best way to do fantasy draft order

2 min read 17-12-2024

Fantasy football is all about strategy, and a crucial element of that strategy is deciding your draft order. The optimal approach depends on the league's size, your risk tolerance, and your familiarity with the players. This article explores different methods for establishing your fantasy football draft order, from the classic coin flip to more sophisticated techniques. Getting this right can significantly impact your chances of building a championship-winning team.

Traditional Methods for Setting Draft Order

The most common methods for determining fantasy football draft order are simple and straightforward:

1. Random Lottery/Coin Flip:

How it works: Each team is assigned a number or participates in a coin flip. The order is determined by the outcome of the random selection process.
Pros: Simple, fair, and easy to implement. Everyone has an equal chance.
Cons: Pure luck, offering no strategic advantage. A poor draw can significantly hurt your chances.

2. Reverse Order of Standings (Previous Season):

How it works: The team that finished last in the previous season gets the first pick, second-to-last gets the second pick, and so on.
Pros: Rewards teams that struggled last year, giving them a chance to rebuild.
Cons: Can create a cycle where poor teams consistently get top picks. Doesn't account for roster changes or potential improvements.

More Strategic Approaches to Draft Order

These methods add a layer of strategy and potential reward:

3. Combination of Randomness and Previous Season's Performance:

How it works: Use a lottery system where teams with worse records have a higher chance of getting better picks, but it's not guaranteed.
Pros: Balances fairness with rewarding teams that underperformed. Offers a blend of luck and skill.
Cons: More complex to set up than a simple lottery or reverse order.

4. Points-Based System:

How it works: Award points based on team performance in the previous season (e.g., wins, points scored, playoff appearances). Use the accumulated points to determine draft order. Higher points mean a later pick.
Pros: Rewards successful teams while still providing an element of variance. Encourages competitiveness throughout the season.
Cons: Needs careful point allocation to avoid one metric dominating the others.

Handling Expansion Teams or New Leagues

When starting a new league or adding expansion teams, consider these options:

5. Separate Draft for New Teams:

How it works: Expansion teams participate in a separate draft before the existing league determines its draft order.
Pros: Provides a fair advantage to new teams joining a seasoned league. Allows them to build a strong foundation.
Cons: Requires two separate drafts, adding complexity to the process.

6. Snake Draft with Assigned Picks:

How it works: Assign specific draft spots to new teams, alternating between early and late selections in a snake draft format.
Pros: Simpler than two separate drafts, offering some balance.
Cons: May not be perceived as completely fair by all teams.

Choosing the Right Method for Your League

The best way to determine your fantasy draft order depends on your league's specific needs and preferences. Consider the following factors:

League Size: Larger leagues might benefit from more sophisticated systems.
League History: Established leagues might favor rewarding previous performance.
League Culture: A competitive league might prefer a system that incentivizes success.
Member Agreement: Open communication and consensus are essential.

No matter which method you choose, ensure transparency and fairness to maintain a positive and engaging league experience. The goal is to start the season with an exciting and competitive draft, laying the foundation for an enjoyable fantasy football season. Remember that even with the "best" draft order system, building a strong team still requires skill and knowledge of the NFL landscape.