I am a new and very excited user of the Draft Dominator. I have not in 6 years been the champion of my league, but I also never used the DD before so this should be the year!! In the last 3 days I spent ohh I don’t now maybe 20 hours, setting, running mock drafts, tweaking, and reading posts here about it. My question is the title of this post, how do you use the Draft Dominator during your draft? Do you do exactly what it tells you? Do you tweak it during the draft? Do you use the complementary option in the Game by Game projections? I was really interested while watching it make the picks during the mock drafts that sometimes it was telling me to pick back up rb’s before I had a complete starting team. Is that right? Anyway this is just a happy post tring to get some guru’s of the DD to give away some of their secrets…thanks in advance for your input.
Always a New League
1 QB 1/20
2 RB 1/10
3 WR 1/10
1 TE
1 PK 3 +1 for 45 – 49 and another + 1 for over 50
1 DF 1 for sack, fumble recovery, Int, blocked FG and punts.
7 - 13 DPAs = 6 points
14 - 20 DPAs = 4 points
21 - 27 DPAs = 2 points
28+ DPAs = 0 points
Plus a 2 point bonus @ 0+ DPA
6 all TD’s, -2 Int or Fumble lost
Full Version: How do YOU…use DD on draft day?
Some thoughts...
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 10 2007, 06:26 PM) 
Some thoughts...
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
Agree, especially with points 4 and 5. Another thing I highly recommend, is to customize your ADPs; if you have data to support how the positions will come off the board, you should use it! It can make a LOT of difference. If you don't set up an ADP_User file, then at least have a good idea of how many in each position will come off the board between your picks, and use the 'custom drop off' feature. Also, do this if you see that the ADPs are veering off from your expectations.
Also, do use the 'complimentary player' feature, especially for your backup QB. I've crunched the numbers myself to compare, and I think the DD does a nice job. But don't overuse it for the other positions! Check who it recommends, then go back to the default and see how the point projections differ. If they're real close, go with the complimentary player.
If your league uses Divisions to determine who gets into the playoffs rather than overall record, I suggest weighting the division game weeks heavier so your team is super strong for them. Then look at the playoff weeks to decide between two similar players. I know a guy who has made the playoffs several times but has lost because his players had bad matchups for those games !
If you're new to the DD, you really need to play with it a lot so that it becomes 'second nature'. You want to focus on the draft, NOT on how to run the DD program ! Learn how to use it as a tool and you'll have a good draft.
Charlie
QUOTE (Upchuck @ Aug 10 2007, 08:25 PM)
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 10 2007, 06:26 PM)
Some thoughts...
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
Agree, especially with points 4 and 5. Another thing I highly recommend, is to customize your ADPs; if you have data to support how the positions will come off the board, you should use it! It can make a LOT of difference. If you don't set up an ADP_User file, then at least have a good idea of how many in each position will come off the board between your picks, and use the 'custom drop off' feature. Also, do this if you see that the ADPs are veering off from your expectations.
Also, do use the 'complimentary player' feature, especially for your backup QB. I've crunched the numbers myself to compare, and I think the DD does a nice job. But don't overuse it for the other positions! Check who it recommends, then go back to the default and see how the point projections differ. If they're real close, go with the complimentary player.
If your league uses Divisions to determine who gets into the playoffs rather than overall record, I suggest weighting the division game weeks heavier so your team is super strong for them. Then look at the playoff weeks to decide between two similar players. I know a guy who has made the playoffs several times but has lost because his players had bad matchups for those games !
If you're new to the DD, you really need to play with it a lot so that it becomes 'second nature'. You want to focus on the draft, NOT on how to run the DD program ! Learn how to use it as a tool and you'll have a good draft.
Charlie
I have about the same approach as Barndog and Charlie but I would add a 5A - I also check the Depth Charts before I take a WR who I know is a #2. Given the choice between a #1 and a #2 with equivalent projected points, I usually take the #1.
And while neither mentioned it, I use the same criteria when checking BYE weeks. If I get a RED show up, I'll look at equivalent players.
Joel
sorry im new to DD as well, and Iv been playing around with it alot and leaning more each time I open the program it seems like. But what do you mean if you get a RED show up? and currently I have it set and ready to go for my draft and it has Chad Johnson and Antonio Gates's teams/bye week in bold/blue print.... Im assuming this changes to red, but what does that mean?
QUOTE (00bolt @ Aug 11 2007, 08:08 AM)
sorry im new to DD as well, and Iv been playing around with it alot and leaning more each time I open the program it seems like. But what do you mean if you get a RED show up? and currently I have it set and ready to go for my draft and it has Chad Johnson and Antonio Gates's teams/bye week in bold/blue print.... Im assuming this changes to red, but what does that mean?
Black - no conflicts
Blue - same Bye week as a player at another position
Red - same Bye week as a player at the same position
Joel
Yeah…this is great stuff! It was exactly the information I was looking for, thanks for the input and keep it coming if you have more.
Barndog – I’m drafting 3rd in a 14 team league. What specific tricks (prep) do you do for drafting 3rd? The mocks I did in dd, it’s funny that no matter what I tried (just letting it run or picking my team ) it seems that dd doesn’t let the 3rd position be the strongest. With starter strength, team strength or even the win/loss column in the game by game window. I probably need a lot more practice.
Upchuck - For the most part we have had the same group give or take a couple. I’m going to look for the ADP and customize the ADP_User file. I guess the more the better but I might only be able to get 2 years worth. Do you think that be ok?
GoBears84 – Thank you too.
Barndog – I’m drafting 3rd in a 14 team league. What specific tricks (prep) do you do for drafting 3rd? The mocks I did in dd, it’s funny that no matter what I tried (just letting it run or picking my team ) it seems that dd doesn’t let the 3rd position be the strongest. With starter strength, team strength or even the win/loss column in the game by game window. I probably need a lot more practice.
Upchuck - For the most part we have had the same group give or take a couple. I’m going to look for the ADP and customize the ADP_User file. I guess the more the better but I might only be able to get 2 years worth. Do you think that be ok?
GoBears84 – Thank you too.
The reason the 3rd spot isn't the strongest is because the DD is essentially drafting against itself.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Even if you don't join any "live" mock drafts, you can still look at the results on both Antsports and FFCalculator. At Ants look at Serious mocks only.
For both, note what people picking 3rd did and how it turned out for them. See what you agree with and what you don't. You could even enter the results in DD and see what it suggests at each round. (Using the integrated ADP drafting procedure in DD is faster for that sort of thing though.)
The goal with looking at completed mocks is to find teams you like that picked third, verify it can work in DD, and, on the other hand, identify what people did wrong picking in that spot.
http://www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com/c...eted_drafts.php
http://www.antsports.com/mock_draft/Mock_Draft_Viewing.asp
For both, note what people picking 3rd did and how it turned out for them. See what you agree with and what you don't. You could even enter the results in DD and see what it suggests at each round. (Using the integrated ADP drafting procedure in DD is faster for that sort of thing though.)
The goal with looking at completed mocks is to find teams you like that picked third, verify it can work in DD, and, on the other hand, identify what people did wrong picking in that spot.
http://www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com/c...eted_drafts.php
http://www.antsports.com/mock_draft/Mock_Draft_Viewing.asp
Bruce - That totally worked...now I look like a champion every time!!
barndog - I spent a few hours looking at those 2 sites. Some of the drafts I looked at were way out there...like someone drafted M Vick in the 3 round. So I'm glad dd uses the average.
Should I/Could I do something with this data from last year? (12 team, 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 2 Flex, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 Def) Main difference to this year is no flex, but 3 WR must play, tiny difference was points (QB 1/50, but only -1 for int and fumbles lost) Here is how positions went. I can get the other rounds too.
QB RB WR TE K DEF
round 1 - 2 9 1 0 0 0
round 2 - 5 4 3 0 0 0
round 3 - 3 3 4 2 0 0
round 4 - 1 4 5 0 2 0
round 5 - 1 4 5 1 0 1
round 6 - 1 3 3 2 0 3
barndog - I spent a few hours looking at those 2 sites. Some of the drafts I looked at were way out there...like someone drafted M Vick in the 3 round. So I'm glad dd uses the average.
Should I/Could I do something with this data from last year? (12 team, 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 2 Flex, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 Def) Main difference to this year is no flex, but 3 WR must play, tiny difference was points (QB 1/50, but only -1 for int and fumbles lost) Here is how positions went. I can get the other rounds too.
QB RB WR TE K DEF
round 1 - 2 9 1 0 0 0
round 2 - 5 4 3 0 0 0
round 3 - 3 3 4 2 0 0
round 4 - 1 4 5 0 2 0
round 5 - 1 4 5 1 0 1
round 6 - 1 3 3 2 0 3
To put last years data to work for you... search for ADP_USER.csv (Or look at the Draft Dominator Master Thread pinned at the top of this forum. It has a ADP_USER link or two in it.)
I just remembered on more Draft Day trick that I recommend. Prior to your draft, save your league file for each round. For example: MyLeague07-R01, MyLeague07-R02, MyLeague07-R03, etc.
Then as you go through the draft, after your pick, do a File>Save As and just click on the pre-saved the file for the appropriate round. This keeps you from having to type it out for each save, allowing you to focus on the draft. Also, if your PC should crash or you make a mistake, you don't have to recreate the entire draft, you just have to go back to your last pick.
Joel
Then as you go through the draft, after your pick, do a File>Save As and just click on the pre-saved the file for the appropriate round. This keeps you from having to type it out for each save, allowing you to focus on the draft. Also, if your PC should crash or you make a mistake, you don't have to recreate the entire draft, you just have to go back to your last pick.
Joel
This is all great stuff but I have 3 questions for the vets.
1. What is the drop value
2. What is the drop off
3. What is the DVBD
I have an idea but would like to hear from the experts. All of this is located in the best player available box when my pick is up
Forget it, I found the master thread for DD and it answered my questions
1. What is the drop value
2. What is the drop off
3. What is the DVBD
I have an idea but would like to hear from the experts. All of this is located in the best player available box when my pick is up
Forget it, I found the master thread for DD and it answered my questions
QUOTE (Upchuck @ Aug 10 2007, 09:25 PM)
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 10 2007, 06:26 PM)
Some thoughts...
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
Agree, especially with points 4 and 5. Another thing I highly recommend, is to customize your ADPs; if you have data to support how the positions will come off the board, you should use it! It can make a LOT of difference. If you don't set up an ADP_User file, then at least have a good idea of how many in each position will come off the board between your picks, and use the 'custom drop off' feature. Also, do this if you see that the ADPs are veering off from your expectations.
Also, do use the 'complimentary player' feature, especially for your backup QB. I've crunched the numbers myself to compare, and I think the DD does a nice job. But don't overuse it for the other positions! Check who it recommends, then go back to the default and see how the point projections differ. If they're real close, go with the complimentary player.
If your league uses Divisions to determine who gets into the playoffs rather than overall record, I suggest weighting the division game weeks heavier so your team is super strong for them. Then look at the playoff weeks to decide between two similar players. I know a guy who has made the playoffs several times but has lost because his players had bad matchups for those games !
If you're new to the DD, you really need to play with it a lot so that it becomes 'second nature'. You want to focus on the draft, NOT on how to run the DD program ! Learn how to use it as a tool and you'll have a good draft.
Charlie
I would stress Upchuck's reference to the custom dropoff feature. It "scares" you at first because it potentially will recommend someone completely different and make you think this whole Dominator thing is random, and it is easy to think that no one will draft the same as the year before. But you would be surprised - people are creatures of habit, and if you have last year's (or better yet, several years) draft results, then USE IT! It will greatly improve your team. I used it for the first time last year and the "drop offs" were almost identical.
what is the complimentary player feature?
QUOTE (Corporate @ Aug 22 2007, 07:18 PM)
what is the complimentary player feature?
There is a link to a Complementary Player Article in the Draft Dominator Master Thread pinned at the top of this forum.
how do you weigh the divisions?? Well, actually...I see where you do it...just not sure what figures to plug in. Right now they are all just "1"... I have never done that, but I can see it being huge!
QUOTE (sheparay @ Aug 28 2007, 11:26 AM)
how do you weigh the divisions?? Well, actually...I see where you do it...just not sure what figures to plug in. Right now they are all just "1"... I have never done that, but I can see it being huge!
There are better threads discussing this, but the use of 1.2 for division opponents is what I use.
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 28 2007, 02:21 PM)
QUOTE (sheparay @ Aug 28 2007, 11:26 AM)
how do you weigh the divisions?? Well, actually...I see where you do it...just not sure what figures to plug in. Right now they are all just "1"... I have never done that, but I can see it being huge!
There are better threads discussing this, but the use of 1.2 for division opponents is what I use.
I used to do this too (about 1.25 or so). But since seeing Dodds write about weighting values as high as 2.0, I've been using that often this year. This starts in about Rd 6. I weight Ws as 0.5, "?"s as 1.0, and Ls as 2.0. I often rate a divisonal ? and a non-div L as 1.5.
Although I have no simulation data on it, it's bringing me to the conclusion that if you really want to have an effect with weightings, a fairly extreme value is needed.
If I get bored later I'll test this.
OK. Let's start with the fact that I'm an old dude. I've been using DD for 3 years now, but I am not a computer whiz. From all I've read from everybody here, I KNOW that I am seriously under-utilizing the capabilites of the tool. Maybe you can help? Here's the VERY "old school" method I use to draft. ...
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
QUOTE (patsfangr @ Aug 28 2007, 11:00 PM)
OK. Let's start with the fact that I'm an old dude. I've been using DD for 3 years now, but I am not a computer whiz. From all I've read from everybody here, I KNOW that I am seriously under-utilizing the capabilites of the tool. Maybe you can help? Here's the VERY "old school" method I use to draft. ...
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
George,
By drafting on feel you're completely missing the usefulness of the DD and the concept of VBD. My suggestion is to do some mock drafts with DD and get a feel for it. At a minimum you should be using the cheet sheets.
Good luck to you.
Joel
ETA: BTW, I'm an old dude too..and it never hurts to teach a new dog old tricks.
QUOTE (patsfangr @ Aug 29 2007, 12:00 AM)
OK. Let's start with the fact that I'm an old dude. I've been using DD for 3 years now, but I am not a computer whiz. From all I've read from everybody here, I KNOW that I am seriously under-utilizing the capabilites of the tool. Maybe you can help? Here's the VERY "old school" method I use to draft. ...
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Joel's advice is good.
So can you only keep former rookie players in their sophomore year, ie the year after they were rookies, or can you keep them multiple years so long as you got them as a rookie?
Also, I'm just curious how well you've been doing in the league with this method. If you think you perceive some specific weaknesses in the approach, we might be able to suggest more particular things to do.
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 29 2007, 05:35 PM)
QUOTE (patsfangr @ Aug 29 2007, 12:00 AM)
OK. Let's start with the fact that I'm an old dude. I've been using DD for 3 years now, but I am not a computer whiz. From all I've read from everybody here, I KNOW that I am seriously under-utilizing the capabilites of the tool. Maybe you can help? Here's the VERY "old school" method I use to draft. ...
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Joel's advice is good.
So can you only keep former rookie players in their sophomore year, ie the year after they were rookies, or can you keep them multiple years so long as you got them as a rookie?
Also, I'm just curious how well you've been doing in the league with this method. If you think you perceive some specific weaknesses in the approach, we might be able to suggest more particular things to do.
Joel and Barndog, I guess I'm a lazy dude, as well as an old dude. I've never run a mock draft, because, since I have so many keepers in my leagues (2 with the same rules), I'd have a lot of re-loading to do when I clear teams after the mock. I have to do that, right? As I said, I've never mocked, so I don't know how the process works once the mock is completed. I'm assuming that I'd have to set up the entire league, and all keepers again.
OK. OK. Since I have 4 days remaining before my first draft, and I AM retired, I'll try a mock today.
Barndog, the Rookie Keeper rule allows us to keep a rookie (using a late draft pick in the future) if: 1.) We draft him as a rookie; 2.) We trade for him while he has RK status with another team (i.e., that owner drafted him as a rookie, or traded for him while he had RK status). ONLY players who are drafted as rookies, and retained as RKs in succeeding years, can be held as RKs. It's quite a lottery pick. Some guys drafted JJ Arrington as a rookie, and some drafted Steven Jackson. It's always a gamble, because, due to the great reward if you hit (imaging Steven Jackson as your R17 pick every year?!), rookie RBs are taken MUCH earlier in these leagues than in leagues without such a rule.
One more question on Joel's comment regarding "missing the usefulness of the DD and the concept of VBD". I'm not sure why that is true. Since I am using the DD Player Pool printout, which has the VBD numbers on it, how am I missing the concept? Does VBD change as picks are made? If I am looking at the printout, scratching players as they are picked, why am I missing the usefulness of the DD? Clearly, I'm still a little lost on the difference between using the static printout, and using DD "live" during the draft. Can you give me a bit more education, please?
QUOTE (patsfangr @ Aug 29 2007, 11:41 PM)
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 29 2007, 05:35 PM)
QUOTE (patsfangr @ Aug 29 2007, 12:00 AM)
OK. Let's start with the fact that I'm an old dude. I've been using DD for 3 years now, but I am not a computer whiz. From all I've read from everybody here, I KNOW that I am seriously under-utilizing the capabilites of the tool. Maybe you can help? Here's the VERY "old school" method I use to draft. ...
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Oh, first, some critical info. My league is a Keeper league, with a major twist. We have the option to hold one "Vet Keeper", which costs us our R1 pick, if we choose to do so. In addition, we can keep up to 3 players that we drafted (or traded for) as rookies. These "Rookie Keepers" cost only the picks at the END of the 17-Round draft. If you keep one RK, he's your R17 pick. If you keep 2 RK's, they're picks for R16 and R17. And, if 3 kept, they're your R15-R17 picks.
This obviously drastically reduces the availability of top talent on draft day, particularly at RB, nearly all the best of which are either Vet or Rookie Keepers. (Except, of course, for the incoming rookies. More on that later.) We have to use the "exclude" feature in the Yahoo mechanism to take all Keepers off the board. In DD, I place them onto the teams via the "Keeper List", in the positions where they must be drafted. So, my final pre-draft Player Pool doesn't include the Keepers.
Now, back to my antiquated method. I have one more major adjustment to make before draft day. I get the latest projections from both DD and PD. I then make adjustments to PD to increase the value of all rookies. This is to account for the fact that rookies in this league have a greater value, due to the "late round keeper" rule we have. I arbitrarily decided to increase the statss projections of all rookies by 50%, enter that as User projections, and then import the PD into DD. (I'll post a separate question regarding your recommendations for weighting the FG experts!) This, of course, raises the rookies' positions on the DD Player Pool. Now, I have my "Final Draft Board".
My next step is the embarrasing one. I print out the final Player Pool, and use it as a "manual Draft Board" during our live draft. I scratch the names as they're picked, and make my decision on my next pick based upon my own "feel" for what I need, and the projections shown on the printed Player Pool for the remaining available players.
I've taken enough time and space for one post. So I am now open to all comments, criticism, and/or suggestions! :-)
Joel's advice is good.
So can you only keep former rookie players in their sophomore year, ie the year after they were rookies, or can you keep them multiple years so long as you got them as a rookie?
Also, I'm just curious how well you've been doing in the league with this method. If you think you perceive some specific weaknesses in the approach, we might be able to suggest more particular things to do.
Joel and Barndog, I guess I'm a lazy dude, as well as an old dude. I've never run a mock draft, because, since I have so many keepers in my leagues (2 with the same rules), I'd have a lot of re-loading to do when I clear teams after the mock. I have to do that, right? As I said, I've never mocked, so I don't know how the process works once the mock is completed. I'm assuming that I'd have to set up the entire league, and all keepers again.
OK. OK. Since I have 4 days remaining before my first draft, and I AM retired, I'll try a mock today.
Barndog, the Rookie Keeper rule allows us to keep a rookie (using a late draft pick in the future) if: 1.) We draft him as a rookie; 2.) We trade for him while he has RK status with another team (i.e., that owner drafted him as a rookie, or traded for him while he had RK status). ONLY players who are drafted as rookies, and retained as RKs in succeeding years, can be held as RKs. It's quite a lottery pick. Some guys drafted JJ Arrington as a rookie, and some drafted Steven Jackson. It's always a gamble, because, due to the great reward if you hit (imaging Steven Jackson as your R17 pick every year?!), rookie RBs are taken MUCH earlier in these leagues than in leagues without such a rule.
One more question on Joel's comment regarding "missing the usefulness of the DD and the concept of VBD". I'm not sure why that is true. Since I am using the DD Player Pool printout, which has the VBD numbers on it, how am I missing the concept? Does VBD change as picks are made? If I am looking at the printout, scratching players as they are picked, why am I missing the usefulness of the DD? Clearly, I'm still a little lost on the difference between using the static printout, and using DD "live" during the draft. Can you give me a bit more education, please?
George,
Part of the DVBD concept is that it takes into account the number of players you need, Flex, SOS and puts them all together. With VBD you're doing well but missing some opportunities.
If you load the keepers using the Keeper feature, they will not be cleared out when you clear teams. Set up you league with your keepers, save it, mock, clear, repeat.
Good luck.
Joel
What I do is create a "base" file for each league, with settings and keepers specified. After running a mock I save it with a different name, then I can open the base file to run another mock. "Clear teams" works fine but seems slower than restarting.
George, if you want to test the difference between 'static' and 'live' drafting, run a mock with the player value window closed, and make your picks using your current method. Then re-run it with that window open and helping you find value. You may notice some differences between the two teams you end up with. Use the team strengths window to compare numerically.
George, if you want to test the difference between 'static' and 'live' drafting, run a mock with the player value window closed, and make your picks using your current method. Then re-run it with that window open and helping you find value. You may notice some differences between the two teams you end up with. Use the team strengths window to compare numerically.
All right I can finally say how I used DD on draft.
I averaged the projection of the experts in PD then imported them into DD.
My league grew 2 teams from last year, also last year QBs went off early, 7 off the board by the end of round 2 and another 3 by the end of round 3. With that I didn’t feel the custom drop off would in my favor so I didn’t use it. I guess it was a good thing because it was a little more normal this year, 3 off the board at the end of round 2 and then a run of 4 more in round 3. Next year I am definitely using it.
I checked SOS and weighted the weeks as followed. First my strategy…It’s a good one, try and keep up. My game schedule came up as playing the team with the number one pick in week 8. I was picking 3. I figured he would talk LT (he did) then team 2 would take SJax (he did) Leaving me with LJ (I did). LJ’s bye week is week 8 and no matter how I set the weights during mocks I deprived my team more tring to make up for my #1 RB on a bye the same week playing against LT. So I decided to take a dive in week 8 to make my team stronger all other weeks…I think it worked but we’ll see. My weights were all 1.00 except week 8 was 0.00 and week 16 and 17 (playoff weeks) were 1.30.
We had 2 minutes between picks which was plenty of time to keep up clicking players in DD as the real draft went on. Now that I’m think about it, I had 2 computers I should of used them both, one with DD and one with the live draft. Next year. I did stumble once in round 4 by picking the wrong player in DD but I had enough time to fix it by just undo a couple last moves and catching up before my pick. I also could not find Michael Jenkins in the live draft (I still don’t know why because he is in the waiver wire) and picked Joe Jurevicius instead. That was round 15. I’m going to try and swap from the waiver wire but no big deal if I can’t.
I pretty much let DD pick for me except for Matt Hasselbeck in round 5. I don’t remember what DD was telling me but QB’s were running and it was the second best value on the board.
Overall team strength is 99 points ahead of the next team and the Game by Game projections has me with 10Wins, 2 loses and 5 Questions marks.
It’s been great preparing here at footballguys and I’m looking forward to being here for the whole season.
I posted my team here http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=337721 (in the correct place) to be ranked by all.
Thanks
I averaged the projection of the experts in PD then imported them into DD.
My league grew 2 teams from last year, also last year QBs went off early, 7 off the board by the end of round 2 and another 3 by the end of round 3. With that I didn’t feel the custom drop off would in my favor so I didn’t use it. I guess it was a good thing because it was a little more normal this year, 3 off the board at the end of round 2 and then a run of 4 more in round 3. Next year I am definitely using it.
I checked SOS and weighted the weeks as followed. First my strategy…It’s a good one, try and keep up. My game schedule came up as playing the team with the number one pick in week 8. I was picking 3. I figured he would talk LT (he did) then team 2 would take SJax (he did) Leaving me with LJ (I did). LJ’s bye week is week 8 and no matter how I set the weights during mocks I deprived my team more tring to make up for my #1 RB on a bye the same week playing against LT. So I decided to take a dive in week 8 to make my team stronger all other weeks…I think it worked but we’ll see. My weights were all 1.00 except week 8 was 0.00 and week 16 and 17 (playoff weeks) were 1.30.
We had 2 minutes between picks which was plenty of time to keep up clicking players in DD as the real draft went on. Now that I’m think about it, I had 2 computers I should of used them both, one with DD and one with the live draft. Next year. I did stumble once in round 4 by picking the wrong player in DD but I had enough time to fix it by just undo a couple last moves and catching up before my pick. I also could not find Michael Jenkins in the live draft (I still don’t know why because he is in the waiver wire) and picked Joe Jurevicius instead. That was round 15. I’m going to try and swap from the waiver wire but no big deal if I can’t.
I pretty much let DD pick for me except for Matt Hasselbeck in round 5. I don’t remember what DD was telling me but QB’s were running and it was the second best value on the board.
Overall team strength is 99 points ahead of the next team and the Game by Game projections has me with 10Wins, 2 loses and 5 Questions marks.
It’s been great preparing here at footballguys and I’m looking forward to being here for the whole season.
I posted my team here http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=337721 (in the correct place) to be ranked by all.
Thanks
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 11 2007, 10:34 AM)
QUOTE (00bolt @ Aug 11 2007, 08:08 AM)
sorry im new to DD as well, and Iv been playing around with it alot and leaning more each time I open the program it seems like. But what do you mean if you get a RED show up? and currently I have it set and ready to go for my draft and it has Chad Johnson and Antonio Gates's teams/bye week in bold/blue print.... Im assuming this changes to red, but what does that mean?
Black - no conflicts
Blue - same Bye week as a player at another position
Red - same Bye week as a player at the same position
Joel
yeh im pretty late posting on this.....but i'm in a PPR league and ended up drafting Reggie Bush in the first round, his bye week 4. The second round Maurice jones drew was available and DD said to draft him but his bye week was 4 also, that would suck in week 4 for my two main backs who are both RBBC are off. So i looked at the next best thing which was Chad Johnson.
Just wanted to chime in quickly with this thought:
If you have a waiver wire/free agent friendly league, it might make sense to weight your early weeks higher than your later ones. In my local league, there is a lot of turnover, so the better off your team starts, the better position you'll be in for trades, etc.
If your league doesn't traditionally do a lot of WW/FA/Trade activity, then I recommend setting weekly weights and finding complementary players.
If you have a waiver wire/free agent friendly league, it might make sense to weight your early weeks higher than your later ones. In my local league, there is a lot of turnover, so the better off your team starts, the better position you'll be in for trades, etc.
If your league doesn't traditionally do a lot of WW/FA/Trade activity, then I recommend setting weekly weights and finding complementary players.
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 10 2007, 09:16 PM)
QUOTE (Upchuck @ Aug 10 2007, 08:25 PM)
QUOTE (barndog @ Aug 10 2007, 06:26 PM)
Some thoughts...
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
1. My prep changes a lot depending on if I know my draft spot or not. If I don't I read widely and do fewer mocks. If I do, I do mocks and focus more. I mock a little in DD and a lot in things like Antsports and Fantasy Football Calculator.
2. I recommend you sign up for a free Yahoo or ESPN public league (or mock drafts) and practice using DD in it for at least one live draft before you have your Important League draft. Time pressure needs to be experienced along with somewhat unpredictable human drafters.
3. I've never done exactly what DD says. For example, this year it wants me to take Gates in the 3rd in some drafts and I'm just not gonna do it. I'd take him in the 4th but he never lasts.
4. If DD recommends someone, say a WR, I click the WR tab. Check the ppoints of the top names. If they're closely bunched, you basically have your pick of the lot. If one guy is clearly ahead of the rest, that may indicate that person is preferred. Still, if it's not someone I like, I look at the next recommendation.
5. Forgot to mention, before making a pick, compare where you are to that player's ADP. This is where the art of drafting comes in. DD may say player X is your best value, but if he's going on average 2 rds later, you may want to wait. Of course, you take the chance that he's not around then.
6. In general, I have a plan for the pick spot before I go in and I let DD help me do that. This is very different from letting DD drive my draft.
Re, taking backup RBs before filling out your roster, absolutely. A good RB3 can be worth a lot more than a TE, let alone a DEF or PK. Recent money league example I started Gore, Rudi, MJD, Javon Walker, then Bulger. Then focused on WRs.
That said, in certain spots, like 12th, which I have in a couple of leagues, I'm happier this year to take a top DEF earlier than ever, cuz I think you have to give yourself some easy positional choices when drafting late.
Good luck.
Agree, especially with points 4 and 5. Another thing I highly recommend, is to customize your ADPs; if you have data to support how the positions will come off the board, you should use it! It can make a LOT of difference. If you don't set up an ADP_User file, then at least have a good idea of how many in each position will come off the board between your picks, and use the 'custom drop off' feature. Also, do this if you see that the ADPs are veering off from your expectations.
Also, do use the 'complimentary player' feature, especially for your backup QB. I've crunched the numbers myself to compare, and I think the DD does a nice job. But don't overuse it for the other positions! Check who it recommends, then go back to the default and see how the point projections differ. If they're real close, go with the complimentary player.
If your league uses Divisions to determine who gets into the playoffs rather than overall record, I suggest weighting the division game weeks heavier so your team is super strong for them. Then look at the playoff weeks to decide between two similar players. I know a guy who has made the playoffs several times but has lost because his players had bad matchups for those games !
If you're new to the DD, you really need to play with it a lot so that it becomes 'second nature'. You want to focus on the draft, NOT on how to run the DD program ! Learn how to use it as a tool and you'll have a good draft.
Charlie
I have about the same approach as Barndog and Charlie but I would add a 5A - I also check the Depth Charts before I take a WR who I know is a #2. Given the choice between a #1 and a #2 with equivalent projected points, I usually take the #1.
And while neither mentioned it, I use the same criteria when checking BYE weeks. If I get a RED show up, I'll look at equivalent players.
Joel
5B - determining who the "equivalent players" are can be tricky... one thing I do when I get a bye week conflict is to look at the player pool and see the VBD drop to the next player at that position... if you subtract that drop from the DVBD on the "best value" window, you'll get an idea of how the next best option at that position compares to the best value alternatives at other positions.
QUOTE (Bruce Henderson @ Aug 11 2007, 12:29 PM)
The reason the 3rd spot isn't the strongest is because the DD is essentially drafting against itself.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Bruce, if you turn off the ADP during the draft, then you also need to check the ADP to make sure you're not drafting a sleeper too early, right?
QUOTE (DWell786 @ Aug 11 2008, 07:06 PM)
QUOTE (Bruce Henderson @ Aug 11 2007, 12:29 PM)
The reason the 3rd spot isn't the strongest is because the DD is essentially drafting against itself.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Bruce, if you turn off the ADP during the draft, then you also need to check the ADP to make sure you're not drafting a sleeper too early, right?
Correct. If it's the 3rd round and the recommended player has an ADP of 5.03, then likely you can wait on them...
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 11 2008, 08:52 PM)
QUOTE (DWell786 @ Aug 11 2008, 07:06 PM)
QUOTE (Bruce Henderson @ Aug 11 2007, 12:29 PM)
The reason the 3rd spot isn't the strongest is because the DD is essentially drafting against itself.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Bruce, if you turn off the ADP during the draft, then you also need to check the ADP to make sure you're not drafting a sleeper too early, right?
Correct. If it's the 3rd round and the recommended player has an ADP of 5.03, then likely you can wait on them...
GoBears84, if you leave ADP on during the draft, the DD looks at ADP for you, right? What's the benefit of turning this feature off? Thanks! dw
QUOTE (DWell786 @ Aug 12 2008, 11:46 PM)
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 11 2008, 08:52 PM)
QUOTE (DWell786 @ Aug 11 2008, 07:06 PM)
QUOTE (Bruce Henderson @ Aug 11 2007, 12:29 PM)
The reason the 3rd spot isn't the strongest is because the DD is essentially drafting against itself.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Try this... On the File - Setup - Team Names tab... use the selection box to set ADP Lists for Mocks for each team. If you know the other owners drafting styles you can set the appropriate list. If not... just randomly set them.
Also on the File - Setup - General tab, check the Draft Other Teams by ADP.
Run a few mocks now... and see how you do.
For you live draft, you will most likely want to uncheck the Draft Other Teams by ADP... so that you can see the Best Value window all the time.
Bruce, if you turn off the ADP during the draft, then you also need to check the ADP to make sure you're not drafting a sleeper too early, right?
Correct. If it's the 3rd round and the recommended player has an ADP of 5.03, then likely you can wait on them...
GoBears84, if you leave ADP on during the draft, the DD looks at ADP for you, right? What's the benefit of turning this feature off? Thanks! dw
Actually, it's just drafting the other teams by ADP - which you want during a Mock - or if you are using ADP_USER.
The reason to leave it off during a regular draft is so that you can see the Best Value window all the time. Personally, I use the ADP_USER file all the time so I leave it on...
QUOTE (GoBears84 @ Aug 15 2007, 11:28 AM)
I just remembered on more Draft Day trick that I recommend. Prior to your draft, save your league file for each round. For example: MyLeague07-R01, MyLeague07-R02, MyLeague07-R03, etc.
Then as you go through the draft, after your pick, do a File>Save As and just click on the pre-saved the file for the appropriate round. This keeps you from having to type it out for each save, allowing you to focus on the draft. Also, if your PC should crash or you make a mistake, you don't have to recreate the entire draft, you just have to go back to your last pick.
Joel
Then as you go through the draft, after your pick, do a File>Save As and just click on the pre-saved the file for the appropriate round. This keeps you from having to type it out for each save, allowing you to focus on the draft. Also, if your PC should crash or you make a mistake, you don't have to recreate the entire draft, you just have to go back to your last pick.
Joel
I have used DD for 3 years and it has done much better than any other method that I have tried. That said, it is VERY hectic loading the picks in to DD and then going back and forth between the draft applet (Yahoo or ESPN.) I draft in a league that has 90 seconds for each pick and a lot of guys pick quickly, leaving me with using up 45 seconds of my clock just entering in the players that are picked. Then if I have trouble finding the player that I want in ESPN or Yahoo....I can run out of time. This only happens in one league that I am in, but there are 6 or 7 players that will draft almost immediately after they get on the clock (they know I use DD and that it screws me up.) This fast drafting and fumbling between programs only gets crazy in the later rounds, as other owners pick more obscure players and they are not near the top of the DD player pool The first few rounds go off easy. If I start out with DD, and I foul it up during the mid to late rounds (which is known to have happened) then I am forced to use ESPN's rankings which do not take into account the scoring of the league, etc...
For this league, I am going to print out the Player pool (top 200/400) with VBD and go it this way this year.
I know a few people do this, but I am wondering how much this dilutes DD's abilities. I have not used all the different VBD features of DD, I have simply loaded my scoring, schedule and have let DD make the picks, unless it tells me to pick a defense in round 5, or Byron Leftwich or something absurd like that.
What is actually lost if I use my scoring and schedule, get the latest projections, print my top 200/400 list, and use it as my draft board?
Thanks
For this league, I am going to print out the Player pool (top 200/400) with VBD and go it this way this year.
I know a few people do this, but I am wondering how much this dilutes DD's abilities. I have not used all the different VBD features of DD, I have simply loaded my scoring, schedule and have let DD make the picks, unless it tells me to pick a defense in round 5, or Byron Leftwich or something absurd like that.
What is actually lost if I use my scoring and schedule, get the latest projections, print my top 200/400 list, and use it as my draft board?
Thanks
QUOTE (jaxdolfan @ Aug 31 2008, 06:49 PM)
I have used DD for 3 years and it has done much better than any other method that I have tried. That said, it is VERY hectic loading the picks in to DD and then going back and forth between the draft applet (Yahoo or ESPN.) I draft in a league that has 90 seconds for each pick and a lot of guys pick quickly, leaving me with using up 45 seconds of my clock just entering in the players that are picked. Then if I have trouble finding the player that I want in ESPN or Yahoo....I can run out of time. This only happens in one league that I am in, but there are 6 or 7 players that will draft almost immediately after they get on the clock (they know I use DD and that it screws me up.) This fast drafting and fumbling between programs only gets crazy in the later rounds, as other owners pick more obscure players and they are not near the top of the DD player pool The first few rounds go off easy. If I start out with DD, and I foul it up during the mid to late rounds (which is known to have happened) then I am forced to use ESPN's rankings which do not take into account the scoring of the league, etc...
For this league, I am going to print out the Player pool (top 200/400) with VBD and go it this way this year.
I know a few people do this, but I am wondering how much this dilutes DD's abilities. I have not used all the different VBD features of DD, I have simply loaded my scoring, schedule and have let DD make the picks, unless it tells me to pick a defense in round 5, or Byron Leftwich or something absurd like that.
What is actually lost if I use my scoring and schedule, get the latest projections, print my top 200/400 list, and use it as my draft board?
Thanks
For this league, I am going to print out the Player pool (top 200/400) with VBD and go it this way this year.
I know a few people do this, but I am wondering how much this dilutes DD's abilities. I have not used all the different VBD features of DD, I have simply loaded my scoring, schedule and have let DD make the picks, unless it tells me to pick a defense in round 5, or Byron Leftwich or something absurd like that.
What is actually lost if I use my scoring and schedule, get the latest projections, print my top 200/400 list, and use it as my draft board?
Thanks
You mainly lose all the strengths of the GameByGame - the SOS and the complimentary player feature. You also lose the ability to use the DVBD (not as important in the later rounds. You also lose the easy BYE week conflict determination.
One hint for you to use now - at the bottom of the player pool is a search function -- all you have to do is type in a portion of the players name and he will come up.
ETA: One other idea is to use multiple PC's so that you aren't jumping back and forth between programs. I have 3 up during my drafts -- one for the draft, one for DD and one for my Custom Dropoff calculator. What makes that doubly nice is that if a player comes up for discussion during the draft (ie: How many teams has Dante Stallworth played for in the past 3 years?) you can right click on him in DD and have the answer in a minute without impacting the PC with your draft screen. Makes you look very informed (-:
(BTW, it's 4 since 2005: NO, PHI, NE and CLE)
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