Have you ever wanted to just draft a team and not have to worry about setting your lineup all year but still see how your team turns out? Best Ball leagues allow for just that! For those unfamiliar with this type of league, allow me to explain. All you do is draft your team. That’s it. You’re done. Every week your lineup is set automatically based on who scores the most points. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins. There are also large scale tournaments, such as the Drafters Best Ball Championship.

The Drafters Best Ball Championship finished filling recently. This is a 5,000 team, $5.50 entry tournament where the winner takes homes $10,000!I hopped in a draft to see what I could come up with for a team. I got the fifth pick in the draft, not my favorite spot but you play the hand you’re dealt. Let’s see how it turned out.

Round 1

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

I was pleasantly surprised Kamara was here for me at 1.05, in PPR scoring he’s my third ranked running back so taking him here was a no brainer.

Round 2

George Kittle, TE, 49ers

All of the running backs I would have taken here were gone. This pick came down to Kittle or Julio Jones for me. Kittle is my top tight end this year so I had no problem taking him, especially with how deep wide receiver is.

Round 3

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers

I couldn’t believe my luck when Godwin was available halfway through the third round. Another easy pick. Even if the Bucs do play more 12 personnel, which I will believe when I see it, Godwin will still be great. It’s a misconception he can only play the slot.

Round 4

Le’Veon Bell, RB, Jets

Le’Veon Bell, with an improved offensive line, in PPR, in the fourth round? Okay, don’t mind if I do. Bell was not great for fantasy last year but he looked fine on the field, his team was just terrible. Last year was probably his floor.

Round 5

Robert Woods, WR, Rams

One of these is not like the others: 8th in receptions, 12th in targets, 14th in receiving yards, and… 74th in touchdowns? Yeah, that last number is going to come up this year. Tyler Lockett was another option at this pick but Woods is one of my guys this year.

Round 6

D’Andre Swift, RB, Lions

Swift was considered by many to be the top rookie running back prospect before the NFL Draft. Sharing time with Kerryon Johnson is not ideal but Swift could easily outplay him and be the lead back in this offense. At the very least he should be the pass-catching back in a pass-heavy offense.

Round 7

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens

I was all set to take Damien Williams here because I think he will have a larger role than expected this year, but he went the pick before mine. Dobbins is a good consolation prize though and might even be better than Williams if he can take hold of the Ravens backfield at any point this season. He’s got a ton of upside for a 7th round pick.

Round 8

Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans

Will Fuller or Brandin Cooks? That is a burning question for a lot of fantasy players this year, myself included. I lean Cooks but Fuller’s upside is… tantalizing. In this case the choice was made for me when Fuller was drafted right before my pick. Getting Deshaun Watson’s potential WR1 in the 8th round? Okay fine, twist my arm.

Round 9

Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers

All indications from Tampa’s coaching staff point to RoJo being the lead back this year. He’s big, fast, and in a high powered offense. He should smash this draft spot if he can keep Ke’Shawn Vaughn at bay all year. I’ll take that chance.

Round 10

John Brown, WR, Bills

Brown is a very underrated receiver. He’s got chemistry with Josh Allen and now has Stefon Diggs attracting the attention of top cornerbacks. Smokey will have the opportunity to feast on #2 corners all year.

Round 11

Latavius Murray, RB, Saints

You know what they say: practice what you preach. As mentioned in my previous article, due to COVID-19 I am a big proponent of handcuffing this season. Murray is a great handcuff because he has some stand-alone value too. He’s my insurance policy should anything befall Kamara.

Round 12

Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers

I’m not as high on Brady as some people, but there is no denying the upside he has in this offense. I’ve got a nice little Tampa Bay stack going now with Brady, Godwin, and Jones. Go Bucs I guess?

Round 13

Noah Fant, TE, Broncos

Is Noah Fant the next George Kittle? Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell. He is an incredible athlete and should have a lot of room to work over the middle of the field in an offense with no shortage of weapons. Plenty of upside for a 13th round tight end.

Round 14

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

2019 was a down year. Was he 14th round quarterback bad though? Nah. He finished as the QB9. Even with Green Bay transitioning to a run-heavy offense you could do a lot worse than Rodgers at this point.

Round 15

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers

Who has two thumbs and is a terror with the ball in hands? Brandon Aiyuk, that’s who. The first-round pick is a perfect fit for the 49ers offense and could open the season as the top wide receiver due to fellow YAC monster Deebo Samuel’s broken foot.

Brandon Aiyuk’s five highest-graded plays as an Arizona State Sun Devil🔥pic.twitter.com/9Xjt8ZUjKH

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 26, 2020

Round 16

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

Normally I would only draft two quarterbacks in a league like this but with the COVID threat, I want at least three players at each position. Burrow is going to have to sling it with the Bengals playing from behind a lot. As a bonus, he can run too.

Round 17

Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers

Quick, who graded out with PFF’s second-highest rushing grade last year? If you said Justin Jackson, you’re right! Granted this was on very limited snaps but I’m just going to cherry-pick a little here. Someone is going to get the ball behind Austin Ekeler, I and my cherries are planting our flag on Jackson. Joshua Kelley would be the other option.

Round 18

Irv Smith Jr., TE, Vikings

I really wanted Chris Herndon here, but we don’t always get what we want. I had to watch, helplessly, as he got snatched up two picks before mine. I’ll settle for Irv Smith Jr. and his projected expanded role in his second year.

Round 19

Steven Sims Jr., WR, Washington NFL Team

Small but fast, Sims Jr. saw his role grow down the stretch last year and began to show pretty decent chemistry with Dwayne Haskins. He’s worth a shot this late in the Drafters Best Ball Championship.

Round 20

Randall Cobb, WR, Texans

Houston has a pretty crowded wide receiver room, Cobb is probably the best option they have in the slot though. He looked decent for the Cowboys last season and was fairly productive. I like the idea of pairing him up with Cooks in this format.

Well, there you have it, a glimpse into my process for drafting the $10,000 winner of the Drafters Best Ball Championship. If you follow me on Twitter I’ll be sure to let you know how this tournament turns out. While you’re here check out some of the other articles at Belly Up to help get you ready for the return of sports!