Cheatsheet

[Cash Hounds 0]

I just purchased the compiler yesterday. I LOVE it. However, I have one question. On the cheatsheet worksheet in the compiler there are some dashed red lines that seem to group each position. These lines change depending on scoring and base line adjustments. Could someone tell me what they mean?

[Mike MacGregor 20]

Sure thing Cash Hounds. That is the tiering feature. Here is a description of what it is and why you'll find it useful:

 

Tiering

 

Tiering is the process of identifying where there is a drop-off in production between groups of players. Sometimes called bucketing or just grouping.

 

The idea is that since we are dealing with estimates here (projected stats for the upcoming season), then players with similar projected results are all pretty much the same. You should be for the most part indifferent about which player from a particular group/tier/bucket you acquire.

 

Where the strategy comes in when drafting, is that you track how many players are left in your tiers, all the while picking players from higher, shallow tiers and waiting on players from lower, deeper tiers. Following this, you will end up with a much stronger team overall.

 

Say you are drafting near the end of the 1st round, and all players have been taken from RB tier 1 and all except 1 RB (Travis Henry) have been taken from RB tier 2. RB tier 3 includes 5-6 guys such as Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon, etc., etc.

 

The WR are untouched, and you have Harrison, Moss and Owens all in WR tier 1.

 

You're drafting 10th in a 12 team league, serpentine draft.

 

Who do you take at this point?

 

Based on the tiering strategy, you take Henry. Yeah, Harrison (your #1 rated WR) looks really attractive, and you might not get him by passing on him. But, since he, Moss and Owens are all in the same tier, you are indifferent which one you get. With all 3 still on the board, there is a very good chance you'll get one with your pick in the second round.

 

And, with only Henry left in your top RB tier, you are really taking a chance he will come back to you at your next pick.

 

So only if the 11th or 12 team take 2 of the 3 WR will you miss out on one. More than likely, your team will be Travis Henry + Randy Moss.

 

Say you had passed on Henry and taken Harrison. Then you'd be looking at a team with Harrison + one of Davis, Dillon, etc. from your next RB tier.

 

Differences in opinion about ranking players aside, you are better off with Henry/Moss than the other combo based on your rankings going into the draft.

 

That is what tiering is all about. And, you don't just apply it to the first round, but every round through the whole draft, each time earning a bit more of an advantage over your opponents. Learn it, practice it, and it will do you well.