How do you execute your draft? (1 Viewer)

[Cajun Cannon]

Noting the great discussion about drafting philosophy here: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=243103 and the VBD here:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=243376, how do you actually conduct your draft?

I'm in a 12 team redraft with standard scoring , 17 man roster: 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, TE, K, D.

For my drafts, I print out a vbd cheatsheet and mark it up as follows: lines for best starter (ex. QB#12) and then last roster spot (ex. QB#24). Then I make a separate mark for what I call "breaks"- others would call it drop off or deviations, but this line indicates a significant difference in projected fantasy points from one position player to the next ranked player at that position (ex. the break between say Manning, Green, Hasselbeck and then a 40 point drop off to Jake Delhomme).

I then use our past draft history and the ADP to mock out draft scenarios. I hate to admit it, but I always seem to draft RBs in Rd.1 and 2 despite picking as high as 1.01 and as low as 1.09. I'll have an idea of what position I want to draft in rounds 1 - 3 and a ballpark of who will probably be available around my picks. I usually don't get dynamic until rounds 4-9 when runs get going, starters and depth gets thin at particular positions or someone starts a TE run in round 4.

I bring my marked up VBD cheatsheet and strength of schedule to the draft. Sometimes I bring a projection sheet, but rarely.

When the draft begins, I cross off drafted players and I simply take the bpa for the targeted positions in each round. I tend to go 1-RB, 2- RB, 3-WR and then dynamic from there. If I can't decide, like around rds 7-12, I pick the bpa and cross ref with SoS.

How do others plot out and acutally carry out their drafts?

 

[wannabee]

I use draft dominator on my laptop. By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

I use draft dominator on my laptop. By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

End of thread

 

[BigTex]

I use draft dominator on my laptop.  By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

End of thread

 

[AB in DC]

I print out a draft board that lists both my ranking and the ADP for each player.

 

[JohnnyU]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool. I draft based upon my rankings, period. Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

 

[brettdj]

I have a partner in main league. We each make our list. Sometimes it is FBG, sometimes it is excel of our own.

1 hour before draft we make our top 20. We follow the top 20 until all picks are gone. If that means 3 RB or 3 WR then we draft it. After that we use positional need and our 2 sheets average.

 

[Z-Dog]

I only do live auctions now. I use Draft Dominator, VBD spreadsheet that calculates dynamic value changes as people spend money, and cheat sheet of players I intend to nominate, and players I have a particular interest in. Often, these two lists are just a sort of my VBD list into players I like vs. players I don't like, all projections around. Sometimes I will nominate players I do want to buy (like last year when I nominated and stole Larry Johnson prior to Priest Holmes getting nominated. Then I stole Priest Holmes, since everyone was scared to pay for him b/c they couldn't handcuff him).

I do online, long-time drafts, and I pretty much use everything I used to evaluate players - a variety of excel sheets, and draft dominator. I do a lot of trading during drafts too, and I have a pick value calculator I designed for my league that is based on my VBD sheets.

 

[Neo]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool. I draft based upon my rankings, period. Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

 

[ShadowMaster]

I use draft dominator on my laptop. By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

What he said.....

 

[inca911]

Auction Leagues:

I bring a spreadsheet of my calculated auction values for players. While the draft progresses, I monitor how far above or below the teams are vs. my theoretical, which tells me how the competition is shaping up. Some leagues have owners who are afraid to spend on top players so the trend becomes teams having surplus cash and driving up later bids. Other leagues overpay early and the value exists a little deeper in the auction.

 

[ShadowMaster]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

DD is not needed, but it makes it a whole MOTHERLOAD easier and faster to keep track of everything going on.As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

 

[glock]

I use draft dominator on my laptop. By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

What he said.....

Agreed.The only problem I had last year in my auction league was the time needed to enter salaries- the correct salaries! -and keep pace with the draft.

 

[glumpy]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

DD is not needed, but it makes it a whole MOTHERLOAD easier and faster to keep track of everything going on.As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

No way I could deal with a computer while partying drafting. I run a vbd sheet adjusted for my projections and marked up with targets for all stages of the draft including sleepers.

Then I bring that along with a tracking sheet and my cooler.

 

[Family Matters]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

DD is not needed, but it makes it a whole MOTHERLOAD easier and faster to keep track of everything going on.As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

I agree. And I like the DD idea too. Seriously-I use DD on the laptop. It's just easier to click than write. And it's faster. Everything you need is right there.

While I don't do 50 mocks, I will have looked at 50. Between that and all the survivor type drafts that happen between Jan and June, it's not too hard to get a read on what to expect.

I think keeping it simple come draft day is important. All the mocks and projections and forum reading prepare you so that you know what to do on draft day. Keeping it simple so you can "trust you instincts" is important. Too much paper could be distracting.

 

[Bankerguy]

My strategy:

Know your league rules inside and out, especially the scoring.

Bring your rankings and ADP info.

Know your opponents drafting habits (If possible)

Don't go in with only 1 idea or plan.

Be flexible

React to what happens in the draft

Draft for value

Have fun....it's a hobby. Some folks forget this and take themselves waaay too seriously.

 

[JohnnyU]

As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

Is that a fact

 

[wannabee]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool. I draft based upon my rankings, period. Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

 

[Cajun Cannon]

where can one find a pick value calculator and how would one adjust it for the particulars of their draft or league?

Thanks.

 

[wannabee]

where can one find a pick value calculator and how would one adjust it for the particulars of their draft or league?

Thanks.

http://www.footballguys.com/pickvalue.htm

 

[Cajun Cannon]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

DD is not needed, but it makes it a whole MOTHERLOAD easier and faster to keep track of everything going on.As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

I agree. And I like the DD idea too. Seriously-I use DD on the laptop. It's just easier to click than write. And it's faster. Everything you need is right there.

While I don't do 50 mocks, I will have looked at 50. Between that and all the survivor type drafts that happen between Jan and June, it's not too hard to get a read on what to expect.

I think keeping it simple come draft day is important. All the mocks and projections and forum reading prepare you so that you know what to do on draft day. Keeping it simple so you can "trust you instincts" is important. Too much paper could be distracting.

I agree that doing too many drafts will give on tunnel vision during the real draft. Last year was the first that I used DD as prep. I must have ran numerous draft scenarios every day during the months leading up to draft day. The result, I mocked myself always picking Kevin Jones in rd 2 as my second RB. So what happens on draft day? I'm on auto pilo t and pick Jones 2.4= BUST!!! So yes, mocking too much could blind oneself. TOo much paper is bad because no matter how orgainzed I get, I find myself keep better records of the draft or trying to find the perfect stat, projection, piece of infor instead of keeping the big picture of my draft or team in mind.

 

[JohnnyU]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

 

[Wolfpacker]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

DD is not needed, but it makes it a whole MOTHERLOAD easier and faster to keep track of everything going on.As for your horse fetish...... wrong site mate

No way I could deal with a computer while partying drafting. I run a vbd sheet adjusted for my projections and marked up with targets for all stages of the draft including sleepers.

Then I bring that along with a tracking sheet and my coolers.

Fixed, based on last year.

 

[JohnnyU]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

Not really intending this for anyone personally, but more of a general statement, is that the whole point to my previous post is that the draft is not the time for research. You should already know in your head everything you need to know about all the players. One should keep his or her mind free to think of trades, draft flow (which can dictate when you should target players), and have an overall feeling of confidence during the draft. Now this is mostly intended for those that draft 20+ rounds in one evening, not those that do slow drafts (12 or 24 hrs to pick).

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

Not really intending this for anyone personally, but more of a general statement, is that the whole point to my previous post is that the draft is not the time for research. You should already know in your head everything you need to know about all the players. One should keep his or her mind free to think of trades, draft flow (which can dictate when you should target players), and have an overall feeling of confidence during the draft. Now this is mostly intended for those that draft 20+ rounds in one evening, not those that do slow drafts (12 or 24 hrs to pick).

I think I agree with you and that's why I say it is best used as an organizational tool. I don't believe in ***gasp*** using VBD ***gasp*** but I do use the DD to keep the draft easier to keep track of so there is more time to think and analyze as the draft progresses. I am looking for ways to improve upon the way I use it and it seems that Family Matters may not be on the VBD bandwagon. Just looking for ways to improve my drafting techniques.

 

[glock]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool. I draft based upon my rankings, period. Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

Not really intending this for anyone personally, but more of a general statement, is that the whole point to my previous post is that the draft is not the time for research. You should already know in your head everything you need to know about all the players. One should keep his or her mind free to think of trades, draft flow (which can dictate when you should target players), and have an overall feeling of confidence during the draft. Now this is mostly intended for those that draft 20+ rounds in one evening, not those that do slow drafts (12 or 24 hrs to pick).

The point to the DD for me is that I don't have to keep eeeverything in my head- it's all there in front of me as the auction evolves...Allowing me to keep my mind free to think. I can easily keep an eye on other owners needs and salary caps and nominate and bid accordingly.

 

[wannabee]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool.  I draft based upon my rankings, period.  Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

Not really intending this for anyone personally, but more of a general statement, is that the whole point to my previous post is that the draft is not the time for research. You should already know in your head everything you need to know about all the players. One should keep his or her mind free to think of trades, draft flow (which can dictate when you should target players), and have an overall feeling of confidence during the draft. Now this is mostly intended for those that draft 20+ rounds in one evening, not those that do slow drafts (12 or 24 hrs to pick).

The point to the DD for me is that I don't have to keep eeeverything in my head- it's all there in front of me as the auction evolves...Allowing me to keep my mind free to think. I can easily keep an eye on other owners needs and salary caps and nominate and bid accordingly.

This is what I was trying to say. THe DD, for drafts, help let me know which owners in front of me need what positions. It helps me be able to do a better job drafting.

 

[glock]

I go with name of the horse most of the time, but sometimes I draft based upon who the jockey is.

I would think most FF sharks here don't need Draft Dominator or any kind of tool. I draft based upon my rankings, period. Won a few, lost a few, but I do pretty well in most leagues.

Johnny,While the VBD (value) section of the DD is helpful, that is only one tool of the DD, and its usefulness. The DD allows me to mock, using ADP info, the draft several times and play around with the "feel" of who can be had in which round. In addition, DD is very helpful in keeping track of each team's picks/needs in order to prepare for my picks two-five rounds ahead. I think the best drafters are ones that lay out a rough plan for the next several picks .... but still can remain flexible if value arises.

I can respect those who bring lap tops, endless projections and stats, but for me personally, I have all that I feel I need in my head, with the exception of my draft list, which I use to mark off players as they are drafted. Also, I do ZERO mocks during the year. The draft is not the time for mulling over projections and stats (not saying you do). Freeing your hands and mind of too many tasks during the draft allows you to keep track of what's going on during the draft, which is important in drafting a good team, IMO.

IMO DD is the best organizational tool and can be used without using VBD. Question: If you were to take your top 200 or 300 and assign them numerical values 1-200 or 1-300 haven't you created a your draft sheet within DD? Would this be the equivalent to your draftsheet rankings and you could just close the windows you choose not to use?

Not really intending this for anyone personally, but more of a general statement, is that the whole point to my previous post is that the draft is not the time for research. You should already know in your head everything you need to know about all the players. One should keep his or her mind free to think of trades, draft flow (which can dictate when you should target players), and have an overall feeling of confidence during the draft. Now this is mostly intended for those that draft 20+ rounds in one evening, not those that do slow drafts (12 or 24 hrs to pick).

The point to the DD for me is that I don't have to keep eeeverything in my head- it's all there in front of me as the auction evolves...Allowing me to keep my mind free to think. I can easily keep an eye on other owners needs and salary caps and nominate and bid accordingly.

This is what I was trying to say. THe DD, for drafts, help let me know which owners in front of me need what positions. It helps me be able to do a better job drafting.

[rainmanvoice]It's an excellent helper.[/rainmanvoice]

 

[radballs]

There are so many things that the Draft Dominator does for you during a draft that I really think you're making things harder for yourself if you don't use it just because you don't like FBG projections or whatever. You can put your own projections in there which I do. Why make things harder for yourself and get less value from your system by using pencil and paper?

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

There are so many things that the Draft Dominator does for you during a draft that I really think you're making things harder for yourself if you don't use it just because you don't like FBG projections or whatever. You can put your own projections in there which I do. Why make things harder for yourself and get less value from your system by using pencil and paper?

What types of information do those of you using DD put into the Player Notes sections in DD? Right now I'm listing potential sleeper picks and target rounds, injuries for 2005, rookies, RBBC sits, backups, etc? Should I include anything else that might be helpful?

 

[nightshift]

I use draft dominator on my laptop. By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

Sure, blame your bad drafting on Joe & David ...

 

[wannabee]

I use draft dominator on my laptop.  By the time each draft comes, I will have run through 50+ mock drafts of each league and playing out different scenarios to see which I like best.

Sure, blame your bad drafting on Joe & David ...

LOL. I still like my team better than yours ....