It’s July, and this means it is the perfect time to start preparing for your PPR draft. If you are returning or trying our PPR for the first time, then you’ve come to the right place for a winning PPR draft strategy. The mock drafts are finally open, and it’s time to start drafting.
I switched to PPR years ago, and let me tell you, it is a whole different beast than standard leagues. Running backs like Nick Chubb are fantastic in standard leagues, but in PPR I have Chubb falling into the second round.
Let’s get into my draft strategies for PPR formats.
PPR Draft Strategy for 2022
Grab your RBs first
Running backs are just as valuable, if not more valuable in PPR formats compared to standard leagues. Pass-catching running backs will win your league.
No need to waste a first-round pick on a wide receiver, unless it is Cooper Kupp. The reason is, that slot receivers will gain close to the same amount of points compared to a number one receiver.
But, back to running backs. Players like Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, Austin Ekeler, and Dalvin Cook will win you your league. Ideally, if you have a top-five pick, I would grab one of those four and grab D’Andre Swift in the second round. That is a league-winning duo right there.
If you can’t go back-to-back running backs, you should have three running backs with your first four picks. Because after Cam Akers and Elijah Mitchell, the running back position falls off.
Wide receivers are deep
I found what works in my system is to grab one top-tier wide receiver and then stack up on running backs after. Why? The wide receiver position is so deep in a PPR draft.
You don’t need touchdowns from all your receivers. If a slot receiver grabs you 10 receptions and 100 yards, that’s 20 points right there. Players like Hunter Renfrow, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen Robinson II, or Jerry Jeudy are all WR2 on a roster.
Then, even deeper you can grab DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Mecole Hardman, or Allen Lazard in the late rounds.
It is much easier to stream a wide receiver at the flex than to try and stream running backs.
Draft a QB in the middle rounds
Quarterbacks are going to get the same amount of points in every league. Unless you have a 2QB format. Point is, you only have one slot at the quarterback position. So, it is much more important to stack up on running backs and wide receivers since you have to fill multiple slots.
But, you don’t want to wait too late on a quarterback. However, it is not smart to grab Josh Allen or Justin Herbert in the first three rounds.
I like to take my quarterback around the sixth or seventh rounds. Going off last season Allen averaged around 24 fantasy points per game. Jalen Hurts averaged just over 21 fantasy points per game. And Matthew Stafford averaged around 20 fantasy points per game.
So the drop-off isn’t much. For me, I would grab Derek Carr, Dak Prescott, Trey Lance or even Justin Fields as a starter. All of which can be drafted in the mid-rounds.
Mock it up
This is a no-brainer for any type of league, but get those mock drafts in. Practice at every draft position to see where players fall to.
Don’t feel scared to reach on a player
This is my last tip, and probably my most important. When it comes to PPR draft strategy, I noticed it is way more beneficial to reach on players you want.
Don’t try and play it cool and see if someone will drop, because chances are, everyone is reaching as well. Last season I took Austin Ekeler with my fourth pick and in most leagues, he went around in the eighth pick. Yet, he finished as the RB2 at the end of the year.
But, this goes for players like Deebo Samuel, Diontae Johnson, and J.K. Dobbins. All of which should drop but can easily jump up in ADP. The point is, it depends on how your roster is shaping out. If you want Antonio Gibson, and he’s there in round five, but is expected to go next round, just draft him.
It is way worse, losing out on a player you want, but trying to be greedy if they drop another round.
I hope these tips put you at ease when it comes to drafting in PPR scoring formats. As long as you follow these tips, you are sure to win your draft this year.
If you enjoyed Michael’s take on PPR Draft Strategy, make sure to check out our full 2022 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!