A Simple Way to Have a Huge Competitive Advantage on Draft Night

This article was a lot of fun to put together. I was inspired when I tried out a different mock draft platform (NFL app) than I usually use (either Yahoo, ESPN, or Sleeper). I was in the fifth round, looking for a difference-making receiver, when I saw a name that made my jaw drop; Michael Pittman. He is all the way up at 58 on ESPN's draft tool. FIFTY EIGHT! That is a full 58 spots higher than experts have him ranked, which is all the way down at the ADP of 116. So I went ahead and analyzed four separate sites, including FantasyPros' Expert Consensus Ranking (ECR) to come up with a list of incredible values and avoids for each platform you are drafting on. If you are looking for additional platforms to analyze, please let me know and I can put a list together.

I have created a spreadsheet for you to easily sort by the best values on each platform. My full spreadsheet will be made free for anyone who is interested; please just let me know either here, on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, or email (delponte09@icloud.com), and I will send it your way. Regardless, here are my tips for heading into your drafts.

• Mock on multiple sites to get a feel for values on each platform.

When you are drafting on ESPN, for example, Darren Waller and George Kittle are back-to-back, all the way back at 36 and 37. If you are a late-round pick in the first, going with either of these two in the end of the third is like stealing. Take advantage of discrepancies like this. On the flipside, they are all the way up at 20 and 21 on the NFL app. At that price, I will never be drafting those two on the NFL platform.

• Understand that in most home leagues, no one does as much homework as you.

Sure, you may be in a highly competitive league with players who religiously study, mock, and listen to podcasts. Those leagues are far and few between. Most of your buddies will be booting up their laptops or phones and looking at these lists for the first time. When your friend from home selects Michael Pittman at 58th overall on the NFL Fantasy platform, you are left with tremendous value the later you go on drafts.

• Print out your preferred rankings. Make your own, or use your favorite analyst's list.

Quick note, I'll have my own list out for you all by the August 20th. If I'm your favorite analyst, shamelessly use my list! The reason why I like printing out a list is that I do not get stuck staring at the rankings of another platform and not realizing the value in front of me. This is especially true if you have an early or late pick; after your selections, you'll have 18 or more players being selected before you get to go again. If you get stuck staring at your ESPN rankings, for example, you may get stuck drafting a player like Miles Sanders 28th overall (DON'T DO THAT), when you could have taken Allen Robinson or Darren Waller much later than they should be going. What does printing out your preferred list do? It allows you to cross off the selected players, and suddenly realize the tremendous value still on the board that no one else drafting that night can see. I love coming weaponized to my drafts, whether they are online or in person. Even better? Use my spreadsheet! You can sort by highest draft variance to easily see players you should be targeting.

• Utilize tier-style drafting

While my current spreadsheet doesn't have tiers listed, having a tier sheet is the easiest way to keep track of the level of player you'd like to have on your team. Sure, everyone wants Christian McCaffrey. But, if you know that Antonio Gibson is the last player on your list of tier-3 players before a relatively significant drop-off to the next available running back, make sure you get him! Straight numbered rankings don't tell the whole story. We all know when a run is happening in your draft. Someone selects Josh Allen, then immediately Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, you know the drill. If you want a player in that tier, jump in now, or wait for your lower-ranked players. Also understand that not all tiers are created equal. Tier3 of wide receiver this year is STACKED. Not so much for tier 3 of tight end. If you don't get a player you want in tier 1 of tight end, it probably makes more sense to jump into tier 3 of WR and then go later with tight end.

• Understand your league's rules!

This may seem simple, but diving into a draft assuming default settings for your platform can lead to a horrible season even with a great draft. Quick example, I was in a league that awarded a point for every first down converted, and .25 points for every carry. LeGarrette Blount was a LEAGUE WINNER that season. Study your league's settings before you get into the war room!

• Make sure your format is prioritized

This might seem obvious, but think about it like this. Sure, it's obvious to not use standard ADP when your league is full-PPR. But, your league has its own set of unique rules. If you have a league with funky settings, set up your own preferred queue of players. Things to consider:

1. How many flex positions do you have? If it is more than 1 or 2, in PPR I try to get as many receivers as I can. They have much higher, consistent value than running backs, especially late. A player like Cole Beasley in the 10th round will have much more value in a 3-flex league than a player like David Johnson.

2. Does your league have 3 WR spots rather than the standard 2? If so, WR is much more valuable. Going zero RB or hero RB (take one great RB early then crush WR), make more sense in this sort of format.

3. Are you in a superflex? If so, going with an elite, top-5 QB in the first two rounds is going to take precedent over grabbing a top-12 RB.

4. Do you have crazy DST rules? I play in one league where you are awarded with a point for each 10 return yards on punts and kickoffs. Selecting a defense earlier than the last couple of rounds probably makes sense in this format.

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