While most casual fantasy football players only play in redraft leagues, best ball has become a more popular version of the game over the past several years.
Stacking players is one of the more popular draft strategies for best ball leagues. However, fantasy players only want to build stacks from fantasy-friendly offenses. Therefore, teams like the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers are not ideal for stacking players. Let’s dive into a Best Ball stack I’m drafting this offseason.
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Best Ball Stacks to Target
ADP courtesy of Underdog Fantasy
Los Angeles Rams
- Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): ADP 138.7 | QB20
- Kyren Williams (RB – LAR): ADP 13.4 | RB5
- Puka Nacua (WR – LAR): ADP 9.5 | WR6
- Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR): ADP 40.4 | WR27
- Demarcus Robinson (WR – LAR): ADP 210.9 | WR88
Stafford was the QB15 last year, averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game. While that was an improvement from his injury-riddled 2022 season, it was still well below his first year in Los Angeles. However, the former No. 1 overall pick was outstanding in the second half of the season once he had all his weapons healthy. Stafford was the QB6 from Week 12 through Week 17, averaging 2.5 passing touchdowns and 20.8 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy.
While everyone expected Cam Akers to have a featured role heading into the year, Williams stole the show in Week 1. The former Notre Dame star had two rushing touchdowns and 17.4 half-point PPR fantasy points in the season opener. He finished the year as the RB6, averaging 19.9 fantasy points per game despite missing five games. Christian McCaffrey was the only running back to average more fantasy points per game than Williams last season. Thankfully, he should have a featured role again in 2024.
Last year, there were several massive surprises in the NFL. However, the biggest one was Nacua. The fifth-round star was the WR4, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, he averaged 13.9 fantasy points per game in the 11 contests with Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. The rookie would have been the WR11 on a points-per-game basis with that average, finishing ahead of Ja’Marr Chase. Furthermore, Nacua had the seventh-most targets (71) among wide receivers, where he was deemed open or wide open by Fantasy Points Data last season.
The veteran was one of 16 players to have four 100 or more receiving yard games in 2023, including his first two contests of the year. Despite playing in five fewer contests, Kupp had more games with over 20 half-point PPR fantasy points (three) than Puka Nacua (two). Furthermore, he had a higher first-read target share than the rookie in the 11 games they played together (per Fantasy Points Data). While the veteran turns 31 in July and has struggled with injuries lately, I’ll happily draft Kupp at his ADP.
There are several players I won’t draft in season-long leagues but will in Best Ball. One of those players is Robinson. The veteran has never been fantasy-relevant for an entire year, averaging 3.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game for his career. Yet, he was outstanding to end the 2023 season. Robinson was the WR12 from Week 13 through Week 17, averaging 13.3 fantasy points per game. If Los Angeles’ offense gets hot like it did late last year, the veteran could have some spike week performances.
More Best Ball Draft Advice
- Erickson’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Fitz’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- DBro’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Hoppen’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
