First 4 rounds - What are you hoping to end up with? (1 Viewer)

[Scoresman]

In mocking and planning my drafts, I always like to get a picture of how I want my team to look after the first 4 rounds. This could be anything from landing a specific player, to just an overall goal by position. Or some strictly go by BPA.

For me, this year it seems like I really want to get out of the first 4 rounds with 2 RBs. When I don't do this, and am pretty much forced to look at RBs from round 5 on, it gets really bare. I feel like there are so many WR options in these same rounds, that it kind of supports this. But I also see people swearing that loading up early at WR is the way to go since it's a tougher position to navigate through waivers. So not entirely sure here.

I am also not at all averse to drafting a QB early depending on my draft slot. But at the same time, there are so many good late options that this is a position I am not putting any hard rules on this year.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Gibbs

 

[Ministry of Pain]

3 WRs and 1 RB unless Allen and LJax start to fall
You are overlooking RBs that is there in the 5th-6th round
Swift-Monty-Harvey-Pacheco...there's some decent guys you can plug in for RB2 platoon with more RBs to come in future rounds

i wouldn't pigeon hole yourself

 

[Scoresman]

3 WRs and 1 RB unless Allen and LJax start to fall
You are overlooking RBs that is there in the 5th-6th round
Swift-Monty-Harvey-Pacheco...there's some decent guys you can plug in for RB2 platoon with more RBs to come in future rounds

i wouldn't pigeon hole yourself

Yeah some of those are decent RBs for sure but I would much rather start out with something like Bijan and Chase Brown, then get WRs like D. Smith, DJ Moore after, and then even in rounds 6 and 7 you've got guys like Pickens and Tet McMillan who have enormous upside. You cant say the same about many of the RBs in the same range. Maybe Harvey, but his ADP keeps climbing.

 

[TheWinz]

The only draft slot I know for sure is I'm in the 12 spot in PPR. I would be happy with something like this:
1.12 - RB Derrick Henry
2.13 - WR Nico Collins
3.36 - WR Davante Adams - doubt he makes it this far, but he's currently 36 on FantasyPros
4.37 - RB Alvin Kamara

 

[Deranged Hermit]

3 WR and 1 RB. I'm planning on grabbing WR round 1 (9th pick out of 12), RB in the 2nd and WR in 3/4.

 

[travdogg]

I haven't had a single best ball or mock where I haven't greatly preferred taking a TE early. Just love the advantage having a McBride, Bowers, or Kittle gives you.

I like the QBs in that range too if they make it to round 3/4, but don't mind waiting as much there. I've been finding myself really gravitating toward CMC/Nico in the later part of round 1. Also getting a lot of Kenneth Walker in round 4.

But overall, just making sure I get a top-3 TE is my only real hope/priority. Being that all 3 are in my top-21 overall, its been pretty common.

 

[darksideofoz]

a good buzz, and no drama

 

[Scoresman]

So after seeing all of the 3 WR/1 RB responses (not just here) I tried this for a few mocks.

For all of these I picked an early draft position as that's where I'm drafting in a few of my leagues. I opened with Lamb for all. In round 2, I got Chase Brown only about 50% of the time. His ADP seems to be climbing. This is bad because all that was left there was reaching for James Cook or Kenneth Walker. Most of the times, I took Ladd McConkey or AJ Brown here. I think that's a good start!

Same RB problem in Round three though. Reaching for James Cook or Walker, when there are still lots of receivers I could continue to draft. Then by the time we get to end of round 4/early round 5 the RB cupboard is incredibly bare. Oh but look, there are more great receivers to take here. Devonta Smith, Pickens, DJ Moore, etc.

I'll try going RB in round 1 and see if I like those teams better.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I agree with you Scores. I get the elite WR in round 1 value, but I’ll be damned if I take 2 WRs in the first 3 rounds without a RB.

I like entering the 4th with 1 of each: RB, WR, and TE/QB. That really opens you up to taking BPA and not reaching in those crucial middle rounds.

 

[MAC_32]

Joe Flacco
Kenny Pickett
Shedeur Sanders
Dillon Gabriel

 

[joey]

In my mocks from the 7 and 11 slots for 2 upcoming drafts, I’ll definitely grab an RB a in the first 2 rounds. And likely grab 2 RBs in the first 4 rounds. After that, if there are multiple flex positions where I can start 3 RBs, I’m going RB again in the 5th (before what I consider a pretty big drop off) since I feel more confident finding WR value in rounds 6 and beyond throughout the draft and on the waiver wire.

But….#oldSchoolRBHoarder

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Ideally I would like to take the best 4 players I can take.

If one’s a RB and 3 are WR, it will be very consistent with how I’ve drafted in the past.

If it’s 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 QB, I’ll take that too. So long as those are the best players on the board when I’m picking that’s perfect.

One take-away for me from past years is that the best plan is one that I can pivot from if the draft dictates it.

Probably sounds cliche. Can’t force it. Mocks are good because they give you an idea of the range of players in each round. I like to make lists of targets & their tiers for each round.

If anyone from a prior round’s tier is left on the list it’s an automatic, regardless of position (I mean, won’t take a QB2 in 1 QB league, obv) Otherwise I go by the tier and look where the various positions have the biggest tier breaks. If there’s a cliff coming at a given position, that’s my pick.

Every time I fall in love with specific players or positions in a real draft, i either overlook value at another position, or I see “my guy” picked and it sends me into a little panic. Then I’m scrambling for an alternate player, still stinking from the snipe.

 

[need2know]

Auction

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Auction

This of course is the correct answer.

 

[need2know]

Auction

This of course is the correct answer.

just started doing them a couple years ago. wow what a difference

 

[Desert_Power]

I'm finding that I really like a lot of the running backs in the 10-20 range but only a couple of of WRs in there. While I usually like to take RB early, that can have me left grabbing between WRs that I really don't distinguish.

 

[wgoldsph]

I want pick six . The top six is chase, JJ, CD, Bijan, Barkley, and Gibbs.

Whichever falls to me.

 

[TheWinz]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

 

[Zow]

This may be a year where I'd be happy to get an elite QB - Lamar/Allen/Hurts/Daniels - in round three or four if possible. Then some combination of RBs and WRs (unless McBride or Bowers is available late second).

So, something like this would be my ideal in 1QB PPR or .5 PPR:

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

or

Saquon
Bowers
AJ Brown
Daniels

Obviously format* and scoring system makes a huge difference here but my point is I could see being happy with an elite QB or TE in the first four rounds provided I didn't have to overpay.


*If it's start 3 WRs then I'd likely for sure want two WRs in the first four rounds unless some unbelievably unexpected values fall.

 

[Gally]

Ideally I would like to take the best 4 players I can take.

This is the correct answer. Don't force positions. Be ready to pivot. Value falls when you least expect it. Don't be afraid to change course if you get presented with the opportunity.

 

[Ilov80s]

Scoring settings/roster matter a lot here.

My old school standard league, I am almost certainly going RB/RB/QB and then like 5 WRs.

 

[H8fulHuck]

Hoping to end up with unexpected value falling to my picks. I'll scoop and deal with the fallout later.

Last year Ja'Marr chase fell to me at 10 due to some last minute panic. Great way to start a draft.

 

[wgoldsph]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

 

[Ilov80s]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

What don't you like about it? I haven't been back there but it seems like there are at least 15 1st rounders this year so being at the back end and getting seems pretty good in theory to me.

 

[TheWinz]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

So far, I don't hate the spot, unless I try to get cute and take 2 WR's at the 1/2 turn. I've mocked this a few times and would be ecstatic with it:
1.12 - Derrick Henry
2.1 - Nico Collins
3.12 - Davante Adams
4.1 - Alvin Kamara

 

[wgoldsph]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

What don't you like about it? I haven't been back there but it seems like there are at least 15 1st rounders this year so being at the back end and getting seems pretty good in theory to me.

There's just so many players I'd rather have in the middle of the 2nd and 3rd. End of 3/4 is where all the guys I don't want to draft but can't move down a teir go

 

[greenmountaingoat]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

I’m picking 8 this year but have for the few prior years picked 11 or 12. Same experience. There’s always guys I like at both WR and RB there. 3/4 is where my strategy will unfold based on who falls into my lap. Muhahaa. I’ll always pick up a WR there and maybe 2 if I really like who fell. But quite open to a TE/ QB / RB.

Mocks will give a good sense for which pockets of players are likely available later. The WR market always seems the most liquid.

I’ve subscribed to the Hero RB thing for a while. Lots of replacement value spills back into the market for cost not well correlated with draft capital. But having great RBs is an amazing thing too.

One of my Dynos is starting 1RB, 1WR, 1TE and 3 flex. It’s a really fun format. It nukes the positional scarcity problem that RBs typically cause.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

I just drafted a SF TEP start-up from 11.
We’re in the 26th, but I’ll give you my first 10:

1.11 - Lamb
2.02 - Gibbs
3.11 - Purdy
4.2 - Baker
5.11 - AJB
6.02 - Jamo
7.10 (trade up) Kaleb Johnson
7.11 - DeSmith
8.02 - DJM
9.11 - Mason Taylor
10.02 - Charbonnet

Feels like a pretty solid team from the turn. I’d be happy with this start in just about any format.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

1.12 - Derrick Henry
2.1 - Nico Collins
3.12 - Davante Adams
4.1 - Alvin Kamara

Yeah, redraft is even better because you can grab Henry on a “1 year deal” as compared to startup where youth obsession trends a bit stronger

 

[greenmountaingoat]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

What don't you like about it? I haven't been back there but it seems like there are at least 15 1st rounders this year so being at the back end and getting seems pretty good in theory to me.

There's just so many players I'd rather have in the middle of the 2nd and 3rd. End of 3/4 is where all the guys I don't want to draft but can't move down a teir go

For years I was grinding my projections and ADP to try to beat the children I was in the league with. And always got frustrated with the net VORP of drafting out of the 11 or 12. I felt like the biggest tier breaks happened in:

First 6 picks.

Middle of the Second

Middle of the third

Seemed to convey an advantage to the other players. But the draft is just the beginning. And I always have a lot of marks in the draft anyway. You’re going to outwork most of them and turn an advantage off of roster management. Even if you draft the perfect team. They’re all just going to end up injured.

 

[wgoldsph]

Been mocking from the 12 spot. I don't like my teams when I start WR/WR

The problem is the 12 spot. It's just a trash place to draft this year.

Source: I keep getting stuck in 12 in my BB leagues

What don't you like about it? I haven't been back there but it seems like there are at least 15 1st rounders this year so being at the back end and getting seems pretty good in theory to me.

There's just so many players I'd rather have in the middle of the 2nd and 3rd. End of 3/4 is where all the guys I don't want to draft but can't move down a teir go

For years I was grinding my projections and ADP to try to beat the children I was in the league with. And always got frustrated with the net VORP of drafting out of the 11 or 12. I felt like the biggest tier breaks happened in:

First 6 picks.

Middle of the Second

Middle of the third

Seemed to convey an advantage to the other players. But the draft is just the beginning. And I always have a lot of marks in the draft anyway. You’re going to outwork most of them and turn an advantage off of roster management. Even if you draft the perfect team. They’re all just going to end up injured.

Every team I've drafted for the past I don't remember how long gets an injury to two of my top four picks.

I have a huge break after 6, then 12, around 25 depending on the day, and 35ish. That's where I just say funk it and go bpa. So normally I'm left with a choice between the tail end of my "Wrs/rbs with big Q but 1 potential" teir, George Kittle, and a qb earlier than I'd want or miss out on the top tier of them entirely.

 

[joey]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

 

[Ilov80s]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Even in full PPR, I agree you shouldn't get you hopes up. Maybe 5% chance to see something like this where teams in that 6-11 spot are just nervous about JJ McCarthy and Jefferson's hamstring.

1. Chase
2. Saquon
3. Bijan
4. Gibbs
5. Lamb
6. CMC
7. Puka
8. Nabers
9. Amon Ra
10. Jeanty
11. Achane
12. Jefferson
13. Henry

 

[menobrown]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

 

[Zow]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

I agree. But the question was "ideal." As somebody posted above, the combo is unlikely but has happened. As such, it's "ideal."

 

[joey]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

Wow. I’d love to start with 2 top 10 players on my team.
Ideal indeed!

 

[Zow]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

Wow. I’d love to start with 2 top 10 players on my team.
Ideal indeed!

FBG doesn't have Henry in its top ten.

 

[menobrown]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

Wow. I’d love to start with 2 top 10 players on my team.
Ideal indeed!

FBG doesn't have Henry in its top ten.

I assume Joey meant two of his top 10 players.

Henrys' ADP in the two major FFPC redraft contest is 17/18.

Based on where JJ is going getting both of them is fairly close to ADP/chalk in this contest. I actually just finished a slow $350/Big Guerilla FFPC draft yesterday and a team did the JJ/Henry duo but they took Henry higher then ADP, JJ fell to 9.

 

[Ilov80s]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

Yep even more likely there with 1.5 TE premium moving Bowers and McBride into consideration. It seems Henry gets discounted (too much IMO) in those leagues like Underdog, FFPC, etc. Henry is going between pick 16 and 21 in FFPC. I just looked like that up. Pretty shocling.

 

[joey]

Jefferson
Henry
Josh Allen
JSN

not to nitpick, but I will

I don't see a world (unless it's superflex, I guess) where JJ and Henry are both on the same team. JJ is top 6-ish and Henry is mid/late-1st round, imho

Actually this world, there are a healthy amount of teams in every single FFPC contest that have drafted both of them.

Wow. I’d love to start with 2 top 10 players on my team.
Ideal indeed!

FBG doesn't have Henry in its top ten.

Yeah. MY top 10, as Meno guessed.

I have the 7th pick in my long time 12 team, 1/2 ppr, no TE required league. I plan on taking Henry there if none of the “big 6” drop to me, and I’m fading CMC cuz I’m a chicken.

 

[Pickle Rody]

I'm flexible right now. I have about 12 players i am considering for those rounds but i haven't locked in on 4 specific players just yet. I also have a general positional goal each year but not yet this year.