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Welcome RotoBallers to our ADP duel comparing Pat Freiermuth and Tyler Higbee for 2023 fantasy football drafts. Fantasy football has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike with its unique blend of strategy and competition. As the popularity continues to soar, the tools and metrics used to gain a competitive edge have evolved.
One metric that holds immense value for fantasy football players is the Average Draft Position (ADP). ADP serves as a critical guide in draft preparation, helping managers navigate the player selection process and build a winning roster.
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of ADP between two similarly valued players and how you can effectively attack the best player to construct a championship-caliber fantasy team.
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Breakdown Of ADP
Average Draft Position, commonly referred to as ADP, represents the average position at which a player is drafted in fantasy football leagues. ADP is typically derived from data collected from various mock drafts and real drafts conducted by fantasy football enthusiasts. This powerful metric serves as a benchmark, indicating the perceived value and popularity of players within the fantasy football community.
Understanding ADP is essential for fantasy managers, as it provides crucial insights into player rankings and draft trends and helps determine the optimal time to select specific players. By incorporating ADP into their draft strategy, managers can effectively gauge player availability, identify potential steals, and avoid reaching for players too early in the draft.
ADP acts as a compass, guiding fantasy managers through the unpredictable terrain of the draft. It offers an overview of player rankings, allowing managers to gauge which players are typically selected in the early rounds and which may fall to later rounds.
This knowledge can help managers identify "value picks," where players with a higher ADP can be secured at a lower draft position. Additionally, analyzing ADP trends over time can provide valuable insights into player fluctuations and market sentiment, helping managers stay ahead of the competition. By incorporating ADP data into their draft strategy, managers can make well-informed decisions, ensuring they assemble a well-balanced team capable of maximizing points and securing victory.
Draft strategy is a fundamental aspect of fantasy football success, and ADP plays a pivotal role in its development. Armed with the knowledge of ADP, managers can adopt different strategies based on the unique characteristics of their league. For example, "Zero RB" and "Late-Round QB" strategies capitalize on ADP data to determine when to prioritize running backs and quarterbacks, respectively.
Average Draft Position (ADP) serves as a vital tool in the arsenal of fantasy football managers. By comprehending the definition, importance, and strategic utilization of ADP, managers can make informed decisions during the draft, ultimately constructing a championship-caliber team. With ADP as their guide, fantasy managers can navigate the intricacies of the draft process, identify value picks, and adapt their strategy to gain a competitive edge. Let's break down the ADPs of TEs Pat Freiermuth and Tyler Higbee and see who the better pick for your fantasy football team may be.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
TE8 - ADP: 89th Overall
When it comes to building an elite fantasy football roster, one of the biggest challenges year in and year out is selecting the tight end position. In the vast majority of standard and PPR leagues, that slot on your team is usually limited to one player. Meaning, you need to find one singular stud to carry you through four grueling fantasy months.
What makes things even more difficult is that quality tight ends are few and far between. If your name isn't Travis Kelce, you probably aren't a superstar. That's not an opinion, that's a fact.
So when deciding whom to select and at what point to do so, you must consider multiple variables. Volume, production, and health are the three that stand out. One player who should offer all three in 2023 is the Steelers' big man Pat Freiermuth.
I understand there might be some hesitancy in pulling the trigger on the man known as "Baby Gronk", but if people are calling him that, you know he must be pretty good. Born and raised a Patriots fan just outside of Boston, the towering tight end certainly has plenty of value in Round 7 to Round 10 this upcoming season.
Rising quarterback Kenny Pickett should look Freiermuth's way often in 2023, as the 24-year-old's 6' 5'' frame is hard to miss down the middle of the field. In 16 games played last year, big number 88 accumulated 63 receptions on a healthy 98 targets for 732 yards and two touchdowns. While he didn't find the end zone as much in 2023 as he did one season prior (seven TD in 2021), look for Frieremuth to get back to finding paydirt more this season.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
TE16 - ADP: 137th Overall
The Rams are trending downward when it comes to overall franchise stability, and the outlook for the team in 2023 isn't tremendously promising. Many experts are predicting a losing season forthcoming, which might mean regression for some of their offensive stars.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is facing numerous questions about his health, most notably his throwing arm. If he isn't able to go a full season this year, skill players like Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee will be greatly affected. But assuming he is able to make it through the full slate of games, both pass catchers should offer both volume and production.
The 30-year-old out of Western Kentucky University has registered 80 targets in three of his last four seasons. When Stafford isn't looking Kupp's way, the big TE will likely see the ball headed in his direction. One other stat that is important to remember when making your selection is that Higbee tied for second most targets inside the 10-yard line among TEs last season.
When you draft a tight end, and his name isn't Kelce, you're not expecting that player to carry you to a championship. You want consistency, and a guy who you can count on to perform each week and give you decent numbers and not goose eggs. Higbee collected a whopping 108 targets one season ago, which means it's more than likely he will be solid for you again in 2023. It's highly improbable that he will repeat such a high target share this year, but assuming health (for both him and his QB), he could come close.
Fantasy Football Verdict
The difference between these two players is slim in nature, and both make solid picks in the middle of drafts. The question becomes which do you want on your roster for the upcoming season. The one who has the higher ceiling or the one who is safer?
Freiermuth is a slightly bigger risk than Higbee because the track record is not as long, and the uncertainty about his quarterback is higher. However, he is younger, more athletic, and offers more upside than the Rams veteran. That's why the former is being drafted higher than the latter in most drafts this year. Still, both will provide consistency all season long. Assuming health, take the risk and not the safer bet. Draft "Baby Gronk" who could potentially be the steal of the tight end class if all the cards fall into place.
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