Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Mock Draft Show + Fantasy Football Tanking
Release Date: August 2, 2019

Introduction to the Episode

The Fantasy Footballers kick off their August 2, 2019 episode by diving straight into a mock draft session, setting the stage for listeners to gain insights into optimal draft strategies. Hosted by the trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—the episode promises an in-depth analysis of drafting tactics tailored for a Half PPR league with a three wide receiver (WR) setup.

Mock Draft Strategies

Draft Format and Initial Picks

The hosts outline the draft settings:

• Scoring Format: Half Point PPR
• Roster Requirements:
  • 2 Running Backs (RB)
  • 3 Wide Receivers (WR)
  • 1 Quarterback (QB)
  • Flex Position
• Bench: Normal
• Draft Position: Starting from the #1 spot, focusing on selecting a complete team as a single entity.

Top Running Backs: Saquon Barkley vs. Dalvin Cook

The discussion begins with the critical decision between drafting elite RBs:

• Saquon Barkley vs. Dalvin Cook:
  • Jason Moore (at [15:28]) advocates for Saquon Barkley, emphasizing his athleticism and central role in the Giants' offense:

    "Saquon is a true freak of nature... he is the center of the offense."

  • Andy Holloway (at [15:46]) aligns with the choice for Saquon, citing his performance and workload guarantees:

    "I think we take Saquon here. ... we take Dalvin here."

The consensus leans towards selecting Saquon Barkley as the top RB, recognizing his dual-threat capability in both rushing and receiving.

Wide Receiver Decisions: Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Robert Woods, Julian Edelman

With the early RBs secured, the focus shifts to securing top-tier WRs:

• Mike Wright ([21:53]) prioritizes Mike Evans, highlighting his consistent target count:

  "I would probably take Mike Evans over Antonio Brown."

• Jason Moore ([25:02]) expresses a preference for Antonio Brown, praising his status as one of the best WRs:

  "He's the best wide receiver in the game... he’s on the same pace as Christian McCaffrey."

Ultimately, Mike Evans is selected to bolster the WR corps, followed by Robert Woods and Julian Edelman, completing a strong early-round setup for wide receivers.

Running Back Depth: Tariq Cohen vs. Lamar Miller

As the draft progresses, the trio debates filling the RB slot:

• Jason Moore ([33:23]) advocates for Tariq Cohen, citing his stable role and upside potential:

  "I think that Tariq Cohen is safer than Lamar Miller because Tariq Cohen doesn't have a role that's going to be replaced."

• Andy Holloway ([36:17]) concurs, valuing Cohen’s consistent usage over potential uncertainties with Lamar Miller.

The team opts for Tariq Cohen, enhancing RB depth with a reliable flex option.

Quarterback Picks: Cam Newton

The necessity to secure a QB becomes apparent as the draft nears completion:

• Jason Moore ([44:25]) emphasizes the importance of a strong QB, opting for Cam Newton:

  "Cam Newton is a top five fantasy quarterback... he's always a top six fantasy quarterback 60% of the time."

Cam Newton is drafted to ensure a solid QB presence, vital for the team’s weekly scoring stability.

Tight End Considerations

The discussion touches upon the scarcity of elite TEs:

• Mike Wright ([45:20]) and Jason Moore ([45:16]) consider drafting tight ends like Hunter Henry or Evan Ingram but prioritize depth at RB and WR first, opting to address TE later unless a top-tier option is available.

The team decides to wait on selecting a TE, planning to address the position in later rounds based on available value.

Fantasy Football Tanking

Community Question: Eliminating Tanking in Leagues

A community question from Buckeye02 probes effective league rules to prevent tanking:

"What are some of your league rules to help eliminate tanking in your league?"

Hosts' Perspectives on Preventing Tanking

• Jason Moore ([05:00]) highlights the challenges in keeper or dynasty leagues where tanking is more prevalent:

  "Our league of record is a keeper 3 keeper league and it struggles with this... because they start selling off assets."

• Andy Holloway ([06:22]) discusses the complexity of balancing the worst team with fair draft pick opportunities:

  "You want the worst teams to have the best picks but you don't want people to manipulate the system to make the game, the league less fun."

• Mike Wright ([07:36]) suggests implementing league-wide punishments that are socially acceptable to deter last-place finishes:

  "The punishment has to be at a point that everyone in the league is willing to do it if they unfortunately get last place."

Proposed Solutions

• Lottery System:

  • Andy Holloway ([07:02]) describes his league’s approach:

    "If you finish in the bottom four, you're not ordered by your record, you're ordered by just part of a lottery."
    This method randomizes draft positions for the lowest performers, preventing predictable tanking strategies.

• Engagement in Competitive Play:

  • Emphasizing the importance of maintaining competitiveness throughout the season to ensure teams remain motivated to perform.

• Balanced Draft Strategies:

  • Building a well-rounded team from the start to reduce the incentive to tank for future benefits.

Insights and Conclusions

The episode underscores the importance of:

• Balanced Team Construction:

  • Prioritizing elite RBs and WRs to build a strong foundation, allowing flexibility in later rounds.

• Depth and Flexibility:

  • Ensuring roster depth, particularly at RB and WR, to adapt to in-season changes and injuries.

• Strategic Positioning:

  • Making informed decisions on when to secure key positions like QB and TE based on league format and available value.

Regarding tanking, the hosts advocate for league structures that maintain competitiveness and discourage teams from deliberately underperforming, thereby enhancing overall league enjoyment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Jason Moore on Saquon Barkley’s Value ([15:28]):

   "You know, Saquon is a true freak of nature... he is the center of the offense."

2. Andy Holloway on Drafting Dalvin Cook vs. Saquon Barkley ([15:46]):

   "I think we take Saquon here. ... we take Dalvin here."

3. Jason Moore on Antonio Brown’s Superiority ([25:02]):

   "He's the best wide receiver in the game... he’s on the same pace as Christian McCaffrey."

4. Jason Moore on Tariq Cohen’s Reliability ([33:23]):

   "I think that Tariq Cohen is safer than Lamar Miller because Tariq Cohen doesn't have a role that's going to be replaced."

5. Jason Moore on Cam Newton’s Importance ([44:25]):

   "Cam Newton is a top five fantasy quarterback... he's always a top six fantasy quarterback 60% of the time."

6. Jason Moore on Tanking Challenges in Keeper Leagues ([05:00]):

   "Our league of record is a keeper 3 keeper league and it struggles with this... because they start selling off assets."

7. Andy Holloway on Balancing Worst Team Draft Picks ([06:22]):

   "You want the worst teams to have the best picks but you don't want people to manipulate the system to make the game, the league less fun."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for fantasy football enthusiasts, blending mock draft strategies with thoughtful discussions on maintaining competitive integrity within leagues. Whether you're a seasoned manager or a newcomer, the insights provided by Andy, Jason, and Mike offer valuable tactics to enhance your draft performance and league experience.