RADIO
How should you approach a superflex league on draft day? Johnnie Dowling gives his draft strategies and advice for fantasy football owners trying superflex (two-QB) leagues for the first time in 2018.
Superflex leagues, for those that don't already know, are a fantasy football setup in which every team's lineup includes at least one flex spot that can plan any offensive position, including quarterback. Typical leagues with flex spots allow for just RB/WR/TE combos, but superflex throws the high-scoring QB position in the mix.
Current conventional fantasy wisdom preaches waiting on the quarterback in the draft. This is a strategy that you should definitely be using in standard drafts, however this all changes in superflex drafts.
Today, we'll examine how you should adjust your draft strategy to win your superflex league.
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Do I Really Have to Draft Differently?
Yes. While the majority of your rankings will be the same, you simply have to prioritize a bit differently. Here are the main points of contention:
Round One
First off, the top five elite running backs should remain the top picks of round one. If you have one of these picks you can still get an elite QB in round two or three, or get two QBs of strong fantasy production in the middle rounds. However the top tier of quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady and Deshaun Watson should and will all be taken in the latter end of the first round; if you want one of these it is OK to reach and get one of them at the 1.05 or 1.06 spot, but I would recommend Antonio Brown or Saquon Barkley ahead of even Rodgers.
Increase in QB value
The reason for the increased QB average draft position is due to the dramatic rise in demand for them, as most people will be starting two each week. Drafting one QB late and focusing on week by week streaming in a standard league is arguably the best strategy, as in a 12 team league you can draft QBs like Jimmy Garroppolo, Jared Goff and Philip Rivers in round eight. However, when teams are going to draft two or likely three quarterbacks in a superflex league, almost all NFL starting quarterbacks will be drafted, making the top 12 - 15 QB values far higher. Based on this, there are two strategies I would recommend when it comes to getting your QBs in a superflex draft.
Flexible Draft Strategies
One Elite and One Mid-round QB
This strategy involves taking an elite QB in the first or second round and waiting till rounds six or seven to get your second QB. This strategy should be adopted by anyone with a late first-round pick; get one of the elite quarterbacks late in the first and get an Odell Beckham or Leonard Fournette who will fall to the second round. Once you have secured one of these elite QBs you can wait to get a QB like Mariota, Carr or Prescott later and focus on building out the rest of your roster.
Once you have an elite QB in the first it may be tempting to add another in the second after all and combo of Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wentz is very strong. However, there is still huge value in later QBs and you will sacrifice way more value in RBs in particular if you don't get one until the third round. It is better to have Rodgers, Mariota and Leonard Fournette, than it is to have Rodgers, Wentz and Joe Mixon.
Middle-Middle QB Duo
This is the strategy that will prove most successful in superflex leagues, and definitely should be adopted by people picking from 1.01 to 1.04. Drafting early is also beneficial in superflex leagues as even though the value of QBs increases it does not negate the value of running backs and wide receivers. While everyone around you is scrambling to get elite quarterbacks, drafting from the 1.01 spot you can start your draft with Todd Gurley, Keenan Allen and Devonta Freeman, and still potentially land the likes of Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger, Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins in the fourth and fifth round. While these QBs aren't at the level of the top four QBs available, or even Drew Brees and Cam Newton, the dropoff in running back value is way larger after round three. The biggest mistake that can be made in superflex is ending a draft without top end RB and WR talent.
Important Notes
Wait on Tight Ends: The increased value of quarterbacks means waiting for your TE makes even more sense than in standard leagues. Spending three of your first six picks on non-RB/WR means your roster will be very unbalanced. If you get incredible value on Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce, you have to wait until the very late rounds to grab your second QB, otherwise you will miss value on mid-round RB/WR value.
QB flex is an option: While most weeks you will start two quarterbacks, this is only an option not a strict requirement (hence: flex). You can still play another RB or WR in that flex spot. The biggest mistake in superflex drafts is overvaluing the non-elite QBs. While your QB2 will almost always outperform a flex RB, you will be able to find options to stream in the QB2 spot if necessary, so don't undervalue the mid-round RB/WR value.
Don't draft a Kicker: If allowed in your league, don't draft a kicker, particularly if you are going to draft a third quarterback. Use your final pick to get your third QB or take a flyer on a RB/WR. Your roster will have less RBs/WRs than usual if you are taking an extra QB so wait until Week 1 before you add a kicker and drop someone, but it is better to have someone on your roster than miss out on getting them off the waiver wire.
Be aware of the teams drafting around you: If you are in the second round of a superflex draft and Rodgers or Wilson are still available, the rest of your league is making a mistake, so go ahead and take them. Also if you are planning to wait and grab two decent QBs in the middle rounds, be aware of how everyone else around you is drafting. If you want to wait and get tier four or five QBs in the fifth and sixth rounds but 15 QBs are off the board at the end of round 3, don't panic. Instead, take advantage of the RB/WR talent being left on the board. You can reach a little higher for one QB but don't just follow the pack and join in the panic.
Superflex leagues present unique opportunities on draft day and add an extra element of interest throughout the season as well. If you haven't tried this format yet, I highly recommend you give it a shot.
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