New Draft Format Proposal
Alright, you’ve been heard. I for one think the Snake Draft format gets the job done, but I understand the interest in trying something new. The appeal of an auction draft is that it gives everyone an equal shot at building the team of their choice, without being dictated by draft position. The downfall of auction drafts is they’re a major time commitment, and it would require devout preparation from the entirety of the league. Being that our league is relatively split on the issue, I have a proposal for a new draft formula; The Hybrid Draft.
Keep in mind this is just a rough draft, but I think it’s a pretty damn good idea. Try to suspend judgment, and hear me out.
Summary:
Half-Auction, Half-Snake.
The first four rounds are Auction Format. $100 Budget.
After the first four rounds, we revert back to a Snake Format. Draft order being determined by previous season standings, just like we’ve done in the past.
Rules:
During the Auction portion of the draft, each General Manager will nominate four players to open the bidding process. The nomination order will mimic the draft order.
Example: Draft Slot 1 nominates one player for bidding, Draft Slot 2 nominates one player for bidding, Draft Slot 3 nominates one player for bidding, and so forth. The nomination process will mimic the order of a snake draft (1.01 - 1.12, 2.01 - 2.12, 3.01 - 3.12, 4.01 - 4.12). Needless to say, regardless of who or when a player is nominated, each General Manager will theoretically have an equal shot at ‘buying’ each player depending on their remaining budget.
Each General Manager MUST finish the auction portion of the draft with exactly 4 players on his roster. No more, no less.
Maximum Bid: $97 (1)
Minimum Bid: $1 (3)
During the auction portion of the draft, when a General Manager nominates a player for bidding, he must submit a minimum $1 bid on that player. Being that each General Manager is only permitted 4 players during the auction portion, there’s no incentive to nominate a player he’s not interested in. This prevents the unnecessary nominations of Kickers, D/ST, or other unwanted players.
Once each General Manager has bidded and selected the 4 players of their choosing, we revert back to the Snake Draft format where order is dictated by previous season standing.
Format:
Yellow Highlights indicate the Auction Portion. 1.01 nominates a player, everybody bids, then we move on to the next.
Once each team has nominated and ultimately selected 4 players, the Snake Portion of the draft begins at 5.01. Again, order being dictated by previous season standing. Just like we’ve done in the past.
Closing Thoughts:
I’m pretty psyched about this idea. It maintains the low-maintenance structure and unique strategy of snake drafts, whilst giving everyone an equal shot at foundational stars to build their team around. With all 12 teams eligible to bid on fantasy studs like Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry, it takes away the perceived advantage of drafting 1st or 2nd overall, thus leveling the playing field from the get-go.
Then from the fifth round on, the snake draft format keeps the pace moving and gives lesser prepared GM’s a structure to lean on. FYI, 8 of you expressed interest in an auction draft, but 4 still preferred keeping the snake format. As one who voted to keep snake drafts, this feels like a happy medium. The mid round picks are important, but I think we’re all aware that the production received from early round picks can make or break your season - so that’s where I’d argue the auction format is key.
For what it’s worth, these are the draft slots (and picks) for each team that has received a first round BYE over the course of the past three seasons.
2018: 1st (Le’Veon Bell - traded, opted out) , 10th (Saquon Barkley)
Champ: 5th (David Johnson - traded)
2019: 2nd (Christian McCaffrey), 8th (Le’Veon Bell - traded)
Champ: 2nd (Christian McCaffrey)
2020: 1st (Christian McCaffrey - injured), 3rd (Ezekiel Elliot - RB10)
Champ: 4th (Alvin Kamara)
The point I’m trying to make is this; the snake draft format isn’t perfect, but it’s not unfair. Some of these early round picks didn’t really pan out. Le’Veon Bell didn’t play a game in 2018, CMC only played in 3 games this season, and Zeke was a major disappointment all year long. The First Round BYE’s and Champs were able to overcome their early round misses with later draft selections and prudent mid-season acquisitions.
The Snake Draft works, but I think incorporating it with a 4 Round Auction would bring this league to the next level. We’d need to iron out a few things, but let me know what y’all think.
