NFL Preview Part 1: Strategy By Site
The NFL Season is set to kickoff in about 2 weeks so it’s the perfect time to start up the old NFL preview machine. We will post a 3-part series breaking down so much NFL daily fantasy action that you might actually be sick of it by the time the season starts. In Part 1, we’ll take a look at how each site handles their scoring systems and how that should affect the way you approach each game. In Part 2, we’ll take a look at value plays across most of the daily fantasy sites and in Part 3 we’ll breakdown every Week 1 match-up in full detail for you. So get ready football fans, it’s time for NFL to finally begin and that means TONS of daily fantasy action across the board!
NOTE: The focus of the site-scoring differences is on Receptions, Defenses and Kickers because most sites have pretty similar scoring for every other category
FanDuel Strategy
FanDuel’s roster and scoring formats for their fantasy football leagues are:
QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, WR3 TE, D/ST, K
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 0.5 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Interceptions | -1 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Fumbles Lost | -2 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Return TD | 6 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | 1 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -4 |
KICKING | Points | D/ST TD | 6 |
FG 0-19 Yds | 3 | Interceptions | 2 |
FG 20-29 Yds | 3 | Fumbles Rec. | 2 |
FG 30-39 Yds | 3 | Sack | 1 |
FG 40-49 Yds | 4 | Safety | 0 |
FG 50+ Yds | 5 | Blocks | 2 |
Extra Point | 1 | – | – |
The key points to note are the .5 points per reception accompanied by 3 WR positions and the -1 for interceptions thrown but -2 for fumbles lost. I think the overall strategy on FanDuel would be to lean towards passing. Stock up heavy on your QBs and WRs and try to cut back a bit on the running backs. WRs have 3-slots, 4 if you include the tight-end, and get an extra .5 points for each catch, so pick up a group of guys who will get a lot of targets and you will be setting yourself up nicely. There is little variance in their Defense/Special Teams scoring as well(in terms of points earned based on how many the defense allows) so you should probably try and save there. Last, FanDuel does include points for return touchdowns, so taking a guy who you think will bring one back isn’t a bad strategy here as well. If you can find an average receiver with big return potential, he might be a good fit at the WR3 spot.
DraftStreet
DraftStreet structures their roster and scoring formats as follows:
QB1, QB2, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX1, FLEX2, D/ST
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 0.5 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 2 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 2 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Interceptions | -1 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Fumbles Lost | -1 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | -3 |
Return TD | 6 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | -3 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -3 |
– | – | D/ST TD | 6 |
– | – | Interceptions | 1 |
– | – | Fumbles Rec. | 1 |
– | – | Sack | 0.5 |
– | – | Safety | 2 |
– | – | Blocks | 0 |
The important notes on DraftStreet are:
- No Kicker means not having to worry about playing the ‘wheel of kickers’ roulette game.
- .5 points per reception allows WR and TE to carry a heavier load of the scoring
- 2 FLEX positions gives you room to take one really cheap flex and save money to load up elsewhere.
- Running Backs who are going to catch a lot of passes out of the backfield are immensely valuable.
- Using 1 FLEX for an RB and 1 FLEX for a cheap WR seemed to work last season in many GPPs.
- You need to pick a solid defense, because the -3 for anymore than 26 points allowed can really hurt.
DailyJoust
The roster and scoring formats for NFL on DailyJoust are:
QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, WR3, TE, K, D/ST
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 0.25 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Interceptions | -2 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | -1 |
Fumbles Lost | -2 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | -1 |
Return TD | 6 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | -4 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -7 |
KICKING | Points | D/ST TD | 6 |
FG 0-19 Yds | 0-1.9 | Interceptions | 2 |
FG 20-29 Yds | 2-2.9 | Fumbles Rec. | 2 |
FG 30-39 Yds | 3-3.9 | Sack | 1 |
FG 40-49 Yds | 4-4.9 | Safety | 2 |
FG 50+ Yds | 5+ | Blocks | 2 |
Extra Point | 1 | – |
Important Notes:
- Kickers actually receive points per yard, similar to a running back or WR. So if a kicker nets a 52 yard field goal, he gets 5.2 points and so on and so forth. I would say this adds a LITTLE value to taking a decent kicker each week. Still don’t go way out of the price range for one.
- Large variance across the Defense Points Allowed means you have to play it safe with a decent defense. Try not to take huge risks because 21 points or more allowed will leave you in the negative.
- .25 points per reception allows you to skimp a bit on the WR slot at Joust. It’s a relatively small figure compared to other sites so you can risk playing wideouts or tight-ends with TD or Big play potential rather than looking for a high number of catches.
- Your WR3 spot should probably be filled with an INCREDIBLY CHEAP wideout to save for your QB and RB positions.
DraftDay
DraftDay Roster: QB, RB1, RB1, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX, K, D/ST
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 1 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Interceptions | -2 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Fumbles Lost | -2 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Return TD | 6 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | -1 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -4 |
KICKING | Points | D/ST TD | 6 |
FG 0-19 Yds | 3 | Interceptions | 2 |
FG 20-29 Yds | 3 | Fumbles Rec. | 2 |
FG 30-39 Yds | 3 | Sack | 1 |
FG 40-49 Yds | 3 | Safety | 2 |
FG 50+ Yds | 3 | Blocks | 2 |
Extra Point | 1 | – | – |
Important Notes:
- A full point for receptions means you should allocate a good amount of your salary space to the 2 WR and 1 TE position.
- Fairly low variance in their D/ST scoring means you can afford to buy a cheaper end defense with low risk. Only lose points after 28 Points Allowed.
- Field goals, from anywhere, all are worth 3 points. So just take someone on a team with a poor red-zone offense who will get plenty of chip shots. Distance kickers don’t offer the same value as they might in other sites.
- The full point for receptions is really important. Players like Wes Welker immediately become high-value players and receivers like Julio Jones, who might only get 1 or 2 catches(although they will likely be bombs) aren’t as trustworthy.
DraftKings
DraftKings Roster: QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX, K, D/ST
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 1 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Interceptions | -1 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Fumbles Lost | -1 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Return TD | 6 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | -1 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -4 |
KICKING | Points | D/ST TD | 6 |
FG 0-19 Yds | 3 | Interceptions | 2 |
FG 20-29 Yds | 3 | Fumbles Rec. | 2 |
FG 30-39 Yds | 3 | Sack | 1 |
FG 40-49 Yds | 4 | Safety | 2 |
FG 50+ Yds | 5 | Blocks | 2 |
Extra Point | 1 | – | – |
Important DraftKings Notes:
- Another site with a full point for receptions means a big bump up for possession wideouts and tight ends.
- Low variance in points allowed for defenses allows you to go cheap with your D/ST pick.
- Interceptions and Fumbles lost are only -1. You can afford to take risks on some turnover prone guys.
- Not the same wild scoring system as MLB season, but the point per reception should bump up scores.
- Similar to DraftDay, the low kicker variance based on distance allows you to look for guys who are on teams with poor red zone offense conversion rates.
FantasyFeud
FantasyFeud Roster: QB1, QB2, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX, FLEX, D/ST
OFFENSE | Points | DEFENSE | Points |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Yards | 0.04 | 0 Pts. Allowed | 10 |
Rush Yards | 0.1 | 2 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receiving Yards | 0.1 | 3-6 Pts. Allowed | 7 |
Receptions | 0.5 | 7-10 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Pass TDs | 4 | 11-13 Pts. Allowed | 4 |
Rush TDs | 6 | 14-15 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Rec. TDs | 6 | 16-20 Pts. Allowed | 1 |
Interceptions | -2 | 21-25 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Fumbles Lost | -2 | 26-27 Pts. Allowed | 0 |
Return TD | 0 | 28-34 Pts Allowed | -1 |
2-Point Conv. | 2 | 35+ Pts. Allowed | -4 |
KICKING | Points | D/ST TD | 6 |
FG 0-19 Yds | 3 | Interceptions | 2 |
FG 20-29 Yds | 3 | Fumbles Rec. | 2 |
FG 30-39 Yds | 3 | Sack | 1 |
FG 40-49 Yds | 4 | Safety | 2 |
FG 50+ Yds | 5 | Blocks | 2 |
Extra Point | 1 | – | – |
Miss FG 0-19 Yds | -3 | – | – |
Miss FG 20-29 Yds | -2 | – | – |
Miss FG 30-39 Yds | -2 | – | – |
Miss FG 40-49 Yds | -1 | – | – |
Miss FG 50+ Yds | 0 | – | – |
Miss Extra Point | -1 | – | – |
Important FantasyFeud Notes:
- No points for a reception immediately weighs down the value of the WR and TE position. You should definitely search for an extremely cheap wideout at, at least, 1 of your WR spots.
- You should also take risks on receivers(like Julio Jones) who have big-play potential and not necessarily those who are possession guys.
- Losing points for missed field goals means you can’t really afford to skimp out on a Kicker. Try to find guys with high conversion rates that are reasonably cheap. You don’t want to get stuck with a negative from your kicker.
- -2 for each turnover(INTs and Fumbles Lost) mean that you really want to focus on safe players at the RB and QB spots. These might be where you want to most heavily invest.
- No points for return TDs take away value from players like Percy Harvin. FF is one of the few sites with no points for return TDs.
Alright well I hope this helps you start out on the right foot for your Week 1 NFL plays. Check back in with us soon for Part 2 with some value plays across these six sites for Week 1 and Part 3 with a full analysis of all the NFL games for Week 1 with the important facts you need to know!
EWH