Every draft is unique, which means you need to adjust your strategy depending on rules, rosters and draft spot, among other factors. Few changes stand out as much as adding a point per reception (PPR) to your league's scoring.
Consider the difference in our standard top 300 rankings and Mike Clay's PPR rankings.
The value of quarterbacks diminishes (since they don't catch passes), while the value of players who are targeted often in the passing game increases. That means you will need to give a bump to running backs who are active backfield pass-catchers, and wide receivers who may not score a lot but reel in plenty of passes.
For a detailed examination of PPR draft strategy, check out Ken Daube's draft kit piece.
To give you an idea of how this format can play out, we gathered a dozen of our ESPN experts -- Tim Kavanagh, Jim McCormick, some guy named Carpenter, Randy Scott, Matthew Berry, Pierre Becquey, Joe Kaiser, KC Joyner, Mike Clay, Eric Karabell, Field Yates and Christopher Harris -- on June 29 for a 12-team mock draft. Here is a look at the results, and the thinking behind my picks.
My take
I have Le'Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson as the top two running backs in standard leagues, and they carry even more value in this format. Bell may miss some games due to his suspension, but with 83 catches last season, his PPR value is ridiculous. Peterson has a good shot at topping 50 receptions for the first time, as he slides into Norv Turner's offense. I'm all for taking Rob Gronkowski in the first round of standard leagues, and his heavy workload makes him worthy of a top-five pick in PPR systems.
My pick
The safer game plan at No. 3 would have been taking a running back -- I would have leaned toward pass-catching RB Matt Forte -- but I felt like the safest pick in this system was Antonio Brown. He is durable (three missed games in past four seasons), a target hog (347 in 2013-2014, at least 10 targets in 23 of his past 33 games), finds the end zone (21 TDs in 2013-2014) and plays for a team that will have to continue airing it out to win games. In PPR, he is a safer bet to be dominant all season long than the other remaining running backs.
My take
Not surprisingly, our group of fantasy experts focused on running backs in the first round, but Round 2 brought a huge run on wide receivers, the likes of which you would not see in a standard league. I particularly like Clay scoring Calvin Johnson at No. 16, which could prove to be the steal of the draft. Injuries have sapped some of Johnson's powers, but when we slotted him into the No. 7 spot among receivers at the May rankings summit, McCormick and I mused that we might be shaking our collective head at season's end, wondering why we didn't have Megatron in the top three or so.
This being a 12-team league, Aaron Rodgers carries a bit more value than in a 10-team league, so he makes sense at No. 19.
My pick
I'm prone to taking the best player available -- a term with myriad definitions -- each round. I selected Brown with the No. 3 overall pick because I like his reliability, but that doesn't mean that taking him there didn't come with risk. By drafting a wideout so early, I rolled the dice on my running back position. Whenever I don't secure a running back who is likely to be a star, I aim to stock up on several backs who carry quality potential, as you will see in later rounds.
I lucked out in Round 2, though, securing Justin Forsett. Not only was he an impact running back in 2014, catching 44 passes, but new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's system generated 74 and 102 catches for Matt Forte in 2013 and 2014, respectively. So long as he stays healthy, I should have a rock-solid PPR RB1 in Forsett.
My take
Quarterback strategy came into play in this round. Berry, who took Jamaal Charles and A.J. Green in the first two rounds, eschewed a second running back and took an impact quarterback in Andrew Luck. In one-quarterback leagues, if I don't snag Rodgers or Luck in the first few rounds, I will punt the position until the latter rounds. That pair is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack -- and there is little difference between those in the rest of the pack.
Meanwhile, Becquey, who took Rodgers in Round 2 to pair with Lacy, took the first rookie off the board, Gordon. If Gordon comes through, Becquey will have a terrific trio at QB, RB1 and RB2 with Rodgers, Lacy and Gordon.
I love Joyner's pick of Graham at No. 32. His target volume likely will diminish in his new digs, but he still is going to be a big-time fantasy threat, especially in the red zone, and makes for an excellent investment in this range.
My pick
As usual, I'm looking for the best player available, and I gave the aforementioned Luck, Gordon and Graham consideration. Unfortunately, the guy I really wanted was Evans, but McCormick pulled the rug out from under me. In the end, I couldn't pass up Jeffery. His workload (150 and 147 targets in 2013 and 2014, respectively) could increase with Brandon Marshall out of the picture, and new offensive coordinator Adam Gase surely got the most out of his receivers while running the show in Denver the past two seasons.
My take
You could tell that owners were trying to round out their backfields this round, as eight teams took a running back. Each of them has upside and warts, which explains why we took a stab at them and why they still were available in Round 4. Andre Ellington, Lamar Miller, Alfred Morris, Carlos Hyde, Jonathan Stewart, Latavius Murray, Giovani Bernard and Joique Bell all are capable of locking in as quality flex plays with RB2 upside.
Of particular note is Morris, whose average draft position (ADP) is 32 in standard leagues. Because he basically doesn't catch passes, his PPR value is reduced. Nonetheless, you shouldn't simply gloss over a back just because he isn't involved in the passing game. Joyner got some nice value in a solid and reliable player in Morris at No. 41.
Edelman is on the other end of the spectrum. He doesn't score many touchdowns and likely won't top 1,000 yards, but he is one of the top target hogs in the NFL, seeing double-digit targets in seven straight games (including playoffs) and fewer than eight targets just twice last year. Keep in mind that in a PPR format, the 8.4 receptions he averaged over his final seven games in 2014 is equal to 1.4 touchdowns per game.
My pick
Yes, Hill appears locked in as the No. 1 option in the Bengals' backfield, but Bernard isn't going to be watching from the sidelines the whole game. Even after Hill took over the top spot last year, Bernard averaged more than 13 touches per game, including 4.1 passing targets and 3.5 receptions. He is an ideal PPR flex, but I was happy to grab him as part of my quantity approach to filling my RB2 spot.
My take
Kaiser made Russell Wilson the No. 3 quarterback off the board, and we saw several skilled wide receivers who may be capped by their respective systems taken. Mike Wallace isn't a volume receiver, and while Amari Cooper, Brandon Marshall and Sammy Watkins should be the top target-getters on their teams, none of their systems is likely to be pass-happy. Still, Round 5 of a 12-team draft is the right spot to roll the dice on talent and hope things click during the season.
My pick
If my backfield were set, I would have taken Keenan Allen at No. 51 due to his heavy workload with Philip Rivers. Instead, I took the lotto ticket that is Joseph Randle. We all know the story here: Randle is the most likely player on the roster to take on the top role as DeMarco Murray's replacement, and the Cowboys' O-line and high-end passing attack will open up plenty of space for Randle to succeed. Time will tell whether he will seize the opportunity, but I am stocking up on running backs with big-time opportunities, so he is an excellent fit for my RB2 strategy.
My take
One thing I think is important to note when you are going over an experts draft is that there is a certain level of groupthink when it comes to those of us in the industry in terms of drafting quarterbacks. We all understand that because there is quality depth at this position, we can wait to draft a quarterback. Because we all agree on this philosophy, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, which allows someone like Karabell to nab our No. 4-ranked quarterback with the No. 63 pick.
Your home draft may not -- in fact, likely will not -- go down this way. Peyton Manning's current ADP in standard ESPN drafts is No. 29, which means that there is virtually no way that you are going to get this sort of value in the sixth round. Of course, this doesn't mean you should reach for Manning -- even in a 12-team league, you can wait and draft a perfectly solid quarterback in a later round -- but it's important to have some perspective when gleaning a game plan from an industry mock draft to implement when it comes time to take a quarterback in your home leagues.
My pick
Honestly, I was shocked -- and thrilled -- that Shane Vereen was still available this late in a PPR draft, especially as I continue to stockpile upside plays at running back. Only five running backs racked up more passing yards in 2014 than Vereen, who now slides into a West Coast system, which emphasizes pass-catching backs. Furthermore, he may find a more reliable role from week to week now that he is out of Bill Belichick's week-to-week game-plan approach. Note that his ADP is No. 91 in standard leagues.
My take
Round 7 marks the official start of the dart-throwing process. Owners in this round either took a shot at wild cards or flipped over to target steadier plays at quarterback or tight end. I think it has become an official rule that if you take Darren McFadden, you are required to follow it up with a comment like, "I need a shower," as Becquey said, before adding, "I'm quickly moving through anger and self-loathing to bargaining with God ... or anyone else who'll take him off my hands." Regardless of the malaise that comes with taking Run-DMC, this is the right spot; it's lotto time. He will either break out or end up on the waiver wire.
My pick
With a few quality RB2 options now on my roster, I went with a solid and safe pick at tight end. Olsen has seen more than 100 targets in each of his past three seasons and hasn't missed a game since 2007. 'Nuff said.
My take
Note that Joyner, who remains tied to his man C.J. Anderson, wisely hedged his bet by making sure to selected Montee Ball. With the top two backs in the Broncos' backfield, Joyner should have a stud RB1 one way or the other.
Kaiser noted that he hated to "be that guy" who goes for the Seattle Seahawks D/ST, but this is the right spot. Once you have your starting lineup pretty well set at the skill positions, why not lock up the unquestioned top D/ST? In fact, I was hoping the Seattle D would last until me at No. 94.
My pick
At this point, the quarterback position had thinned out quite a bit, and I felt Romo was the only remaining sure-fire stud. With 12 teams, I was happy to lock him up here with the 94th pick.
My take
Just like Joyner, Berry handcuffed his first-rounder by taking Charles' top backup, Knile Davis. Never be afraid to reach a round if necessary for one of the elite handcuffs if you have the starter. It never hurts to take someone else's handcuff, either -- it can really open the door for trading during the season.
Clay may have ended up with a great score if Tom Brady's suspension is reduced or nixed. Even if he sits out the full four games, Clay is going to have an angry Brady on his roster for more than two-thirds of the season, which sounds scary. He slotted in an intriguing Philip Rivers later on, just in case.
My pick
Sure, Larry Fitzgerald is on the downside of his career arc, but he averaged 4.5 catches per game last season and still saw more than 100 targets in 14 games. Fitz as a flex play and bye-week filler in a PPR league is a no-brainer, especially as the No. 99 pick.
My take
It may be Round 10, but everyone got a quality selection here. In particular, I like Danny Woodhead's PPR upside (76 catches when healthy in 2013) and veterans Antonio Gates, Doug Baldwin, Steve Smith Sr. and Pierre Garcon, each of whom is in position to catch a lot of passes.
My pick
Sure, Fred Jackson isn't going to top 1,000 yards backing up LeSean McCoy, but the Buffalo Bills are going to run a lot, and he will be a part of that attack, catching plenty of passes. That should give him enough PPR value to slot in as a flex when necessary and no worse than an RB2 if Shady gets hurt.
My take
As I noted in our sleepers and busts column, Julius Thomas may fall far enough in drafts to actually provide some value. Kaiser nabbing him at No. 127 gives that thinking some credence.
Anquan Boldin, Theo Riddick and Darren Sproles are some of the more intriguing PPR options who went in Rounds 10-13, as players who should get a respectable bump in value with quality target totals.
My picks
Since I targeted a pair of elite wideouts early, slotted Fitzgerald in as my WR3 and fleshed out a decent pool for my RB2 spot, I largely ignored the wide receiver spot in the middle rounds. At this point, I decided to rack up some upside plays at wide receiver to give me some depth at the position. Percy Harvin is a wild card, and I think people are sleeping on Rueben Randle, who still has loads of upside at age 24 in a New York Giants passing attack that is on the rise. I'm not putting much faith in Victor Cruz returning to form after his kneecap was in his thigh just months ago. I took Marquess Wilson essentially as a handcuff for Jeffery.
My take
Harris' Josh Hill pick at No. 157 was solid. I expect his ADP to rise as the preseason gets underway. I also expect he will be on plenty of my teams. I love lotto tickets like Hill -- Graham's presumptive replacement in New Orleans -- because if he flops, you can just drop him and move on.
Joyner proved the theory that you can punt quarterback, even in a 12-team league. He got an upside play in Sam Bradford at No. 161 and secured a safer play in Joe Flacco at No. 176.
My picks
I like Cameron Artis-Payne's potential as the handcuff to the oft-injured Jonathan Stewart. I punted D/ST and K until the end, yet got quality options in the Cardinals and Matt Prater, who should be primed for a big season with the Lions.
Team-by-team overview
Here is a look at each team's roster following the draft. Be sure to tell us in the comments who you believe has the best team!