2013 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: 12-Team Snake Draft Flow Chart
Above you can see my favorite piece of content to produce each preseason, a flow chart to use in snake drafts. This particular flow chart is designed for 12-team leagues with the following starting roster: QB RB RB WR WR FLEX TE D/ST K. As you can see, the chart is divided into three “tracks” according to where your pick is in the first round. I’ll take you through each track and give you some of the names to target at each step along the way.
You can also check out my flow charts for ten-team leagues, Yahoo rosters, 2 QB leagues and PPR leagues here.
SEE MORE GREAT ARTICLES LIKE THIS IN OUR 2013 FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT GUIDE!
Track 1, Picks 1-4
This isn’t revolutionary advice, but you should be taking a running back in the first round, especially if you’re picking in the top third of the first round. I don’t really care which running back you take as long as it’s not Marshawn Lynch. I documented my distaste for Lynch in our Draft Guide (which you can buy here) and in a separate post here on the site. But other than that, feel free to take whoever you prefer out of Adrian Peterson (have to take him if you’re #1), Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Doug Martin, Jamaal Charles and C.J. Spiller.
When things come back around to you in the second, you won’t have the luxury of choosing whoever you like; you’ll have to take whatever is left for you. Hopefully Maurice Jones-Drew will fall to the back of the 2nd. But if not, you should probably go somewhere other than RB. At receiver, Brandon Marshall could fall that far. But if he doesn’t, Roddy White, Demaryius Thomas or Julio Jones would be a fine choice. And if you want to take a tight end before the tenth round or so, here’s the one spot where I’m OK with you doing it. If you love Jimmy Graham, I’m OK with him right here.
In rounds three through five, I want you to get to the point where you have three RBs and two WRs. But if you took Graham, have two of each. Guys going in this range that I like are the aformentioned Jones-Drew, White, Thomas and Jones who you should take at the top of the third if they slip. I’m also OK with you reaching for a running back with any pick given their scarcity. I’m not afraid to reach and grab Darren Sproles or DeMarco Murray at the top of the 3rd. And when you get to the 4th/5th, I have no problem reaching for Chris Ivory or Ahmad Bradshaw. And at receiver look for Marques Colston, Reggie Wayne or Jordy Nelson to slip to you (not too worried about Nelson’s regular season health). If they don’t, grab Steve Smith, Dwayne Bowe, or Pierre Garcon.
The pair of picks in rounds six and seven are where things get a little tricky. Round six is ultimately where I prefer to take a quarterback, but there’s a chance that no one worth taking falls that far. Because you picked at the top of the first, we’re talking about the back end of round six, picks 69-72. Matthew Stafford or Russell Wilson could fall to you here. Tony Romo should be around, but someone will reach on him occasionally. Andrew Luck might be there, but I’d pass on him (you can read why here). If one of those three guys is there, grab ’em.
But if they’re all gone, don’t panic. Just take a RB and WR in the 6th and 7th, then take someone like Eli Manning or Ben Roethlisberger in the 8th. Pair Eli or Ben with someone like Jay Cutler and just play match ups. You could even wait until the 14th and take Josh Freeman or Philip Rivers as your second option. Don’t sweat going late on QB if it happens. You’ll end up with one of if not the deepest sets of backs and receivers.
If you do nab a QB in the 6th, you’ll be taking RBs and WRs in rounds seven through nine. Guys I like going in this range are (with guys I love relative to their ADP in bold) Giovani Bernard, Stevie Johnson, Greg Jennings, Miles Austin, Lance Moore, Mike Williams, Daryl Richardson (may shoot up draft boards after being on top of the depth chart) and some handcuffs like Bryce Brown, Bernard Pierce and Ben Tate.
Round ten is where you grab your tight end if you didn’t grab Graham. If Brandon Myers slips this far, grab him up. If not, take a shot and reach for my boy Fred Davis. Between 2011-2012, Davis was third in yards per catch behind only Rob Gronkowski and Jared Cook (min. 50 catches). I like Cook to break out as well, but more people think that way on Cook as opposed to Davis, so Cook is going in the 8th round or so.
From there on out, it’s just building some depth a running back and receiver. Guys I like going after pick 120 on average are (with guys I love relative to their ADP in bold) Danny Woodhead, Ryan Broyles, Pierre Thomas, Reuben Randle, Malcolm Floyd, Ryan Williams, and Mohamed Sanu. And finish it off with a defense in round 15 and a kicker in round 16. I don’t care which ones. I recommend playing the wire at kicker and defense all year.
Track 2, Picks 5-8
This is by far the cleanest track and my preferred spot in the first round. And in the middle of the first you’re still going running back no matter what. If any of the six backs I listed when talking about track one are there, take them. Those guys are Peterson, Foster, Martin, Rice, Spiller and Charles. But if you have pick seven or eight and those six are gone, take your pick from LeSean McCoy, Alfred Morris, and Trent Richardson. Of that trio I definitely prefer McCoy, but take whoever you like the most.
In round two you can again take Jimmy Graham if you’re just wild about him, but it’s probably too much of a reach here. You can do it, but I’d prefer you go after one of the elite wide receivers that is generally still there in the middle of the second. Dez Bryant, A.J. Green and Brandon Marshall are the guys I’m looking for here.
Rounds three through five are nothing but backs and receivers just like in Track 1. Two of these three picks have to be running backs. If you take Murray in the third, you’re taking on an injury risk and need to get a solid third option at the position. Again, I like Ivory and Bradshaw to be the third option. And at receiver look for one of Nelson, Colston, and Wayne in the 4th or one of Bowe, Smith, or Garcon in the 5th if you go RB-RB in the 3rd and 4th.
Round six is again where you try to grab one of Wilson, Romo or Stafford (in that order). If you miss out, just go with the two quarterback plan discussed above. But other than that, track two is pretty much just like track one from this point on.
Track 3, Picks 9-12
I hate picking late in the 1st this year. Because there are only nine running backs that I like more than the best options at quarterback and receiver, there is a chance that you have to go somewhere other than running back in the first. You’re hoping for one of Peterson, Foster, Martin, Rice, Spiller, Charles, McCoy, Morris, and Richardson. But if you miss out on them, I’d look to the receivers in round one. Calvin Johnson is the obvious first choice if you have to go receiver, but if he’s gone I can live with Dez Bryant or A.J. Green at picks 11 or 12.
If you do have to go receiver in round one, you almost have to go running back in round two. I hate Lynch, but if he falls that far (unlikely), you have to take him. I’d also be willing to reach on MJD here. But if Lynch is gone or you don’t feel comfortable gambling on MJD, the only other option is going quarterback with either Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees. If you have to do that, your picks in rounds three, four and five have to be running backs. Hope MJD is still there in the third (unlikely) and go McFadden or Murray if not. Try to grab Darren Sproles at the top of the 4th. And at the back of the 5th look at Ivory and Bradshaw. Then in the 6th take your second receiver.
If you are able to go running back at the back of the first round, I’d recommend taking Bryant, Green or Marshall in round two. But if you’re dead set on Rodgers or Brees there, I’m fine with that. Rounds three through five in this scenario are just like they are in the other two tracks. Two running backs and a receiver. And if you didn’t take Rodgers or Brees in the 2nd, you’re hoping to go quarterback in the 6th just like the other tracks. The main reason I’d prefer not to take Rodgers or Brees at the top of the second is that one of Wilson, Romo and Stafford is almost always going to be available at the top of the sixth. In track one you may miss out on QB in the sixth being at the back end of the round, but I’d be very surprised if you couldn’t land one of the three guys I mentioned in round six going down track three.
From there it gets pretty simple. Take your third receiver in seventh, a running back and a receiver in the eight and ninth, a tight end in the tenth, two RBs and two WRs in rounds 11-14, and then a defense and kicker.
Easy enough, right?
The Author
268 Comments
I actually really like your analysis, thanks. Came to the same rough conclusion in my first draft through my annual attempt at VBD.
I got lucky with pick 11 in a ppr league and had Spiller fall to me. Made my decision a no-brainer. When AJ Green was still there in the 2nd I scooped him up. I also had the same idea rounds 3-4. I took McFadden but knowing he’s a boom-bust injury risk, so I also took Stevan Ridley. Even though I’m not crazy on him in a ppr league, he seemed like the ‘safest’ pick in that RB range (Murray/D-Mac/Miller). Followed it up with Pierre Garcon but was shooting for Colston who went one pick before him!
Best of luck in your drafts, and thanks for such thoughtful analysis
Thanks for the comment, Alex. I love that you got Ridley that late. I was kind of working under the assumption that he’d go mid-to-late second in most drafts, so that’s why I didn’t mention him here. But if he’s going that late anywhere that’s a great value.
It’s a $50 league on MFL too. Not like I’m schooling some poor hapless yahoo fantasy first-timers. That’s just not fair 😛
Looking forward to keeping up with you guys this season.
russell wilson
lesean mcoy
ridley
ryan mathews
fitzgerald
desean jackson
azch sudfeid
t.y. hilton
daryl richardson
texans defense
janikowski
bench
freeman
keshawn martin
pettigrew
santana moss
jets defense
rashad jennings
dexter mcluster
from using your chart how did my draft go for a 12 team ppr league
qb-2rb-2wr-rb/wr-te-2flex-d-k
so this was my picks
russell wilson
lesean mcoy
ridley
ryan mathews
fitzgerald
desean jackson
azch sudfeid
t.y. hilton
daryl richardson
texans defense
janikowski
bench
freeman
keshawn martin
pettigrew
santana moss
jets defense
rashad jennings
dexter mcluster
from using your chart how did my draft go for a 12 team ppr league
qb-2rb-2wr-rb/wr-te-2flex-d-k
In my opinion you’re too thin at RB and WR. Don’t take 2 QBs and 2 TEs. Just take one of each and get an extra RB and WR.
Ten man team in order I drafted
A. Rodgers
C. Johnson
B. Marshall
L. Fitz
Lamar miller
Mendenhall
V. Davis
T. Austin
At this point I went best player available for trade bait.
After trading my roster reads
Rodgers
Ray rice
Reggie bush
Calvin johnson
Liston Blackmon
Keenan Allen
V. Davis
Alfred Morris
Chiefs d
Matt prater
Bench
J. Bell ( handcuff)
Le veon bell
Zac Stacy
A. Ellington
T ginn
J Edelman
R. Woods
Tim wright
I think I do all right building a team
Cool article Brett. How would these change in a league with 2 RBs and 3WRs (no FLEX)?
Thanks, Sid. It wouldn’t change my strategy a ton. In the first few rounds I’d still be trying to get two RBs because the position is so thin. Where the strategy might change a bit is that here I essentially recommend three running backs and two receivers to start. But in your situation I’d try to get two RB in the first 3-4 rounds but try to take my third WR before my third RB.
Looks interesting.
Is there any reason for only 1 QB and TE? Thinking of just dropping a WR or such come time of bye week?
Correct. If I get a QB in Round 6-7 or earlier, I’ll just drop my weakest RB or WR to get a bye week fill in at QB. If I wait really late on QB, I’ll usually take two and play match ups. I didn’t list the second QB on the chart, but I talk about the scenario where you have to take one in the body of the article.
As for TE, I’ll also drop my weakest RB or WR for bye week fill in at TE. Or if I drafted my TE really late, sometimes I’ll just end up dropping the TE I drafted to get a new one on the bye week.
I see. Same goes with DEF and K? Im going to do a few mocks and see how this pans out. Thanks!
Yeah same idea. But most of the time I drop the defense I drafted before they even get to their bye week. I usually pick up a defense with a good matchup of the waiver wire each week. And kickers I just drop when their bye week comes along.
I love your rankings and path to drafting. I have 5/12 pick in Ppr. On the second round I see forte/jones dropping with all the top WR’s gone. Am I ok drafting rb/rb/WR or am I missing out on a top 7 WR? Thanks!
I’m not a Forte fan, but I can see why you would consider him in the 2nd in PPR. If Sproles is there in the 2nd, I’d take him for sure. But if not, if Dez, Green, Marshall, White, or Thomas is there take them. Jones would be OK there, too.
This is a GREAT strategy! I am definitely going to be using it for my draft coming up in 2 weeks. I just did a mock draft with the 3rd position and this is what I ended with:
QB: Russell Wilson
WR: Roddy White
WR: Jordy Nelson
WR: Mike Williams
RB: Arian Foster
RB: MJD
TE: Brandon Meyers
W/R: Lance Moore
K: Lawrence Tynes
DEF: Packers
BN: Ahmad Bradshaw, Darryl Richardson, Malcolm Floyd, Ryan Williams, Mohamed Sanu, Vick Ballard
Thoughts?
Man I absolutely love that team. Looks exactly how I envision a team to look with this strategy.
It’s incredible. I’m in the process of trying this method again with the 5th pick and I couldn’t ask for a better team so far! Getting ready to make my TE pick…
Just one more outcome…. This time from the 5th position.
QB: Matt Ryan
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Reggie Wayne
WR: Stevie Johnson
RB: Jamaal Charles
RB: DeMarco Murray
W/R: Malcolm Floyd
TE: Brandon Meyers
K: Lawrence Tynes
DEF: Chargers
BN: Ahmad Bradshaw, Darryl Richardson, Pierre Thomas, Cordarralle Patterson, Mohamed Sanu, Ryan Williams
This theory is the best I’ve come across so far! Thanks, Brett, for this really helpful information!
Chad is my favorite commenter of all time.
Nice drafting. Which round did you get MJD?
Hey Brett: I’m 5th position in a league where bonus points are given for big TD plays (40+ and 50+ yards) and big games (100+ and 200+ yards), so there is less value in taking Jimmy Graham with my second pick. Do you see someone like CJ2K being an option here? Larry Fitz? Andre Johnson?
Yeah I agree that Graham might not be as valuable there. I still think that’s a little high for CJ2K. That said, I think I’d prefer him over those receivers just because I’m not huge fans of them. I think the perfect guys to draft in the 2nd round would be Julio Jones or Demaryius Thomas if they’re still there. But if not CJ2K would be OK.
How would this change in a 10 team league? What position would you trade off in a 2QB league-my assumption is WR because of depth.
Thanks
It wouldn’t change much in a 10 teamer. I’d still be drafting three RB and two WR most of the time in the first 5 rounds before taking a QB. But in a ten teamer you could take 3 of each before taking a QB in the 7th. And in a 2QB, yes, I would wait longer on WR.
Hey Brett, the mocks are turning out pretty good.
Couple questions. Will this still hold true for 10 and 12 team leagues with QB/RB/RB/WR/WR/FLEX(RB,WR,TE)/TE/DEF/K ???
With the 10 teams league, should end up with a nice deep solid bench.
Thanks!
Yeah it’s pretty much the same in 10 and 12. Only difference in a 10 is that you can get an extra RB or WR in the 6th before taking a QB in the 7th.
I read another one. Said to take RB for the first 3 rounds. Then jump on Gronk if he is there (then pair him with Bennett or Cook in rounds 11-12), then WR, WR, and a QB in the 7th. Then 8th go WR. With mid round pick, ended being RG3, Spiller, Ridley, Wilson (Flex), Wayne, Decker, Mike Williams, and Gronk.
Pretty similar to what you have. What do you think?
Yeah really very similar. I don’t love Gronk but I guess I could love with this team. I probably woulda taken WR in the Gronk slot and waited on TE, but this is OK I guess. RB RB RB is a fine start by me.
Where would you take Chris Johnson? Before or after Ridley and Forte? Before or after Jones, White, and Thomas?
Before Forte after Ridley. And just after those receivers. But if was at the back end of round 1 and couldn’t go RB there, then id go CJ2K before those receivers.
I’m picking 4th in a standard scoring 12 team league. I have 2 keepers Rodey White and Doug Martin. Should I take a chance on Graham or should I take the best RB available. I do not have a 2nd round pick this year.
I’d take these RBs ahead of Graham (in no particular order): AP, Foster, Spiller, Charles, Rice, Lynch, Morris, Richardson, McCoy, Ridley, MJD. If they’re all gone then I’d go Graham.
Where do you see Miller going in leagues? Where would you take him?
I could see him going anywhere from top of the 4th to top of the 6th. I have him right in the middle of that.
I love your analysis, I just don’t know what to do 12th pick in a standard scoring 12 team league. I’ve been playing around with different ways of drafting in mock drafts and it’s hard to come up with as good of a team as I would if I was picking earlier. There’s so many different ways to go too. It’s either I go rb/rb and end up with worse rbs than the people before me while they pick up elite WRs. Or I can go wr/wr, wr/qb, wr/rb. Qb/rb if I only like one of the rbs left. I don’t know last pick just sucks so much this year.
Yeah I hear you on that. I think ultimately I’d like to get a WR or QB with on of those first two picks so I gain an advantage at a position. But I wouldn’t want to miss out on RB completely up top because it’s just so thin there. But I can see a situation where you might have to go QB/WR there, and if that happened I know my next three picks would be RB. I’d hope for Sproles, Ivory and Bradshaw I think.
What do you mean by “reaching” for a player? I have 4th pick in my league. Tried your method with 4th pick and this is what I got. I like the running game, but not sure how I feel about everything else.
QB: Tony Romo (rd. 8)
WR: Larry Fitzgerald (rd. 3)
WR: Torrey Smith (rd. 4)
WR: Cecil Shorts (rd. 6)
RB: Jamaal Charles (rd. 1)
RB: MJD (rd. 2)
TE: Kyle Rudolph (rd. 9)
W/R: Ahmad Bradshaw (rd. 5)
K: David Akers (rd. 14)
DEF: Atlanta (rd. 15)
BN: Tavon Austin (rd. 7), Bernard Pierce (rd. 10), Denarius Moore (rd. 11), Vick Ballard (rd. 12), DeAndre Hopkins (rd. 13)
I don’t follow every single thing in the NFL and don’t have a real good sense of where various WRs and RBs should rank aside from what the rankings tell me. You only mention a few names for each position in each round so when I see WRs or RBs that are ranked higher (according to Yahoo and Mock Drafts) than the guys you’ve listed, I’m not sure If I should take them or your picks. That happened several times in the above draft. With TE, several of the guys you mentioned were still available, but so was Rudolph and he was ranked higher, so I went with him. I feel like I picked Cecil Shorts or Tavon Auston over some of the WRs you had mentioned in their respective rounds, too. I realize you can’t go into every little scenario and the details of each player, but just some feedback from a guy that doesn’t follow injuries, pre-season, etc. all that much.
Finally, my league is a keeper league. So I can either keep Dez Bryant in place of my 3rd round pick or Peyton Manning in place of my 5th round pick. Having a hard time deciding what to do. I’m keeping TY Hilton in place of rd. 15 pick.
By reaching I just mean taking a player quite a bit higher than where the rankings have him. However, I don’t think Yahoo’s rankings are very good, so there are several guys you took around the spot where the Yahoo rankings have them but that I still consider a reach. I took Yahoo’s top 125 and made a Google doc for you showing which guys I think they have way to high (in red) and way too low (in green): (https://docs.google.com/a/thefantasyfix.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au4Cph6ArnardDZzWnVHbjJobF91Qk41OGZhVGF4d1E#gid=0)
As far as the team you drafted, I agree that the running game looks great. But I also agree that other parts of the team looks weak. But I think the main reason for that is that I wildly disagree with some of the ranks of the receivers you took, specifically Torrey Smith. If a guy I recommended is there around the spot I talked about him, I’d take my guy over their rankings. As for the tight ends, if a bunch of guys are still there in the 9th/10th, just keep delaying picking one until only a few are left. But again, I love the RBS and love that you got Romo as well.
As for your keeper, I’d definitely go Dez in the third.
Awesome! Thanks for the advice and great article. Tried the draft again from 4th position and am happier with the results. Could use some more work though:
1. Jamaal Charles (KC – RB)
2. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac – RB)
3. Victor Cruz (NYG – WR)
4. DeMarco Murray (Dal – RB)
5. Jordy Nelson (GB – WR)
6. Russell Wilson (Sea – QB)
7. DeSean Jackson (Phi – WR)
8. Lance Moore (NO – WR)
9. Bernard Pierce (Bal – RB)
10. Brandon Myers (NYG – TE)
11. Malcom Floyd (SD – WR)
12. Pierre Thomas (NO – RB)
13. New England (NE – DEF)
14. Mohamed Sanu (Cin – WR)
15. Dan Bailey (Dal – K)
Thanks for the advice on the keeper, too!
Had pick 10/12. Went RB-RB instead of RB-WR…Thoughts?
1. Trent Richardson (Cle – RB)
2. Steven Jackson (Atl – RB)
3. Dwayne Bowe (KC – WR)
4. Reggie Wayne (Ind – WR)
5. Chris Ivory (NYJ – RB)
6. Russell Wilson (Sea – QB)
7. Josh Gordon (Cle – WR)
8. Greg Jennings (Min – WR)
9. Ben Tate (Hou – RB)
10. Martellus Bennett (Chi – TE)
11. Jonathan Stewart (Car – RB)
12. DeAndre Hopkins (Hou – WR)
13. Isaiah Pead (StL – RB)
14. Baltimore (Bal – DEF)
15. Kai Forbath (Was – K)
This a much better looking team. I love Dwayne Bowe, but I think having him as a third rounder is crazy high. And I think that’s way high on Gordon as well. But again, these are just issues I seem to have with Yahoo’s WR rankings.
How does this stratagey work with a 10-Team snake draft?
Main difference in a 10 is that you can get an extra RB or WR in the 6th before taking a QB in the 7th.
Im in a 12-Team, PPR, RB/WR/TE-FlexOpt.
Have no idea on what pick position we have until 15 mins before draft starts.
What would your draft strategy be after my ShadyMcCoy keeper in RD1??
Well first of all, I wouldn’t keep McCoy in the first if I didn’t know what pick I had in the first. I you end up with a pick early in the first round, McCoy is not a value and a bad keeper. But if you end up with pick 12, then he is a value. Do you have to keep McCoy in the 1st? Do you have other options?
1 keeper in 1st Rd.
I have had him last 3 yrs and he was hurt last yr (#2 RB in 2011, #3 in 2010). Last yr I had pick 4 and it was ok but yes ideal if I get a late Rd pick. Either way Im thinking RB/RB first 2 Rds, then either Graham or WR (QB I will wait).
What do you think of Gronk as far as if he fell to Rd. 5/6; what RBs or WRs would you pick ahead of him? Like list of RBs you have before Graham.
Here are players who have an ADP on ESPN of 49 or lower (49 being the first pick in the 5th) that I would take over Gronk: Amendola, Bowe, Smith, Nicks, Decker, Ivory, Miller, Bradshaw, Jordy.
Thanks so much for your input…The ADP looks good, but you would pass on Gronk for sure? Even if you could start both of the Top2 TE when Gronk comes back?
Its really tough to ask questions on McCoy & who you would pick 1st but I wont know what pick I will have or who others will keep, Sucks but makes it Fun @ sametime….Thanks again for your time and advice!
Yeah I just don’t trust Gronk. Too much risk for me.
Great article and very solid advice. ESPN/Yahoo needs more guys like you – with more competency and less ego. I just drafted in my first ever 12 team league (standard, non-PPR) – from the 9th position – and I used a modified version of your Track 3. I’m a little worried about my team – it feels weak at RB2, WR2 and Flex. I grabbed Cam Newton in Round 3 (overall), which is completely out of character for me, and it sort of threw off my rhythm. What do you think?
1. LeSean McCoy (Phi – RB)
2. Dez Bryant (Dal – WR)
3. Cam Newton (Car – QB)
4. Eddie Lacy (GB – RB)
5. Le’Veon Bell (Pit – WR)
6. Pierre Garcon (Wsh – WR)
7. Mike Williams (TB – WR)
8. Ronnie Hillman (Den – RB)
9. Brandon Myers (NYG – TE)
10. DeAndre Hopkins (Hou – WR)
11. Bengals D/ST
12. Justin Blackmon (Jac – WR)
13. Zac Stacy (StL – RB)
14. Greg Zuerlein (StL – K)
15. Santana Moss (Wsh – WR)
16. Robert Woods (Buf – WR)
Thanks for the advice!
* I grabbed Cam Newton in Round 3 (33rd overall)
There was a huge WR grab in front of me, and my thinking is that it might be a slight bargain, as Newton is ranked 31st overall on ESPN.
Thanks for the nice comment, Brian. I have also been tempted to take Cam at times, but usually only if he falls to the 4th. I like him, but I won’t take him unless he represents a big value, not just a slight one. As for the rest of your team, I agree that your second and third options at WR and flex seem shaky. But I think that’s mainly because a lot of the guys you took have some question marks. You’ve got the two rookie running backs which is risky because it’s uncertain whether they will be getting a majority of the carries right away. And I like Garcon but he’s an injury risk. I love Hillman and would normally love him in the 8th, but he’s another guy in an unclear situation. So I think the main issue was taking too many guys with question marks. Try to balance your team out between upside picks and safe plays a little more. And I would have preferred you take a kicker and D in the last two rounds because the fliers available in rounds 11 and 14 are better than those in rounds 15-16.
Thanks. So if I hadn’t picked Newton, I would have had my choice of RBs like Ball, Wilson, Bush and Murray…or Larry Fitzgerald at WR. Who would you have gone with there? Following that, if I had passed on Lacy, I could have chosen Sproles, Ivory, Cruz, Colston, Bowe. So maybe I should’ve done something like take Murray at RB2 and then Colston at WR2? Then I would’ve taken Bell at Flex in the 5th and a QB – Stafford – in Round 6.
I need to update this piece a little because I actually think I’d go Bush over Murray in the 3rd. I would have gone with him there. And in the Lacy spot I literally would have taken any of those guys you listed. Since this league has a flex I probably would have gone RB again with Sproles. But if you wanted to go WR2, Cruz and Colston would have been good picks. If you went Spoles in 4, you should have gone WR2 there instead of bell. But if you went WR2 in 4, then Bell would have been fine in 5 at flex. Of the rookie RBs, he’s the only on e I’m remotely comfortable taking. And then of course I like Stafford in 6.
This was with pick 3/12. Looks pretty solid. What are your thoughts on rotoworlds rankings?
1. Doug Martin (TB – RB)
2. Frank Gore (SF – RB)
3. Julio Jones (Atl – WR)
4. Reggie Wayne (Ind – WR)
5. Chris Ivory (NYJ – RB)
6. Russell Wilson (Sea – QB)
7. T.Y. Hilton (Ind – WR)
8. Daryl Richardson (StL – RB)
9. Josh Gordon (Cle – WR)
10. Martellus Bennett (Chi – TE)
11. Michael Floyd (Ari – WR)
12. Isaiah Pead (StL – RB)
13. Johnathan Franklin (GB – RB)
14. Baltimore (Bal – DEF)
15. David Akers (Det – K)
Yeah, THIS is how I think a team should look. I could quibble with a name or two, but this looks great.
I like this strategy, but I am playing in a league where we pick a LB and a DB also. Where would you fit them in using this strategy?
I know nothing about IDP or when you should draft those guys to be honest. If I had to guess, I’d say you should probably treat them like tight ends and wait. But you ought to ask an IDP expert.
Awesome analysis and thanks a ton (very helpful). I’ve joined a PPR keeper league this year (always done standard). I will be keeping CJ Spiller (and losing a 5th rounder). I also have 2nd overall pick. Curious if I should go RB or WR for the 2nd pick knowing I will already have Spiller. Below are my top 4 choices for each with analysis on who can be kept and who can’t in my league. Would appreciate opinions on whether to go another RB as 2nd pick or go WR. Thanks!
RB:
Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN (cannot be kept so avail)
Doug Martin, RB, TB (avail to keep so may not be avail)
Jamaal Charles, RB, KC (Cannot be kept so avail)
Arian Foster, RB, HOU (cannot be kept so avail)
WR:
Calvin Johnson (cannot be kept so avail)
AJ Green (cannot be kept so avail)
Dez Bryant (can be kept so may not be avail)
Julio Jones (cannot be kept so avail)
In PPR I don’t tend to go quite as RB heavy as I would in standard, but those top 6-7 backs are still the most valuable commodities even in PPR. So with that 2nd overall pick you still have to go RB. I’d rank them Peterson, Martin, Foster, Charles. After that you’ll be set at RB, so focus a little more on WR in the next few rounds.
Brett
Thanks a ton. I appreciate your input on this. Again great article!
I think my strategy now will go RB in (1st round), WR (2nd Round), WR (3rd), RB (4th), Skip 5th since I kept Spiller.
So by the 4th round I will have 3RBs, 2WRs.
In the 6th I’ll probably go QB and 7th a WR
Need to think on that…haha
Hey Brett really enjoyed this article, well done mate. If you have a chance I am in a 12 team ppr, keeper league with CJ Spiller as mine. Not sure what pick I have yet.
Our format is qb, rb, rb, wr, wr, te, flex, kick, def, 5 bench and 2 ir.
What do you think about this strategy coinciding with yours, slightly. Essentially, 1)Spiller, 2)Rb, 3)Wr, 4)Rb, 5)Wr, 6)QB or Te. If you have a chance to look over quickly I would appreciate it greatly. Any pointers you could lend?
That’s basically exactly what I’m recommending. I would do that but go QB in the 6th and wait on TE.
*Also, players taken are, Lynch, Foster, Brees, AP, D Martin, Calvin Johnson Jamal Charles, Ray Rice,, Alferd Morris, Kaepernick, LeSean McCoy
Hey Brett I’m in a keeper league with IDPs. I get to keep 2 offensive players and 1 defensive player. I’ve decided to keep CJ Spiller and McCoy but I won my league last year so I have the 12th pick in a snake draft. My main question is should I go RB-WR or WR-WR in the first rounds?
My gut tells me to go RB-WR since RBs are so scarce this year and WRs are pretty deep. However we are in a PPR League with QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, Flex, TE so finding quality WRs will a bit more difficult in the later rounds.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Since you already have two RB and it’s a 3 WR league, I’d go WR-WR if there are good ones there for you to take.
Great read and solid advise.
12 team standard with eighth pick. Qbs always go early. ??..Brees scores over 800 points in this league and Peterson just under 300. So most guys go qb often. 1 qb, 1 rb, 1 wr , 3 flex wr/rb, def, kicker. Our defenses also score second highest total under qbs. Any advise??! Thanks.
Also we can only pick 7 skill players. And have to draft one TE who doesn’t have to start. Thanks in advance!!
My advice might be to find a better league. LOL. Those are some weird settings. All I can say is that if certain positions traditionally score more points, draft them first.
Hey Brett- thanks for the flow charts those are great. I have the 5th pick in a 12 team .5 ppr. A few questions that I’d love to get your feedback on:
1) I’m thinking with Charles’ sprain he’ll fall to 5 now. Am I stupid for passing on him at 5, and who would you take of these guys in what order at 5 (Charles, spiller, rice, lynch, mccoy, Calvin Johnson)? Still unsure of who I want here.
2) on the way back, if sproles, forte, or Mjd are still there, would you take any of them as a second pick over Brandon Marshall, Dez, Julio, or d.thomas?
3) am I foolish in wanting to reach for Seattle dst in the 12th rd or prior?
Thanks!
1) Spiller, Rice, McCoy, Johnson, Charles, Lynch
2) MJD, Dez, Marshall, Thomas, Forte, Jones, Sproles
3) Yes. Wait until the next to last round and play matchups throughout the year.
Brett, nice draft strategy analysis. Got a few questions and am seeking some advice. I’m in a 12-team PPR keeper league with QB scoring heavily weighted. I have the 1st overall pick. My two keepers are QB Andrew Luck and RB Darren McFadden. Format = QB, WR, RB, TE, W/R, W/R/T, K, D, DEF with 5 bench spots.
The following RBs are available to draft:
Jamaal Charles
Marshawn Lynch
LeSean McCoy
Matt Forte
MJD
Stevan Ridley
Chris Johnson
The following WRs available to draft are:
Brandon Marshall
Julio Jones
Demaryius Thomas
Larry Fitzgerald
Victor Cruz
Roddy White
Randall Cobb
Dwayne Bowe
Andre Johnson
Vincent Jackson
My first pick has to be Jamaal Charles, right? My only concern is not being able to land a quality WR1 in the following round, the 24th overall pick. However, I’m actually trying to trade down in the first round for a better 2nd round pick and a better 3rd pick or extra 4th round for a 5th round (I have 3 5th round picks). Do you have any suggestions?TIA!
I’d go McCoy over Charles, but other than that, I’d take Charles first. I would actually stand pat, get McCoy, and hope for the best in the second round. I think trading down in the first would leave you taking a guy with a lot less value first.
Hello I was wondering if you could help me with this format: ppr league, 12 owners, roster 1qb, 2rb, 4wr, 2 flex(rb, wr, te), 1te, 6bench, 1k, 1d/st. Thank you.
With so many receivers in your lineup plus the PPR scoring, WR obviously is more important in your league. That said, RB is still the hardest position to fill. What I would do is forego depth at RB so you can use most of if not all your mid round picks (3-9) on WR. So I’d still take two RB in the first 3 rounds, but I’d make sure I got guys that had no injury or playing time concerns. Just don’t take risks or look for upside with your first two RB picks. Then just go heavy on WR. After eight rounds you should have 2 RB, 1 QB and 5 WR. Your last three picks in rounds 16, 17, 18 should be TE, D, K. So in rounds 9-15, take two RBs and four more WRs.
Hi. I really do appreciate your reply. My league did the computer generated draft order online and I have pick no. 9. With this draft pick would you change anything. Thanks again for taking your time with my questions.
I love this flow chart. Any analysis on other leagues with less than 12 teams? Would love some help there!
The main difference in shallower leagues is how long you can wait round-wise to take a QB. In this 12 team format, I’m suggesting you take a QB somewhere between pick 60 and 70. So in a ten team league this means you can wait to take a QB until the 7th round instead of in the 6th. So grab an extra RB or WR in the 6th. And in an 8 team league this means you can wait until the 8th probably to go QB. So grab two extra RB/WR.
Love this article. I am entering a 10 team league but I usually like to take a backup quarterback AND a back up tight end, taking one RB and one WR out from what you recommend. What are your reasons behind only having one QB and one TE? Also, if I insist on having two of each, would rounds 11-14 consist of 1 RB, 1WR, 1QB and 1TE with the same format leading up?
The main reason is that I feel like I can find a replacement at those positions on the waiver wire if necessary. More so at tight end. So if you want to take 2 QB I’m sort of OK with that as long as you didn’t get one of the top 6/7 guys. No need to back them up. But I would never take two tight ends. There will be usable guys you can get in free agency. But if you insist, yes, I would do what you propose in rounds 11-14.
Okay that actually makes so much sense, I am definitely not going to draft two TE’s, and if the value is there I will take two QB’s but thanks a lot for the strategy. Every mock draft I am in using your system I really like my team. I just had pick 8/10 and I ended up with this team, what do you think? I may have made a mistake taking two QB’s with Matt Ryan but tell me what you think please!
1.8 Marshawn Lynch
2.3 Alfred Morris
3.8 Frank Gore
4.3 Vincent Jackson
5.8 David Wilson
6.3 Matt Ryan
7.8 Steve Smith
8.3 Cecil Shorts
9.8 DeSean Jackson
10.3 Robert Griffin
11.8 Brandon Myers
12.3 Ben Tate
13.8 Vincent Brown
14.3 Denver Broncos
15.8 Sebastian Janikowski
This is a great team. I love that you built RB dpeht by taking four %B in your first five pics. And I love that you built WR dpeth after you had your RBs by taking a WR in rounds 7, 8 ,9. And I’m actually OK with you taking the backup QB here, but mainly because I think Griffin that late is a huge value there. By having him and Ryan, you should be able to trade one away for something you need once we’re sure RG# is healthy. Nice job.
Great work. I am drafting from the 4 spot in one draft and used your strategy for a mock draft and my fake team ended up looking like this:
QB: Wilson
RB: Spiller
RB: MJD
WR: R.White
WR: Colston
FLEX: TY Hilton
BENCH:
S. Taylor
Z. Stacy
M.Sanu
A.Jeffery
D.Williams
Michael Floyd
Ingram
It seems like a pretty good draft. I have usually only drafted 1 QB and 1 TE however this year may draft a backup for both positions (in rounds 11-14). I took MJD because of your suggestion but Ridley, David Wilson, and Bush were all available at the end of the 2nd where I picked MJD up. Would you rather one of those 3 instead of MJD?
I’m sort of OK if you want to take two QBs assuming your QB1 is someone like Wilson, Romo or Stafford. But never take two TEs. You can find one on the waiver wire later if you need to. I quite like your team aside from Hilton who I’m not a fan of. But that’s nitpicking. And I might have gone Ridley over MJD. Might. I have them basically right next to each other in my ranks, so I don’t feel too strongly one way or the other.
Please rate my team
Qb newton
RB Peterson
RB Mjd
Wr. D Bryant
Wr H Nicks
Wr. J Nelson
Te. B . Meyers
K Bailey
T. Giants
Bench. Bradshaw , Lacy, Ingram, Moore , Palmer
I like a lot of the guys you drafted. But there are a few things I would do differently. First, I wouldn’t have taken both Nicks and Nelson since both have some injury issues. I would have taken one (Jordy) and picked a safer WR for my other starting WR slot. Also, since you took Cam, I wouldn’t have taken a backup QB. I would have used that pick to take another WR and build depth there since you have to start three each week. Really nice job at RB tho.
Great feedback from everyone else that gave this a shot, so I had to try it!
– Pick 11/12 mock draft
– I thinks its a solid team but whats your feedback??
QB- Aaron Rodgers
WR- Calvin Johnson
WR- Dwayne Bowe
WR- Steve Johnson
RB- Demarco Murray
RB- Lamar Mller
TE- Jared Cook
W/R- Chris Ivory
DEF- Cowboys
K- Dan Bailey
Bench- Ronnie Hillman, Ryan Broyles, Shonne Greene, Mohamed Sanu, Marcel Reece
I really like. Only thing I would have done differently is I probably would have taken a RB where you took Rodgers and then taken QB probably around the spot you took Miller. Just think the RB depth is a little bit weak given that Murray and Ivory have some injury concerns and Miller has a little competition. Ultimately, I think all three guys will be fine backs. But I just wouldn’t want to end up with only guys that I had concerns about. Would’ve liked a little more certainty at RB is all.
Tried this strategy again from the 8th pick out of 12 snake draft and think I came out with a better team than my first attempt. I think this proves the fact that you have to try something a few times to become familiar with it. I like this strategy and def will use it come draft day.
QB- Russel Wilson
WR- Brandon Marshall
WR- Pierre Garcon
WR- Steve Johnson
RB- LeSean McCoy
RB- Darren McFadden
TE- Jared Cook
W/R- Chris Ivory
K- Greg Zuerlein
DEF- Cowboys
BN- Steve Johnson, Mike Williams, Ryan Broyles, Pierre Thomas, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Gibson
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
I might have gone with a RB in one of the slot where you took Williams just because McFadden worries me a little. But other than that I love it.
Practice, Practice, Practice…
12/12 Snake Mock Draft
QB- Russell Wilson
WR- Aj Green
WR- Dwayne Bowe
WR- Cecil Shorts
RB- Alfred Morris
RB- Darren McFadden
TE- Brandon Myers
W/R- Darren Sproles
K- Greg Zuerlein
DEF- Cowboys
BN- Ahmad Bradshaw, Ronnie Hillman, Ryan Broyles, Pierre Thomas, Brandon Gibson, Marcel Reece
Haha this time I think you might have leaned a little too far towards RB. Would’ve slected a WR either instead of Bradshaw or Hillman.
Im the 12th pick in a snake draft 12 man league. Simple standard league. Dont know wether I should go 2 rbs first or 1 rb and qb, or 2 top end recievers or whatever combo that is best from this position. Suggestions please!!!! Thanks
By the way it is a PPR league. 1 POINT PER
I think the best combo is RB-WR. But if you’ll go back and read the paragraphs about track 3, I talk about the different scenarios you could end up with in that spot.
I am the 7/12 snake draft .5 ppr. I went RB-RB-WR-RB-WR-QB-TE in that order in a mock draft and this is what I came up with.
QB – RGII
RB- Ray Rice
RB- Chris Johnson
WR- Roddy White
WR- James Jones
Flex- Sproles
TE- Rudolph
Def – Broncos
A couple questions I have. Around my 2nd selection is that 2nd tier of RB’s who would you recommend taking out of these guys (Jackson, Forte, Ridley, Johnson, MJD, Gore)?
Also when taking the WR#1 in the 3rd how would you rank these receivers (White, Jackson, Andre Johnson, Cobb, Welker, Cruz, Colston, Wayne)?
Lastly for my 4th round pick I went with Sproles over a WR# and this is what was available around that pick. (Sproles, Amendola, Nicks, Gronk, Ivory, Decker, Bowe, Jones, Nelson, Garcon, Smith)? You think I made the right decison going with Sproles. As I ended up getting James Jones with my 5th round then had my pick between RGIII and Luck for QB round 6
Thanks in advance, I look forward to your thoughts
MJD, Ridley in that order
White, Colston, Johnson, Cruz, Jackson
Yeah Sproles was the right choice.
Love the article, great advice. I’M in a 12 team snake draft league and have pick 11. I have a feeling a lot of qbs will go in first round in my league. What do you think about taking two running backs in round 1 and 2? If their are two of the big dogs left. Or would you grab a stud receiver like DEZ or green? Appreciate any advice!
I always lean RB if there is a guy there that I like. Even if I was planning on taking a WR in a a given spot, I’ll almost always choose to go RB instead if a RB I didn’t think would fall to me actually does.
I like the advice. I have the first pick in my draft and will go AP of course. This is also a keeper league and I have Graham. If I keep him Iose my second round pick. So my question is Do I keep him or let him go and take a better RB and WR in the 2nd and third round?
I think it’s OK to take Graham around pick 20, and you’d be keeping him there in a ten teamer or pick 24 if it’s a 12 teamer. So I don’t think you’d be overpaying for him there. And presumably he wouldn’t make it back to you if you didn’t keep him, so I’d hold on to him.
1. Trent Richardson (Cle – RB)
2. A.J. Green (Cin – WR)
3. Frank Gore (SF – RB)
4. David Wilson (NYG – RB)
5. Jordy Nelson (GB – WR)
6. Michael Vick (Phi – QB)
7. T.Y. Hilton (Ind – WR)
8. Chris Ivory (NYJ – RB)
9. Lance Moore (NO – WR)
10. Martellus Bennett (Chi – TE)
11. Michael Floyd (Ari – WR)
12. Alshon Jeffery (Chi – WR)
13. LeGarrette Blount (NE – RB)
14. Vick Ballard (Ind – RB)
15. Dallas (Dal – DEF)
16. Shaun Suisham (Pit – K)
This was with the 11th pick…..what do you think?
You definitely followed the path very, very well. But I have to quibble with a few specific names. Vick in the 6th seems way too high. If you miss out on Stafford, Romo, Wilson types in the 6th, don’t feel like you have to reach for someone else. I’m assuming that’s what happened here? Or maybe you just really like Vick. Which if you do, that’s fine. But wait later to take him.
And I like Wilson and Jordy fine (especially Jordy), but I wouldn’t take both of them back to back. Wilson has the vulture concern of Andre Brown and Nelson has the injury concern. I’m not necessarily too worried about either, but I’m always nervous stacking two guys with known risks that early in the draft.
And you’re very much not alone on liking T.Y. Hilton, but I’m down on that passing game. Not a fan of his,
– Sorry for all the posts but I really want to conquer this strategy before my draft
– 1/12 snake mock draft
This is the team I got:
QB- Russell Wilson
WR- Roddy White
WR- Mike Wallace
WR- Jordy Nelson
RB- Adrian Peterson
RB- MJD
TE- Fred Davis
FLEX- Lance Moore
K- Stephen Hauschka
DEF- Cowboys
BN- Chris Ivory, Bryce Brown, Ronnie Hillman, Michael Floyd, Danny Woodhead, Mohamed Sanu
Better?
Very, very nice. Only two things I’ll quibble with. First, I’m just not a Mike Wallace fan. And second, I love your RB depth but think you maybe could have passed on either Brown or Hillman in order to build a little more WR depth since you’re playing with three WR.
Why are you so high on Russell Wilson? I see you mention him a lot with the likes of stafford and romo but a lot of people might disagree.
First of all, I like the running points. When a guy can run a little, it helps raise his floor on a week-to-week basis. The bad games tend not to be as bad with running QBs. Second, he threw the ball well last year. He was 6th in the league in yards per attempt and 8th in completion percentage. Don’t see any reason why he can’t repeat what he did last year.
12 team picked 6th overall. Used the flow chart am pretty confident with my team. Couple guys in their first year took qb’s early and forced more experience guys to also take qb’s early. I held off. What do you think?
QB: Romo
RB: Doug Martin
RB: Matt Forte
Wr: Demariyus Thomas
Wr: Pierre Garcon
TE: Jared Cook
Flex: David Wilson
K: Hauschka
D: Green Bay
Bn: Le’veon Bell
Bn: Danny Woodhead
Bn: Greg Jennings
Bn: Denarius Moore
Bn: M. Sanu
Bn: Mike Williams
Really, really solid team. Construction of the team is exactly how I like it. Only thing is I’m not a Forte guy. Probably would’ve gone with a different RB there. But other than that, love it.
What is your reasoning for Romo over Stafford?
Wonderful article/decision trees, Brett! I’m hoping you can give advice for my upcoming draft- I have the 10th pick in a 12 team 0.5 PPR. If all RBs are chosen before me, I’m figuring on getting Alfred Morris 10th, and then SJax/Forte/Ridley with 15th overall? If Calvin Johnson is gone then I can upgrade to Richardson/McCoy for for 1st pick? Also, if Calvin Johnson (or even AJ/Dez/Marshall) are there at pick 15, should I go with them, and then hope for Reggie Bush in round 3? Finally, I could just go really strong at RB, and get RBs at all 3 first picks (again, Reggie Bush as 3rd possibly?), then WR/WR/WR, followed by Tony Romo?
Thanks for you thoughts!
Abe
I kind of like the idea of going RB WR RB if Richardson or McCoy fall to you. If your only option is Morris but Johnson is still there, I think I’d go WR RB RB.
Thanks Brett. I think Reggie Bush would be a great pick in the 3rd round for an RB (again, 12 team 0.5 PPR, with me picking 10th- 34th overall pick in round 3). What’s you take on him, and otherwise which other RBs (rookies?) do you like in that slot?
Thanks again,
Abe
I agree on Bush. Love him there. Would also love Sproles if he was there. I wouldn’t take any of the rookies that high.
Thanks again, Brett! Great Post!
Hey Brett. 12-team PPR league. 1st and 12th spots are off the board. You have the choice of 2-11. Which draft position would you take and why? Thanks.
8th. There are 8 RBs that I like as the first 8 picks, so I’d like to draft 8th, take whichever one falls to me, and then have the earliest 2nd round pick possible while still being assured one of those 8 guys.
12 Man, standard scoring league – 8th pick overall
QB: Russell Wilson
RB1: C.J. Spiller
RB2: Frank Gore
WR1: Brandon Marshall
WR2: T.Y. Hilton
TE: Heath Miller
FLEX: DeMarco Murray
K: Kai Forbath
DEF: Cleveland Browns
BN: Wes Welker
BN: Shane Vereen
BN: Emmanuel Sanders
BN: Cordarrelle Patterson
BN: Fred Jackson
BN: Jordan Cameron
Thoughts?
Yup, nice job. I don’t like Hilton, but the construction of the team is very good.
12 team .5 ppr. Tried following your flow chart, lost focus during picks 4-7 then finished strong but still ended up a little light at RB. How’d I do pops???
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: McCoy
RB: MJD
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: Amendola
WR-RB-TE: Chris Givens
TE: Jason Witten
DST: Seahawks
K: Ryan Succop
Anquan Boldin
DeAndre Hopkins
Jordan Cameron
Emmanuel Sanders
Kendall Hunter
Jay Cutler
Yeah, really light at RB. Should have taken one or two fewer WRs. And your RB depth was also hurt by the fact that you drafted two TE and two QB. You used fairly high picks on your QB1 and TE1 so I think you should have built RB depth instead of taking a QB2 and TE2.
Great advice. Shared site with a lot of people (not in my leagues) 12 team ppr pick 2
D. Martin
B. Marshall
C. Newton (jumped dont have good reason)
Amendola
R. Mathews
L. Miller
C. Shorts
M. Williams (TB)
Andre Brown
Fred Jackson
Jared cook
Jay Cutler (I’m a Chicagoan)
Jordan Cameron
Andre Roberts
Arizona def
D. Zuelein
Hope I did you proud. Next draft in 5th slot. Feeling prepared and confident. Thanks
I think you did quite well. If someone really likes a QB or TE earlier than I’d recommend taking one, I’m OK with them taking the QB or TE. But I just don’t like it when someone takes a QB and a TE early. Hurts RB/WR depth too much. So since you went TE late, I’m OK with you taking Cam early. I don’t like Ryan Mathews, and so I think your RB group is a little weak. But other than that, pretty good.
Okay, so I’m in a fairly competitive but small league. It’s an an 8-man .5 PPR, 4 point for passing, standard scoring otherwise.
This year I have the 1st pick…. which will 100% be Adrian Peterson
My question is…. Pick 3 – TE or RB? (pick 2 will always be top 5 WR – all my mocks so far have had Marshall or Demaryius available)
SO – Jimmy Graham with Pick 3? … or …. Take a 2nd RB? I usually have Forte or Steven Jackson available.
I am leaning to taking a RB since I feel pretty confident I can scoop up Gronk with Pick 4/5 and grab a 14th round flier like Jordan Cameron or even Rob Housler to hold me over at TE until Gronks back to speed in New England. If Gronk is gone before my pick, then I will wait to just take a TE in the 14th anyway….
What are your thoughts?
I’m with you. I’d go RB in round 3. And to be honest I wouldn’t even take Gronk in 4/5. I’d just wait until the last two picks and pick two of the flier type TEs and hope one hits. And I think Cameron and Housler are the guys I’d target. Even if they don’t pan out, I imagine you can find someone usable on the waiver wire later.
Followed Track 2 with pick #6. Whaddya think? (12 team .5 pt PPR. QB 2RB 2WR RB/WR TE DST K 5BN)
1. Spiller
2. Graham
3. Reggie Bush
4. Reggie Wayne
5. Jordy Nelson
6. Romo
7. Daryl Richardson
8. Lance Moore
9. Chris Ivory
10. Vincent Brown
11. Broyles
12. Rueben Randle
13. Shonn Green
14. Atlanta DST
15. Shayne Graham
Really, really solid. Only slight quibble is that when I go down track two and take Graham in the second, I kind of prefer that route where you bypass QB in the 6th and wait until later to get one. Just because when you take a QB and TE earlier it hurts RB/WR depth. That said, I really like this team. You did a nice job adding names at WR late that I like a lot to offset the fact that you waited a bit to get your first WR.
Brett,
In a standard ten team snake format, I have Jamaal Charles as a keeper with the 9th pick in the draft. Keepers count as a first round pick in our league so my first pick would be the 12th. I originally had Peterson, but trade Peterson and my 59th pick for Charles and his 21st pick. My question is, would you suggest getting a top WR with 12th pick and look for a rb with the 21st, or go straight for two big rbs, and then go three straight wr. My picks line up as 9th (Charles), 12th, 21st, 29th, 32nd, 49th. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks Brett. Also, do you think the trade was beneficial or a hindrance.
I think it was a good trade. Peterson is obviously better than Charles, but the player you’ll get at 21 will be much better than the player you would have gotten at 59. And I think the gap between 21 and 59 is bigger than the gap between Peterson and Charles.
As for your 12th pick, if any of these RB are there, take them: Foster, Lynch, Rice, Martin, Spiller, McCoy. But I’m sure they’ll all be gone. If they are take one of Megatron, Dez or AJ. If they’re gone too, go Rodgers. If he’s gone, go MJD, Morris, Richardson or Ridley.
Thanks Brett. You are the man. I noticed you did not have Steven Jackson as a suggestion, would you pick him behind MJD and Ridley?
Yeah, I’d definitely prefer MJD and Ridley to Jackson. Atlanta’s offensive line is a mess, and I worry about Jackson’s mileage.
Brett,
In a 12 man PPR(snake) standard format with a flex player.. If I was to be the 10, 11 or 12 pic draft order (back of the line sort of speak) would it be ok to get get Dez and then on the snake draft Jimmy Graham. Knowing I would be sure to get Romo in the 5th-6th round and have a combo? Your Thoughts? Thanks
I really prefer five of my first six picks to be RB or WR. I’m fine with Dez late, but I’d want at least one more WR and at least two RB in the next few rounds. If you take a TE and QB early, depth takes a little hit. But if you do decide to go Graham in the 2nd and Romo in the 6th (don’t reach to the 5th), then make sure you take a couple safe WRs and RBs with those other first four picks. Avoid guys with injury issues (Murray, McFadden, Nelson, Gronk, Amendola) or guys with unclear situations (the rookie RBs, Wilson, Welker/Decker).
Thanks Brett for the advice..but do you like combo’s like dez bryant and Romo if they are available?. for example… Dez late pic 1st round..then jimmy Graham early on the snake(2nd round) then RB..WR..QB(being romo)?
Oh. I don’t worry about whether guys are on the same team or not. If I end up with a QB-WR combo from the same team, that’s fine by me. But I don’t try to end up with both. I just try to get the best value in each round.
One. Last. Time. Haha
– 5/12 snake mock draft
QB- Russell Wilson
WR- Demarius Thomas
WR- Dwayne Bowe
WR- Emmanuel Saunders
RB- CJ Spiller
RB- Chris Johnson
TE- Jordan Cameron
W/R- Montee Ball
K- Greg Zeurlein
D- Cowboys
Bench- Ahmad Bradshaw, Kenny Britt, Ben Tate, Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Thomas, Marcel Reece
?
I hate Montee Ball but other than that, nice job.
Brett, thanks for the decision tree. Only fantasy expert I trust. Had a question, I have the second pick in the draft and Peterson is obviously gone #1. I am very nervous about Foster (injury) Martin (second year slump) and was thinking about taking Charles with the 2 pick. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
It’s a tough spot because you could make a case against any of those guys. I’m scared of Foster’s injury so I’d pass on him. And I’m concerned about the other two for the same reason Below is an excerpt from a Bill Barnwell column showing why I’m hesitant on Martin and Charles:
“During that big season, Johnson had seven touchdown runs of 30 yards or more. Does that seem like a lot? It is. It’s the most any player has had in one season since Jim Brown had seven such touchdowns in 1958. There have been only 23 instances of a guy accruing even four 30-plus yard touchdowns since the merger, let alone seven. Somehow, last year, three guys managed to rack up four or more, as Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson each had four, while Doug Martin finished with five.
The following season, Johnson had just two 30-plus yard touchdowns, and he wasn’t alone in coming off of that high. Nary a single one of those 19 other players with four or more 30-yard touchdowns had more than two the following year, as the group averaged exactly one such score the subsequent year. Keep that in mind for Charles, Martin, and Peterson in 2013.”
So this makes me think about Spiller and Rice at #2. But both of those guys have backups who could take carries away. Rice is a little older; I’m not sure they’ll give Spiller as many carries as they say they will. Long story short, all those guys up there are about the same. So it’s really hard for me to give you a definitive answer. But I think I’m going Martin because he’s young and because his offensive line should be even better with everyone healthy again.
Would Charles be your third option?
No, I think I’d go Spiller 3, Rice 4, and McCoy 5.
What would change in a 14 team? Everything would be deeper… I’m guessing that the RB/WR that I would pick on the fourth or fifth round would be not that good… so should I go for an earlier pick on QB? and also, i was thinking about DEF, everywhere says that DEF should be almost the last pick… but in a 14 team changes something?
Just get one of Romo, Wilson or Stafford wherever they are going, which should be in the 5th round instead of the 6th. So just flip the 5th and 6th rounds in the chart. And I don’t think anything changes with defense with that many teams.
Hey Brett,
Thanks for doing this, it helped me a ton. The problem is that the other members of my league made some really strange choices early on, so I had to adjust my strategy a bit. Could you let me know what you think? I was pick 9 in a ten team league.
QB- Andrew Luck
RB- CJ Spiller
RB- Lesean McCoy
WR- Vincent Jackson
WR- Danny Amendola
TE- Jimmy Graham
FLEX- Chris Ivory
D- Ravens
K- Phil Dawson
Bench- Cecil Shorts, Vick Ballard, Mike Williams, Andre Brown, Chris Givens, Jonathan Stewart, Josh Gordon
Other than Luck I absolutely love this team. I mean, the construction of it is perfect. And the depth at RB and WR is very nice. I’d just prefer some of the guys going around Luck over him. But this is a great team.
Thanks! I feel pretty good about it too. I picked my QB in round 7, and it was between him and Russell Wilson, do you like Wilson better at that point then?
Absolutely. Wilson was a much more accurate passer last year, and I believe he’ll maintain his rushing production while I expect Luck’s to dip a bit.
I am in a 12 team keeper 1 point per reception league. Here are my options as keepers…
Tom brady
TY Hilton
Leshoure
Welker
Amendola
Matt Ryan
V. Jackson
Jamaal Charles
My issue is really I want to keep Brady. I feel like thats a bad option though. A lot of QBs have been kept as well as top RBs (Foster, Rice, Peterson). Everything is saying keep Charles but Im on the fence. Some help would be greatly appreciated.
If the player you keep is essentially your first round pick, you have no choice but to keep Charles.
Well I kept my Charles and did a mock with it and here is how I ended up…
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Jamaal Charles
RB: David Wilson
WR: Julio Jones
WR: Victor Cruz
TE: Owen Daniels
Flex: Darren Sproles
D/ST: Seahawks
K: Matt Bryant
BE: Eric Decker, Miles Austin, Mikel Leshoure, Bryce Brown, Fred Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Shonn Greene.
how did I do? (Keep in mind PPR league).
Love this team
I was draft pick 5. I pretty much stuck to your system but I jumped on Seahawks D early and Owen Daniels.
I really do like your system. I dont think its meant to stick to 100% though. It leaves amazing room to get a great pick later on. Only thing I regret is I chose Sproles over Reggie Bush. Was that the right call? I feel like Bush is going to catch a ton of balls for Detroit but I do know that with Sean Payton back, that will impact the saints as well.
It’s meant to be whatever works best for you. For some people it easier to stick to it completely if they’re inexperienced or unsure how to get thru a draft. For more experienced players, it’s a nice starting point, a guide. But they can choose their own route or deviate a bit.
I love Sproles and Bush, but I would have gone Sproles as well.
Used your advice. Tell me what you think. 12 team standard league, pick 7.
Arian Foster
MJD
Chris Johnson
Pierre Garcon
Jordy Nelson
Tony Romo
Stevie Johnson
Ryan Matthews
Kenny Britt
Giovanni Bernard
Jared Cook
Denarious Moore
Sam Bradford
STL
Dan Bailey
All in all, pretty good. Two things I’d change though. First, I wouldn’t take two QBs. I’d much rather take another upside RB/WR late instead of Bradford. You’re probably not going to play Bradford over Romo in any week when they’re both playing. You can find someone comparable to Bradford to fill in for Romo on the waiver wire when his bye week comes around. The other thing is that I think you took a few too many guys with injury concerns (Foster, Jordan, Mathews). Try to limit the number of those guys on the same team.
Dropped Bradford and scooped up Kembrell Thompkins off waivers.
Im picking 6 out of 12. Thoughts?
QBMatthew Stafford (Det)
RB1C.J. Spiller (Buf)
RB2Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac)
RB3Darren Sproles (NO)
RB4Ronnie Hillman (Den)
RB5Zac Stacy (StL)
RB6Joique Bell (Det)
WR1Julio Jones (Atl)
WR2Reggie Wayne (Ind)
WR3Cecil Shorts (Jac)
WR4Lance Moore (NO)
WR5Justin Blackmon (Jac)
TEOwen Daniels (Hou)
KSebastian Janikowski (Oak)
DSTBaltimore Ravens (Bal)
Pretty damn good. I see you went earlier on TE which I wouldn’t have done, but I’m OK with it if that’s what you like because the rest of the team looks great.
Hoping to get your take. Tried to adhere to your strategy but there were so many QBs going early that I got RB happy. Just one thing to keep in mind, our bench has to mirror our starters.
1. (8) Ray Rice RB
2. (13) Alfred Morris RB
3. (28) Maurice Jones-Drew RB
4. (33) Roddy White WR
5. (48) Danny Amendola WR
6. (53) Torrey Smith WR
7. (68) Russell Wilson QB
8. (73) Eddie Lacy RB
9. (88) Golden Tate WR
10. (93) Ben Roethlisberger QB
11. (108) Kyle Rudolph TE
12. (113) Matt Prater K
13. (128) Brandon Myers TE
14. (133) San Diego DEF
15. (148) Dallas DEF
16. (153) Dan Bailey K
I like what you did for the most part. You’re kind of limited with that mirroring rule. Most important thing is to make sure your QB2, both of your TE, both of your Ks, and both of your Ds are you last seven picks just like you did here. The other important thing is that you really can’t afford to take risks at RB and WR since you can’t build dpeth at those positions by taking a lot of guys that play them. So I would avoid guys like Amendola who have significant injury histories and guys like Lacy and Tate who don’t have well established roles.
Was hoping for some feedback on my draft. First time FF draft for me. QB’s went super quick in my 12 team
league, so Wilson Stafford and Romo were off the board. I went w/ Luck. Plus I screwed up w/ Rivers at my 2nd cause they have the same bye. I was the 8th pick. Thoughts?
1- Mccoy
2- D Bryant
3- Murray
4- Lamar Miller
5- Garcon
6- Luck
7-Boldin
8-Ivory
9- Blackmon
10- F Davis
11-Pittsburgh (defenses were flying off the board at this point)
12- Rivers
13- Pierre Thomas
14- Alshon Jeffery
15- Vinatieri
When positions like QB and defense going sooner than I expected, I really don’t adjust and follow what everyone else is doing. When that happens, it just creates more value at more important positions when guys at RB and WR fall a little further. I prefer to take advantage of that and grab better RB/WR and wait on QB and D. So after you missed out on Wilson/Romo/Stafford, I would have waited until round 9-11 or so and just taken a QB there and then a backup in rounds 12-13. And at defense, I still just would have waited until the next to last round and taken someone with a good week 1 matchup.
So do you think I have a chance at being productive w/ this lineup ?
Sure. I like your depth at RB. And I like some of the players you took at WR. A big part of the success of this team is how healthy DeMarco and Garcon stay.
Do you mind rating my team. I was number 2 in 12 team league.
QB: Peyton Manning
RB: Arian FOster
RB: Frank Gore
WR: DeSean Jackson
WR: Marques Colston
TE: Jimmy Graham
W/T: Anquan Boldin
Kicker:Garrett Hartley
Def: Rams
BN: Ben Tate, Chris Givens, Tavon Austin, Bryce Brown, Zac Sudfeld
I am thinking trading Brown for a decent RB or WR. And also Givens. Don’t need 2 Rams players on my team.
Surprisingly most of the QBs went in round 1. So I panicked in round 3 and got Manning. Gore fell in my lap in 3. But that made my WR depth weak. Any suggestions?
In all honesty, I’m not a huge fan here. I really don’t like you WR corps. I’m guessing it’s a little weaker than I would in your starting WR slots because you took Manning in a spot where I would have gone WR. And I don’t like your RB depth. You only have 4 RB and two of them are nothing more than backups who you may not be able to use unless their starters get hurt. I get why you took Tate, but I would’ve tried to get a back other than Brown who will have a more regular role week to week. When people do something expected like take a lot of QBs early, don’t panic and take one early as well. Just wait. Take a guy going in towards the back of the top 12 at the position and then take a backup late if you have to.
Also, since you got Graham, there is no need for Sudfeld. I would’ve gone RB where you took Sudfeld to build more depth.
Yikes!!! I have to try and get good trades. RBs still available are Mikel Leshoure, Vick Ballard, McGahee, Pierre Thomas. Any worth picking?
I like Thomas a little bit. but hard to count on him for much. Maybe go to the guy who drafted LeSean McCoy and try to give him Brown and Sudfeld for a better RB you can use. Then you could use the freed up roster slot to add Thomas.
Thank you Brett. Really Appreciate it!!
No problem Feel free to ask me questions anytime during the season. Best way to get a hold of me is Twitter. @TheRealTAL.
sorry I meant Gore in round 4 (not 3)
Had 5th pick in 12 man PPR. I did defer a little from the strategy but ended up with a decent team.
1.Ray Rice
2. Andre Johnson
3. Demaryius Thomas
4. Dwayne Bowe
5. Tony Gonzalez
6. Mike Vick
7.Eli Manning
8. A. Bradshaw
9. M. Bush
10. A. Gates
11. S. Rice
12. M Leshoure
13.A. Collie
14. Baltimore D
15. D. Akers
16. P. Rivers
My concern is RB
Yeah RB is a problem Becuase you veered off my strategy and took a TE early as well as two QBs (and both fairly early) you sacrificed RB. If you had taken RB in the 5th and 7th, this team would be much better. And there was alos no reason to take a second TE if you were going to take Gonzalez so early. I’m fine with Gates at 10, but not if you’ve already taken TE. Next time skip Gonzalez and just take Gates.
Hey Brett, how do you think I did?
QB: Andrew Luck
RB: Jamaal Charles
RB: Eddie Lacy
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Danny Amendola
Flex: Chris Ivory
TE: Owen Daniels
D/ST: Cowboys
K: Blair Walsh
Ahmad Bradshaw
Sidney Rice
Lance Moore
Josh Gordon
Jonathan Dwyer
Brian Hartline
Zac Stacy
Some good things here, but also some things I don’t like. First, I just really don’t like Luck, but that’s personal preference so whatever. But the problem I see is that I don’t think you’re deep enough at WR to have taken Amendola as your WR2. With his injury risk, I’d like to have a deeper receiving corps. You should’ve either a) not taken Amendola and gone with a safer WR2 or b) taken another WR where you took Daniels and then waited on TE. But like your RBs a lot.
Yeah, I feel Amendola is a risk, but I’m hoping with Welker gone from NE that he’s a good target for Brady. What is your thought on Bradshaw vs. Ivory as my flex?
I like both guys. You should just be playing the one who has the best matchup each week.
I had the 6th overall pick this is what my tean look like.
QB – Colin Kapernick (11)
RB-C.j Spiller (1)
RB- Chris johnson (3)
WR-Brandon marshall (2)
WR – Victor CRuz (4)
Flex – Amad bradahaw(5) / james jones(8)
TE- Brandon pittigrew (13)
Dst – patriots
K – Gostkowski
Bench mike williams /jacoby jones/ roni hillman/D moore/ I pead / F davis
I know my TE is kinda weak but do you Like it and what changes can I make to be more competitive thank you
I quite like this team. Don’t worry about your TEs. I think both of the guys you got have a lot of upside and one will probably work out. If not, you can find someone on the waiver wire. And I really like you RB/WR depth. Nice job.
Hi Brett. How does this look to you. Drafted yesterday 12 team PPR
Tony Romo – QB (6)
LeSean McCoy – RB1 (1)
Darren Sproles – RB2 (3)
Calvin Johnson – WR1 (2)
Tavon Austin – WR2 (5)
Jordan Cameron – TE (10)
Lamar Miller – FLEX (4)
Randy Bullock – K (15)
Tampa Bay – D (14)
Bench
Cecil Shorts – (7)
Ahmad Bradshaw (8)
Mike Williams (9)
Danny Woodhead (11)
Bryce Brown (12)
Rueben Randle (13)
I had the 11th Pick
With the exception of Tavon Austin, this looks exactly like a team I would draft. Literally every other player on your roster are guys I end up with a lot. Love this team.
I had the 7th pick in a standard 12 team snake draft. Here is what I did:
7. Richardson RB
18. Marshall WR
31. White WR
42. Ivory RB
55. Kaepernick QB (he fell and could not pass up)
66. Deangelo Williams RB
79. Shorts WR
90. Andre Brown RB
103. Hillman RB
114. Cameron TE
127. Tate RB
138. Jeffrey WR
151. Hartline WR
162. Blackmon WR
175. Browns D
186. Haush K
What do you think? I made a mistake and forgot about Michael Bush and should have taken him 127 over Tate.
I mean you may be just a hair thin at RB since you went WR in 2 and 3, but other than that, I really like this team. And I’m guessing the RB options when you took Marshall and White weren;’t great so I can see why you may have passed on RB there. I like this team quite a bit.
Brett – thanks for the strategy. This is my first 12 team PPR league and I selected 2nd. I don’t feel great about my team but would like your opinion. Here is who I got in order of the rounds:
Doug Martin
Demaryius Thomas
DeMarco Murray
Reggie Wayne
Jordy Nelson
Ahmad Bradshaw
Mike Wallace
Eli Manning
Greg Jennings
Kyle Rudolph
Danny Woodhead
Alshon Jeffery
Shonn Greene
Joseph Randle
Josh Freeman
Minnesota
Robbie Gould
If your league has two RB slots, three WR slots and no flex, I really like this team. But if your league has a 2 RB, 2 WR and a flex I like it a little less because then I think you’re too thin at RB.
Tried your formula for the first time. I ended up with cam newton, cj spiller, David Wilson, Chris ivory, Ahmad Bradshaw, johnathon randle, Brandon Marshall, jordy Nelson, Hakeem nicks, kenbrell Tompkins, deangelo Hopkins, Santana moss, Greg Olsen, Fred Davis , Baltimore def and David akers
Like that team a lot.
Used your 12 team formula and wanted to get your thoughts. I caveat though, There are some inexperienced players in this draft so I had to deviate at certain points. You will figure out where as I have listed in order picked. Couldn’t pass up certain players that were still there. I had pick 11 of 12.
Richardson
McCoy
Fitzgerald
Wayne
RG3
Lamar Miller
Bouldin
Lance Moore
Ingram
Brandon Myers
Bryce Brown
Jaq Rodgers
Moss
Jacoby Jones
Ravens D
Zuerlein
I think this team looks pretty damn good as well.
I like your draft strategy here. One question: I’m doing a 2 QB 12 team league where TD passes are worth 6 points. I’m likely holding on to Colin Kaepernick and RGIII from last year at a value, as well as MJD. I can choose which draft slot I want from numbers 2-12. Where would you pick, and would you take a third stud QB like Rodgers if he’s available, knowing that you can trade RGIII or CK for something down the line.
Because I don’t know who all is being kept, I’d say the earlier the draft pick the better. And I wouldn’t take Rodgers unless you just know you can get a massive haul for a QB later. Just a big risk to make your lineup so dependent on being able to make a trade later.
Wow thanks for the quick response, very helpful! I’m thinking, then, that I can guarantee myself Rice or Peterson at 2 (I suspect Martin will be kept. All 1st-3rd round picks aren’t eligible to be kept from last year) to go along with MJD, then maybe grab Graham and a top 3 receiver in the 2nd and 3rd.
Thanks!
My draft is tonight. The dilemma I face is where do I want to pick in the draft. I have third choice…where should I go? It is a 12 team standard snake draft. I know RBs will go fast. What do you suggest?
You gotta go RB. Take whoever you like most and whoever is left out of Peterson, Martin, Spiller, Rice.
I have 11th pick and all the mocks I’ve done all the top tier Rb’s are gone leaving Megatron as the top pick. Would you go with him and Dez or take the top Rb left. I think Dez is gonna tear it uppthis year and hate to let him slide.
I would make sure I got a RB with one of my first two picks. And my top tier of RBs has 12 guys in it. If you like Mega, you can probably go him in the first and get someone like Ridley or MJD in the 2nd.
Brett,
I followed your flow chart all the way through and ended up with the team below. What do you think? We do have a flex but it is only wr/te. I put the picks in draft order. Thanks
Jamaal Charles
Arian Foster
Demaryius Thomas
Larry Fitzgerald
Danny Amendola
Desean Jackson
Darren McFadden
Giovani Bernard
Michael Vick
David Wilson
Chris Givens
Ben Tate
Greg Little
Kyle Rudolph
Indianapolis Colts (week by week)
LOL a pretty amazing team. No idea how you got Foster, McFadden, and Wilson as late as you did.
– Just finished my real ppr league draft
– Pick 12/12 snake
QB- Matthew stafford
WR- Aj Green
WR- Dwayne Bowe
WR- Stevie Johnson
RB- Steven Jackson
RB- David Wilson
TE- Greg Olsen
W/R- Ahmad Bradshaw
K- Janikowski
D- Pittsburgh
BN- Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas, Malcolm Floyd, DeAndre Hopkins, Aaron Dobson
Yahoo projected my team after the draft to go 2-10-1 which really threw me off bc I felt like I had a good draft…
Thoughts?
Ignore those projections. They mean absolutely nothing. Primarily because they don’t account for depth. And you have depth. Only criticisms are that I might have gone Bilal Powell over Pierre Thomas since you have Ivory, and I don’t love your late round WR fliers. Woulda preferred guys like Reuben Randle, Mohammed Sanu, Stephen Hill and Kenny Stills.
Ok thanks. Some of those guys are on waivers so ill work on picking them up.
Hi Brett
How do you feel about this team? 10 team league, QB/3WR/2RB/TE/K/DST
Russell Wilson
Larry Fitzgerald
Andre Johnson
Torrey Smith
CJ Spiller
Trent Richardson
Martellus Bennett
(no kicker drafted)
Baltimore D (last round)
Bench:
Steve Smith
Chris Ivory
Cecil Shorts
Daryl Richardson
Vincent Brown
Jared Cook (insurance against M. Bennett flop)
Shane Vereen
Love it.
I guess my friends hired fourth graders to draft for them.
Here is my draft results from last night. Let me know what you think. (had the first pick)
1. AP
2. Gore
3. Reggie Bush
4. Cobb
5. Law firm
6. Antonio Brown
7. Ryan
8. Bell
9. Mike Williams
10. Thompkins
11. Cameron
12. Jeffrey
13. Pead
14. Blackmon
15. Rams
16. Hartley
I like everything you did here except for round 4-6. I’m just not high on Cobb or Brown at all, and I don’t love the law firm. Cobb and Brown are small receivers who may not have much touchdown success. And the law firm just isn’t a very good player. Would have rather you gone with safer, bigger receivers.
What do you think of this draft – 5th pick in a 12 man PPR league:
1. Spiller
2. D. Thomas
3. MJD
4. Sproles
5. Steve Smith
6. T. Romo
7. G. Jennings
8. DeAngelo Williams
9. K. Britt
10. Jared Cook
11. Emmanuel Sanders
12. Danny Woodhead
13. Denarius Moore
14. C. Palmer
15. Packers
16. G. Zuerlien
Love that team.
Brett, what is your take on individual defensive players? I am in a 12man league consisting of 3 defensive players( 1 of which being a lineman). Should I target these guys late in the draft with my regular defense?
I don’t play IDP at all. Any advice I gave on that wouldn’t be worth anything.
Brett, thank you so much for the flowchart, it should definately make life easier come draft time.
Given a league with the standard scoring 12 team league with snake draft and a QB, WR, WR, RB, RB, TE, WR/RB, k, DEF setup BUT with ONLY FOUR bench slots, would you change anything up in the strategy due to the lack of bench slots?
I’m pretty wary of taking guys who need to reach upside to justify their draft pick as well as guys with serious injury concerns. That’s even more so the case with short benches.
Brett, thanks again for everything. I had pick 6/12 and this is what I ended with. The number in () is where I had my ranking per position. Now, I feel like this isn’t too bad. Yahoo gave my draft a grade of C… Thoughts on my draft and yahoo? Also I have a 10 team coming up in a few days. How do your 3 tracks change? example, track 1 is 1-3, 2 is 4-7, and 3 is 8-10? Thanks!
STARTERS:
QB: ROMO (12)
RB: CHARLES (2)
RB: WILSON (12)
WR: COBB (7)
WR: JACKSON (12)
FLEX: MILLER (20)
TE: COOK (7)
DEF: RAMS (8)
K: DAWSON (4)
BENCH:
GOLDEN TATE, MICHAEL FLOYD, RUEBEN RANDLE (WRS)
IVORY, WOODHEAD, POWELL (RBS)
I like that team quite a bit. Only quibble is that I don’t love Cobb.
As for your ten teamer, see this article for a 10- team chart: https://thefantasyfix.com/2013/08/2013-fantasy-football-flow-charts-for-10-team-yahoo-2-qb-ppr/
Like the strategy, here’s what it got me….had pick 1/12
1. Adrian Peterson RB
2.Frank Gore RB
3. Larry Fitzgerald WR
4. Dwayne Bowe WR
5. David Wilson RB
6. Tony Romo QB
7. Mike Williams WR
8. Mark Ingram RB
9.Alshon Jeffry WR
10. Brandon Myers TE
11.Bryce Brown RB
12. Shonn Greene RB
13. Emmanuel Sanders WR
14. Reuben Randle WR
15. Tampa Bay(just because they play the Jets week 1)
16. David Akers
QB RB RB WR WR WR TE FLEX K DEF standard scoring
feel free to weigh in
Love this team. Literally looks almost exactly like a team I might have drafted. Only thing I don’t think I would have done would be taking Alshon in the 9th. But that’s a minor nitpick.
Can you help me finish out the draft strong? I’m in the middle of 12 team draft, standard scoring; QB, 2RB, 2WR, Flex, TE, Def, K
1Foster
2MJD
3Fitz
4Amandola
5D. Richardson
6Stafford
7Tate
WR’s in 8th and 9th? If so can you types to balance any risks of current team? I think T Austin and M Floyd should be around those picks.
thanks!
Actually, let me take this back. If I get your choices it will be YOUR draft. I’ve got ideas from your earlier posts. Thanks for the strategy!
Followed your flow chart to a T for a 10 team, .25 pt ppr league. Everything worked out pretty amazingly, as guys were reaching for qb’s and te fairly early which left crazy depth at rb and wr. Does a better team exist???
Stafford
Jamaal Charles
Ray Rice
MJD
Demaryius Thomas
Danny Amendola
Hakeem Nicks
Brandon Myers
Ravens
Justin Tucker
Vereen
Bradshaw
Bernard Pierce
Josh Gordon
Golden Tate
Ryan Broyles
Wow. Hard to better than that. Charles, Rice and MJD? Holy crap.
Thanks for your help! What do you think? 12 team league. Yahoo .5 ppr scoring
QB RB RB WR WR TE FLEX D K
Had #3 pick
1. (3) Doug Martin (TB – RB)
2. (22) Brandon Marshall (Chi – WR)
3. (27) Jimmy Graham (NO – TE)
4. (46) David Wilson (NYG – RB)
5. (51) Antonio Brown (Pit – WR)
6. (70) Russell Wilson (Sea – QB)
7. (75) Shane Vereen (NE – RB)
8. (94) Josh Gordon (Cle – WR)
9. (99) Andre Brown (NYG – RB)
10. (118) Kenbrell Thompkins (NE – WR)
11. (123) Isaiah Pead (StL – RB)
12. (142) DeAndre Hopkins (Hou – WR)
13. (147) St. Louis (StL – DEF)
14. (166) David Akers (Det – K)
The more I think about it the more I think I want to wait even longer than the 6th to go QB if I take Graham up top. I like everything you did (with the exception of Antonio Brown, might have gone different WR there), but when I look at this team after the fact I just feel like the RB/WR depth is weak. But it’s a good team. I’d just be a little nervous about depth.
Followed your strategy on a 12 team – PPR league and would love to know your thoughts. I had the 7th pick.
1. (7) Jamaal Charles (KC – RB)
2. (18) Dez Bryant (Dal – WR)
3. (31) Chris Johnson (Ten – RB)
4. (42) Lamar Miller (Mia – RB)
5. (55) Marques Colston (NO – WR)
6. (66) Matthew Stafford (Det – QB)
7. (79) Shane Vereen (NE – RB)
8. (90) Greg Jennings (Min – WR)
9. (103) Brandon Myers (NYG – TE)
10. (114) Denver (Den – DEF)
11. (127) Jared Cook (StL – TE)
12. (138) Denarius Moore (Oak – WR)
13. (151) James Laurinaitis (StL – LB)
14. (162) Sebastian Janikowski (Oak – K)
15. (175) Josh Freeman (TB – QB)
16. (186) Isaiah Pead (StL – RB)
Through pick nine I’m fine with everything you did. But don’t love what you did late. Don’t like taking two TEs, don’t like taking two QBs since you got a good one in Stafford. That hurts the all important RB/WR depth. And really don’t like taking a kicker and defense before the last two rounds.
I love this strategy and the players you recommend seem very solid. I just got done drafting- what do you think of my team? I had the 8th pick. Keep in mind that this league was 10 team, not 12.
QB Russel Wilson
Sam Bradford
RB Ray Rice
Trent Richardson
DeMarco Murray
Eddie Lacy
WR Andre Johnson
Randall Cobb
Eric Decker
T.Y. Hilton
Stevie Johnson
TE Kyle Rudolph
Jermaine Gresham
K David Akers
DEF Green Bay
I like it, but just think you’re a hair thin at RB. I probably would have passed on taking Bradford to get another RB.
I stumbled upon this website in my hunt for draft information this season and I’m happy that I did! Really enjoy and appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into posting your analysis. When I saw the draft flow chart I was hooked and decided to give it a go this year. (12 team PPR league QB, 2WR, 2RB, 1TE, 1WRT, K, Def)
So I pulled the 4th pick – here is how it laid out
4) Ray Rice
21) Brandon Marshall
28) Darren Sproles
45) James Jones
52) Darren McFadden
69) Mike Wallace
76) Shane Vereen
93) Tony Romo
100) Chris Givens
117) Brandon Myers
124) Jonathan Stewart
141) DeAndre Hopkins
148) N.Y. Jets DST
165) Randy Bullock
Have to be honest with you in that I fought the natural instinct to jump at position players when other teams started a draft trend – like when QBs started going in the late 4th into 5th round… but I held true and I think the team is better for it. I’m interested in any critiques you may have, and thanks in advance!
I think this is a fantastic team. I mean, just look at the depth you have at RB/WR (especially at RB). Can only do that by waiting on QB and TE. And you still have a guy at QB who is a top ten guy every year he’s healthy. I’m glad you resisted the urge to follow the trend because this is a great team.
Hows This:
1. lesean Mcoy
2.dez bryant
3.reggie bush
4.david wilso
5.colin kaepernick
6. ty hilton
7.desesan jackson
8. greg olson
9.michael vick
10.kendall wright
11.jacquizz rodgers
12.bryce brown
13.baltimore Defense
14.fred davis
15.robbie gould
Drafting in the 8th spot in a 12 team league…
I think it was a mistake to take two QBs and two TEs. Your #1 QB and TE are solid guys, and I don’t see any reason to carry a backup for them that will likely never play unless your first option is on bye. And whenever the bye week comes along for your starter, I promise you’ll be able to find a fill in on the waiver wire. Instead, you could have built some additional depth at RB and WR by taking an extra player at each position. Also, I think you have to do better than T.Y. Hilton at WR2. He’s to boom or bust because of the big plays, and there will be a lot of weeks where he kills you.
Thank you for the reply. I agree. looking into a trade to get another top WR.
Brett – Came across your strategy and tried to implement as best I could. Looking for some constructive criticism. 12 team league, pick 3. PPR
1. Doug Martin (3)
2. Demaryius Thomas (22)
3. Chris Johnson (27)
4. Hakeem Nicks (46)
5. Antonio Brown (51)
6. Russell Wilson (70)
7. Shane Vereen (75)
8. Daryl Richardson (94)
9. Kenbrell Thompkins (99)
10. Emmanuel Sanders (118)
11. Zach Sudfeld (123)
12. Ryan Broyles (142)
13. Josh Gordon (147)
14. Vick Ballard (166)
15. Ryan Williams (171)
16. CLE (190)
17. Garrett Hartley (195)
Great job. The construction of the roster is excellent. And the only name I’d quibble with is Johnson. But you got him in the 3rd so I’m OK with it. Nice job.
Hi Brett,
I had 6th pick in a 12 man PPR with (QB, WR, WR, RB, RB, FLEX, TE, DEF, K). My original drafts were
1. (6) Jamaal Charles(KC – RB)
2. (19) Julio Jones(Atl – WR)
3. (30) Roddy White(Atl – WR)
4. (43) Ahmad Bradshaw(Ind – RB)
5. (54) Eric Decker(Den – WR)
6. (67) Matthew Stafford(Det – QB)
7. (78) Montee Ball(Den – RB)
8. (91) Miles Austin(Dal – WR)
9. (102) Shonn Greene(Ten – RB)
10. (115) Jared Cook(StL – TE)
11. (126) Pierre Thomas(NO – RB)
12. (139) Mohamed Sanu(Cin – WR)
13. (150) Mikel Leshoure(Det – RB)
14. (163) Jason Hanson(Det – K)
15. (174) Dallas(Dal – DEF
I did some work on my team and now have:
1. (6) Jamaal Charles(KC – RB)
2. (19) Julio Jones(Atl – WR)
3. (30) CJ Spiller (RB)
4. (43) Ahmad Bradshaw(Ind – RB)
5. (54) Eric Decker(Den – WR)
6. (67) Matthew Stafford(Det – QB)
7. (78) Montee Ball(Den – RB)
8. (91) Miles Austin(Dal – WR)
9. (102) Shonn Greene(Ten – RB)
10. (115) Jared Cook(StL – TE)
11. (126) Pierre Thomas(NO – RB)
12. (139) Mohamed Sanu(Cin – WR)
13. (150) Christine Michael (Det – RB)
14. (163) Josh Brown (K)
15. (174) Minnesota (DEF)
I’m pretty happy with my team, especially as I managed to trade White for Spiller flat out and make some changes to my later round picks (which I stopped caring about and made some poor decisions initially). My concern now is that I am a bit weak at WR and since I am in a PPR league I was thinking of trying to deal either Ball or Bradshaw for a WR. Thoughts?
I really love this team. Nice job. But yeah, I would be fine trading a RB for a WR. I’d prefer to trade Ball out of him and Bradshaw.
Thoughts about my team…
9th pick in a 12 man .5 ppr league.
E Manning QB
T Richardson RB
D Murray RB
L Miller RB
D Richardson RB
B Powell RB
D Woodward RB
D Bryant WR
E Decker WR
V Brown WR
J Nelson WR
C Patterson WR
J Cook TE
RAVENS D
S Janikowski K
I worry a little about your RBs, but I think your deep enough that you should be OK. Nice team.
Your thoughts on pick 11, standard draft, 12 man, 14 rounds: Am I reading this correctly that I should go RB then WR or QB and/or WR then RB or QB? I’ve always heard RB, then RB when picking late like #11.
Just want to make sure I’m reading this correctly. also Is taking Graham at 14 too early? other wise up until I read your article I was going to take RB, TE, RB, RB, WR, QB, WR…
Thanks for any insight.
Taking a QB in the 2nd round is kind of a last resort. You should be able to go RB-WR or WR-RB to start. You should be taking one of these RBs (I know some of them may not be available at your pick): Rice, Richardson, McCoy. But if they aren’t there at pick 11, take Calvin Johnson or Dez. If you get a RB in round 1. Take Calvin, Dez, Green or Marshall in round 2. If you have to take Calvin or Dez in Round 1, take Stevan Ridley or MJD in round 2. If Ridley and MJD aren’t there in Round 2, then you take QB. Or if you really like Graham, you can take him there if the RB WR I recommended aren’t there.
Thank you very much.
Brett, Well I started following you recommendations (thank you) but not sure if I did alright or not. My league is Standard 12 team, 1 QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1 FLEX (RB,WR or TE), 1 Kicker, 1 DST;
Here is my team: Let me know your thoughts… I did start my draft RB, WR, RB, TE Gronk was sitting there so I took him. I waited on QB’s obviously.
Eli Manning
Michael Vick
Alfred Morris
Lamar Miller
Ryan Matthews
Knowshon Moreno
Ben Tate
Dez Bryant
Mike Williams
Josh Gordon
Rob Gronk
Fred Davis
Randy Bullock
Buccaneers DST – I usually do the waiver wire each week for DST
Ok guys,
I could some excellent input on this one:
I was just blessed with the number #1 pick in my 12 team standard league. I will likely take AP with this spot because I know he will garner the most trade value. I mention trade because I would prefer to have two solid players then one in which I base my season on. I want to ask in a snake draft with 12 teams what picks would be fair to get for that #1 pick?
I would love to have the position to get in return perhaps a late or mid first rounder and a 2nd or 3rd rounder. What do you guys think? Realistic? Examples?
Thanks a bunch.
That seems like too much to ask. I think a mid-2nd rounder plus a 4th rounder for you #1 and a 10th rounder seems about right. That would be something like AP/Emmanuel Sanders for Ridley/Cruz.
Brett, love the page, thanks so much for your help. I’m drafting with the 12th in a 12-team league with standard scoring (with 2 Flex) and have been having a really hard time. Originally I was going RB/RB (usually Forte/Jackson), but tried with your strategy in a mock. I’m fairly happy with the results – obvious weakness is at RB2 and my flex RB; I’m wondering if you have any recommendations if I get to Round 3 and have limited RB options left on the board – I went with Murray, but obviously feel a little queasy about it if that’s what ends up happening in the actual draft. Know you hate Montee Ball but he dropped to me and seemed like the best option (although Bernard, Richardson were both still available farther down the board). Thanks for the help!
QB – Stafford (6)
RB – McCoy (1)
RB – Murray (3)
WR – Green (2)
WR – Andre Johnson (4)
TE – Finley (11)
Flex – Ball (5)
Flex – Mendenhall (7)
Bench – Boldin (8), Sanders (9), Bryce Brown (10), Hillman (12), Kenbrell Thompkins (13), Blackmon (14), Cowboys DST (15), Dan Bailey (16)
I like what you did here, Andrew. I hear your concerns on RB, but I think Ball/Mendenhall were good picks to build depth. And I like Brown later, too. I’m coming around on Ball. That situation has been so fluid that I basically have a different opinion on Ball every day.
Appreciate the thoughts – what do you think of Forte/Jackson – I’ve run a couple more mocks and seem to end up with them repeatedly. Would you go with them or just drop one and go with Green, and pick up Murray/Bush in the second round? Whenever one of the “bigger” RBs drop to me I go with them, but I’m not feeling so confident that my relatively capable league is going to let that happen…
Thanks again, and happy holiday!
Not a fan of Forte or Jackson. But would be fine waiting on Bush. Like him a lot.
Hey Brett! Cheers from Germany, your thoughts are very much appreciated here! So, it is only my second year in Fantasy Football and I’m just getting the idea of what I’m doing in a league full of well skilled young men. I would love to hear if you like my team! I was pick 7 in a 8-team-league.
QB- Colin Kaepernick
WR- Calvin Johnson
WR- Brandon Marshall
RB- LeSean McCoy
RB- Steven Jackson
TE- Jared Cook
W/R- Lamar Miller
K- Greg Zuerlein
D- Ravens
BN- Daryl Richardson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Danny Woodhead, Dwayne Bowe, Steve Johnson, Cecil Shorts
I strictly followed your recommendation and took Kaepernick in the 6th round, kicker and defense last.
What do you think? Thanks for your thoughts!
I think you did a great job. I don’t like Steven Jackson, but you’re plenty deep at RB so it’s OK. I think you’ll do well.
Thank you very much!
Hey Brett,
Mahalo from Maui. Awesome strategy. I followed it to a tee in my 10 man standard public yahoo league. Despite having the 10th pick in the draft, this ended up being my team. Let me know what you think.
Russell Wilson Sea – QB
Randall Cobb GB – WR
Dwayne Bowe KC – WR
Stevie Johnson Buf – WR
LeSean McCoy Phi – RB
Ray Rice Bal – RB
Antonio Gates SD – TE
Darren Sproles NO – RB
Daryl Richardson StL – RB
Mike Williams TB – WR
Lance Moore NO – WR
Bernard Pierce Bal – RB
Malcom Floyd SD – WR
Dan Bailey Dal – K
Baltimore Bal – DEF
Love that team. Great job.
Okay, so again, i followed the chart pretty much to a T. Here’s what I ended up with:
QB – Stafford
RB1 – David Wilson
RB2 – Frank Gore
WR1- Calvin Johnson
WR2 – Reggie Wayne
TE- Jimmy Graham
FLEX – Giovanni Bernard
K – Prater
DST – New England
BN – TY Hilton (I know you don’t like him, but hey…)
BN – Josh Gordon
BN – Joique Bell
BN – BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BN – Justin Blackmon
BN – Roy Helu
BTW, this is a 10 team, 1pt PPR
Like it.
And in my 12 team, .5 PPR, here’s what I got:
Okay, so again, i followed the chart pretty much to a T. Here’s what I ended up with:
QB – Stafford
RB1 – Ray Rice
RB2 – Darren Sproles (yuck)
WR1- Julio Jones
WR2 – Andre Johnson
TE- Jordon Cameron
FLEX – Daryl Richardson
K – Bailey
DST – Cincinnati
BN – Giovanni Bernard
BN – Josh Gordon
BN – James Jones
BN – Danny Woodhead
BN – Cordarelle Patterson
BN – Roy Helu
This team is good as well. No yuck on Sproles as RB2. He’s a solid top 20 RB in .5 PPR.
Thanks. You’ve made me feel better. Neither of these teams looks much like what I’ve been getting in my mocks, so it’s always a bit of a question of “Jeez, how did I do?”
So, thanks!
Just held our draft last night. Looking for your thoughts. This is a standard scoring league where your bench must mirror your starting lineup (1-QB, 2-WR, 2-RB, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-Def) I had Pick 4 in a 12 man league.
QB – Russell Wilson
QB – Phillip Rivers
RB – Ray Rice
RB – Frank Gore
RB – Darren Sproles
RB – Ben Tate
WR – Vincent Jackson
WR – Mike Wallace
WR – Tavon Austin
WR – Cecil Shorts
TE – Brandon Meyers
TE – Fred Davis
K – Greg Zuerlein
K – Robbie Gould
D/ST – Ravens
D/ST – Saints
I hate that your bench has to mirror your starters, but considergin that I think you did OK. I don’t love Tavon Austin but other than that I like the guys you got.
Hey Brett,
Are there any updates to this flow chart for the 2014 season? Obviously specific player suggestions change, but do you still suggest this for this year?
I would like to know this as well. This was, by far, my favorite resource for my draft last year!