Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: LIVE Mock Draft + Confusing Players
Episode Title: LIVE Mock Draft + Confusing Players
Release Date: August 24, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Description: The Fantasy Footballers trio delves into a live mock draft, discusses the most perplexing player rankings for the 2018 season, and shares expert strategies to help listeners dominate their leagues.
1. Introduction
The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright welcoming listeners to a live mock draft session. The hosts emphasize the significance of draft weekend, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis and strategic gameplay to maximize fantasy football success.
2. Current NFL Updates Impacting Fantasy Football
Charles Sims Placed on Injured Reserve At [08:37], Mike Wright announces that the Milwaukee Bucks have placed running back Charles Sims on injured reserve, likely signaling the end of his NFL career. Jason Moore adds, “[09:27] The guy flashed several times, but he can’t stay healthy. His body’s breaking down.”
Marlon Mack's Readiness for the Season Mike Wright discusses Colts Head Coach Frank Reich's uncertainty about running back Marlon Mack's availability for the season start ([09:15]). Jason Moore elaborates, “[10:18] Marlon Mack will start the season, but Bobby Turbin will take over once Mack is healthy.”
Richard Matthews' Injury Update At [11:06], Mike Wright provides an update on Richard Matthews of the Jacksonville Jaguars, recovering from a torn meniscus. Jason Moore weighs in, “[11:36] Rashard Matthews would jump back into the starting lineup over Tajai Sharp or Taywan Taylor.”
3. Confusing Players to Rank for 2018
Lamar Miller Jason Moore identifies Lamar Miller as the most challenging player to rank ([04:37]). Despite being a starting running back for the Houston Texans, Miller's inconsistent performance makes him a perplexing choice. Mike Wright concurs, “Easy to catch, hard to rank” ([04:48]).
Chris Hogan Chris Hogan poses a ranking dilemma for Mike Wright ([06:10]). With uncertainty surrounding his role and past injury issues, Hogan's potential varies. Mike notes, “[06:48] It's been marred by different opportunities caused by injury.”
Jarvis Landry Andy Holloway discusses Jarvis Landry's value ([07:48]). While showing strong performance on "Hard Knocks," Landry's target volume remains uncertain without Josh Gordon, making his fantasy value volatile.
4. Live Mock Draft
The hosts embark on a live mock draft, simulating a 12-team, half-point per reception (PPR) league from the 9th pick position.
a. Draft Setup
- League Format: 12-team, half PPR
- Mock Draft Position: 9th overall
- Draft Tool: Sleeper app
b. Round-by-Round Analysis
Round 1:
- Pick 9: Melvin Gordon
Andy expresses confidence in Gordon, noting, “[15:15] If I was just me, it would have been Melvin Gordon in a second.”
Round 2:
- Pick 16: Marshawn Lynch
Jason proposes, “Marshawn Lynch is the player I want here” ([27:59]).
Round 3:
- Pick 25: Dion Lewis
Mike Wright selects Lewis as an insurance policy: “A nice insurance policy” ([29:49]).
Round 4:
- Pick 33: Corey Clement
The team opts for Clement, aiming for a flexible flex play with potential red-zone value.
Round 5:
- Pick 42: Emmanuel Sanders
Jason prioritizes Sanders over other WRs, emphasizing his high ranking: “[43:57] That's why I would have taken Powell instead of Rob Kelly and then taken a flyer on a wide out.”
Round 6:
- Pick 51: Trey Burton (Tight End)
Andy selects Burton, employing a strategy to secure an elite tight end in the later rounds.
Round 7-12:
- The team continues to balance their roster, selecting players like Rob Kelly and Bilal Powell to bolster depth and flexibility.
c. Strategies Employed
Prioritizing RB and WR Early: The hosts agree on securing running backs and wide receivers in the early rounds to maximize weekly production. Jason Moore emphasizes, “[14:31] If you're going across the position, tier one running back is more valuable than tier one wide receiver.”
Tier-Based Drafting: Utilizing tiered rankings helps in making informed picks and avoiding positional runs. Mike Wright shares, “[14:36] We have tier-based rankings to avoid falling victim to runs.”
Waiting on Quarterbacks: The consensus is to delay quarterback selections, banking on the abundance of viable options later in the draft or via the waiver wire.
Flexibility and Depth: By focusing on versatile players like Corey Clement and Emmanuel Sanders, the team ensures flexibility in their lineup, adapting to week-to-week matchups.
d. Notable Picks and Exchanges
Dion Lewis over Rex Burkhead: The team opts for Dion Lewis instead of Rex Burkhead, citing a two-thirds majority preference. Mike remarks, “[30:53] We went running back heavy. We only came out of this draft with four wide receivers.”
Balancing Tight End Needs: Selecting Trey Burton in the sixth round ensures an elite tight end without sacrificing early-round positional needs.
Late-Round Quarterback Strategy: The team decides against drafting quarterbacks early, anticipating that quality options like Matthew Stafford and Philip Rivers can be acquired later.
5. Best Ball Tips and Strategies
Jason Moore discusses Best Ball strategies, emphasizing the importance of tier-based drafting to maximize point potential without micromanaging daily lineups. “[49:45] Tier-based drafting is so important when you are playing Best Ball because runs are going to happen.”
Avoiding Position Runs: The hosts advise against chasing players during positional runs, instead focusing on value picks to strengthen the overall team.
Optimal Lineup Setting: In Best Ball leagues, setting the optimal lineup each week is automated, making it crucial to draft players with high weekly upside within their tiers.
Utilizing the Ultimate Draft Kit (UDK): The UDK provides comprehensive tiered rankings and cheat sheets, aiding in making informed draft decisions and avoiding filler picks.
6. Closing Remarks
The mock draft concludes with the hosts reviewing their selections, expressing satisfaction with the balanced roster they've built. Andy Holloway states, “[48:44] Any draft where I get Trey Burton in the 8th and Big Ben in the 10th, I’m thrilled with because I know that the first seven picks were all studly running backs and wide receivers filling my roster.”
Mike Wright encourages listeners to review the full mock draft on their website and YouTube channel, ensuring that fans can visualize the strategy and apply similar tactics to their drafts. The episode wraps up with final tips on Best Ball drafting and a reminder to join their fantasy football community for ongoing support and insights.
Notable Quotes:
- “Melvin Gordon in a second.” – Andy Holloway ([15:15])
- “Lamar Miller lands on his feet, and yet… he is a stinky pile of garbage.” – Jason Moore ([05:00])
- “Tier one running back is more valuable than tier one wide receiver.” – Jason Moore ([14:31])
- “In our listener league, there was some debate over the Joe Mixon, Jerick McKinnon.” – Jason Moore ([24:58])
Key Takeaways:
- Strategy Over Hype: Prioritize consistent production over high-profile but inconsistent players.
- Tier-Based Drafting: Employ tiered rankings to make strategic picks and avoid positional runs.
- Flexibility is Crucial: Build a balanced roster with depth to adapt to weekly matchups and potential injuries.
- Best Ball Readiness: Utilize Best Ball strategies by focusing on high-upside players within their tiers.
This comprehensive mock draft session, accompanied by expert discussions on player rankings and drafting strategies, equips fantasy football enthusiasts with the knowledge to excel in their leagues for the 2018 season.