We haven't spent as much time as usual on non-PPR leagues this year because most of you are starting to play in 0.5 or full PPR formats. But we're not going to ignore you either, and I still play in four non-PPR leagues myself.
The difference you see in non-PPR leagues is even more of an emphasis on running backs. For example, in this 12-team mock draft, 10 running backs were drafted in Round 1, including the first nine picks in a row. Michael Thomas (No. 10 overall) and Davante Adams (No. 11) were the only non-quarterbacks drafted in the first round.
There were 16 running backs drafted through Round 2, and we usually see only 14 at most in PPR leagues. Here, James Conner and Chris Carson crept into the second round, and five managers started their teams with a RB-RB approach (Adam Aizer, Andrew Baumhor, R.J. White, Jacob Gibbs and me).
I started my draft from No. 7 overall with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and followed that up with Austin Ekeler in Round 2. I knew there would be plenty of standout receivers in Round 3, and I wanted to lock up two of my top-13 running backs.
D.J. Moore (Round 3) and A.J. Brown (Round 4) are my top two receivers, and I went with Stefon Diggs (Round 6) as my third option in this three-receiver league. So far, I love how this team came together, including getting David Montgomery (Round 5) as my third running back/flex.
The rest of my running back corps is Marlon Mack, Zack Moss and Boston Scott, and I have Sterling Shepard and John Brown as reserve receivers. I waited on tight end and quarterback, getting Rob Gronkowski in Round 12, Mike Gesicki in Round 13 and Ben Roethlisberger in Round 14. I'm thrilled with how this team came together.
The key was the running backs on my roster in this format. Edwards-Helaire, Ekeler and Montgomery should be standout options. And Moss and Scott are two mid-round picks I plan to target in all leagues, with Mack a good reserve depending on how much he plays in tandem with Jonathan Taylor.
Hopefully, if you still play in a non-PPR league, this is a good blueprint for you to follow this year.
In this league, all touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, FLEX (RB/WR/TE), K and DST. There also are six reserve spots for a 16-round draft.
Our draft order is as follows:
1. George Maselli, Fantasy Editor
2. Adam Aizer, Fantasy Football Podcast Host
3. Andrew Baumhor, CBS Sports HQ Producer
4. Ben Gretch, Fantasy Editor
5. R.J. White, NFL Editor
6. Meron Berkson, CBS Sports HQ Producer
7. Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
8. Will Brinson, Senior NFL Writer
9. Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer
10. Chris Towers, Senior Editor, Fantasy
11. Heath Cummings, Senior Fantasy Writer
12. Jacob Gibbs, SportsLine Fantasy Analyst
So which Fantasy football busts should you completely avoid? And which running back going off the board early should you fade? Visit SportsLine now to get cheat sheets from the model that called Baker Mayfield's disappointing season, and find out.
