Keeper question

[gitrdun]

We play in a weird league where you can keep one player drafted after round 3 from the previous years draft. We play one qb and 5 flex positions (rb,wr,te) in a ppr format with rbs getting .25 points per carry.

My top options for my Keeper are:

McBride or Javonte Williams. Who do I go with?

[RareN64Dream]

3 hours ago, gitrdun said:

We play in a weird league where you can keep one player drafted after round 3 from the previous years draft. We play one qb and 5 flex positions (rb,wr,te) in a ppr format with rbs getting .25 points per carry.

My top options for my Keeper are:

McBride or Javonte Williams. Who do I go with?

I would probably go with Williams because seems like Cowboys will win more games than Cardinals. But, you could probably flip a coin; if you can't decide.

[weepaws]

I would probably keep McBride, now I'm against drafting a te in the single digit rd, but i would think it would be easier to get JW back then McBride.

[gridiron whirlwinds]

J. Williams for me

[Super Cubs]

McBride he's younger and more proven. Not by much but still has a better track record. Williams had a really good year but has a injury history with wear and tear going against him.

[JagFan]

It’s an interesting question for sure.  The question really comes down to which of the two, if not both or neither, is a top 36 + your position in the 4th round (assuming 12 team) overall pick.  I realize you aren’t giving up a draft pick to keep them but that’s the applied value given the league rules.  The answer is likely McBride.  But just because that’s where his ADP likely falls, I’m not sure he reaches that value this year.  The .25 per carry gives Williams quite a bit more value but not sure he would go that high.  I’d go with Williams especially considering this isn’t a TE mandatory league.

[Mike FF Today]

Your league rules are key here. As JagFan noted, TE not being required diminishes McBride's value as a real difference maker... I think. But, Javonte's not a high volume receiving back either. If you've compiled rankings, where do these two rank in your RB/WR/TE Flex position?

----

OK, I just ran your scoring system through the Draft Buddy and projection wise, these two are very close: McBride 31st overall and Javonte 36 overall. This doesn't take into account that just yesterday I updated my projections on Javonte to give him more receptions.  So, it may be a virtual coin flip based on my 2026 projections.

[Ray_T]

48 minutes ago, Mike FF Today said:

Your league rules are key here. As JagFran noted, TE not being required diminishes McBride's value as a real difference maker... I think. But, Javonte's not a high volume receiving back either. If you've compiled rankings, where do these two rank in your RB/WR/TE Flex position?

----

OK, I just ran your scoring system through the Draft Buddy and projection wise, these two are very close: McBride 31st overall and Javonte 36 overall. This doesn't take into account that just yesterday I updated my projections on Javonte to give him more receptions.  So, it may be a virtual coin flip based on my 2026 projections.

agreed.  if it was manditory to start a TE then McBride is the hands down pick.   anytime in a format like this if you can keep a TE that produces like a WR that's a win.

in this format where TE is considered a flex, its a lot more Hazy.  at this point hes just a regular WR and doesnt give the positional advantage.

yardage wise its close last year.    and TD wise was also close.

the problem wity McBride is that last year he put up 11 TD. year prior 2.   Some people avoided him last year in some formats because they didnt like the TD production.  and I dont blame them.    but In looking at his game, I thought he should have done better than the 2 TD.  I felt like he was extremely unlucky.    at the same time now I'm looking at the 11 TD from last year and wondering if there is likely a regression coming on this.  I wouldnt bet on the 2 TD from the year prior, but 8 or 9 seems more likely.   

To that end I think Javonte wins the TD battle and becomes your keeper of choice even though I think McBride is the better player overall.

 

[Bier Meister]

... plus rbs are getting .25/carry. that can help close the gap on rec/tds

[Ray_T]

1 hour ago, Bier Meister said:

... plus rbs are getting .25/carry. that can help close the gap on rec/tds

yeah that tips the scale in favor of the RB's for sure.  forgot to mention that part.

even so,  if you were required to start a TE, I'd be keeping McBride regardless just because if you have a TE that produces like a WR that gives you an advantage you cant make up for in the aggregate by keeping a RB who isnt in the top 5.

but that is not the format we are looking at here.

[TBayXXXVII]

Williams, easily.  TE's aren't required and it's 0.25 points per carry.  Williams was 10th in the NFL in rush attempts last year and Dallas didn't address the backfield in any meaningful way to take rush attempts from him.  Maybe they're expect Blue to be healthy.  

If you're worried about injuries, then I don't have an issue with you keeping McBride.

[gitrdun]

Good discussion guys. Thanks for your help.

[Ray_T]

1 hour ago, TBayXXXVII said:

Williams, easily.  TE's aren't required and it's 0.25 points per carry.  Williams was 10th in the NFL in rush attempts last year and Dallas didn't address the backfield in any meaningful way to take rush attempts from him.  Maybe they're expect Blue to be healthy.  

If you're worried about injuries, then I don't have an issue with you keeping McBride.

while there is a chance Blue has a breakout of sorts in year 2  Most RB are more productive in year 2 and get an expanded workload of sorts. 

But...... Williams has seized the job.  so barring injury or ineffectiveness, I dont think Blue will get a big enough bump in his numbers to threaten him.   Blue needs to hone his craft and be ready if the opportunity comes.   

 

[kutulu]

McBride

[TBayXXXVII]

18 hours ago, Ray_T said:

while there is a chance Blue has a breakout of sorts in year 2  Most RB are more productive in year 2 and get an expanded workload of sorts. 

But...... Williams has seized the job.  so barring injury or ineffectiveness, I dont think Blue will get a big enough bump in his numbers to threaten him.   Blue needs to hone his craft and be ready if the opportunity comes.   

 

Agreed. 

[JagFan]

19 hours ago, kutulu said:

McBride

You make a compelling argument.  I hadn’t considered that.  Love it!

[The PosterFormerlyKnownAs]

If you have that much flex in lineup, it’s purely a question of who will score more points - not a question of relative value/position scarcity. 
 

if it’s 1 pt per reception,

same yardage calculation and same touchdown call plus .25 per carry …  I suspect McBride outscored Javonte last year.  And probably will again unless injury or circumstances change.

so as Mike says, a pretty close and a coin flip. 
 

I’d go McBride but understand why others prefer Javonte.

[Ray_T]

42 minutes ago, The PosterFormerlyKnownAs said:

If you have that much flex in lineup, it’s purely a question of who will score more points - not a question of relative value/position scarcity. 
 

if it’s 1 pt per reception,

same yardage calculation and same touchdown call plus .25 per carry …  I suspect McBride outscored Javonte last year.  And probably will again unless injury or circumstances change.

so as Mike says, a pretty close and a coin flip. 
 

I’d go McBride but understand why others prefer Javonte.

its certainly close.  but you are right that when everything flexes out, position doesnt matter as much.   if you think McBride outscores Javonte, then you should keep him.

with Mcbride (as I mentioned earlier) I am worried about the TD regression that may or may not be coming.       and that really is what likely tips the scales.   if he gets double digit TD this year, he likely outscores Javonte.    if he doesnt, then I think Javonte is the man.   thus why I chose Javonte.   and believe me I take no pride in saying that because I do LOVE McBride and the skillset he brings.  but the rules of this league are such that I take Javonte by a hair.    though admittedly its close enough that you could even argue the difference between these two players is mostly personal preference.   I'd buy that if you made that argument.

 

[League Champion]

McBride is a legit WR 1. 

But considering the format I'd probably go with the RB 

[DocNiner]

McBride. Outside of Marvin Harrison he has no one challenging him for targets. Heck, with Brissit at QB, if he decides to play, McBride was his top target. McBride could also lead the yeam in receptions. Dallas is gonna throw the ball but Williams should have a decent year. Still keeping only one player you'll get the top TE behind Bowers. Don't overthink it. Keep McBride

[WhiteWonder]

5 Flex?    The pussification of fantasy football. 

but I digress

 

without the .25 per rush, it's McBride easily. You don't use positions so we don't need to advise you based on him being a TE. It's more important to look at your scoring system being PPR and how McBride compares to other top pass catchers in the league. Factor in that Javonte has a greater risk of injury, just inherently, and the decision would be easy for me. 

the .25 per carry I'll assume was added to help make sure those running backs are still valued since you don't need to start any. 

Javonte is in one of the better positions to safely lead his team in carries but I still lean mcBride. I think even with the .25, he comes out ahead in expected PPG this season and carries less risk in general. 

[Ray_T]

3 hours ago, WhiteWonder said:

5 Flex?    The pussification of fantasy football. 

but I digress

 

without the .25 per rush, it's McBride easily. You don't use positions so we don't need to advise you based on him being a TE. It's more important to look at your scoring system being PPR and how McBride compares to other top pass catchers in the league. Factor in that Javonte has a greater risk of injury, just inherently, and the decision would be easy for me. 

the .25 per carry I'll assume was added to help make sure those running backs are still valued since you don't need to start any. 

Javonte is in one of the better positions to safely lead his team in carries but I still lean mcBride. I think even with the .25, he comes out ahead in expected PPG this season and carries less risk in general. 

yeah that many flex spots will definitely change the strategy that you should take

[gitrdun]

4 hours ago, Ray_T said:

yeah that many flex spots will definitely change the strategy that you should take

I agree but no one wants to change it. It takes any strategy away. 

[Ray_T]

1 hour ago, gitrdun said:

I agree but no one wants to change it. It takes any strategy away. 

no big deal.  if its a group of friends, you are there just as much for the banter and socialization as you are for the fantasy football.

and when in Rome, you do as the Romans do.     Thats what happened in my league.  some of the rules were a little unorthodox at that time (2QB starters) but now superflex is becoming popular so I guess we were not the only league that decided this was cool.

 

If it gets to a point where its not fun, then thats a different discussion   Otherwise, enjoy your league.  unconventional rules sometimes just make it interesting.

for now.... Enjoy.

[WhiteWonder]

1 hour ago, gitrdun said:

I agree but no one wants to change it. It takes any strategy away. 

I will argue this until the day I die, but it's actually the flex spots that remove strategy. 

•  the draft rolls around and rather than have to make tough decisions about when to reach a little bit for an RB or how you want to tackle your RB depth in general, when to address TE, etc. etc. all you have to do is draft BPA. 
• . In season you never have to worry about shoring up a specific position if you've had some injuries. Never have to look for an owner with 3 good TE's but needs an RB as a good trade partner. You can always just turn to Waivers/Free Agency and pick up whoever you think will score the most.... again with zero thought toward having to fill a specific roster hole. 

I think a lot of people want to shift toward flex because the NFL has shifted toward split backfields in many cases and they simply don't want to have to make tough choices, ever. If the draft falls in such a way that they feel they have to pass on a more valuable WR in order to fill out a traditional starting lineup, they don't want to have to make that call. 

 

At the end of the day, everyone is playing by the same rules... I just see it as kid stuff. Like an extension of the participation trophy mentality. Oh, little Johnny didn't get a top 5 RB and he missed the one he just knew would be there in round 2! Little johnny would much rather draft that falling stud WR........ well, little johnny can do that.  But, but, then little Johnny might be looking at scraps for his running back positions!   Oh no    Little Johnny has to, *gasp*, weigh his options?

[TBayXXXVII]

On 7/26/2026 at 11:44 AM, WhiteWonder said:

5 Flex?    The pussification of fantasy football. 

but I digress

 

without the .25 per rush, it's McBride easily. You don't use positions so we don't need to advise you based on him being a TE. It's more important to look at your scoring system being PPR and how McBride compares to other top pass catchers in the league. Factor in that Javonte has a greater risk of injury, just inherently, and the decision would be easy for me. 

the .25 per carry I'll assume was added to help make sure those running backs are still valued since you don't need to start any. 

Javonte is in one of the better positions to safely lead his team in carries but I still lean mcBride. I think even with the .25, he comes out ahead in expected PPG this season and carries less risk in general. 

Seriously!  Did you hear about those Scott Fishbowl leagues?  Holy crap.  Might as well just give a point for every statistical category.  

The expert league is for charity, but others can play those formats.