Six members of the Footballguys Staff, along with six highly regarded writers in the fantasy football community, got together to complete a 12-team, 28-round, Best Ball draft using FFPC scoring and format. Before the draft, each of the participants answered questions regarding strategies, players they coveted and how they plan to attack the draft. 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, and execution. 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
- 28 roster spots
- Starting Lineup
- 1 quarterback
- 2 running backs
- 2 wide receivers
- 1 tight end
- 2 flex (either a running back, wide receiver, or tight end)
- 1 Defense
- 1 Kicker
LEAGUE SCORING
- Offensive Players Only
- 4 points - Passing Touchdown
- 6 points - Rushing/Receiving Touchdown
- 0.05 points - Passing Yard
- 0.1 points - Rushing/Receiving Yard
- 1.0 point - Reception (QB, RB, WR)
- 1.5 point - Reception (TE)
- -1 - Interception Thrown
- 2 - Two-Point Conversion (rush, pass or receive)
- 3 - Length of field goal made 0-29 yards
- 3 - Length of field goal made 30 yards and then 0.1 for every 1 yard after 30.
- 6 - Offensive recovery for Touchdown
- 6 - Number of Defensive and Special Teams Touchdowns
- Defense scoring
- 2 points - fumble recovery
- 2 points - interception caught
- 1 point - sacked quarterback
- 5 points - safety
- 12 points - 0 points allowed
- 8 points - 1-6 points allowed
- 5 points - 7-10 points allowed
- 0 points - 11-99 points allowed
- 6 points - Defensive or Special Teams Touchdown
DRAFT PARTICIPANTS
- Clayton Gray, Footballguys
- Jody Smith, FantasyPros
- Eric Moody, FantasyPros, Rotoviz
- Aaron Rudnicki, Footballguys
- Jeff Haseley, Footballguys
- Alex Miglio, Footballguys
- Pat Thorman, ProFootballFocus
- Pete Davidson, Rotobahn
- Justin Howe, Footballguys
- Michael Rathburn, LineStar
- David Dodds, Footballguys
- Eric Balkman, High Stakes Fantasy Football Hour
DRAFT GRID
DRAFT SLOT 1
Clayton Gray, Footballguys - Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. The FFPC has a whopping 28 rounds. What will you do differently because of the extended roster spots that you typically would not do in a typical 18-20 round best-ball draft?
I'm more willing to overlook duplicating bye weeks at the same position early in the draft. With an extra roster spot or two allocated to each position, it's easier to cover that one week when multiple players are out.
I'm also far more likely to avoid wide receivers early and then build that position with quantity. There are nice options throughout the draft at wide receiver. Since we only have to start two in a week, I might even draft eight or nine and bank on at least two of them having good games each week.
2. How many of each position do you plan to take?
- Quarterbacks - 3
- Running Backs - 6 to 7
- Wide Receivers - 7 to 9
- Tight Ends - 4 to 6
- Kickers - 3
- Defenses - 3
3. What is your plan for the running back position? How soon do you plan on having 4 running backs?
I'm going to pound the crap out of the running back position early. I'll be shocked if I don't have four in my first seven picks, and I might get them in my first five. If there is a decent running back available in the first half of this draft, I'll probably select him. I'll likely be finished with the position by Round 20.
4. What is your plan at the wide receiver position? How soon do you plan on having 4 wide receivers?
I'll likely get one (maybe two) the first five rounds and then slowly add to the position as the draft unfolds. As I mentioned in Question 1, my norm is to fill wide receiver using quantity. I like getting one solid option in Rounds 2 through 4. Then I mind bye weeks if possible and just add live bodies.
5. When do you plan to select your first quarterback? Do you plan to draft 2,3 or more quarterbacks?
My first quarterback will likely come on board at the 8/9 turn. My second quarterback will likely come on board at the 8/9 turn as well. There are 27 quarterbacks (everybody ranked ahead of Tyrod Taylor) I wouldn't mind rostering, and I plan to have three of them by the 12/13 turn.
6. When do you plan to select your first tight end? When do you expect to have 3 rostered tight ends?
Tight end is my biggest see-how-the-draft-unfolds-and-adjust position in FFPC leagues. There are drafts where the position starts flying off the board in the second round. If so, you better catch the wave and get yours earlier than expected. Other drafts see a more measured approach to drafting the position.
- I also don't like the tight end landscape from the 1.01 spot:
- Rob Gronkowski is a borderline first-round tight end. But not worth the 1.01 spot.
- Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce are second-round tight ends. But rarely last to the 2.12 pick.
- Greg Olsen is a borderline third-round tight end. But not worth the 3.01 selection.
- Jimmy Graham is a fourth-round tight end. But rarely lasts to the 4.12 pick.
So from the 1.01 pick, you're usually left hoping Kyle Rudolph drops to the 4/5 turn. And then you don't feel awesome about him. I try to have three tight ends by the 10/11 turn. If I only have two at that time, it's hard to say when the third one will be selected. If you want into the mid-teen round, you have to take kickers and defenses. When that happens, I end up just throwing more bodies at the issue.
7. How many tight ends and kickers are you planning to draft?
I will draft exactly three kickers. I'll likely be one of the first to have three. I'm guessing this was supposed to be defenses rather than tight ends. If that's correct, I will draft exactly three defenses. I almost certainly will not take the first one, but I'll be one of the first to have three. If it is about tight ends, I'll likely take five. But if I get four pretty early, I'll run with those guys. If I only get two early, I'll pad the position with six in total.
8. Name a few guys in rounds 5-10 that you are looking to build your team around.
I don't have a lot of primary targets anywhere in the draft, but at this stage, I'd like to get some of these guys:
- Kyle Rudolph
- Michael Crabtree
- Marvin Jones
- Vance McDonald
- Cooper Kupp
9. Discuss drafting from the #1 hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
I don't like it. It pretty easy to make an argument for any of Todd Gurley, Le'Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, and David Johnson for the 1.01 pick. But there's no reason to NOT take Gurley, so I feel pretty handcuffed from the start. And I already talked about the early-round tight-end ADP issues above.
Getting the 1.04 would be better on both fronts:
- You get a stud running back
- You're in a better position to get a second- or fourth-round tight end.
Plus, the middle of any draft is more advantageous for scooping value. No matter how talented the rest of the league is, there will always be a player dropping a few spots below where he should be taken. If you're in the middle, you are more likely to be in a position to grab that value. Waiting 22 picks between selections, that value doesn't always drop.
Still, there are advantages to being on a turn and at the top of the draft in particular. Despite being able to make a case for four players at the 1.01, the easiest case to make belongs to Gurley.
Being on a turn allows the double-dip at a single position with the hopes of starting a run. Go QB/QB at the 8/9 turn, and you're likely to see quarterbacks fly off the board. A good number of the other players you were looking at will still be there when the 10.12 pick arrives.
You can also double-dip from the same position from the same team. Are you desperate for a tight end? Go for Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson super late. Sure, they might both be terrible, but that's the case with any player taken in the 22nd round. With Griffin and Anderson, however, you'll have a nice option if the Texans offense produces anything from the tight end position.
10. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I don't have a specific approach to rookies. They are just guys. If they have starting jobs, let's go! If they don't, my approach to them is like any veteran backup. If they have a path to touches, they are draftable.
Injured players, however, I'll generally downgrade. Usually, if a guy is ailing in the summer, he's already behind schedule and won't produce at 100 percent during the season. There are exceptions, of course, but there are too many other players I'm more willing to draft.
Suspended players can be excellent targets. You'll get a discount due to the suspension, but once they get back, they provide production a few rounds better than where you had to draft them. Since their suspensions are before the bye weeks hit, you should have enough quantity on your roster to cover for them.
11. At the mid-point of the draft (14 rounds), how many players at each position do you expect to have?
- Quarterbacks - 3
- Running Backs - 4 to 5
- Wide Receivers - 3 to 5
- Tight Ends - 2 to 3
- Kicker - 0 to 1
- Defense - 0 to 1
12. Name five players you are targeting in the last five rounds of this draft.
- Houston's duo of Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson - if I'm hurting at tight end
- Keke Coutee
- John Brown
- Jaron Brown
13. Give the reader some FFPC best-ball truisms that you try and do nearly every time to dominate this format.
The runs at quarterback and kicker can be brutal. Most people will want three of each. Three times 12 is more than the 32 starters in the NFL. And there aren't 32 quality options at either position.
As mentioned above, there are 27 quarterbacks entrenched as their team's starter AND without a highly-drafted rookie right behind them. The kicker position is similar because there are a few teams hosting kicker battles right now. Plus, there are some teams who will hire and fire at the position before September is over.
You don't have to three each at kicker and defense. But you have to get really lucky if you don't.
Also, it might seem like it's too early to take that tight end, but he probably won't be sitting there the next time you pick. Rare is the draft where I tried to squeeze another round out before taking a certain tight end and then didn't watch someone else draft him. And it's not the same tight end nor the same stage of the draft every time. Early-ish, it might be someone like Jordan Reed. He won't make it back. In the middle of the draft, it might be a Vance McDonald. He won't make it back. Even late, it might be Virgil Green. Same story - he won't make it back. If there is a tight you like, you better get him.
DRAFT selections
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.01
|
1
|
RB
|
LAR
|
|
2.12
|
24
|
RB
|
SFO
|
|
3.01
|
25
|
RB
|
CIN
|
|
4.12
|
48
|
WR
|
Demaryius Thomas
|
DEN
|
5.01
|
49
|
RB
|
Mark Ingram
|
NOS
|
6.12
|
72
|
WR
|
Marvin Jones
|
DET
|
7.01
|
73
|
TE
|
SFO
|
|
8.12
|
96
|
QB
|
NEP
|
|
9.01
|
97
|
QB
|
PHI
|
|
10.12
|
120
|
TE
|
PIT
|
|
11.01
|
121
|
QB
|
ATL
|
|
12.12
|
144
|
WR
|
BUF
|
|
13.01
|
145
|
RB
|
Jordan Wilkins
|
IND
|
14.12
|
168
|
WR
|
Calvin Ridley
|
ATL
|
15.01
|
169
|
PK
|
Stephen Gostkowski
|
NEP
|
16.12
|
192
|
Def
|
Houston Texans
|
HOU
|
17.01
|
193
|
PK
|
Jake Elliott
|
PHI
|
18.12
|
216
|
TE
|
Luke Willson
|
DET
|
19.01
|
217
|
TE
|
Tyler Kroft
|
CIN
|
20.12
|
240
|
Def
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
ATL
|
21.01
|
241
|
WR
|
Michael Gallup
|
DAL
|
22.12
|
264
|
PK
|
Zane Gonzalez
|
CLE
|
23.01
|
265
|
RB
|
Wayne Gallman
|
NYG
|
24.12
|
288
|
TE
|
Blake Jarwin
|
DAL
|
25.01
|
289
|
Def
|
Cleveland Browns
|
CLE
|
26.12
|
312
|
WR
|
Terrelle Pryor
|
NYJ
|
27.01
|
313
|
WR
|
SEA
|
|
28.12
|
336
|
RB
|
Kyle Juszczyk
|
SFO
|
post-draft questions
1. You selected four running backs in the first five rounds. Did the value at other positions reflect that or was Mark Ingram too much to pass up at pick 5.01? What other running backs would need to be on the board to pass on Ingram there?
My strategy going in was to grab lots of running backs early and was thrilled to see Jerick McKinnon and Joe Mixon both available on the 2/3 turn. I was so intent on loading up at running back, I would also have taken Jordan Howard at the turn.
With regards to Mark Ingram, I see him as a fourth-round value who should provide second-round production when he plays. When he returns from suspension, I'll have three running backs providing second-round numbers along with Todd Gurley. The rest of the league won't be able to keep up with that.
Of the running back who went ahead of Ingram, I would have passed on Jay Ajayi and LeSean McCoy. I would have taken Kenyan Drake and every back drafted before him instead of Ingram.
2. You selected three quarterbacks between rounds 8 and 11. What made you decide to go that route?
I planned to double up on quarterbacks at the 8/9 turn. In the average best-ball draft, the number of quarterbacks taken between Pick 9.01 and Pick 10.12 is enormous. If you don't get at least one signal caller on the 8/9 turn, you're behind the league at the position.
Another reason for taking two quarterbacks there is to try to induce a run. I don't think it was overly effective in this draft, but it can be.
I took Matt Ryan to kick off Round 11 because I think he will be a top-10 quarterback this season. At that spot in the draft, he held the best value and was a relatively easy selection.
3. Should owners have a backup plan with Carson Wentz or do you feel he can regain his weekly starter status?
Once Carson Wentz is back on the field, he'll absolutely be an every-week starter, and he should be drafted as such. That said, a backup quarterback is required. And that backup can't be Jameis Winston. You want someone who you can start early in the season if Wentz surprisingly doesn't get the start for the opening kickoff. Alex Smith and Blake Bortles are options here. Each has a nice early-season schedule.
Will Grant's evaluation
STRENGTHS
Gray started off strong at running back, landing Todd Gurley, Jerick McKinnon and Jo Mixon with his first three picks. By the time Mark Ingram returns in Week 4, Gray is going to have one of the strongest running back groups in the league. While Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Carson Wentz are not projecting to be top-three fantasy quarterbacks this season, having all three in a best-ball format will have Gray posting big numbers each week.
WEAKNESSES
Gray faded the wide receiver position a bit in the early part of the draft, and he didn’t land his third one until the 12th round. He also didn’t grab his first tight end until the top of the seventh round (George Kittle) and didn’t add a second until the end of the 10th (Vance McDonald). In a PPR league with tight ends getting 1.5 PPR, this is definitely a contrarian approach. He added a few more tight ends late in the draft, but these guys will have minimal fantasy output for much of the season.
HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
Having the first pick in the draft ties your success to that pick. Todd Gurley needs to be a top-five fantasy back this season if Gray is going to win it all. Gray’s quarterback committee is the strongest in the league and having at least one of them post a big game each week will also be important. With the lack of depth at wide receiver and tight end, Gray needs this group to perform at or above expectations each week. Having three team defenses and placekickers gives Gray a decent committee approach for these two positions as well. If his receivers and tight ends don’t let him down, Gray’s going to be just fine.
DRAFT SLOT 2
Jody Smith, FantasyPros
Jody finished 2012 as Fantasy Pro's Most Accurate Football Expert while writing and editing for GridironExperts. He is now a Feature Writer for FantasyPros and makes contributions to USA Today's Texans Wire, Fanball, Fantasy Sharks and CBS Sportsline. Jody has also written for Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus, and numerous magazines.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. The FFPC has a whopping 28 rounds. What will you do differently because of the extended roster spots that you typically would not do in a typical 18-20 round best-ball draft?
Select a third quarterback and probably wind up taking a minimum of three tight ends. I almost always end up disregarding tight ends and wind up forming a committee. With the extra roster spots, it makes sense to add a third or even a fourth player to that rotation.
2. How many of each position do you plan to take?
Ideally, QB - 3, RB - 8, WR - 10, TE - 3, PK - 2, DST - 2
3. What is your plan at the running back position? How soon do you plan on having 4 running backs?
Fortunately, I drew a top-4 pick so I'll happily grab an elite running back to open the draft. Going off the current trends, it's unlikely that I'll find a reliable second runner at 2.11, but if one falls to me, I'll gladly start RB/RB. My expectations are to open running back and most likely end up waiting until Rounds 4-6 to target high-upside, pass-catching backs like Dion Lewis, Tarik Cohen, or Duke Johnson Jr. Ideally, I'd like to have my fourth running back secured by Round 8 or 9.
4. What is your plan at the wide receiver position? How soon do you plan on having 4 wide receivers?
Lots of value is to be found at wideout, but I keep finding myself opening very wide receiver heavy in drafts as the current trend around the industry is to attack RB so early and often. If I somehow take two running backs or a tight end in the first four rounds, I'll wind up attacking wide receiver in Rounds 5-8 quite aggressively. I feel like wide receiver is deep enough that I can probably nab a quality WR4 in Round 9 or later, but I would prefer to have him drafted before Round 10.
5. When do you plan to select your first quarterback? Do you plan to draft 2,3 or more quarterbacks?
I would not target any quarterback in a 1-QB format before Round 5 for Aaron Rodgers at the absolute earliest, and that's only if I wasn't enamored with all the position players on the board at that time. Most likely, I'll be able to target a top-10 signal caller as late as Rounds 8-10, which is what I'm likely to do by loading up on running back and wide receiver depth and then looking for Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford to be available in that area. With 28 spots, I'll probably try to add a third quarterback, a smart move in best ball.
6. When do you plan to select your first tight end? When do you expect to have 3 rostered tight ends?
I'm almost always one of the last to take a tight end and the scoring in this format causes them to go even higher than they normally would go. That means that I'm likely to target running back and wide receiver for the first four or five rounds and try to get by with a pairing of lesser tight ends that I target around the sixth to eighth rounds. A third tight end, if selected, likely won't be added until I'm well into the double-digit rounds.
7. How many tight ends and kickers are you planning to draft?
Three tight ends, with four being an absolute max if a fourth starter somehow slides into the late rounds. It'll feel kind of dirty, but I'll stay true to the best ball format and take two kickers with my final two picks.
8. Name a few guys in rounds 5-10 that you are looking to build your team around.
I mentioned the pass-catching backs that I like in that area, with Dion Lewis being a favorite. Most of the value in that area is at wide receiver, where guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders, Randall Cobb, Pierre Garçon, and Jamison Crowder all make excellent targets.
9. Discuss drafting from the #2 hole. What will you do differently because of this draft slot?
I drew the No. 2 spot, so I'll definitely take an elite running back between Todd Gurley and Le'Veon Bell. Normally that results in two wide receivers at the 2/3 turn, but I'll be ecstatic if one of my top-15 PPR running backs is still on the board at 2.11.
10. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
In this format, I'll take some chances on minor injuries that I don't think will linger but the rookie running backs have generally been going higher than I feel comfortable targeting them. Sony Michel is a guy I love but don't get the chance to target much.
11. At the mid-point of the draft (14 rounds), how many players at each position do you expect to have?
I think a lineup of 2 QBs, 4-5 RBs, 5-6 WRs and 2 TE is perfect at that point.
12. Name five players you are targeting in the last five rounds of this draft.
Danny Amendola, Lamar Jackson, T.J. Yeldon, Darren Sproles, Cole Beasley
13. Give the reader some FFPC best-ball truisms that you try and do nearly every time to dominate this format
Make sure you're watching those bye weeks. Sometimes when you see a value pick slide further down than you were anticipating, it's easy to hurry and make your pick without first verifying that his bye week differs from other players you've already secured.
Also, it's important to take some chances on players in the mid-to-late rounds to differentiate your squad from the common players. Diversity is important, especially when assembling multiple best-ball teams. Having too many shares of the same players repeatedly can lead to a disastrous season if one of those players has a season-ending ailment.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
1.02
|
2
|
RB
|
PIT
|
|
2.11
|
23
|
RB
|
ATL
|
|
3.02
|
26
|
WR
|
TBB
|
|
4.11
|
47
|
TE
|
WAS
|
|
5.02
|
50
|
RB
|
NEP
|
|
6.11
|
71
|
WR
|
TEN
|
|
7.02
|
74
|
WR
|
KCC
|
|
8.11
|
95
|
TE
|
BUF
|
|
9.02
|
98
|
WR
|
LAR
|
|
10.11
|
119
|
QB
|
MIN
|
|
11.02
|
122
|
RB
|
Javorius Allen
|
BAL
|
12.11
|
143
|
RB
|
Theo Riddick
|
DET
|
13.02
|
146
|
WR
|
D.J. Moore
|
CAR
|
14.11
|
167
|
Def
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
MIN
|
15.02
|
170
|
QB
|
BAL
|
|
16.11
|
191
|
WR
|
DEN
|
|
17.02
|
194
|
QB
|
NYJ
|
|
18.11
|
215
|
RB
|
Doug Martin
|
OAK
|
19.02
|
218
|
WR
|
CIN
|
|
20.11
|
239
|
PK
|
Ka'imi Fairbairn
|
HOU
|
21.02
|
242
|
WR
|
Geronimo Allison
|
GBP
|
22.11
|
263
|
QB
|
ARI
|
|
23.02
|
266
|
WR
|
NEP
|
|
24.11
|
287
|
RB
|
PHI
|
|
25.02
|
290
|
Def
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
TBB
|
26.11
|
311
|
PK
|
Aldrick Rosas
|
NYG
|
27.02
|
314
|
RB
|
Justin Jackson
|
LAC
|
28.11
|
335
|
TE
|
Jacob Hollister
|
NEP
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. You waited until round 10 to select your first quarterback, Kirk Cousins as the 14th quarterback off the board. You later selected Joe Flacco in round 15, Sam Darnold in round 17 and lastly Sam Bradford in round 22. How important is it to draft at least one Top 10 quarterback in a best-ball draft?
You've got to have a signal-caller capable of having some strong weeks to keep up with the surplus of other QBs in the league now that are regularly producing 20-plus points per week. Ideally, you'd like to grab two QBs capable of producing QB1-2 numbers each week, which is something I failed to do in this draft. The larger roster spots caused teams to target their second and third quarterbacks earlier than I'm accustomed to. I'll need Cousins to stay healthy and post top-10 numbers once again to remain competitive.
2. You have a good mix of veterans and youth on your squad, especially at wide receiver. Explain why it's good to have a balance of known talent and a blend of upside in best ball drafts.
You have to be willing to take chances on unknown commodities or who offer a ton of upside. Every year there are diamond-in-the-rough types that post top-20 fantasy numbers from a late-round ADP. In best-ball, those are the difference makers. I felt like it was necessary for me to take those shots with younger players because of the quality of my opponents in this draft. I wasn't going to sneak much by this group, so taking calculated risks was important in an all-or-nothing format.
3. Talk about why you like rookie receivers D.J. Moore and Courtland Sutton this year.
Good examples on taking shots with risks. Normally rookie receivers aren't worth targeting but I think D.J. Moore has Carolina's WR2 job wrapped up and has the athletic profile to post a handful of big games--exactly what you're looking for out of a WR4-6 in a best ball format. Sutton is going to be Denver's WR3 and will benefit from the arrival of Case Keenum. I don't think he offers the same ceiling as Moore but Emmanuel Sanders has had some trouble staying healthy, so there's a pretty good chance that Sutton is going to see WR2 targets share for a handful of games.
WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
You could make a case for taking Le’Veon Bell as the No. 1 overall running back in this format. Having him and Devonta Freeman on the field each week gives this team a solid base to start. Mike Evans is the man in Tampa and his point totals from week to week will be a nice complement to Bell and Freeman. Corey Davis, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods should all push for time in the starting lineup in this Best Ball format that allows for two flex positions. D.J. Moore and Courtland Sutton are rookies, but both have solid upside potential with their respective teams.
WEAKNESSES
Jordan Reed’s stock is rising, but he’s still a risky pick given the fact that’s he’s never played more than 14 games in a season. Having him in a Best Ball format negates some of that risk, but you need to surround him with other tight ends who can get you through the injuries. Maybe Charles Clay is that guy but if he’s not, there’s no one else on the roster to help. Clay has only one full season out of his first seven, and if both Reed and Clay go down, this team is in trouble.
HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
Jordan Reed playing a full 16 game season would be a huge step in the right direction. Even if he misses a game or two, if his per-game performance returns to 2015 levels, the gamble will have paid off. Smith has a few new-team guys like Kirk Cousins, Eric Decker, and Sammy Watkins. If these guys integrate well in their new home, it will more than make up for Smith’s weakness at tight end. He also has a lot of upside rookies on this team, and if one or two of them pan out, this team is primed to complete.
DRAFT SLOT 3
Eric Moody, FantasyPros, Rotoviz
Eric is a featured writer at FantasyPros and contributor to RotoViz, Gridiron Experts, and Two QBs. He is also the Social Media Co-Manager at RotoViz and member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). Eric has a lifelong passion for the game and played at the collegiate level as an offensive lineman. He also participated in Dan Hatman's Scouting Academy in order to learn the process of player evaluation at an NFL level by using game film.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. The FFPC has a whopping 28 rounds. What will you do differently because of the extended roster spots that you typically would not do in a typical 18-20 round best-ball draft?
One thing I will do differently is to create of a list of players to target late in this draft who could see significant touches or targets by backing up the new starter in the event of an injury or demotion.
2. How many of each position do you plan to take?
My plan going into this best-ball draft is to take select two quarterbacks, eight running backs, 11 wide receivers, three tight ends, two kickers, and two defenses.
3. What is your plan at the running back position? How soon do you plan on having 4 running backs?
My plan at the running back position is to select the receiving back in timeshares, backups in really good offenses, and potential breakout players. I do not plan to draft my first running back until the fourth or fifth round. I will be monitoring the supply and demand of running backs very closely during the draft. My strategy going into the draft is to roster at least four before entering the 18th round.
4. What is your plan at the wide receiver position? How soon do you plan on having 4 wide receivers?
My plan at the wide receiver position is to target wide receivers who are projected to see a target share of 18 percent or more this upcoming season. My strategy going into the draft is to roster at least four wide receivers during the first five rounds.
5. When do you plan to select your first quarterback? Do you plan to draft 2,3 or more quarterbacks?
I plan on selecting my first quarterback well into the double-digit rounds but may alter my strategy depending on the supply and demand at the position. It does not give me any heartburn going into Week 1 with Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, or Alex Smith as my QB1.
6. When do you plan to select your first tight end? When do you expect to have 3 rostered tight ends?
My plan at the tight end position is to draft my first tight end in the first five rounds. I anticipate having three rostered tight ends prior to entering the 15th round. I could see a scenario considering my draft position where I miss out on the big three (Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and Zach Ertz) and may have to adjust my strategy. I’d prefer to wait on the position instead of reaching for a player simply because it is a TE premium format. I prefer to use my flex spots on wide receivers as opposed to tight ends.
7. How many tight ends and kickers are you planning to draft?
My plan going into the draft is six between the two positions.
8. Name a few guys in rounds 5-10 that you are looking to build your team around.
Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, C.J. Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders, Jamison Crowder, Randall Cobb, Kelvin Benjamin, David Njoku, and Charles Clay are players that immediately come to mind.
9. 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 comfortable drafting rookies if they are tied to a productive offense and are in a position to see significant touches at some point during the season. I am not hesitant to draft injured players, but I use various resources to research that player’s specific injury to determine if I have the capacity to take on the risk with my roster. Suspended players often provide a very good value depending on their ADP. The key is to execute a game plan during the draft so your team can survive during their absence.
10. At the mid-point of the draft (14 rounds), how many players at each position do you expect to have?
I anticipate having one quarterback, four running backs, seven wide receivers, and two tight ends.
11. Name five players you are targeting in the last five rounds of this draft.
Taylor Gabriel, John Kelly, Trent Taylor, Jalen Richard, and Kendall Wright.
13. Give the reader some FFPC best-ball truisms that you try and do nearly every time to dominate this format.
The truisms that come to mind include to wait on drafting a quarterback, pay less attention to positions early in drafts, be prepared to reach for players by not being constrained by ADP, and target offenses (not just specific players).