10 Team draft strategy (1 Viewer)

[Cowboysfan8]

I’ve played in 12, 16 and 32 team leagues but never a 10 teamer.

We had guys drop out of leagues this year and I’ll be playing in a couple 10 team redrafts.

Over the years I’ve gone RB heavy, zero RB, early QB no QB etc. 

Does anyone that plays in 10 team leagues have any draft strategy advice?

Is it any different from drafting in a 12?

 

[huthut]

I am in a 10 teamer and it drives me nuts. In a 12-14 team league by the end you are just like "ok, only scrubs left, lets get to the kickers and defense", while in a 10 teamer I am constantly wishing for 5 more bench spots. Most of my leagues are deep 14-20 team leagues where you need to know your stuff, while for a 10 teamer the difference between a good team and bad team is minor and every team feels like an all star team. Your 10th round sleeper you love in a deep league ends up a free agent in a 10 teamer. I would try and add additional flexes to make it feel more "normal". My ideal 10 team league would be 3 WR, 2 flexes and a super flex. My current one has a compromise of 2 WR and 1 flex and a super flex. 

RBs feel the most similar to larger leagues, in that there is still scarcity. Other positions feel significantly devalued, if you only start 2 WR they have almost no value, even with PPR. There are just too many of them if you only need to start 20-25 (due to flex). Same with a single QB, you can grab a good one in the 12th round, they have low value outside of Mahomes and Jackson. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I am in a 10 teamer and it drives me nuts. In a 12-14 team league by the end you are just like "ok, only scrubs left, lets get to the kickers and defense", while in a 10 teamer I am constantly wishing for 5 more bench spots. Most of my leagues are deep 14-20 team leagues where you need to know your stuff, while for a 10 teamer the difference between a good team and bad team is minor and every team feels like an all star team. Your 10th round sleeper you love in a deep league ends up a free agent in a 10 teamer. I would try and add additional flexes to make it feel more "normal". My ideal 10 team league would be 3 WR, 2 flexes and a super flex. My current one has a compromise of 2 WR and 1 flex and a super flex. 

RBs feel the most similar to larger leagues, in that there is still scarcity. Other positions feel significantly devalued, if you only start 2 WR they have almost no value, even with PPR. There are just too many of them if you only need to start 20-25 (due to flex). Same with a single QB, you can grab a good one in the 12th round, they have low value outside of Mahomes and Jackson. 

Thanks

 

[Long Ball Larry]

definitely wait on QB.

I agree that having a lack of depth being frustrating at times.  I feel like it is much harder to gain an advantage by thinking ahead.  I have found that I often do better when my time is average to poor at the start of the year and I am really churning the waiver wire for the next big thing. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

My first draft will be start 2 rb, 2 wr and 1 TE, only one flex 

I think I’m going in with a plan of going RB heavy since I only NEED to start 2 WRs but as always be prepared to roll with the punches and adapt on the fly 

My best teams (12 teams) the last few yrs have had one of the top TEs. 

Im assuming that gives teams the same advantage with fewer teams in a league 

 

[ZWK]

Smaller leagues increase the value of getting elite players at any position. So I'd take a top 2 TE or QB earlier in a 10-team league vs. a 12 teamer.

 

[jorden]

My plan is usually stack at RB. However, if there is a player that shouldn't be there, I'll take best available.

Finding decent RB on waivers is far more difficult than getting a WR/TE/QB. Also, every year there are a few teams that hurt at RB and I am able to make trades as needed with my depth.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I’ve done some mock drafts. I’ve gone RB early and often

I taken a TE in the 3rd, I’ve waited on TE

I always wait on QB

I feel like I’m doing pretty well but my yahoo grades have been mostly Fs and Ds lol

 

[MAC_32]

Smaller leagues increase the value of getting elite players at any position. So I'd take a top 2 TE or QB earlier in a 10-team league vs. a 12 teamer.

Lamar or Mahomes are in play round 2 (and I wouldn't rule out round 1). Kelce or Kittle are in play round 3 - and if you take a QB round 1 then they're in play round 2. If you expect a repeat of Michael Thomas then he's a consideration round 1. If you expect someone else to do what he did last year then they are too. Otherwise, wait - as you said this league only starts 2. Replacement value at wr is much different in a 10 team/start 2 league. There are always WR's worth drafting. There aren't always QB's, RB's, and TE's worth drafting. And the key to all of this is RB. McCaffrey is pick #1, but beyond that? Identify those outside the top 10 that you want. Then work back-to-front. If the last RB you're comfortable starting is JT then he's your 4th round pick. If you're cool with RoJo then he's your 6th. Mostert, 5th. And so on. 

Mahomes/Kelce/Carson/JT/Sutton/K Allen/McLaurin - sub in RoJo for Allen if you're into that sorta thing then come back with Fuller or Gallup. Not bad, huh? And with elite QB and TE all of your bench resources can go into contingency plans at RB and WR, trying to find the breakout. And if you think you can wait til round 2 and 3 to pick them up and slide in Michael Thomas or a round 1 RB then by all means.

It's difficult to separate from others in smaller leagues, but you do it by getting elite players - regardless of position.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Suggest asking commish to make it a 2-QB format, and maybe even TE premium scoring. 

fewer flex positions as well. Strict 2 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1-2 TE, 1 O-Flex maybe. 

that makes it more competitive, and incentivizes strategy. 

otherwise you get weekly coin flips to see who wins each week since every team is stacked. 

 

[JoeSteeler]

My first draft will be start 2 rb, 2 wr and 1 TE, only one flex 

I think I’m going in with a plan of going RB heavy since I only NEED to start 2 WRs but as always be prepared to roll with the punches and adapt on the fly 

My best teams (12 teams) the last few yrs have had one of the top TEs. 

Im assuming that gives teams the same advantage with fewer teams in a league 

Did you draft yet? In a 10 team work league this year where we also start 2 rb, 2 wr and 1 TE, one flex. Have done some mocks and RB’s seem to run out quick but there already always WR there late, as has been mentioned here. I have the 6th pick, which I  think is one of the worst spots.

if you have drafted would you mind sharing the draft results?

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Did you draft yet? In a 10 team work league this year where we also start 2 rb, 2 wr and 1 TE, one flex. Have done some mocks and RB’s seem to run out quick but there already always WR there late, as has been mentioned here. I have the 6th pick, which I  think is one of the worst spots.

if you have drafted would you mind sharing the draft results?

2 drafts, both next weekend 

 

[notoriousbill]

I am in a local 10-teamer with #2 overall pick.  I am taking Barkley most likely unless CMac drops to me.  After that at the 2/3 turn, I am taking BPA regardless of position.  Mocks have me getting Kelce/Mahomes.  We start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB, WRO or TE), 1 K and 1 Def/ST.  

I am kind of hoping a RB may slip to me at end of 2 to pair with Barkley.  My league goes heavy RB though...