The 2023 Official FFMastermind.com Draft Plan

UPDATED: Michael Nazarek - 8/22/2023

Editor's Note: Below you will find the 2023 Official FFMastermind.com Draft Plan for the first two rounds of a fantasy draft. If you'd like to read the sections covering the next eight rounds, please click HERE to order our 2023 Pre-Season Draft Guide.

In the past, subscribers have asked me to get into exact detail regarding how I draft and the specifics regarding how I analyze the draft, my team needs, and how the actions of owners around me cause me to alter (or move forward) with my Master draft plan. Thus, the official FFMastermind.com Draft Plan was born. This plan is developed to inform subscribers of how I actually "think on the fly" during a draft. As I've done the past 11 years, I'll go in rounds of two's and make distinctions for non-PPR and PPR leagues as well as the occasional QB heavy league. I can tell you I no longer play in basic scoring leagues and only play in 12-16 team leagues. Most of my leagues are PPR, but not all of them. Most leagues have ten starters, so I'll take you through the first 10 rounds of my drafting process. This initial version of the plan is based upon ADP taken in late July, 2023. I will be updating the plan throughout the next several weeks, as needed. Let's get right to the first round...

 

Note: (#) after player named is BYE week #.

 

Player Changes made on 8/8/2018 in RED.

Player Changes made on 8/22/2018 in BLUE.

RB Josh Jacobs replaced RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Zeke addition)

RB Aaron Jones replaced RB Najee Harris (Jaylen Warren flashing)

WR D.J. Moore replaced WR Terry McLaurin (turf toe)

 

ROUNDS #1-#2

 

Pick 1.01 - 1.06: A lot has changed this summer with regard to the official FFMastermind Draft Plan, but the biggest change has been the move to WAIT to draft my first RB beyond early in the first round. There are four WRs and one TE I'd choose from for this pick. The mantra regarding QBs has changed. That said, the only way I would draft a QB here is if the league weighed QB heavy with 6-points per TD pass, and only if I knew I could NOT get a top 3 QB with my second round pick. As for my second round pick, if I have an elite STUD WR on my roster, then I'd likely take the best available RB with my next choice. Otherwise, if I take a TE (Kelce) first, then I go for the best WR next. In QB-heavy leagues, if I took a QB in the first round, I'd weigh the top remaining WRs and Kelce. I'd likely take a top six WR ahead of an elite RB, but if they are gone, I'd probably take a top five RB. Yes, things have certainly changed in 2023!

 

Sample rosters after two rounds

PPR: WR Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (7), RB Josh Jacobs (13)

Non-PPR: WR Cooper Kupp, LAR (10), RB Derrick Henry, TEN (7)

QB-Heavy: QB Jalen Hurts, PHI (10), WR Davante Adams, LV (13)

 

Pick 1.07 - 1.12(14): You must assume that a top three WR won't be available when your turn arrives, but only the top two RBs are likely to be off the board. That gives you the option of drafting either a top 5 RB or a top 6 WR with your first pick, assuming TE Travis Kelce is off the board. If a Tier #2 RB is there, I'd probably take him over a Tier #2 WR simply because there are less elite RBs than WRs. If I draft a RB first, I'd go with a WR in the second round and via versa. Why? I don't want to wait until late in the 3^rd round for either my first RB or WR. In QB-heavy leagues, I take a top seven QB first if you know he won't last until your second pick. I'd probably take a RB with my other pick unless a top three WR slides to me.

 

Sample rosters after two rounds

PPR: RB Saquon Barkley (13), WR A.J. Brown, PHI (10)

Non-PPR: RB Saquon Barkley (13), WR Davante Adams, LV (13)

QB-Heavy: QB Justin Herbert, LAC (5), RB Derrick Henry, TEN (7)

 

ROUNDS #3-#4

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As mentioned atop this release, if you like to read the entire Draft Plan, please click HERE to order our 2023 Pre-Season Draft Guide.

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