When it comes to daily fantasy sports (DFS) games, FanDuel and DraftKings are the household names. However, there is one more I think you should be familiar with: DRAFT.

Unlike other DFS sites, where you start with a salary and must stay within that dollar amount, all you do in this game is…well…draft!

Much like a standard fantasy football league, if you have the fortune of selecting David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown on the same team, you don’t need to worry about spending less money on cheaper “punt” options or balancing a budget across an entire roster. If they are available, they’re yours.

So much of your time is now saved. I can’t tell you the amount of countless hours I’ve spent agonizing over allowances on other DFS apps.

Also, no more wavering between a “studs and duds” or a “parity” approach when it comes to constructing a lineup. It’s just “studs and more studs.”

Now that I’ve sold you on the app, let’s talk about a game that DRAFT is pioneering and that is sweeping the DFS nation: “best ball.”

Learning About “Best Ball”

First, there were fantasy sports.

Then, came daily fantasy sports.

Now, we have a combination of the two called: “best ball.”

For those unfamiliar with the term, “best ball” comes from golf. In a “scramble” or “best ball” game of golf, you normally have a four-person team. Everybody tees off and, from there, you chose the “best” shot and play your next move from that spot. Again, everybody hits from the chosen location and the “best ball” decision-making process continues.

In the DFS world, “best ball” has a slightly different meaning. In this case, you draft a fantasy squad like you normally would. However, you never have to worry about setting a lineup. Every week, the site takes your best scorers from each position and puts them into your starting lineup for you.

No more waiver wire hunting.

No more last-minute tinkering.

No more worries.

Just set it, and forget it.

Get your free $3 entry into a DRAFT contest with your first deposit here!

DRAFT Rules

1. Duration: Teams score points Week 1 through Week 16

2. Scoring Positions: Each week, your highest scoring  players at these positions will count to your season total: QB (1), RB (2), WR (3), TE (1), and *FLEX (1).
*FLEX can be an RB/WR/TE

3. Team Size: 18 players. Eight starters. 10 bench players.

4. Scoring: .5 PPR, along with the usual *DRAFT scoring

*Here is the DRAFT scoring breakdown…
Passing yard = 0.04 pts
Passing TD = 4
Interceptions thrown = -1
Receptions = 0.5
Rushing yard = 0.1
Rushing TD = 6
Receiving yard = 0.1
Receiving TD = 6
Return TD = 6
2-pt conversion = 2
Fumble lost = -2

5. Drafting: You must draft at least one QB, two RB, three WR, one TE, and one more RB/WR/TE.

Selecting Your “Best Ball” Draft

DRAFT provides two types of Best Ball leagues: fast and slow.

In a fast draft, there are 30 seconds on the clock for each pick. According to the site, these drafts take just over an hour, on average.

In slow drafts, you have an eight-hour clock (you read that correctly). In these instances, drafts could span across many days. However, if the draft isn’t completed by September 6th at 9 PM (EST), the clock changes to 30 seconds per pick.

Prepping for Your Draft

Thankfully, DRAFT allows you to rank players before the draft takes place. Utilize this feature.

Whether you are starting a “best ball” league or just the weekly contests, pre-ranking your players is a necessity, just like your season-long fantasy league drafts.

Another reason why it is important to pre-rank your players is the auto-pick function. If you lose track of time, or your internet fails you, and the clock hits zero, the app will pick a player for you. So, by setting your own rankings, you have a better chance of getting someone you wanted instead of whoever the site has next in their queue.

During Your Draft

Much like your season-long fantasy drafts, it’s all about location, location, location.

Be aware of who’s drafting around you. For example, in a 10-team league, if you are in the nine-spot and need a quarterback, but the person behind you already has that position filled, then wait on taking a QB until the snake draft comes back to you.

Also, monitor your queue. Pre-ranking your players is great, but once the draft starts, things change. You might have three running backs higher in your rankings at one point in the draft, but you need a wide receiver. Building your queue will also provide a safety net if your clock runs out. The auto-picker takes players from your queued list before going to the rankings.

Finally, build a solid foundation before adding those wild cards. Without a salary cap, teams will be stacked. Make the safer selections in the first few rounds. Then, when the studs are gone, feel free to go rogue.

More about DRAFT

“Best ball” league sizes range from three to 12 teams and entry fees start at $3 and go all the way to $100. The app also provides head-to-head matchups for the weekly games.

Don’t have the time to sit around and draft your team? Well, DRAFT offers another type of contest for their weekly games called “Dream Team.” In these games, you pick your lineup and submit. Much like FanDuel and DraftKings, other entries can have the same players. Again, no salaries to worry about.

Get your free $3 entry into a DRAFT contest with your first deposit here!

So, join DRAFT now and continue to look for content on FantasyPros.com when it comes to building that “best ball” roster for 2017, as well as weekly and season-long fantasy football advice.

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Adam Meyer is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Adam, check out his archive and follow him @CharlieSideHstl.