The calendar has finally flipped to August and fantasy redraft drafting dates are getting sent out. On the bright side, there’s no better way to fine-tune your drafting skills than Underdog Fantasy Best Ball. If this is your first time playing, you don’t have to use the waiver wire or worry about ever setting a lineup.
The bench is a bit deeper in Best Ball, meaning managers can chase massive upside or handcuffs at the end of the draft. Even better, a random receiver blow-up won’t go to waste at the end of your bench.
If you want to tailor your team a certain way, these are the scoring and roster settings for Underdog’s most popular Best Ball contests:
- half-PPR scoring (0.5 per reception)
- 4.0 points per passing TD
- 6.0 points per rushing/receiving TD
- 0.1 point per rushing/receiving yard
- 2.0 points for a two-point conversion
- -2.0 points for fumble lost
- -1.0 point for interception
- 18-man rosters with an eight-man starting weekly roster: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, Flex (RB/WR/TE).
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Note: These sleepers all have an ADP of 180 or higher on Underdog Fantasy; ADP updated through 8/11
QUARTERBACKS
CJ STROUD, HOUSTON TEXANS (ADP: 193.3)
The most accurate quarterback in this draft class is still going a full round behind Bryce Young (ADP: 178.3) and he’s made just as much camp noise as the No. 1 overall pick. Young is getting the early benefit of the doubt from early Best Ball drafters with similar surrounding talent. Sure, Young is more athletic and more willing to run than Stroud, but the former Buckeye proved he’s more than capable to utilize his legs on college football’s greatest stage. I’ll wait the extra round for the more durable quarterback with better passing upside.
SAM HOWELL, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (ADP: 199.2)
The former Tar Heel is stacking good days at Commanders’ camp and being able to throw to Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Gibson, and Logan Thomas should make life easier for the first-time starter. Howell has sneaky rushing upside to boost his value and Eric Bienemy is calling the shots, meaning Howell could actually be fantasy-viable this season. There are worse QB2s out there.
JIMMY GAROPPOLO, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (ADP: 207.0)
We know what Jimmy G is at this point. He’s boring and his ceiling is capped, yet he is a rock-solid Best Ball QB2 on a team featuring Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and a couple of promising weapons. Plus, he’s in a system that he’s familiar with and he can fill in for 15-plus points on a weekly basis if your QB1 underperforms. In best ball, it’s smart to ceiling chase, but Garoppolo can put up points in this offense.
Others: Desmond Ridder (208.9), Trey Lance (214.7)
RUNNING BACKS
EVAN HULL, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (ADP: 214.3)
This Colts running back situation is a complete and utter disaster. From the Jonathan Taylor fiasco to Zack Moss breaking his arm, it opens the door up for Waiver Wire hero Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull. The Northwestern product’s athletic profile is intriguing and assuming Taylor will tie his cleats and play this season, Hull could get some burn as a pass-catching RB2. Then, he’s only one injury away…
KENNY MCINTOSH, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (ADP: 215.9)
Pete Carroll plays chess with his running back room, while us simpletons play checkers. The Seahawks had a productive rookie in Kenneth Walker III and drafted Zach Charbonnet in the second round. Then, they drafted Kenny McIntosh out of Georgia in the seventh round. With Walker (groin) and Charbonnet (shoulder) out of action for a bit, McIntosh has made his mark running with the first team. The former Bulldog was one of the best pass-catchers of his class and can make people miss in the open field, making him a decent last-round pick in a crowded room. Pete Carroll does not care about draft capital.
RICO DOWDLE, DALLAS COWBOYS (ADP: 215.8)
It’s not often that an unused fourth-year running back will suddenly become fantasy-relevant, but it might be happening in Dallas. With Tony Pollard sharpied into workhorse duties, Rico Dowdle is currently penciled in as the RB2. Through two weeks of training camp, Dowdle has fought off Ronald Jones, Deuce Vaughn, and Malik Davis, and climbed to the vacant spot behind Pollard. As long as the Cowboys stay away from Zeke and the rest of the veteran RB castoffs, Dowdle could be one of fantasy’s most valuable handcuffs.
Others: Zach Evans (215.7), Kareem Hunt (191.1), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (204.4), Ty Chandler (211.5), Deneric Prince (214.9), Deuce Vaughn (215.0), Sean Tucker (215.7)
WIDE RECEIVERS
RICHIE JAMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (ADP: 195.4)
JUSTYN ROSS, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (ADP: 183.7)
With Kadarius Toney (ADP: 95.4) out until God knows when, the buzz coming out of Chiefs camp is intriguing with their random misfits making plays all over the field. Whether it’s Skyy Moore (ADP: 91.2), Rashee Rice (ADP: 137.8), Richie James, or Justyn Ross, there’s a handful of highlights each and every day. Do you really need to take Toney or Moore over 100 spots ahead of James or Ross when neither Toney nor Moore are locked in for targets? Take the cheaper unknown option in this electric offense.
JALIN HYATT, NEW YORK GIANTS (8/1 ADP: 199.9, NOW 173.0)
Jalin Hyatt was the best receiver in college football last season and he enters a Giants offense that is in desperate need of an outside playmaker to take the top off the defense for its barrage of trolls in the slot. After just a few practices, Hyatt is making his presence known vertically and even immediately, which is impressive. He’s currently behind Isaiah Hodgins on the depth chart, but Hyatt’s speed alone will make him a legit week winner.
TANK DELL, HOUSTON TEXANS (ADP: 209.8)
The Texans’ receiver room is horrific, but its two rookie wideouts are intriguing. Xavier Hutchinson (ADP: 216) possesses the size that the room was missing. But, Tank Dell is the receiver that can get open with ease and could blossom into CJ Stroud’s security blanket. Dell is currently running with the second team, but he’s only competing with Robert Woods and John Metchie for consistent snaps at either receiver spot. It also helps that Stroud pounded the table for the Texans to draft the electric wideout and so far, Dell looks like a player who could put up serious fantasy points as the season progresses.
PUKA NACUA, LA RAMS (ADP: 213.1)
Cooper Kupp is king, but Puka Nacua could be the prince of this offense. Nacua can truly run the Robert Woods role in Sean McVay’s scheme with his YAC ability and versatility. Not only have McVay and Kupp complimented the rookie through the media, but they’ve used him on jet sweeps and punt returns. With only Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek, and Demarcus Robinson competing for the WR3 spot, Nacua just feels like a guy who could take over in the second half of the season.
Others: Parris Campbell (185.4), Mecole Hardman (198.9), Chase Claypool (205.6), Michael Wilson (209.9), Demario Douglas (215.7), Andrei Iosivas (216.0)
TIGHT ENDS
HUNTER HENRY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (8/1 ADP: 211.3, NOW 200.9)
Everyone is on Mike Gesicki (ADP: 200) as the Patriots’ tight end to draft in best ball. And while early drafters could be right, Hunter Henry is sitting atop Mac Jones’ target totem pole through the first week of camp. Entering his third season in New England, Henry is coming off a down year due to the coaching clownery that went on last season. However, Bill O’Brien knows how to utilize the tight end and he put up 140 fantasy points on nine touchdowns in 2021. Henry, not Gesicki, is the tight end to own on this team.
ISAIAH LIKELY, BALTIMORE RAVENS (ADP: 207.3)
Todd Monken is set to transform this Ravens’ offense from a ground-and-pound 1990s offense to an aerial circus built around Lamar Jackson. Although the second-year stud sits behind Mark Andrews, expect the Ravens to run two tight end sets and he’d be a locked-in TE1 if Andrews were to miss time. Likely put up 8 receptions for 103 yards in Week 17 and expect Monken to find creative ways to get Likely on the field. Monken just worked wonders with Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington and he’ll do it in the NFL with these two.
MICHAEL MAYER, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (ADP: 208.8)
The Notre Dame product was the most complete tight end in his class and he’s landed in a Josh McDaniels’ offense that loves to throw to the tight end. Not only is Michael Mayer an elite pass-catcher at his position (180 rec, 2,099 yds, 18 TD at ND), but he’s also a solid run blocker — which will ultimately keep him on the field. He’s currently going 52 spots behind Sam LaPorta and 80 spots behind Dalton Kincaid. Take a flier on Mayer as your TE2.
Others: Luke Musgrave (201.2), Jake Ferguson (192.7), Jelani Woods (214.2)
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