16-team salary cap league strategy question (1 Viewer)

[longshot.chris]

I found one article from FBG about strategies for bigger leagues, although it was from 2014 so I am guessing more has been learned and/or become relevant. Our league is 16-teams and a salary cap draft. The other wrinkle is we changed our WR2/RB2 spots both to flex (not super flex) to allow managers more freedom and ease navigating injuries. My strategy the last 3 years has produced good teams, but teams that were never really a true contender by the end of the year. I would aim for QB 8-12 range, one decent (2024 was Chubba) RB starter. All the backs that were clear handcuffs, stream TE, and then take as many high end WR's as I could. In 2024 this looked below as the core of my team:

Kyle murray
Chubba
jordan mason
jefferson
aman-ra

This strategy hasn't been working though; and I believe I have given it enough time to play out. I am flirting with the idea of going top QB, top TE, and then a whole bunch of late teen type ranked players this year. So something like:

Allen
Kincaid
Drake London
jackobi meyer
breece hall
james conner

Does anyone have thoughts/ideas (not so much players, I was giving that as a reference), as to a strategy for bigger leagues and if that puts more/less emphasis on those one-off positions?

My theory was RB has so much attrition that getting those handcuffs would eventually get me an extra (or 2) starters so don't spend on it. I am starting to think that may be true, but in addition that a high end QB/TE would likely give an extra 14-18 points per week combined, and that is more valuble than going from WR 1-3 to WR 9-16.

Any advice is appreciated as I've been doing this for 7 years and never even made the championship (although always sneak into the playoffs).

 

[Gally]

I have found that for bigger leagues it is a must to have a guy that can win you a week by himself. Larger leagues usually have smaller starting lineups and a bunch of low pt total guys. The teams with the upper echelon boom type players have a distinct advantage. Position is less important for the spot.

 

[longshot.chris]

I have found that for bigger leagues it is a must to have a guy that can win you a week by himself. Larger leagues usually have smaller starting lineups and a bunch of low pt total guys. The teams with the upper echelon boom type players have a distinct advantage. Position is less important for the spot.

does that mean you prefer to have top tier QB/TE or do you pay up for more elite RB/WR?

 

[Gally]

I have found that for bigger leagues it is a must to have a guy that can win you a week by himself. Larger leagues usually have smaller starting lineups and a bunch of low pt total guys. The teams with the upper echelon boom type players have a distinct advantage. Position is less important for the spot.

does that mean you prefer to have top tier QB/TE or do you pay up for more elite RB/WR?

The short answer is yes. It depends on the player. Typically TE's don't score enough to win you the week all by themselves so I usually don't prioritize that position.

I don't really go into the draft forcing positions. I draft the highest upside guys regardless of position when my turn comes up. Upside is critical in large leagues

 

[longshot.chris]

Thank you.. Its an auction draft, so its really up to me to form a strategy. So I can get anyone I am willing to pay up for. I won't force it, but I do want to go in with a work-flow like gameplan.. Where I have 3/4 builds (not essentialy exact players). Like a grab a top QB buiid, but if they go crazy expensive then shift to mid-qb with a more elite RB.. But I am willing to overpay a little if that strategy most likely to win.

 

[Gally]

But I am willing to overpay a little if that strategy most likely to win.

The only strategy that guarantees wins is picking the players that perform. I am only half joking. The point is any strategy can win but you gotta pick the right players.

Put in the time to evaluate players more than worrying about positional build. That will be more helpful.