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0:26Sometimes you don't realize when you have to move on from someone that there might be someone better waiting for you and Kyle Monungai is that guy.
0:35I'm Liz Loza, this is Facts Versus Feelings and today's fact is that every pick counts.
0:40Daniel Dopp, you're back in your tiny box and we're on opposite sides of the country again, me in Los Angeles and you in Connecticut.
0:48Liz, it's so tiny in here! The other box is so much bigger than this one!
0:53I would love to be in the other box next week if possible, but I'm excited to do the show with you!
1:00Well, I think all of your hopes will be answered because I'm getting on a plane on Wednesday the 19th so that
1:07I can be in New York City by August the 20th for the Fantasy Focus live show.
1:12Tickets are still available to that, just a few of them left, so go ahead and purchase.
1:18And then, Daniel, I will be there for an extended amount of time once again because the ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon is
1:25taking place on August the 24th from 7 to 11 p.m.
1:28And then, that's Eastern Time, and then on Tuesday, August 25th, we'll be doing a live mock in the studios.
1:35But that's not the mock we want to talk about right now.
1:38No, it is not, Liz Loza, although if they want to come and hang out with us on August 20th, go to FantasyFocusLive.com for tickets to that show.
1:47Today's mock draft, Liz, is our very first inaugural facts versus feeling mock draft between Liz Loza and Daniel Dopp.
1:54Are you ready for this, girl? I am totally ready.
1:57I will say please keep your voicemails coming. We're going to get to a bunch of them in next week's episode.
2:04Don't forget to keep calling the number. That is 323-391-4855.
2:07But we have heard from your voicemails and your requests that you want more mock draft content, so we are delivering that up to you on today's episode.
2:16All right, Liz Loza, our very own mock draft, the very first facts versus feeling mock draft.
2:21I'm very excited about this to be a part of it.
2:25There are 10 teams. We're going to do 10 rounds here.
2:28We're going to do a starting lineup, quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, tight end, and a flex.
2:34And the first three bench spots, Liz, I'm drafting from the third spot.
2:39You were drafting from the eighth spot. Do you have any things you want to talk about really quickly before we dive into the first round?
2:47No, I just want to get in and illustrate for everybody our strategies and how we have been preaching our data, our
2:54research, our takes, our starts, our sits, our fades, our flag players.
2:58And now it is the opportunity for us to put our money where our mouths are and let people watch what happens to us in real time.
3:06So the draft is underway. Daniel, tell me what's happening thus far.
3:10All right. So far, first pick is in the books.
3:13And here's the deal. You and I are going to be going through and we'll be looking at everybody.
3:20I am at a spot where the John Robinson, it looks like, and Jameer Gibbs come off the board.
3:26And in the past, there would have been a conversation about this pick because Puka Nakua had been pretty clearly ranked as
3:33the wide receiver one, highest projections amongst all wide receivers.
3:36But we've had some concerns, you and I, over the last little bit.
3:40Last week on Fantasy Focus, when we were talking about tier one wide receivers, both you and I kind of said, you know what?
3:48When we're looking at tier one, Puka isn't at the top.
3:51He's more at the bottom because of some of the off the field concerns we unfortunately have heard about throughout the offseason and just this week.
4:00Adam Schefter on his own podcast talked about how there is a potential suspension or potential discipline looming from the NFL.
4:06We do not know how many games it will be.
4:09We do not know if it will actually happen, but the fact that Adam Schefter thinks it's a possibility is something to be able to note.
4:18So if I'm drafting third overall is, I was already out, but I'm definitely moving Puka down.
4:23He's my wide receiver for now. I'm going to go with Jamar Chase.
4:27Would you do the same thing or how far down would you move Puka Nakua?
4:32I have been in lockstep with you on the Nakua situation since, you know, I want to say May.
4:38He has been traditionally my wide receiver three behind Jamar Chase and JSM, who I think just have higher floors.
4:45Because, yes, I also got particularly concerned when the Makai Lemon news was buzzing around the Rams organization signaling to me that
4:52perhaps the organization was aware that there might be disciplinary action coming for Nakua.
4:56On top of that, we discovered on Tuesday, per ESPN's own Lindsay theory, that Nakua left the field with what is being reported currently as groin tightness.
5:05So if I'm dealing with potential disciplinary action on top of potential lingering soft tissue issue, then I am certainly putting Nakua down.
5:12I do have him presently ranked as my wide receiver four just after Amin Ra St.
5:17Brown and ahead of CeeDee Lamb. So definitely keep abreast of that situation because it's going to be a big one for fantasy.
5:25And I love how you mentioned Jameer Gibbs and Bijon Robinson, first two players off the board a week ago.
5:31That was the conversation. Who should go first? I had Robinson, you had Gibbs, and now we are moving in this draft.
5:38And already at the top, we had Jamar Gibbs go first, Bijon Robinson second, Jamar Chase.
5:43That was you third. Fourth was JSN. Fifth has been Christian McCaffrey, a player, again, that you and I agree are a
5:50little bit worried about because of the workload situation.
5:53Jonathan Taylor went next. That's a player that I'm a little bit concerned about more than you because of the workload situation.
6:00And CeeDee Lamb, which brings us to my pick, the eighth pick.
6:04Puka Nakua still on the board. Interesting. I could take him here, but I will stay true to my rankings and instead select Amin Ra St.
6:12Brown. I like it, Liz. Practice what you preach.
6:15And this is part of what mock drafts are for as well.
6:19Puka's going to slide. We'll see how far he goes and what it looks like when someone is able to get a value eventually on Puka.
6:27He just ended up coming off the board here with the 12th overall pick.
6:32After you took Amin Ra, it was Jeremiah Love.
6:35So the 12 team is starting, excuse me, the 10 slot is starting Puka Nakua and Justin Jefferson, two unbelievably superstar wide
6:42receivers that also have some at least yellow flags in their games this year.
6:46Ashton Gentry comes off the board after that. Liz, you started with a wide receiver.
6:51Does that mean that you have to go basically with a running back here now in the second round?
6:57I would like to. I'm particularly worried about Producer Q's team.
7:01He was the one who selected at the 10 and then 11 consecutively with two dynamite wide receivers.
7:06But yes, presenting with yellow flags, as you mentioned, because he's going to lose out on some running back depth.
7:13And I have preached since the beginning, and I will continue to practice that, which I preach, that running back is an
7:20anchor position for me and one that needs to be selected in your first two rounds.
7:25So I'm going to go with James Cook with my second pick, the first of my second round, over Devon Achan.
7:32Now the bet for me here is that the offense in Buffalo is just more conducive to consistent production.
7:38Achan more of a talent bet. I understand why they're being ranked so closely, but I'll take the higher floor option in Cook.
7:45Yeah, I love that start for you, by the way.
7:48If you start a fantasy draft this year with Amon Ross, St.
7:52Brown, and James Cook, you feel really good about what you're bringing to the table every single week, just as a floor
7:59for both the running back and wide receiver position.
8:02That's a really good start for you, Liz. And then you also have a little bit of a running back run here.
8:09It was Ashton Gentty, then you took James Cook.
8:12We had Omari in Hampton, Devon Achan, Saquon Barkley, and Kenneth Walker all come off the board here in the second round.
8:19I'm back on the clock after taking Jamar Chase.
8:22The question is, Liz, I'm looking at running backs here.
8:25I'm probably out on Josh Jacobs as a part of that same Adam Schefter conversation.
8:30Adam Schefter said that Josh Jacobs also had some very serious off-the-field allegations this summer, and that is something that the NFL
8:37is looking at as far as discipline as well.
8:40So I'm probably out on Josh at this point in the draft as well.
8:44Please keep an ear to the ground on that situation.
8:47I'm looking at either Derrick Henry or Chase Brown.
8:50And I already took Jamar Chase. Do you think...
8:53Would you have a problem taking two players from the same team in the first two rounds like this, or would you
9:00want to diversify your portfolio and go with a Derrick Henry over a Chase Brown, even if Chase Brown was ranked higher in your rankings?
9:08Well, I know that Chase Brown is your guy.
9:11He was your guy last season, and you were 100% right on him.
9:15And we do expect the Bengals to be a robust offense.
9:19But we also expect the same out of the Ravens, especially with Declan Doyle taking on the offensive coordinator role.
9:25Doyle said at the top of this year, this calendar year, quote, he wanted to hunt big plays.
9:31And we know that Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson can do both of those things with alacrity.
9:36I think your issue here is Derrick Henry entering his age 32 season and with a lot of wear and tear on those tires.
9:44The odometer rating obviously very high. So it seems to me that that is what you are balancing, whether or not Derrick
9:51Henry will remain fantasy's greatest anonymously at the position, or if perhaps you should, you know, maybe eschew him because of the potential yellow flags.
9:59I think you should go. I always think you should draft your conscience.
10:03And so if your heart and gut are telling you to draft Chase Brown, despite the fact that means a lot of
10:10investment in Cincinnati, I think that that's what you should do.
10:14If it's just two players, I don't mind terribly.
10:17Yeah. Liz, this is why we're best friends. And I appreciate you reminding me of the mantra we always say to each other.
10:24Always follow your heart. That's what I should have been doing all along.
10:28It was Chase Brown. But that is exactly the conversation.
10:31You laid it out perfectly. Derrick Henry in his age 32 season.
10:35I can see a path in which things maybe could fall off there, not because of the offense, even Lamar Jackson, or
10:42a change that just you're 32 years old. He's been a unicorn up until this point, but age is undefeated.
10:49And so that was the thing that I was worried about.
10:52I feel like within this offense, Chase Brown has been awesome.
10:56And I've been really thrilled with him. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
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13:15Last two picks in the second round. Trey McBride and Brock Bowers go back to back to close out the second round, Liz.
13:23How do you feel about those two tight ends that early in the draft?
13:27Is that an okay spot for them? I think it makes a ton of sense.
13:32I mean, we are. I do have Brock Bowers ranked as my tight end one, and Trey McBride as my tight end two.
13:39That's mostly because I'm expecting some touchdown regression from McBride.
13:43But those two are in a tier alone. It does not surprise me that they're off the board before the third round.
13:50That is traditionally where they have been going. It is not a position that I'm interested in investing in this early.
13:56Again, and I know I sound like a broken record, but because running back dries up so quickly and is so scarce,
14:03I really want to hit that position. And I do just want to make a quick point about Derrick Henry before we completely move on.
14:11And it's not just the age 32 season. He has in 2024 and 2025, so consecutive seasons, cleared 300 carries, which most
14:18data reveals, at least over the past 20 years, that players who do that experience, there are not many players who do
14:25that, but those who do rarely finish out the season or don't miss time and always receive a regression in terms of efficiency.
14:33So if that's your RB1, that's a different sort of calculus that you're making.
14:37So I understand why you made the choice that you did.
14:41Now we are moving forward. AJ Brown was selected after Brock Bowers.
14:45I really like his potential and the skill set marriage between him and Drake May in New England.
14:50I think I have AJ Brown, I believe, ranked as my wide receiver 11, but I do think he could finish inside
14:57the top 8-7 at the position if things in New England really get cooking.
15:02Brees Hall then went off the board, Drake London off the board.
15:06So we're waiting for everybody to catch up, but is there a player here that you're particularly surprised about?
15:12I would say the one that surprises me the most is probably both of the tight ends coming off the board, and I get it.
15:20That is the range in which they will come off the board in most standard leagues.
15:25I just really want to push patience at the tight end position that you don't need to draft a guy in the
15:32second round, in my estimation, that early. I like waiting and going with either the Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren tier of
15:39tight ends, and it's a little bit later in the draft.
15:42So because of that, I'm not passing on as many big name wide receivers or tight ends.
15:48I understand the positional upside. That's probably the biggest thing that stands out to me.
15:53Other than that, it's been fairly chalky. All the names, nothing is crazy.
15:57I ended up going with Drake London for my second wide receiver, bypassing the Derrick Henry pick.
16:02Again, I had a chance to go both Chase Brown and Derrick Henry and get both of the guys we were talking about, Liz.
16:10But I decided to go with Drake London and shore up that wide receiver two spot.
16:15So I've got two top 10 wide receivers as my starters.
16:19And then after that, Derrick Henry, Nico Collins, Rashi Rice, and Josh Jacobs comes off the board.
16:24And you end up going with Garrett Wilson. This Jets defense, offense, excuse me, is being slept on in fantasy.
16:30Liz, talk to me about your love for Garrett Wilson.
16:34I'm glad that you agree on that. I do think, Wilson, who's my number two wide receiver behind Amin Ra, so I'm
16:41not expecting top 12 or top 10 in this case.
16:44Production out of Wilson will remain the alpha in the Jets offense.
16:48I think that Geno Smith will bring stability. And I expect that while, you know, with new pass catchers coming on board,
16:55Wilson might have a slight dip in volume. His efficiency should pick up.
16:59So if I need him to post solid wide receiver two numbers, I think that is totally within his range of possible and probable outcomes.
17:07After Wilson, Chris Olave went back to back. That's an interesting pick because I was debating between Wilson and Olave.
17:13I have them very closely ranked again. I have them in the same tier.
17:18I just was very high on Olave last season if I'm being totally transparent.
17:22And I got the discount on him and it felt great.
17:26So I don't really want to pay full price this year.
17:29And there is a discount on Wilson because he's coming off of that injury-marred season in 2025.
17:35So Kyron Williams then goes off the board again.
17:38Tet McMillan, a nice I've heard you comp him to basically in terms of production.
17:42Michael Pittman Jr.'s time in Indianapolis, a reliable possession guy who will largely work the perimeter.
17:48So I think that makes a lot of sense.
17:50I'm now selecting between George Pickens, Malik Neighbors, who since we're hearing more positive things about his health has gone up in my rankings.
17:58Zay Flowers, Devonta Smith, Josh Allen, and then a couple of running backs.
18:02So I could potentially quote reach here for the running back position because I do like to shore it up early.
18:09And I do think I'm going to do that.
18:12I'm going to ignore all the wide receivers because I feel like I've solidified that position in terms of my starters.
18:19So Travis A. Chan, Cam Scadaboo, and Quinshawn Judkins are my three favorite options.
18:23I'm going to lean towards Travis A. Chan. Now he is expected to share passing down work with Alvin Kamara in a bit of a homecoming for A.
18:32Chan to New Orleans. But I still know that that is a skill within his capacity.
18:37And Alvin Kamara, I believe, entering his age 31 season.
18:40Obviously, he's dealt with durability issues over the last couple of years.
18:44So I'm believing in A. Chan maybe not being as explosive as he was for Liam Cohen in Jacksonville last year, but
18:51certainly this offense under Kellen Moore in New Orleans should be up-tempo enough for A.
18:56Chan to deliver RB2 numbers, and that's all I need him for.
19:00Yeah. This Saints offense is primed to potentially take off if you look at the way they finished last year with Tyler Shuck.
19:07Things looked really nice, and they've only added to it this offseason, so they could be in a really nice spot.
19:14A. Chan could definitely take off there. Although, I understand the Alvin Kamara thing.
19:18It feels weird to have Alvin Kamara still be on that team with Travis A.
19:23Chan because, in my mind, Alvin Kamara has been in the league for a decade, but I guess he's still only like 30 years old, which is crazy.
19:32Anyways, He's been pretty close to that. I do want to ask you, though, what you think of Quinn's, I do want
19:39to ask you, though, what you think of Quinn Sean Judkins because that's a player I do think is being slept on,
19:46and he has a lot of volume at his avail.
19:49The obvious downside is that we don't really think that the Browns are going to provide an offensive environment that is particularly
19:56conducive to efficiency and maybe, by extension, production. Liz, that sounds like a great argument right there.
20:02Can I just repeat what you just said? I'm worried about all of the offense and everything that is going to be
20:09Quinn Sean Judkins' I think potential touchdown equity in this offense.
20:12I think it's going to be a low-scoring offense.
20:15While I do believe he's a good pass catcher, they also have a nice pass catcher in the backfield in Dylan Sampson
20:22as well, but I'm interested to see how successful and efficient this entire team is going to be.
20:28It's not an offense that I enjoy being able to invest in.
20:32I just don't feel good about it. That doesn't mean it's not eventually good value because I think Quinn Sean Judkins, because
20:39of the volume, volume is king, right? And as long as you get enough in this league, especially for us in fantasy,
20:46you can be able to get your way to our RB2 numbers that you need.
20:51I think Quinn Sean Judkins is going to deliver that.
20:54My problem with Quinn Sean Judkins is that there isn't very much ceiling to his game because of the team that he plays on.
21:02I don't feel like he has a take it off the top, top five season right now with this squad around him.
21:09So solid RB2 with volume, but it makes me a little nervous because of that.
21:13I'm back on the clock, Liz. Do you want to talk about him while I make a pick or are we ready
21:20to, do you want me to keep moving on?
21:23I'm just, I just want you to pick like on the spot, show the people what it's like.
21:29All right, sure. I just want to do it too.
21:32Talk through your selection process here while you're doing it and then we can get these other guys moving hopefully.
21:39This is perfect. I love you so much. All right, so I've got Jamar Chase, Drake London, and Chase Brown.
21:45I decided rather than go with either of those running backs that we're talking about to go with Devonta Smith, a wide
21:52receiver that I think can be a top 15 guy.
21:55I have grabbed three wide receivers now, Chase, London, and Devonta Smith.
21:59I'll be chasing that second running back a little bit later.
22:03This is different than what you suggested because I know you like to be able to shore up that second running back situation.
22:10I'm trying to zig while you zag. I don't know if we can both have good drafts while we do that, but
22:17sometimes you want to be able to see and use these mock drafts as a time to test out some of the
22:24strategies that you've got in your head. Don't do it live.
22:28Do it now while you're practicing. So I'm trying a few things here.
22:32I'll let you know later on if they work, Elizabeth.
22:35After I took Devonta Smith, though, we had Emeka Egbuka, Cam Skadaboo, Lad McConkie, and Jalen Waddell, which means that my guy,
22:42Tyler Warren, the tight end three in my rankings is available.
22:46This is the tier that I want, whether it's Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland.
22:50You could almost flip a coin for me. I've got Warren just ahead because of the fact he had 111 targets as a rookie.
22:58Michael Pittman Jr. no longer there, and I think that with the guys that are there, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, there's not a lot after them.
23:06So a lot of that volume is potentially going to go to Tyler Warren.
23:11He could push 140 targets in my estimation and just be a monster in this offense, so I like grabbing him as my tight end one.
23:19Oh, Liz, I left Colston Loveland so that you could get him and he unfortunately came off the board.
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24:36Call 1-800-GRAINGER, clickgrainger.com, or just stop by. You did, and he was selected, but what I wanted to say was that I
24:43love that you took this opportunity to do something a little bit different and to illustrate to people watching the effects of
24:50that, because it's not fun if everybody does the same thing all of the time.
24:55And now, I am in a bit of a conundrum because I have Quinn Sean Judkins, who we talked about way too much, frankly.
25:02T. Higgins, Jamison Williams, Roma Dunze, Luther Burden, DJ Moore, Jaden Daniels available.
25:07Like, there's a bunch of quarterbacks available. I'm really glad I got my running backs because things are looking grim.
25:13But without Colston Loveland available, I don't feel compelled to draft the position right away.
25:18So, I do think I'm going to just go for Judkins as my flex, knowing that I also have more depth at
25:25a position that there isn't much of. So, I went ahead and selected him.
25:29Ooh, I want to call out the pick before mine, Carnell Tate.
25:33Dave Presley selected him, and this is a player who is rising quickly in my rankings.
25:38He has been displaying incredible chemistry with Cam Ward throughout training camp.
25:42Lots of highlight-worthy, highlight-reel-worthy catches. Arguably, the most polished player at the position in this year's rookie class.
25:48I think he could, stepping into a situation on a team that is desperate for an alpha, really deliver for fantasy.
25:55Something we haven't really seen from a rookie wide receiver in a minute.
25:59Okay, I am now back on the clock and there was a bit of a quarterback run.
26:04Jaden Daniels and Lamar Jackson both off the board.
26:07I do like that they went in this order because I have Daniels ranked as my QB2 and Jackson as my QB3.
26:14I don't love the O-line injury that the commander suffered, which I think, you know, is not working to Daniels' benefit, but
26:21I still have confidence in this offense since one I'm buying in on.
26:25However, I also don't love what it's made me do in terms of the island positions.
26:30Bejal Tootin would be who I would normally select here, but I already have a flex at running back with Quinston Judkins.
26:37Jamison Williams and Luther Byrd and DJ Moore as the wide receiver options.
26:42I'm just not excited by any of those guys, so I think I'm going to do a little potential sniping.
26:48This is why you know your league, and I'm going to select Drake May as my quarterback.
26:53He is, I believe, your quarterback too. Liz, why?
26:56It's my quarterback. I left you, Colston Loveland. It's not my fault someone else in the draft took him.
27:02You could have done the same favor for me, but no, that's all right.
27:07I understand where I stand. I get it. You took Drake May, a great quarterback.
27:12He is my QB too. I love the potential connection he is going to have with A.J.
27:17Brown. Last year, he was the QB too with someone not named A.J.
27:21Brown as his wide receiver one. That offense is only going to be better this season.
27:26I am pumped to see what he is going to be.
27:30So you took him, and then Basial Tootin came off the board afterwards, and now we're going to be looking really thin
27:37at the running back spot here, Liz. This is where you will be very glad that you did lock up three running
27:44backs, even though Quinchan Judkins may not have felt sexy.
27:47It does just sort of feel like it's one of those picks that gives you that third option when you're always looking
27:54for running back depth because you can never have enough running back depth in the NFL.
27:59Right now, I am on the board, Liz, and Basial Tootin, Luther Burden, David Montgomery, and Jalen Hurts all come off the board.
28:07I've currently got Chase Brown, Jamar Chase, Drake London, Devonta Smith, and Tyler Warren.
28:11So all of my pass catchers are locked up.
28:14I love the way that they look. Love my RB1 and Chase Brown.
28:18And rather than get cute here and do anything else, I'm going to lock up my RB2, and that's going to be
28:25Jadarian Price because I love this kid this year, especially as an RB2.
28:29Liz, this guy is in such a huge spot to be able to crush, to start the season in Seattle.
28:36They run the ball so much there. The third most rushing attempts of the season last year in Seattle.
28:42Now it's just going to be Jadarian Price and George Helani and whoever else is back there.
28:47But the truth is, it's just Jadarian Price. I don't even care what the depth chart says right now.
28:53It's August 12th, Liz. I don't care what the depth chart says.
28:57So I am all in on Jadarian Price in my RB2.
29:01For what it's worth. Oh, you're right. It is August 13th.
29:04You're right. Sorry. It is August 13th. But I am all in on this guy being my RB2 in this offense.
29:11I love being able to wait to grab him.
29:14It does mean I'm still going to be thin at the running back position.
29:18But I filled out so many other spots in my starting lineup that for him to be my RB2 that I can
29:25land makes me feel like I'm in a really great spot moving forward.
29:29How do you feel about this pick of Jadarian Price?
29:33Is this too early, too late? Are you with me on this, kid?
29:37I knew you were going to do it. I immediately went to sort by running back to make sure he was still on the board.
29:45And then I thought, oh, Daniel's going to go for his guy, which, by the way, also encourage people to do.
29:52If you have a player that you are passionate about, you have to root for these guys unless you're trading all the time.
29:59And that's kind of a headache. Not that you shouldn't trade, but let's be honest.
30:04You want the guy. So if there's someone that you're excited about and that you know that you're going to be locked
30:11into rooting for for 18 weeks, then just go get him.
30:14Don't worry about ADP making you look like a fool or like you reached.
30:19Sometimes not everything is a mathematical equation. In fact, sometimes feelings can outweigh facts to your benefit.
30:24So I appreciated that you went with him. I was proud of myself for predicting it and also for showing people that
30:31when you divert from a strategy, then sometimes things can come back to you, particularly if a plan, and I know that
30:38Price is a later running back target plan for you.
30:41So I thought that that was well done. Jameson Williams then went off the board, followed by DeAndre Swift, DJ Moore.
30:48I like DJ Moore's floor in Buffalo. I know a lot of people are unexcited about him coming off of that reduction
30:55in volume and production in Chicago last year, but I expect him to bounce back, maybe not to his early career form,
31:02but certainly to more of a fantasy impact player in 2026, Bucky Irving off the board.
31:07And now, my gosh, Daniel, it's you again. Yeah, I'm back on the clock, Liz, and I've got a conundrum here.
31:14I'd love your thoughts because I'd love to shore up my quarterback spot.
31:18I can go with a bench position and go with another running back or wide receiver, nothing wrong with always grabbing more
31:25depth, but the quarterbacks on the board are Joe Burrow and Jackson Dart.
31:29And I already have Jamar Chase and Chase Brown from that Bengals squad.
31:34That would give me three Bengals in my first seven picks.
31:37That's a big investment into one offense. And even though I have Joe Burrow ranked ahead of Jackson Dart, I think this
31:44is one area where my rankings would be different than what I actually do in person because of the way that my roster played out during the draft.
31:53I don't think I can take Joe Burrow here and put that much into one offense.
31:58Even if I think it's going to be a top five offense, if that offense craters, I'm just done.
32:04I mean, my fantasy team is straight up doo-doo at that point.
32:08So I am going to make the decision to roll with Jackson Dart as my starting quarterback and bypass on Joe Burrow
32:15just to give myself a little bit of a more diversified portfolio here, Liz.
32:20How are you feeling about that? I don't like it, if I'm being honest.
32:24I don't think I would have done that. I'm a little bit worried about Jackson Dart because he has a proclivity towards running into that blue tent.
32:33And I just, I know, I like the Malik Neighbors is healthier.
32:37There's certainly some options, but I would have Daniel, if I were being honest, maybe filled out more depth at running back,
32:44wide receiver, and then waited for Trevor Lawrence to get back to me on the turn and the way back because I think there's value.
32:52I'm just not passionate about darts. I understand the argument is that he is an upside argument.
32:57I'm just not passionate about that upside myself. I needed to find a tight end.
33:02And since all of my favorite guys were off the board, I selected Kyle Pitts.
33:07He was, surprisingly, it took a minute, but he was the tight end to overall in fantasy in 2025.
33:13And without, you know, like who else is going to catch the ball?
33:17It's Drake London and it's Kyle Pitts and that is it.
33:20To a tongue of by low, we have seen successfully support the tight end position especially since we know he likes to
33:27check down to the middle of the field. Pitts is more of a perimeter tight end, but I still think that that's a decent fit for the two.
33:36And it is worth noting that Tua will be featured and have some playing time in the Falcons preseason game, which is coming up, I believe, this weekend.
33:45Agreed. I love the Kyle Pitts decision here, Liz, and it did take a while in the NFL and I understand all
33:52of the scar tissue that anyone that has ever had Kyle Pitts has in fantasy football, but we saw it last season.
33:59I don't think they added anyone, even though they drafted a wide receiver in the third round in Zachary Ranch, I don't
34:06think that they added anyone that makes me feel like we're going to see somebody else be the number two pass catcher.
34:13I say number two pass catcher, Bajon Robinson may technically have more targets, but even though he's a running back, I think
34:20about Kyle Pitts being the number two pass catcher in that offense.
34:24So just for the way that I say that.
34:27After you took, here is where we're at. Who did you do?
34:31Liz, look at this. All right. So you took Christian Watson.
34:35Wow. And then Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, George Kittle, Parker Washington.
34:38As my first bench player in round eight, there are 130 targets vacated in Green Bay between Romeo Dobbs and Dontavian Wicks' departures.
34:45I know that LaFleur likes this all-you-can-eat, or not, I'm sorry, I know that LaFleur likes this everyone-eats approach to wide receivers.
34:52With a consolidated target share, there should be more volume available for Watson and frankly, his skill set as a downfield threat,
35:00as a vertical threat, as much more of a red zone option, makes him the most enviable and therefore the most targeted option on the Packers.
35:08And on my bench, if he's not healthy, as long as I don't need it to rely on him as a starter,
35:15but more as depth and maybe a matchup play, I'm happy to have his ceiling.
35:20Yeah. I will let you have Christian Watson. We have different takes on Christian Watson.
35:24He's going to make a lot of money per game this season.
35:28And it is, that's why we are best friends and it's okay if we're allowed to disagree on things.
35:34You told me that I was a bad drafter when I took Jackson Dart.
35:39I didn't. I didn't hurt my feelings. I'm back on the clock to be able to, it was pretty close, but anyways,
35:46I'm back on the clock to redeem myself. The Daniel Dopp redemption pick here in the eighth round list.
35:52Here's my conundrum. I've got an entire starting lineup.
35:55My three wide receivers are Jamar Chase, Drake London, and Devonta Smith.
35:59There isn't a single player that I'm going to draft here in the eighth round that I would consider on a weekly
36:06basis playing over one of those three guys. But my running back situation, with Jadarian Price being my RB2, and definitely the
36:13biggest question mark, I think, on this roster, not including Jackson Dart, it makes me want to target, because I'm at a
36:20turn, a running back first to grab someone I think could have a little bit more value for my squad, and then
36:27grab another wide receiver for depth with the second part of my turn.
36:31And so because of that, and with where the running backs are at right now, Jalen Warren, Ramondre Stevenson, Rico Dowdle, Kenny
36:38Gainwell, Chuba Hubbard, I'm going to go with Rico Dowdle and grab a guy that could be the number one running back in Pittsburgh.
36:46We've seen him crush when he has been given the keys to the starting lineup before.
36:51Obviously, we'll be splitting time with Jalen Warren, but this is a little bit more of a floor play and a safety
36:58play for me to grab a running back here, knowing how quickly it is going to dry up, and I'll grab a
37:05wide receiver once we get back on the other side of this turn, knowing there's still plenty of guys available there.
37:12Does that seem like a crazy situation with the way that I've built this out, Liz?
37:17I know that you would build it differently, but this is part of why I'm glad that we're doing it different so
37:24we can see how both of our lineups are going to work out.
37:28Well, I do agree with you that when we're looking at Pittsburgh's backfield, Dowdle, for me, is the option to invest in.
37:35I mean, why not select the guy who was already coached by the team's head coach, obviously.
37:40Dowdle was coached by Mike McCarthy in Dallas, and Mike McCarthy is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, so I
37:47understand that I am surprised that you didn't select Kenneth Gainwell, who I have ranked a little bit ahead of Dowdle, particularly
37:54because this is a PPR format and we do expect Gainwell to catch a lot of passes.
38:00He did last year, ironically, in Pittsburgh, this year in Tampa Bay.
38:04He was the RB4 in catches and the RB5 in receiving yards, and I think that he's going to get peppered quite
38:11a bit by Baker Mayfield working as a bit of a safety valve in that offense and also noting the fact that
38:18Rasheed White is now with the Commanders and no longer with the Buccaneers.
38:22So I would have advocated through all that for Gainwell, but I love that you left him for me if he's still available.
38:29He is so hard. Dak Prescott went after Dowdle and then Matthew Stafford, Jalen Warren, and Cortland Sutton, which leads us back to you.
38:37Are you going to take him now? I sure am, Liz.
38:40Thank you for all of that because I got both of the running backs I wanted!
38:46Yeah! That's how you draft right there! Rico Dowdle and Kenny Gainwell.
38:49Honestly, I was worried when you started saying negative things about my draft again, but all it did was solidify the fact
38:56that I was making the right decision when I was getting them here at the turn.
39:02So I appreciate it, Liz Loza. You're my best friend.
39:05I love this. All right. You're my best friend.
39:08After that, we had Mike Evans and Brian Thomas Jr.
39:11I gotta be honest, I did think about going with Brian Thomas Jr.
39:15here. I actually think I have the perfect build because that wide receiver, I can take a shot on him and if
39:22he flames out, it means nothing to my squad of Jamar Chase, Drake London, and Devonta Smith.
39:28But if he absolutely cashes in at this point, I have a huge trade chip for later on in this season to
39:35be able to potentially maneuver with because I can't start four wide receivers.
39:39So I thought about going with Brian Thomas Jr.
39:42given how strong my wide receivers are, but knowing how weak it felt like the running back situation was, I decided to go with that instead.
39:50What was that sigh about, Liz Loza? I was lying with disgust because I thought I was going to be so smart
39:57and so cute and reach for Jonathan Brooks, who is my favorite value on the entire flipping board.
40:03Jonathan Brooks is someone who I have been high on since May.
40:07I, and so far, everything is looking all right for me.
40:10I really thought I was going to get him here because I need another running back on my bench and producer Dave
40:17Presley, I think, did this on purpose. Oh, excuse me.
40:20You can believe that out. I think he did this on purpose.
40:24That's just evidence of my passion about this player and the value he is presenting with.
40:29For the record, I do believe that while Chuba Hubbard will start the season as the Panthers RB1, Jonathan Brooks will overtake that backfield by Halloween.
40:38That is my bold take for the season. In the meantime, I got to find myself someone here and I really don't like what's available.
40:46I don't see much upside. I think that this is booty cheeks and not the good kind.
40:51This is the stinky kind. Yeah, okay. Thank you.
40:54Yeah. I'm going to select the completely uninspiring Aaron Jones.
40:57You know what's tough, Liz? I want to commend you for this pick because Aaron Jones is uninspiring.
41:03It's tough to click draft on a guy that you don't feel super excited about, but when you can look at your
41:10roster and just objectively say, you know what? This is probably the most useful piece for this squad right now.
41:16That's the right decision. Sometimes that is the feeling you need to roll with rather than the upside feeling, right?
41:23So I think that's a great pick by you because it just, it's a tough one to make.
41:28I think people that can do that I think is really valuable.
41:32DK Metcalf, Blake Corum comes off the board. I know you are a big Blake Corum fan as well.
41:38Isaiah Likely and then Chuba Hubbard附 comes off next.
41:41You're back on the clock, Liz, and this is our 10th round.
41:45The final round for this draft. We filled out our lineup.
41:49This is the third of our three bench spots.
41:51Liz, this might even be a spot where you want to like take a shot on a flyer that you would take
41:58later on in drafts, but you just really like them and you want to talk about them.
42:04So where are you going to go here with this last pick?
42:08Well, I was robbed of that opportunity. So now as my last pick, I am going to follow a similar train of
42:15thought and I'm going to take Kyle Monungai. There is my investment in the Bears.
42:20We have seen Ben Johnson, Wally, Pip, DeAndre Swift one time when he was with your Lions.
42:25There's nothing to say, especially after Monungay put together such a surge at the back half of 2025 as a rookie, no less, that he can't do that.
42:34I love the value here in Monungay. So if I'm looking for depth and if anything were to happen to Swift, obviously
42:41I think Monungay is one of the highest priority handcuffs available.
42:45I agree with you there, Liz Loza. I am all in on that.
42:49Here is my next question for you because I would have drafted Kyle Monungay if he came back to me.
42:55This last pick here, I'm looking for upside. Guys that I feel like because for this, you know, league is the end of the bench.
43:03Matthew Golden, Michael Wilson, or your guy, Quinton Johnston.
43:06Again, I'm looking for upside. I want a guy that could potentially break out and absolutely smash his ADP in the offense that he's in.
43:14And I'm going to go with Matthew Golden. I know that you're in on Quinton Johnston, Liz.
43:19I'm going to save that one for you. I want to leave it.
43:24But Matthew Golden is in a spot. He's fallen a bunch in part because he's in a situation that didn't use him a whole lot last year.
43:32As a rookie, he was kind of uninspiring to use the term that Liz just used on Aaron Jones.
43:38So I believe, though, if there's a shot for him to be able to break out, become someone in this offense with
43:45Jordan Love, especially because Christian Watson has had some injury issues, he could be a guy that could see a ton of
43:52volume and still be a useful part of this team.
43:56Liz, this was a fun draft. Ten full rounds.
43:58How do you feel about this squad? I'm feeling pretty good about my squad.
44:03I am, again, really bitter on Jonathan Brooks because I do tend to get him in nearly every mock I do.
44:10But sometimes you don't realize when you have to move on from someone that there might be someone better waiting for you.
44:17And Kyle Menungai is that guy. I am excited that I got to finish my draft with him and I do think he has pretty nice potential.
44:25So I appreciate everybody for pushing us out of our comfort zones, which only increases our resilience and gives us more practice at this.
44:33So hopefully on actual draft day, easy breezy, we know what we're getting and we're happy about it.
44:39Last call. Today we learned that Daniel Dopp will never again draft Jackson Dart, that Liz, that's me, got through an entire
44:46show properly pronouncing Travis Achan's last name and that every pick counts.
44:50Your draft is your business. So reach when you feel like it, aim for balance and remember that grades don't matter.
44:56Also remember that you can leave us those voicemails.
44:59We love hearing from you. The number to call is 323-391-4855.
45:03Until next time, may your facts be solid, your feelings be right, and your busts be someone else's problem.
45:09This episode is brought to you by ChatGPT. Hey, it's Bill Simmons from the Bill Simmons Podcast.
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