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Scott Engel breaks down his fantasy football draft strategy in the highly competitive FFPC Pros vs. Joes Challenge Best Ball Slim league.
At the end of July, I took on a major fantasy football test. I participated in the first of several Pros vs. Joes FFPC drafts.
The Pros vs. Joes Challenge was founded over a decade ago by the Fantasy Football Players Championship and Darren Armani of FantasyMojo.com in an effort to have top fantasy experts compete against high stakes players and others who wanted to take on the “Pros.”
Many of the “Joes” are anything but ordinary, as they are successful high stakes participants themselves. This is a format that truly brings together the best of both fantasy football worlds.
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FFPC Best Ball "Slim" Format Used in Pros vs. Joes
We utilized the FFPC Best Ball Slim format for this draft, which was 18 rounds with no defenses and kickers. Starting lineups consist of 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 2 FLEX, and a TE. FFPC scoring is four points for a TD pass and includes PPR, with an extra emphasis on TEs, as they get 1.5 points for every catch. This sort of league appeals to those who do not want to draft kickers and defenses while focusing primarily on skill position players.
My strategy was to go aggressively after the players I wanted and shoot for upside frequently as I often do in Best Ball formats. The competition was likely to also be nimble, I figured, so I had to ignore some conventional thought processes more than usual. I was drafting from the first slot, but making that pick to being the draft was no easy one, which may come as a surprise to some.
The King's FFPC Pros vs. Joes Draft Picks and Insights
- Christian McCaffrey (Latest ADP of No. 1 overall in FFPC Best Ball Slim Drafts according to FantasyMojo.com): I won’t say I did not consider taking Saquon Barkley here. I believe he has more big-play upside than McCaffery. But McCaffery has been more durable and may provide more outstanding weeks overall. I actually wrestled with myself for a while on this one. Not physically, both of us would have tired out pretty quickly.
- Lamar Jackson (24): This is where I did not hesitate to go for the aggressive play. Those who read me regularly know I believe Jackson is worth a pick in the second half of the first round. Even if he regresses, no other QB will provide his type of rushing stats at the position along with respectable passing totals. This could be my difference-making move. I get RB stats at QB.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (21): I actually landed him a bit later than his ADP at the time. I do have Melvin Gordon III ranked higher in standard seasonal leagues. But I had to go with the upside play in the terrific offense in a Best Ball league, especially in one where the competition is so impressive. A few days later, Damien Williams opted out for the season, and suddenly I had the most impressive three-player core in the league.
- Tyler Higbee (66): I jumped early for Higbee and took some ribbing on Twitter from Pros vs. Joes founder Darren Armani of FantasyMojo.com.
I promised @scotteTheKing to give him his pie in the face for drafting Tyler Higbee at 4.12. His ADP in slims is 6.8, BUT at the turns, sometimes you have to reach for your guy early.
Still, pie is required ( All in good fun ) https://t.co/DVQ7mf4ROh pic.twitter.com/eCMMVMIhnD
— fantasymojo (@fantasymojo) July 27, 2020
Again, though, in a league like this, gutsy moves could set me apart. Plus, there is an extra emphasis on TE scoring and being on the turn, Higbee may have not made it back to me in the sixth round. I believe he has the potential to be as high as a top-three fantasy TE this season. The Rams traded away Brandin Cooks and now Higbee will be a prime target on that team after his late-season surge last year.
- Raheem Mostert (49): I am very excited about him in a Best Ball format, and higher on Mostert than most others. His big games last year did not surprise me. I knew he was a dynamic player who just needed more opportunities to play. He still wants to prove he should make even more money. A player who rushed for 220 yards and four TDs in an NFC Championship Game certainly sold me on how explosive he can be. I want Mostert for sure in Best Ball formats.
- Jarvis Landry (78): Nearly reached 1,200 yards and scored six times with an underperforming Baker Mayfield. May not miss any time and there is a really good floor and some additional promise here if the light goes on for the young QB.
- Tyler Boyd (82): He is coming off two 1,000-yard seasons and now the QB situation improves. I think A.J. Green’s best days are behind him and Boyd will be the true No. 1 WR for Burrow. My best two WRs are not the ones I ideally would want to lead the crew, but I believe they were solid choices at this point and I had to take best available after going QB and TE early.
- Diontae Johnson (99): This is the enticing play that could boost my WR corps. Johnson caught five TD passes last year as a rookie while dealing with subpar QB play. Ben Roethlisberger is going to come back with a bang and can boost Johnson’s production very significantly. JuJu Smith-Schuster will be gone after this season and the Steelers want to prime Johnson for a bigger role in 2021.
- Austin Hooper (98): I am good with him as a second TE in a format where you should definitely grab two starter types. His presence gives Mayfield another quality option near the goal line. Hooper had 54 of his 67 catches and five TDs when the Falcons were playing from behind in 2019, and there is a strong chance Mayfield will be trailing often as well. He had 270 of his 486 attempts when trailing in games last season.
- Matt Breida (106): This is a quality depth pick at RB. Breida has averaged five yards per attempt in his career. I have seen him play in person and he is a tenacious runner when healthy. I like where Miami is headed as a team and he has some potential for good outings. As a fourth RB in Best Ball, I won’t have to be as concerned about his health and can possibly get some impressive performances from Breida.
- Jalen Reagor (144): I took him earlier than the ADP here, but Reagor can become Carson Wentz’s best big-play option and top WR as a rookie. DeSean Jackson has been overrated for the last five years and is now 33 years old.
- Damien Harris (153): He could challenge to be a starter this year in an RPO offense with a rejuvenated Cam Newton. I was not going to wait much longer and lose that sort of opportunity to pick Harris, especially when working on the turn.
- Ian Thomas (123): Always a good idea to grab a third TE with some potential by this point. Thomas can be a reliable pass-catcher for Teddy Bridgewater and will be a TD threat.
- Joshua Kelley (180): I overlooked the ADP here. I think he is undervalued and will get a lot more work than many expect. He will be the Chargers’ top rushing TD threat and inside runner.
- Ryan Tannehill (143): May be a bit underrated. He had 16 TD passes in his final seven games last year and also four rushing TDs in 12 games.
- Steven Sims Jr. (203): A real sleeper in all formats, Sims had 20 catches and four TDs in his final three games last year, including long receptions of 65 and 32 yards. Could become a speedy complement to Terry McLaurin.
- Dan Arnold (205): The ADP says he is TE37, but the Cardinals are excited about Arnold and may give him a significant role in the passing game, especially as a TD target.
- Tyrod Taylor (190): Almost went with DeeJay Dallas here. He could figure into the Seattle RB mix if Chris Carson cannot stay healthy and he has some promise for sure. Taylor, however, has rushing ability and can throw deep, so I might get a few good weeks from him.
Summary
Very happy with my RBs and my QB is a unique difference-maker. The three man core of CMC, Jackson and CEH gives me a unique advantage. Did very well at the always uncertain position of TE, there is a lot of potential. WRs will be a key, yet I believe Landry and Boyd can perform better than expected at times and there is upside on players such as Johnson and Reagor. I have already been questioned on my strategies by some fellow analysts. I cannot subscribe to other people’s approaches and must stand behind my picks when competing against such a strong field. If I was to reconsider anything it may have been to take Barkley first overall. My WRs could have been better but I could not resist the temptation of Mostert.
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