When will auctions overtake drafting as the standard for FFB? (1 Viewer)

[bucsbaby]

After participating in auctions, I want all my leagues to go that route. After watching computer controlled teams draft competitive rosters on fantastyfootballcalculator, I just don't see the allure of drafts, especially in comparison to auctions. A computer program can select CJ 1st overall. Sure, an owner could prefer ADP and ADP might have a better year and you can be happy that you outperformed the AI. But, CJ could just as easily outperform ADP making the AI look just fine. In an auction, it's not just "I want ADP" it's "I want ADP, but at what cost?" At the very least, it would take a much more sophisticated computer program to compile a competitive roster in an auction. You have $200 in monopoly money to spend in an auction. How much of that are you willing to spend on ADP? Is there a Vikings homer in the league who's going to outbid you? Now what? Are you higher on SJax and Benson than the rest of the fantasty community? Scoop them up on a discount--no need to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick. Just grab them for a lower amount of your $200. Are you more bullish on Charles than the rest of the fantasy community? Put your money where your mouth is and put in the highest bid. No need to figure out the best draft spot to make sure you get him in the 2nd.

In an auction, every player is available to you. No team is guaranteed a top 4 RB. No team is guaranteed the probability of being able to add 2 stud WRs by virtue of drafting in the 12 spot.

I love mapping my projections onto the available auction money to see how much I'm willing to spend on a player. It's just a lot more fun imo.

Now, of course, to each his/her own...but I'm wondering if you think there is any chance that auctions could take over as the new standard compared to drafts? If so, what would it take for that to happen? Is it just a matter of say Yahoo going more for auctions? Football mags/sites providing more auction content instead of ADP lists?

What are the barriers to auctions becoming more popular? Too time intensive (preparation and actual draft night)? Any others?

I just feel that when there is so much info available to people these days online, that anyone can just grab a consensus ADP list and draft a competitive team with their eyes closed. Of course, you can feel like a shark when you perceive value in your selections, but the guppy who drafted in the 1 spot and went ADP-Manning-Jennings-Clark-etc. could still end up winning your league running away (with average in-season management). I feel like auctions better reward the owners who do their homework.

Thoughts?

 

[Ack88]

Change, irrespective to the endeavor, is the hardest human trait to overcome. People, especially adults, become set in a particular pattern and want to keep it that way because it is familiar. Hence, people have always drafted and an auction represents change. Therefore, people resist.

 

[GloryDaze]

2019

 

[Captain Hook]

Change, irrespective to the endeavor, is the hardest human trait to overcome. People, especially adults, become set in a particular pattern and want to keep it that way because it is familiar. Hence, people have always drafted and an auction represents change. Therefore, people resist.

(although not worth posting twice)For the OP - the problem is essentially that FF has GREAT appeal to a very wide range of fans, not all of whom are as interested and knowledgable as you or the others here. For many, anything that would complicate the game would make them lose interest. The immediate gratification of FF appeals to the current generation(s) of gamers - it is a short (relatively) season; games are basically one day a week; most people are off work/school on Sundays (and more able to watch any other days NFL plays games because those are at night).Auctions do add layers of complexity and control and value that most of us LOVE - the larger FF audience does NOT want to spend that much time (auction drafts necessarily take much longer and that is good for those who relish them) or effort - figuring out how much to allocate to starters; different positions etc. And since most have not done auction drafts, they would overspend on a couple of favorites or highly rated players and then get chewed up in the important mid game and end game of the auctions and have some sorry looking rosters - when they draft they can always get a (relatively) good player.That said, we should be promoting the auction competitions - it is noteworthy that the NFFC is finally having a multi-league Fantasy Football auction event with a $10,000 grand prize - hopefully it will do well and continue to expand.

 

[Unlucky]

What Hook said. I'll add that sometimes, a draft is nice in that you don't have to pay attention constantly for 3 hours. Mainly, though, it's that the majority of FF players are less sophisticated that what you see on this board, and an auction is too complicated. That, and auctioning in person is tougher than a draft.

 

[Doug Drinen]

What Hook said. I'll add that sometimes, a draft is nice in that you don't have to pay attention constantly for 3 hours. Mainly, though, it's that the majority of FF players are less sophisticated that what you see on this board, and an auction is too complicated. That, and auctioning in person is tougher than a draft.

I'll third this. The reason fantasy football has achieved the level of popularity it has is because of the social aspect of it. It's a way to keep in touch with old college buddies, it gives you something to talk about at work, it makes football Sundays a little more interesting.

To the vast majority of FF players, asking them to do an auction would be akin to asking your beer-league slow-pitch softball buddies if they're interested in switching to a competitive fast-pitch league. If you explain that it's more serious, more challenging, a better test of skill, they'll probably tell you that's exactly why they don't want to do it. Odds are they're not playing softball because it's serious, challenging, and a test of skill. They're playing it because it's a fun excuse to hang out with friends. [i mean no slight toward either the "slow-pitch" or "fast-pitch" groups, by the way.]

 

[bucsbaby]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Never.

 

[One]

I've done both and like both ways, but I don't see one being so much better than the other.

If anything, it's kinda fun having different draft methods in the offseason.

 

[MongoL3]

I've both and like both ways, but I don't see one being so much better than the other.If anything, it's kinda dun having different draft methods in the offseason.

 

[KellysHeroes]

its already been stated, live auctions are tough on some because the manager has to pay attention to every pick and everybody's roster... its not like just sitting in ur draft spot and taking the next QB that comes down... u hace to fight for everyone of ur players.

i love auctions but rarely do them because of the amount time it takes. slow auctions are great but can be frustation... gawd i hate last second bids especially when the clock resets afterwarfs.

 

[cobalt_27]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

Compared to auction? Vast.

Hardly. You have to react in real time in the auction. You can't just go in with your VBD sheet and make your selections while you eat a cheeseburger. Auctions require quick decisions, flexible thinking, and steel nerves far beyond what's required in the draft.Not knocking draft formats. But, they're not even remotely as challenging as the auction.

 

[Adebisi]

Just the implication of trading up and down every round between all the owners puts at a level that just doesnt compare. That cant happen in auctions.But maybe some people dont play in ultra competitive, heavy movements leagues that live draft. Maybe its just a bunch of online low hanging branches.Ive played both, and while I like the "equal opportunity" that the Auction offers... its ### #### boring and elementary by comparison. Strategy? gtfooh

This marks the first time that Choke and I have ever agreed on anything.

 

[cobalt_27]

Just the implication of trading up and down every round between all the owners puts at a level that just doesnt compare. That cant happen in auctions.But maybe some people dont play in ultra competitive, heavy movements leagues that live draft. Maybe its just a bunch of online low hanging branches.Ive played both, and while I like the "equal opportunity" that the Auction offers... its ### #### boring and elementary by comparison. Strategy? gtfooh

Then you're doing it wrong.

 

[Adebisi]

Just the implication of trading up and down every round between all the owners puts at a level that just doesnt compare. That cant happen in auctions.But maybe some people dont play in ultra competitive, heavy movements leagues that live draft. Maybe its just a bunch of online low hanging branches.Ive played both, and while I like the "equal opportunity" that the Auction offers... its ### #### boring and elementary by comparison. Strategy? gtfooh

Then you're doing it wrong.

Not really. It's a matter of preference. After I got through my first few auction drafts and the novelty wore off, auctions started to seem pretty lame to me, too.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Just the implication of trading up and down every round between all the owners puts at a level that just doesnt compare. That cant happen in auctions.But maybe some people dont play in ultra competitive, heavy movements leagues that live draft. Maybe its just a bunch of online low hanging branches.Ive played both, and while I like the "equal opportunity" that the Auction offers... its ### #### boring and elementary by comparison. Strategy? gtfooh

Then you're doing it wrong.

Not really. It's a matter of preference. After I got through my first few auction drafts and the novelty wore off, auctions started to seem pretty lame to me, too.

Found them extremely boring and time consuming. The latter being the reason they'll never overtake the standard draft.

 

[cobalt_27]

Just the implication of trading up and down every round between all the owners puts at a level that just doesnt compare. That cant happen in auctions.But maybe some people dont play in ultra competitive, heavy movements leagues that live draft. Maybe its just a bunch of online low hanging branches.Ive played both, and while I like the "equal opportunity" that the Auction offers... its ### #### boring and elementary by comparison. Strategy? gtfooh

Then you're doing it wrong.

Not really. It's a matter of preference. After I got through my first few auction drafts and the novelty wore off, auctions started to seem pretty lame to me, too.

After I got through 7 years of drafting, the novelty wore off, and the auction has become an entirely new world. For each of the (yikes) 15 years we've run an auction...every year, it's great action and unpredictability (none of this b.s. RB-RB-WR-WR-RB-QB crap).I do agree with you, however, that it is about preference. I like the simple breezy draft day afternoon that restores calm and order in the other league I participate in.

 

[bagger]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

Compared to auction? Vast.

Hardly. You have to react in real time in the auction. You can't just go in with your VBD sheet and make your selections while you eat a cheeseburger. Auctions require quick decisions, flexible thinking, and steel nerves far beyond what's required in the draft.Not knocking draft formats. But, they're not even remotely as challenging as the auction.

But I like cheeseburgers.

 

[cobalt_27]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

Compared to auction? Vast.

Hardly. You have to react in real time in the auction. You can't just go in with your VBD sheet and make your selections while you eat a cheeseburger. Auctions require quick decisions, flexible thinking, and steel nerves far beyond what's required in the draft.Not knocking draft formats. But, they're not even remotely as challenging as the auction.

But I like cheeseburgers.

Respect.

 

[bucsbaby]

If the draft is ultra-competitive with lots of trades and movement and whatnot then I can support that and think that's awesome

That's not really what I was referring to though--rather the standard draft where everyone just takes what drops to them. That's kinda what I mean by the "standard."

I participated in one ffcalculator mock this afternoon that had one computer controlled team. Out of the 10 teams that drafted, how would you rank them? Can you pick out which one was the computer (good ol' Turing test here, lol)? [1st 10 rounds results posted]

1 Spot

QB: Schaub

RB: Rice, Moreno, P Thomas, Jacobs

WR: Marshall, White, S Moss, Breaston

TE: Witten

2 Spot

QB: Flacco, Kolb

RB: C Johnson, Mathews, Spiller, Caddy

WR: DeSean, Ocho, VJax,

TE: Clark

3 Spot

QB: Palmer, Eli

RB: ADP, Wells, R Bush, Slaton

WR: Calvin, Jennings, Crabtree

TE: Gonzalez

4 Spot

QB: Romo, McNabb

RB: MJD, McCoy, Forsett, F Jackson

WR: Austin, Bowe, Harvin

TE: Daniels

5 Spot

QB: Cutler

RB: Gore, Deangelo, Felix, MBush, McFadden

WR: Fitz, Walker, Ward

TE: Gates

6 Spot

QB: Brady

RB: Forte, Ronnie, Barber

WR: AJ, Wayne, Colston, Housh, TO

TE: Shiancoe

7 Spot

QB: Peyton

RB: Turner, Grant, Portis

WR: S Rice, Garcon, Dez, Aromashodu

TE: Davis

DST: NYJ

8 Spot

QB: Rodgers

RB: Greene, Charles, Ricky, Tate

WR: Welker, Nicks, Floyd, Braylon

TE: Finley

9 Spot

QB: Brees, Favre

RB: SJax, Stewart, Best, Bradshaw

WR: Boldin, Smith (Car), Maclin, Wallace

TE: N/A

10 Spot

QB: Rivers

RB: Mendenhall, Benson, Addai, Harrison

WR: R Moss, Smith (NYG), Driver

TE: Celek

DST: Minnesota

[Computer was the 1 spot...]

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

it's great action and unpredictability (none of this b.s. RB-RB-WR-WR-RB-QB crap).

Non-PPR perhaps -- I believe the vast majority of leagues now incorporate some form of PPR.RB-RB ended quite some time ago in PPR leagues I've been involved in. I've seen some owners waiting til Round 6-8 for their first RB.

 

[comfortably numb]

I have not done auction yet, but I think the biggest thing I would miss is trading of draft picks.

 

[QuizGuy66]

It'll happen about the time that Razz takes over as the Main Event for the World Series of Poker.

-QG

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Never.

It will never happen, because there are way too many casual FF'ers. An auction is too sophisticated for the vast majority of them to enjoy. You have to remember, if you are here reading a FF message board, even in early August, you are more die-hard than probably about half of the FF'ers out there.

 

[cobalt_27]

it's great action and unpredictability (none of this b.s. RB-RB-WR-WR-RB-QB crap).

Non-PPR perhaps -- I believe the vast majority of leagues now incorporate some form of PPR.RB-RB ended quite some time ago in PPR leagues I've been involved in. I've seen some owners waiting til Round 6-8 for their first RB.

Well, now that's just goofiness.I agree, though, that PPR is the only way to go. You'd have to be living in a cave in the middle of Antarctica to still be meddling in non-PPR leagues.

 

[cobalt_27]

Never.

It will never happen, because there are way too many casual FF'ers. An auction is too sophisticated for the vast majority of them to enjoy. You have to remember, if you are here reading a FF message board, even in early August, you are more die-hard than probably about half of the FF'ers out there.

Exactly. There is no way that auctions ever become the "standard." Given the choice between complex and simple, the vast majority of people will opt for the latter.

 

[bonesman]

[Computer was the 1 spot...]

Was pretty obvious for me as the 2 guys I was looking to see on an autodraft team were on it (Moreno and Pierre Thomas).... I'm surprised they have Rice rated #1 though.

 

[bushdocda]

My 'main' league of buddies won't ever go to auction. We are unsophisticated.

 

[bucsbaby]

[Computer was the 1 spot...]

Was pretty obvious for me as the 2 guys I was looking to see on an autodraft team were on it (Moreno and Pierre Thomas).... I'm surprised they have Rice rated #1 though.

Yeah, I grimaced when I saw those two guys get drafted--due to ffcalc not updating based on injuries. Only a minor glitch in the AI though--easy fix

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Answer: Never

People enjoy the different ways that there are to draft. We get this same type of question during the winter about how dynasty leagues are the best and people wonder why they haven't just taken over everything.

I enjoyed the softball analogy, and that's about right. Not everyone loves the hardcore leagues. Auction leagues, most dynasty leagues are for people that are a little more into fantasy football than the average person.

At my work, there's actually a 10 team women's league, 3rd year running. There's no way they want to make it an auction league nor do they want a dynasty league where they have to worry about things during the offseason. It's different strokes for different folks.......however I'm glad you are enjoying your auction leagues.

 

[QuizGuy66]

The only way I think the format would even remotely have a chance of catching on would be if the NFL got rid of the draft and instead instituted some form of auction format. Of course that's about as probable as my original answer. Everyone can pick up on a how a draft goes and how people will go in turn.

-QG

 

[bucsbaby]

Answer: NeverPeople enjoy the different ways that there are to draft. We get this same type of question during the winter about how dynasty leagues are the best and people wonder why they haven't just taken over everything.I enjoyed the softball analogy, and that's about right. Not everyone loves the hardcore leagues. Auction leagues, most dynasty leagues are for people that are a little more into fantasy football than the average person.At my work, there's actually a 10 team women's league, 3rd year running. There's no way they want to make it an auction league nor do they want a dynasty league where they have to worry about things during the offseason. It's different strokes for different folks.......however I'm glad you are enjoying your auction leagues.

Yeah, I like the softball analogy too. And I do like the idea of more intense drafts where there's trades during the draft and stuff. I just think that auctions set the market value for each player and allows everyone a shot at every player. Different strokes for different folks though, I agree.

 

[Pythagoras]

I have not done auction yet, but I think the biggest thing I would miss is trading of draft picks.

I agree that trading picks is fun but the whole point of trading picks either to move up to get the guy you want or to drop down and get value for an undervalued player you want to pick-up. The auction fixes this inequity because you can always get whatever player you want as long as you're willing to bid high enough. The auction league just has a greater competitive balance because you're more likely to reach for a player in a redraft than grossly overpay in an auction. Auctions run poorly can be boring but nothing to me is more boring than waiting for 10-20 players come off the board in a redraft.

 

[Go deep]

Answer: NeverPeople enjoy the different ways that there are to draft. We get this same type of question during the winter about how dynasty leagues are the best and people wonder why they haven't just taken over everything.I enjoyed the softball analogy, and that's about right. Not everyone loves the hardcore leagues. Auction leagues, most dynasty leagues are for people that are a little more into fantasy football than the average person.At my work, there's actually a 10 team women's league, 3rd year running. There's no way they want to make it an auction league nor do they want a dynasty league where they have to worry about things during the offseason. It's different strokes for different folks.......however I'm glad you are enjoying your auction leagues.

Yeah, I like the softball analogy too. And I do like the idea of more intense drafts where there's trades during the draft and stuff. I just think that auctions set the market value for each player and allows everyone a shot at every player. Different strokes for different folks though, I agree.

I dont have anything to add, i was just wondering if you still have Laverneus Coles ranked higher than Andre Johnson in dynasty leagues?Just messing with you.

 

[Pythagoras]

The only way I think the format would even remotely have a chance of catching on would be if the NFL got rid of the draft and instead instituted some form of auction format. Of course that's about as probable as my original answer. Everyone can pick up on a how a draft goes and how people will go in turn. -QG

Don't forget they're negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. One of the things under contention is rookie salaries. Owners want something more reasonable and veterans want that money available for veterans. One solution is to set a pay scale based upon draft position. Moving to an auction, however, is a much more reasonable way to determine rookie salaries/bonus. Rookies should prefer it because it maximizes their salary. Although owners might not in the end save any money they'd probably prefer it to the existing system just to be free of the agents & hold outs (assuming all contracts were set at 4 years). Bad teams would lose the benefit of picking early but in reality bad teams would probably do better to have a few solid players for the money they pay a #1 pick. That would allow teams that just missed the playoffs a chance at a star player to take them to the next level.

 

[Catbird]

Curious human traits: 1) If we like something (and particularly if we think we are good at it) we don't want to try something else (try to get an existing league to consider adding a QB flex or even to make a major scoring change), and 2) We always want eeryone else to do things the way we are sure is best. About a third of the thread disputes carry tones of one or the other, and the rest of life is absolutely full of them.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Curious human traits: 1) If we like something (and particularly if we think we are good at it) we don't want to try something else (try to get an existing league to consider adding a QB flex or even to make a major scoring change), and 2) We always want eeryone else to do things the way we are sure is best. About a third of the thread disputes carry tones of one or the other, and the rest of life is absolutely full of them.

 

[roadkill1292]

The only way I think the format would even remotely have a chance of catching on would be if the NFL got rid of the draft and instead instituted some form of auction format. Of course that's about as probable as my original answer. Everyone can pick up on a how a draft goes and how people will go in turn. -QG

Don't forget they're negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. One of the things under contention is rookie salaries. Owners want something more reasonable and veterans want that money available for veterans. One solution is to set a pay scale based upon draft position. Moving to an auction, however, is a much more reasonable way to determine rookie salaries/bonus. Rookies should prefer it because it maximizes their salary. Although owners might not in the end save any money they'd probably prefer it to the existing system just to be free of the agents & hold outs (assuming all contracts were set at 4 years). Bad teams would lose the benefit of picking early but in reality bad teams would probably do better to have a few solid players for the money they pay a #1 pick. That would allow teams that just missed the playoffs a chance at a star player to take them to the next level.

Another convert, I see. Where ya been?Oh, and auctions rock.

 

[FUBAR]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

Compared to auction? Vast.

Hardly. You have to react in real time in the auction. You can't just go in with your VBD sheet and make your selections while you eat a cheeseburger. Auctions require quick decisions, flexible thinking, and steel nerves far beyond what's required in the draft.Not knocking draft formats. But, they're not even remotely as challenging as the auction.

But I like cheeseburgers.

You can draft a halfways decent team drunk, not so much in an auction. No chance auction will ever take over most work type leagues, but I'm surpried WCOFF and similar leagues hasn't gone to it.

 

[bucsbaby]

Answer: NeverPeople enjoy the different ways that there are to draft. We get this same type of question during the winter about how dynasty leagues are the best and people wonder why they haven't just taken over everything.I enjoyed the softball analogy, and that's about right. Not everyone loves the hardcore leagues. Auction leagues, most dynasty leagues are for people that are a little more into fantasy football than the average person.At my work, there's actually a 10 team women's league, 3rd year running. There's no way they want to make it an auction league nor do they want a dynasty league where they have to worry about things during the offseason. It's different strokes for different folks.......however I'm glad you are enjoying your auction leagues.

Yeah, I like the softball analogy too. And I do like the idea of more intense drafts where there's trades during the draft and stuff. I just think that auctions set the market value for each player and allows everyone a shot at every player. Different strokes for different folks though, I agree.

I dont have anything to add, i was just wondering if you still have Laverneus Coles ranked higher than Andre Johnson in dynasty leagues?Just messing with you.

Ha! I've never been a huge fan of AJ and the Texans, but since Schaub came to town, AJ has been a stud, no denying it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

What Hook said. I'll add that sometimes, a draft is nice in that you don't have to pay attention constantly for 3 hours. Mainly, though, it's that the majority of FF players are less sophisticated that what you see on this board, and an auction is too complicated. That, and auctioning in person is tougher than a draft.

That's the allure for me. I do auctions for baseball so I do love them as well, but being in only one re-draft league that has been around for 12 plus years and we're all old time friends the draft is just better for us.Many of us don't see much of eachother except for draft day so it's a better atmosphere to sit around, trash talk and catch up when you're not on the clock versus being required to pay constant attention for every second. The auction takes over the day and allows nothing else.

There's plenty of strategy and nuances in a draft as well.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

I enjoyed the live auction I did the most but if it is on-line a snake draft (hopefully 3rr) is better than an auction.

 

[destro]

Yeah, it never will. A lot of good points have been made, particularly about the allure of trading draft picks during the season, trading up and down during the draft, and about how the auctions tend to be a much greater investment in time and effort.

Another appeal to drafts that I don't think has been mentioned is that it mirrors the process the NFL uses to select rookies, along with every other major sport. While fantasy sports don't always imitate the real world when it detracts from enjoyment or practicality, any chance you can parallel the real thing and still keep it fun is a bonus for a lot of people.

 

[lynx4ben]

I'll echo the I've done both and like both but adding one thing. Also I didn't read every post so someone may have already mentioned it.

I love my auction redraft and that got me to do an auction dynasty. I came away underwhelmed...

With the four dynasty drafts that I've done in regular fashion there has always been a large amount of trading in draft. I think that is the absolute most fun part of fantasy football for me. Playing GM and making the moves in the draft to secure your favorite future studs for the next X years is a blast. Also do you build for a run this year or trade down to pick up a first round rookie pick next year?

I missed that when I did the auction dynasty. Although I still had a ton of fun because I love auctions, I'm starting to think that future dynasties will continue to be a plain ole draft for me.

 

[Pythagoras]

I'll echo the I've done both and like both but adding one thing. Also I didn't read every post so someone may have already mentioned it.I love my auction redraft and that got me to do an auction dynasty. I came away underwhelmed...With the four dynasty drafts that I've done in regular fashion there has always been a large amount of trading in draft. I think that is the absolute most fun part of fantasy football for me. Playing GM and making the moves in the draft to secure your favorite future studs for the next X years is a blast. Also do you build for a run this year or trade down to pick up a first round rookie pick next year?I missed that when I did the auction dynasty. Although I still had a ton of fun because I love auctions, I'm starting to think that future dynasties will continue to be a plain ole draft for me.

If you do a traditional Dynasty League where you keep players forever until you trade them or they retire then I would agree that you should keep a traditional draft with no serpentine. An auction in that case would be artificial. If you do a Dynasty League with salary caps, fixed contract lengths, blind bid waivers, etc. then auction is the only way to do it. When I started my Dynasty League 7 years ago I worried that weak teams early on would lose interest without a reasonable amount of player turnover so I opted for the latter type. With the salary cap it maintains a real competitive balance and the auction and blind bid waivers set a fair market price for the players. Only sharks can pick up solid starters a year early for the salary minimum. I did keep a traditional draft for rookies with a set pay scale just to give the worst teams a chance at improving but we do it right after the NFL draft so you still don't know if they'll make camp or not which makes it interesting.

 

[Primvs]

The only way I think the format would even remotely have a chance of catching on would be if the NFL got rid of the draft and instead instituted some form of auction format. Of course that's about as probable as my original answer. Everyone can pick up on a how a draft goes and how people will go in turn. -QG

The NFL DOES in fact "institute some form of auction format." It's called free agency. A league I'm in combines an auction, contracts, free agency, and a rookie draft to get the full NFL flavor. I love it!

 

[lynx4ben]

I'll echo the I've done both and like both but adding one thing. Also I didn't read every post so someone may have already mentioned it.I love my auction redraft and that got me to do an auction dynasty. I came away underwhelmed...With the four dynasty drafts that I've done in regular fashion there has always been a large amount of trading in draft. I think that is the absolute most fun part of fantasy football for me. Playing GM and making the moves in the draft to secure your favorite future studs for the next X years is a blast. Also do you build for a run this year or trade down to pick up a first round rookie pick next year?I missed that when I did the auction dynasty. Although I still had a ton of fun because I love auctions, I'm starting to think that future dynasties will continue to be a plain ole draft for me.

If you do a traditional Dynasty League where you keep players forever until you trade them or they retire then I would agree that you should keep a traditional draft with no serpentine. An auction in that case would be artificial. If you do a Dynasty League with salary caps, fixed contract lengths, blind bid waivers, etc. then auction is the only way to do it. When I started my Dynasty League 7 years ago I worried that weak teams early on would lose interest without a reasonable amount of player turnover so I opted for the latter type. With the salary cap it maintains a real competitive balance and the auction and blind bid waivers set a fair market price for the players. Only sharks can pick up solid starters a year early for the salary minimum. I did keep a traditional draft for rookies with a set pay scale just to give the worst teams a chance at improving but we do it right after the NFL draft so you still don't know if they'll make camp or not which makes it interesting.

I want to start my next league just like this. Could you send me a ilnk yo your bylaws?

 

[Ysatnaf_Gnik]

No thanks.Lots of us love the vast amount of totally different strategies involved in the draft scenarios.

I'm all for 'to each their own,' but "vast"--really? Sure, when you think of the various combinations and permutations re: RB-WR-QB-WR-RB-RB-etc. or WR-WR-WR-QB-RB-TE-etc. there are a "vast" amount of outcomes. But, it seems to me to just boil down to take the best player available when it's your turn to draft and use your positional needs to influence the decision if it's close. I've done my share of drafts and plenty of mocks and that is always the same feeling I get: take bpa, make sure I get my starting positions at RB/WR/QB/TE covered before investing too heavily in backups. So, if bpa in round 1 ends up being a RB, then I deprioritize RB in the next round unless excellent value falls to me at the RB position--at which point RB is further deprioritized in the next rounds, etc. To me, that's not a "vast amount of totally different strategies".

Compared to auction? Vast.

One thing is to profess your love for Draft or Auctions. That is fine. Variety is good. Some love Draft, others like Auctions. Nothing wrong with that. It allows more people to play, etc. But to come here and state as a fact that compared to an Auction, regular drafts have a vast amount of different strategies is ludicrous. C'mon Choke, you gotta be kidding.....You are drafting well in our IDP Tackle Heavy League. But If you took only one probability class in your life, or even just high school math you can probably figure out that the number of potential combinations of players/salaries under a fixed constraint (salary cap) in a Auction is so much greater than in a regular draft. The strategies become even more pronounced when it is a Dynasty contract League with a Draft for Rookies under a slotted salary table.

 

[Ysatnaf_Gnik]

After watching computer controlled teams draft competitive rosters on fantastyfootballcalculator, I just don't see the allure of drafts, especially in comparison to auctions. A computer program can select CJ 1st overall. In an auction, it's not just "I want ADP" it's "I want ADP, but at what cost?" At the very least, it would take a much more sophisticated computer program to compile a competitive roster in an auction.

Bucsbaby, I love Auctions, don't get me wrong. I barely play in regular drafts anymore (besides some of the FBG contests). But yes, I know for a fact that I'm not the only one using a sophisticated excel model with genetic algorithms to help me figure out the optimization process of a large FF roster in an Auction. With the goal of maximizing points in a season, using a model like this allows me to arrive at a single max solution to this optimization problem (Solver doesn't work for this). How to allocate X $ in such a way that you are maximizing the potential number of points scored in a season. Of course, like any model, even DD, it is Crap In -> Crap Out.If you do your own projections or tweak the pro's projections to your own liking, the next step would be to maximize your points based on those projections. Theoretically there is only one solution. Of course in FF football this is ridiculous. But it does give you a great plan to attack your auction and the $ range you should be spending per player to maximize your points.My point is that regardless of what format you are playing, there will always be "computer software" available to assist you in your decision making process.

 

[ScottyDog]

I haven't seen anybody mention the possibility of a hybrid system. We do this in my league so that we can enjoy the best of both worlds. We do an auction until each manager has 7 players on his team. After that we do a snake draft to fill out the final 10 roster spots. So you can still trade draft picks 8-17 and everyone still has an equal shot at ADP or Chris Johnson if they are willing to pay the price.