It’s mainly for DFS and Best Ball, especially if you’re looking to stack a playoff run in Best Ball. Lastly, stacking isn’t too meaningly in standard redraft leagues. You want RB/WR options who could finish top 25 at their positions or a QB/TE who has top 10 potential. Again, if the thought, “I could use him during my bye,” enters your mind, Do. This value/upside mix of players should be your targets. You can find top-end running back backups and undervalued receivers. Mid-rounds (7-10), I’d look to get your quarterback and tight end if you haven’t already, and then you grab running backs and receivers with upside but also who are still solid plays. Conversely, those same running backs have very few with that upside and most others with floors to be bench players just weeks into the season … or worse. Those rounds are littered with top 25 receivers, most all of whom have the upside to finish inside the top 10. Second, and this ties in, by avoiding the need to get running backs in those rounds, you can load up on receivers and/or even grab your quarterback or tight end. First, you can avoid the pitfall (aka “dead zone”) running backs in Rounds 4-6, as many of those end up busting every year. However, if possible, getting two running backs does two things. I’ve drafted two receivers when drafts have gone RB-crazy, and a top 10 wideout was still there in the third. With early rounds, I always recommend coming out of the first three with two running backs … as much as possible. See where the runs are (runs = when a bunch of players at the same position are taken in a row), how your team is developing, where your potential weaknesses are, etc. An easy example of draft and positional value is how quarterbacks should never come off the board in the first two rounds, despite being top scorers. It’s not because we’re lazy or hate you it’s because overall rankings aren’t going to give you the best team if you just go straight down the list.ĭraft for value, and pay attention to the value drop-off at each position. I often tell people to ignore overall rankings, even though we get asked about them constantly. There is one strategy that holds true no matter when you draft: positional value. So, instead of drafting the also-rans of fantasy, draft high-end backup running backs, wide receivers who could take off if one or two things break right, etc. But there is no value in a player who may reach double-digits maybe one or two times a year and doesn’t even have a path to greatness with an injury, etc. Yes, there is value in an RB3/4 or WR4 who you will need to start some weeks and even put in for a great matchup over a fringe starter. Don’t waste your time with replacement-level players, who you could find every week on waivers. If you have the thought, “At least he’ll be a decent bye-week option,” you’re wasting value and reducing your upside. Second, too many managers waste their bench. You need to adapt to every draft, and trying to plan your roster goals ahead of time could burn you. You might find a league overpaying for the top 10 running backs, another auction might flatten the wide receiver prices with none nearing $50 but all of the WR3/4s hitting double-digits when everyone realizes the good ones are all unavailable. People want to know if they should allocate a specific amount to a position - for instance, “Grab two running backs for $50 each.” Auctions are even more volatile than snakes. If I say go RB-RB-WR-WR and then, after that, go “BPA” (Best player available), that could overlook values, as well. If I tell you to take a running back first, and the best wide receiver falls to 1.10 (the 10th pick in the first round), the wise pick is the receiver. Too often, I see people ask, “Who should I take 10th?” or “Should I start RB-WR-RB?” The problem is that no matter how well you think you know your league, you never know how the draft will go. First, don’t go in with a preset strategy.

Whether you’re doing a snake (where you pick in order, then the rounds reverse) or an auction (you have a budget to obtain a certain amount of players and fate is in your hands), a few rules apply to everyone. Obviously the newbies may benefit most here, but even the most grizzled fantasy veteran can take something away to help improve your league setup or even your chances of winning. I’ve put together what is basically an encyclopedia of knowledge for fantasy players of all shapes and sizes. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and you even get to name your team - and be as tame or NC-17-ey as you like! You don’t get that brand of freedom with Cribbage. So you want to play fantasy football? Awesome.

Flex vs superflex fantasy football