How To Win Your Auction Draft This Season (Episode 1009 with Adam Levitan and NFFC Hall of Famer Chris Eibl)

In 10-team auction leagues, Chris Eibl recommends being aggressive on the top tier, noting that spending $70-plus on elite players like Bijan Robinson is a viable strategy because the league is shallow enough to fill out the rest of the roster later.

Chris Eibl identifies Brian Robinson as a deeper target suitable for high-stakes league endgame strategies.

While Adam Levitan is not convinced Brian Robinson would 'smash' as a handcuff, he acknowledges that any running back with a three-down role in the Falcons offense will likely hit RB2 ranks purely through volume.

Chris Eibl is comfortable with Brock Bowers at cost but prefers not to target him in difficult leagues, preferring to wait for value in the middle tier of tight ends.

Adam Levitan advocates for spending heavily on elite tight ends like Brock Bowers in 10-team leagues, as the waiver wire does not offer players capable of matching their production, unlike the running back and wide receiver positions.

Chris Eibl views Bucky Irving as a viable, low-cost running back option to help fill out a roster in standalone leagues.

Adam Levitan expects Carnell Tate to see significant price inflation in auction drafts as preseason highlights generate hype among drafters.

Adam Levitan notes that Chase Brown has been gaining steam in the market, potentially making him less of an overlooked value than previously thought.

Chris Eibl notes that Chris Rodriguez is currently going for $3-$4 in auctions, though he could potentially be acquired for less depending on the draft room.

Chris Rodriguez is a strong value target in auction drafts, typically going for $3-$4, though he could be had for a couple of dollars. He provides a reliable floor even in a committee, making him an excellent insurance policy for backfield injuries.

Chris Eibl is comfortable with Colston Loveland at cost but does not prioritize him in competitive leagues, preferring to wait for value in the middle tier of tight ends.

Adam Levitan includes Colston Loveland among the elite tight ends worth a significant auction spend in 10-team leagues, citing the difficulty of finding similar production on the waiver wire.

Adam Levitan and Chris Eibl view D'Andre Swift as an interesting auction value, with Levitan noting he prefers Swift over David Montgomery in snake drafts.

Chris Eibl suggests that in deeper formats like 14-team leagues, a collection of players like Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Parker Washington is preferable to a single star like Justin Jefferson.

Adam Levitan highlights Davante Adams as part of a preferred $15 receiver tier in auction drafts that offers significant value.

Chris Eibl is comfortable rostering David Montgomery in standalone leagues as a serviceable running back option to help complete a roster.

Adam Levitan identifies David Montgomery as an unsexy but high-volume asset who could be a value in auctions if he goes for $15 or less, despite his $20 market price.

Adam Levitan notes that there is a split in the market regarding Devon Achane, with many drafters avoiding him, making him a potential candidate to go overlooked.

Chris Eibl identifies Devonta Smith as a strong opportunity to stack the wide receiver three spot, noting he is potentially cheaper than he should be in the current auction landscape.

Adam Levitan views DK Metcalf as undervalued, noting he lacks buzz despite a strong outlook; he believes Metcalf is a great addition to a wide receiver core if he can be acquired for $5-6 in an auction.

Adam Levitan notes that Drake London is a player who may go overlooked at the top of the board, as drafters are less excited to aggressively price-enforce him compared to other stars.

Adam Levitan notes that Emeka Egbuka is currently being drafted at a high price point, suggesting that drafters are already paying for his potential upside.

Chris Eibl highlights Isaiah Likely as a potential $2 target who offers upside at the tight end position.

Adam Levitan is skeptical of Isaiah Pacheco's upside as a handcuff, noting it is difficult to envision a scenario where an injury to the starter makes Pacheco a stud.

Adam Levitan uses Ja'Marr Chase as an example of the fairness of auction drafts, noting that unlike snake drafts where the number eight pick precludes you from drafting him, an auction provides every manager with the opportunity to acquire him.

Chris Eibl suggests that in 10-team auction formats, managers should not fear spending $70-plus on top-tier assets like Jahmyr Gibbs, as the shallow nature of these leagues allows for filling out the remainder of the roster effectively.

Jakobi Meyers is highlighted as a $4 auction target who provides enough confidence to start, given his previous production pace with the Jaguars.

Jalen Coker is identified as a $4 auction target who could potentially keep up with mid-round wide receiver picks once healthy.

Adam Levitan highlights Jameson Williams as part of a preferred $15 receiver tier in auction drafts that offers significant value.

Chris Eibl considers Javonte Williams a serviceable running back option to help complete a roster in standalone leagues.

Chris Eibl suggests nominating Jaxon Smith-Njigba early to potentially secure him at a price closer to Lamb or Jefferson rather than Puka, as drafters often hold cash for the top four stars.

Adam Levitan warns against 'price enforcing' on players like Jayden Daniels, noting that bidding on a player just to force others to pay more is a poor risk-reward strategy that can result in wasting budget on a player you don't actually want.

Chris Eibl identifies Jonathan Taylor as an expensive but high-ceiling player who can be targeted as a 'boring' option; he suggests nominating him early to potentially acquire him in the 30s while others hoard cash for top-tier stars.

Adam Levitan likes the current auction price for Jonathan Brooks but warns that his price will likely increase significantly once he demonstrates health during the preseason.

Adam Levitan expects Jordan Tyson's auction price to skyrocket to around $20 if he makes a spectacular highlight-reel catch during the preseason, though Levitan advises against chasing such hype.

Adam Levitan is significantly more willing to spend heavily on elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen in 10-team leagues because the waiver wire provides ample depth at running back and wide receiver, but lacks high-end quarterback production.

Adam Levitan and Chris Eibl agree that Josh Downs is undervalued in auction drafts, noting that his price has not yet caught up to his potential upside.

Adam Levitan suggests that Josh Downs' current auction price has not yet caught up to where it should be, implying he remains a value target.

Adam Levitan notes that Josh Jacobs can occasionally be found for as low as $15 in auction drafts if the room is hesitant to bid on him.

Chris Eibl notes that in deeper 14-team formats, he would rather have a collection of mid-tier players than a single high-cost star like Justin Jefferson.

Chris Eibl suggests there is a risk that Keenan Allen could see a decline in performance, potentially making him an ineffective asset compared to younger teammates like Josh Downs.

Adam Levitan notes that it is unique to see running backs in the tier of Kenneth Walker III being drafted ahead of wide receivers like A.J. Brown, Drake London, and Nico Collins in current auction markets.

Chris Eibl advises staying present during an auction to potentially capitalize on 'boring' players like Kyren Williams, who might be available at a significant discount (e.g., $12) if other managers overlook them.

Adam Levitan prioritizes spending high capital on elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson in 10-team leagues, noting that the scarcity of such production makes them worth the investment compared to the easily replaceable skill positions on the waiver wire.

Adam Levitan notes that Luther Burden is a prime candidate for irrational bidding wars in auction drafts due to hype, potentially driving his price up to the equivalent of a second-round pick despite his recent injury.

Adam Levitan mentions that Luther Burden suffered an injury that impacted his draft stock, noting that he was not willing to draft him in the third round even before the injury occurred.

Chris Eibl highlights MarShawn Lloyd as a great home league option for endgame strategy, focusing on his contingent upside.

Adam Levitan notes that Marshawn Lloyd is currently a $1 player in auctions, but warns that his price will likely see heavy steam and increase significantly once he shows he is healthy in the preseason.

Chris Eibl suggests that in deeper formats like 14-team leagues, a collection of players like Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Parker Washington is preferable to a single star like Justin Jefferson.

Adam Levitan highlights Mike Evans as part of a preferred $15 receiver tier in auction drafts that offers significant value.

Chris Eibl suggests that in deeper formats like 14-team leagues, a collection of players like Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Parker Washington is preferable to a single star like Justin Jefferson.

Adam Levitan identifies Parker Washington as part of a valuable $15 receiver tier, noting that while he has some hype, many home leagues have not yet caught up to his actual value.

Adam Levitan identifies Pat Bryant as a player currently valued as a $1 auction asset, though he warns that hype can cause these late-round players to become over-drafted.

Chris Eibl suggests Ray Davis as a deeper target for high-stakes leagues, focusing on his contingent upside.

Chris Eibl lists Tank Bigsby as a viable endgame option for home league drafts.

Adam Levitan identifies Tank Bigsby as a high-priority bench stash because he is confident that Bigsby would 'absolutely smash' if Saquon Barkley were to miss time.

Chris Eibl warns against nominating Tank Bigsby in the endgame if other teams have money, as it wastes a nomination on a player that opponents with remaining budget might easily outbid you for.

Chris Eibl identifies Trevor Lawrence as his favorite quarterback in the middle tier, citing his rushing upside and the potential to acquire him for a very low cost compared to top-tier options.

Chris Eibl is comfortable with Trey McBride at cost but generally avoids targeting him in competitive leagues, preferring to wait for value in the middle tier.

Adam Levitan suggests that in 10-team leagues, managers should be willing to spend a significant portion of their budget on elite tight ends like Trey McBride, as the waiver wire is unlikely to yield comparable production.

Chris Eibl highlights Zay Flowers as an undervalued wide receiver option to target for building out a roster, particularly in the wide receiver three slot.