2016 DraftBook Team Analysis

On June 9, Fantasy Sports Publications, Inc. held the annual DraftBook magazine league draft: A points-per-reception contest with three receivers and a flex position in the starting lineup. Twelve of the best fantasy football experts participated, and six were asked to reflect on their strategy after drafting their teams.

In an attempt to take the subjectivity out of the analysis, I researched the season-long projections on three major sites—ESPN.com, FantasyPros.com and CBSSportsline.com—and computed the average points scored by players at the end of the season.

Afterwards, I calculated the total points of the projected starting lineups of all six experts, and the results are tabulated in charts for readers to examine and analyze. Enjoy, my fellow diehards.

“Since it’s a PPR league with three starting receivers plus a flex, my plan was to go WR-heavy to start. I took four receivers in the first six rounds, while nabbing Lamar Miller in the second and Matt Forte in the fourth. The seventh and ninth rounds are where I start to look for a tight end (Delanie Walker, 7th) and a quarterback (Andrew Luck, 8th). Then it was just a matter of filling out the roster with capable backups (e.g. Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Steve Smith), though I’m particularly interested to see how my twelfth-round pick (Chris Hogan) does in New England.”  -- John Paulsen, 4for4.com, @4for4_John

“In PPR leagues, I’m going to take two top-level wideouts in the first three rounds, collect good bargains at running back, and wait on all other positions unless there’s a ridiculous value pick. I’ll start out by saying Pick 4 is the worst slot in 2016 snake drafts. The big three wideouts left the board, and I had to settle for Le’Veon Bell, the only RB I consider safe for early-first-round consumption in this format. But landing Amari Cooper and Jarvis Landry made up for that, and reinvigorated my plan. For RB depth, I went for potential high-reception guys, not necessarily overpaying in the late rounds. Blake Bortles at 93 overall? Awesome! Latavius Murray (45) and Dorial Green-Beckham (69)? I want a do-over. Still, this team should compete and could go the distance with precise waiver-wire work.”  -- Tim Heaney, Senior Fantasy Writer, USA Today 

“Nine out of ten times, I use the same approach in drafting a fantasy football team. The Draft Book strategy was no different. Heavy early on wide receivers, snag a couple running backs, and wait on a tight end and quarterback. Although, I felt the price was right for Aaron Rodgers, who can provide the highest of ceilings. 

Based on a point-per-reception format, my strategy was about piecing together the team like a puzzle, with balance, at every position. The first two, sometimes three rounds, I will draft wide receivers with safe floors and high ceilings. This draft was no different in rounds 1 to 3: Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Maclin all fit the bill in both of those departments. All three can secure over 80 receptions, 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.

Now that my foundation is built with a wideout corps, I need running backs, who are always involved in the passing game. I’ve waited three rounds so I need to temper my expectations with what my backfield will look like; Dion Lewis and Gio Bernard are exactly what I wanted.

Balance, balance, balance and more balance is the name of the game. I was also able to steal Frank Gore and rookie Sterling Shepard late. Both of those players have a good size role on their team with a ton of volume. I always want a competitor who is consistently a part of the offensive coordinator’s game plan.” -- Justin Lonero, Fantasy Goodfellas