Okay, so, today I dove headfirst into preparing for my fantasy football PPR draft. Let me tell you, it’s a whole different beast than standard scoring. I’ve been playing fantasy football for years, but mostly standard leagues. PPR, or points per reception, changes the game big time.
First thing I did? Research. Lots and lots of research. I started by digging into player rankings specifically for PPR leagues. You quickly realize that guys who catch a ton of passes, even if they don’t get a lot of yards, become way more valuable. Think running backs who are also great receivers, and wide receivers who are target hogs.
Next, I mock drafted. Like, a bunch of times. This is key. You gotta get a feel for where players are going in PPR drafts. I used a couple of different platforms to get a variety of results. It was super helpful to see the differences in player values compared to what I was used to.
My Draft Strategy
- Prioritize Running Backs Early: Even in PPR, a solid RB foundation is important. I aimed for at least one, ideally two, top-tier RBs in the first few rounds. Guys known for catching passes out of the backfield were my main targets.
- Load Up on Wide Receivers: This is where PPR really shines. I went heavy on WRs, especially those with high target shares in their offenses. Volume is king in PPR.
- Don’t Overvalue Quarterbacks: Unless it’s a superflex league, you can usually wait on a QB. There’s tons of depth at the position.
- Consider a Pass-Catching Tight End: If you can snag a top tight end who gets a lot of receptions, it’s a huge advantage.
- Be Flexible: This is my biggest takeaway. Don’t get locked into one strategy. You gotta be ready to adjust based on how the draft is flowing. If everyone is grabbing WRs early, you might need to zig and snag some RBs while they’re still available.
I kept refining my player rankings throughout the process. I made notes on players I liked, players I was avoiding, and potential sleepers. I even jotted down some “do not draft” guys based on injury concerns or shaky situations.
Finally, I practiced different draft scenarios. What if I get the first pick? What if I’m picking at the end of the first round? I ran through mock drafts from various positions to get comfortable with different draft flows.
It was a long day of prep, but I feel way more confident going into my PPR draft now. It’s all about adapting to the scoring system and finding those reception monsters! Wish me luck – I’ll need it!