. I am not projecting. I am not saying it's guaranteed. Jordan Wilkins is.

[Jason Moore]

You're rolling the dice. But like you are with Aaron Jones, Corey Clement.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, exactly. This is what you have to do, is when you leave, if you go 0 running back, when you leave the draft, your running backs won't necessarily be very inspiring. But I have elite, elite talent.

[Jason Moore]

All right, these are my final two positional picks. Kelvin Benjamin, Jameson Crowder were my last two. I'm actually going to do a couple of things here. I'm going to take Michael Gallup and see how things emerge with the last pick of the 11th round. And I'm actually going to draft Devonte Booker. You asked me, why do you want Devonte Booker? The answer. I have Royce Freeman. I drafted him in the sixth round, handcuffed you. And I want to protect that backfield. I want to see how it shakes out and be smart with my. That's my final positional pick on this team.

[Mike Wright]

Sure.

[Jason Moore]

Devontae Booker gives me the safety of kind of knowing that I'm going to.

[Andy Holloway]

Have somebody there I love that pick because it's not a handcuff. Right. We don't know if Royce Freeman is actually going to be the starter. Whoever is the week one starter you will have on the roster, we don't recommend.

[Jason Moore]

And if it's overwhelming, one way I can. I can release the other guy and go get another free agent pickup.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I like that a lot.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Mike, your last positional pick.

[Mike Wright]

My last positional pick is the quarterback, and I'm choosing between Mariota, Alex Smith, and Dak Prescott. Those are the guys who I think are the most interesting at this point.

[Jason Moore]

As someone who's playing against you in this league, I'm so glad that those are the players you're deciding between.

[Mike Wright]

That's fine. And here's the thing. This guy might not even be my quarterback week one. I might find a fantastic matchup that I love. Stream that position week one, but, man, it's definitely a tough call. So I'm going to go with the call that will make Jason like my team. Oh, Marcus Mariota.

[Andy Holloway]

He's my quarterback. 11.

[Jason Moore]

I'll tell you who my pick would have been.

[Mike Wright]

Who?

[Jason Moore]

Tyrod.

[Mike Wright]

Tyrod. It's.

[Jason Moore]

I would have rolled Tyrod out week one and see what you got there.

[Mike Wright]

It's not a bad pick.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Jason, your final positional pick. You already got a quarterback in Big Ben.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. I think my running backs are set. My wide receivers could use a little nudge of help, and I'm going to take a guy who would never. Who would never have fallen this low if it wasn't for him currently being out of camp. For my last positional pick to get a guy who was a top 20 wide receiver last year. Rashard Matthews could still be the wide receiver one for Marcus Mariota. You know, to take him this late, I really like.

[Jason Moore]

I'm surprised you didn't take Paul Richardson. You love him so much.

[Andy Holloway]

Actually, it was between Rashad Matthews or Geronimo Allison. Kind of swing for the fences type of high upside. The possible wide receiver two for the Green Bay Packers.

[Jason Moore]

All right, guys, let's each run our roster back as we close out this mock draft. Half point PPR I have at the wide receiver position. Odell Beckham Jr. Larry Fitzgerald, Robbie Anderson, Kelvin Benjamin, Jamison Crowder, and a dart throw with Michael Gallup. My running backs, Jordan Howard, Alex Collins, Royce Freeman, Isaiah Cruel, and Devonte Booker. My quarterback is Tom Brady. I realize now you don't have a tight end. That. I do not have a tight end.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a bold Strategy, Cotton. Let's see what pays off.

[Jason Moore]

That's okay, though. That's okay.

[Mike Wright]

Because as we do in every mock draft, we will give you the reminder. If a league does not dictate, you exit the draft having every starting position filled a la your kicker defense.

[Jason Moore]

If they don't dictate it, you don't have to take.

[Mike Wright]

You don't have to take them. And take a couple more guys. You can watch from the.

[Jason Moore]

I still would rather have Devontae Booker with my final pick and let camp shake out because I'm doing this on the basis of right now.

[Andy Holloway]

And then George Kittle is on the waiver wire right now.

[Mike Wright]

No, he is.

[Jason Moore]

No, he's drafted.

[Andy Holloway]

He's drafted.

[Jason Moore]

My point is, is if I can watch the training camp battle between Booker and Foreman, make a decision and then I can. I mean, using that last pick versus signing makes no difference to me. At least then I've ensured I have that backfield. And then I can go sign Cameron Braid or Vance McDonald, Eric Ebron Jenkins or Austin's Varian Jenkins or Ben Watson back in New Orleans. So no problem.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, My team.

[Jason Moore]

Go ahead, Jason.

[Andy Holloway]

My team is. I've got running back, core of Ezekiel Elliott, Jerick McKinnon. Carry on Johnson.

[Jason Moore]

What?

[Andy Holloway]

That was the start of. Carry on my wayward son, Ty Montgomery and Latavius Murray. Latavius Murray at wide receiver. I've got Adam Thielen, Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders, Devonte Parker and Rashad Matthews. Travis Kelsey locking it down at tight end with big Ben Roethlisberger slinging the ball around.

[Jason Moore]

Mike, close us out.

[Mike Wright]

All right, so I went with the mostly zero running back strategy here. So Antonio Brown, Gronkowski, Amari Cooper, Alan Robinson and Marvin Jones holding down my wide receiver position. Then I took the shots on at running back Marshawn Lynch, Rex Burkhead, Aaron Jones, Corey Clement, Duke Johnson, and rookie for the Indianapolis Colts, Jordan Wilkins. Then I have Marcus Mariota as my. As my passing guy.

[Jason Moore]

All right, that. That was pretty fun. Brooks, you're going to get these up on.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, heck yeah. And I get. I'm going to get Chris Boswell. Oh, Boswell.

[Jason Moore]

So you're going to get it up on Twitter. Brooks, people can vote, see which team they like, what they don't like. Yeah, I'm sure they'll let us know that as well. You get a little bonus footballers today. Foreign.

[Andy Holloway]

Best ball bonanza brought to you by draft.

[Jason Moore]

All right, A lot of you are out there playing basketball right [e-mail] ballers. You want some hot tips. You want some discussion about best ball and we give you a brief segment once a week. And that's what we're doing right now. So here's my question. We, we talk so much about guys that are what we call best ball players, like DeSean Jackson, right? Like you might not want him week in and week out, but in best ball, you might get two weeks where this dude, he has 174 yards and two touchdowns. So we know what a great basketball player is. A great basketball type of start is. Martavis Bryant was one of these guys as well. Maybe that this year. What's a bad basketball player? What's a bad basketball pick? Now to me that's a guy like years past that's saying I'm not rolling and Quan Bolden out in basketball because I don't, I don't see the upside of a baseline guy. In basketball at wide receiver where you have seven guys on your team, how often is Anquan Bolden type of player, a kind of consistent, you know, underneath receiver, possession guy. Do you agree with that assessment or what do you look at as a bad basketball option?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, I agree with, I don't necessarily agree exactly with Anquan Bolden specifically, but I agree with what you're saying.

[Jason Moore]

Well, late career.

[Andy Holloway]

So here's kind of what I believe is a bad basketball pick. When you are in the later rounds, if you draft a guy who is a possession between the 20s guy who's later round and he's not a touchdown scorer, he's probably never going to crack your roster. You're going to want in those later rounds guys that have the opportunity to actually get in the end zone and fill that flex spot, fill that wide receiver or that tight end spot better than, you know, you know, if you're going with say three tight ends, if that's your strategy, go with the tight ends who maybe they're not used between the twenties that much, but around the goal line, you know, the Tyler Croft type of player can be used as opposed to the guy that's just going to get, you know, 40 yards, which is okay for a tight end, but is never used around the goal line like a Jericho.

[Jason Moore]

You have anything to add to that? Mike, are we good?

[Mike Wright]

We're good. I just wanted to say like these, these starting type running backs who as I'm specifically want to highlight, not that we don't ever talk about Kerry Johnson, but LeGarrett Blunt, you. On the surface it seems like LeGarrett Blunt is he's a fine basketball pick. He should be the starter for the Detroit Lions Week 1. He just, he's old. He. He's not on the, the type of teams that he's been on in the past, even though the Detroit Lions have an improved offensive line. But he is very likely to lose his job in my projections. So those are the types of guys that I tend to avoid. Like Chris Carson. I'm going to.

[Andy Holloway]

He is. Yeah. Okay.

[Mike Wright]

We're saying he's the starter right now, but I don't want. I think he's just a waste of a roster spot unless you're considering him a handcuff.

[Jason Moore]

All right. Hopefully you enjoyed the mock draft. Next week, we're back with more divisional breakdowns as well as our top 10 running backs on the show here each and every week. Subscribe Listen. Thank you for tuning in. We'll catch you then.

[Mike Wright]

Goodbye.

[Andy Holloway]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our Fantasy Footballers Small community on jointhefoot. Com and follow us on Twitter at theffballers.