One of the more interesting discussion points every time a new fantasy football season rolls around is in regards to the draft slots. While it is possible with wise decisions, bold moves and fearless picks to win a league no matter where you draft from, it is obvious to veteran fantasy owners that there is some advantage to drafting in certain positions as opposed to others. Every draft slot will have positives, negatives and its own unique draft strategy and it is imperative that fantasy owners take the time to really breakdown the advantages and disadvantages to their draft position. That is where I and this long-running Footballguys exclusive come in.

This series of articles will take an in-depth look at multiple types of leagues such as 10-team, 12-team and 14-team leagues as well as unique starting lineup and scoring rules. We will run a mock draft for every new scenario and breakdown the positives and negatives of each draft position.

This study is performed using the mock draft function within our own Draft Dominator software. The program gives you the ability to draft for one team and have the other teams taken over by computer control using different ADP lists. For the purpose of this study, I will use David Dodds' projections found within the Dominator. The mock draft ability of the Dominator is a nice way to prepare for your fantasy draft. Running the same draft several times will help you to anticipate all possible scenarios when your own draft arrives. Check it out today.

This particular series is based on...

10 teams

18 rounds

There are a few interesting twists in this study

Start 2 quarterback league

PPR league (1pt per RB/WR and 2pt per TE)

No FLEX player this time

Starting Lineup Requirements (18 total players on roster)

2 Quarterbacks

2 Running Backs

3 Wide Receivers

1 Tight End

1 Place Kicker

1 Team Defense

League Scoring Rules

Passing: 1 point every 20 passing yards 4 points per touchdown pass / -1 point per interception

Rushing: 1 point every 10 rushing yards / 6 points per touchdown

Receiving: 1 point every 10 receiving yards / 6 points per touchdown / 1 point per reception (RB and WR) / 2 points per reception (TE)

Kicking: 3 points per field goal / 1 point per extra point

Defense: 5 points for shutout / 3 pts for allowing < 7 points / 1 point for allowing less than 11 points / 2 points for interceptions / fumble recoveries and safeties / 1 point per sack

*** JUST A HEADS UP *** A few players are dropping further than anticipated in the Draft Dominator likely due to a number of factors. I have tweaked those players’ projections higher in order to have them drafted where they should be in the draft. Always striving to make this series better so if you have any feedback or questions, let me know.

If you would like to see a particular study this season, please send me an e-mail at smith@footballguys.com, and I will do my best to cover your scoring rules, starting lineup requirements, etc. before the end of training camp.

Onto the article.

Drafting 1st overall (10-team re-draft)

Ten-team fantasy leagues top to bottom are always easier to build than 12-, 14-, and 16-team leagues. Positions do not dry up as quickly and value is always there to be found. That is why in this study, I decided to switch it up a little and make it a 2QB start league. Having two quarterbacks in the starting lineup really well change the dynamic of the fantasy draft and puts a higher premium on a position that many owners normally wait until the 8th or later round to grab their first. Do that in a league you have to start two quarterbacks and you may be left without a starting quarterback to begin the season. As in the 12-team and 14-team studies, drafting first overall is a great spot to build a dynamite roster. You get the best player on your draft board and three of the top twenty one players. That is a great way to begin your fantasy draft.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

League that goes RB heavy in first two rounds

Many leagues out there still feature running backs flying off the board in the first two rounds. If this is a case it is a no brainer to load up on QB, WR, or even TE to begin this draft. Having two starting quarterbacks really makes it attractive to have a pair of decent quarterbacks by the end of round three.

Possible squad through five rounds

QB Aaron Rogers

QB Michael Vick

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

WR Dez Bryant

RB Marshawn Lynch

Going quarterback / quarterback to begin this draft gives my squad a huge fantasy point total in most weeks. Rogers and Vick will team up for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns in many weeks and there should not be many disappointing weeks throughout the season. That gives a wonderful foundation to a fantasy squad. Nice with five picks in the first forty-one selections as I manage to draft three difference makers from rounds 3 through 5.

League that has more flexibility in first two rounds

If your league has more flexibility in the top include the best quarterbacks and receivers off the board, then a more conventional approach is in order...

Possible squad through five rounds

RB Arian Foster

QB Matt Ryan

QB Tony Romo

RB Marshawn Lynch

Wes Welker

Aaron Rogers is the player to target with the top fantasy pick in leagues that you must start two quarterbacks. He is consistent, durable and puts up huge fantasy stats. That is all you need out of your top draft pick. I feel it is important to get two quarterbacks in your first few rounds when you start two at the position. There will be more running backs to scoop up in the mid rounds than quarterbacks due to how many teams utilize running back by committee approach. In this example, just to showcase something different, I began the draft in a conventional manner, scooping up Arian Foster with the top pick. Foster is a wonderful RB1 and there is not much to criticize with taking him instead of Rodgers. Rounds two and three, I target a pair of quarterbacks and after three rounds, I am still sitting in good shape with a wonderful quarterbacking duo in place. I see it pretty important here to have two running backs in the first few rounds. In the next two picks (round four and five), I find a strong RB2 in Marshawn Lynch and a solid WR1 in a PPR league in Wes Welker.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: QB

Round 2-3: RB/QB if top eight QB available. WR Calvin Johnson, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Julio Jones, WR Andre Johnson or top 2 TE

Round 4-5: If 2 quarterbacks on roster already, RB/RB or RB/WR unless exceptional quarterback value there or a top-five tight end

Round 6-7: Depends on value and who is currently on roster. Could be anything here.

Positives of the draft slot

Get top player on draft board

Get three of the top twenty-one players, allowing for a great foundation

Easiest position in the entire draft to draft for value instead of positional needs

Negatives of the draft slot

Long time between picks still (18 picks between)

Positional runs can result in slim pickings when turn to draft arrives

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 1st draft position

Round 1: QB Aaron Rodgers

In a start-two quarterback fantasy league, Aaron Rodgers is the clear-cut number one pick in my mind. I am very happy to put a fantasy beast in my foundation. He is consistent, durable and will put up big fantasy numbers. There is more risk involved with drafting Arian Foster and the quarterback position dries up quicker than running back when you start two quarterbacks.

Rounds 2-3: RB DeMarco Murray / QB Tony Romo

I grab a pair of Dallas Cowboys here and both will be excellent additions to my team. As mentioned earlier in the article, I love grabbing two quarterbacks in the first three rounds with these starting lineup requirements if a top-eight quarterback falls to your pick. Rodgers and Romo team up to give my squad incredible fantasy points from the quarterback position and the duo gives me a big heads up on the rest of the league. DeMarco Murray is a great pickup and will be a good RB1 this season. I see taking a running back here unless WR Calvin Johnson / WR Larry Fitzgerald / WR Andre Johnson / TE Jimmy Graham / TE Rob Gronkowski fall to this slot.

Round 4-5: WR Wes Welker / WR Jordy Nelson

What I love about ten-team leagues is what talent is still available when the four/five turn comes up. The talent pool has not dried up yet and adding this pair of receivers to my already strong foundation threw down the gauntlet that my team is the team to beat. Both Welker and Nelson are capable of finishing as a top-five fantasy producer this season. I do consider running back here with Frank Gore, Ryan Matthews and Marshawn Lynch available but I see this receiving duo trumping any running backs I can scoop up here. There will be good running back prospects to pick up in the later rounds.

Rounds 6-7: RB Donald Brown / WR Miles Austin

This is an interesting turn here. I can go after my tight end now as I see a number of interesting players here including Brandon Pettigrew, Fred Davis and Jermichael Finley. I feel pretty confident that one of these players will drop to round eight though so I hold off on the starting tight end for now. I can also go after a quarterback like Matt Schaub here and really cement quarterback as the strength of my team. However with the projections I am using, two players leap off the page at me in Donald Brown and Miles Austin. Both have upside and are in good positions to have successful seasons. Austin is the safer pick and gives me an incredible trio at receiver. Brown definitely is a riskier pick but if he pays off, he and Murray will form a solid starting duo.

Rounds 8-9: TE Fred Davis / RB Stevan Ridley

Waiting on the tight end position has paid off as Fred Davis fell into my lap with my 8th round pick. He is an excellent fantasy receiver and could climb into the top-three if rookie QB Robert Griffin III can play well this season. I am very happy to add Steven Ridley as my RB3 and he may emerge as my 2nd starting running back in place of Donald Brown depending on how things break down.

At the halfway point of the draft, our team looks like this...

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers

Tony Romo

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray

Donald Brown

Stevan Ridley

Wide Receivers

Wes Welker

Jordy Nelson

Miles Austin

Tight Ends

Fred Davis

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

In a fantasy league in which starting two quarterbacks is mandatory, makes sure to secure to good ones before the position dries out. Having the Rodgers / Romo pair will guarantee great fantasy points in most weeks. In this era of ‘running back by committee’ running rampant, it is easier to wait on this position than ever before. Right now I have three interesting prospects that all are capable of top-12 fantasy seasons and I see plenty of players to target in the next rounds that are capable of big things. My receiving trio is lights out. Welker, Nelson and Austin are all capable of top-10 fantasy seasons. Finally I have an excellent fantasy tight end in place with Fred Davis who is capable of top-three if things go right for him and the Redskins offense. Going forward, I need to add a third good quarterback, a few good prospects at running back and some receiver depth.

Rounds 10-13: QB Andrew Luck / WR Anquan Boldin / RB Jacquizz Rodgers / RB David Wilson

I am very happy to add Luck to my team in the fourth round. A little Luck can go a long way and ultimately, he will probably just start during Rodgers and Romo’s bye weeks this season unless injuries hit. He is capable of big things depending how quickly he gets comfortable when the games start for real. Boldin is the perfect player to pick up as the top fantasy backup receiver. You can pencil him in and count on 5+ receptions on a consistent basis. Finally I add a pair of young, dynamic running backs who have tons of upside this season. Both will get 8-10 touches per game no matter what but if they get their opportunity can shock the fantasy community.

Rounds 14-18: WR Sidney Rice / Steelers D / TE Coby Fleener / RB LeGarrette Blount / PK Sebastian Janikowski

I am pleased to find two veteran players, one at running back and receiver to round out those positions. Sidney Rice should have a better season this year with improved quarterback play and back to full health. Coby Fleener has history with Andrew Luck and is capable of big things right out of the gate. He is a backup tight end with big upside. Finally I add a good defense and kicker here.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #1)

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers

Tony Romo

Andrew Luck

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray

Donald Brown

Stevan Ridley

Jacquizz Rodgers

David Wilson

LeGarrette Blount

Wide Receivers

Wes Welker

Jordy Nelson

Miles Austin

Anquan Boldin

Sidney Rice

Tight Ends

Fred Davis

Coby Fleener

Place Kickers

Sebastian Janikowski

Defenses

Pittsburgh Steelers

Final thoughts on this roster

This is a powerful fantasy squad. All the positions top to bottom are loaded for bear. If I were to criticize this team I would say the backup quarterback (Andrew Luck) is unproven and there are only five receivers on roster so injuries could cause issues. Also there are questions regarding five of the six running backs I have on the team. However all six running backs are still likely to provide consistent fantasy offense and worst case scenario be decent RB2 players for my team. My starting lineup of Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Donald Brown, Wes Welker, Jordy Nelson, Miles Austin and Fred Davis is second to nobody.

Last thoughts on the 1st draft slot in a 10-team league

Drafting first overall in any size league is always going to be a nice luxury. Getting the best player on your board and three of the top 21 in this case builds a strong, powerful foundation that makes it easy to build up a strong fantasy house on top of. Draft for value throughout the draft but keep in mind to take two quarterbacks in the first three rounds unless the top-eight are all off the board. Without question, make sure to have a good starting pair in place by round five unless the league goes QB-crazy. If they do, stockpile running back and receiving talent and plan on a committee approach at quarterback instead. Good luck and happy drafting.

Good luck and happy drafting. Thanks for reading.