Finding Values Using 2020 Fantasy Football Average Draft Position

Fantasy football ADP data is important for draft strategy. We compared our rankings to four major sources to find strong draft day values.

Average Draft Position Values

Where do Carson Wentz and Miles Sanders fall in our rankings versus average draft position? (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire)

Knowing when to draft a player in fantasy football is almost as important as knowing who to draft. That’s why, whether you’re a fantasy football rookie or seasoned veteran, average draft position (ADP) should play a big role in your fantasy football preparation.

We’ve compiled average draft position from four major sources per position below as we try to mine the best values, regardless if your draft will take place using one of these online draft rooms or in your cousin Vinny’s basement. While it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, TR users familiar with our pool strategy products and content can liken ADP to public pick percentage. If you were to use our fantasy football rankings, you probably wouldn’t end up drafting players whose ADP is significantly higher than where we have them ranked. You would be much more likely to own players who we rank higher than the ADP sources.

Smart drafters also try to figure out where they need to take a player. If we project two players as fourth-round picks, and one has an ADP in the fourth round, and another in seventh round, the smart strategy is to take the one most likely to be drafted soon first, and still try to get the other one in a subsequent round, before his ADP.

Sources Used for Average Draft Position

It should be noted that the scoring system for each of these sources is slightly different, and therefore it’s recommended that you use the average draft position of the source or scoring system that mostly closely matches your own draft. We’ve listed some of the differences in each scoring system below:

CBSStandard scoring, 6 points per QB TD pass, TDSP defensive yardage bonuses

ESPNPPR, 4 points per QB TD pass, TDSP defensive yardage bonuses and negatives

YahooHalf-point PPR, 4 points per QB pass, no defensive yardage bonuses

NFFCHalf-Point PPR, 0.05 points per passing yard (other sources are 0.04), 6 points per QB TD pass, no defensive yardage bonuses. The NFFC is a high stakes fantasy football contest.

Our Half PPR Rankings most closely match the aggregate average rank scoring system below, but we’ve broken down our analysis for each source relative to our different rankings that most closely match that source.

Quarterback ADP

Avg RankPlayerTeamCBSESPNYahooNFFCAvg
1Patrick MahomesKC41382011.3
2Lamar JacksonBAL714142114.0
3Dak PrescottDAL2554446045.8
4Russell WilsonSEA3544426546.5
5Deshaun WatsonHOU3137517147.5
6Kyler MurrayARI4650486151.3
7Josh AllenBUF5294658774.5
8Tom BradyTB6567828975.8
9Matt RyanATL6787768077.5
10Drew BreesNO6681719578.3
11Carson WentzPHI85101928590.8
12Aaron RodgersGB81989410594.5
13Matthew StaffordDET128113105104112.5
14Joe BurrowCIN110145120134127.3
15Cam NewtonNE124129127143130.8
16Baker MayfieldCLE103170136117131.5
17Ben RoethlisbergerPIT135144128122132.3
18Daniel JonesNYG118142169106133.8
19Jared GoffLAR119168174124146.3
20Ryan TannehillTEN142156149139146.5
21Jimmy GaroppoloSF145161137150148.3
22Drew LockDEN153178162152161.3
23Kirk CousinsMIN130183177165163.8
24Tua TagovailoaMIA116187158201165.5
  • Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are the consensus 1-2 at quarterback, but from there the order is less consistent
  • Overall, the public is higher on Kyle MurrayTom Brady, and Drew Brees than our QB projections are
  • We rank Russell WilsonMatt Ryan, and Carson Wentz higher than ADP
  • Beyond the QB1 tier, our projections are higher than the consensus ADP on Cam Newton, Daniel JonesJared GoffRyan TannehillJimmy Garoppolo, and Kirk Cousins

CBS Leagues

Holy smokes, do CBS players like their elite quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are being drafted in the top seven, but they don’t quite reach that value in our points projections. The “6 points per touchdown pass” rule does make a difference, but CBS players are overvaluing the difference for the top tier a bit. Using our rankings will more likely net you Wilson, Ryan, or Wentz as your QB1.

ESPN Leagues

Again, Mahomes and Jackson are overvalued in ADP (13 and 14) relative to our ranks for that pairing (23 and 27). Murray is also drafted 30 spots higher than our ranking, while seasoned vets Brady and Brees are +25 in ADP relative to our rankings. ESPN players have also made Deshaun Watson the third quarterback at No. 37, while he’s 53rd overall in our rankings and fifth at the position. Using our rankings, you’re more likely to draft Dak PrescottJosh Allen, Ryan, or Wentz as your QB1.

Yahoo Leagues

It will be interesting to see how the Mahomes owners taking the Chiefs superstar eighth overall, on average, fare this year. There is huge opportunity cost taking Mahomes (8) or Jackson (14), with values that are at least half a round cheaper, according to our rankings. The ADP of Brady is more in line with our rankings than CBS and ESPN, but Yahoo players still like Murray (+23) and Brees (+30).

NFFC Leagues

High stakes players are willing to wait on quarterbacks on the front end, with Mahomes going first among the position at No. 20, and perhaps fantasy managers on other platforms should follow their lead. The top tier of quarterbacks in Mahomes and Jackson are not only going later, but also the next tier with Prescott, Murray, Wilson, and Watson are going significantly later than other ADP sources. Picks 60-90 start the mad rush of signal callers, with eight being drafted. NFFC players don’t like Watson, Brady, or Brees nearly as much as other platforms.

 

Running Back ADP

Avg RankPlayerTeamCBSESPNY!NFFCAvg ADP
1Christian McCaffreyCAR11111.0
2Saquon BarkleyNYG22222.0
3Ezekiel ElliottDAL33333.0
4Alvin KamaraNO54444.3
5Dalvin CookMIN66766.3
6Derrick HenryTEN87576.8
7Nick ChubbCLE1215121212.8
8Joe MixonCIN10259813.0
9Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC1412211415.3
10Miles SandersPHI171820916.0
11Kenyan DrakeARI2019161116.5
12Aaron JonesGB2117181317.3
13Josh JacobsLV1323191718.0
14Austin EkelerLAC1824231520.0
15Todd GurleyATL2631302628.3
16Chris CarsonSEA3032323833.0
17Melvin GordonDEN3243312733.3
18Leonard FournetteJAX3434402934.3
19Le'Veon BellNYJ2739463436.5
20James ConnerPIT4453363241.3
21David JohnsonHOU4340574145.3
22Jonathan TaylorIND4962383345.5
23Devin SingletaryBUF4257534749.8
24Mark IngramBAL5165415452.8
25D'Andre SwiftDET5063625357.0
26David MontgomeryCHI5870594658.3
27Raheem MostertSF6072495258.3
28Cam AkersLAR5782705064.8
29Kareem HuntCLE7169785668.5
30Ronald JonesTB7976976779.8
31J.K. DobbinsBAL7899936884.5
32Jordan HowardMIA92102969295.5
33James WhiteNE100961177797.5
34Tarik CohenCHI96851338198.8
35Matt BreidaMIA9711910098103.5
36Kerryon JohnsonDET11393122100107.0
37Phillip LindsayDEN12195109103107.0
38Marlon MackIND10713210684107.3
39Sony MichelNE9013995108108.0
40Ke'Shawn VaughnTB9415111896114.8
41Tevin ColemanSF11411413899116.3
42Latavius MurrayNO120123132111121.5
43Zack MossBUF112109159110122.5
44Alexander MattisonMIN14314012397125.8
45Darrell HendersonLAR148103131128127.5
46Tony PollardDAL134162161120144.3
47Duke JohnsonHOU137150181119146.8
48Antonio GibsonWAS127147165160149.8
49Nyheim HinesIND160165-145156.7
50Boston ScottPHI165179196129167.3
  • Regardless of standard scoring, half PPR, or full PPR, the top three at running back is identical among all four sources.
  • From there, it gets interesting. The top six running back are in the same general range, but there’s quite a few inconsistencies and outliers between draft platforms as we move further through the draft.
  • In general, the public likes Nick Chubb, Josh Jacobs, Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Devin Singletary, Mark Ingram, Sony Michel, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Darrell Henderson more than our projections.
  • Our RB projections tend to be higher than ADP on the following backs: Clyde Edwards-HelaireMiles SandersAustin Ekeler, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, Matt Breida, Phillip Lindsay, Marlon Mack, Tevin Coleman, Latavius Murray, and Antonio Gibson.

CBS Leagues

Standard scoring (no PPR) generally increases the value of running backs, but that’s not reflected in the second and third tier CBS ADP.  Backs like Mixon, Edwards-Helaire, Sanders, and Kenyan Drake are picked well after the value we reflect for them in our rankings. On the other hand, big names like Gurley and Le’Veon Bell are also valued higher than our rankings. CBS users generally devalue the receiving backs like James White, as a result of the standard scoring system, yet other capable receiving backs like Kareem Hunt and Tarik Cohen are still going well ahead of our standard ranking. We do like Ekeler, Fournette, James Conner, Jonathan Taylor, Jones, Lindsay, and Mack much more than the CBS userbase.

ESPN Leagues

What do ESPN users have against Mixon? His No. 25 ADP is an outlier among the other sources and 12 points behind our ranking. They are similarly less enthused about Jacobs (23), Gordon (43), Conner (53), Taylor (62), Ingram (65), David Montgomery (70), Raheem Mostert (72), Cam Akers (82), Matt Breida (119), Mack (132), Sony Michel (139), and Vaughn (151). Using our rankings in the ESPN draft room would make you likely to draft Mixon, Ekeler, Fournette, Hunt, White, Murray, and Alexander Mattison, among others.

Yahoo Leagues

Yahoo users seem to like Ingram (41) and Mostert (49) more than other sources, while, they want very little part of Edwards-Helaire (21), Fournette (40), Bell (46), David Johnson (57), Ronald Jones (97), White (117), Cohen (133), or Zack Moss (159). The platform is generally known for hosting many newer and more casual fantasy players, and that perception is carried out in two rookies being on the lower-than-consensus list. Relative to our rankings, Edwards-Helaire, Sanders, Ekeler, Fournette, Bell, Jones, and Cohen appear to be very strong values.

NFFC Leagues

The high stakes players really like Sanders (9), Aaron Jones (13), Ekeler (15)Gordon (27), Fournette (29), Conner (32), Taylor (33), Montgomery (46), Akers (50), Hunt (56), White (77), Mack (84), and Mattison (97) relative to other ADP sources. There are some unproven players in that group like Taylor, Montgomery, and Akers. Our projections on Ekeler and Fournette are higher than NFFC ADP. Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones, Lindsay, Murray, and Gibson are a few other RBs who stand out as potential values relative to NFFC ADP.

 

Wide Receiver ADP

Avg RankPlayerTeamCBSESPNY!NFFCAvg ADP
1Michael ThomasNO95656.3
2Davante AdamsGB11810109.8
3Tyreek HillKC1610111613.3
4Julio JonesATL1511151915.0
5DeAndre HopkinsARI229131815.5
6Chris GodwinTB2420242222.5
7Mike EvansTB2821263026.3
8Kenny GolladayDET3326252527.3
9Adam ThielenMIN3627294033.0
10Odell BeckhamCLE4036273133.5
11Amari CooperDAL3828353734.5
12JuJu Smith-SchusterPIT3730343935.0
13D.J. MooreCAR3929393535.5
14Allen RobinsonCHI5433282835.8
15Cooper KuppLAR2946453639.0
16A.J. BrownTEN5642374344.5
17Calvin RidleyATL4847474246.0
18Courtland SuttonDEN6138504949.5
19Tyler LockettSEA4745525750.3
20Robert WoodsLAR5548664453.3
21DK MetcalfSEA6252554553.5
22Keenan AllenLAC5349615855.3
23Terry McLaurinWAS5956585557.0
24D.J. CharkJAX7561605161.8
25T.Y. HiltonIND6455696362.8
26DeVante ParkerMIA7264566263.5
27Stefon DiggsBUF6860686665.5
28A.J. GreenCIN6968807272.3
29Jarvis LandryCLE7658907474.5
30Marquise BrownBAL7775836474.8
31Tyler BoydCIN8371887078.0
32Michael GallupDAL8677797378.8
33Julian EdelmanNE8986997888.0
34Will FullerHOU98891017691.0
35Deebo SamuelSF10979879191.5
36Brandin CooksHOU10410511182100.5
37Marvin JonesDET1059012186100.5
38Diontae JohnsonPIT10811011275101.3
39CeeDee LambDAL8712211994105.5
40Jerry JeudyDEN93115116107107.8
41Darius SlaytonNYG111133114101114.8
42Henry RuggsLV102100139118114.8
43Christian KirkARI12211615690121.0
44Emmanuel SandersNO136112126112121.5
45John BrownBUF133134110125125.5
46Jamison CrowderNYJ132106178102129.5
47Sterling ShepardNYG129108176127135.0
48Mecole HardmanKC162128143109135.5
49Jalen ReagorPHI123152145126136.5
50Justin JeffersonMIN126137168136141.8
51Mike WilliamsLAC147153148123142.8
52Sammy WatkinsKC138164167144153.3
53Golden TateNYG168125182142154.3
54Preston WilliamsMIA152135197140156.0
55Michael Pittman Jr.IND139184189151165.8
56Robby AndersonCAR175136201157167.3
57Brandon AiyukSF154185193156172.0
58Anthony MillerCHI174177205133172.3
59N'Keal HarryNE179149206159173.3
60DeSean JacksonPHI216159173146173.5
  • You’ll notice a broad range in the provided ADP ranks, with CBS not counting any value for receptions, while Yahoo and NFFC are half-point PPR, and ESPN provides a full point per reception.
  • As a result, the average ADP for this table is least valuable relative to other positions as a draft aid, but still provides a general idea of players the public likes and dislikes, especially relative to our WR rankings.

CBS Leagues

It’s an accomplishment for a wide receiver to make the first-round grade in standard scoring, and CBS shows two wideouts in that category. Our rankings for standard scoring see those two receivers, Michael Thomas and Davante Adams, as somewhat overvalued because of the impact of the scoring system, particularly in Adams’ case.

In fact, the top seven wide receivers in CBS drafts are going above TR standard rankings, though it should be noted that our standard scoring for quarterbacks doesn’t quite match CBS’ scoring system. CBS users are much higher on Mike EvansCooper Kupp, A.J. Green, Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Emmanuel Sanders, Sammy Watkins, Tee Higgins, Allen Lazard, and Laviska Shenault. 

TR rankings have the following players projected relatively higher than CBS ADP: Kenny Golladay, A.J. Brown, Calvin Ridley, Robert Woods, DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, Marvin Jones, Diontae Johnson, Darius Slayton, Jamison Crowder, Golden Tate, and Preston Williams.

ESPN Leagues

Using full PPR, ESPN’s users clearly feel DeAndre Hopkins won’t be hurt much by going to Arizona. They also like Evans, JuJu Smith-SchusterCourtland Sutton, Green, Marquise Brown, Deebo Samuel, Jeudy, Sanders, and Mecole Hardman relative to our rankings.

The TeamRankings’ projections are above ESPN ADP on Golladay, Kupp, Ridley, Woods, Parker, Michael Gallup, Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Marvin Jones, Diontae Johnson, Slayton, Crowder, Justin Jefferson, and Preston Williams.

Yahoo Leagues

Like ESPN, Yahoo players like Hopkins a lot. They also favor Evans, Odell Beckham, Allen Robinson, Green, Marquise Brown, Samuel, Jeudy, Sanders, and Watkins more than TR.

Our projections favor drafting the following players at value relative to Yahoo ADP: Ridley, Woods, Parker, Jarvis LandryJulian Edelman, Fuller, Cooks, Marvin Jones, Diontae Johnson, Slayton, Henry RuggsChristian Kirk, Crowder, Sterling Shepard, and Jefferson.

NFFC Leagues

NFFC players have also been higher than our projections on Beckham, Robinson, Green, Marquise Brown, Samuel CeeDee Lamb, Jeudy, Kirk, Hardman, Mike Williams, and Watkins.  Our projections are a little more bullish than the high stakes market on Julio Jones, Adam Thielen, Parker, Fuller, Slayton, Ruggs, Crowder, Jefferson, Tate, and Preston Williams.

Tight End ADP

Avg RankPlayerTeamCBSESPNY!NFFCAvg ADP
1Travis KelceKC1916172318.8
2George KittleSF2322222422.8
3Mark AndrewsBAL4541334841.8
4Zach ErtzPHI4135435944.5
5Darren WallerLV6351546959.3
6Evan EngramNYG7066868376.3
7Tyler HigbeeLAR8880677978.5
8Hunter HenryLAC7488639379.5
9Rob GronkowskiTB80597211581.5
10Jared CookNO101927311495.0
11Hayden HurstATL10612110888105.8
12Austin HooperCLE99124104121112.0
13Noah FantDEN125107154131129.3
14Mike GesickiMIA144143134116134.3
15T.J. HockensonDET141118146132134.3
16Jonnu SmithTEN140190152135154.3
17Dallas GoedertPHI164181170130161.3
18Jack DoyleIND184169211148178.0
19Eric EbronPIT204166180170180.0
20Chris HerndonNYJ187173218162185.0
  • With most fantasy leagues only employing one starting tight end, there are usually nice values to be had later.
  • Based on the ADP, you shouldn’t necessarily overlook tight ends early in the draft, though.
  • As we noted in our analysis of recent ADPs, once the top few star tight ends are off the board, the market has not been great at identifying the best choices. Players like George Kittle in 2018 and Mark Andrews and Darren Waller in 2019 were going after some bigger names in drafts.

CBS Leagues

CBS users clearly don’t want to be left out in the cold, taking the top 12 tight ends earlier than our standard rankings, with the values of Zach Ertz, Evan Engram, Hunter Henry, Rob Gronkowski, and Tyler Higbee standing out, in particular.

Simply put, if you use our standard scoring TE rankings verbatim in a CBS draft, you will probably be taking a flier for your starter like Mike GesickiT.J. Hockenson, Jack Doyle, or Dallas Goedert. Ending up with two relatively cheap tight ends would not be a bad strategy.

ESPN Leagues

Our tight end values more closely resemble the ESPN ADP, though ESPN players love them some Engram, Henry, and Gronkowski, as well. We actually rank George Kittle one spot ahead of ESPN ADP, and later in the draft Hayden Hurst, Austin Hooper, Gesicki, and Hockenson look like potential values based on our projections.

Yahoo Leagues

Like CBS, you’ll likely be looking at fliers if you use our Yahoo rankings vs. ADP. The top 12 are all well ahead of our ADP, while the group that includes Hockenson, Gesicki, Goedert, Noah Fant, and Doyle is higher than ADP in our rankings.

NFFC Leagues

Among the four sources, the high stakes players are closest to our rankings. In fact, the top five tight ends are right in line with our values, but NFFC players like Higbee, Engram, Hurst, and Henry more than our rankings. Our projections see some value with Gronkowski, Hooper, Gesicki, and Hockenson, though notably fourth-ranked tight end Ertz is five spots higher in our rankings than NFFC ADP.

 

Kicker ADP

Avg RankPlayerTeamCBSESPNY!NFFCAvg ADP
1Justin TuckerBAL1568374178122.8
2Harrison ButkerKC1618481184127.5
3Wil LutzNO1599791188133.8
4Greg ZuerleinDAL18112098192147.8
5Robbie GouldSF196126115212162.3
6Matt PraterDET232117124222173.8
7Matt GayTB237138166200185.3
8Zane GonzalezARI251160147206191.0
9Ka'imi FairbairnHOU-182171234195.7
10Chris BoswellPIT230141208240204.8
11Younghoe KooATL215186214215207.5
12Jake ElliottPHI212176220229209.3
13Mason CrosbyGB-189198247211.3
14Michael BadgleyLAC241-142271218.0
15Josh LamboJAX-208207245220.0
16Dan BaileyMIN249206219226225.0
17Jason MyersSEA-215217249227.0
18Brandon McManusDEN223240215238229.0
  • We don’t like kickers much more than Peyton Manning, but they’re a necessary evil in most fantasy football leagues.
  • The ADP sources are all over the map in this case, due in large part to different size rosters.
  • With the unpredictability and lack of major difference between the best and 12th place earner at the position, we generally advise waiting as long as you can to take one in most instances.
  • That said, our Kicker projections see value with Younghoe Koo, Dan Bailey, Zane Gonzalez, and Brandon McManus compared to ADP at most sites.

 

Team Defense/Special Teams ADP

Avg RankPlayerCBSESPNY!NFFCAvg ADP
1San Francisco 49ers84746415393.8
2Pittsburgh Steelers73737715594.5
3Baltimore Ravens959175161105.5
4Buffalo Bills1157884181114.5
5New England Patriots117104103183126.8
6Chicago Bears185127102196152.5
7New Orleans Saints193131107193156.0
8Minnesota Vikings150146135223163.5
9Kansas City Chiefs169171113204164.3
10Los Angeles Rams149197194209187.3
11Tampa Bay Buccaneers191157210203190.3
12Indianapolis Colts207111213230190.3
13Los Angeles Chargers172172225210194.8
14Denver Broncos209130223235199.3
15Seattle Seahawks190163209244201.5
16Philadelphia Eagles198192222231210.8
17Dallas Cowboys-174221242212.3
18Tennessee Titans211219224237222.8
  • With seemingly every source having slightly different scoring for team defenses, putting too much stock in ADP for this position can be dangerous.
  • Generally, our Defense projections are higher on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos than the ADP sources.
  • ADP is higher on the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Chargers.