Draft strategy basics
No hot takes here — just how the machinery works, so you can make your own calls. For the numbers, use the ADP explorer and market tiers.
Scoring formats, quickly
Standard gives no points for catches; PPR (points per reception) rewards them fully; half-PPR splits the difference. This single setting reshuffles value: pass-catching backs and slot receivers rise in PPR and slide in standard. That’s why we never blend formats — a PPR ADP and a standard ADP are different measurements.
Snake vs. auction
In a snake draft, order reverses each round; your slot fixes your pick cadence (see the pick calculator). In an auction, everyone can bid on everyone — you get whoever you’re willing to pay for, within a budget (try the budget calculator). Snake is simpler; auction gives more control at the cost of time and nerves.
What ADP is
Average Draft Position is where a player goes, on average, across real drafts. It’s a map of the market — useful for knowing when you’ll realistically have a shot at someone — not a ranking of who’s best. Pair it with your own read.
A five-minute prep
- Know your pick numbers and the players likely there.
- Check your bye weeks so you don’t stack rest days.
- Build a cheat sheet from an ADP baseline and adjust to taste.
- Run the draft-order reveal so the whole league trusts the order.