Draft season for fantasy football is in full swing now.
While dedicated players and analysts have been preparing for months, it seems the mainstream draft is finally here. This brings a notable increase in the average draft position (ADP) of NFL players, all trying to grab headlines just in time for the season. It’s kind of like a busy tourist season for fantasy football.
This term isn’t meant to discourage anyone but acts as a heads-up for those preparing their rosters as the regular season approaches.
Imagine a massive cruise ship arriving in a small coastal town.
That town’s population is set to swell by another 7,500 tourists, all looking to partake in the same activities.
When one individual discovers something exciting, it spreads quickly—suddenly, it seems everyone is all in. This scenario mirrors what happens when players shine in the preseason, leading everyone in the fantasy community to pounce on the draft board.
Now, if you glance over there, you might spot rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. He was a hot pick among dynasty league enthusiasts but recently surged from the ninth or tenth round to the fifth. This jump follows some unfortunate injuries to Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin, which could sideline him until October. Egbuka’s talent is clear, and with opportunities for strong snap counts and reliable targets this season, he’s definitely one to watch.
If you managed to grab him just a couple of weeks back, you likely got an excellent deal. However, drafting him now probably means you’ll be paying a premium—with his likely return value close to breaking even.
On a similar note, over in San Francisco, another young wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, is climbing the ranks. The second-year player, a first-round pick in 2024, became well-known last summer after recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained during a robbery. Despite that harrowing event, he returned to play 11 games last year, and his role is expected to expand this season.
Pearsall has shown some strong performance in training camp so far, especially with Brandon Aiyuk out for a few more weeks and Jauan Jennings dealing with a calf injury. As a result, fantasy drafters have been picking him up more frequently. He performed well in his last preseason game, catching four passes for 42 yards, which has also elevated his draft position ahead of Jennings. Their ADP trends have flipped: Pearsall is now being selected in the sixth or seventh rounds while Jennings can be considered more valuable in the later rounds.
Of course, it doesn’t suggest that players like Egbuka and Pearsall lack skill—it’s all about how much weight you give their prices during the draft.
Fantasy Football DVQ: The Only Draft Ranking You Need
The latest update of the Fantasy Madman’s rating system has arrived. This iteration tweaked and optimized the underlying components, expanding the database and enhancing features while eliminating less favorable elements for a more succinct and effective tool. Now, it’s time to provide fresh insights into draft value quotients (DVQ).
DVQ offers a comprehensive evaluation of players, balancing their value based on position depth. Each player’s DVQ rating signifies where expected production meets their draft value, with each draft position assigned an expected production value. This value decreases at a consistent rate. However, players’ actual on-field performance tends to vary more erratically, creating gaps in evaluation. For instance, while top players might carry a 1.0 DVQ, others could have a much higher DVQ in the 13 range, with minor discrepancies across the deeper player pool instead of wide gaps.
So, arm yourself with this information and strategically approach your drafts with DVQ in mind.
Players picked in the tenth round can provide the value of those selected five rounds earlier. Meanwhile, a player drafted in the fifth round is expected to deliver on par only if they meet the given expectations.
Just a cautionary note—fantasy tourism often inflates prices, so it’s wise to be mindful when finalizing your roster.
