Perfect Draft Series: Drafting 4th in a 10 Team PPR League

Aug 20, 2014

In my first Perfect Draft article, I picked from the 9 slot in a 10 team PPR. That draft position proved to be especially challenging, as the teams that had a shot at a top 4 PPR running back seemed to have a distinct advantage. Drafting near the turn also forced me to reach for some players that I wasn’t particularly high on.

For this iteration of a Perfect Draft, I stayed in a 10 team PPR, but moved to the 4 hole and expanded the roster by 1 WR position. By adding a WR roster spot, I was hoping to minimize the advantage that teams with a top PPR back seemed to have in my first go-round while putting an emphasis on middle round strategy.

Starting Requirements:
1 QB
2 RB
3 WR
1 TE
1 RB/WR
1 DST
1 K

Scoring:
Passing TD: 4 pts
Passing Yards: 25 yards = 1 pt
Rushing/Receiving TD: 6 pts
Rushing/Receiving Yards: 10 yards = 1 pt
Receptions = 1 pt
Interceptions: -2 pts
Fumbles: -2 pts

This mock was 16 rounds, and PC Drafter was set to limit teams to 1 K, 1 DST, 2 QB, and 2 TE. There was no limit on RB or WR.

Pick 1.04: Matt Forte, RB CHI
This was PC Drafter’s top choice, and I couldn’t agree more. If I have a top 4 pick in any format, I want one of the top 4 running backs, but I’m especially excited to get Forte at this spot in a PPR league. The 4for4 rankings project the Chicago running back to catch over 70 balls for the second straight season and finish 2nd in fantasy points only to Jamaal Charles. As the feature back in an explosive offense with two monster wide receivers to keep defenders out of the box, Forte is one of just a handful of backs that has a legitimate chance to finish as the overall number one running back in fantasy this year.

Pick 2.07: Antonio Brown, WR PIT
For the second time in the first two rounds, I go with PC Drafter’s top recommendation. Antonio Brown is the 4th ranked WR in 4for4’s PPR rankings and is projected to lead the league in receptions. I got him here as the 7th WR off the board. If our projections hold true, I start this draft with a potentially huge leg up on the league by rostering the receptions leader at WR and a RB that could easily lead all backs in catches.

Pick 3.04: Randall Cobb, WR GB
Cobb was the 3rd PCD suggestion, behind Andre Ellington and Aaron Rodgers. Early round QB is almost never my strategy, and in this format I favor loading up on WRs over RBs in the early rounds, barring any crazy value. I have reservations about drafting Cobb as a top 10 WR, but as my WR2 with a top RB already on my roster, there isn’t a ton of risk with this pick. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will be one of the most pass heavy teams in the league, and Cobb will benefit on his volume alone.