Want to change how I nominate auction players (1 Viewer)

[Payne]

I have been doing auction leagues for over 20 years. I've used the same nomination strategy the entire time.

99% of auctions I have participated in follow a "normal" flow with big names going first with the occasional "Philly defense for $1" mixed in.
The process literally follows a cheat sheet from the top ranked players to the bottom ranked players.

So I guess my question is, how have others changed it up, if at all?

Can you steal a QB you have ranked #8 for $1 early on?
Let's say RB #17 on your draft board is the first nominee.....do you find you can get that player below value because other owners want a higher ranked player?
Or does the 17th ranked RB go for higher because owners have all their money?

I want to change it up and throw some curveballs to the other owners. What are some ways to do that?

 

[Scoresman]

The consensus for a long time was to nominate players you dont like.

I disagree with this hard stance. Sometimes it might make sense, but not always. Nominating players doesnt have to be about throwing curveballs to other players. It can be used to help nail down your draft plan too.

For example, the benefit of an auction is that it lets you target who you want to build a team around. Last year, I went into my auction with a plan to get Travis Kelce so long as he didn't go over $28. I had a clear plan of attack based on whether I got him or not, and the plan for each scenario looked VERY different. In this situation, I needed to know if I end up getting Kelce ASAP before too many other options get taken. I picked him with my first nomination for this reason.

So my rule is, early on, if there's a key player you want to build around, it might make sense to nominate them early so your plan of attack becomes clear as soon as possible.

Use the nomination as a tool to build your own team. I think the effect of throwing curveballs to other owners is overrated.

 

[Payne]

The consensus for a long time was to nominate players you dont like.

I disagree with this hard stance. Sometimes it might make sense, but not always. Nominating players doesnt have to be about throwing curveballs to other players. It can be used to help nail down your draft plan too.

For example, the benefit of an auction is that it lets you target who you want to build a team around. Last year, I went into my auction with a plan to get Travis Kelce so long as he didn't go over $28. I had a clear plan of attack based on whether I got him or not, and the plan for each scenario looked VERY different. In this situation, I needed to know if I end up getting Kelce ASAP before too many other options get taken. I picked him with my first nomination for this reason.

So my rule is, early on, if there's a key player you want to build around, it might make sense to nominate them early so your plan of attack becomes clear as soon as possible.

Use the nomination as a tool to build your own team. I think the effect of throwing curveballs to other owners is overrated.

I tend to throw out high value players I don't want early, but I try my best to land a tier 1 player that is thrown out by a different owner early also.
I want the first or second tier 1 WR or RB thrown out. There tends to be value there.

I guess the question I'm trying to ask is if anyone has had success nominating players in tier 2 or tier 3 of your rankings BEFORE the tier 1 players are gone and won those players at value. Or does that process cause those 2nd and 3rd tier players to go for higher since owners have more money.

Traditionally, the nominations in most of the auctions I have participated in literally follow a cheat sheet.
Higher value players go first, followed by 2nd tier players, 3rd tier and so on.

 

[Scoresman]

The consensus for a long time was to nominate players you dont like.

I disagree with this hard stance. Sometimes it might make sense, but not always. Nominating players doesnt have to be about throwing curveballs to other players. It can be used to help nail down your draft plan too.

For example, the benefit of an auction is that it lets you target who you want to build a team around. Last year, I went into my auction with a plan to get Travis Kelce so long as he didn't go over $28. I had a clear plan of attack based on whether I got him or not, and the plan for each scenario looked VERY different. In this situation, I needed to know if I end up getting Kelce ASAP before too many other options get taken. I picked him with my first nomination for this reason.

So my rule is, early on, if there's a key player you want to build around, it might make sense to nominate them early so your plan of attack becomes clear as soon as possible.

Use the nomination as a tool to build your own team. I think the effect of throwing curveballs to other owners is overrated.

I tend to throw out high value players I don't want early, but I try my best to land a tier 1 player that is thrown out by a different owner early also.
I want the first or second tier 1 WR or RB thrown out. There tends to be value there.

I guess the question I'm trying to ask is if anyone has had success nominating players in tier 2 or tier 3 of your rankings BEFORE the tier 1 players are gone and won those players at value. Or does that process cause those 2nd and 3rd tier players to go for higher since owners have more money.

Traditionally, the nominations in most of the auctions I have participated in literally follow a cheat sheet.
Higher value players go first, followed by 2nd tier players, 3rd tier and so on.

I think the answer to this depends entirely on the experience of the other owners. In my league, we've all been doing this for 25 years so nominating a player a few tiers behind where the auction is doesnt present value that I've noticed.

 

[Big Nate]

I find my auction drafts get tougher every year as people get better at drafting and more information is available online. No one is a true sleeper anymore.

Having a plan is a must but those that can pivot and change direction is key. There is so much nuance to each auction that it can change even with the best plans. Never be truly out on a player unless they don't fit your build/need or you just have a feeling they truly "suck" and are too high priced. There will always be value at some point. You also need other managers to spend money so the idea of nominating high value $ players you don't want to bid *big $* on is fine. I think it is a good strategy to get people to spend money.

Having cheat sheets with values $ is a must but probably most have this in some fashion. The key is having tiered/ranked players for each position is also a must as there is no ADP/draft ranks to go off. If you don't have a tier'd list of your players you WILL miss a guy or forget a guy exists that you might want to snag later in the draft.

The main thing is pay attention during the draft and being aware of what other teams needs are is a must. This helps mid and late draft on who to nominate. Who still has money, where are the team needs and how does it align with my team needs.

If you are just at the draft with friends and all drinking and having a goo time and it is a fun league then do whatever ya like! But if you want to win and dominate you need to be keeping track of every teams needs and their money and see who and how you can extract money from them so that you can get good value later.

I don't do it all justice but Drew Davenort - Auction Brief is a must listen if you are an auction drafter. He has years of podcasts that go over all the strategies and his hits and misses.

 

[Big Nate]

The consensus for a long time was to nominate players you dont like.

I disagree with this hard stance. Sometimes it might make sense, but not always. Nominating players doesnt have to be about throwing curveballs to other players. It can be used to help nail down your draft plan too.

For example, the benefit of an auction is that it lets you target who you want to build a team around. Last year, I went into my auction with a plan to get Travis Kelce so long as he didn't go over $28. I had a clear plan of attack based on whether I got him or not, and the plan for each scenario looked VERY different. In this situation, I needed to know if I end up getting Kelce ASAP before too many other options get taken. I picked him with my first nomination for this reason.

So my rule is, early on, if there's a key player you want to build around, it might make sense to nominate them early so your plan of attack becomes clear as soon as possible.

Use the nomination as a tool to build your own team. I think the effect of throwing curveballs to other owners is overrated.

I tend to throw out high value players I don't want early, but I try my best to land a tier 1 player that is thrown out by a different owner early also.
I want the first or second tier 1 WR or RB thrown out. There tends to be value there.

I guess the question I'm trying to ask is if anyone has had success nominating players in tier 2 or tier 3 of your rankings BEFORE the tier 1 players are gone and won those players at value. Or does that process cause those 2nd and 3rd tier players to go for higher since owners have more money.

Traditionally, the nominations in most of the auctions I have participated in literally follow a cheat sheet.
Higher value players go first, followed by 2nd tier players, 3rd tier and so on.

I think the answer to this depends entirely on the experience of the other owners. In my league, we've all been doing this for 25 years so nominating a player a few tiers behind where the auction is doesnt present value that I've noticed.

Knowing your league and managers is huge. In my one league there is one manager that goes nuts over rookies and the latest hype. He will 100% overpay for these players. There is also one guy who is super conservative and won't bid but then complains when a player goes too cheap.

Knowing the room is huge.

 

[RenegadeRoy]

I don't do it all justice but Drew Davenort - Auction Brief is a must listen if you are an auction drafter. He has years of podcasts that go over all the strategies and his hits and misses.

I second this. He had a recent pod about the phases of an auction that really helped me out this year. Just has good analysis that might not always apply to your specific auction, but helps you develop a strategy.

 

[Payne]

We've had the same group of guys for the most part, but every few years a new owner will join and almost every time, that owner will spend like crazy early on and be dead broke about 1/3 of the way into the draft.

I think good auction drafters do a good job of mixing things up. Being conservative and not bidding is a huge no-no. when you do bid, you may as well hold up a sign that says " I am interested in this player!"

 

[RenegadeRoy]

One thing I like to do is look at last year's draft results. Map out the top dollar amount ranges. For example I noticed that the top 2 QBs went for X amount, then the next three were kind of in a group, and then around QB 5-6 is where value started to show up. Kind of like a tier list, but more of a "what can I expect these guys to go for?" Then you can work out a par sheet from there (how much you want to spend on each position).

In general I try to spend most of my money on my starting line-up and fill my bench with 1-2$ guys, with maybe a little cash to "splash" on a late round guy I really want.

 

[Gally]

I find that the first couple players thrown out tend to actually be bargains as owners are settling in. Almost every year the first guy thrown out ends up being a bargain. Then as people get a bargain or two the owners left out tend to push the price up and you get a few overpayments. Then it settles in again.

If the other owners are good and pay attention to what you do year in and year out you may fall into a pattern (never bidding on your own nominations, always go hard for the first guy you bid up, etc). Try changing these tendencies year to year.

 

[Scoresman]

One thing I like to do is look at last year's draft results. Map out the top dollar amount ranges. For example I noticed that the top 2 QBs went for X amount, then the next three were kind of in a group, and then around QB 5-6 is where value started to show up. Kind of like a tier list, but more of a "what can I expect these guys to go for?" Then you can work out a par sheet from there (how much you want to spend on each position).

In general I try to spend most of my money on my starting line-up and fill my bench with 1-2$ guys, with maybe a little cash to "splash" on a late round guy I really want.

I do this as well. I have the last 4 years of player pricing next to each other. So I can pretty accurately predict what any given player position will go for. Then I just match it up to ADP and I have estimated player prices.

Helps immensely with running your own mocks.

I did try to see if there was correlation between when a player was nominated vs. final price, but it was all over the place. ADP is pretty much king here. But I draft with experienced auction drafters.

 

[Payne]

I find that the first couple players thrown out tend to actually be bargains as owners are settling in. Almost every year the first guy thrown out ends up being a bargain. Then as people get a bargain or two the owners left out tend to push the price up and you get a few overpayments. Then it settles in again.

If the other owners are good and pay attention to what you do year in and year out you may fall into a pattern (never bidding on your own nominations, always go hard for the first guy you bid up, etc). Try changing these tendencies year to year.

This is my point above. Almost always the first tier 1 player thrown out ends up being fair value at worst.

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

I don't think you can throw anyone a curveball anymore - people in auction drafts have the stance they are going to get their guys.

The approach I plan to take this year is to offer up some of those 5th-7th round guys early to determine the value within that tier. For instance, if I value DK Metcalf - I will throw up a DJ Moore or Stefon Diggs to help determine where people value that tier and budget based on that. The strategy there is to make a note of the cost and see how it deviates a few rounds later when I actually nominate the player I want within that tier.

Many auction drafters will budget around their specific studs. I hope to change people's thought on players by drafting from 5-10 round range and then grabbing my stud. We will see how it goes... my guy will probably be nominated round 1 and that strategy is gone.

 

[Scoresman]

I don't think you can throw anyone a curveball anymore - people in auction drafts have the stance they are going to get their guys.

The approach I plan to take this year is to offer up some of those 5th-7th round guys early to determine the value within that tier. For instance, if I value DK Metcalf - I will throw up a DJ Moore or Stefon Diggs to help determine where people value that tier and budget based on that. The strategy there is to make a note of the cost and see how it deviates a few rounds later when I actually nominate the player I want within that tier.

Many auction drafters will budget around their specific studs. I hope to change people's thought on players by drafting from 5-10 round range and then grabbing my stud. We will see how it goes... my guy will probably be nominated round 1 and that strategy is gone.

This, Use the nomination process to help your team, not to throw others a curveball. As a tool, it functions better for the former than the latter.

 

[higgins]

Is the OP meant for redrafts -or- dynasty/rookie auctions?

 

[Ack88]

Cliff notes of my auctions (25 years now):
1. Create a roster grid, by position, for the league. Fill it in as players are rostered. You can then track who needs what and couple that with $ left to drive how to nominate.

2. Track, on paper, and in real time how much money is left. When there are tier breaks, you can target owners with $ who need a player.

3. Mix up nominations- like poker, if you play the same way with the same players, you will be read easily. Use variance to keep your league guessing.

4. Make a list of end stage players- $1 and $2 players you want. The end of the auction is like a draft, when you have $6 for 3 players and everyone has $6 for 4 or 5 players, open the bidding at $2 when no one else can bid $3.

5. Compare ADP lists with your proposed auction strategy. Where are other’s perceptions different than yours.

6. Never bid more than $1 on K and D. You will cycle these all year long. I always fill these spots last.

7. Invest 90% in your starters in 10 or 12 teamers. You will churn through 60% of your roster throughout the year.

8. Think end stages- do I want Chuba Hubbard, who will be great weeks 1-4 and then disappear, or Jaylen Wright, who has no real role know but is an injury away from contributing? How could my team look in the playoffs is far more important than how my team looks in week #1.

9. Be an active bidder. If a player stalls at 70% of your value, get him and recalibrate on the fly. You have to be flexible in auctions- drafts guarantee you get players, auctions mean you may be waiting to land someone, but don’t get caught in microthinking, and be bold.

10. Don’t drink. You’ll have a great few hours and a terrible four months. Pop bottles when you raise the banner. (Or at least finish the auction.

 

[higgins]

10. Don’t drink.

 

[The Dude]

2. Track, on paper, and in real time how much money is left. When there are tier breaks, you can target owners with $ who need a player

we're a little off topic from the OP but i used to run an "index" on spending

ie, what have the top 10 players cost this year vs last (Doing this live)
If spending is up, i know there are good values coming in the next tier of players.
if spending is down, i need to act quick as the next tier is going to be over priced

 

[Big Nate]

Cliff notes of my auctions (25 years now):
1. Create a roster grid, by position, for the league. Fill it in as players are rostered. You can then track who needs what and couple that with $ left to drive how to nominate.

2. Track, on paper, and in real time how much money is left. When there are tier breaks, you can target owners with $ who need a player.

3. Mix up nominations- like poker, if you play the same way with the same players, you will be read easily. Use variance to keep your league guessing.

4. Make a list of end stage players- $1 and $2 players you want. The end of the auction is like a draft, when you have $6 for 3 players and everyone has $6 for 4 or 5 players, open the bidding at $2 when no one else can bid $3.

5. Compare ADP lists with your proposed auction strategy. Where are other’s perceptions different than yours.

6. Never bid more than $1 on K and D. You will cycle these all year long. I always fill these spots last.

7. Invest 90% in your starters in 10 or 12 teamers. You will churn through 60% of your roster throughout the year.

8. Think end stages- do I want Chuba Hubbard, who will be great weeks 1-4 and then disappear, or Jaylen Wright, who has no real role know but is an injury away from contributing? How could my team look in the playoffs is far more important than how my team looks in week #1.

9. Be an active bidder. If a player stalls at 70% of your value, get him and recalibrate on the fly. You have to be flexible in auctions- drafts guarantee you get players, auctions mean you may be waiting to land someone, but don’t get caught in microthinking, and be bold.

10. Don’t drink. You’ll have a great few hours and a terrible four months. Pop bottles when you raise the banner. (Or at least finish the auction.

These are fantastic, especially 7. I changed this over the last couple years and really have seen the improvement in my final standings. 3 of the last 4 years in the finals with 1 trophy. I'd rather have 2 stud WRs than a bunch of WR2s I don't know who to start each week. Obviously you need to be able to fill the rest of your roster properly but I go heavy on all my starting positions an then it leaves me flexible for waivers not being too worried about dropping a guy I spent $3 rather than my 5th WR 2 I spent $15 on and feel like I need to keep him. Load up on your starters.

#9 is a good one as well, to be flexible and adjust on the fly. If there is a good player stalled out and you need that position but were hoping for a different guy - maybe you need to bid and see where it goes. If you end up with him then that is fine and why I mentioned earlier about doing your own tier list.

#10 is what I mentioned earlier as well and it makes a big difference. If you are drinking an auction can go south quickly. If you don't really care then that is fine but if you will be miserable for the next 4 months don't drink.

Overall great points!

 

[Payne]

Cliff notes of my auctions (25 years now):
1. Create a roster grid, by position, for the league. Fill it in as players are rostered. You can then track who needs what and couple that with $ left to drive how to nominate.

2. Track, on paper, and in real time how much money is left. When there are tier breaks, you can target owners with $ who need a player.

3. Mix up nominations- like poker, if you play the same way with the same players, you will be read easily. Use variance to keep your league guessing.

4. Make a list of end stage players- $1 and $2 players you want. The end of the auction is like a draft, when you have $6 for 3 players and everyone has $6 for 4 or 5 players, open the bidding at $2 when no one else can bid $3.

5. Compare ADP lists with your proposed auction strategy. Where are other’s perceptions different than yours.

6. Never bid more than $1 on K and D. You will cycle these all year long. I always fill these spots last.

7. Invest 90% in your starters in 10 or 12 teamers. You will churn through 60% of your roster throughout the year.

8. Think end stages- do I want Chuba Hubbard, who will be great weeks 1-4 and then disappear, or Jaylen Wright, who has no real role know but is an injury away from contributing? How could my team look in the playoffs is far more important than how my team looks in week #1.

9. Be an active bidder. If a player stalls at 70% of your value, get him and recalibrate on the fly. You have to be flexible in auctions- drafts guarantee you get players, auctions mean you may be waiting to land someone, but don’t get caught in microthinking, and be bold.

10. Don’t drink. You’ll have a great few hours and a terrible four months. Pop bottles when you raise the banner. (Or at least finish the auction.

These are fantastic, especially 7. I changed this over the last couple years and really have seen the improvement in my final standings. 3 of the last 4 years in the finals with 1 trophy. I'd rather have 2 stud WRs than a bunch of WR2s I don't know who to start each week. Obviously you need to be able to fill the rest of your roster properly but I go heavy on all my starting positions an then it leaves me flexible for waivers not being too worried about dropping a guy I spent $3 rather than my 5th WR 2 I spent $15 on and feel like I need to keep him. Load up on your starters.

#9 is a good one as well, to be flexible and adjust on the fly. If there is a good player stalled out and you need that position but were hoping for a different guy - maybe you need to bid and see where it goes. If you end up with him then that is fine and why I mentioned earlier about doing your own tier list.

#10 is what I mentioned earlier as well and it makes a big difference. If you are drinking an auction can go south quickly. If you don't really care then that is fine but if you will be miserable for the next 4 months don't drink.

Overall great points!

I learned this many years ago. I will spend a lot to get two, stud anchor WR's.
Throughout the year you will find WR's on the waiver wire that produce just as much as most that were drafted.
Some emerge. Some are cut for whatever reason. They will be there.