So, you are getting ready to do your Draft. The biggest Draft weekend is coming up – August 24th-26th. There have been 2 full pre-season games for all the teams. Now, it is time to put all this research into effect. I want to stress again, you should make your own list. Do your own research, so you feel confident making picks on Draft Day. I’ll reveal my Top 150 as of this post. Which is good to have and use it as you’d like. How do you use it?
Steps to Use the Top 150 Lists
Before you Draft:
- Scoring System Adjustment: Be sure to check your scoring system against the list. Again, if you start 2 QBs, then QBs need to go earlier and you will draft more than 1. Does your league start a Flex position, if so, then you may need more players than 150. The lists are based on the most common Standard and PPR scoring formats.
- Only Position Players: The Top 150 does not have any Defenses or Kickers. Why? Those are your last 2 picks of your draft. You can use any expert list – online, magazine or your own. The Top 150 are guys you should draft or could draft. I’ve color coded each position so you can see them easily.
- Tiers: I’ve put each position in Tiers for the most part – putting a group of like players in a section on the list. The idea is to try and get someone from that tier before moving on to the next tier of that position. An example RB7-RB10 Alvin Kamara to Dalvin Cook, be sure to exhaust this Tier before moving on to the next RB11-RB14 group. Players in each tier are very close, and you should choose them based on your preferences.
- Mock Draft: Before your Draft Day, take the lists here or your own lists and do at least 3 Mock Drafts. Here is a link to ESPN’s Mock Draft site. http://games.espn.com/ffl/mockdraftlobby Pick a Mock closest to your League – 12 Team, PPR, Snake Style, if that is what you do, so the teams will be similar to your projected league. Get comfortable with how people may draft. It is ideal to use your site’s Mock Draft page because the default will be that site’s ADP (Average Draft Position). Chances are your league mates will use that same ADP list.
Draft Day:
- Tracking: As players are selected simply cross out the name on the list. That way you can see which players are available for you and if the owners in your league are reaching for a player
- Tally By Position: On the side of the list, I’ve put boxes for each position. You should just tally how many players are taken at a given position so you know. 1) If your player is being drafted in the projected slot and 2) If you are waiting on a QB, then you can tell how many teams have taken their QB already to maintain this strategy. 3) You will want to be smart about having enough players at a position that is being selected a lot, like RB. RBs will go quickly, and you should know who you like at RB and if you need to jump up to get them based on how the Draft is flowing.
- List Your Players: You should also list your players who you’ve selected to follow your Draft Plan. If you follow my suggestion of 3 RBs and 3 WRs in your first 6 before moving to QB and TE, then you will need to track this on your own team. Online drafts will do this for you, but it is still good to double check prior to each pick.
- Focus on Your Research: Sure you can discuss decisions with other owners, but it is YOUR TEAM. You need to live with the pick, so why let other’s influence you. Plus, other owners may try to game you.
- Be Flexible: As you follow the Draft, you may decide to go with a different strategy than originally thought. That’s ok. You have to be flexible and capitalize on others’ mistakes.
- Have Fun!!: Talk a little trash or support other solid picks made during the Draft. Drink a beer and tell some jokes. The Draft is fun, always remember that.
Standard 150 List
PPR 150 List
Now, you will notice that some players like Josh Gordon are much lower than some rankers have. I just don’t trust the dude. He has huge upside, but mega downside. So, I’ve listed him where I would be comfortable taking him, even if that means I miss out on him. Other guys I may be high on, but you have to see how the Draft goes. If one of your highly ranked guys is not being selected, then be patient, maybe you can get the guy even later than your rankings and select a “safer” player and your favorite guy on a later pick. That is the Art of the Draft.
Good luck this week! I’ll update these lists the next 2 weeks before the season starts in case of injuries or other news.
Wegs