From Bijan to Ollie: A Tale of Two Drafts

File under Practice What You Preach

There’s a lot of intermittent tournament drafting throughout the summer, but we’re in the peak of managed leagues now.

The past two days were two of my stakes home/managed league drafts and here’s how these went down; round, player, and thought process behind each pick. I have two more that ‘count,’ and a little deconstruction helps and be beneficial heading into lap 2.

For regular readers, I hope nothing feels too out of left field or incongruent with everything I’ve been sharing thus far. This is also to help anyone facing upcoming draft(s) with how you could approach yours.

Friends & Family Stakes League, Drafted 08/24/25, 16 rounds, out of the 3 slot.

Round 1: Bijan Robinson - Barkley went off the board first, then Chase, and although I flirted in my mind with other takes and picks, it’s hard for me to not take Bijan. He’s been a favorite player of mine even before he was drafted to the NFL. He was part of my winning team in this same league last year. And although I’m not a fan of playing the past, I think loyalty stands for something if it still makes sense, and here it does. People are pushing Gibbs, and he could eventually be the ‘league winner,’ but Bijan’s situation and being one of ‘my guys,’ he was just too good to pass up.

Round 2: Ashton Jeanty - history doesn’t repeat but rhymes, as they say, and here (similar to last year) a first rounder RB slid into the second, so I had to take him. I’m intrigued by Las Vegas this season with all the talent and coaching changes and I can’t overlook a gift workhorse in the mouth.

Round 3: Brock Bowers - not surprised no one scooped him up in this particular league. So was glad to take one of my favorite players of the game. Elite onesie slot of TE fulfilled. Also, LV stacking.

Round 4: Ladd McConkey - another faller so scooping up value. I have concerns about pace with the Chargers, but their O-Line should be good, I like Herbert, and I trust Harbaugh.

Round 5: Kenneth Walker III - honestly, this one was part of a blur. There was some ‘interference’ at this pick, so it was somewhat of an instinct draw, but I’ve got Kenneth in my Guys I Like series earlier this year, and provided he stays healthy, he should smash. All that said, there’s a very real chance he re-injures himself this year and it could be a bust pick.

Round 6: Jaylen Waddle - I wrote about Waddle earlier this offseason. Monster opportunities can come into play if Hill, Achane, or others miss time but Tua stays healthy.

Round 7: George Pickens - again, upside play. WR2 with CeeDee Lamb as the WR1 attention-grabber should open up opportunities for Pickens, and he’s talented as hell.

Round 8: Travis Hunter - there’s questions, but I think he’ll have answers. Always like taking at least one mid-round rookie receiver and think the Jags will be much better than last outings.

Round 9: Emeka Egbuka - I was on Egbuka going back to pre-draft. He was on my can’t-miss rookie list and he’s a Buccaneer now, so a no brainer for me.

Round 10: Justin Herbert - QBs were flying off the board since Round 2 and I don’t like playing that catch-up game. I either want first pick or make it up later. Plus, with taking Bowers so early, I knew I’d be punting QB, just like I’d punt TE if the roles were reversed. Stacks with Ladd, and we’re good to go.

Round 11: J.K. Dobbins - have so much Dobbins in tourneys, a little more couldn’t hurt (eek). Denver backfield is hard for me to pass up. Great O-Line, wily Head Coach. Even if he splits, I’m covered earlier, and if one of my top RBs fails, then I can plug him in.

Round 12: C.J. Stroud - The flip side to taking a late QB is I’ll feel like I need to stash an extra. I think Houston will pass a ton, and I like Stroud on vibes. Houston should bounce back a little this season. Options.

Round 13: Jayden Higgins - debated between Kirk, who should start the season stronger, and Higgins. Couldn’t see myself starting Kirk in the lineup regularly so better to play the rookie late season angle. Plus, stacks with Stroud.

Round 14: Ollie Gordon II - my sleeper pick. He could out-Achane Achane. I will be taking him last round in every draft. He’s ‘my guy.’

Round 15/16: Bills D, BAL kicker.

Mini-Stacks: LV/LAC/HOU/MIA

Friends and Sharps Stakes League, 08/25/25, 15 Rounds, out of the 1 slot.

Round 1: Guess who, back-to-back Bijan. Toyed with getting cute and reaching for McCaffrey, but it didn’t feel right. The synergy of Bijan again did.

Round 2: Chase Brown - I would’ve taken Bowers here, but he was gone already, and Brown felt like a good value.

Round 3: Jayden Daniels - Starting the QB avalanche since I was left empty-handed last draft. He was my guy last year, hoping lightning strikes twice. This league I’d definitely miss out on QBs if I didn’t take the initiative and 3rd round for an elite onesie (similar to last draft) I’m ok with but knew I’d be punting tight end hereafter.

Round 4: TreVeyon Henderson - maybe should have taken a receiver here, but knew I’d be picking back to back and I wanted some of him. My philosophy on early round elite QB/TE and RBs is like the Steve Jobs/Dr. Dre school of thought when it comes to wearing the same clothes or shoes every day. Knowing for the most part which QB/TE/RBs and Flex I’m pretty much auto-starting each week reduces my decision fatigue during the regular season. I’m not putting anyone else in those slots (unless one gets injured) so I can focus on just my receiver slots. Other leaguemates will slowly wear down mentally over the season hemming and hawing about who to start where amid their micro-decisions. Not here. Keep it simple so we can focus on the important decisions of which receivers to start each week based on strength of defense, secondary, game conditions, etc.

Round 5: Mike Evans - No brainer. One of my favorite players of all time. Buccaneer. ‘Nuff said.

Round 6: George Pickens - see draft 1.

Round 7: Travis Hunter - see draft 1.

Round 8: Jerry Jeudy - not a target, but I couldn’t pass up this value. WR1 for an NFL team falling to round 8. Had to take him.

Round 9: Deeb Samuel - a bit of a force since there were other options but I wanted WAS stacking option with Jayden.

Round 10: Austin Ekeler - Continues the WAS stack. Good player on the back half of his career, but with the muddied waters of the backfield, still a good value. (And I’m in his Charity League, so, loyalty).

Round 11: Colston Loveland - Probably a bust as my sole TE, and I may need another off waivers. But I like his profile, Ben Johnson, and I want pieces of the Chicago offense. An easy grab with most TEs off the board and Tyler Warren already gone a few rounds ago.

Round 12: Luther Burden III - similar to draft 1, wanted a late rookie, stacks with Loveland. Could see action later in the season.

Round 13: Ollie Gordon II - yeah, baby!

Round 15/16: Pats DST/PHI kicker.

Mini-Stacks: WAS/CHI

I’ll be picking back up with remaining play caller profiles all the way up to the season opener game next Thursday, and revisiting the next drafts, as well as the final look at exposures.

Thanks for being here.

Here’s to Champions,

Mike