Best Ball Fantasy Football: Top Strategies 

In Best Ball fantasy football leagues, drafting the best possible team without any in-season management requires a variety of strategic approaches. Here are several popular Best Ball fantasy football strategies.

If you’re just getting started in Best Ball fantasy football, read Gator’s Beginner’s Guide first! Once you’re up to speed, check out all of our Best Ball Strategy Articles!

Top Strategies for Best Ball Fantasy Football

Hero Running Back 

• Approach: Draft one elite running back in the first two rounds and then wait to draft additional running backs until the middle or late rounds. 
• Benefits: Balances having a strong RB1 with depth at other positions. 
• Risks: Requires hitting on mid-to-late round running backs to complement your RB1.

Zero Running Back 

• Approach: Avoid drafting running backs in the early rounds, focusing instead on wide receivers, tight ends, and sometimes quarterbacks. Start drafting running backs in the middle rounds.
• Benefits: Capitalizes on the depth and upside of wide receivers and minimizes injury risk. 
• Risks: Requires finding valuable running backs later in the draft, which can be unpredictable. 

Bully Running Back 

• Approach: Draft two or three top-tier running backs in the first three rounds. 
• Benefits: Provides a strong and reliable backfield, giving you a positional advantage. 
• Risks: This can lead to a weaker depth at wide receiver and tight end. You will have to play catch-up at wide receiver.  

Wide Receiver Heavy 

• Approach: Prioritize wide receivers in the early rounds to build a deep and high-scoring corps. 
• Benefits: Wide receivers have high weekly upside and are generally less injury-prone. 
• Risks: Can leave you thin at the running back and tight end positions. 

Late Quarterback 

• Approach: Wait until the middle to late rounds to draft quarterbacks, focusing on other positions early. 
• Benefits: Quarterback is a deep position, and viable options can be found later in the draft. 
• Risks: May miss out on the top-tier quarterbacks with high weekly ceilings. 

Elite Quarterback 

• Approach: Draft a top-tier quarterback in the early rounds to secure consistent, high-level production. 
• Benefits: Provides a stable floor and a high-scoring weekly outcome for your team. 
• Risks: Early investment in a quarterback can lead to some weaker depth at other positions. 

Late Tight End 

• Approach: Wait until the middle to late rounds to draft tight ends, focusing on running backs and wide receivers early. 
• Benefits: Allows for stronger depth at more volatile positions. 
• Risks: Tight end is a shallow position, and missing on later picks can leave you at a disadvantage. 

Bully Tight End 

• Approach: Draft two top-tier tight ends early to dominate the position. 
• Benefits: Provides a weekly advantage at a typically shallow position. 
• Risks: This can lead to some weaker depth at running back and wide receiver. 

Best Player Available (BPA) 

• Approach: Focus on drafting the highest-ranked player available regardless of position. 
• Benefits: Ensures a high level of talent and value throughout your roster. 
• Risks: This may result in positional imbalances that need to be managed later in the draft. 

Stacking 

• Approach: Draft multiple players from the same NFL team, particularly a quarterback with one or more of his top receiving options. 
• Benefits: Maximizes scoring potential when the team has a high-scoring game. 
• Risks: If the team underperforms, it will impact multiple positions on your roster. 

Handcuffing 

• Approach: Draft a starting running back along with his primary backup. 
• Benefits: Provides insurance against injury and ensures you have the team’s lead rusher. 
• Risks: Limits roster flexibility and can be inefficient if the starter stays healthy all season. 

Each of these strategies has its own set of advantages and risks. The best approach often depends on draft position and player availability. Combining elements from different strategies can be effective, allowing you to adapt to the draft and build a well-rounded team. The key to success in Best Ball leagues is flexibility and preparation.

Happy Drafting!

Before you go, check out Club Fantasy’s 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Rankings!
Be sure you’re following Jay on Twitter! You can also find more great fantasy football content here!