ADP data paints a picture of how the fantasy community views a certain player, which is a very useful tool, but how should you use ADP data? Here are some helpful tips.
MORE: Player rankings, stat projections and more
How to use mock draft ADP
Make sure you get your ADP data from a trusted source since there are literally hundreds of places on the Internet where you can find ADP data. Not all sources that offer data are trustworthy. The Mock Draft Army is a great place to start.
Let’s say you get your ADP data from GreatADPFootballDataof2015.org (that isn’t a real site, I checked). Let’s say that 50 percent of draft participants on that site are humans and 50 percent are computer-based artificial intelligence. That means 50 percent of the selections are coming from the rankings that GreatADPFootballDataof2015.org set up. In essence, whatever the site’s own rankings are will be greatly reflected in the final ADP data because the computer is drafting players off the site’s pre-ranked list. You will also see the computer draft players based on the rankings in an inappropriate way. For example, a computer team drafts Andrew Luck to be its quarterback. Three rounds later, the best player in the ADP rankings is Peyton Manning so then that same team drafts Manning. No human would do that in a single-QB league, but the computer just did while blindly drafting off a rankings list. Situations like this skew the ADP data significantly. Speaking of which…
Understand the correct way to read ADP data. Just because Player A has an ADP that is 12 spots higher than Player B does not mean you always have to draft Player A. The oft-heard mantra of drafting the “best player available” is just flipping stupid, and here’s why. Let’s say your first three PPR selections are Eddie Lacy, Jeremy Hill and Jimmy Graham. In the 4th round your handy dandy ADP chart says that the best player available is Jonathan Stewart. Does it really make sense to go with a third running back since you don’t have a single wide receiver in a PPR setup? Probably not. Let’s say that Brandon Marshall is listed 12 spots later than Stewart on your ADP list. Are you then just going to blindly follow the ADP list, roster the “best player” (Stewart) and create a catastrophic hole at wide receiver that you will never be able to recover from? Good luck winning if you do that. An ADP chart is useful if you know how to read it. You read it to understand how players are being valued and when positional runs are likely to occur. It’s great for that. However, you’re completely misusing it if you use it as a draft rankings chart that tells you whom you must take with your next draft selection.
I know this seems a bit basic, but make sure the ADP data you’re using is a match for the type of league you are in. Using non-PPR data in a PPR setup isn’t going to do you any good. You also shouldn’t use data for a 10-team league if you’re in a 14-team league, and vice versa.
Be smart. Use ADP to augment, not lead, your draft-day decisions.
MORE: Snake draft strategy guide | SN Experts Mock Draft
Without further ado, here’s a look at the latest PPR (left chart) and non-PPR ADP data (right chart) through Aug. 31. If you would like to receive a copy of the latest ADP data in an Excel spreadsheet for easy sorting, send an email to Howard Bender at [email protected]
Latest fantasy football ADP data
Latest ADP data courtesy of FantasyAlarm.com’s Howard Bender and the Mock Draft Army
The above article is a sample from FantasyAlarm.com’s 2015 Fantasy Football Draft Guide. To get online access or to download every draft guide article along with stat projections, player rankings and much more, get the Fantasy Alarm Football Draft Guide today!
