Using FAAB Strategically to Make a Playoff Run

Brett Mitchell advises fantasy football owners with FAAB left in their wallets on how to strategically use their remaining budget for a playoff run.

The myth that using all of your FAAB early will hurt you toward the end of the season. We’ve all heard it many times before from analysts, league mates, the voice in our heads.

What are you saving that FAAB for? I’ve even written about using your FAAB early if you have a losing record because it won’t help you if you are out of the playoffs. But like most strategies in fantasy football, it is much more nuanced than a simple yes or no answer. Should I spend all my FAAB on Josh Adams, Gus Edwards, Jameis Winston, Cameron Brate?

The answer is…..maybe. Because there is a justifiable reason to save a little bit of your FAAB, given you are in the playoff hunt. And that reason is to do what you didn't think you could in fantasy - play defense! Simply put, even if you don't need that extra RB or backup QB, get wise and BLOCK YOUR OPPONENT!!!

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Blocking Your Opponent With FAAB

One of the most powerful weapons you have at your disposal around the playoff hunt or during the playoffs is to be a real jerk and block the other teams from gaining any advantage. What I mean specifically is taking a look at your matchup and your opponent’s team to see what holes they need to fill. Over the last few weeks, we have seen byes and this strategy could have been very powerful. But as we enter into crucial matchups we must look at other factors such as injured/suspended players, low-performing players and fringe flex plays with bad matchups.

Injured/Suspended Players

Ok, I’ll get explicit for you jabronis. Does your opponent have any players that are recently injured and won’t be able to suit up for your week 13, 14, 15, or 16 matchups? Do they have Andy Dalton, Leonard Fournette, Melvin Gordon? If they do, they surely will be looking to pick up a new QB or RB off waivers.

Low-Performing Players

There are a number of players who simply aren’t performing and shouldn’t be in starting lineups when it counts the most. Are any of these guys on your opponent’s team? A few names that come to mind include Jordan Howard, Carson Wentz, Golden Tate, Alshon Jeffery, Jarvis Landry, Alex Collins, Duke Johnson Jr., Sterling Shepard, Chris Godwin, Courtland Sutton, DeSean Jackson. Now I’m not saying there are necessarily better options on the wire, but if there are you should certainly look to block your opponent and scoop them up.

Bad Matchups

Sometimes matchups are bad enough to justify a sit. Do you want to start Tevin Coleman against Baltimore? Players against the Jags or Bears? Look at your opponent’s matchups and see if they have something unfavorable enough for them to justify a swap. It doesn’t take rocket science.

Implementation of the Block

Ok, so now we get to the fun part. Take a look at the remaining FAAB in your league. As we get further along, there will be more zeros. And what that means is that you can block your opponent with a $1 bid! Bet some of you haven’t thought about it, but you should take it into serious consideration because sometimes the best offense is defense. For instance, Jameis Winston and Cameron Brate were on many waiver wires last week, and I bet they would have made some teams better.

The moral of the story is save some FAAB for the last few weeks of the season. Of course, this is all based on who’s available on the wire and if it justifies using a max bid. But I sure as hell would love an extra few bucks to block the Andy Dalton owner from starting Dak Prescott against New Orleans or Lamar Jackson against Atlanta. Happy Blocking fantasy friends!

Sincerely,
Brett Mitchell @BrettMitchellFB