Fantasy Football: A Playful Journey through Best Ball Targets
Fantasy Football has come a long way from its early days of keeping score with paper and pencil by candlelight. What was once an ingenious idea enjoyed by a select few has now become a hobby consumed by scores of serious and casual NFL fans alike. But with the rise of Fantasy Football in mainstream culture, we've witnessed a plethora of new ways to play the game burst onto the scene, adding spice and excitement to our fantasy endeavors.
Enter the Best Ball formats. These formats have transitioned from being on the fringe to becoming a common topic of discussion among the fantasy community. Draft.com kicked off the Best Ball trend in 2017, and platforms like Yahoo have followed suit, ensuring that avid fantasy enthusiasts cannot resist the allure of Best Ball.
Why Best Ball Rocks My World
The thing I absolutely adore about these new formats is the opportunity they provide to discover new ways of evaluating talent. While boom-or-bust players are often relegated to bench stashes in standard formats, they become the lifeblood of Best Ball lineups. With lineups set post-game and dictated by the highest-scoring assets, those later draft pickups become the secret weapons in your arsenal. And the best part? No more agonizing over whether to start or sit a game-time decision player. It's liberating!
7 Mid to Late Round Targets for Best Ball Glory
If you're drafting with the grace and style that most fantasy folks possess, you'll always have the depth to back up players who may carry some "Do Not Draft" red flags in standard leagues. Here are seven mid to late round players who fit this description perfectly, ready to elevate your Best Ball Draft to new heights. (Note: ADP derived from Draft.com)
- Sammy Watkins (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) – ADP 82.3
- Two top 25 WR seasons under his belt (2014 & 2015)
- Part of the #1 passing offense in 2018
- Enjoying a healthy training camp for the first time since 2015
- Created a 120.2 passer rating for Mahomes when targeted
- Produced 16.5 PPR points per game when targeted 5 or more times
- Jordan Howard (RB, Philadelphia Eagles) - ADP 91.5
- Running behind Pro Football Focus' top-rated offensive line
- PFF's #1 ranked WR Corps to prevent stacked fronts
- Superb pass-blocking RB by PFF standards
- Averaged 4.3 YPC on his career
- Will likely earn a lion's share of goal-line work early in the season
- Cam Newton (QB, Carolina Panthers) – ADP 102
- Ranks top 6 at the QB position 5 times in his career
- Threw for 1,646 yards, 13 passing TDs through week 8 in 2018
- Ran for 304 yards and scored 4 times on his feet through week 8 in 2018
- Surrounded by young talent on offense
- Favorite safety valve in TE Greg Olsen
- Tyrell Williams (WR, Oakland Raiders) – ADP 126.2
- Faced competition on the depth chart but now has the opportunity to shine
- Average 16.3 yards per catch
- Playing with Derek Carr and opposite Antonio Brown
- Earning 11 million dollars per year—someone in Oakland believes in him
- Golden Tate (WR, New York Giants) – ADP 135.8
- Impressing in Giants training camp
- On pace for 100 receptions, 1,184 receiving yards, and 7 TDs in 2018
- Has a chance to step up if Sterling Shepard misses time
- Similar situation to Julian Edelman in 2018
- Greg Olsen (TE, Carolina Panthers) – ADP 154.4
- An elite career as a Tight End in the NFL
- Consistently produced in 16 game seasons with Cam Newton
- Surrounded by a talented offensive pool
- Practicing with no restrictions—clean bill of health
- Chris Herndon (TE, New York Jets) – ADP 162.5
- Impressive rookie season despite limited playing time
- Expected to see increased efficiency with second-year QB Sam Darnold
- Favorable strength of schedule for TEs
In conclusion, these players offer immense potential value in Best Ball formats, given their current price tag and the unique nature of the game. Remember, never reach for a player—seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Keep these Best Ball gems in mind, and may your fantasy season be filled with unexpected victories and glorious triumphs!