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On July 21st, six members of the Footballguys staff, along with six highly regarded writers in the fantasy football community, got together to complete a 12-team, 18 round, best-ball draft using MFL10 format. Before the draft, each of the participants answered questions regarding strategies, players they coveted and how they plan to attack the draft. Additional questions were asked after the draft based on the decisions they made. To top it off, Footballguys' Will Grant will provide an evaluation of each team's roster strengths and weaknesses, chronicling the strategies and decisions that were made by each participant.
The goal of this article is to give you a look into the minds of fantasy experts throughout the entire draft process. This includes preparation, decision-making, execution, and follow-up. What was their plan? Did they follow it? Why did they make the decisions they made? Some drafters had similar strategies and players of interest, but how they executed their plan and built their roster, varied from person to person.
We hope you will uncover or discover a strategy that might work for you in your draft(s) this year. Learn what players the experts are targeting and why. At Footballguys, when you win, we win! If we can help give you the tools and know-how to build a winning team, we've done our job.
LEAGUE PARAMETERS
Best Ball format - Each week, your top scoring players on your roster automatically start and will count toward your season total. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins. Top scores from the starting positions will count for your weekly score.
- 12 teams
- 20 roster spots
- Starting Lineup
- 1 quarterback
- 2 running backs
- 3 wide receivers
- 1 tight end
- 1 flex (either a running back, wide receiver, or tight end)
- 1 Defense/Special Teams Unit
LEAGUE SCORING
- Offensive scoring
- 4 points - Passing Touchdown
- 6 points - Rushing/Receiving Touchdown
- 0.05 points - Passing Yard
- 0.1 points - Rushing/Receiving Yard
- 1.0 point - Reception
- -1 - Interception Thrown
- 1 - two-point Conversion (pass)
- 1 - two-point conversion (receiving)
- 2 - two-point conversion (rush)
- Defense scoring
- 2 - fumble recovery
- 2 - interception
- 1 - sack
- 2 - safety
- 10 - zero (0) points allowed
- 7 - 1-6 points allowed
- 3 - 7-14 points allowed
- 0 - 15-20 points allowed
- -3 - 21+ points allowed
- 6 defensive or special teams touchdown
DRAFT PARTICIPANTS
- Keith Roberts, Footballguys
- Dave Richard, CBS Fantasy
- Eliot Crist, TQE
- Raymond Summerlin, Rotoworld
- B.J. Vanderwoude, Footballguys
- Phil Alexander, Footballguys
- Devin Knotts, Footballguys
- Ryan Hester, Footballguys
- Matt Schauf, DraftSharks
- Jeff Haseley, Footballguys
- Tod Burros, TQE
- Mike Rigz, Gridiron Experts
DRAFT GRID
DRAFT SLOT 1
Keith Roberts, Footballguys, Bio
pre-draft questions
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
I will definitely try to implement at least one stack of quarterback and either wide receiver or tight end. This will, of course, depend on how things play out, but given my draft slot, I could see a stack like T.Y. Hilton / Andrew Luck or Mike Evans / Jameis Winston as viable options. In addition to stacking, I will be looking to buy cheap upside with handcuffs at both running back and tight end later in the draft. Running backs like Damien Harris and Alexander Mattison move up on my board given the opportunity ahead of them should their starting counterparts with a history of injuries become banged up yet again. Tight ends such as Dallas Goedert and Jack Doyle are also late-round back-ups I will be keeping an eye on given the upside they have regardless of whether their starting counterpart misses time.
2. Discuss drafting from the 1-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Having the first selection is both a blessing and a curse. While I am thrilled with the chance of grabbing such a high weekly upside player like Saquon Barkley, I will possibly be missing out on much of the elite wide receiver talent that can be so valuable in PPR formats like this. I will have to pick one of the best wide receivers available at the turn, but having what should be such a reliable top running back should afford me the flexibility to branch out and pick one of those top tight ends such as Zach Ertz or George Kittle at the top of the third round. If I were drafting closer to the middle of the pack, I would be more likely to start off with two running backs or two wide receivers and fade the top tight ends until later rounds.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
I hope to wait on a quarterback until no sooner than the eighth round. This somewhat depends on how my chance at getting a good stack plays out though. For example, if I decide to go after T.Y. Hilton at the Rounds 2-3 turn, I may look for Andrew Luck at the turn between Rounds 4-5. Otherwise, I will be looking at later round options like Jameis Winston or Kirk Cousins.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
If Zach Ertz or George Kittle is available at the end of Round 2, I may consider them depending on how things are playing out. However, the more likely scenario I have found myself in has been waiting until at least Rounds 8-9 to grab a couple of late-round tight ends. In this case, I will likely be rostering three tight ends.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
Saquon Barkley will be the first guy to build my team around, and I guarantee he will be the only Giants player on my roster. Beyond that, I will hope to land a receiver like Mike Evans or T.Y. Hilton to stack with their quarterbacks. I do want to gain exposure to a Chiefs player at some point given the upside I still see in that offense, and based on my draft position, it will likely come down to snagging Sammy Watkins in the middle rounds or Carlos Hyde in the later rounds.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
My main trigger points will come around QB / WR / TE stacks I am trying to build. I may have to reach for grabbing that receiver or quarterback to complete the stack. For example, let’s assume I have T.Y. Hilton, Amari Cooper, and Chris Godwin all on my roster with Andrew Luck gone and Jameis Winston just selected. I may reach slightly for Dak Prescott with my next pick to secure that stack with Cooper.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I am generally lower than the consensus on most rookies being drafted within the top half of drafts this year (Josh Jacobs, David Montgomery, Darrell Henderson, Kyler Murray). I am more comfortable with later round picks on rookies to try and capitalize on the upside they could bring to a best-ball roster later in the season as they develop or other starters ahead of them become banged up. Injured or “injury-prone” players are less frightening to me in best-ball formats as I typically will make sure to just have their handcuff or plenty of depth at that position should I choose to draft one of these guys. Among the suspended players, Kareem Hunt is one I will be watching beyond Round 10 simply due to what he could bring to that Browns offense depending on how their season is playing out. I know I will not land Nick Chubb based on my draft position, so grabbing Hunt in later rounds could present the upside of an RB1 in key late-season weeks--especially in a full-point PPR scoring format. That level upside coming at a late-round cost is quite an attractive proposition in my eyes.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
Depending on how my team is rounding out, I will plan on taking a look at the Bears defense if they happen to be available 10-11th round turn. That would likely be a significant slip from their current ADP closer to the ninth round though, so I'll likely be waiting on defense until closer to the end of Round 14. I plan to select two defenses--one relatively earlier, then one near the end of the draft. If I end up grabbing a lower-ranked unit with a later pick, I may elect to pick up a third defense with my final selection. My goal, however, would be to pick one of the top three defenses followed by grabbing a value on opportunistic defenses with great cornerbacks for weekly upside--examples being the Browns, Dolphins, and Bills.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
RB - Alexander Mattison (MIN)
RB - Damien Harris (NE)
WR - Albert Wilson (MIA)
WR - A.J. Brown (TEN)
TE - Darren Waller (OAK)
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.01
|
1
|
RB
|
NYG
|
|
2.12
|
24
|
RB
|
CLE
|
|
3.01
|
25
|
WR
|
TBB
|
|
4.12
|
48
|
RB
|
NEP
|
|
5.01
|
49
|
WR
|
ATL
|
|
6.12
|
72
|
WR
|
PHI
|
|
7.01
|
73
|
QB
|
IND
|
|
8.12
|
96
|
WR
|
DEN
|
|
9.01
|
97
|
WR
|
ARI
|
|
10.12
|
120
|
TE
|
MIN
|
|
11.01
|
121
|
QB
|
MIN
|
|
12.12
|
144
|
RB
|
TEN
|
|
13.01
|
145
|
RB
|
CLE
|
|
14.12
|
168
|
WR
|
MIA
|
|
15.01
|
169
|
TE
|
GBP
|
|
16.12
|
192
|
RB
|
OAK
|
|
17.01
|
193
|
Def
|
Cleveland Browns
|
CLE
|
18.12
|
216
|
Def
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
SEA
|
19.01
|
217
|
WR
|
JAC
|
|
20.12
|
240
|
RB
|
JAC
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You missed out on Zach Ertz or George Kittle by one pick at the end of the second round. As a result, you picked Nick Chubb and Mike Evans at the 2-3 turn. The thought was that you would target Jameis Winston to build a stack with Evans (as indicated in your pre-draft questionnaire). However, you chose Andrew Luck as the third quarterback off the board with pick 7.01 instead of waiting on Winston. Was the value on Luck that much for you to pull the trigger? Talk a little about that decision and how that affected your strategy of targeting stacks in the rest of the draft.
This is a classic example of trying to push my luck. I did indeed hope to grab Jameis Winston to stack with Evans, but when I looked at the board at 7.01, I was certainly not going to pick Winston that early. That spot is somewhat of a dead area for me in terms of the value I typically see on the board in running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. When I saw Andrew Luck still there, my thought was to capitalize on grabbing him and try to get Winston closer to the 10th round. As it came to pass, Winston was taken just two picks before my 10.12 selection--so I barely missed out on him. At this point, I was already planning to take a tight end since I had waited quite a while. So the combination of missing out on Winston and Kyle Rudolph being my best available tight end on the board influenced my decision to grab Kirk Cousins to complete a stack with Rudolph. I am actually high on Kirk Cousins this season given the improvements the Vikings have made on the offensive line and all his weapons returning, so I didn't mind picking him slightly ahead of ADP to complete that stack.
2. Who is one player that you wanted that you weren't able to draft? Explain why you are high on that player this year.
I have a few players that fall into this category, but I will touch on one for the earlier rounds and one for the late rounds.
First, I was really hoping to grab George Kittle at the end of the second round. His physical attributes and record-breaking 2018 season prove he is poised to have a shot at being the top tight end in the NFL this season. Kittle had a slew of massive games in 2018 regardless of which quarterback was throwing him the ball. Jimmy Garoppolo's return only sweetens the pot for Kittle, who should be the primary red-zone target on a team with a relative lack of playmaking talent at the wide receiver position.
At the end of Round 18, I was hoping to see A.J. Brown still available. While Brown is a rookie coming into a notoriously underwhelming passing offense with what could be an elite talent in Corey Davis and returning veteran Delanie Walker to compete with, his physical profile and ability screams upside on a weekly basis. He put up huge numbers in his college career with Ole Miss and has one of the most pro-ready skillsets of any rookie wide receiver entering the league this season. Brown has both size and quickness with an impressive ability to make plays after the catch--always a trait I am looking for in best-ball leagues with how important those big plays can be on a weekly basis. Given the attention likely to come for other targets in this Titans offense, Brown is in a unique position to capitalize on weaker coverage and even get some decent red zone looks, especially when the Titans choose to line him up in the slot. With his talent and unique opportunity to contribute right out of the gate, landing Brown in the later rounds this year is a consistent objective of mine. It just appears I may need to be slightly more aggressive in making sure he gets on my roster next time!
will grant's EVALUATION
Strengths
Roberts had a solid start to the draft – landing Saquon Barkley at the #1 overall spot. Barkley was a rookie sensation last season and he may be the only bright spot on the New York Giant offense this season. Barkley anchors a solid running back group with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Add in reception vacuum Mike Evans and compliment him with a good mick of wide receivers and Roberts is going to put a solid starting core on the field every week.
Weaknesses
This league is a best-ball format, but it still requires a tight end ever week. Roberts sacrificed the position and waited until the end of the 10th round to take his starter – Kyle Rudolph. It was the 15th round before he added his second Jimmy Graham. Pairing Rudolph with Kirk Cousins was smart to get the stacking points, but Rudolph is just an average tight end and Graham is not much more than a distant backup. Best ball guarantees that Roberts will get the best points each week, but he’ll still have one of the weakest tight end groups in the league.
How He’ll Win It All
In a best-ball league, it’s not about drafting the best possible team – you need to have balance and have players who have big upside. Roberts has that and more for his running back and wide receiver corps. Having both Andrew Luck and Kirk Cousins at quarterback gives Roberts one of the strongest teams at that position as well. The key for him is if his wide receivers and running backs can carry his tight end group. If Jimmy Graham can find the end zone a few more times this season, Roberts is going to be hard to beat.
DRAFT SLOT 2
Dave Richard, CBS Fantasy
Dave Richard has spent nearly 20 years covering the National Football League, most of it with CBS Sports. He's crunched the numbers, studied the film, developed tiers and trade charts, previewed every NFL game, talked to the decision-makers, spoken on the radio, appeared on live television, earned multiple honors and watched a lot of football -- all with the goal of helping people win their leagues.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
I'm specifically targeting offenses I expect to be great this year. Most of them you already know, but I'm also interested in collecting Cardinals, 49ers, and Buccaneers. And like everyone else, I plan on avoiding low-ceiling players. Gotta reach for the stars in Best Ball. THAT is easier said than done.
2. Discuss drafting from the 2-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
I'm picking second so I know I'll get Alvin Kamara or Saquon Barkley first. I love that. But I don't see myself doing anything differently from this slot. I already feel a little bad for Keith Roberts in the first slot since several of my selections will be determined by his needs in the even-numbered rounds.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
When it comes to quarterbacks, I drive to Valuetown. I won't take one until it feels like a steal. Been saying that for years. The difference this year is that there are six quarterbacks I've focused on as 24-point-per-week guys (maybe a little less in this format). There are another three or four after them I'm also happy with. So I'm no longer in the "wait forever" camp for a QB, but I won't take one with my first three picks and I definitely won't take one unless I'm fist-pumping excited to do so.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
That's going to happen sooner: Round 2 if only one of Kelce/Kittle/Ertz is available, Round 3 if two of Kelce/Kittle/Ertz is available. That's a position I want to be covered with a high-level player. Doing that in all my leagues.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
I'm actually hoping to spend a ninth-round pick on DeSean Jackson. Isn't that weird that he's the first guy who comes to mind? I think he gets more usage in the Eagles offense than people realize. Similarly, I like Parris Campbell a lot and would be thrilled to get him in Round 10 for similar reasons to Jackson. And if he lasts until the end of the draft, firing a shot on Marquise Brown makes sense. How about that? Two rookie receivers and an old guy! You'd think this was my first time playing Fantasy Football. But seriously, these are late picks I'm talking about.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
The top-3 tight ends and my top-6 quarterbacks. Once those tiers are nearly cleared I'll focus on getting one of them.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
Ultimately, I draft in Best Ball with the long view. I know several players who won't be trustworthy in the first few weeks will thrive in the back-half of the season. With so many roster spots to fill, I don't mind waiting.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I'm waiting and will take two with two different bye weeks. Not a lot of strategy there.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Parris Campbell, Marquise Brown, DeSean Jackson, Devin Singletary, Alexander Mattison.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.02
|
2
|
RB
|
NOS
|
|
2.11
|
23
|
TE
|
PHI
|
|
3.02
|
26
|
WR
|
DAL
|
|
4.11
|
47
|
WR
|
DET
|
|
5.02
|
50
|
RB
|
CHI
|
|
6.11
|
71
|
RB
|
Darrell Henderson
|
LAR
|
7.02
|
74
|
QB
|
GBP
|
|
8.11
|
95
|
WR
|
NYG
|
|
9.02
|
98
|
WR
|
GBP
|
|
10.11
|
119
|
RB
|
ATL
|
|
11.02
|
122
|
WR
|
IND
|
|
12.11
|
143
|
RB
|
BUF
|
|
13.02
|
146
|
QB
|
LAC
|
|
14.11
|
167
|
WR
|
DEN
|
|
15.02
|
170
|
TE
|
WAS
|
|
16.11
|
191
|
Def
|
New England Patriots
|
NEP
|
17.02
|
194
|
WR
|
CLE
|
|
18.11
|
215
|
RB
|
KCC
|
|
19.02
|
218
|
Def
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
KCC
|
20.11
|
239
|
RB
|
ATL
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You selected six rookies in this draft (5 running backs and 1 wide receiver). You indicated that your strategy in best-ball leagues is to reach for the stars. Share of few of these notable rookies and explain why others should be high on them.
I surprised myself with the rookie haul I had, but in a format where I'm constantly taking high-upside shots, it's a logical move. Montgomery is the least surprising of the group given his upside as the Bears' top back. Henderson is the lottery ticket in case Todd Gurley's knee keeps him from playing like we're used to seeing (or if Sean McVay finds a consistent 10-touch role for him). And one of my favorite sleepers is Parris Campbell, who gives the Colts something unique in the slot and could exploit single coverage on a weekly basis provided he proves himself in training camp.
2. You drafted both Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison. Explain why you feel the backup running back position for Atlanta is one to target in this format or in general.
The Falcons have made it clear they want to be a better running team in 2019. They'll sink their hopes into Devonta Freeman, but since he came back from injury in 2017, he had 15 or fewer touches in 10 of 14 games. In those 14 games, he scored five times and went off for over 100 yards once. Not only am I not convinced that Freeman will be a stable starter for Fantasy managers this season, but I'm equally unconvinced the Falcons will give him a sizable workload from week to week. Smith and Ollison are bets against Freeman bouncing back, and it's one that's much easier to make in Best Ball than redrafts.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Richard grabbed Alvin Kamara with the second overall pick and supplemented with Zach Ertz late in the second round for decent value on a top-three tight end. He then added Amari Cooper in the third, giving him good balance to start. He added Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers at quarterback, giving him a solid committee approach and he’ll post one of the best position scores for quarterback each week thanks to that pairing.
Weaknesses
Dave loaded up on the rookie running backs this season, and that could leave him vulnerable if they are slow to start or end up as part of a weak committee. David Montgomery should do well for Chicago, but his upside will be limited by Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis. Devin Singletary will compete with LeSean McCoy and Darwin Thompson has to beat out Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde. Darrel Henderson might not see much playing time of Todd Gurley comes back at 100%. He’ll also have a bit of a challenge in week nine with four of his seven choices off that week.
How He’ll Win It All
Having one or two rookies hit will go a long way to helping Richard make a playoff run. His quarterback tandem is one of the best in the league, and Alvin Kamara will produce points every week. Richard’s wide receiver corps is decent, especially with Golden Tate now being suspended to start the season. If that group can complement his running backs, Richard will have a shot. Drafting two tight ends off the same week was a mistake, but unless something crazy happens, Zach Ertz will be Richard’s starting tight end for a majority of the season.
DRAFT SLOT 3
Eliot Crist, TQE
Eliot Crist is the Sports Product Manager for TheQuantEdge.com. TheQuantEdge will give you the tools you need to play like a tool. Eliot formerly contributed to 4for4, Powerhour, PFF, and Bleacher Report. You can follow him on twitter @EliotCrist where he is consistently talking football, DFS, fantasy, and the draft.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
Having a top-three pick shapes my draft. It takes Zero Running Back off the table, at least in its truest form. I am a big believer in each draft being its own opportunity to attack in your own way. I look to take advantage of falling players, stack offenses and build my roster around my studs. Draft position plays a big role, and picking top-three gives me a really strong opportunity to get a strong RB1 and WR1.
2. Discuss drafting from the 3-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Having a top-three pick shapes my strategy. I will be able to start with one of Barkley, McCaffrey, or Zeke and build from there. In the second round, I am looking to grab a stud receiver like Antonio Brown or Mike Evans, and in the third, I will get either Kittle, Ertz or pick the top back or receiver based on who falls. If the top receivers are gone I will look to grab Damien Williams and come back with a T.Y. Hilton or Adam Thielen third round. From there I will look to build stacks and take advantage of the value falling.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
Not before round eight, but it depends on how the draft falls. Often with Expert leagues, quarterbacks fall further than a standard league and you can look to gain leverage by getting a top quarterback a bit earlier to gain a positional advantage without having to spend significant draft capital. The other exception to this could be to get a stack having a top quarterback and his top weapon can be worth it. In an ideal world, both my quarterbacks will come in the double-digit rounds, but I am willing to adjust.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
This depends on how the draft falls. If Kittle or Ertz is there in round three I will grab them. O.J. Howard in the fifth, Jared Cook in the 7th, or Vance McDonald in the 8th are earlier round targets. If I miss out on these players I will take three in the double-digit rounds.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
My Ideal start would be Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Evans, George Kittle to build a team around guys who can finish number one overall at their position. So much is how the board plays out, but a few guys I like to target are Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, David Montgomery, Latavius Murray, Curtis Samuel, Christian Kirk, Jared Cook, Vance McDonald. If I can combine my ideal start with a few of those players I will be feeling very good.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
Once we get into the double-digit rounds and I look at my roster I may be forced into taking a player. For example, if I only have one tight end and there was a run before I pick and there is only one legitimate potential starter left I will take him even if he isn't the top player on my board so I don't get stuck with an extremely weak position group. The other position I will consider this with is QB, but I don't think that will be a problem with this draft.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
My entire draft strategy is a cost-based analysis. You have to be willing to take risks, but the price has to be right. I will never pay a premium for a player with a lot of risk but I will take the discount. I would take Melvin Gordon in the second because if he plays it can be a league winning pick. I am comfortable with rookie running backs in good roles because I research shows snaps and volume are the most important statistic when predicting running back success. I avoid rookie WRs and rookie TEs like the plague and Kyler Murray’s rushing upside makes him a strong target for me as his actual NFL performance could mean very little when it comes to his fantasy upside.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I will draft between two and three defenses depending on how the draft falls and I will look to grab them late. I won’t pay a premium on the Bears to chase last years performance and the Jaguars are unlikely as well. When looking to draft a defense for me everything starts with pressure. Turnovers are difficult to predict, but teams who generate pressure have a lot of turnover opportunities. The Browns are one of my favorite late-round targets.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Lamar Jackson
- Chase Edmunds
- Robert Foster
- Josh Gordon
- David Moore
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.03
|
3
|
RB
|
CAR
|
|
2.10
|
22
|
TE
|
SFO
|
|
3.03
|
27
|
WR
|
MIN
|
|
4.10
|
46
|
WR
|
TBB
|
|
5.03
|
51
|
WR
|
SEA
|
|
6.10
|
70
|
RB
|
HOU
|
|
7.03
|
75
|
RB
|
NOS
|
|
8.10
|
94
|
WR
|
CAR
|
|
9.03
|
99
|
WR
|
Marvin Jones
|
DET
|
10.10
|
118
|
QB
|
TBB
|
|
11.03
|
123
|
QB
|
DAL
|
|
12.10
|
142
|
RB
|
BAL
|
|
13.03
|
147
|
WR
|
DAL
|
|
14.10
|
166
|
RB
|
MIA
|
|
15.03
|
171
|
TE
|
OAK
|
|
16.10
|
190
|
WR
|
NEP
|
|
17.03
|
195
|
Def
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
PHI
|
18.10
|
214
|
RB
|
DAL
|
|
19.03
|
219
|
WR
|
DAL
|
|
20.10
|
238
|
Def
|
Detroit Lions
|
DET
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You indicated that you will wait on drafting a quarterback. In fact, you wound up selecting Jameis Winston and Dak Prescott at the 10-11 turn (QB14, and QB16). Explain why that strategy is a good one for best-ball leagues.
The Quarterback position is likely the deepest in all of fantasy. In a league where I only have to start one quarterback, high volume quarterbacks with rushing upside should allow me to compete week in and week out at the quarterback position. In best ball, I am looking for ceiling games, but I also want quarterbacks who want to sink the ship if I wait. Prescott's rushing upside gives me the confidence I won’t score single digits at QB this year and Winston’s passing volume and weapons have me confident in a potential 5,000 yards season.
2. Talk about the importance of being able to construct a QB/WR stack in best-ball leagues. You wound up with Chris Godwin and Jameis Winston. What made you target Winston over Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins who would've also given you stacks with Tyler Lockett or Adam Thielen?
I always look to stack when I can, though I don’t force the issue. The draft fell nicely to me so I had multiple options to do this. I am down on Wilson this year because of the lack of volume and I have Winston a tier above Cousins this season. I chose what I thought was the best passing offense and looked to stack it and came away very happy with a Winston and Godwin combo.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Crist opened the draft strong, selecting Christian McCaffrey right out of the gate and adding George Kittle, Adam Thielen, Chris Godwin and Tyler Lockett with his next four picks. Crist continued to add boom or bust receivers as the draft played out, and he paired quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Jameis Winston with receivers as well, giving him good stacking potential from week to week. Kittle will be a solid receiver if he can stay healthy, and the best ball format should play well with the rest of Crist’s pass catchers in a PPR league.
Weaknesses
McCaffrey was a strong pick out of the gate, but the rest of Crist’s running backs have big question marks. Lamar Miller is the starter in Houston but for how long. Latavius Murray could be big in New Orleans or could fade into the bench and produce minimal numbers. The rest of his runners are just ‘flyer’ type of picks, meaning Eliot is really going to need McCaffrey to carry the load this year.
How He’ll Win It All
McCaffrey needs to stay healthy and another runner needs to step up. If Miller or Murray can produce decent numbers each week, the best ball format will guarantee that Crist will get the most bang for their performances. Pairing Prescott and Winston with secondary receivers from their respective teams could be just the stacking bonus Crist needs to stay competitive. Eliot’s wide receivers should keep him in most games this season – he just needs a little help from the other running backs on his team outside of McCaffrey.
DRAFT SLOT 4
Raymond Summerlin, Rotoworld
Raymond Summerlin has been part of the fantasy community for over 10 years. He is currently a fantasy and news writer as well as a podcast host for Rotoworld.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
Picking from the four spot guarantees one of the top group of running backs, but it also restricts the draft strategy to some extent. I may end up with a receiver in round two because there is usually just too much value there, but the beginning of my draft will be running back heavy with the hope I can overstock on receivers in the middle rounds.
2. Discuss drafting from the four-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Drafting here does not make it impossible to go zero RB, but almost the only option with the first four picks is to take one of the top four running backs. It is certainly possible to go receiver heavy afterward in a modified zero RB roster construction, but you are unlikely to end up with the elite, predictable receivers which make the strategy so appealing.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
It will depend on the flow of the draft. There is a tier of quarterbacks that begins with Baker Mayfield and runs at least through Cam Newton. I will feel comfortable as long as I end up with one of those players.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
Like with quarterbacks, it all comes down to tiers. After the top three, there are six tight ends I would feel comfortable with as my No. 1. I will take a shot once that group begins to dwindle.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
The easy answer is whichever running back I end up with at No. 4, but the real answer is Devonta Freeman. I am higher on him than the drafting public, which allows me to get what I view as a high-end second starter in the third and sometimes fourth round while taking advantage of the receiver value in the second. Mark Ingram has also ended up on a lot of my squads.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
It is not usually one or two players but a tier of players, especially at quarterback and tight end. Once players like Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray or Eric Ebron and Jared Cook are off the board, I know it is time to make a move. At running back, there is a big fall off after the top 30, so I hope to get at least three and preferably four of those guys. The receiver position is so deep I do not really think about it that way.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
It is on a case-by-case basis, but in general, I avoid players who are going to miss more than four games. It is different in best ball, but in standard leagues, you are giving up such a large percentage of the regular season on the hope the player comes back healthy or to a fantasy-relevant role. I will not end up with Kareem Hunt on any of my teams this season, and I am fine with that.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
Because I only want to devote two roster spots to defenses, I will go a little earlier than I usually would. Still, it is not going to be before the 15th unless there is a run.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
C.J. Anderson, Mike Davis, Devin Funchess, Andy Isabella, Jimmy Graham
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.04
|
4
|
RB
|
DAL
|
|
2.09
|
21
|
RB
|
LAR
|
|
3.04
|
28
|
RB
|
ATL
|
|
4.09
|
45
|
WR
|
LAR
|
|
5.04
|
52
|
RB
|
Mark Ingram
|
BAL
|
6.09
|
69
|
WR
|
Allen Robinson
|
CHI
|
7.04
|
76
|
TE
|
NOS
|
|
8.09
|
93
|
QB
|
CAR
|
|
9.04
|
100
|
WR
|
GBP
|
|
10.09
|
117
|
RB
|
PIT
|
|
11.04
|
124
|
WR
|
IND
|
|
12.09
|
141
|
WR
|
BUF
|
|
13.04
|
148
|
WR
|
DK Metcalf
|
SEA
|
14.09
|
165
|
TE
|
TEN
|
|
15.04
|
172
|
WR
|
MIA
|
|
16.09
|
189
|
Def
|
New Orleans Saints
|
NOS
|
17.04
|
196
|
WR
|
BAL
|
|
18.09
|
213
|
Def
|
Buffalo Bills
|
BUF
|
19.04
|
220
|
QB
|
CIN
|
|
20.09
|
237
|
RB
|
JAC
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Two-part question. You drafted four running backs in the first five picks (Elliott, Gurley, D. Freeman, Ingram), which is the opposite of the zero-running back strategy. Explain the decision to load up on running backs at the beginning of the draft. How did that impact your decision-making moving forward?
I am certainly not against using a zero-RB strategy this season, but I believe the strength of the running back group is in the first 20 or so backs while the strength of the receiver group, at least after the first nine, is in its depth -- I was very disappointed not to get Larry Fitzgerald, who is a great value and offers some "safety" to those who are light on receivers early. That has pushed me toward more running-back heavy starts this year, and that is especially true when I draft from one of the top four spots, where you are almost forced to take one of the top group at running back. That said, there is a decent chance I would have selected Antonio Brown if he slipped another spot, so I am certainly not hard and fast on the running back strategy.
As for the second part, the start certainly changed how I built my roster. For starters, I went with eight receivers and just six running backs whereas I might have added an extra back if I felt really good about my top receivers. I also tended toward upside and big-play guys late in the hopes I can get just one play from one of them each week to fill a spot or, better yet, catch some lightning in a bottle.
2. Part 2 - You indicated an interest in both Devonta Freeman and Mark Ingram. Explain why both backs are appealing from a performance and value standpoint.
For Freeman, taking him where I did is a reach, but I doubt he would have come back to me in the fourth round. Even so, I like having him as my third back. With Tevin Coleman gone, we could be looking at a situation where Freeman is back to the 275 touch days of 2015 and 2016 when he finished as the overall RB1 and RB6. People will point to injuries, but before last year he had played in at least 14 games in every season and is still just 27. He is a proven player who is the clear No. 1 in what should be a top-ten offense. That is a top-12 running back, in my opinion.
For Ingram, I am mostly making a bet on volume, but it also has to be noted Ingram has been a very good runner over the last several seasons and is playing with a quarterback who should help open lanes in the running game. After Lamar Jackson took over in Week 10, the Ravens ran the ball on 64 percent of their offensive plays, easily the highest rate in the league. Running backs only accounted for 55 percent of those attempts, but that was still enough for 24 per game for the running back group. The offense will likely be less run-heavy this year while Justice Hill and perhaps even Gus Edwards or Kenneth Dixon will be involved, but there is room here for Ingram to get 15 carries a game on top of whatever targets he grabs in the passing game. That would be great volume for a late-fifth-round pick.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
By choosing a running back with four of his first five picks, Summerlin has one of the strongest groups in the league. Ezekiel Elliott could be a legitimate #1 overall pick in this format and following him up with Todd Gurley in the second round is big value. Gurley’s injury is a giant question mark, but in a best-ball format, Summerlin is guaranteed to get the value Gurley presents when he plays. DeVonta Freeman and Mark Ingram both share the spotlight on their respective teams, but both should be the primary ball carrier for their respective teams.
Weaknesses
Cam Newton can carry a team from week to week – both with his passing and rushing potential. However, Andy Dalton is going to struggle this season with the injuries that the Bengals have already sustained this summer. Christian McCaffrey will see plenty of action running the ball in Carolina and he’s going to cap how much Newton will contribute each week.
How He’ll Win It All
Cam Newton is going to have to carry this team from the quarterback perspective, but if anyone can do it, Newton is that guy. Summerlin has enough depth at wide receiver and in a best-ball format, he has good upside potential. He just needs a little luck to have them perform well from week to week. His running back depth is rock solid for a best-ball format, especially with Todd Gurley, Mark Ingram, and Devonta Freeman. If Jared Cook can step in for the Saints and perform well, Summerlin’s team is going to compete for the title.
DRAFT SLOT 5
B.J. Vanderwoude - Footballguys, Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
I am drafting from the five-hole, so I won’t have to force any picks due to positional runs. This allows me to draft the best player available at the running back and wide receiver positions for the first six rounds. With that said, I also have the option of selecting one of the top three tight ends in the second or third round, which would give me a rather large positional advantage over the rest of the league. This advantage is not the same as it would be in a standard H2H league, but Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and George Kittle all have ceilings that are far superior to their counterparts, which means you can get away with not having to select another tight end until very late in the draft.
2. Discuss drafting from the 5-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Drafting from the five-hole gives me several different options and strategies in the first round, which depending on which way I opt to go, will impact the rest of my draft. The first decision I have to make is whether to go with DeAndre Hopkins or a running back such as David Johnson or LeVeon Bell. In a best-ball format, that decision comes down to who I think will be available to me in the second and third rounds, as it is easy to build depth at either position by focusing on them in the middle rounds. One of the benefits to drafting from the five-hole is that you are less prone to positional runs, so the main thing I will do differently is to wait on drafting my quarterback. The same can be said for the tight end position, however, if one of the top three slip to me in the third round then that is an opportunity I can’t pass up.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
Generally speaking, with the quarterback position so deep, I want to wait on selecting my quarterback until at least the eighth round.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
Tight end is another position that I like to wait on, however with the top tier so small, I will look to draft one of Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz or George Kittle if they were to slip to me in the third round. If I miss on one of those three, then I will be waiting until at least the eighth round to select my tight end.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
I will look to build my team around David Johnson or Le’Veon Bell in the first round, followed by Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr or JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
My trigger points come in the second and third round. I am looking to draft Odell Beckham Jr or Antonio Brown in the second round, however, if neither is available, I will look to the running back position and draft either Nick Chubb or Dalvin Cook.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
My approach to these decisions comes down to value. If I feel like a player can outperform his draft position—while projecting on the conservative side—then I have no problem pulling the trigger. Suspended players, if you know their length of suspension ahead of time, are some of the best plays on the board because they are generally undervalued.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
My strategy for drafting defenses in best-ball leagues is to target the second tier and look to draft two of the top 15 defenses. I anticipate drafting two defenses, as injuries are not going to impact this position, making it much less important in terms of drafting depth.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Some players I am looking at drafting in the later rounds are Anthony Miller, DaeSean Hamilton, Robert Foster, Dallas Goedert, and Justin Jackson.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.05
|
5
|
RB
|
ARI
|
|
2.08
|
20
|
WR
|
OAK
|
|
3.05
|
29
|
WR
|
IND
|
|
4.08
|
44
|
RB
|
NEP
|
|
5.05
|
53
|
WR
|
CIN
|
|
6.08
|
68
|
RB
|
WAS
|
|
7.05
|
77
|
TE
|
IND
|
|
8.08
|
92
|
QB
|
SEA
|
|
9.05
|
101
|
RB
|
BUF
|
|
10.08
|
116
|
WR
|
DEN
|
|
11.05
|
125
|
WR
|
PIT
|
|
12.08
|
140
|
RB
|
SFO
|
|
13.05
|
149
|
RB
|
CHI
|
|
14.08
|
164
|
QB
|
DET
|
|
15.05
|
173
|
TE
|
DET
|
|
16.08
|
188
|
Def
|
Houston Texans
|
HOU
|
17.05
|
197
|
WR
|
TEN
|
|
18.08
|
212
|
Def
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
IND
|
19.05
|
221
|
WR
|
KCC
|
|
20.08
|
236
|
TE
|
DEN
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You mentioned an interest in possibly targeting one of the top 3 tight ends in the second round. You passed on both Zach Ertz and George Kittle, selecting Antonio Brown. Explain why you made that decision and share why others should not discount Brown despite the team change to Oakland.
The decision was a tough one, but it came down to Antonio Brown's having the highest ceiling of the players remaining, as well as the fact that the positional advantage you gain by having Kelce, Ertz or Kittle is somewhat negated in best-ball. If either of those three players had slipped to me in the third round, I would have pulled the trigger, but I couldn't pass up Brown in the second. It is surprising to me that Brown has slipped so far in the minds of managers, as before last season Brown had averaged the most fantasy points per game among wide receivers for five straight seasons. In 2018, he finished fifth in total points and second in average points. Yes, he arrives in Oakland in a new situation with a quarterback who is not as fantasy-friendly as Roethlisberger was in Pittsburgh, but Derek Carr is no slouch either and has proven capable of distributing the ball. Brown will have a chip a shoulder and Jon Gruden will guarantee he sees a massive volume of targets this season.
2. You wanted to draft two teams in the Top 15 among fantasy defenses. Was that accomplished with Houston and Indianapolis? Explain why you like both of those defenses this season.
Yes, I do think I accomplished that with Indianapolis and Houston. Houston is a proven top-five defense with star power at the linebacker position and the ability to rack up sacks and force turnovers. I got in early on the Colts this year, as I think they are going to take a big step in 2019. The Colts front office had a fantastic draft in 2018 which resulted in the drafting of Defensive Rookie of the Year, Darius Leonard. With a year under his belt, I expect Leonard to be even better, and it doesn't hurt when you have four games against Marcus Mariota and Nick Foles.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
BJ had a rough draw, pulling #5 in a best-ball draft. David Johnson is almost permanently locked in as the #5 pick, so it was no surprise that Vanderwoude selected him with his first pick. But as running backs flew off the board before he was back on the clock again, BJ pivoted to the wide receiver spot with three of his next four picks. That gave him a strong start with receivers like T.Y.Hilton, Antonio Brown and Tyler Boyd to start. With A.J. Green sure to have a slow start this season, the strength of BJ’s team will flow through his wide receiver position. In a PPR best ball league, that’s a smart strategy.
Weaknesses
Johnson is a solid running back but he’s really the ‘worst’ of the top tier running backs. By focusing on the wide receiver position, Vanderwoude ended up with one of the weaker running back groups of the league. James White is a solid pick for a PPR league, but his upside is limited by Sony Michel and rookie Damien Harris. You see a similar story with BJ’s other running backs in Derrius Guice, LeSean McCoy, and Mike Davis. Things could go bad for Vanderwoude if these guys lose most of their carries to other backs who will have a shot to force them to the bench.
How He’ll Win It All
BJ needs a little help with his running backs. If James White can stay active in the passing game, he should contribute enough to be a decent running back in this league. The Washington backfield is a giant question mark, and if Guice can emerge as the starter, that will go a long way to helping BJ complete each week. Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford are not ‘tier one’ quarterbacks, but between the two of them, they should provide a nice quarterback by committee approach. If either of BJ’s two rookie tight ends can emerge as starters, BJ will have a decent team on the field each week.
DRAFT SLOT 6
Phil Alexander - Footballguys, Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
My favorite roster builds start with three running backs, a WR1 in the Tyler Lockett/Chris Godwin/Robert Woods tier and the bulk of my wide receiver corps getting fleshed out in Rounds 6-8 -- the best value pocket in 2019 drafts -- thanks to guys like Christian Kirk, Robby Anderson, Dante Pettis, and Tyler Boyd. Quarterback and tight end can be filled in by committee unless the right opportunity presents itself to select Kyler Murray or Hunter Henry, each of whom I have pegged for elite seasons.
2. Discuss drafting from the 6-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Drafting from the six-hole isn't so bad. It would be nice if David Johnson drops to 1.06, but if he doesn't, I'm fine taking DeAndre Hopkins or Davante Adams and targeting Dalvin Cook or Damien Williams as my RB1 in the second round. I'm hoping my opponents picking near the turns will reach for their favorite targets, leaving value for me to scoop up near the middle of each round. At the very least, I shouldn't have to worry about anticipating position runs. From the sixth pick, I should be able to see them coming and make sure I don't miss out on the last player in one of my positional tiers.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
When I think Kyler Murray won't make it back around to me, which is usually around the seventh-round on DRAFT. If someone beats me to Murray, I'm happy to wait and platoon guys like Kirk Cousins and Mitchell Trubisky in the double-digit rounds.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, and George Kittle will be long gone before I'm ready to attack tight end. Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard, and Vance McDonald have realistic chances to finish the season in the Ertz/Kittle tier and are therefore worthy of consideration at their respective ADPs. Whether or not I pull the trigger on a tight end in Rounds 5-8 depends upon the remaining wide receivers and running backs. As I mentioned earlier, this is usually the sweet spot for under-valued, high-ceiling wide receivers. If I can't get Henry, Howard, or McDonald at a price I'm comfortable with, I'll probably wait until the double-digit rounds to patch together a committee by combining an unexciting veteran like Jordan Reed with upside plays like Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, or Mike Gesicki.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
- Damien Williams/Dalvin Cook - Round 2
- A.J. Green - Round 3
- Chris Godwin/Tyler Lockett - Round 5
- Christian Kirk - Round 6
- Kyler Murray - Round 7
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
A.J. Green is my last second-tier wide receiver. Usually, if I see T.Y. Hilton come off the board, I know it's time to take Green.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
Rookies, especially running backs, are no different than veterans for me. It comes down to touch/target projections and the strength of their respective offenses. I tend to avoid injured/suspended players in Best Ball. Enough can go wrong during a season with players who start the year projected to play a full 16 games that it usually doesn't make sense to purposely invite a dead roster spot onto your team during the draft. Tyreek Hill is an exception this year. If he ends up suspended only four games, he should still deliver enough WR1 weeks to justify his ADP. That said, I'm more likely to target Hill in a normal redraft league where I can manage my roster around those four missed games.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
Quantity over quality. Defensive scoring is so random, it doesn't pay to draft a DST over a position player with a chance of reaching your starting lineup each week. To compensate for the variance in weekly defensive scoring, giving yourself three defenses to choose from in any given week is ideal. But you need to come away with at least two in this format.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Assuming outside the top-200 (by MFL ADP) qualifies as late enough, I'm looking at Robert Foster, Mike Gesicki, Ian Thomas, Chase Edmonds, and Albert Wilson.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.06
|
6
|
WR
|
HOU
|
|
2.07
|
19
|
RB
|
KCC
|
|
3.06
|
30
|
WR
|
CIN
|
|
4.07
|
43
|
QB
|
HOU
|
|
5.06
|
54
|
RB
|
SEA
|
|
6.07
|
67
|
WR
|
SFO
|
|
7.06
|
78
|
RB
|
LAC
|
|
8.07
|
91
|
TE
|
PIT
|
|
9.06
|
102
|
RB
|
NEP
|
|
10.07
|
115
|
QB
|
BAL
|
|
11.06
|
126
|
TE
|
BAL
|
|
12.07
|
139
|
WR
|
ARI
|
|
13.06
|
150
|
WR
|
TreQuan Smith
|
NOS
|
14.07
|
163
|
RB
|
ARI
|
|
15.06
|
174
|
TE
|
MIA
|
|
16.07
|
187
|
Def
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
MIN
|
17.06
|
198
|
QB
|
NYJ
|
|
18.07
|
211
|
WR
|
Keelan Cole
|
JAC
|
19.06
|
222
|
Def
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
ATL
|
20.07
|
235
|
RB
|
GBP
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Talk about how the draft slot plays a role in how you approach a draft. You indicated an interest in going heavy at running back followed by one of Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin, or Robert Woods as your WR1. That strategy was abandoned after selecting DeAndre Hopkins with pick 1.06. Explain why Hopkins was the pick and how it affected your strategy if it did at all.
I was hoping David Johnson would slide, but when BJ picked him at 1.05, I decided to stick to my rankings and take Hopkins. I considered running backs like Joe Mixon, James Conner, and Dalvin Cook but all of those guys have at least a smidge of bust potential and Hopkins felt like a safer foundational piece at that point in the draft. Had I known my favorite Round 3 target -- A.J. Green -- would make it back to me at 3.06, I would have felt better about taking one of those running backs in the first. I also nearly shocked the room by taking my sixth-ranked running back, Damien Williams, at 1.06 but decided I didn't feel like getting laughed at. Fortunately, Williams made it back to me at 2.07 -- a much better value.
Hopkins absolutely affected my strategy. I don't remember the last time I drafted a quarterback in Round 4, but there I was pushing my chips in on the Deshaun Watson-Hopkins stack at 4.07. Drafting Hopkins and Watson resulted in a need to address RB2 in the fifth round, where I got my first share of Chris Carson this year. Carson is generally undervalued this season, but less so in full -PPR scoring. The fifth is when I'm usually looking at Hunter Henry, my favorite tight end breakout candidate (who went to Devin Knotts with the very next pick). It burned me up to pass on one of my favorite targets and watch him come off the board immediately.
2. Your selection of Deshaun Watson was the 2nd quarterback off the board at pick 4.07 which gave you a stack with DeAndre Hopkins. Obtaining that high-octane stack was a factor in your decision to draft Watson when you did. Explain the statistical impact of a stack with a Top 3 quarterback and Top 3 wide receiver.
Prioritizing the Watson-Hopkins stack will theoretically vault me to the top of the leader board in weeks where the two hook up big plays and/or multiple touchdowns. Watson's rushing ability and MFL's full-PPR scoring also makes it possible that the duo can each have strong games in the same week without being too heavily correlated. Ultimately, I needed a running back in Round 4 and didn't feel that anyone still available at the position came close to Watson's upside, especially when paired with Hopkins.
3. Damien Harris (pick 9.06) is going to see a lift in ADP the longer Sony Michel is on the preseason PUP list. Explain why others should be targeting him and when is a good time to pull the trigger?
I've been targeting Harris in the 8th-10th round. Michel succeeded in the LaGarrette Blount role last year, but even if his most recent knee surgery was minor, it was still his second since last summer. Someone other than Michel will likely be called on to do plenty of between-the-tackles grinding in New England this year and Harris' power and elusiveness make him tailor-made for the job. In a worst-case scenario, Harris is part of a maddening three-way committee with Michel and James White all season. Luckily, as a ninth-round pick, he only needs three startable weeks to pay off, and in Best Ball, I don't have to figure out which weeks those are.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
With the top five running backs gone by the time he was on the clock, Alexander made the smart choice and took DeAndre Hopkins with his first pick. He then paired him with Deshaun Watson in the 4th, giving Alexander a solid stack that should produce 100+ receptions and reach the end zone at least 10 times this year. News of A.J. Green came out after the draft, but at the time, Green was a solid pick in the 3rd round. Austin Ekeler could be huge value in the 7th if Melvin Gordon continues to holdout like he is threatening to do. Tre’Quan Smith is a great pick in a best-ball format – especially in a PPR league and he could be a big bonus for Alexander this season. Alexander also has one of the best quarterback groups for a best-ball format with Watson, Sam Darnold, and Lamar Jackson posting points each week.
Weaknesses
Damien Williams had a strong finish at the end of last season, but he is far from a lock to start and he may not be able to replicate that production throughout the season. Ekeler will be fantastic if Gordon holds out but if the Chargers figure out his contract before the season starts, Ekeler will be ‘just OK’ as a 7th round pick. Damien Harris and Chris Carson are firmly entrenched in committee and will range from limited upside to completely wash-out if others on their respective teams produce.
How He’ll Win It All
Alexander took a committee approach at quarterback and tight end, drafting three of each with good bye-week balance. If at least one person from both groups can produce every week, Alexander is going to have a strong team. I like the Watson-Hopkins combo and that should produce huge points every week, keeping Alexander competitive all season. The Vikings are a solid defense and he has good upside with his late-round picks. A.J Green was a setback, but if Green can come on strong for the second half of the season, Alexander’s team will be in it when it counts.
DRAFT SLOT 7
Devin Knotts - Footallguys, Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
In the best ball format, I’m going to be looking to stack both my starting quarterback and a backup quarterback. This will give me a significant upside on a week to week basis in the hopes that each week one of those two stacks performs. One advanced strategy I use is that I don’t even look at my team until the point that it is my turn to pick. I am consistently examining other teams and trying to predict what they will do with their next selection.
2. Discuss drafting from the 7-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
The 7th spot is one of the worst draft positions to be in as the top six are pretty defined. Typically I would want to go running back, running back to start the draft, but if the top 5 running backs are off the board along with DeAndre Hopkins, I may go Tyreek Hill at 1.07 and look to pair him with Patrick Mahomes II in the 3rd or 4th round.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
It all depends on the value. In expert leagues, people wait far too long on quarterbacks and then there is a panic where a significant number of quarterbacks get drafted all together. If I sense that the quarterbacks are slipping, I’ll jump ahead and be one of the first to grab a quarterback.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
The same thing as the quarterback, it’s entirely based on value for me. If Travis Kelce falls to me in the second round and I did not get Tyreek Hill, I will gladly take him. If Zach Ertz or George Kittle fall to the fourth-round, I will gladly take them as well. Otherwise, I’m likely looking at the 6th round with Hunter Henry.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
I draft so fluidly that it’s difficult to say as my entire draft strategy is a reaction based on what others are doing. For example, if Sony Michel drops because it was just announced he’s starting on the PUP list, then I’ll go ahead and grab him knowing that he’s still likely to play Week 1 and I just got a player on a discount. James White is often a player in PPR that I try to build around as he is undervalued typically.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
No, I don’t draft this way, I try to get ahead of the runs and get the players that I like.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
Rookies I tend to avoid. Often people are willing to spend up more than what the value is based on some of the rookies that we have seen the past few seasons. I don’t view this draft class as special, and over the long-term rookies tend to have less of an impact. Injured and suspended players it is entirely based on the role that they will get when they come back. If it is a clearly defined role, you can often find value as people tend to worry about the first few games of the season far more than what they should.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I will likely draft three. I try to plan it out where each week I have an above-average matchup from one of my defenses. It doesn’t always work out that way, but, that's my intended strategy.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Malcolm Brown, Michael Gallup, Sam Darnold, Andy Isabella, Mike Davis
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.07
|
7
|
WR
|
KCC
|
|
2.06
|
18
|
RB
|
LeVeon Bell
|
NYJ
|
3.07
|
31
|
RB
|
GBP
|
|
4.06
|
42
|
QB
|
KCC
|
|
5.07
|
55
|
TE
|
LAC
|
|
6.06
|
66
|
WR
|
TEN
|
|
7.07
|
79
|
WR
|
CLE
|
|
8.06
|
90
|
RB
|
PHI
|
|
9.07
|
103
|
RB
|
Ronald Jones
|
TBB
|
10.06
|
114
|
QB
|
LAR
|
|
11.07
|
127
|
Def
|
Chicago Bears
|
CHI
|
12.06
|
138
|
TE
|
CHI
|
|
13.07
|
151
|
RB
|
MIN
|
|
14.06
|
162
|
WR
|
BUF
|
|
15.07
|
175
|
WR
|
NYJ
|
|
16.06
|
186
|
WR
|
SFO
|
|
17.07
|
199
|
RB
|
IND
|
|
18.06
|
210
|
WR
|
TEN
|
|
19.07
|
223
|
Def
|
Washington Redskins
|
WAS
|
20.06
|
234
|
RB
|
Benny Snell
|
PIT
|
POST-draft questions
1. You managed to stack both Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes II, but you were unable to stack a receiver with your backup quarterback (Jared Goff) like you wanted. Talk about the significance of the Chief stack and explain why you shifted away from the backup quarterback stack.
Getting a stack such as Mahomes and Hill is just a luxury in Best Ball leagues as the big games that Tyreek Hill can put up can carry you in a Best Ball format and by having his quarterback only adds to those big weeks. Quarterbacks fall later than they should in expert leagues, which causes me often to target Mahomes in these types of formats starting in the fourth round. One tip about the Chiefs is that their bye week is week 12, so in a Best Ball format, you need to draft players and quarterbacks who will still have a job in Week 12. That's a big reason I deviated from my stack of my backup quarterback as I waited a little longer than I would like on my second quarterback and ended up getting one of the better values on the board in Goff.
2. Five of your seven running backs are backups at this stage of the season. Was your strategy to target backups later in the draft, or do you anticipate some of these players will become starters? Explain your reasoning.
It definitely wasn't planned, but in a best-ball format, I do tend to use the get two stud running backs and then try to get complimentary guys who may have value later in the year. I believe Ronald Jones wins the job to start the year and the question for him is whether he can keep the job. Miles Sanders will have a role to start the year, but he is the best back in Philadelphia in my opinion and believe he will take over mid-way through the season. Mattison, Snell, and Wilkins were more guys who could be in a great position if the starter gets hurt. Mattison, in particular, is a guy I like with Dalvin Cook's injury history.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
With the news that Tyreek Hill will not be suspended by the league, Devin wasted no time in drafting the best ball stud right out of the gate with the 7th overall pick. Knotts never looked back and he seemed to be one step ahead of the rest of the league. Pairing Hill with Patrick Mahomes II a couple of rounds later was great, giving Knotts solid stacking points for a good chunk of the season. Knotts added decent depth at running back with Le’Veon Bell and Aaron Jones and even scored solid tight end potential with Hunter Henry and Trey Burton.
Weaknesses
Knotts has a super-strong team with limited weakness, but if he has one – it’s depth at wide receiver. Hill is a great best ball option, but Corey Davis and Jarvis Landry could both underperform this season. Knotts faded the wide receiver position until late in the draft and supplemented with a couple of flyer picks who may or may not work out.
How He’ll Win It All
In a best-ball league, you want depth at all of your positions, and you want to supplement with players who can post big weeks throughout the season. Devin’s team is stocked with that at every position and he has a great chance to be one of the top contenders in the league. Pairing Mahomes and Hill was a masterstroke, and it’s sure to give Knotts plenty of points from week to week. His running back depth is solid, with Bell and Aaron Jones sure to provide good base points and players like Miles Sanders and Ronald Jones providing potential upside. Tight End is good as well, with Hunter Henry sneaking into the top tier of tight ends and Trey Burton being a guy who can explode from week to week. Even at defense, Knotts drafted the Bears – a team who should finish as the top-rated defense in the league. Unless his team sustains some serious injuries, Knotts will be in a great position to make a playoff run.
DRAFT SLOT 8
Ryan Hester - Footballguys, Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
It’s far from advanced at this point, but I’m almost always late-round quarterback drafter. I tend to follow suit on tight ends as well. Since there is no waiver wire for “streaming” in Best Ball leagues, I’ll make an exception at tight end as that position tends to be more top-heavy and less deep than quarterback.
2. Discuss drafting from the 8-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
At 8th overall, the prospect of drafting a high-end running back doesn’t exist. So I’m more flexible in terms of evaluating a WR-RB or even WR-WR start. David Johnson is the one back that I include with the top tier, so if he makes it to 1.08, I’ll gladly re-adjust back to a plan that includes starting with an RB.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
I don’t plan this by round as many do. Instead, I wait until 8-10 quarterbacks are gone and/or I have at least seven RB/WR spots filled. Ideally, I like being among the last to draft a QB1 and the first handful of people to draft a QB2.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
Unless it’s Travis Kelce in the second, I’m waiting until Hunter Henry. And if I don’t get Henry, I’ll wait until the David Njoku, Vance McDonald, Austin Hooper tier. If I do get Kelce, a TE 2 selection any time before the TE16-18 off the board is unlikely. If not, the approach will be to select a three-man committee in the range of TE10, TE18, TE22.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
If the top five running backs, DeAndre Hopkins, and Davante Adams are gone, I’m happily starting my team with Michael Thomas. Picking in the mid-late third also allows for a choice of a few high-upside running backs such as Marlon Mack, Damien Williams, and Aaron Jones. Later in the draft, I’d like to get at least one promising young receiver such as Robby Anderson, Dante Pettis, or Christian Kirk. Given his big-play ability and this being a Best Ball league, Will Fuller is also a player I have my eye on.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
Other than the concept of personal tiers and trying to always pick near the bottom of a tier instead of the top, I don’t have any hard and fast rules like these. At the “onesie” positions like quarterback, tight end, and defense/special teams, I’ll keep an eye on positional runs and try not to get on the back end of one.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I tend to show caution with players who are already injured. But I don’t get scared by rookies or suspended players. If I feel their “warts” are baked into the price, I’m not going to shy away.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I’ll pick two or three, depending on how quarterback and tight end fall. They won’t be chosen early compared to the others in the league.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Defining “later rounds” as anything after the 12th (pick 144), exciting players include TreQuan Smith, Devin Singletary, Dallas Goedert, Andy Isabella, and Chase Edmonds.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.08
|
8
|
WR
|
NOS
|
|
2.05
|
17
|
RB
|
CIN
|
|
3.08
|
32
|
WR
|
LAC
|
|
4.05
|
41
|
RB
|
DET
|
|
5.08
|
56
|
WR
|
D.J. Moore
|
CAR
|
6.05
|
65
|
RB
|
DEN
|
|
7.08
|
80
|
WR
|
Will Fuller
|
HOU
|
8.05
|
89
|
WR
|
JAC
|
|
9.08
|
104
|
QB
|
NOS
|
|
10.05
|
113
|
RB
|
SFO
|
|
11.08
|
128
|
RB
|
IND
|
|
12.05
|
137
|
WR
|
PIT
|
|
13.08
|
152
|
QB
|
NEP
|
|
14.05
|
161
|
TE
|
CAR
|
|
15.08
|
176
|
RB
|
LAC
|
|
16.05
|
185
|
Def
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
LAR
|
17.08
|
200
|
WR
|
CHI
|
|
18.05
|
209
|
Def
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
PIT
|
19.08
|
224
|
TE
|
TBB
|
|
20.05
|
233
|
TE
|
ARI
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. During the draft, you indicated that you were not pleased with some of the decisions you made. You're a true professional and you made it work, but where do you believe your plan went awry? How can others benefit from any missed opportunities that you believe you made?
I made a cardinal sin of drafting by not paying attention to the other teams picking between me when I was on the "short turn." When you pick in the 2-4 range or the 8-11 range, you'll have times where there are only a half-dozen or so picks in between two of your picks. During those times, it's critical to note the positional mix of your opponents picking in between your picks.
The example where I failed was at the end of Round 9/beginning of Round 10. At 9.08, I took Drew Brees to pair with my 1.08 pick of Michael Thomas. However, right after selecting Brees (which was too late), I noticed that Tod was yet to select a tight end. As mentioned in my pre-draft questions, I was targeting David Njoku if I didn't get Travis Kelce early or Hunter Henry in the middle of the TE1 ranks. Sure enough, Tod selected Njoku at 10.02, leaving me without a tight end I liked at 10.05. This kind of oversight leads to a tight end group led by Greg Olsen. Yuck.
2. You mentioned an interest in the following players for this best-ball format - Dallas Goedert, Andy Isabella, Devin Singletary, and Tre'Quan Smith. Talk about why you're high on those players, either in this format or in general.
Smith is the one who sticks out the most here -- and not just because we're both UCF alums. Smith has the New Orleans WR2 job within his reach. Even if he plays on 50% of New Orleans' passing downs, he's being selected too late. I entertained selecting Smith as early as Round 11, but since I already had Thomas on my team, I bumped Smith down the priority list because having two key players on the same team limits the team's overall ceiling.
As for the others, Isabella is a cheap piece of an offense I think will ascend this season; Singletary is the only back in Buffalo with tread on the tires, and Goedert should see double-digit red-zone targets at a position where touchdowns matter almost as much as volume.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Having the 8th pick isn’t great news in this year’s draft, but Hester made the best of it. Michael Thomas is a solid pick in the back half of round 1, and landing Joe Mixon in the second round was value given the running backs who were already gone. Hester continues to pound the running back and wide receiver positions, taking the value that came to him and he ended up with three solid running backs and wide receivers at the end of six rounds. Adding two more ‘boom or bust’ wide receivers in the 7th and 8th round gives Hester a nice base to build on week after week.
Weaknesses
Hester faded the tight end position, and he waited until the 14th round before taking Greg Olsen as his starter. He added two more flyers with his last two picks, giving him three to pull from most weeks, but he still has one of the weakest tight end groups in the league.
How He’ll Win It All
Hester needs Greg Olsen to exceed expectations this season. Period. If Olsen falters, Cameron Brate and Ricky Seals-Jones won’t be enough to carry the team all year. Olsen needs to stay healthy for the season and reach the end zone more than a couple of times. His wide receiver corps and running back stable should put a solid point base each week, but he needs Olsen to perform. His quarterback team of Drew Brees and Tom Brady are one of the oldest in the league, but they both continue to show that age is only a number at a position that traditionally falls after a cliff at a certain point. Hester needs both of them to stay healthy this season as well.
DRAFT SLOT 9
Matt Schauf, DraftSharks
Matt Schauf is a senior writer for DraftSharks.com and host of the Draft Sharks Fantasy Football podcast, the 2017 FSWA winner for best football podcast. Matt has been covering fantasy since way back in 2002 when “sleepers” actually still existed.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
I’ll be looking to stack teammates, which builds upside for best-ball purposes. This can be especially effective for QBs and pass-catchers.
2. Discuss drafting from the 9-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
Drafting in the 2nd half of the round opens up possibilities at WR and TE (Travis Kelce). The value in rounds 3-6 at RB right now means I can take 1 or 0 RBs in the first 2 rounds.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
Right around Round 10.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
This could vary. Travis Kelce is an option in Round 1. Hunter Henry in Round 6 could be the guy. Beyond that, the range of Round 9-11 would likely be the target.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
I don’t head into drafts seeking to build my team around certain players. I find that misdirects my focus and leaves me scrambling when I don’t get the expected players.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
No. This goes back to the previous answer. I’ll have general position focus ranges and players I’d like to get, but no player-specific plans heading into most drafts.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
Rookies slot right in with everyone else. I’ll deal with their values case by case. “Injured” players depend on whether they’re currently recovering from an injury or surgery, or just carrying an injury-prone label. If it’s the former, I might downgrade a bit depending on the severity of the injury/surgery. If it’s just a guy stamped “injury-prone,” then there’s a solid chance he’s a nice value.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
Wait, wait, wait and then take 3 of them.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
- Andy Dalton
- Gio Bernard
- Trey Quinn
- Jamison Crowder
- Jordan Reed
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.09
|
9
|
RB
|
Melvin Gordon
|
LAC
|
2.04
|
16
|
RB
|
PIT
|
|
3.09
|
33
|
RB
|
JAC
|
|
4.04
|
40
|
WR
|
LAR
|
|
5.09
|
57
|
RB
|
CHI
|
|
6.04
|
64
|
TE
|
NYG
|
|
7.09
|
81
|
WR
|
KCC
|
|
8.04
|
88
|
WR
|
HOU
|
|
9.09
|
105
|
TE
|
ATL
|
|
10.04
|
112
|
QB
|
PHI
|
|
11.09
|
129
|
WR
|
CHI
|
|
12.04
|
136
|
WR
|
OAK
|
|
13.09
|
153
|
RB
|
CIN
|
|
14.04
|
160
|
QB
|
BUF
|
|
15.09
|
177
|
WR
|
SEA
|
|
16.04
|
184
|
WR
|
WAS
|
|
17.09
|
201
|
Def
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
DAL
|
18.04
|
208
|
Def
|
New York Jets
|
NYJ
|
19.09
|
225
|
TE
|
LAR
|
|
20.04
|
232
|
Def
|
Green Bay Packers
|
GBP
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You selected Melvin Gordon with pick 1.07. Explain your thoughts on his potential hold-out situation. Explain why others should target him and when?
I simply don’t believe that Gordon’s camp will make the same decision Le’Veon Bell did last year. On the field, Gordon has finished 3 straight seasons among the top 6 RBs in fantasy points per game. So if I’m ignoring the holdout threat for now (and I am), he certainly belongs in the 2nd half of Round 1. Watching 3 drafters in front of me select WRs also helped dissuade me from leaning toward that position.
2. Selecting two running backs in your first two picks is understandable, but what made you pick Leonard Fournette at 3.09 with good receivers on the board, namely Stefon Diggs and Julian Edelman? Explain why you decided on this strategy?
The Fournette pick was a match of value and trying to differentiate from other team builds in the league. Five of the 8 teams in front of me had 2 pass-catchers and 1 RB rostered at my Round 3 turn (plus your team with a WR-WR start). Fournette. I like starting with 3 RBs capable of reaching 250 carries, coming off a year that saw just 6 NFL players crack 250. Diggs would have been OK, but I thought I had a decent shot at finding Edelman or Robert Woods still available in Round 4. And I have all 3 projected pretty closely together. I also like the depth of the WR pool in Rounds 5-9 better than I do the RB options. And I like the best-ball upside available at WR throughout the double-digit rounds. So I wasn’t worried about playing catch-up there.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Schauf started out selecting four running backs with his first five picks. By taking Melvin Gordon, James Conner, Tarik Cohen, and Leonard Fournette right out of the gate, Schauf was able to sit back and let the draft come to him. Even his ‘flyer’ pick of Giovani Bernard was a decent pick in a best ball PPR league. Schauf also drafted three team defenses and three tight ends, giving him good depth at those positions as well.
Weaknesses
Robert Woods should be a decent option for a wide receiver #1, Schauf faded the wide receiver position a bit, and there are some question marks with the later picks. Sammy Watkins would have been a better pick before the league decided to not suspend Tyreek Hill, and David Moore may have to beat out several other people to see any serious playing time. There are a couple of boom or bust players, but there are few solid options on Schauf’s roster outside of Woods.
How He’ll Win It All
Schauf’s team is going to compete if his quarterbacks can stay competitive. Carson Wentz was doing OK last season but finished the season on IR. Josh Allen runs more than he passes, and the Buffalo offense is not going to have a lot of fantasy-relevant players this season. But if either of them has a good game, Schauf’s team is going to go far. His depth at running back, wide receiver and tight end are some of the best in the league, and his three defenses should also combine to be one of the best in the league.
DRAFT SLOT 10
Jeff Haseley - Footballguys, Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
One strategy that I like to use in best-ball drafts is to target a team for a particular position. For example, last year I did this with Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron as my TE2 by committee. Doyle only played 6 games, but combined, the two totaled 15 touchdowns. I'll take that level of production from my tight end position. This year, Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert could yield strong results, but at a high draft cost. If I wind up with Ertz, I will be targeting Goedert later in the draft. A few low-cost options include Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin, Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis, Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah.
2. Discuss drafting from the 10-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
I could potentially target a tight end at 2.03 after taking the best player available at 1.10, which will likely be a wide receiver. Melvin Gordon is at play here, but I'm not sure I want to take that risk of him holding out. In years prior I was always on the side of the fence that leaned towards holdouts playing in Week 1. LeVeon Bell's decision made me think otherwise. Another possibility at 1.10 is Tyreek Hill or Davante Adams. If a wide receiver is the pick at 1.10 and I don't target tight end at 2.03, I'll be looking for a running back like James Conner or Joe Mixon. The Bengals offensive line challenges have me less interested in Mixon. Travis Kelce may fall out of the first round now that Tyreek Hill is back in the picture. A Hill/Kelce stack with the first two picks is feasible and very intriguing.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
I won't even sniff the quarterback position until Round 9 or 10. I'll be looking to grab to join the fun after the 10th or 11th quarterback comes off the board. We'll see how the draft unfolds, but I definitely would like to be on the beginning side of the quarterback run, which could be rather long in a best-ball draft.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
Perhaps as early as 2.03 if Travis Kelce is available. I'm also keen on Zach Ertz combined with Dallas Goedert - a best-ball stack worth targeting.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
If I go wide receiver and a tight end with my first two picks, my running back choices at 3.10 will be Derrick Henry, Devonta Freeman, and Marlon Mack. Derrick Henry would be a nice third-round RB1 who is capable of 270 carries and double-digit touchdowns. Henry, Travis Kelce, Davante Adams or Tyreek Hill feel like possible roster headlines.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
I figure quarterbacks will last a while in this draft. Being best-ball, my strategy is not to have a true stud Top-4 quarterback, but two or three quarterbacks to have a balanced approach to the position.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I generally stay away from injured players unless the value is too good to pass up. For example, if I can draft a player like Will Fuller as my WR4, I'll feel more confident pulling the trigger.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I'll have at least two defenses, and maybe three depending on how the draft unfolds. I like the Chargers, Saints, Ravens, Browns, Broncos, Colts, Panthers as teams to target.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
I'll be targeting wide receivers on strong offenses and running backs with scoring potential. Devin Funchess, Tre'Quan Smith, Dallas Goedert (regardless of if I have Zach Ertz), the Packers receivers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Geronimo Allison, Gerald Everett/Tyler Higbee stack.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.10
|
10
|
WR
|
GBP
|
|
2.03
|
15
|
WR
|
PIT
|
|
3.10
|
34
|
RB
|
IND
|
|
4.03
|
39
|
WR
|
NEP
|
|
5.10
|
58
|
TE
|
TBB
|
|
6.03
|
63
|
RB
|
SFO
|
|
7.10
|
82
|
QB
|
ATL
|
|
8.03
|
87
|
RB
|
DEN
|
|
9.10
|
106
|
RB
|
TBB
|
|
10.03
|
111
|
RB
|
WAS
|
|
11.10
|
130
|
QB
|
PIT
|
|
12.03
|
135
|
WR
|
ATL
|
|
13.10
|
154
|
TE
|
IND
|
|
14.03
|
159
|
WR
|
MIA
|
|
15.10
|
178
|
RB
|
WAS
|
|
16.03
|
183
|
Def
|
Los Angeles Chargers
|
LAC
|
17.10
|
202
|
TE
|
NYJ
|
|
18.03
|
207
|
Def
|
Denver Broncos
|
DEN
|
19.10
|
226
|
RB
|
FA
|
|
20.03
|
231
|
QB
|
OAK
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You drafted a wide receiver in three of the first four picks. Explain why you elected to go with this strategy?
Drafting from the 10-slot, most of the top running backs are selected by the time my pick comes. As a result, the wide receiver and/or tight end posiiton is where the greatest value lies. I liked the value of JuJu-Smith Schuster at 2.03 over the other running backs still on the board. When my pick came back around for round three I knew I had to grab a running back before the position drops off. Ultimately, I decided to go with the value of Julian Edelman over my RB2 with pick 4.03. Plus, I knew I could get a decent RB2 in the 5-6 turn. My main target was Tevin Coleman or Darrell Henderson. I was able to get Coleman.
2. In going heavy on wide receivers to begin the draft, you missed out on a top-flight running back. Your first back selected was Marlon Mack with pick 3.10. Why did you pick Mack over others like Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Kerryon Johnson?
Kerryon Johnson's stock was high entering this draft, but the news of Theo Riddick's release came shortly after, thus elevating Johnson's stock even more. Since that news broke, I have updated my rankings putting Johnson ahead of Marlon Mack. Having said that, I still like Mack as the Colts primary running back with double-digit touchdown potential. He had 10 touchdowns in only 12 games last year. I have a feeling Mack leaps forward in 2019, plus I also like the Colts offense and propensity to consistently find the end zone.
3. Tevin Coleman was a player you targeted, and you selected him with pick 6.03. Explain why others should be high on Coleman this year?
Call it a hunch, but I like the reunion of Tevin Coleman and Kyle Shanahan and believe it will result in a productive year for the veteran entering his fifth year in the league. Coleman has totaled 11, 8, and 9 touchdowns over the last three years, finishing in the Top 20 each of those years. In best-ball leagues, I don't have to pick which week to start him, which makes him less of a concern on my roster.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Drafting from the 10th spot this season can be a little rough, but a solid strategy is to go back to back wide receivers. Davante Adams and JuJu Smith-Schuster give Haseley one of the strongest receiving corps in the league. By adding Julian Edelman and Mohamed Sanu, Haseley was able to focus on adding depth at all of his other positions. His quarterback and tight end trio also provide solid committees that will work well in a best-ball format. While he doesn’t have a lot of star power at running back, the depth he was able to add each round should help him have a decent squad each week.
Weaknesses
Haseley’s wide receiver corps is strong but lacks depth. Each week, he needs to field at least three wide receivers for his starting lineup, and with only five on the team, an injury or two could hurt his chances. Haseley has good bye-week balance so if people stay healthy, he should be OK. However, it is a risky move that will either make or break the team.
How He’ll Win It All
As mentioned above, Haseley needs his core receivers to stay healthy for the season. His lack of depth is a real weakness, but if the majority of them stay healthy, he’s going to have a good chance to win it all. His running back depth has several question marks, but in a best-ball format, he only needs a couple of guys to perform well. Haseley has good depth and committee approach at quarterback and should have one of the best position scores in the league. If Haseley’s wide receivers stay healthy, he’s going to go far.
DRAFT SLOT 11
Tod Burros, TQE
Tod is the host of the Run to Daylight Podcast and lead Best ball analyst of TQE. He has also written for Rotoviz and Football Diehards, and Podcasted for both Rotoviz and Fanball.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
I am looking to stack players in the highest tier still on the board. I will also look to make sure that I don’t have too many similar bye weeks at a position.
2. Discuss drafting from the 11-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
11 hole is a tough spot this year. I tend to be a bit more aggressive. Very likely could go two WR early and figure out RB later
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
There are so many good value choices at quarterback but I will be looking to stack my quarterback with a wide receiver or tight end that I selected earlier in the draft. If there is value in the tier after Mahomes, Rodgers, Luck, Watson, Mayfield or Murray I may elect to take one of those, but could easily draft one later.
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
I don’t go into a draft thinking about this. I could take Travis Kelce if he falls to 2.02 though. If not, I like the 2nd tier of tight ends in rounds 5-7. I'm not afraid to go late and take 3 tight ends.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
Not players per se although Derrick Henry making it to me at 3.11 would be nice. I am trying to make sure I have some Cardinals on most of my teams this year.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
I don’t look at things that way.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I tend to look for guys missing time early more in progressive formats like the FBG championship than I do in a best ball league. I am not afraid of rookies or injured players but some of each tend to go earlier than I have them rated. DK Metcalf is the prime example.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I can go for two or three defenses. I have a few defenses at each stage that I am high on this year, especially the Titans
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
One of Tony Pollard or Bruce Anderson. I like Jamison Crowder late as well. Jimmy Garoppolo is one of my favorite quarterbacks. If I take him I often look to add Deebo Samuel or Marquise Goodwin. A fifth would be Paul Richardson Jr who I think is going way too cheap.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.11
|
11
|
WR
|
Odell Beckham
|
CLE
|
2.02
|
14
|
RB
|
MIN
|
|
3.11
|
35
|
RB
|
TEN
|
|
4.02
|
38
|
RB
|
MIA
|
|
5.11
|
59
|
WR
|
LAC
|
|
6.02
|
62
|
WR
|
ARI
|
|
7.11
|
83
|
RB
|
SEA
|
|
8.02
|
86
|
QB
|
ARI
|
|
9.11
|
107
|
WR
|
NYG
|
|
10.02
|
110
|
TE
|
CLE
|
|
11.11
|
131
|
QB
|
SFO
|
|
12.02
|
134
|
TE
|
PHI
|
|
13.11
|
155
|
WR
|
NYJ
|
|
14.02
|
158
|
WR
|
BUF
|
|
15.11
|
179
|
RB
|
DET
|
|
16.02
|
182
|
Def
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
JAC
|
17.11
|
203
|
WR
|
SFO
|
|
18.02
|
206
|
Def
|
Tennessee Titans
|
TEN
|
19.11
|
227
|
RB
|
TBB
|
|
20.02
|
230
|
TE
|
CIN
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Let's talk Dalvin Cook at pick 2.02. You thought you might go with two wide receivers in the first two picks, but you passed on that strategy by taking Cook with the second pick of the 1-2 turn. Why Cook instead of doubling up with Odell Beckham and another receiver? There were many to choose from, namely Julio Jones or JuJu Smith-Schuster.
I have Cook ranked ahead of Mixon and Conner with Mike Shanahan and like-minded people running that offense. Cook’s only downside has been health which is a concern but in an expert league, I tend to take a bit more risk than I normally do. While I have done plenty of zero RB drafts the past two years in an expert league with a lot of people I don’t know I was content to stay balanced with my first pick. I also have concerns about the Steeler offense with an older Ben who has shown at times a decrease in ability so I haven’t been taking a lot of Juju. I have Antonio Brown rated slightly higher if I had gone WR I would have chosen AB. I wasn’t expecting Derrick Henry to make it back to me in the third and I have Drake above any available WR I took in the fourth so I started heavier RB than expected overall. If I was someone else grading how my draft finished I would point out that I might have been better off starting WR/WR but at the time I didn’t know that it would play out the way it would.
2. You were able to secure both Kyler Murray and Christian Kirk - two players you wanted to stack. The Cardinals offense is one that many have high expectations for this year. Share your thoughts on why this stack, in particular, can pay dividends in this format or in general.
I think everyone owes it to themselves to read the book the “Perfect Pass” which is about Hal Mumme who invented the Air Raid offense with the help of Mike Leach. I was high on the offense before reading the book and SUPER high on the offense after reading the book. I think that book explains why the Cardinals offense could be the cheat code to win at fantasy football this year. I am disappointed that I wasn’t able to get more Cards on my team overall. My big concern about Kyler before the book was mainly him being a rookie quarterback but the key point of how that offense is much simpler than an average COLLEGE offense and depends on a few great plays that you practice more often alleviated a lot of my concerns about him. Combined with a bad defense in Arizona and the 38-37 average score Kingsbury teams had at Texas Tech makes it too compelling to pass on and the one person who has to get a lot of points if that happens is Kyler Murray and Kirk is the most likely person to benefit as well although I am a big fan of Larry Fitzgerald this year also it just didn’t work out for me getting him later. And that doesn’t include the fact that Murray has running upside which strengthens his weekly floor making him a standout value in the draft to me.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Burros hit the running back position hard right out of the gate, landing Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake with three of his first four picks. Burros added Rashaad Penny a couple picks later, giving Burros a solid running back corps to build on each week. Tod also supplemented with big ‘boom or bust’ receivers like Odell Beckham and Christian Kirk who can post big numbers in any given week.
Weaknesses
Burros waited until the 8th round to take his first quarterback – Kyler Murray. While the Arizona passing game promises to be significantly better than last season, Murray is still a rookie quarterback and it may be a challenge for him to perform every week. Burros supplemented with Jimmy Garoppolo who missed a significant portion of last season due to injury. A rookie quarterback and one who is recovering from a season-ending injury is a lot of risk to put on Tod’s team. Having Odell Beckham as his best wide receiver and David Njoku as his best tight end is also a weakness since the success of one comes at the expense of the other. Unless Cleveland turns into a 4500-yard 30 passing touchdown offense this year, there won’t be many weeks with both of them perform in the top half of the league at the same time.
How He’ll Win It All
As you might expect – Murray will need to exceed typical rookie quarterback expectations if Burros is going to have a chance. A health Garoppolo to provide backup support in case of a down week would also help. The draft happened before Golden Tate’s suspension was announced, and if he misses four games, Burros is going to need someone else to step up before he falls too far behind the rest of the league. Tod’s strength at running back should have him flexing a running back each week, giving him three solid point producers to match the rest of the squad. If his tight ends can off-set their better performances, he should get a good lift from his three-player committee approach.
DRAFT SLOT 12
Mike Rigz, Gridiron Experts
Mike Rigz is the founder of Gridiron Experts and a high stakes Dynasty and Fantasy league enthusiast. Mike has been playing fantasy football for over 25 years. He works from home and is happily married with three kids.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. Give us some advanced strategies you are looking to implement in this draft.
Drafting from the 12th spot, I'm almost certainly going with a ZeroRB strategy unless an elite RB falls to me. I'm not the type of person to get bogged down to sticking to a plan; I let the draft come to me, and I stay open-minded and adapt as things happen. However, I will say that I'm not afraid to reach on a player if I know there is zero chance they make it back to me. ADP is just a guide and isn't the end all be all.
2. Discuss drafting from the 12-hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
See question 1.
3. When do you plan to select your first quarterback?
I usually target a QB in the 9th or 10th round. I rarely reach for a QB later than that. This year there is so much value it makes no sense to pull the trigger on a QB any earlier unless there is an unusual run at the position
4. When do you plan to select your first tight end?
I seriously doubt Travis Kelce falls to me at pick 12, but if he's there I will probably grab him. Getting one of the elite 3 Tight Ends early (Kelce, Ertz, Kittle) makes life easy. If I can't get Kelce at 12, I'll wait and draft one when I get my QB in the 9th or 10th round.
5. Name a few guys that you are looking to build your team around. What rounds do you expect to get them in?
If I do go with a zero-running back strategy, I tend to look for running backs like Chris Carson, Tevin Coleman, Lamar Miller, and Derrius Guice in the middle rounds. These are not sexy picks but they are excellent value players. I'm also really high on Tyler Boyd this season. He is very underrated in my opinion. Getting a player that racked up 76 receptions, 1028 yards and 7 TD's in just 14 games in the 6th round is a bargain. I'm not sure why people are so low on him, he was extremely productive for being on the 26th ranked passing offense last season. Imagine if the Bengals got their act together, he'd improve on those numbers.
6. Do you have any trigger points (ie players A and B are gone therefore I am looking to grab player C the next time I pick)
In a way, yes. I tend to be very prepared in advance when on the clock. The best advice I could give anyone drafting from the 12th spot is to queue at least six players as your pick gets closer to you. You should never have just two players you want. I use my time on the clock deciding on which of the players that I've highlighted I want, not looking for who to draft. Surprisingly, I enjoy drafting from the turn.
7. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I will target a rookie RB, but rarely would I draft a rookie WR or TE unless it was one of my last picks. As for Injured or suspended players, there ADP is usually lower than it should be, so yes I will gamble on a risky pick if I'm happy with my roster.
8. What is your strategy for drafting a defense for this league? How many do you anticipate drafting?
I have seen a few best ball strategies where an owner will draft three, hoping for optimal performance each week. I've also seen more risky strategies where only one top defense is drafted. This is riskier of course as you'd score a zero during their bye week, but the logic here is you free up more opportunities to load up on more RB/WR talent. I'm undecided pre-draft.
9. Name five players you are targeting in the later rounds?
Ito Smith, Keke Coutee, DeSean Jackson, Marquise Goodwin, Jack Doyle
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.12
|
12
|
TE
|
KCC
|
|
2.01
|
13
|
WR
|
ATL
|
|
3.12
|
36
|
WR
|
MIN
|
|
4.01
|
37
|
RB
|
OAK
|
|
5.12
|
60
|
WR
|
LAR
|
|
6.01
|
61
|
WR
|
Robby Anderson
|
NYJ
|
7.12
|
84
|
QB
|
CLE
|
|
8.01
|
85
|
RB
|
PHI
|
|
9.12
|
108
|
WR
|
PHI
|
|
10.01
|
109
|
RB
|
DOnta Foreman
|
HOU
|
11.12
|
132
|
QB
|
Mitchell Trubisky
|
CHI
|
12.01
|
133
|
WR
|
N\'Keal Harry
|
NEP
|
13.12
|
156
|
RB
|
CLE
|
|
14.01
|
157
|
RB
|
KCC
|
|
15.12
|
180
|
Def
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
BAL
|
16.01
|
181
|
TE
|
DAL
|
|
17.12
|
204
|
WR
|
JAC
|
|
18.01
|
205
|
RB
|
GBP
|
|
19.12
|
228
|
Def
|
Carolina Panthers
|
CAR
|
20.01
|
229
|
QB
|
JAC
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You pulled the trigger on Travis Kelce with pick 1.12. How did that decision change the way you targeted the rest of the draft? Should people be more excited or less optimistic about Kelce's production with the news of Tyreek Hill not being suspended?
Travis Kelce has been going high in best-ball leagues this summer, as drafting him allows you to check off your Tight End needs almost entirely. If Kelce was a WR, he would have been WR9 in PPR leagues last seen, he puts up that kind of fantasy production. As far as his value in terms of the news that Hill will not be suspended, I don't think it affects anything. Kelce had a career year in 2018 with Hill in the lineup. Together they wreak havoc on defenses, complementing each other's skillset. Hill takes the top off of defenses forcing safeties to play back, allowing Kelce to own the middle of the field.
2. You indicated an interest in targeting Lamar Miller, however, you drafted his competition in DOnta Foreman with pick 10.01. Can one be excited about both players? What made you pick Foreman if Miller is someone that you coveted?
As I talked about in my pre-draft write up, I planned to go zero-running back from the start. When I snagged Josh Jacobs, I dubbed him my RB1 and then compiled a crew of running backs to rotate as my best ball RB2. I like Lamer Miller and DOnate Foreman, I think the Texans tried to make a conscious effort to try to improve their offensive line this offseason and I think both RB's are borderline undervalued in Best Ball leagues. - Just quick note to Josh Jacobs, and whey I targeted him. I was at the FSGA conference in New York this year and was fortunate enough to listen to Matthew Berry interview Jacobs. I was surprised to hear him speak about how much he expected to be used in the passing game. Jacobs mentioned how the Raiders coaching staff wants to use him all over the field. At one point, Berry asked Mike Clay, who was in the crowd, to read out his Josh Jacobs fantasy projections for 2019. Jacobs seemed to agree with the rushing numbers but strongly disagreed to the low receiving projections. The crowd had a good laugh. My point being, if the Raiders are planning on using Jacobs more in the passing game, he could be a league winner in PPR drafts considering how late you can draft him. There is always a risk in drafting rookies, but I'm going to take my chances on him in this draft this season.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Having back to back picks each round played well into Rigz strategy, and he made the most of them with each turn. Travis Kelce has been going in the middle of the first round in many leagues this year and although there is no bonus for tight end receptions, Kelce is still good value at the end of round 1. Pairing him with Julio Jones was also good value, giving Rigz a great start in a PPR league. Rigz continued to pound receivers with three of his next four picks including Robby Anderson who piles up the receptions, even if he doesn’t post a ton of yards to match. Rigz also built a solid quarterback stable with Nick Foles, Baker Mayfield, and even Mitchell Trubisky, balancing off weeks well so that he will always have at least two starters pulling points each week.
Weaknesses
Josh Jacobs will be the clear starter week one, but building a running back stable around a rookie is not without its risks. Jordan Howard looked like a solid pick, but rookie Mike Sanders could easily finish as Philly’s top running back this season. Howard isn’t exactly known for his reception skills either. The rest of Rigz’s running backs are serviceable, but all will need an injury or depth chart decision to see any significant playing time this season.
How He’ll Win It All
Rigz needs Josh Jacobs to be this season’s Saquon Barkley. If Jacobs can come in, assume the starting role from day 1 and contribute on every down, this team is going to be dangerous. The three-headed monster at quarterback should form a nice quarterback-by-committee and with Travis Kelce poised to be the top fantasy tight end this season, Rigz’s wide receivers will do the rest. Having a second running back like Howard or DOnta Foreman see significant playing time would also help.
Questions, suggestions and, comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com