Last-minute Best Ball drafts are closing fast. Learn how to target players, build stacks, and finalize rosters for playoff upside in Underdog’s Best Ball Mania.
The NFL season is only days away, which means it’s time to lock in those Last Minute Best Ball entries. With contests filling quickly and player news shaping draft boards, let’s break down strategies, player outlooks, and how to finish strong.
The article below follows in transcript form the podcast below, created by our Best Ball experts Joel Worth & Matt Record:
Drafts Are Closing Fast
We’re in the final stretch before Best Ball Mania closes. Last year, the contest shut down early on Labor Day weekend. This time, signs point to drafts running a little longer, possibly into Sunday. At recording, entries were already 85% full with fewer than 100,000 spots left. The message is simple: get in now, because these drafts will fill before the weekend is over.
Rashee Rice Suspension and Draft Impact
The biggest player news to hit late summer was Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension. Clarity is important here. A longer ban was rumored, but six games means he will be available for Best Ball playoffs. That keeps him draftable, but you’ll need contingency plans early in the season. His absence elevates Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown, both now more appealing mid-round WR targets. The focus in Best Ball is spike weeks, and Rice remains a playoff weapon worth stashing.
Early-Round Draft Strategy
The first round sets the tone for every draft. While you can’t win your league in Round 1, you can absolutely lose it there. The goal is minimizing risk while still swinging for upside.
Bijan Robinson has elite volume upside, but offensive line injuries raise concerns. CeeDee Lamb and Jahmyr Gibbs stand out as safer anchors at WR and RB. Justin Jefferson remains elite, but questions around QB J.J. McCarthy’s readiness linger. Ja’Marr Chase is a consensus 1.01 for his ceiling, but from picks three through five, it comes down to who you trust most.
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Building Out the Roster
Joel and Matt looked towards Gibbs, Lamb, and rookie TE Brock Bowers, then added Lamar Jackson as their QB1. The philosophy was balance: grab elite talent at quarterback, running back, and tight end, while layering depth at wide receiver.
The middle rounds brought in George Pickens, DeVonta Smith, Deebo Samuel, Michael Pittman, and Rashod Bateman. At running back, they secured underrated veterans like Aaron Jones and upside plays like Jalen Warren, Najee Harris, Keaton Mitchell, and Jayden Blue.
The Bears’ WRs were avoided. Caleb Williams’ development is promising, but the offense has too many mouths to feed, making DJ Moore a risky bet at the current cost.
Correlation Wins Championships
Roster construction is about more than names — it’s about stacking games. The draft we focused on included:
- Lamar Jackson with Bateman and Mitchell
- Jared Goff paired with Gibbs and Aaron Jones
- Pickens with Deebo Samuel and Jayden Blue
Final build: 2 QBs, 6 RBs, 8 WRs, 2 TEs. With Lamar and Bowers holding elite ceilings, the team can lean on redundancy at wide receiver to cover weekly variance.
The Bigger Best Ball Picture
IDP fantasy footbal leagues are great but we can also have fun with Best Ball Mania! Underdog contests like The Pointer, Marathon, and Sprint offer fresh formats and potential rake-free entries. The Marathon and Sprint are expected to settle around 85% full, creating rare positive EV opportunities.
Remember: projections aren’t everything. Teams that chase balance, upside, and correlation give themselves the best chance to advance. It’s all about drafting for spike weeks.
Final Thoughts
The NFL season is nearly here, but there’s still time for Last Minute Best Ball action. Drafts are closing, player values are shifting, and the board is still full of edges. Stack smartly, balance your roster, and trust your player evaluations.
This draft showed how to secure elite talent early, pepper mid-range depth, and build correlations that could pay off in the playoffs. If this team stays healthy, it has the upside to make a deep run.
Thank you for reading this article from @IDP_Plus. This article was crafted from a transcript of original podcast hosts @theJoelWorth and @mrecord21, shaped by our staff. For the full discussion and even more great content, be sure to check out the episode on YouTube!
