With the majority of SFB15 drafts kicking off today, it felt important that I give you the blueprint for how to attack this year’s Scott Fish Bowl. As a two-year SFB veteran who’s already completed my draft, I’m here to give you the inside track on how to leave this tournament a winner. I’ll share the secret sauce that has allowed me to reach the playoffs in both years (including a Semifinals appearance in SFB14) as well as the critical mistakes that can prevent you from reaching the summit.
Do: Know the Rules Before the Draft Starts
How can you make sure that you’re properly understanding the draft if you don’t know the rules? Scott notoriously switches things up to provide a new experience year after year, and SFB15 is no different. If you haven’t been keeping up with this year’s changes, you can get a quick rundown of the rules and my analysis of them here.
Remember: Third Round Reversal lived to see another year.
Don’t: Be Rigid in Your Draft Strategy
With starting lineups consisting of 2 Superflex and 9 Flex players, there is no reason to put yourself in a situation where you’re reaching for players at a particular position. Implementing a best player available draft strategy will be pivotal for success. You may have a plan as the draft starts, but there’s nothing wrong with adjusting your plan as the draft unfolds. Zig where everyone else is zagging.
So what was my strategy? I thought you’d never ask. Looking at last year’s data, 12 of the top 24 players were RBs, so I was targeting running backs early and often. In an ideal world, these running backs would have both receiving and rushing prowess so that I could maximize the number of touches that they might see.
Once the RBs were picked over, I quickly pivoted to WRs who I felt would be top target getters on their teams. I didn’t have much faith in TEs beyond Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and George Kittle, so I completely punted on that situation, given that only 5 TEs had a top 50 finish in 2024. As for QBs, I do regret not taking Jordan Love at the 7/8 turn. A small QB run in the 8th and 9th left me with very few options, as I was the last team to draft a QB.
In the later rounds, I hammered backup running backs to acquire handcuffs for players that I did not own. In a big tournament like this, if you’re going to win, you need your horses to stay healthy AND you need your lottery tickets to hit. Philly, Baltimore, and Cincinnati are all elite offenses. If one of their starters goes down, I could be in for a huge advantage.
Do: Get Your Guy
Is it reaching if you get the guy that you feel most confident in? Don’t let consensus sway you from picking who you believe will produce the best outcome. Now, I’m not saying that you need to take Jakobi Meyers in the first round, but if you have a guy who is in range that you feel confident in, don’t hesitate. Pull the trigger! It can be easy to fall in line with what everyone else is saying, but it’s way more fun (and satisfying) to do well with YOUR picks. To get a feel for where players are being drafted, Fantasy Life has a handy SFB Tool where you can see the earliest someone was taken, their ADP based on in-progress drafts, and the latest someone has been taken.
And not only should you do your best to get your guy, but it’s incredibly easy to avoid the players you don’t like. If you’re a generational J.J. McCarthy hater, don’t feel obligated to take him because he’s at the top of the draft queue.
Players that I refused to leave the draft without: Christian McCaffrey, Jakobi Meyers, and Ray Davis.
Don’t: Waste Late Picks on Roster Cloggers
After the first twelve rounds, the number of players who can provide immediate impact to your lineup quickly diminishes. This is where greatness emerges in the Scott Fish Bowl. Avoid players who do not have a path to a high volume share. Instead, swing for the fences on lottery tickets, which could take your team over the top.
For example, Rashod Bateman currently has an ADP of 162.5. In four years in Baltimore, he has yet to clear 75 targets in a single season. His nine touchdowns in 2024 certainly look good on the surface, but Lamar Jackson’s 8.6% touchdown rate is likely to dip closer to his career average of 6.4%. Additionally, the team added future Hall of Famer DeAndre Hopkins to the fold. At a similar ADP, you could target Cedric Tillman, who showed a stretch of WR1 play last season, or Braelon Allen, who would move into a bell cow situation if Breece Hall were to miss action.
I believe that backup RBs have the clearest path to relevance. RBs are more likely to be injured, and sliding into a starting RB role holds more weight than being the third-best receiving option. This also applies to TEs who will, at best, be the third or fourth most targeted player on their team. That 3.5 PPR doesn’t move the needle for me.
Do: Be an Active Member
This is a huge competition. How often can you be in a fantasy league with 4999 other people who love the game like you do? Engage with other SFBers on your social media platform of your choosing. Attend a live draft if there’s one close to you (even if you aren’t drafting there). The best part about this event is the camaraderie that comes with it.
Don’t: Forget to Donate to the Cause
Last, but not least, make sure you throw a few bucks (if you’re able) to support Fantasy Cares. The money raised helps purchase toys for Toys for Tots and supports other cool initiatives. There are plenty of ways that you can support their mission, but the easiest way is to donate.
Do all these things, and you may not win SFB15, but you’re certainly going to be a winner in my book. So have fun, shoot for the moon, and donate to the cause! It’s going to be an awesome tournament.