With the 2017 Scripps Spelling Bee currently airing on TV, I figured it would be fun to introduce a new word that you can use when talking fantasy football. The word is “trendsetter.”
Would you like the definition? A person or thing that establishes a new trend or fashion.
Do you want it in a sentence? Any male found wearing a RompHim is not a trendsetter.
Now, I don’t need you to spell trendsetter, but I’d like you to be a trendsetter. Start the trend for 2-QB fantasy football leagues. They are more challenging and highlight your football knowledge.
Single quarterback leagues are like the words cat, hat, and bat. Anybody can spell them and they wouldn’t make you ever watch the Scripps Spelling Bee. Challenge yourself and your league mates and be a trendsetter for the 2-QB league.
You may have questions about a 2-QB league such as:
- Where can I do mock drafts for 2-QB leagues?
- How early and often should quarterbacks be selected in my drafts?
- How much do the values of quarterbacks change in PPR vs. standard?
Which is why I am here to help you understand, prepare, and be a trendsetter in 2017.
Where can I do mock drafts for 2-QB leagues?
We all know practice makes perfect. Which is exactly why FantasyPros offers the best mock drafting tool in the fantasy football industry.
The Fantasy Football Draft Simulator allows you to customize your mock draft to your exact league format. So please practice your 2-QB draft strategies and tweet them to me @MitchellRenz365 and I will give your team a grade or import your team to our Fantasy Football Draft Analyzer.
How early and often should quarterbacks be selected in my drafts?
There are two parts to this question. First how early will quarterbacks go in a 2-QB league? The graph below illustrates how much earlier the top 12 quarterbacks go in a 2-QB league compared to your basic standard and PPR single quarterback leagues.
The fact that on average 12 quarterbacks are going in the top 60 picks of a 2-QB draft emphasize the demand for a quarterback. But 2-QB leagues are fun because quarterbacks who usually go undrafted are now starters and figuring out where they go in drafts is important, which is exactly why I made the graph below.
These next 12 quarterbacks are where the real strategy lies, which leads into the second part of the question — how often should quarterbacks be selected or what strategy should I use when drafting? Honestly, I dislike this question because every league and draft are different. In real life and fantasy football, you need to learn how to be flexible, and going into a draft with an exact strategy will lead you down a dark alley.
All that being said, the more prepared for the draft you are, the more flexible you can be. Know your league mates and their tendencies, along with industry trends with players.
An excellent way to prepare is by doing mock drafts but also tier-based rankings for each position. If you need some help, I strongly encourage you to check out FantasyPros tier based ranking tools.
How much do the values of quarterbacks change in PPR vs. standard?
Well, if you remember from the graphs above, not a lot of change happens in regards to ADP price when comparing quarterbacks to PPR and standard. But maybe they should, not by a lot but just a little. According to FantasyPros PPR Fantasy Football Leaders, 24 quarterbacks finished in the top 55 of all player positions in scoring.
Compare that to FantasyPros Standard Fantasy Football Leaders, where 24 quarterbacks finished in the top 31 of all player positions in scoring. It’s a 24-player difference or about two rounds worth of player difference in a 12-team league.
Different Strategies Employed
Below you will find the six most common strategies drafters use in two-quarterback leagues. Also, you will find an example of what a team may look like with this strategy. For the example teams, the draft is PPR, 12 teams.
2 Top Tier QBs
With this strategy, you are setting a priority to get two top-tier quarterbacks in the first three rounds. This allows you to have two studs which will give you a competitive advantage at the position that scores the most points. The issue with this strategy is you will lack star power at running back and wide receiver which may handcuff your team later in the draft. You will need to hit on your late-round players so you have enough good depth to make it through the season.
Pick 4:
Top Tier QB & Middle Tier QB
In this strategy, you are targeting a top-tier quarterback in the first two rounds and then a quarterback in rounds four to six. You know you want a top-tier quarterback so making an effort to get that no doubt starter each week is a priority. You also know that getting a stud at the wide receiver or running back position is a priority so you can have a balanced team.
Pick 8:
2 Middle Tier QBs
Here you stock up in the first three rounds on running backs and wide receivers and a potential top-tier tight end. By taking two quarterbacks in rounds four to six you can start making other owners nervous. Why do I say that? Generally, with this strategy this causes owners to draft quarterbacks earlier than they should due to the fact that they are worried they won’t draft a “good” quarterback starter. Personally, I like to have two running backs, wide receivers and two quarterbacks after six rounds with this strategy. It leaves me with the ability to be flexible for the rest of my draft.
Pick 9:
Top Tier & Late Round QB
You grabbed your top-tier quarterback and now want to stock up on quality depth at the skill positions because you are confident you can find a quality late-round starter after round six. If your late-round quarterback has a breakout season you will be in for a great year. If he misses then you may have a large headache and experience some regret. A major reason why I like this strategy is that I am confident in my first quarterback, and I am fine waiting on another quarterback until I feel it is the perfect price. Personally, this is my favorite strategy.
Pick 2:
Middle Tier & Late Round
You understand quarterback is important but think landing stud running backs and wide receivers will take you to the top. With other owners taking quarterbacks, skill position players are at a better value for you and it is why you are ok taking your first quarterback in rounds four to six. Getting at least one quarterback in the top 12 is a goal. That way you can wait for the perfect value to come up for your second quarterback.
Pick 5:
Zero QB
With high risk can come a high reward, it can also bring disaster. By not selecting a quarterback in the first six rounds you are more than likely missing out on top-notch guys but will be loaded at the skill positions. Quarterback is plenty deep for this strategy to work but make sure you don’t wait too long and get stuck with lousy quarterback play. The best part of this strategy is the quality depth you will have over everyone else at the skill positions which may help you land a trade in your favor in the middle of the season.
Pick 12:
What did we learn?
First, we learned the importance of mock drafts and where you can find 2-QB mock drafts. Second, we learned how much earlier quarterbacks go in 2-QB leagues with the graphs and why using tier based rankings helps us be flexible and prepared for our draft. Third, we learned how much values of quarterbacks change in PPR compared to standard. Last, we learned different strategies and the strengths and weaknesses of those teams.
Whether you’re in the Scripps Spelling Bee or your fantasy draft, the last thing you want to do is step up to the mic and not be prepared. Hearing that dreaded “ding noise” is the equivalent to making a boneheaded draft pick that your friends can heckle you about all season long. Use this article as a study guide to help prepare yourself for your trendsetting 2-QB league format.
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Mitchell Renz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mitchell, check out his archive and follow him @mitchellrenz365.