Fantasy Football Draft Review: Fabiano Celebrity Invitational Gives Back to Charity

Sep 03, 2021

Breaking down the results of a recent fantasy football draft hosted by Michael Fabiano and graciously sponsored by SlingTV

The fantasy football draft season is coming to a close, as we’re less than a week away from the start of the NFL’s regular campaign. With many last-minute drafts happening this weekend, let’s take a look at how one of my final fantasy drafts of 2021 went down.

The Fabiano Invitational Celebrity League is a 12-team PPR league that includes some of the best and brightest from the world of sports, television, movies and music. The participants include me, WWE superstars The Miz and Seth Rollins; actors Jeff Garlin, Jerry O'Connell, Eric Dane, Scott Porter and James Roday; Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez from Alice in Chains, NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. The league has four flexes (RB/WR/TE), no kickers or DSTs.

Each roster had to fill a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE and the four FLEX spots. The bench includes eight spots, and four additional IR spots are also available.

Thanks to the generous folks at SlingTV, each of the 12 managers will receive $1,000 for their charity of choice. The two teams that reach the finals will receive an additional $2,000, and the eventual winner of the league wins another $5,000 for his charity!

Here is a link to the league on Yahoo. With that out of the way, let's see how the draft broke down and I've provided some notes on interesting decisions.

ROUND 1

1.1. Miz – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
1.2. James Roday – Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
1.3. Seth Rollins – Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
1.4. Kurt Warner – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
1.5. Michael Fabiano – Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
1.6. Jerry O’Connell – Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
1.7. Jerry Cantrell – Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
1.8. Scott Porter – Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
1.9. Eric Dane – Davante Adams, WR, Packers
1.10. Adam Wainwright – Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
1.11. Mike Inez – Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
1.12. Jeff Garlin – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

There's not much analysis needed, as the first round went mostly chalk. Nine of the first 12 picks were running backs. Adams and Hill remain the two most likely wideouts to be picked in Round 1, and Kelce was the lone tight end off the board. After being more of a second-rounder in offseason mocks, Ekeler is now a first-round lock.

ROUND 2

2.13. Jeff Garlin – Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
2.14. Mike Inez – Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
2.15. Adam Wainwright – Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
2.16. Eric Dane – Antonio Gibson, RB, Football Team
2.17. Scott Porter – Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
2.18. Jerry Cantrell – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
2.19. Jerry O’Connell – DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals
2.20. Michael Fabiano – Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
2.21. Kurt Warner – Darren Waller, TE, Raiders
2.22. Seth Rollins – DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
2.23. James Roday – A.J. Brown, WR, Titans
2.24. Miz – Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

Six of the 12 players selected in this round were runners. That includes Barkley, who is now being picked in Round 2 in many drafts due to questions about his status for the start of the season. The rest of the round, like the first, went chalk. Diggs and Ridley led the way at wideout, and Warner took Waller as the second tight end off the board.

ROUND 3

3.25. Miz – Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
3.26. James Roday – Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
3.27 Seth Rollins – George Kittle, TE, 49ers
3.28. Kurt Warner – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
3.29. Michael Fabiano – Allen Robinson, WR, Bears
3.30. Jerry O’Connell – James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
3.31. Jerry Cantrell – Terry McLaurin, WR, Football Team
3.32. Scott Porter – David Montgomery, RB, Bears
3.33. Eric Dane – Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens
3.34. Adam Wainwright – Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
3.35. Mike Inez – Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3.36. Jeff Garlin – Josh Allen, QB, Bills

Rollins took noted WWE fan Kittle as his No. 1 tight end. Kittle has also told the media that Rollins is his favorite wrestler. Coincidence? With the top spot on the depth chart in Jacksonville now his alone, Robinson is a second or third-round pick in most drafts. Edwards, the new starting running back in Baltimore with J.K. Dobbins out for the season, went in this round as well. The round ended with a pair of elite quarterbacks, Mahomes and Allen, who went to the defending champ Inez and Garlin, respectively.

ROUND 4

4.37. Jeff Garlin – D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers
4.38. Mike Inez – Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
4.39. Adam Wainwright – D’Andre Swift, RB, Lions
4.40. Eric Dane – Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
4.41. Scott Porter – Robert Woods, WR, Rams
4.42. Jerry Cantrell – Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
4.43. Jerry O’Connell – Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
4.44. Michael Fabiano – Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
4.45. Kurt Warner—Julio Jones, WR, Titans
4.46. Seth Rollins – Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
4.47. James Roday – Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
4.48. Miz – Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers

Six wideouts came off the board in this round, including Moore, Woods, Kupp and Cooper. Jones, a former first-rounder, is now being picked in the fourth after his trade to the Titans. Murray was the third quarterback off the board, followed closely by Jackson six spots later. Pitts was the fourth tight end selected as Roday grabbed him. If you want the rookie on your 2021 roster, you can’t wait much longer than this round.

ROUND 5

5.49. Miz – Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
5.50. James Roday – Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
5.51. Seth Rollins – Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
5.52. Kurt Warner – Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
5.53. Michael Fabiano – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
5.54. Jerry O’Connell – Mike Davis, RB, Falcons
5.55. Jerry Cantrell – Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
5.56. Scott Porter – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
5.57. Eric Dane – Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
5.58. Adam Wainwright – Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins
5.59. Mike Inez – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Browns
5.60. Jeff Garlin – Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens

Williams continues to be selected ahead of Melvin Gordon among Denver's running backs, as Miz grabbed him at the top of the round. Harris' stock is rising after the trade that sent Sony Michel to the Rams, leaving him as the top running back for the Patriots. Jeudy and Higgins also continue to see their value rise in drafts, being selected ahead of Courtland Sutton and Ja’Marr Chase on their respective teams.

ROUND 6

6.61. Jeff Garlin – Melvin Gordon, RB, Broncos
6.62. Mike Inez – Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
6.63. Adam Wainwright – Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
6.64. Eric Dane – Raheem Mostert, RB, 49ers
6.65. Scott Porter – T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
6.66. Jerry Cantrell – Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
6.67. Jerry O’Connell – Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
6.68. Michael Fabiano – Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams
6.69. Kurt Warner—Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
6.70. Seth Rollins – Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals
6.71. James Roday – Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers
6.72. Miz – Trey Sermon, RB, 49ers

Six more running backs came off the board in this round, including both Niners runners. This was the first draft in a while where I've seen Mostert selected ahead of Sermon. The Rams backfield looks like it could be a committee between Henderson and Michel, but I begrudgingly landed the former as a flex starter. We saw a slight run on the quarterback position as Wilson, Herbert, and Rodgers came off the board.

ROUND 7

7.73. Miz – Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
7.74. James Roday – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
7.75. Seth Rollins – Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
7.76. Kurt Warner – Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers
7.77. Michael Fabiano – Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
7.78. Jerry O’Connell – Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants
7.79. Jerry Cantrell – Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
7.80. Scott Porter – JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
7.81. Eric Dane – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars
7.82. Adam Wainwright – Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers
7.83. Mike Inez – Logan Thomas, TE, Football Team
7.84. Jeff Garlin – Michael Carter, RB, Jets

Mooney’s value continues to skyrocket as a potential fantasy sleeper, and it shows here being picked in Round 7. Another sleeper wideout, Shenault, continues his rise up the ranks. Chase was the second Bengals wide receiver off the board, followed closely by Boyd just five picks later. I feel like I got a steal with Prescott, who fell to the No. 77 overall selection. Smith-Schuster was the third Steelers wideout to be selected.

ROUND 8

8.85. Jeff Garlin – Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
8.86. Mike Inez – Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers
8.87. Adam Wainwright – Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
8.88. Eric Dane – Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
8.89. Scott Porter – Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
8.90. Jerry Cantrell – Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
8.91. Jerry O’Connell – Corey Davis, WR, Jets
8.92. Michael Fabiano – Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
8.93. Kurt Warner—Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
8.94. Seth Rollins – A.J. Dillon, RB, Packers
8.95. James Roday – James Conner, RB, Cardinals
8.96. Miz – Justin Fields, QB, Bears

Three quarterbacks were selected in this round, including players with upside like Hurts and Fields. The Bears rookie was the first quarterback the Miz selected. Two Broncos pass catchers, Sutton and Fant, came off the board and could be good values. Goedert’s stock has fallen with Zach Ertz remaining in Philadelphia, but he’s still in the mix as a mid to low No. 1 fantasy tight end. Davis could be a nice bargain for O’Connell.

ROUND 9

9.97. Miz – DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
9.98. James Roday – Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans
9.99. Seth Rollins – Robert Tonyan, TE, Packers
9.100. Kurt Warner – Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
9.101. Michael Fabiano – Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions
9.102. Jerry O’Connell – Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
9.103. Jerry Cantrell – Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders
9.104. Scott Porter – Sony Michel, RB, Rams
9.105. Eric Dane – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
9.106. Adam Wainwright – David Johnson, RB, Texans
9.107. Mike Inez – D.J. Chark, Jr., WR, Jaguars
9.108. Jeff Garlin – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins

Two of the top three rookie wide receivers, Smith and Waddle, were taken in this round. Cooks and Pittman Jr. could be nice values for Roday and Dane. I have a ton of shares of Williams, who I think could have standalone flex value in Detroit even with Swift ahead of him on the depth chart. Michel went three rounds behind Henderson, making him the potential bargain out of the backfield duo in Los Angeles.

ROUND 10

10.109. Jeff Garlin – Latavius Murray, RB, Saints
10.110. Mike Inez – Zack Moss, RB, Bills
10.111. Adam Wainwright – Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
10.112. Eric Dane – Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
10.113. Scott Porter – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
10.114. Jerry Cantrell – Jonnu Smith, TE, Patriots
10.115. Jerry O’Connell – Will Fuller, WR, Dolphins
10.116. Michael Fabiano -- Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
10.117. Kurt Warner – Phillip Lindsay, RB, Texans
10.118. Seth Rollins – Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
10.119. James Roday – Marquez Callaway, WR, Saints
10.120. Miz – Gerald Everett, TE, Seahawks

Thomas fell into Round 10 in this draft, at which point I couldn’t resist him as an add and stash option. He’ll be on my PUP/I-R spot until his return from ankle surgery. Tannehill continues to be a bargain in drafts at the quarterback spot. Moss went eight spots ahead of his teammate, Singletary, in what appears to be a backfield committee. Fuller, a No. 1 wideout for the Texans last season, fell all the way down to No. 115.

ROUND 11

11.121. Miz – Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks
11.122. James Roday – James White, RB, Patriots
11.123. Seth Rollins – Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts
11.124. Kurt Warner – J.D. McKissic, RB, Football Team
11.125. Michael Fabiano – Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
11.126. Jerry O’Connell – Curtis Samuel, WR, Football Team
11.127. Jerry Cantrell – Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
11.128. Scott Porter – Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
11.129. Eric Dane – Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
11.130. Adam Wainwright – Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
11.131. Mike Inez – Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
11.132. Jeff Garlin – Trey Lance, QB, 49ers

This round saw two potential bargains—Meyers, whose stock is rising with Mac Jones under center in New England, and Lance. The 49ers rookie is a great selection at this point in drafts because of his potential to be a second-half league winner. Brady, even at 44 years old, was also a terrific value selection for Cantrell.

ROUND 12

12.133. Jeff Garlin – Cole Kmet, TE, Bears
12.134. Mike Inez – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers
12.135. Adam Wainwright – Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens
12.136. Eric Dane – Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
12.137. Scott Porter – Elijah Moore, WR, Jets
12.138. Jerry Cantrell – Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
12.139. Jerry O’Connell – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
12.140. Michael Fabiano – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
12.141. Kurt Warner—Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
12.142. Seth Rollins – Marvin Jones, Jr., WR, Jaguars
12.143. James Roday – Zach Wilson, QB, Jets
12.144. Miz – Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Football Team

This was a big round for backup fantasy quarterbacks, as Ryan, Lawrence, Tua, Wilson and Fitzpatrick all came off the board. Jones could be a steal for Rollins, as he could be the top wideout in the Jacksonville pass attack. Ertz could be a bargain too, as Warner grabbed him as a No. 2 tight end. Moore could be a nice sleeper pick for Porter.

ROUND 13

13.145. Miz – Austin Hooper, TE, Browns
13.146. James Roday – Tevin Coleman, RB, Jets
13.147. Seth Rollins – DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
13.148. Kurt Warner – Malcolm Brown, RB, Rams
13.149. Michael Fabiano – Darrynton Evans, RB, Titans
13.150. Jerry O’Connell – Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
13.151. Jerry Cantrell – Russell Gage, WR, Falcons
13.152. Scott Porter – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders
13.153. Eric Dane – Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles
13.154. Adam Wainwright – Carlos Hyde, RB, Jaguars
13.155. Mike Inez – Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
13.156. Jeff Garlin – Jameis Winston, QB, Saints

Welcome to the dart-throwing portion of the draft, as our managers were looking for any kind of potential values. Beasley, Gage, and Ruggs III could fit the bill for the trio of O'Connell, Cantrell and Porter. I also like Garlin's selection of Winston at this point.

ROUND 14

14.157. Jeff Garlin – Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears
14.158. Mike Inez – Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots
14.159. Adam Wainwright – Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Bills
14.160. Eric Dane – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, Panthers
14.161. Scott Porter – Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
14.162. Jerry Cantrell – Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals
14.163. Jerry O’Connell – Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets
14.164. Michael Fabiano – Jared Cook, TE, Chargers
14.165. Kurt Warner – A.J. Green, WR, Cardinals
14.166. Seth Rollins – Tyler Conklin, TE, Vikings
14.167. James Roday – Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
14.168. Miz – Evan Engram, TE, Giants

The best value in this round is Moore, who might not put up big numbers consistently but is certainly an upside selection at this point in the draft. He's an electric playmaker. Engram slid in the draft after suffering a calf injury in the preseason, but he could be a value for the Miz if he misses little or no time due to the ailment.

ROUND 15

15.169. Miz – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
15.170. James Roday – Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles
15.171. Seth Rollins – Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
15.172. Kurt Warner – Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
15.173. Michael Fabiano – Samaje Perine, RB, Bengals
15.174. Jerry O’Connell – Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers
15.175. Jerry Cantrell – Ty’Son Williams, RB, Ravens
15.176. Scott Porter – Ty Johnson, RB, Jets
15.177. Eric Dane – Tony Jones Jr., RB, Saints
15.178. Adam Wainwright – T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
15.179. Mike Inez – Nelson Agholor, WR, Patriots
15.180. Jeff Garlin – Blake Jarwin, TE, Cowboys

ROUND 16

16.181. Jeff Garlin – Anthony Firsker, TE, Titans
16.182. Mike Inez – Tyrell Williams, WR, Lions
16.183. Adam Wainwright – Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Saints
16.184. Eric Dane – Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints
16.185. Scott Porter – Bryan Edwards, WR, Raiders
16.186. Jerry Cantrell – Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs
16.187. Jerry O’Connell – Boston Scott, RB, Eagles
16.188. Michael Fabiano – Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers
16.189. Kurt Warner – Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers
16.190. Seth Rollins – Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
16.191. James Roday – Parris Campbell, WR, Colts
16.192. Miz – Adam Trautman, TE, Saints

ROUND 17

17.193. Miz – Sammy Watkins, WR, Ravens
17.194. James Roday – Dan Arnold, TE, Panthers
17.195. Seth Rollins – Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens
17.196. Kurt Warner – Wayne Gallman, RB, Falcons
17.197. Michael Fabiano – Nico Collins, WR, Texans
17.198. Jerry O’Connell – Cordarelle Patterson, RB, Falcons
17.199. Jerry Cantrell – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers
17.200. Scott Porter – Gabriel Davis, WR, Bills
17.201. Eric Dane – DeSean Jackson, WR, Rams
17.202. Adam Wainwright – Allen Lazard, WR, Packers
17.203. Mike Inez – Damien Williams, RB, Bears
17.204. Jeff Garlin – John Brown, WR, free agent

ROUND 18

18.205. Jeff Garlin – Benny Snell, Jr., RB, Steelers
18.206. Mike Inez – Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals
18.207. Adam Wainwright – Dawson Knox, TE, Bills
18.208. Eric Dane – Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs
18.209. Scott Porter – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos
18.210. Jerry Cantrell – Salvon Ahmed, RB, Dolphins
18.211. Jerry O’Connell – Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
18.212. Michael Fabiano – Hayden Hurst, TE, Falcons
18.213. Kurt Warner—Darius Slayton, WR, Giants
18.214. Seth Rollins – Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
18.215. James Roday – Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
18.216. Miz – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Browns

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Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!

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