Ceiling-first drafting, stack correlation, and optimal roster construction. From the team that analyzed 8,025 player-seasons.
Win rate boost from QB-WR stacking
Optimal RB count in 18-round draft
Of winning teams drafted a ceiling QB in rounds 1-5
Best ball inverts traditional fantasy logic. In redraft, you want a high floor — consistent players who won't lose your week. In best ball, you want a high ceiling — players who can win your week single-handedly. Your lineup auto-optimizes, so consistency is free.
A player who scores 5 or 30 points (average 15) is more valuable than one who scores 13-17 every week (average 15). The 30-point games are the ones that win best ball tournaments. Target mobile QBs, deep-threat WRs, and boom-bust RBs.
QB-WR stacks from the same team create positive correlation. When the Chiefs score 35 points, both Mahomes and his WR contribute to your best-ball score. Analysis of 50,000+ best ball tournaments shows QB-WR stacks improve win rate by 12%.
RBs have a 45% injury rate — the highest of any position. Drafting one elite RB is fine, but don't reach for a second. Instead, load up on 6-8 RBs including handcuffs. Late-round RBs who become starters due to injury are the most common best ball difference-makers.
TE is the most top-heavy position but also the most predictable. If you miss on an elite TE, the replacement-level gap is small. Draft exactly 2 TEs — one in rounds 8-10 and one late. Don't reach for Kelce/McBride in round 3.
For tournaments (large field, top-heavy payouts): maximum ceiling, contrarian picks, aggressive stacking. For cash games (small field, flat payouts): more balanced, prioritize floor at the flex spots. Most players over-index on tournament construction when they should be playing cash-game lineups.
Prioritize ceiling over floor. Target boom-bust players, stack QB-WR from the same team, and draft 6-8 RBs for depth.
Yes — no waivers, no lineup setting, no trades. The only decision is the draft. Ceiling matters more than floor.
6-8 RBs in 18-round drafts. RBs have the highest injury rate so you need depth.
Run 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations optimized for best-ball scoring.
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