DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down four things observed after carrying out 10 different Best Ball Drafts over a weekend in June 2022.
- Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call twitter, @GarettThomas.
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) catches a touchdown pass against Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott (33) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Henry Is Being Disrespected in Best Ball Drafts
It seems that every draft I completed this weekend (10 in total) it featured a stigma around Henry. In one draft I found Henry at 2.03 of a 12-teamer. How on earth did Henry get bullied into the second round of a 12-team draft? It feels beyond me given the current projections of Henry, even with a slightly reduced workload.
I even took to Twitter to talk about Henry’s 2nd-round selection even further.
I think I’m dialed back a hair from where I was earlier in the off season, but he’s a steal at the 2nd round of a 12-teamer. He’s also excellent for best ball… HUGE weeks.
— Gthom (@GarettThomas) June 11, 2022
Henry’s ADP is 7.4 on Underdog Fantasy and that solidifies the RB4 spot overall. I do not recommend drafting Henry higher than the RB3 spot, but finding him as the RB5 or RB6 turns him into a nice value piece. Any discovery of Henry after the first round makes him near must-draft.
Best Ball Drafts Are Still Too Low on Gronk
Despite the Buccaneers being “optimistic” about Rob Gronkowski’s return in 2022, fantasy managers are not eager to reach for the tight end. He currently sits as the TE11 based on ADP and Gronk will smash this price if he plays in 2022. Load up now and limit your exposure once the regular season is near and Gronk’s ADP is much higher. I like pairing Gronk with tight ends like Robert Tonyan (GB), Cole Kmet (CHI) or Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN). If I miss on those guys I am looking for Hunter Henry (NE) or Austin Hooper (TEN).
One strategy I love executing is going after an Alpha quarterback early and solidifying my tight end spot with Gronk later. Normally I take ADP-value at the quarterback spot and avoid the huge price tags of the Alphas, but I like to change things up too. When selecting a quarterback high in your fantasy draft it’s extremely tough to justify a high-round tight end as well. With Gronk’s 114.9 ADP you can easily achieve a top-talent at quarterback and tight end without breaking the bank.
Check out 5 Ways to Get Your League Mates More Involved
Tee Higgins’ ADP is Getting Scary; I am Trimming My Exposure
I find myself in quite the pickle with Higgins. On one hand, Higgins will be a solid fantasy contributor in 2022 and can easily live up to his current ADP; on the other, he has entered the top-10 regarding ADP amongst receivers and I am not sure I can pallet that price for a WR1-B.
Part of the reason Higgins can live up to his current ADP is because of his quarterback, Joe Burrow. But if the 2022 Bengals passing game finishes around their current optimal projections, Higgins is being drafted around his ceiling at best.
Higgins can easily become a steal if Ja’Marr Chase gets injured. But if Chase remains healthy… or even breaks out further… it will come at Higgins’ demise.
Darrel Williams & Gus Edwards are Too Easy to Grab in 12-Team Drafts
In double-digit rounds and beyond, running back seems scarce but there are certain targets to reach for that can help solidify your running back group, especially if you are carrying out the zero-RB strategy.
Darrel Williams (ARI) is one of the first running backs to target, his ADP has him going in the 13th round of a 12-teamer. Williams will replace Chase Edmonds’ role in Arizona, namely passing work with some carries mixed in as well. Edmonds maintained a 10.21-FPPG average in half-PPR a season ago. James Conner, the early down running back for Arizona, also tends to miss several games every season; Williams would be valuable in Conner’s absence. Finally, this Arizona passing game will need help early in the season with DeAndre Hopkins suspended the first six games.
Edmonds was RB35 overall and missed 5 games. Assuming Edmonds maintained his FPPG-pace he would have finished with 172.85 total Half-PPR points, good for RB22 overall… Ironically beating out D. Williams' 2021 season by 0.35 fantasy points.
— Gthom (@GarettThomas) June 14, 2022
Gus Edwards (BAL) is the other running back to look for in the late rounds. The fantasy profile for Edwards seems more appealing in best ball formats than redraft, which is due to his touchdown dependency. Even with J.K. Dobbins and Lamar Jackson healthy once again, Edwards will get the nod around the end zone and there will be weeks he has solid fantasy finishes. With an ADP of 174, Edwards is usually one of my last two running back selections and I am happy to draft him.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYSIS FROM GTHOM
Analysis & Outlooks:
5 Ways to Get Your League Mates More Involved
Drafting Quarterbacks Late Strategy
“Too Early” ADP Analysis – Value Picks for 2022
Three Pass Catching Groups to Avoid in 2022
Three Backfields to Avoid in 2022
Four Players “Ascending” or “Pretending” in 2022 Fantasy Football
“Way Too” Early Mock Drafts:
Mock Draft | SuperFlex League | 10-Team | PPR
Mock Draft | Single-QB League | 12-Team | PPR
Early Redraft Rankings:
RB rankings 1-6 and RB rankings 7-12
WR rankings 1-6 and WR rankings 7-12
TE rankings 1-6 and TE rankings 7-12
Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call twitter, @GarettThomas.