Stop Drafting Wide Receivers Like An Idiot

At 31 years old, Aaron Jones presents age-related decline risk, making him a less attractive option compared to younger wide receiver alternatives in the same draft range.

Aaron Rodgers is described as 'sort of sort of interesting' in the late-draft range (around pick 155+), suggesting conditional appeal as a quarterback option in this tier.

Davis Mattek flags AJ Dillon (referenced as 'Sharps' in the transcript) as a running back to avoid being overweight on, placing him in a tier of running backs that do not project well.

Alvin Kamara might get cut, making him an unreliable draft asset with uncertain roster status and fantasy viability.

Identified as one of three elite WR anchor options at pick 11 (alongside CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson). If available, St. Brown would be a strong anchor to build around, allowing the drafter to ignore the WR position for the rest of the draft.

Baker Mayfield played injured last season for the Buccaneers, which the source cites as context for why the Buccaneers' offensive outlook is uncertain and why Chris Godwin may be overvalued; the team could see a rebound, but the injury history adds risk.

Zonovan Knight is a running back two on his team who will not produce at all over a standard season; he is drafted purely for handcuffing reasons.

Available at picks 59–62 on DraftKings as a strong RB option. Davis Mattek targets RBs at these picks rather than the available WR options (Carnell Tate, Jordan Addison, Makai Lemon, Brian Thomas Jr.), which are described as not nearly as strong. Robinson is used as a hypothetical example of an elite RB whose injury would reshape fantasy football strategy, implying he is currently healthy and a first-round consideration.

Backup running back criticized by Davis Mattek for best ball formats; Allen projects for about 12 points in games where Breece Hall misses, but yields a zero 9 out of 10 times. The source frames Allen as a high-variance pick that represents poor roster construction in best ball, where zeros hurt significantly.

The source uses Hall as context for Braelon Allen's backup role; Hall's health and playing time directly determine Allen's fantasy value in best ball formats.

The source expresses interest in adding Breshad Perriman (referred to as Byshell Tuiton in transcript) with an upcoming pick, betting on ceiling upside given how cheap he is on DraftKings; the source plans to have over 15% of this player on DraftKings.

Brian Robinson Jr. is a pure handcuff with no standalone role; Davis Mattek groups him with late-round running backs like Tyler Allgeier and Pacheco that contribute nothing to lineups over a standard season. Mattek cites Robinson as an example of a pick that projects to lose money a lot of the time, alongside Zach Charbonnet. However, Mattek also suggests Robinson may be undervalued in current draft strategy—if elite RBs suffer injuries, the fantasy community would retroactively recognize that Robinson should have been drafted earlier, implying he offers better value than current market perception reflects.

Available at picks 59–62 on DraftKings but described as not nearly as strong as the available RB options (Jaylen Price, Bijan Robinson). Davis Mattek prefers to target RBs at these picks rather than WRs like Brian Thomas Jr.

Source considers Caleb Williams as a potential pick but opts not to take him, preferring to wait for other quarterback options like Kyler Murray later in the draft. In a 2v2 roster comparison, the source finds Caleb Williams and R.J. Harvey versus Byshell Tuitan and Jalen Hurts to be 'actually kind of close,' suggesting both quarterback options have comparable merit.

Davis Mattek lists Calvin Ridley as an alternative stackable option with Cam Ward, alongside Ihmir and DK Metcalf, indicating multiple viable pairing options in this draft range.

Running back Davis Mattek suggests could have been a better draft choice than some wide receiver selections at mid-draft range. The source questions whether Jefferson was the right pick at this stage, implying Akers represents superior value compared to wide receivers available in that range.

Cam Ward is stackable with Gunner Helm and is selected as a target in the source's draft strategy, offering value as a quarterback option. The source selected Ward as the second quarterback in the draft, noting that all good third quarterbacks were gone, making Ward a strategic pick at that stage.

Available at picks 59–62 on DraftKings but described as not nearly as strong as the available RB options (Jaylen Price, Bijan Robinson). Davis Mattek prefers to target RBs at these picks rather than WRs like Tate.

Identified as one of three elite WR anchor options at pick 11 (alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson). If available, Lamb would be a strong anchor to build around, allowing the drafter to ignore the WR position for the rest of the draft.

Davis Mattek argues that Chris Godwin is overvalued relative to younger receivers on better offenses; specifically, Roma Odunze and Jameson Williams at picks 49–50 are preferable, and Odunze is preferred straight up. Mattek questions how many weeks Godwin would outscore Odunze if healthy, noting the Bears will be much better while the Buccaneers face uncertainty with Baker Mayfield having played injured, Mike Evans gone, and unclear passing game outlook. However, Mattek later projects Godwin favorably, arguing there is minimal meaningful difference in fantasy output between Godwin, Jordan Addison, and Ricky Pearsall, making him a solid floor play in the WR3/WR4 range. Mattek also flags Godwin as a potential end-of-career candidate with injury concerns, expressing uncertainty about his role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing game going forward, yet still prefers him as a wide receiver dart over running back alternatives at the same draft position.

Has a foot injury according to Jaguars beat writers and has not shown up to OTAs, raising real concerns about his availability and role for the upcoming season.

Christian McCaffrey is a first-round running back pick who has stayed healthy in recent seasons; the source highlights McCaffrey's durability as a key factor shaping the perception that elite RBs are reliable draft anchors. The source notes that if McCaffrey suffered injury, it would fundamentally alter how the fantasy community approaches early-round RB selection, suggesting his health status has greatly shaped fantasy football perception and draft strategy.

Davis Mattek suggests Christian Watson, available in the 60s range alongside Parker Washington and Carnell Tate, could easily outscore Ladd McConkey, positioning him as having upside relative to safer wide receiver picks at higher ADP.

Davis Mattek views Colston Loveland as a ceiling bet with Hall of Fame-level historical comps for his rookie season; describes him as a huge swing and $3 million pick (not a floor/safety pick) with league-winner upside. Loveland was acquired at pick 38, described as "basically just got kind of like a bonus pick here," indicating strong value satisfaction. Mattek is feeling great about Loveland as his tight end selection, eliminating the need to address the position later in the draft, and included him as a core piece in his final roster construction.

Davis Mattek describes Dallas Goedert as 'an awesome second tight end' and selects him as a stack option, viewing him as a strong secondary tight end choice. Mattek identifies Goedert as a stackable tight end option that would have paired perfectly with Malik Willis at quarterback for dual-stack upside.

Source notes that Davante Adams went in the draft, listing him among wide receivers who were selected before the source's planned picks.

The source uses Devante Adams as part of a high-ceiling wide receiver stack (with Devonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, and Jordan Addison) that may have such low floors on given weeks that teams with more balanced wide receiver depth could outperform in playoff weeks.

Mattek expresses reluctance about drafting David Montgomery in the 50s, despite acknowledging that RBs project better than WRs in rounds 3–6. Mattek prefers young WRs with unexploited ceilings at this stage of the draft, though notes that the reality of 2025 scoring does not support that approach.

Passed over in favor of Kenneth Walker at pick 13. In the context of needing explosive WR ceilings to balance RB scoring advantage in full PPR, Achane is not selected as the elite RB anchor.

Denzel Boston is drafted as a wide receiver to free up roster flexibility for a third quarterback later (Shedeur or Deshaun Watson), indicating the source views Boston as a viable target in this draft context and values the positional flexibility his selection provides.

Derrick Henry is a first-round running back pick who has stayed healthy in recent seasons; the source highlights Henry's durability as a key factor shaping the perception that elite RBs are reliable draft anchors. The source notes that if Henry suffered injury, it would fundamentally alter how the fantasy community approaches early-round RB selection, suggesting his health status has greatly shaped fantasy football perception and draft strategy.

The source is not buying into Deshaun Watson as the Browns' starting quarterback at season's end, preferring to view another quarterback as more likely to be the starter by year-end.

The source uses Devonta Smith as a comparison point in a team drafted from the seven hole that also has Ladd McConkey, Devante Adams, and Jordan Addison; the source notes that teams with multiple high-ceiling wide receivers may have low floors on given weeks, potentially underperforming in playoffs compared to teams with more balanced wide receiver depth.

Davis Mattek identifies DK Metcalf as a stackable wide receiver option with Cam Ward in best ball draft strategy, listing him alongside Ihmir and Calvin Ridley as viable pairing options in this draft range. Mattek states 'I actually don't hate' DK in the context of evaluating wide receiver stacking options, indicating Metcalf is a reasonable target at his current ADP despite not being an enthusiastic endorsement.

Drake May was drafted at pick 40 in an unusual DraftKings format where quarterback selections can be unpredictable, going earlier than typical QB ADP.

Emanuel Wilson is at best a handcuff with no standalone role; Davis Mattek groups him with other late-round backs that offer minimal fantasy value.

Emmet Johnson is avoided as a draft target because Kenneth Walker is already rostered on the team, making Johnson a redundant and blocked running back with no standalone value.

Davis Mattek views Garrett Wilson as a safe pick with low bust risk, but does not believe he is more likely than surrounding players to be a league winner; positions him as a floor/safety pick rather than a ceiling bet, contrasting with higher-upside selections like Malik Nabers and Colston Loveland.

Gunner Helm is the source's preferred wide receiver target to stack with Cam Ward in draft strategy. The source selected Helm at pick 179 as a tight end to pair with Cam Ward as the second quarterback, indicating strong confidence in Helm's value at that draft stage.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette is listed as a stackable wide receiver option with Cam Ward in the late-draft range, alongside DK Metcalf and Calvin Ridley, indicating multiple viable pairing options for dual-stack upside in this tier.

Davis Mattek explicitly flags Isiah Pacheco as a running back to avoid being overweight on, placing him in a tier of running backs that do not project well and project to lose money a lot of the time.

Isaiah Pacheco is a running back two on his team who will not produce at all over a standard season and is drafted purely for handcuffing reasons. The source expresses skepticism about Pacheco becoming a Jamaal Williams-type contributor, viewing him as a non-producer. However, the source later suggests Pacheco is undervalued in current draft strategy; if elite RBs suffer injuries, the fantasy community would retroactively recognize that Pacheco should have been drafted earlier, implying he offers better value than current market perception reflects. Pacheco is cited as one of only two running backs to suffer season-ending injuries in recent seasons, supporting the argument that season-ending RB injuries are rarer than drafters assume.

Projects to score approximately 10–10.5 points per game on DraftKings with zero passing game involvement; limited to around 10 rushes per game due to competition from R.J. Harvey and Coleman, making him an unattractive option compared to WR3/WR4 alternatives in the same draft range.

Jamar Chase is cited as the benchmark for receiving yards per game among current active players, leading Justin Jefferson by a small margin. Jefferson caught up to Chase in receiving yards per game by the end of the 2024 season.

Davis Mattek views Jadarian Price as a ceiling bet with an attractive profile on DraftKings given his cheap price; positions him as a non-projectable volume bet with upside rather than a floor play, planning to have over 15% of this player on DraftKings.

Early-round running back used by Davis Mattek as a hypothetical example of an elite RB whose injury would reshape fantasy football strategy. The source notes that if Gibbs, along with Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan Robinson, all suffered injuries, it would fundamentally alter how the fantasy community approaches early-round RB valuation.

Davis Mattek drafts Jalen Hurts and notes acquiring him 10 spots after ADP, representing significant value; emphasizes that consistently generating ADP value is the easiest way to draft good fantasy football teams. Mattek later selects Hurts as the quarterback to anchor the team, noting that quarterback points are taken care of with this selection, indicating confidence in his value and role in the draft strategy. Mattek includes Hurts as the quarterback in the final drafted roster and expresses satisfaction with the overall team construction, stating 'I really like this team' and calling it 'a very good team.'

Davis Mattek prefers Jameson Williams at pick 49–50 over Chris Godwin as a value play; Williams is younger and on a better offense (Lions) than the aging Godwin on an uncertain Buccaneers team dealing with Baker Mayfield's prior injury, Mike Evans' departure, and Ikem Egbuka's injury history. The source frames younger receivers at similar ADP as superior value to aging receivers in the 60s–90s range.

The source notes that Jaylen Warren went off the board, indicating he was selected in the draft before the source's turn.

Joe Burrow was drafted at pick 51, earlier than typical quarterback ADP, in a DraftKings format where quarterback selections can be unpredictable.

Joe Mixon is cited as one of only two running backs to suffer season-ending injuries in recent seasons, supporting the source's argument that season-ending running back injuries are rarer than drafters assume. The source uses Mixon as a cautionary example of how elite RB health has shaped fantasy football perception and draft strategy.

Jonah Coleman is described as 'sort of interesting' in the late-draft range (around pick 155+), suggesting conditional appeal as a running back option in this tier.

First-round running back who has stayed healthy in recent seasons; Davis Mattek argues that Taylor's durability, along with Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, has shaped drafters' perception of running back value and availability. The source notes that if these elite RBs suffered injury, it would fundamentally alter how the fantasy community approaches early-round RB selection.

Davis Mattek expresses significant uncertainty about Jonathan Brooks' role and upside, describing him as a 'big, who knows?' option, suggesting substantial ambiguity around his usage and fantasy value.

Davis Mattek argues there is minimal meaningful difference in fantasy output between Jordan Addison and Chris Godwin Jr. or Ricky Pearsall, positioning Addison as an interchangeable WR3/WR4 option with similar floor and ceiling. Addison is also grouped among weak wide receiver options at picks 59–62, not nearly as strong as available RB alternatives. Mattek uses Addison as part of a high-ceiling wide receiver stack (with Devonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, and Devante Adams) that may have such low floors on given weeks that teams with more balanced wide receiver depth could outperform in playoff weeks.

Jordan James is positioned as a backup running back opportunity in the scenario where Christian McCaffrey breaks his leg, illustrating handcuff value.

Josh Jacobs is suspended for the entire year, making him unavailable for fantasy purposes.

Mattek frames Jefferson as an elite WR anchor at pick 11 and a dip-buying opportunity despite 2024 concerns about Kyler Murray and Jefferson's sub-1,000-yard season. Jefferson ranks second in receiving yards per game among active players behind only Jamar Chase; Mattek believes there's a better chance Jefferson goes first overall in 2027 than falls out of the first round entirely. The strategy is to use Jefferson as an elite anchor and then ignore the WR position for the rest of the draft. Later in the draft, Mattek questions whether Jefferson was the right pick at this stage, suggesting Saquon Barkley might have been better value, as wide receivers at this range project worse than running backs.

The source likes Keaton Mitchell conceptually as a running back option, though notes it is a pretty thin play with limited upside. The source indicates willingness to be overweight on Mitchell, though frames it as a 'do as I say, not as I do situation,' suggesting conditional conviction in his value despite personal hesitation.

Selected over Devon Achane at pick 13 as the elite anchor running back in a strategy designed to balance the fact that RBs project better than WRs for the next 80 picks. Mattek prefers Kenneth Walker and hopes Saquon Barkley goes to the other drafter. The strategy with Jefferson and Kenneth Walker is to then target explosive WR ceilings in later rounds to compensate for RB scoring advantage. Walker is the preferred running back on his team, blocking Emmet Johnson from being drafted. Included in the final roster with overall satisfaction expressed for the team construction.

Source identifies Kyler Murray as one of the absolute best picks on the board on DraftKings, planning to target him later in the draft. The source emphasizes strong value at the quarterback position.

Davis Mattek views Ladd McConkey as a safe pick with low bust risk, but does not believe he is more likely than surrounding players to be a league winner; positions him as a floor/safety pick rather than a ceiling bet. Mattek contrasts McConkey with higher-upside selections like Malik Nabers and Colston Loveland, suggesting Christian Watson in the 60s range could easily outscore him. McConkey is also part of a high-ceiling wide receiver stack (with Devonta Smith, Devante Adams, and Jordan Addison) that may have such low floors on given weeks that teams with more balanced wide receiver depth could outperform in playoff weeks.

Available at picks 59–62 on DraftKings but described as not nearly as strong as the available RB options (Jaylen Price, Bijan Robinson). Davis Mattek prefers to target RBs at these picks rather than WRs like Lemon.

Davis Mattek targets Malik Nabers despite health uncertainty (PUP/IR risk) because of exceptional projected value. Nabers projects for 16–17 DraftKings points in full PPR in week 17, which Mattek views as an advantage that cannot be recreated elsewhere on the draft board. The health uncertainty is framed as a gift to drafters; Mattek acknowledges not wanting 25% exposure but prioritizes winning the $3 million contest over week-one performance. Nabers was rostered in Mattek's final draft build.

Davis Mattek describes Malik Willis as the 'literal perfect' quarterback option to stack with Dallas Goedert, indicating strong stackability appeal and value at the position in this draft range.

Davis Mattek uses Marvin Harrison Jr. (pick 68) as a comparison point in the argument that younger receivers on better offenses are preferable to Chris Godwin; Harrison Jr. is positioned in the same tier discussion as Roma Odunze and Jameson Williams, all younger alternatives to aging receivers in the 60s–90s ADP range.

Mike Evans is gone from the Buccaneers, reducing the receiving weapons available to Baker Mayfield and creating uncertainty around the team's offensive production. The source notes Evans went in the draft before the source's planned picks, listing him among wide receivers selected early.

Mike Washington Jr. is characterized as just a handcuff with no standalone role or fantasy value; the source groups him with other late-round backs that offer minimal production.

Possibly available at picks 59–62 on DraftKings as a WR option. Davis Mattek positions Johnston as a viable target at these picks, though he prefers RBs (Jaylen Price, Bijan Robinson) at this stage because the available WR options (Carnell Tate, Jordan Addison, Makai Lemon, Brian Thomas Jr.) are not nearly as strong.

Davis Mattek argues there is no meaningful scoring difference between Ricky Pearsall and Chris Godwin Jr. or Jordan Addison, positioning Pearsall as an interchangeable WR3/WR4 option with similar floor and ceiling in the mid-round receiver tier.

R.J. Harvey's presence in the Ravens backfield limits J.K. Dobbins to approximately 10 rushes per game, reducing Dobbins' scoring ceiling and making the running back position less attractive than wide receiver alternatives in this draft strategy.

Considered as an alternative elite RB anchor at pick 13 alongside Kenneth Walker. Mattek prefers Kenneth Walker but hopes Saquon Barkley goes to the other drafter (the one who took CeeDee Lamb at pick 11). Later in the draft, Mattek suggests Barkley might have been a better draft pick than Jefferson or Neighbors at this stage, implying superior value and projection compared to wide receivers at this range.

Sean Tucker is the archetype of an ideal running back on the Seahawks, with a more defined role than other late-round backs discussed. Davis Mattek selected him as his running back five in the draft, indicating confidence in his role and fit.

Davis Mattek cites Ted Hurst as an example of Best Ball players overreacting to positional designation news; Hurst jumped 50 spots in ADP simply because his team designated him as their X wide receiver, illustrating how casual players overvalue positional label changes without fundamental talent or role changes.

Source notes that Terry McLaurin went in the draft, listing him among wide receivers who were selected before the source's planned picks, alongside Davante Adams, Parker Washington, and Mike Evans.

Davis Mattek views Tetairoa McMillan as a safe pick with low bust risk, but does not believe he is more likely than surrounding players to be a league winner; positions him as a floor/safety pick rather than a ceiling bet.

Davis Mattek notes that Tony Pollard had fallen in the draft and would have been a consideration for selection, indicating value at that point in the draft.

Source targets Trevion Henderson at ADP 58 as running back two, viewing him as a safe starter in managed leagues; feels very good about his rushing profile from last season, though expresses concern about pass protection and Ramondre Stevenson's involvement. Later drafts him as a ceiling bet on DraftKings given his cheap price, betting on upside rather than just projectable volume; plans to have over 15% of him on DraftKings.

Treveyon Henderson is rostered as part of the source's draft build, included in the final roster construction.

The source likes Tyler Allgeier conceptually, but notes it is a pretty thin play with limited upside. Allgeier is a late-round running back who contributes nothing to lineups over a standard season; the source uses him as a comparison point for backs with poor standalone value.

Worthy carries huge question marks and mediocre-to-bad production last season, though he played through injury; despite these concerns, the source still prefers him as a wide receiver dart over running back alternatives at the same draft position. The source included him in the final drafted roster.

Zach Charbonnet projects poorly and is cited as a pick that projects to lose money a lot of the time; he won't produce meaningful fantasy points until November and is either a late-season spike play in weeks 15–17 or a net-zero contributor. The source views him as supplementary upside only on teams with strong early-season running back production, comparing his range of outcomes favorably to pure handcuff backs like Brian Robinson Jr., Tyler Allgeier, and Pacheco who contribute nothing over a standard season.