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How to approach an 8 team draft? (1 Viewer)

Late225

Footballguy
Hey guys,

I'm usually in auction dynasty leagues with contracts and 16 teams. I just got invited to an 8 team league with some guys from college. I'm actually baffled on how to approach a league this shallow. Any pointers? I'm sure it's a guppy filled league.

 
Wow! Based on what you said about usually being in 16 team leagues, this is going to be a radical change, but that could make it fun.

I don't like small leagues for a number of reasons. Mostly, it's because they are like a bunch of all-star teams where winning vs. losing comes down to whatever stud really went off instead of just having a good day. But that's me.

First, as always, league scoring and roster/bench size matter. The larger the bench, the greater the penalty will likely me for missing and/or intentionally conceding a position in the first 6-7 rounds of the draft. In general, I have found that leagues with fewer teams don't penalize the owners who make a few questionable picks early in the draft because there are comparatively decent players left in the later rounds. In addition, if the bench sizes are small, these same "questionable pick" owners can also overcome their draft by more easily acquiring meaningful free agents.

Be prepared for owners to draft QBs and TEs earlier than you might expect, but before you consider this as "guppy" behavior -- which it might be -- it also can be a reasonable strategy because the penalty for passing on RB/WR early isn't as great in a smaller league. Even in larger leagues, FBG/Shark Pool regulars might think they are having a great draft if they secure 4 RBs in the first 6-7 rounds while most of the other teams are happily filling out their entire lineup. However, if you end up with the 8th best QB and 8th best TE, and other teams aren't particularly interested in trading, you could be in for a long season.

So my suggestion would be to not wait too long on QB, in particular if you usually do, and to not worry as much about depth, because the 8 team concept favors the "all star" approach instead of the attrition approach.

Really, until you go through a season, or at least a draft, you will be making educated guesses at best, but that doesn't mean you still can't beat up on your buddies.

Good luck!

 
I'm in my 16th year or so in an 8-teamer. If you draft in spots 1-5, go RB, after that, go WR. I disagree with the previous poster. QB is VERY deep in an 8 teamer. Load up on RBs, WRs, and a top TE and get guys like Stafford and Bradford later.

I only participate in redrafts so can't speak for 8-team dynasty or keepers.

 
in 8 team leagues, you need a top tier qb. that will separate you from the rest. everyone will have awesome rbs and wrs. of course winning the league means having some of the best of those too

 
Late225 is right about which of your elite don't show up being a big factor (IMO). But, look at this opportunity.

Based on the scoring, you can almost count on a top 10 RB ( or top 5 WR) in third round. I don't know where you are drafting but if I was going 4 or lower in a PPR Aaron Rogers in the first, then pick up a top 8 RB in the second (unless elite WR is still there). In a 8 team league, get a stable of RB and start them best match up by best match.

You play so you know it about reaction in the draft and getting best value, and since you can wait and still get quality, use it.

 
They're fun but after the draft every roster will look really loaded. You'll look at 6 of the 8 teams and say they have the most loaded roster. It comes down to who has the best depth and who avoids injuries, etc.

I disagree with Sandeman about QB. Yes QB is deep, but with only 8 teams, you can afford to pick a top 5 QB early and still be able to nab top RB/WR.

This is very possible in 8-team league (actual draft from #6 spot last week):

QB-Brady

RB-Mendenhall

RB-Hillis

RB-F.Jones

WR-White

WR-Fitz

TE-Finley

 
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I'm in my 16th year or so in an 8-teamer. If you draft in spots 1-5, go RB, after that, go WR. I disagree with the previous poster. QB is VERY deep in an 8 teamer. Load up on RBs, WRs, and a top TE and get guys like Stafford and Bradford later.I only participate in redrafts so can't speak for 8-team dynasty or keepers.
Perhaps the reason we disagree is because when you have a Stafford or Bradford in a 12 or 14 teamer, you are only ceding an advantage at QB to 8 or 9 teams in the league. But in an 8 teamer, going with Stafford or Bradford puts you at a disadvantage to effectively the entire league.In addition, one of the benefits of waiting on QB is being able to stockpile a large advantage at the core RB and WR (possibly even TE) positions compared to the teams that draft QBs early. In a 12 team league, perhaps your RB1 being overall #4 RB is in comparison to their RB1 being overall #12 or so, which should be a large advantage.Well, this advantage at the other positions is lesser when there are only 8 teams selecting these RB and WR. So in an 8 team league, your RB1 overall being #4 may be compared to the early-QB team with a RB1 of #8 overall. Not nearly as advantageous.I'm not saying you're wrong, but I wanted to explain myself more clearly for the benefit of anyone reading this thread. As always, league scoring, roster and bench sizes, and league drafting tendencies will factor into the analysis. Maybe my small leagues have been fundamentally different from yours, but I learned the hard way how waiting on QB was not nearly as advantageous in small leagues compared to large leagues, at least for me.I edited this to add that as the NFL becomes more QB-driven, the number of QBs separating at the top has grown. Consider that from 1999-2003, there were ten season of 30+ combined TDs at the QB position, an average of 2 per season. In 2010 alone, there were seven QBs that had 30+ combined TDs. It was one thing a decade ago to have one or two FF opponents that had a big edge in QB play, but with today's prolific QBs, it isn't just one or two teams with high QB production, it's more like 6 or 7. So an 8 team league owner can definitely wait and draft someone who has a chance to be a top 10 QB in the 8th round or whatever, but it's not like it was a decade ago, where #10 was maybe 1 or 1.5 fantasy points game behind most of the other QBs. Now, that #10 QB will put you about 3-4 points behind virtually every other opponent. Last year, in standard FBG scoring, the gap from #1 (Brady) to #8 (Ryan) was 57 points. But the gap between #5 (Rivers) and #8 was 46 points, and between #6 (Brees) and #8 was 35 points.The gap between the #5 and #8 QBs was the exact same as the gap between the #5 WR (Wallace) and the #19 WR (Colston), and the #5 RB (Chris Johnson) and the #15 RB (Green-Ellis). Surely, you wouldn't advocate a draft strategy that says ALWAYS wait on your second RB or second WR since you can get a reasonable starter in the 7th or 8th round (WR19 is 7.06 in current ADP). So I believe you shouldn't just insist on waiting on QB either. I'd still hope to get a bargain. But dropping a down a few slots at WR in round 4 might be worth it if it helps avoid a 3-4 point weekly deficit at QB.
 
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Be prepared for owners to draft QBs and TEs earlier than you might expect, but before you consider this as "guppy" behavior -- which it might be -- it also can be a reasonable strategy because the penalty for passing on RB/WR early isn't as great in a smaller league.
It's not guppy behavior. I have a standing 8-team keeper league that's been around for a decade now. I've got the most wins, championship appearances, and championships over that span. I attribute the overwhelming majority of that to two facts: I owned Antonio Gates every single season from his breakout until last year, and I drafted a QB within the first two rounds every year except for one. RBs and WRs are so valuable in 12-teamers because of positional scarcity- cut down on the scarcity, and you cut down on the value. In an 8-team league, everyone should have a starting RB sitting on the bench. There's just not the pressing need to load up on RBs, because there's always huge value to be had cheaply elsewhere. Instead, the key is to focus on major game-changing difference-makers... and the easiest way to do that is to grab one of the elite QBs early. Top QBs are predictable, and give you a precious weekly advantage which is otherwise hard to come by when everyone else's roster is stacked. I would take both Rodgers and Vick with any pick after 1.03 in an 8-team league, and I would look at Brady, Brees, and Romo starting at the 1/2 turn. Also, I would make landing Gates or Finley a priority, starting to eye them as early as the 3rd or 4th.In an 8-team league, it's about stockpiling difference makers regardless of position.
 
in 8 team leagues, you need a top tier qb. that will separate you from the rest. everyone will have awesome rbs and wrs. of course winning the league means having some of the best of those too
There are roughly 8 top tier QBs.

Vick, Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning1, Romo +

whoever your bet is to take the top tier by storm this year, a la "QB IS SOOOOOO DEEP THIS YEAR" sleeper of the day:

Ryan (Atl= greatest show on turf 2?)

Stafford ("if he's healthy" apparently this guy is Dan Marino)

Josh Freeman (was trendier during the spring, I guess he's a "mobile qb" and apparently his 0 rushing TDs last year was an unrepeatable anomaly)

Schaub (say what you want, this is a high end offense and he has top 7 upside)

Bradford (will he be fist pumping with McD all the way to the pro bowl?)

Roethlisberger (Bloom is ready to put this guy above Rivers. I'm serious.)

 
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On a side note I did an 8 team ppr draft today.

The commish is new to fantasy football. He put in interesting scoring settings like:

"WR is awarded 2 extra points for catching 9+ balls in a game"

and

"QB is awarded 2 extra points for 25+ completions in a game"

and

"RB is awarded 2 extra points for reaching 30 carries in a game"

Almost the entire league ignored the scoring settings. Everyone except me, and the commish was so new to FF that he didn't understand how it skewed the player value.

Well since a RB carrying the ball 30 times in a game is not going to happen much in today's NFL I decided that WR/TE and QB had a bit more upside if I could find the guys that score well.

I had the choice of which slot I would pick from, I chose 7. Happily watching all the top tier RBs go off the board before me I went bananas with WR. I went AJ at 7 and Fitz at 10. In the 3rd rd I landed Forte (proclaiming "I'm a man! I'm forte!" no one got it, and i had to youtube this and show the rest of the league:

). Then I got Brees as the 3rd QB off the board. Reason I went Brees? He has 11 games of 25+ completions last year. Brady, Brees, Rivers... all either 4-5.My team filled out thus:

Brees

Bradford

Forte

Bradshaw

Mathews

Ingram

Andre Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Brandon Marshall (a steal in the 6th)

Santana Moss

Aaron Hernandez/Jared Cook (one of these guys is gonna explode this year. If not, Kendricks and Olsen are in the free agent pool)

Various meaningless kickers and defenses.

I think I have a good shot to win this league. I would have liked to get an elite pass catching TE, like Witten, Clark or Gates... but I think there's so many sleeper options that I was comfortable adding high upside RB depth through the mid rounds to make up for my WR/WR start.

It should be a fun league. Definitely different. Maybe a bit dumbed down. But it's like my 10th league I've entered this year and wanted to try something new with a bunch of dudes from work.

 
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in 8 team leagues, you need a top tier qb. that will separate you from the rest. everyone will have awesome rbs and wrs. of course winning the league means having some of the best of those too
There are roughly 8 top tier QBs.

Vick, Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning1, Romo +

whoever your bet is to take the top tier by storm this year, a la "QB IS SOOOOOO DEEP THIS YEAR" sleeper of the day:

Ryan (Atl= greatest show on turf 2?)

Stafford ("if he's healthy" apparently this guy is Dan Marino)

Josh Freeman (was trendier during the spring, I guess he's a "mobile qb" and apparently his 0 rushing TDs last year was an unrepeatable anomaly)

Schaub (say what you want, this is a high end offense and he has top 7 upside)

Bradford (will he be fist pumping with McD all the way to the pro bowl?)

Roethlisberger (Bloom is ready to put this guy above Rivers. I'm serious.)
That's a 12-teamer list. In an 8-team league, your QBs look like this-Top Tier (2): Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers (Vick jumps Rodgers because upside is extra important in smaller leagues)

Second Tier: Brees, Brady, Romo

Everyone else is a liability, unless Manning gets cleared. As far as I'm concerned, if you don't have one of those 5 guys in an 8-teamer, you're starting from a huge hole.

 
We usually run a small local league but it's moved from 16 to 10 to 8 over the last few years. We may get a few people but it's looking likely it'll be 8 teams for us. Like the OP i've never played a league this small before but I'm pushing for 2QB 3RB 4WR 2TE starting lineups to try and take away the all stud teams.

 
8 team drafts are simple IMO. You draft BPA for at least 6-7 rounds. The key is to accumulate as many studs as you can.

Personally, I like the first 15-16 RBs, then there is a dropoff.

I like the first 8 WRs

I think that there are 7 stud QBs

I think that there are 5 stud TEs.

That's 36 players "stud". The key is to get 5-6 of these guys if you can. Preferably, 2 RBs, 1 QB, 1WR, and 1 TE. If you can get 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, and 1 TE from this bunch, smile.

So my stategy is similar to SSOG.

 
I tried an 8 team league a few years ago. I thought I'd be clever by taking Peyton Manning in the first round, assuming that there would be tons of stud RBs available in the later rounds. Huge mistake. Manning ended up having an average year, I missed out on several good RBs, and to top it all off, there were 3-4 stud QBs available on the waiver wire every single week.

 
Be prepared for owners to draft QBs and TEs earlier than you might expect, but before you consider this as "guppy" behavior -- which it might be -- it also can be a reasonable strategy because the penalty for passing on RB/WR early isn't as great in a smaller league.
It's not guppy behavior. I have a standing 8-team keeper league that's been around for a decade now. I've got the most wins, championship appearances, and championships over that span. I attribute the overwhelming majority of that to two facts: I owned Antonio Gates every single season from his breakout until last year, and I drafted a QB within the first two rounds every year except for one. RBs and WRs are so valuable in 12-teamers because of positional scarcity- cut down on the scarcity, and you cut down on the value. In an 8-team league, everyone should have a starting RB sitting on the bench. There's just not the pressing need to load up on RBs, because there's always huge value to be had cheaply elsewhere. Instead, the key is to focus on major game-changing difference-makers... and the easiest way to do that is to grab one of the elite QBs early. Top QBs are predictable, and give you a precious weekly advantage which is otherwise hard to come by when everyone else's roster is stacked. I would take both Rodgers and Vick with any pick after 1.03 in an 8-team league, and I would look at Brady, Brees, and Romo starting at the 1/2 turn. Also, I would make landing Gates or Finley a priority, starting to eye them as early as the 3rd or 4th.In an 8-team league, it's about stockpiling difference makers regardless of position.
:goodposting: :thumbup: The advantage Gates/Finley or an elite QB give you over every other team in the league is hard to overcome - especially in shallow leagues, where everyone has quality RBs and WRs.

A little while back, they used to call them "X Values" - the value a player had over a reasonable replacement. First off, the potential value a TE like Gates (who might be one of the GOAT at the position) or an elite QB gives you is not just "stud-like" it's "GOAT-like". In an 8 team league, your RBs and WRs are going to likely be solid - as was stated, every team should have 3 starting RBs on their roster. Even teams that go RB late will end up with guys like Mendenhall, Moreno, Wells, Benson, etc. The X-Value difference between Gates (well, used to be - maybe for another year or two) & Rodgers/Vick and the next guys at their respective positions is tough to overcome in RB X-Value or WR X Value, because there simply isn't as much desparity in talent across rosters (especially in shallower leagues).

I am in a 10 team dynasty league - and have won the Championship 3 of 7 years (which is more than anyone else in the league) and made the playoffs very consistantly - with Gates and P. Manning. We start 3 WRs, so WRs have to be deep, but typically, I have patched together RBs with WW pickups and occasionally drafting one in our rookie draft.

Difference makers is the way to go. Once you have that advantage, it is tough for other teams to overcome.

 
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Disagree about the "must draft a top tier QB," but agree that it is difference makers that you are looking for. I'm in an 8-team league at work and basically ignored the QB position until everyone took their 1st AND their 2nd QB. In the 14, 15, and 16th round and got Eli, Cutler, Bradford. It'll take some in-season management, but I'm pretty confident I can get a rotation from these three that average around 20 ppg, which IMO puts me in a better position than the Vick, Manning, and Romo owners who spent very high picks and have serious risks on their hands. I have Charles, McFadden, Calvin, VJax, Gates, and Wayne on my starting roster.

But SSOG is absolutely right about only drafting difference makers. Don't bother with a guy like Cedric Benson no matter how far he falls. And don't worry about striking out on a guy you think has a 25% shot of being elite, there will be plenty of talent to be found on the WW.

 
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They're fun but after the draft every roster will look really loaded. You'll look at 6 of the 8 teams and say they have the most loaded roster. It comes down to who has the best depth and who avoids injuries, etc. I disagree with Sandeman about QB. Yes QB is deep, but with only 8 teams, you can afford to pick a top 5 QB early and still be able to nab top RB/WR. This is very possible in 8-team league (actual draft from #6 spot last week):QB-BradyRB-MendenhallRB-HillisRB-F.JonesWR-WhiteWR-FitzTE-Finley
Please link to the entire draft. Even in an 8-teamer, this league has some owners who have no idea what they're doing. In my league, these guys went:4.012.043.024.042.012.026.02Going for a top 5 QB in an 8 team league is not smart unless somebody drops. Develop your edge in other positions, particularly RB, and then draft two or three QBs with favorable schedules. Getting a combination of Ryan, Roethlisberger, Stafford and maybe Eli, while paying attention to their schedule, is how you win. You don't create an edge responding to QB runs of the top 5 or so guys.
 
I went RB early and often last night, free league, but not really happy with it. I kept thinking gosh, how can I leave this RB on the board and let some WRs/TEs/QBs go by which could have helped my starting line up. We start 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1RB/WR and not PPR. Here is what I got by going RB heavy:

QB - Stafford

RB - Rice, Mendenhall, Forte, Bradshaw, Felix Jones, Ingram, F. Jackson, B. Jacobs

WR - Lloyd, Marshall, S. Johnson

TE - Gronkowski

Sadly I don't know if some of the fellas know how weak they are at RB, or their bye week issues. I will likely have to wait for an injury to capitalize on my RBs.

 
In an 8 team league, players like Cedric Benson and Malcom Floyd are essentially worthless. They may even find their way onto waivers, depending how shallow your bench is. Getting the best player at as many positions as possible is key. If you can, an ideal draft would include a top 3 RB, a top 2 QB, a top 4 WR, and a top 2 Tight End. You have to draft for upside.

 
You guys are right about crazy rules. Looks like this 8 team league is idp. It's standard 10yrd 4qb touchdown ppr scoring, but there's crazy bonuses for offense - 5pts for 300yd passing and 10pts for 400 yard passing. It's also start 2qb, 3rb, 3wr, and 1 te with no flex.

Also 2de, 2lb, 2db, and 1 flex, but scoring is so low for idps - 1 pt for every 3 tackles and 2 points for a sack (4 pts for td also). I'm just going to nab qb/rb/wr until the cows come home, take 2 sleeper te's in the last few rounds, and treat idps like kickers with their scoring. Dr. Jene's rankings will definitely come in handy in the late rounds.

Too bad the myfbg projections don't take into account these crazy bonuses...

 
I went RB early and often last night, free league, but not really happy with it. I kept thinking gosh, how can I leave this RB on the board and let some WRs/TEs/QBs go by which could have helped my starting line up. We start 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1RB/WR and not PPR. Here is what I got by going RB heavy:QB - StaffordRB - Rice, Mendenhall, Forte, Bradshaw, Felix Jones, Ingram, F. Jackson, B. JacobsWR - Lloyd, Marshall, S. JohnsonTE - Gronkowski Sadly I don't know if some of the fellas know how weak they are at RB, or their bye week issues. I will likely have to wait for an injury to capitalize on my RBs.
Not sure if you've done 8 teamers before, but I don't know what you're going to trade your RBs for. You think someone is going to give up Vick or Rodgers? Doubtful. A top 3 WR? You're going to have to offer your best WR and a RB better than Ingram, and most won't accept it. A stud RB who is better than your top 3 (likely Rice, Mendenhall, Felix)? MAYBE but in an 8 teamer, it's too easy to get adequate production off waivers. You're going to have to offer Forte AND Bradshaw AND Mark Ingram for Arian Foster, and the Foster owner is unlikely to accept unless their #2 and #3 RBs are Thomas Jones and Willis McGahee. But the thing is, their RB2 and RB3 won't be that bad, because it's an 8 team league. I think you're more or less stuck with the team you drafted.
 
in 8 team leagues, you need a top tier qb. that will separate you from the rest. everyone will have awesome rbs and wrs. of course winning the league means having some of the best of those too
There are roughly 8 top tier QBs.

Vick, Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning1, Romo +

whoever your bet is to take the top tier by storm this year, a la "QB IS SOOOOOO DEEP THIS YEAR" sleeper of the day:

Ryan (Atl= greatest show on turf 2?)

Stafford ("if he's healthy" apparently this guy is Dan Marino)

Josh Freeman (was trendier during the spring, I guess he's a "mobile qb" and apparently his 0 rushing TDs last year was an unrepeatable anomaly)

Schaub (say what you want, this is a high end offense and he has top 7 upside)

Bradford (will he be fist pumping with McD all the way to the pro bowl?)

Roethlisberger (Bloom is ready to put this guy above Rivers. I'm serious.)
That's a 12-teamer list. In an 8-team league, your QBs look like this-Top Tier (2): Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers (Vick jumps Rodgers because upside is extra important in smaller leagues)

Second Tier: Brees, Brady, Romo

Everyone else is a liability, unless Manning gets cleared. As far as I'm concerned, if you don't have one of those 5 guys in an 8-teamer, you're starting from a huge hole.
Well to be completely honest, the PPG difference between Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning and even Romo is like 1 ppg. You can place Rodgers/Vick in their own tier, but they're gonna go in the top 12 picks. The "deeper" QBs have ceilings all around QB7. The Brady through Romo tier is so similar on a per player basis points wise, it doesn't matter if it's a 12 team or 8 team list.
 
Good topic. I just joined an 8 team league and have the 7th pick. I intended on attacking the draft BPA but the rules have each team starting 2QB/2RB/2WR/TE/FLEX(RB/WR/TE)/K/DEF.

Pretty standard PPR scoring. QB's get 4 pts per passing TD.

With these rules at the 1/2 turn I feel I can get 2 premium WR's. Talk around the office is that there will be an early QB run.

Question to the group. Do you still go BPA or would you draft a premium QB or 2 early?

 
SSOG pretty much nailed it. I'll say in my experience with 8 team leagues running backs are incredibly overrated. Quarterbacks/wr's are where it's at (and Gates when healthy).

 
Good topic. I just joined an 8 team league and have the 7th pick. I intended on attacking the draft BPA but the rules have each team starting 2QB/2RB/2WR/TE/FLEX(RB/WR/TE)/K/DEF.Pretty standard PPR scoring. QB's get 4 pts per passing TD.With these rules at the 1/2 turn I feel I can get 2 premium WR's. Talk around the office is that there will be an early QB run.Question to the group. Do you still go BPA or would you draft a premium QB or 2 early?
Have a clear plan in place for QB...start 2 QB leagues are tough. I would either go QBBC (with 3 or more) and reach a bit for the guys you want, or you draft one in the first round, and grab your second as soon as you see one who appears to be a value (even if it is in the 3rd or 4th).
 
Wow! Based on what you said about usually being in 16 team leagues, this is going to be a radical change, but that could make it fun.I don't like small leagues for a number of reasons. Mostly, it's because they are like a bunch of all-star teams where winning vs. losing comes down to whatever stud really went off instead of just having a good day. But that's me.First, as always, league scoring and roster/bench size matter. The larger the bench, the greater the penalty will likely me for missing and/or intentionally conceding a position in the first 6-7 rounds of the draft. In general, I have found that leagues with fewer teams don't penalize the owners who make a few questionable picks early in the draft because there are comparatively decent players left in the later rounds. In addition, if the bench sizes are small, these same "questionable pick" owners can also overcome their draft by more easily acquiring meaningful free agents.Be prepared for owners to draft QBs and TEs earlier than you might expect, but before you consider this as "guppy" behavior -- which it might be -- it also can be a reasonable strategy because the penalty for passing on RB/WR early isn't as great in a smaller league. Even in larger leagues, FBG/Shark Pool regulars might think they are having a great draft if they secure 4 RBs in the first 6-7 rounds while most of the other teams are happily filling out their entire lineup. However, if you end up with the 8th best QB and 8th best TE, and other teams aren't particularly interested in trading, you could be in for a long season.So my suggestion would be to not wait too long on QB, in particular if you usually do, and to not worry as much about depth, because the 8 team concept favors the "all star" approach instead of the attrition approach. Really, until you go through a season, or at least a draft, you will be making educated guesses at best, but that doesn't mean you still can't beat up on your buddies.Good luck!
I disagree with this advice. Be careful about going crazy with back-ups before you get your starters (depth is less important with more talent on the wire), BUT one of your top 6 QBs is still going to be sitting there in the 8th round. Why not wait until then to grab him? I'd take a TE early only if there is going to be a big drop tier-wise if you don't.
 
Don't forget that QBs are extremely schedule dependent and there will be 20 of them on the wire every week (if you start 1 QB). Even with, say, a Drew Brees on your team he may only be the best option half the time.

 
'Sandeman said:
They're fun but after the draft every roster will look really loaded. You'll look at 6 of the 8 teams and say they have the most loaded roster. It comes down to who has the best depth and who avoids injuries, etc.

I disagree with Sandeman about QB. Yes QB is deep, but with only 8 teams, you can afford to pick a top 5 QB early and still be able to nab top RB/WR.

This is very possible in 8-team league (actual draft from #6 spot last week):

QB-Brady

RB-Mendenhall

RB-Hillis

RB-F.Jones

WR-White

WR-Fitz

TE-Finley
Please link to the entire draft. Even in an 8-teamer, this league has some owners who have no idea what they're doing. In my league, these guys went:

4.01

2.04

3.02

4.04

2.01

2.02

6.02
Bolded part is correct. Isn't that how all 8-team leagues are? It's our family league.

 
'gonzobill5 said:
Disagree about the "must draft a top tier QB," but agree that it is difference makers that you are looking for. I'm in an 8-team league at work and basically ignored the QB position until everyone took their 1st AND their 2nd QB. In the 14, 15, and 16th round and got Eli, Cutler, Bradford. It'll take some in-season management, but I'm pretty confident I can get a rotation from these three that average around 20 ppg, which IMO puts me in a better position than the Vick, Manning, and Romo owners who spent very high picks and have serious risks on their hands. I have Charles, McFadden, Calvin, VJax, Gates, and Wayne on my starting roster.

But SSOG is absolutely right about only drafting difference makers. Don't bother with a guy like Cedric Benson no matter how far he falls. And don't worry about striking out on a guy you think has a 25% shot of being elite, there will be plenty of talent to be found on the WW.
See, I see that and think you're about to get creamed. Eli/Cutler/Bradshaw should not be starting in 8-team leagues. Especially Eli, who hasn't finished higher than 12 in PPG in any of the last 5 years. I hope it works out for you, or hope that the rest of your team is stacked, but I think you're giving up some serious ground against a Vick, Manning, or Romo owner.
'CompetitiveEdgeFootball said:
Well to be completely honest, the PPG difference between Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning and even Romo is like 1 ppg. You can place Rodgers/Vick in their own tier, but they're gonna go in the top 12 picks. The "deeper" QBs have ceilings all around QB7. The Brady through Romo tier is so similar on a per player basis points wise, it doesn't matter if it's a 12 team or 8 team list.
Points per game over the last 4 seasons:23.09 - Brady (largely pulled up by his ridiculous 2007, but he's still at 20.52 even if you pull it out)

22.76 - Rodgers

22.23 - Brees

21.27 - Romo

20.71 - Manning

19.46 - Roeth

19.44 - Rivers

1 PPG drop from Rodgers/Brees to Romo. Nearly 2 PPG drop from Romo to Roeth. Rivers and Roeth are actually closer to David Garrard (17.95 ppg) over the last 4 years than they are to Tony Romo. Now, last year both Rivers and Roeth were a lot closer to the rest of the pack (QBs 3-7 all finished between 21 and 22 points), but they're riskier picks in my mind because they don't have the total body of work that the other guys have. Also, for the record, Eli Manning has averaged 17.22 points per game over the last 4 years. He absolutely should not be starting in an 8 team league.

 
8 team long time veteran here with old buds.

Didn't read all the posts. But WRs really seem to be the difference maker. There are plenty of RBs to go around, plenty of QBs but the dropoff in WRs in huge in this format. There is always available RBs and QBs on the wire. I keep one k and one st/d, don't draft one and pick one up before first game. In my recent draft i went.

1.07Andre Johnson

2.02Calvin Johnson

3.07 McCoy

4.02 V Jax

Stafford/Bradford

McCoy,Ingram, DWill, Blount, Felix Jones,

AJ, CJ, VJax, Harvin, Collie

Pettigrew, Cook

Henery

Detroit

Fools were scrambling for WRs late while Addai and Blount were taken late at RB. I have seen AJ, CJ and VJax ranked 1,2,3 at WR in places so pretty pumped about them.

 
'gonzobill5 said:
Disagree about the "must draft a top tier QB," but agree that it is difference makers that you are looking for. I'm in an 8-team league at work and basically ignored the QB position until everyone took their 1st AND their 2nd QB. In the 14, 15, and 16th round and got Eli, Cutler, Bradford. It'll take some in-season management, but I'm pretty confident I can get a rotation from these three that average around 20 ppg, which IMO puts me in a better position than the Vick, Manning, and Romo owners who spent very high picks and have serious risks on their hands. I have Charles, McFadden, Calvin, VJax, Gates, and Wayne on my starting roster.

But SSOG is absolutely right about only drafting difference makers. Don't bother with a guy like Cedric Benson no matter how far he falls. And don't worry about striking out on a guy you think has a 25% shot of being elite, there will be plenty of talent to be found on the WW.
See, I see that and think you're about to get creamed. Eli/Cutler/Bradshaw should not be starting in 8-team leagues. Especially Eli, who hasn't finished higher than 12 in PPG in any of the last 5 years. I hope it works out for you, or hope that the rest of your team is stacked, but I think you're giving up some serious ground against a Vick, Manning, or Romo owner.
'CompetitiveEdgeFootball said:
Well to be completely honest, the PPG difference between Brady, Brees, Rivers, Manning and even Romo is like 1 ppg. You can place Rodgers/Vick in their own tier, but they're gonna go in the top 12 picks. The "deeper" QBs have ceilings all around QB7. The Brady through Romo tier is so similar on a per player basis points wise, it doesn't matter if it's a 12 team or 8 team list.
Points per game over the last 4 seasons:23.09 - Brady (largely pulled up by his ridiculous 2007, but he's still at 20.52 even if you pull it out)

22.76 - Rodgers

22.23 - Brees

21.27 - Romo

20.71 - Manning

19.46 - Roeth

19.44 - Rivers

1 PPG drop from Rodgers/Brees to Romo. Nearly 2 PPG drop from Romo to Roeth. Rivers and Roeth are actually closer to David Garrard (17.95 ppg) over the last 4 years than they are to Tony Romo. Now, last year both Rivers and Roeth were a lot closer to the rest of the pack (QBs 3-7 all finished between 21 and 22 points), but they're riskier picks in my mind because they don't have the total body of work that the other guys have. Also, for the record, Eli Manning has averaged 17.22 points per game over the last 4 years. He absolutely should not be starting in an 8 team league.
Fair enough if you're not comfortable with them. I'm talking largely about their statistical projections and ppg breakdown. I can understand if you want the high end of the qb group vs the low end.
 
8 team long time veteran here with old buds.Didn't read all the posts. But WRs really seem to be the difference maker. There are plenty of RBs to go around, plenty of QBs but the dropoff in WRs in huge in this format. There is always available RBs and QBs on the wire. I keep one k and one st/d, don't draft one and pick one up before first game. In my recent draft i went.1.07Andre Johnson2.02Calvin Johnson3.07 McCoy4.02 V Jax Stafford/BradfordMcCoy,Ingram, DWill, Blount, Felix Jones,AJ, CJ, VJax, Harvin, ColliePettigrew, CookHeneryDetroitFools were scrambling for WRs late while Addai and Blount were taken late at RB. I have seen AJ, CJ and VJax ranked 1,2,3 at WR in places so pretty pumped about them.
Yeah if McCoy and Vjax went in the late 3rd early 4th, let me get into this league with you. We can split at the end, i promise.
 
8 team long time veteran here with old buds.Didn't read all the posts. But WRs really seem to be the difference maker. There are plenty of RBs to go around, plenty of QBs but the dropoff in WRs in huge in this format. There is always available RBs and QBs on the wire. I keep one k and one st/d, don't draft one and pick one up before first game. In my recent draft i went.1.07Andre Johnson2.02Calvin Johnson3.07 McCoy4.02 V Jax Stafford/BradfordMcCoy,Ingram, DWill, Blount, Felix Jones,AJ, CJ, VJax, Harvin, ColliePettigrew, CookHeneryDetroitFools were scrambling for WRs late while Addai and Blount were taken late at RB. I have seen AJ, CJ and VJax ranked 1,2,3 at WR in places so pretty pumped about them.
Yeah if McCoy and Vjax went in the late 3rd early 4th, let me get into this league with you. We can split at the end, i promise.
FBG rater gave me 80% 70% 59%. :coffee:
 
'gonzobill5 said:
Disagree about the "must draft a top tier QB," but agree that it is difference makers that you are looking for. I'm in an 8-team league at work and basically ignored the QB position until everyone took their 1st AND their 2nd QB. In the 14, 15, and 16th round and got Eli, Cutler, Bradford. It'll take some in-season management, but I'm pretty confident I can get a rotation from these three that average around 20 ppg, which IMO puts me in a better position than the Vick, Manning, and Romo owners who spent very high picks and have serious risks on their hands. I have Charles, McFadden, Calvin, VJax, Gates, and Wayne on my starting roster. But SSOG is absolutely right about only drafting difference makers. Don't bother with a guy like Cedric Benson no matter how far he falls. And don't worry about striking out on a guy you think has a 25% shot of being elite, there will be plenty of talent to be found on the WW.
See, I see that and think you're about to get creamed. Eli/Cutler/Bradshaw should not be starting in 8-team leagues. Especially Eli, who hasn't finished higher than 12 in PPG in any of the last 5 years. I hope it works out for you, or hope that the rest of your team is stacked, but I think you're giving up some serious ground against a Vick, Manning, or Romo owner.
Eli was over 20 ppg 7 times, Cutler 8 times. Bradford only 3, but has that possibility of making a big jump this year. The Vick owner will have to plug him in every week - it is almost stupid not to. I'll play the matchups, sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but more often right. Not to mention my team doesn't skip a beat if one of these guys goes down.Won this league last year with Garrard/Cutler/Roethlisberger who finished QB 14, QB15, and QB17. I'll see if I can go back and check my ppg for those who I played, but I recall at one point it was better than the Rodgers owner. You see in an 8 team league (mine anyway) the other 7 teams have historically only drafted 11-12 QBs. There are about 3 managers every year who recognize the depth in the free agent pool and just don't bother drafting a second. That's a great strategy - but I prefer to capitalize on it.
 
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Love my 8 teamer, going into year 12. Key is to have big starting lineups

2 QB

3 RB

3 WR

1 TE

1 WR/TE

1 K

1 D

Makes it alot of fun, more guys to follow

 
I've done an 8 teamer for several yrs. Not my favorite size league for the usual reasons.

the toughest part is deciding which studs to start weekly.

IMO, you need to get a top 3ish kinda guy at every position, which is very possible. If you could get like R.Rice/Calvin/Romo/Gates..........possible.

It's that simple. Get a stud RB/WR/QB/TE. Not neccesarily just like that, but take the draft as it comes like any draft.

Your preparedness will shine in later rounds, where there will much value obviously.

 
Points per game over the last 4 seasons:23.09 - Brady (largely pulled up by his ridiculous 2007, but he's still at 20.52 even if you pull it out)22.76 - Rodgers22.23 - Brees21.27 - Romo20.71 - Manning19.46 - Roeth19.44 - Rivers1 PPG drop from Rodgers/Brees to Romo. Nearly 2 PPG drop from Romo to Roeth. Rivers and Roeth are actually closer to David Garrard (17.95 ppg) over the last 4 years than they are to Tony Romo. Now, last year both Rivers and Roeth were a lot closer to the rest of the pack (QBs 3-7 all finished between 21 and 22 points), but they're riskier picks in my mind because they don't have the total body of work that the other guys have. Also, for the record, Eli Manning has averaged 17.22 points per game over the last 4 years. He absolutely should not be starting in an 8 team league.
Why use 4 years? As you point out, Brady is pulled up by his ridiculous 2007. Rivers is pulled down by his 2007 season, by far his worst season as a starter. Rodgers wasn't even starting. Here is how it looks over the past 3 seasons:23.48 - Rodgers22.79 - Brees20.99 - Rivers20.72 - Peyton20.67 - Romo20.52 - Brady19.10 - RoethlisbergerI agree that Roethlisberger is riskier than the others, as these numbers show. But Rivers isn't riskier than these other guys.
 
8 team long time veteran here with old buds.Didn't read all the posts. But WRs really seem to be the difference maker. There are plenty of RBs to go around, plenty of QBs but the dropoff in WRs in huge in this format. There is always available RBs and QBs on the wire. I keep one k and one st/d, don't draft one and pick one up before first game. In my recent draft i went.1.07Andre Johnson2.02Calvin Johnson3.07 McCoy4.02 V Jax Stafford/BradfordMcCoy,Ingram, DWill, Blount, Felix Jones,AJ, CJ, VJax, Harvin, ColliePettigrew, CookHeneryDetroitFools were scrambling for WRs late while Addai and Blount were taken late at RB. I have seen AJ, CJ and VJax ranked 1,2,3 at WR in places so pretty pumped about them.
It's fine, but you're drafting with idiots, and there is no applicability to this board. I can't even fathom this team. So you got DWill in the 5th, Blount in the 6th, and Felix in the 7th? Then Harvin in the 8th and Collie in the 9th? Surprised you couldn't get Dallas Clark in the 10th.
 
'gonzobill5 said:
Disagree about the "must draft a top tier QB," but agree that it is difference makers that you are looking for. I'm in an 8-team league at work and basically ignored the QB position until everyone took their 1st AND their 2nd QB. In the 14, 15, and 16th round and got Eli, Cutler, Bradford. It'll take some in-season management, but I'm pretty confident I can get a rotation from these three that average around 20 ppg, which IMO puts me in a better position than the Vick, Manning, and Romo owners who spent very high picks and have serious risks on their hands. I have Charles, McFadden, Calvin, VJax, Gates, and Wayne on my starting roster. But SSOG is absolutely right about only drafting difference makers. Don't bother with a guy like Cedric Benson no matter how far he falls. And don't worry about striking out on a guy you think has a 25% shot of being elite, there will be plenty of talent to be found on the WW.
See, I see that and think you're about to get creamed. Eli/Cutler/Bradshaw should not be starting in 8-team leagues. Especially Eli, who hasn't finished higher than 12 in PPG in any of the last 5 years. I hope it works out for you, or hope that the rest of your team is stacked, but I think you're giving up some serious ground against a Vick, Manning, or Romo owner.
Eli was over 20 ppg 7 times, Cutler 8 times. Bradford only 3, but has that possibility of making a big jump this year. The Vick owner will have to plug him in every week - it is almost stupid not to. I'll play the matchups, sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but more often right. Not to mention my team doesn't skip a beat if one of these guys goes down.Won this league last year with Garrard/Cutler/Roethlisberger who finished QB 14, QB15, and QB17. I'll see if I can go back and check my ppg for those who I played, but I recall at one point it was better than the Rodgers owner. You see in an 8 team league (mine anyway) the other 7 teams have historically only drafted 11-12 QBs. There are about 3 managers every year who recognize the depth in the free agent pool and just don't bother drafting a second. That's a great strategy - but I prefer to capitalize on it.
390 points from my starting QB last year...that's 23 ppg. Perhaps you could argue that I wouldn't have done as well if it weren't for Big Ben, who is near the elite tier and fell so far because the suspension - but on the other side of the coin, I could have done a lot better than David Garrard (who was cut by week 6). And I would have been in an even better position if I were able to grab Vick off the WW. And I think it is silly to say that Eli "absolutely shouldn't be starting in an 8 team league." He's at just about 20 ppg the last two years, which are much more relevant. And it's not like he's starting every week - that is the beauty of it. That's the downside of drafting a stud QB - you are unable (or unwilling) to play match ups and fully use the WW to your advantage. The other strategy that works well, is pick two guys that you think could be top five and draft both of them in round 6/7ish. Get some combo of Schaub/Flacco/Ryan after everyone else drafts their "studs." Perhaps you're right, and if not, play the match ups.
 
Why use 4 years? As you point out, Brady is pulled up by his ridiculous 2007. Rivers is pulled down by his 2007 season, by far his worst season as a starter. Rodgers wasn't even starting. Here is how it looks over the past 3 seasons:23.48 - Rodgers22.79 - Brees20.99 - Rivers20.72 - Peyton20.67 - Romo20.52 - Brady19.10 - RoethlisbergerI agree that Roethlisberger is riskier than the others, as these numbers show. But Rivers isn't riskier than these other guys.
Why use 3 years? Roethlisberger is pulled down by his 2008 season, by far his worst season as a starter where he wasn't involved in a major motorcycle accident. Here's how it looks over the past 2 seasons:24.25 - Rodgers22.60 - Brees21.61 - Manning21.52 - Roethlisberger21.08 - Rivers21.04 - Brady20.81 - RomoI agree that Roethlisberger is no riskier than any of the others, as these numbers show. But I'm unsurprised that you're in favor of gerrymandering the data set to eliminate Rivers' worst season while blithely leaving Roethlisberger's in place. ;)
 
Why use 4 years? As you point out, Brady is pulled up by his ridiculous 2007. Rivers is pulled down by his 2007 season, by far his worst season as a starter. Rodgers wasn't even starting. Here is how it looks over the past 3 seasons:23.48 - Rodgers22.79 - Brees20.99 - Rivers20.72 - Peyton20.67 - Romo20.52 - Brady19.10 - RoethlisbergerI agree that Roethlisberger is riskier than the others, as these numbers show. But Rivers isn't riskier than these other guys.
Why use 3 years? Roethlisberger is pulled down by his 2008 season, by far his worst season as a starter where he wasn't involved in a major motorcycle accident. Here's how it looks over the past 2 seasons:24.25 - Rodgers22.60 - Brees21.61 - Manning21.52 - Roethlisberger21.08 - Rivers21.04 - Brady20.81 - RomoI agree that Roethlisberger is no riskier than any of the others, as these numbers show. But I'm unsurprised that you're in favor of gerrymandering the data set to eliminate Rivers' worst season while blithely leaving Roethlisberger's in place. ;)
Well, I thought it was unnecessary to point out, but one big reason Roethlisberger is riskier than the others is because he is arguably a greater risk to miss games. Even looking at just 2009-2010, he scored less total fantasy points than all of the QBs named above other than Romo.Sorry I created this tangent.
 
is it an 8 team 1 QB league? I'm in my first league that's 10 teams or under this year that only has 1 QB and you can definitely wait on QB in that if you don't get one of the top 5. If it's a 2 QB league I recommend grabbing a QB in your first 3 picks at least, or even go QB-QB in the first two rounds potentially if you are outside of the top 5 picks.

 
SSOG, keep in mind that actual results will always have a larger spread than projected results. Part of this is that there was no way to know for sure which of those QBs would be 2 PPG better than which other QBs. So the guy who said 1 PPG difference is probably pretty close to correct.

 

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