X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Winning Best-Ball Draft Strategies

Aaron Schillinger lays out winning draft strategies for best-ball fantasy football leagues in 2019. These draft-only formats require a unique look at rankings and roster construction.

If you're familiar with the best-ball scene of fantasy football, you can skip ahead. For those of you who are new to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing forms of fantasy sports, welcome! Best-ball leagues for fantasy football are gaining a lot of popularity recently but they require a different approach on draft day.

One of the most appealing parts of best-ball is that you never have to worry about who to start. There is no roster management after you finish your draft. There are no trades, waivers, or player swaps allowed. Your highest-scoring players are automatically started each week and your totals are automatically added up week to week. These season-long leagues can be from three-team leagues up to your typical 12-team leagues.

For those reasons, you have to go into each draft with a gameplan and then adjust accordingly. Below, I'll lay out some of my favorite strategies that have been tried and tested.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Roster Construction

The scoring is 0.5 points per reception. Six points for passing touchdowns and four points for rushing, receiving, and return touchdowns. Each week, your team's highest scores at each of the following positions:
1 QB
2 RB
3 WR
1 TE
1 FLEX (RB/WR/TE)

When it comes to DRAFT best ball leagues, your roster will have 18 total players. Roster construction can make or break you in this format, and it's important to cover yourself on your bye weeks and have enough depth at the quarterback and tight end positions.

There are many different ways to approach best-ball drafts. If you have a top-five pick, I recommend taking a stud running back. Any of the stud running backs, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Christian McCaffrey, or Alvin Kamara offer tremendous weekly upside and are a huge advantage to have in this format. Once you get past the top running backs, you will be looking at a slightly lower-end running back, an elite wide receiver, or Travis Kelce. It's important to look back and realize that last year Kelce outscored most all of the elite wide receivers in this format, and offers the same elite upside in 2019.

Grabbing an elite tight end early is a great advantage to have in this format, especially in 10 or 12-team leagues. If you don't grab one of the top three tight ends, you might be better off waiting and grabbing two or three late-round guys with upside like Vance McDonald or Jared Cook. If you grab one of the top-three tight ends in Kelce, Zach Ertz, or George Kittle, you can get away with just two tight ends on your roster for the season. If you wait, I'd recommend going with three.

Typically, my roster construction will look something like this:
2-3 QB
4-6 RB
6-8 WR
2-3 TE

 

Bye Weeks

As you construct your team, it is important to watch the bye weeks as they can really hurt you in this format. It can be pretty easy to get caught up in ADP and taking the best available players, but when you get to rounds seven or eight, you should start caring more about the bye weeks. The most notable of the bye weeks this season is Week 10, where six teams are on bye.

It is important to cover yourself at the quarterback and tight end positions regarding the bye weeks. Botching your draft and ending up without a quarterback or tight end for a week can end up costing you. Running backs and wide receivers you'll want to stockpile those, and it is a little easier to avoid the bye weeks, but it is still worth watching as you build your roster.

 

Tight End First

One strategy that you can use in this format is going with a tight end in your first pick. I recommend taking advantage of this strategy when you're in 12-team leagues and have a draft spot in the 8-12 range. This is where you'll want to draft Travis Kelce and build around your stud tight end. You can use this strategy in the third or fourth round and take Kittle or Ertz, but neither have an ADP that will require you to use your first round pick.

After you take Kelce with your first pick, you'll be looking at either a stud wide receiver like DeAndre Hopkins or Davante Adams or a borderline stud running back in someone like Le'Veon Bell or Joe Mixon. Personally, I'm going with the potential workhorse running back and hoping to pair Kelce with Mixon, Dalvin Cook, or James Conner.

Nailing your first three picks is crucial in best-ball leagues. I like to go with three guys that I believe are safe options, before targetting the high-upside players with later picks. You can't go wrong with Kelce if you have a late-first round draft position, and it's a solid strategy to use this year.

 

Zero RB

While many fantasy owners believe that Zero RB is dead, there is definitely a scenario where you could use it as a viable strategy this year. Similar to going Tight End First, you will only want to use this strategy if you have a late first round draft spot.

In this scenario, I'm likely going with a stud wide receiver like Hopkins or Adams to start. You can go with Kittle (22.6 ADP) or Ertz (23.8 ADP) with your second pick if you're interested in targeting a tight end. Ideally, for Zero RB I'd be hoping to snag Julio Jones or Odell Beckham with my second pick and hoping for one of the previously mentioned tight ends to fall to my third pick. This isn't highly likely, but would definitely be ideal. With this strategy, you could potentially end up with Hopkins, Ertz, and another receiver like AJ Green or Stefon Diggs.

Depending on how true to the Zero RB strategy you want to go, if you look at a running back with your fourth pick, you'd be looking at someone like Mark Ingram or Kenyan Drake. If you're feeling bold, you can wait until the sixth round or so and grab a guy like Lamar Miller as your RB1, which would be a fine way to use this strategy.

One thing to realize with best ball leagues is that it is important to mix up your ownership numbers. Going all in on a few players can end up killing you if all of your teams have similar players and some don't pan out. Zero RB is a legitimate way to attack best ball leagues and a good way to mix your ownership numbers up.

Some of my favorite late-round running backs to target with this strategy include Lamar Miller (68.2 ADP), Latavius Murray (77.2 ADP), Jordan Howard (97.7 ADP), and Ito Smith (122.9 ADP).

 

Waiting on Quarterbacks

Waiting on your quarterback in best-ball leagues isn't necessarily a strategy, but something that I recommend doing in general. There will always be someone that takes Patrick Mahomes with a fairly early pick, as his ADP is currently 38.0 on DRAFT. The next quarterback is Andrew Luck and his ADP is currently 63.6, next is Aaron Rodgers has an ADP of 70. There is no denying the upside that Mahomes brings, but someone like Luck or Rodgers has similar weekly upside and is going almost three rounds later.

I won't recommend drafting Mahomes at his current ADP, but you could use a seventh or eighth-round pick on a guy like Luck, Rodgers, or Deshaun Watson. If any of these four quarterbacks fall, I'll take them after this range, but really will be just looking for one of them to fall to the point where I can't pass them up. If you draft one of these top four guys, you can pair them with a late-round quarterback to cover your bye week and bring your team some upside.

Some of the players I'm most interested in owning this year are being drafted in the 12th round or later. I recommend waiting on your quarterback and grabbing two or three of these late-round players like Philip Rivers (137.1 ADP) or Jimmy Garoppolo (148.2 ADP). It's a good strategy to paid a high-upside guy like Rivers or Ben Roethlisberger with a more consistent week to week option like Dak Prescott (127.1 ADP). Take advantage of the earlier rounds and stock up on running backs and wide receivers, then grab a couple of quarterbacks in the late rounds.

More Best-Ball League Strategy




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF