The DFF team recently did a half-PPR redraft mock. The draft was for a typical 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 2 Flex, 1 TE, 1 D/ST redraft format with no special bonuses. I want to go through my draft and strategy, round-by-round, and talk through what I was thinking at each pick. Let’s jump into it.
1.10: Davante Adams
At this pick, I didn’t consider picking anyone other than Adams. With Dalvin Cook holding out, Adams is my sixth overall player in my current redraft rankings. Given the lack of weapons in Green Bay, Adams solidly represents the WR2 behind Michael Thomas in 2020 redraft leagues. Even though it’s only half PPR, I couldn’t quite consider any running backs at this selection. If Derrick Henry or Joe Mixon slipped to me, I might have picked one of them, but neither player was available. Therefore, Adams was an easy choice.
2.03: Nick Chubb
This year, I believe that it’s essential to employ an early running back approach in redraft leagues. Therefore, outside of extreme circumstances, I wouldn’t consider leaving the first two rounds without my first running back. Since I selected Adams in the first round, I felt locked into a running back here, despite my WR3 Julio Jones still on the board.
In a full PPR league, I would have debated between Chubb, Kenyan Drake, and Aaron Jones a bit more than I did in this half PPR format. I believe Chubb is one of the favorites to lead the league in rushing yards, and he should improve on his eight rushing touchdowns from last year. While teammate Kareem Hunt will steal third-down work, the impact on Chubb’s value is lower in half PPR. Therefore, I felt Chubb provided the safest floor at this pick.
3.10: Odell Beckham, Jr.
Coming around to my next two picks, I started to worry about my lack of running backs. There was a significant run on the position before my selection, with Jonathan Taylor ranked as the highest remaining running back. While I like Taylor, I couldn’t pick him over the wide receivers available. Travis Kelce and George Kittle were already gone, and I wouldn’t ever take a quarterback this early. Therefore, I decided to go with a wide receiver.
I debated between Beckham Jr., Amari Cooper, D.J. Moore, Allen Robinson, and Juju Smith-Schuster. I believe in all of those players, but I think Beckham is the most talented of the group. I expect him to bounce back in 2020, and each of the other players has some concerns as well. Remember that Beckham Jr. still recorded 74 receptions and 1,035 yards in 2019. He wasn’t as bad as we all remember. At this point in the draft, I was happy with Beckham Jr.’s value.
4.03: D.J. Moore
Like my previous selection, I felt that there were no running backs worth taking with this pick. Cooper and Robinson went off the board after picking Beckham, so I decided between Moore and Smith-Schuster. I have Moore ranked one spot higher in my PPR redraft rankings, and I don’t see a specific reason to prefer Smith-Schuster based on half PPR. Therefore, I picked Moore despite feeling a bit nervous to have only one running back after four rounds. I knew I would necessarily have to choose a running back with one of my next two choices.
5.10: Devin Singletary
As I mentioned before, I knew that I had to take a running back or risk missing out on all the solid RB2s. While Singletary will share the backfield with Zack Moss, and he lacks goal line upside, I know that he will get significant carries in 2020. He is a superior pass-catcher to Moss and should provide a bit of PPR upside, even in half PPR. Unfortunately, I couldn’t consider tight end Zach Ertz, who was higher on my overall board. However, I knew I could get a strong tight end later, whereas running back would be harder to find. Therefore, I went with Singletary.
6.03: DeVante Parker
I was very disappointed that Ertz went two picks before me at 6.01. If Ertz had made it back to me, I would have taken him without a second thought. Cam Akers also went off the board at 5.11, representing a tier break at running back. With Akers gone, I felt that no running backs were worth taking. I also wouldn’t usually consider a quarterback in the sixth round, and none of the available tight ends were a good value.
Therefore, I had to decide between a group of wide receivers. In the actual draft, I picked DeVante Parker, but looking back now, I regret that selection. I wish I had gone with either A.J. Green or D.K. Metcalf, both of whom provide more upside than Parker. Parker had his strongest stretch of the season once Preston Williams suffered an injury, and he may not have the same success in 2020. Green and Metcalf are more talented players and have better quarterbacks than Parker, and I’ve changed my rankings since the draft to reflect my new opinion. It’s essential to remain flexible and to update your views over time.
7.10: Tyler Higbee
At this point, I decided to take a shot on Higbee, TE6 in my 2020 rankings. From Weeks 13-17 in 2019, Higbee was the TE1 overall by a wide margin and had the best five-game fantasy stretch ever for a tight end. The Rams traded Brandin Cooks to the Texans and will continue to feature Higbee in their offense alongside Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. I usually don’t recommend picking a mid-tier tight end, but I couldn’t pass on the value here. If Higbee hits to his full potential, he could be a league-winner.
8.03: Sony Michel
It’s no secret that I dislike Michel, but every player has a price point. In a half PPR league, Michel’s lack of passing game usage is less of an issue, and his high rushing volume is more of an advantage. Michel has averaged 228 carries in his first two seasons, and the Patriots brought in no serious challengers to his role for 2020. Considering that I only drafted two running backs previously, I’m happy to add Michel in the eighth round.
9.10: Tarik Cohen
Normally, I wouldn’t even consider drafting Cohen in anything other than a full PPR format. In 2019, Cohen finished as the RB27 in full PPR but as only the RB37 in half PPR. However, Cohen fell to the RB46 in this particular draft. I don’t think Cohen has any chance to finish as anything better than a high-end RB3 in half PPR, but I needed to get some insurance at the running back position. Outside of Chubb, both Singletary and Michel come with high-risk. So, getting a player I know will put up some points made me happy in the ninth round.
10.03: Kerryon Johnson
Like Michel, Johnson also appeared in my “Dead to Me” series, but he fell to RB47 in this draft. I think D’Andre Swift will be the Lions’ lead back, but Johnson will still get some touches. I don’t believe the change from full to half PPR affects Johnson too much since I don’t know how the Lions will divide their backfield. Johnson is my RB40 in my rankings, and I felt I needed a running back more than a wide receiver. Therefore, Johnson was a natural choice for me.
11.10: Sterling Shepard
The Giants wide receiver room is a complicated puzzle, with Darius Slayton, Golden Tate, and Shepard all having the potential to finish as the WR1 on the team. I prefer Slayton, but Shepard comes in just slightly behind him. I bashed Shepard in my Giants’ breakdown back in May, but I’ve come around since then. Whenever Shepard has been healthy, he has produced in fantasy football, but we’ve never seen the entire complement of Giants’ weapons healthy all at once. I needed a WR5 to provide some depth and bye week cover, and Shepard represents that type of player perfectly.
12.03: Carson Wentz
Grabbing Wentz in the 12th round proves that waiting on a quarterback is the best approach. Wentz is my QB11 in my 2020 redraft rankings, and I paid essentially nothing to acquire him. He also begins the season against the Redskins, a prime matchup. I consider any quarterback I draft late to be a streamer, so Wentz is perfect since he provides a good Week 1 matchup with high-end upside. There’s no reason to ever invest in an early quarterback in 1 QB redraft leagues.
13.10: Ryquell Armstead
Armstead is purely an offseason draft pick. I still think there’s a chance that Leonard Fournette is not on the Jaguars to open 2020. The Jaguars already tried to trade Fournette away during the NFL Draft, and they could still trade him if they receive a substantial offer later during the offseason. I have no interest in Armstead in fantasy football if the backfield remains stable, especially after the Jaguars added pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson. If nothing happens to Fournette, I’ll cut Armstead before Week 1.
14.03: Robby Anderson
I don’t have much hope for Anderson in 2020. He’s only my WR59 in PPR rankings, but I believe that he gets a small bump in half PPR formats. Anderson has never been a target monster, with a career-high of 63 receptions. However, he’s averaged 14.8 yards/reception in his career, so he could provide a downfield threat in the Panthers’ offense. Teddy Bridgewater has never displayed the ability to throw downfield well, but perhaps offensive coordinator Joe Brady can unlock that potential. Anderson is just a dart throw, and I’ll know based on his Week 1 role if I have anything with him.
15.10: Bills D/ST
I wouldn’t often even draft a D/ST in June, preferring to wait until later on to add one to my roster. However, the Bills are one of the top fantasy D/STs, and they begin the season against the Jets and the Dolphins. With my last pick, I believe it was worth adding a strong two-week play at the D/ST spot.
Overall Roster and Final Thoughts (starters in bold)
QB: Carson Wentz
RB: Nick Chubb, Devin Singletary, Sony Michel, Tarik Cohen, Kerryon Johnson, Ryquell Armstead
WR: Davante Adams, Odell Beckham Jr., D.J. Moore, DeVante Parker, Sterling Shepard, Robby Anderson
TE: Tyler Higbee
D/ST: Bills
I’m thrilled with this roster. I acquired depth at both running back and wide receiver, and I have a quarterback and tight end I like. I don’t see any glaring weaknesses on the team, and considering that I drafted against some of the best owners, that’s a strong statement. If you draft as I did, you’ll find success in your 2020 redraft leagues.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
