“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee
Anytime you get to build up a team from scratch is exciting. I have been in dynasty league for ten years now and have done many different formats – ten to sixteen team leagues, non-ppr to ppr, non-IDP to IDP, etc. Last year, I found my true format love (32 team leagues with doubles of every player and full IDP). Now, for some of you that will seem like a huge undertaking. I won’t lie, it is. The league also holds back 20% of the winnings for a super-pot in year five which causes many to overfavor youth. Here is a link to the draft.
If you are lucky, you get to own your version of your favorite franchise. My team is the Smithville Steelers as I grew up in Smithville, Ohio and the Steelers, according to the tattoo on my right deltoid, are my favorite team. The league started with a 53 round veteran draft with an eight round rookie draft to follow in May after the NFL Draft. There are a few scoring differences. Running backs get fewer points for receptions than wide receivers and tight ends as well as linebackers get fewer points for tackles and sacks than the defensive line positions. An owner can start up to five wide receivers so they are very valuable and all return yardage accumulates points regardless if it’s a cornerback, safety, wide receiver or running back. Not only does this format test your drafting prowess and team management skills, but it tests your ability to negotiate with 31 other owners.
This was the first time I used the “Kentucky Derby” style of picking draft spots. Everyone’s email, divided out between AFC and NFC, got entered into a random draft generator. The first team gets to pick where they want to draft and then the next team until the draft order is complete. I was lucky enough to get the sixth choice and I selected the 16th slot of the 32 teams. This way I would be able to withstand any position runs.
Once trading opened, the league got tested early on as some new owners jumped on some ridiculous trade offers made by some of the veterans. The vets offered their last four picks in the 2013 and 2014 rookie drafts for a veteran seventh rounder. It’s a shame, but three rookie owners took the trades and suffered for it. I’ve been accused on DLF for lacking a “killer instinct” because I do not always try to win my trades by fleecing another owner – I’d rather gain a little value and trust in each trade I make. With 31 other owners, you can afford to burn a few bridges I guess, but what if the few teams you did burn have the players you need? I’d rather not be Michael Weston relying only on Sam Axe and Fiona, but that’s me.
Many owners take different approaches to these leagues.
My friend Peter took the idea from a fellow league mate last year and decided to go for a very youthful approach. His team is the Niagra Colts and as I am writing this he has six 2013 first rounders, five 2013 second rounders, seven 2013 3rd rounders, six 2014 first rounders, and three 2014 second rounders. It is a strong approach, but I prefer basing my team on a solid mixture of veterans, as well as second and third year players, along with some rookies.
As there are 32 teams in this league, I will focus on my draft strategy. Hopefully you will be able to see what I did right and what I did wrong. My draft philosophy is akin to Bruce Lee’s statement at the top of the page. I will not go over all 53 of my picks but will focus on much of my first ten rounds (this article) and highlight picks after that (the next article).
At pick 1.16, I selected C.J. Spiller and this was the last copy of him available (remember there are two copies for every player, but an individual team can only own one version). Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Marshawn Lynch were all available when I picked. Spiller has the least amount of touches of those three and has been very effective with them. It was a pure upside play that might come back to haunt me. At pick 2.17, I took the second copy of Brandon Marshall. Michael Crabtree, Hakeem Nicks, and Victor Cruz went shortly after him. Marshall is turning 29 later this month, but is only getting better with Jay Cutler throwing him the ball. I am excited with new head coach Marc Trestman coming to Chicago with his offensive mind. I’m happy with him as my WR1.
As this draft does a third rounder reversal, I had the 3.17 to make my selection of Matthew Stafford. This was the second copy of him to go, but I thought I needed to get him as the top-tiered quarterbacks were going off the board as seven doubles were already gone. His age and getting to throw to Calvin Johnson were influences in my decision. The pick at 4.16 was a difficult one as I became torn between selecting Ryan Mathews and Jonathan Stewart. With new San Diego head coach Mike McCoy, who did wonders with improving the Broncos running game, I took the chance on the brittle second copy of Mathews. Stewart loses value with DeAngelo Williams and Cam Newton’s presence in run game. This decision could come back to haunt me, too. Mikel Leshoure went right after Mathews, but I do not think the troubled running back will hold onto the starting job for Detroit.
I went back to the wide receiver position with Marques Colston at 5.17. He will be turning 30 in July, but he gets the benefit of catching passes from Drew Brees on game day. I will take that sort of production and work on getting younger at receiver later in the vet draft as well as in the rookie draft that is flush with young talented wide receivers. Jeremy Maclin was my target, but was picked earlier in the round. At pick 6.16, I went back to my love of Mark Ingram. It has not been matched by his play, yet, but I am still hopeful. He did well when he was given 12 carries or more last season. Hopefully Chris Ivory will leave via free agency so he will have one less running back competing for the starter’s job.
By the time it was time for me to pick at 7.17, eight top-tier linebackers were gone. Since you can start up to four linebackers, I took the plunge with Lavonte David from the Tampa Bay Bucs. He led his team with 112 solo tackles and he will only get better entering his second year. My next two picks, 8.27 (moved back 11 spots as a result of moving forward 21 spots from the middle of the rookie third round to the end of the second round) and 9.17, took advantage of lazy owner thinking. I drafted Greg Olsen at 8.27 and Dennis Pitta at 9.17 as you can start a second tight end as a flex. There was more value at taking two tight ends when only half the teams had one tight end than it was to reach for a wide receiver. After this pick, I made a few trades that ended up with me trading my tenth rounder and 16th rounder for two 13th round selections.
Next time I will continue with the rest of the veteran draft and not get into all the gory detail as this one.
Follow me on twitter @AndrewMiley
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I’m in three 32 team Dynasty Leagues. It’s truly my favorite format for fantasy. Our leagues do no have double though. We are full Salary Cap & IDP. We hold a rookie draft every year with a pay scale. 1st rd picks are signed to 6 year deals, 2nd-4th rd picks are given 3 year deals and Restricted Free Agency Status. At the end of a deal a player can be franchised or fall into free agency. Each GM essentially has the chance to be the GM and run a franchise exactly how he wishes his team would. It’s deep and takes alot of strategy but its the closest you can get I being an NFL exec. Great Article. I’d love to see larger formats grow.
I’m in year two of a 32 team IDP dynasty, only we did separate 16 team drafts for NFC and AFC. Otherwise it’s a very similar format. After only one season it’s easily my favorite league. Deep leagues that require more strategy are so much more entertaining. Running a team in a league like this, and owning stock in the Packers, I almost feel like a real GM! Lol
wow i love ffl but this sounds a little overwhelming
32 team leagues are the best! It is the only size league I have ever been in (now I am in 7 of them), and can’t see my self enjoying a smaller league now.
Niagra Colts is a smart fella. I thought I was the only one crazy enough to go with that strategy.
In my 32 team (double copy) league the same thing happened. Veteren owners started fleecing rookies and before too long it became very clear to me I would never be able to compete, so drastic measures were taken. I traded away a lot of start up picks and ended up with 19 or so rookie first round picks split between 2012 and 2013.
For the picks I did keep I drafted only very young players with legitimate upside. I think my first pick was Ridley in the 11th round and Vereen the round after. Most of draft actually consisted of IDP guys. I built one of the best young defenses in the league through the draft, so I would be able to use my first round picks on only offense.
Needless to say, but not making a pick until the 11th round left me with a pretty horrible offense. In the 2012 rookie draft I got Luck to be the foundation of my offense so I wouldn’t have to worry about the qb position during the rest of this “rebuild.” I also got Wilson, Tannehill, and Weeden but have since traded them.
I finished 3-12, good enough for 3rd worst in the league. Pretty impressive I thought, considering I traded away my first 10 start up picks.
This is where it gets good. Through out the season and during the offseason I have traded away ALL of my remaining rookie firsts except for mine which is now the 1.03 (with double copies). Here is the list of players I have traded for;
Ray Rice, Kendall Hunter, Lamichael James, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Stevie Johnson, Ryan Broyles, Mohammed Sanu, Emmanuel Sanders, Jermichael FInley, JJ Watt, and Von Miller.
Add those guys to an already very strong and young defense and I now have one of the better (and younger, my oldest guy is 26) teams in the league.
Would be interested to hear how Niagra Colts’ strategy works out for him, if you can/remember maybe give us an update in a year or so?
Here is a link to the start up draft and my team now if anyone is interested..
http://football29.myfantasyleague.com/2012/options?L=68985&O=17&DISPLAY=LEAGUE&ARCHIVE=1
http://www29.myfantasyleague.com/2013/home/13140#1
I’m in that league with Avery and his team is amaze-balls. Well done.
I’ve only just started in my first dynasty league (2nd season upcoming) and I’m really enjoying it immensely. I’m a rookie at this but I learn quickly. I can’t even begin to fathom the likes of a league of this magnitude? I guess after I ‘m in it for years I’ll look for a bigger challenge, as I have after years of redraft leagues. Once I started to dominate these leagues it seems like it’s too easy and I needed somehing more challenging to conquer. Well I got what I was looking for, a league that’s been in existence for 15+ years and I inherited a team that needs fixing. I’m well on my way and I’m loving it! Hopefully in a few years I’l be up for a 32 team league challenge, very interesting premise though, good luck!
Would love to be in one of these. Would feel the closest to the real thing. A true test of longevity. It would just be hard to find 32 owners dedicated.
They are out there. You just have to look harder.
Chad,
A few people and myself will be starting a new one that is victory point based here in 2-3 weeks. Just working on the bylaws and some of the finer details right now. Keep an eye out in the Help Wanted section for a post if you are interested in joining one.
Ok. Otherwise can u send me an email on the league. So there are leagues like this on the net?
The league will be hosted on myfantasyleague.com. If you post your DLF forum user name I’d be happy to send you a PM to provide you some more info on the league. Otherwise still keep an eye out on the Help Wanted section. We are targeting to get a post up late this week.
Up until now,I have only played locally. Not on the net. 32 is impossible locally. But would do it if had the chance. I will look into the league mentioned below
My buddy and I want to join one of these 32 team leagues!! How can I do that!? Can’t find a website. Can some by please help?
Please email me @ c_linegar@hotmail.com with any info.
I joined my first 32 team league last fall, I really enjoyed it. There are so many moving pieces; with 32 teams it is easy to find trading partners. I probably made along-term mistake in drafting older players the first year, but I was able to make the play-offs.
Link to League:
http://www10.myfantasyleague.com/2012/home/74180#0
Great article Andy. I’ve been in fantasy for about 10 years, playing in at most 5 different leagues in one year. This year/league is my 1st try at a 32 team league. I was scared out of my mind when I got the invite from a college friend. I think we all think one day we can be NFL GMs, at least I do, so I thought this would be a cool test. Turns out these guys are totally dedicated. My first realization was the by-laws. However overwhelming they may seem at first, they told me this was legit and my money would be safe from thieves and bone headed owners. The buy in wasn’t the scary part, it was my time. I’ve got a career, wife and 5 boys at home so fitting this in would have to be worth my time. And it’s been we’ll worth it. So thanks for all you do Andy and the commishs too. It’s a strong league and the owners are fair and honest.
This noob feels very confident taking home some cash this year and for many years to come. I drafted very young, traded away my 2nd half 2013 and 2014 rookie picks to add an early draft pick. And I packaged vet picks to move up multiple times. My goal was to have as many high producing starters to carry my team. Then grab a couple older vets that will produce now, and fill in the gaps with high upside players. So I got Newton, Colb, Crabtree, Miller, Welker, Williams, and a flyer on D Alexander in the 1st 5 rds. My one mistake that I can see was in taking Cam Newton with the 4th overall pick. I’m thrilled I have him, but I could have traded back and still got him plus a decent pick (I think i had an offer that was the 1.10 and a 10th). Regardless, I got a young, durable, franchise QB that will still be a top QB in year 5 for the super pot. Meanwhile owners with Brady, Brees and maybe Rodgers could get stuck behind the 8 ball. My WR core was next and I was able to get Colb, Crabtree, Welker, Williams, Alexander and Lafell. I took filers on L. Miller, A. Brown and Pead (later trading to get Richardson too). A little weak on paper, but I know Miller is talented (canes/dolphins fan) and I like Brown for 10 TDs as a committee/goal line back. With upside as the starter. He could be the surprise RB of this draft. After that I went IDP and I believe I founds one young, ready to break out players like Coples, Dorsey and B Jones to go along with household names Willis, Avril, and Mathews.
We’ll see if it worked, but either way it’s been fun!