Auction Tips & Strategy + Mailbag Q&A! (08/29 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Brown is cited as an example of a top-tier player the source would be happy to acquire in an auction; paired with Omari Hampton, Brown represents the caliber of elite talent (top 25-26 overall) the source targets with 45-55% of auction budget.

Vikings backfield option; mentioned as part of strategy to draft two backs from same team in middle rounds; similar uncertainty to Panthers, Commanders, and Steelers.

Adam Schefter expressed optimism that Alec Pierce will be ready for week one.

Robinson is positioned as one of the top four running backs in auction strategy alongside Jahmyr Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, and Christian McCaffrey; speaker notes a definite sliding scale among these four but advises committing close to half budget for either of the top two running backs.

Robinson is referenced as a top-tier running back in the context of auction strategy; the source discusses allocating 45-55% of budget for two elite players in the top 25-28 range overall, with Bijan as an example of a premium target.

Auction value set at $29–30 on a $100 budget (approximately 30% of budget), placing him in the same tier as Jameer Gibbs. Speaker suggests Gibbs warrants more aggressive bidding than Bijan.

Bowers is flagged as a top-tier tight end likely to be overpriced in auctions; the source advises letting other people spend on Josh Allen and Brock Bowers and McBride unless you really want those guys, because when those guys are nominated early, people get overexcited and tend to spend more than necessary on those one-position spots.

Listed among top five receivers on the Dolphins depth chart.

Williams is positioned as a mid-tier quarterback available at significant discount in auctions; the source advises letting the board fall and targeting quarterbacks like Dak, Lawrence, and Caleb much cheaper than expected, especially if top-tier options (Josh Allen) are nominated early and drive up prices.

Brown is included in speaker's second tier of running backs to target in auction, alongside Ken Walker, Saquon Barkley, Henry, and A-chan; speaker's strategy is to wait for two or three top-tier backs to come off the board before jumping in on this tier to avoid overpaying.

Back with the Dolphins; listed among top five receivers on the team's depth chart.

McCaffrey is positioned as one of the top four running backs in auction strategy alongside Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Jonathan Taylor; speaker notes a definite sliding scale among these four but advises 30-35% budget allocation for the third and fourth tier running backs.

49ers want handcuff to be multi-dimensional with receiving ability, not purely one-dimensional runner; Shanahan mentioned preference for back who can catch and run; handcuff situation unclear between Black and James.

Christian McCaffrey's primary risk is injury; if healthy, he will perform very well. However, if his passing-down usage regresses and targets decline, he could fall to a 17-18 points-per-game pace, which would be more of a round-two pick value rather than a first-round anchor.

In a $100 auction budget, acquiring McCaffrey for ~$25 and his handcuff (likely Isaac Guerendo or similar) for $1 is a reasonable strategy. The only material risk is injury; if McCaffrey plays, production is expected to be strong, making the $1 handcuff insurance a worthwhile hedge.

Since 2022, Christian Watson ranks third in fantasy points per target among all wide receivers, behind Jaden Reed and Jalen Naylor; this efficiency supports the Packers passing game as underrated despite lower overall throw volume.

Hubbard expected to work in rushing downs and passing downs in Carolina backfield; positioned as complementary option to Brooks in rounds 8-9 ADP range, with potential to be flex option if both are drafted together.

Prescott is positioned as a mid-tier quarterback available at significant discount in auctions; the source advises letting the board fall and targeting quarterbacks like Dak, Lawrence, and Caleb much cheaper than expected, especially if top-tier options (Josh Allen) are nominated early and drive up prices.

Vikings backfield option; mentioned as part of strategy to draft two backs from same team in middle rounds; similar uncertainty to Panthers, Commanders, and Steelers.

Njoku ranked tight end 30 on Fantasy Pros; not ranked on CBS; unlikely to be sleeper despite question; will rotate with Gadsden and Kohler; Kohler getting most snaps; limited opportunity expected after five-six years of good fantasy profile.

Under Kellen Moore's play-calling history, his starting quarterbacks have averaged 21+ points per game when they've been the starter for the majority of the season; Carr achieved approximately this level in the second half of last season.

Henry is included in speaker's second tier of running backs to target in auction, alongside Chase Brown, Ken Walker, Saquon Barkley, and A-chan; speaker's strategy is to wait for two or three top-tier backs to come off the board before jumping in on this tier to avoid overpaying.

MCL appears fine but has a back injury, which is disappointing for his fantasy outlook.

Steelers backfield mentioned as option for drafting two backs from same team in middle rounds; similar uncertainty to Panthers and Commanders backfields.

Pacheco was a sixth-round caliber pick who fell through the cracks in auction, available three hours in; speaker spent $12 on him late when other bidders were down to $4–$5, but notes he would have cost $7–$8 if nominated early, making the late-round spend inefficient relative to his draft capital and the opportunity cost of early-round value.

Gibbs is identified as one of the top four running backs in auction strategy alongside Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, and Christian McCaffrey; speaker advises committing close to half budget for either of the top two running backs, with Gibbs in that tier requiring significant allocation.

Listed among top five receivers on the Dolphins depth chart.

James Cook was drafted in the third round in a one-keeper redraft league but is being traded away by the commissioner in exchange for Fab and a late-round pick swap, raising questions about keeper league trade eligibility rules.

Jarquez Hunter was traded away by the Rams to the Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell; the trade may indicate the Rams are moving away from Hunter in favor of other running back options like UDFA Dean Conner.

JSN was acquired for $11 in the source's auction draft last year, cited as a great pick and successful value acquisition that fit the strategy of letting the board fall and targeting mid-tier talent at discount prices.

Since 2022, Jaden Reed ranks number one among all wide receivers in fantasy points per target, ahead of Jalen Naylor, Christian Watson, Jamison Williams, and Keyshawn Booty; this efficiency metric suggests the Packers passing game is underrated despite lower overall volume.

Waddle is cited as a reference point in the Waddle-Abukabar range for wide receiver pricing strategy in auction leagues; the source notes these receivers went for $13-14 last year and can be used as anchors for building multiple auction roster construction strategies based on projected salary tiers.

Waddle is referenced as part of a tier of six similar-valued wide receivers in auction strategy discussion; the source uses this tier as an example of how to identify a group of players at a similar price point and target one of them based on value relative to last year's auction costs.

Steelers backfield option; mentioned as part of strategy to draft two backs from same team in middle rounds; similar uncertainty profile to Panthers and Commanders.

Warren is positioned as a tight end available at significant discount in auctions; the source advises letting the board fall and targeting mid-tier tight ends like Laporta, Warren, Kraft, and Likely much cheaper than expected, especially if top-tier options (Josh Allen, Brock Bowers, McBride) are nominated early and drive up prices.

Speaker indicates there's a good chance Jeremiah Love plays early in the season, though health status remains uncertain; similar to Ashton Gentry, the team appears to be counting on him for early-season action.

One of Dave's favorite sleepers; recommended valuation in a $100 auction budget is $1–$2, with a ceiling of $2 late in the auction process; strategy is to bid up to $2 but accept losing him rather than overpay early when demand inflates his price.

Taylor is identified as one of the top four running backs in auction strategy alongside Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Christian McCaffrey; speaker advises 30-35% budget allocation for the third and fourth tier running backs, with Taylor in that tier.

James missed time with injury and most of training camp; came in after Black in preseason game; behind Black in handcuff hierarchy for McCaffrey; younger (22 vs 25) but lower draft capital (5th round vs 3rd round); more explosive profile but ramping up from injury.

Allen is flagged as a top-tier quarterback likely to be overpriced in auctions; the source advises letting other people spend on Josh Allen and Brock Bowers and McBride unless you really want those guys, because when those guys are nominated early, people get overexcited and tend to spend more than necessary on those one-position spots.

Speaker states he is not a Josh Allen guy and uses him as an example of a player to nominate in auction to drive up price and get money off the board from other bidders, allowing the nominator to save budget for later picks.

Used as an example of a player the speaker would nominate at a low opening bid ($1) rather than price-enforce; strategy is to let other teams spend their budget on the player rather than artificially inflate the price.

Potential Josh Jacobs suspension could reduce Packers rushing volume; the source expects the Packers to throw more this year, suggesting a shift away from their typical run-heavy approach.

Vikings receiver; mentioned in context of top receivers on team depth chart.

Vikings offense is underrated at ADP; downside exists if Kyler is no longer seeing the field well and not playing at a high level, but the team has a really easy schedule and has been slept on ADP-wise all offseason with the exception of Jefferson.

Listed among top five receivers on the Dolphins depth chart.

Andrews ranked tight end 13-14 in ADP; coming off one of his worst seasons since rookie year; needs 8+ touchdowns to crack top 12 tight ends; target share concerns with Bateman and Jacoby Lane in mix; requires 90+ targets to be truly productive, but has only 69-70 targets in last two full seasons.

Kohler positioned as the deep sleeper dart throw option at tight end for Browns; getting most snaps in three-TE rotation; better opportunity profile than Njoku or Gadsden.

Bateman had strong camp; competing for targets with Mark Andrews and Jacoby Lane in Ravens offense; could impact Andrews' target allocation.

Barkley is included in speaker's second tier of running backs to target in auction, alongside Chase Brown, Ken Walker, Henry, and A-chan; speaker's strategy is to wait for two or three top-tier backs to come off the board before jumping in on this tier to avoid overpaying.

Saints tight end (Travis HN); one of only two players being drafted as starting fantasy options on the Saints offense, along with Alave; has an impressive resume.

The Rams acquired Tutu Atwell from the Dolphins in a trade for running back Jarquez Hunter; Sean McVay indicated the move was about adding wide receiver depth rather than addressing a possible Puka Nacua suspension.

Dolphins can afford to trade or move Atwell given their depth at wide receiver.