You want to win RazzBowll II. Well, the feeling is mutual. I competed in the original iteration last season and made it agonizingly close to achieving the dream. Sixth overall! Making it through the final cutline to the Championship Tier was a massive challenge that required hard work and luck alike. For me, the work began in the weeks leading up to the draft when I formulated a plan of attack.
Knowing the scoring and roster settings beforehand is the first step toward being successful. The RazzBowl used the following positions and scoring rubric: 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 2FLEX, and 11Bench, with 12 teams and a 1 point per reception (PPR) style. The twist was the “better ball” format, where your best lineup scores each week until the cutline rounds begin. With this knowledge, I was waiting to draft a quarterback until the middle rounds, since only one could be active each week. I was going to use the extra FLEX to ignore positions longer than I usually would and find as many players who caught passes as possible.
Ignoring positions allows you to expand the player pool to your advantage. It’s common for fantasy managers to “fill” their rosters either consciously or subconsciously. Those empty RB or WR spots naturally begin to carry more weight, and therefore, the drafter starts to narrow down players based on their needs. If your settings give you the leeway, take advantage and broaden your prospective selections without regard for where they fit the puzzle. Be the puzzle master, not mastered by the problem.
The additional FLEX position became my first focus as I tried to map out my draft strategy. That added position gave me flexibility. If running backs slipped (unlikely) or if I found myself drafting four consecutive wide receivers, I could utilize the extra FLEX to get the most of those selections. It allowed for several atypical draft strategies to have worth. I used that added spot to draft two tight ends (Kelce & Ertz) in the first four rounds. I completely ignored the positions played and instead honed in on high volume route runners regardless of where they played. They just happened to both play tight end.
Next, I eyed the full point per reception reward. A high volume wide receiver was my top priority on draft day, luckily Michael Thomas lasted until 12th overall, and I pounced. This type of scoring was another reason for drafting both tight ends, as they are far more involved in the passing game than are most others at their position. Pairing them with Thomas would ensure plenty of weekly receptions.
Luck then entered the chat. Leonard Fournette turned into a heavily targeted weapon in the Jaguars passing attack, which I did not foresee. He had just 58 receptions in his first two NFL seasons but finished 2019 with 76 of them. Success takes luck here and there. You could say I was Four-chu-nette (fortunate?).
If I am honest, the remainder of my draft didn’t pan out as I hoped. Receptions took precedence over everything else. I doubled down on Wentz and the Eagles with Alshon Jefferey. He was targeted enough (7.3 per game) but failed to reel enough catches in (4.3 per game), and his season ended after just ten subpar contests. I took a bunch of passing catching types at RB like, Nyheim Hines, Darwin Thompson, and Tony Pollard. Funny enough, when I recapped the top finishing RazzBowl team drafts, these three names showed up quite a bit. However, all fell short of expectations.
Thankfully, my 16th round selection, Darren Waller, rescued me. He fit the PPR, double FLEX, better ball format the best. Waller commanded the ball in Oakland immediately. I didn’t have to choose between him, Kelce, and Ertz. I could use them all each week. That handy second FLEX came to my rescue once again. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t thank Jamison Crowder and Mark Ingram for their stabilizing contributions each week. Often, these boring types build a base that your late-round risks and early-round studs need.
Did my strategy work to perfection? No. I finished fifth in my division, barely making the playoff cutline. I owe this miracle to my division-leading 382 team receptions. The experts call this “PPR’d to death.” By amassing this massive total, I was able to overcome my RB shortcomings.
Additionally, my atypical early tight end strategy differentiated my lineup during the playoff cutline phases. I rode those tight ends and Michael Thomas en route to the RazzBowl Championship Tier, where I topped all the best teams in the tournament in receptions! Who could have guessed that? Catches were vital in a PPR league.
It was a wild ride. There were plenty of weeks I couldn’t believe Nyheim Hines was in my best lineup. One thing is clear; I still have a lot to learn. My experience did prove something; if you stick with a strategy that has a basis in the format and scoring of the tournament, you can be successful. Add in a little luck, and you’ll get a whiff of the championship. Once you’ve smelled it, you never forget. I am back for RazzBowl II, better than a year ago, and ready to win it all. See you in the Championship Tier!
