FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

PPR Mock Draft with Jerry O’Connell | Expert Picks, Strategy & Advice (Ep. 1680)

Date: August 31, 2025
Host: Joe Pisapia (Joey P)
Co-hosts: Derek Brown ("DBro"), Pat Fitzmaurice
Guest: Jerry O’Connell

Episode Overview

The final mock draft of the 2025 fantasy football draft season brings actor and superfan Jerry O’Connell into the FantasyPros fold. Alongside hosts Joey P, Derek Brown, and Pat Fitzmaurice, the crew drafts a 1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR, 1-TE, no-kicker PPR league, breaking down player insights, drafting strategy, and the latest fantasy values. Jerry documents his journey from fantasy underdog to zealot, dropping relatable stories and laughs along the way, as all four participants offer actionable advice on building winning PPR teams.

Key Discussion Points & Strategies

Jerry O’Connell’s Fantasy Origin Story ([02:01–04:19])

• Jerry credits FantasyPros with his fantasy football improvement, recalling a pivotal moment: "I played [Hunter] Renfrow three weeks, dropped him, then lost to a guy who picked him up and started him… and he had 30 points! The guy went, ‘fantasy pros told me to play him.’ I just use the power rankings—all I care about is moving up—one point here, one point there." ([02:12])
• Lesson: Don’t neglect quality fantasy tools; sometimes your ‘gut’ puts you behind the field.

Draft Positions & Mock Setup ([04:19–05:41])

• Spots: Pat at 1.04, DBro at 1.08, Joey P at 1.12, Jerry at 1.05.
• Format: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, Flex, PPR, No Kickers.
• Theme: The importance of adjusting strategy based on draft slot; Jerry intentionally mocks from mid-round, matching real leagues.

Early Draft Picks & Strategy ([05:47–09:30])

• Jerry (1.05): Leans Jameer Gibbs over the consensus Justin Jefferson. "I'm staying away from Christian [McCaffrey]. Too frightening. ...I just don't know if Justin Jefferson will have the best season." ([06:09])
• Pat: CeeDee Lamb over RB in 3-WR leagues: “Favor WR a little bit in early rounds when you need to start 3 of them.” ([06:55])
• DBro: Double-taps WR with Malik Nabers and A.J. Brown for upside, passing on RBs due to value and team fit.

Tight End & QB Tactics ([09:04–11:54]; [19:08–22:24])

• Jerry reaches for Brock Bowers in the 2nd: "I'm taking Brock Bowers in the second round. ...I've been designing every draft I'm in around Brock in the second." ([09:07])
• Later, Jerry prioritizes Jaden Daniels ("I think he's going to break all sorts of rushing and passing records this year"), discussing the importance of securing rushing QBs in fantasy. ([11:21])
• Insight: Early QB and TE picks can work if paired with upside/growth picks at WR/RB.

Depth and Flex Strategies ([13:33–15:34])

• Evans & Pickens Value: Jerry nabs Mike Evans mid-draft, citing historical reliability and anecdotal sources. "It’s a priority to get Mike Evans to break that record this season." ([13:46])
• Pat: Executes a “hero RB” build—one elite RB (Bucky Irving), loads up on high-upside WRs for flex: "Win that race to the flex spots by getting there after five picks." ([14:49])
• DBro: Drafts Kenneth Walker mid-round as RB1: "If he stays healthy…top 5-8 running back upside. Taking him in the fourth as my RB1, I’m here for it." ([13:00])

Managing Distractions and Draft Realities ([15:34–16:59])

• Jerry on family/fantasy conflicts (humorous and relatable): "The hardest thing is finding a couple hours in the evening when no one is bothering you…Your family’s like, ‘didn't you already do a draft?’—'No, I have six more leagues!'" ([16:10])

Roster Construction Post-TE/QB Picks ([19:45–22:09])

• Jerry balances risk after early QB/TE with high-upside WRs (Evans, Pickens, Hunter): "All three of these picks are all upside. …Jerry made up a ton of ground." – Dbro ([20:46])
• Drafting backs like Caleb Johnson, Jordan Mason—gambling for RB value and injury upside. Jerry: "He could be the RB1 at some point…No offense to Aaron Jones, but he’s older." ([35:35])

Mid-to-Late Round Gems & Punts ([33:10–46:23])

• Discussion around 1B/committee backs, e.g., Zach Charbonnet, Jordan Mason: "Guys who are 1B in a backfield that’s probably going to have a lot of success." – Pat ([33:58])
• High-upside dart throws at WR, e.g., Keon Coleman, Rashid Shahid, Jaden Higgins, Trey Harris.
• Value of stocking the bench with rookies or lottery-ticket types rather than low-ceiling veterans.

Quarterback Strategy Discourse ([24:32–25:38], [45:53])

• Jerry: "The new QB we should be drafting are the rushing quarterbacks…it's always changing." ([24:32])
• The panel covers tier breaks, the trade-off between upside (Fields, May, Williams) and floor (Dak, Herbert, Goff), and the wisdom of waiting at the position—even doubling up with late QBs for weekly matchups.

TE & WR Debates

• When to chase tight ends (load up late/stream vs. early premium talent).
• The pitfalls of overloading WR or RB early and ignoring flex viability.

Final Draft Grades & Reflections ([49:48–56:40])

• Pat Fitzmaurice wins the mock (A+), using a hero RB + WR stack strategy.
• Jerry O’Connell comes in 2nd—calling it proof you “can go TE and QB early and still succeed if you dig yourself out with upside.” ([50:46])
• Key Roster Review:
  • Jerry: Jaden Daniels, Jameer Gibbs, Caleb Johnson, Mike Evans, George Pickens, Travis Hunter, Brock Bowers, Jordan Mason, bench depth at QB (Kyler), WR (Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer), RB (Javonte Williams, Jaden Blue). ([51:36])
• Quotes:
  • "If that's not a success story, I don't know what is. …Don’t be a tool, use the tools." – Joey P ([04:19])
  • "You still have to score points to win games." – Jerry, needling Pat over Packers fandom ([07:46])
  • "I just don't want to touch any of those Buffalo wide receivers. I don't know who's going to be WR1!" – Jerry ([36:34])
  • "I am such a degenerate. The league I hate the most—I hate these people. ...As a joke, they pick kickers every first pick. It's so annoying!" – Jerry ([57:45])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I learned from the best. Thank you, FantasyPros.” – Jerry O’Connell ([21:33])
• “I don’t do drugs, I don’t cheat... I ask for like a couple fantasy drafts. Leave me alone!” – Jerry (on family and fantasy football) ([32:59])
• “I think you laid out the blueprint for people here. It’s a really good roster.” – Joey P, on Jerry’s draft ([51:25])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jerry’s Fantasy Origin & Success Story: [02:01–04:19]
• Draft Setup & Spots: [04:19–05:41]
• Early Rounds & Player Debates: [05:47–09:30]
• TE and QB Picks (Bowers/Daniels): [09:04–11:54]
• Roster Recovery After Early QB/TE: [19:45–22:09]
• Family vs. Fantasy Time (Humor): [15:34–16:59], [32:59–33:14]
• Late-Round High-Upside Picks: [33:10–46:23]
• QB Discussion & Rushing QBs: [24:32–25:38], [45:53]
• Draft Grades & Recap: [49:48–56:40]

Final Reflections

This episode offers a masterclass in handling early tight end and quarterback investments, balancing high-floor picks with explosive upside, and managing mid-to-late-round value. Jerry O'Connell's comedic timing and relatable stories punctuate actionable analysis from the FantasyPros experts. Listeners leave with a blueprint for draft success, laughter, and reassurance that even in the most high-stakes leagues, it all comes down to preparation, flexibility, and a little bit of fantasy “degeneracy.”