CFB Rookie - Lesson 02 - Scoring Tips and Tricks

If you have ever played daily fantasy football on DraftKings, then you already have an idea of the scoring format. All of the point values are the same, except there are no defensive stats with the lack of a defense roster spot.

PASSING

Passing Touchdowns

Passing touchdowns are worth 4 points here on DraftKings; this somewhat limits the upside of a QB in a conservative or well balanced offense, whereas a quarterback playing in a pass heavy offense, obviously, has a higher floor and a higher ceiling due to his overall involvement in the offense. With touchdowns only being worth 4 points, it only takes 100 yards passing to equal one passing touchdown. With this scoring system, high volume passing quarterbacks have more value than guys who generally rely on throwing touchdowns to score the majority of their points.

All in all, running quarterbacks are generally a better play than a pocket passer because of the 4 point passing touchdowns, but we’ll get to that in a later lesson.

Receptions

DraftKings uses a point per reception (PPR) which can greatly increase the value of a player that receives a lot of targets consistently. It also bolsters the value of running backs who are even slightly involved in the passing game, as two or three receptions can make up for a somewhat lackluster rushing day. Wide receivers that play in the slot for a pass heavy team have an inherently high floor simply because of the volume of targets they will receive.

A player like Tyler Lockett of 2014 is a great example of why possession receivers have such great value in a PPR scoring system; he gives the 30 point upside we look for in an expensive receiver option and still has a high floor due to the number of receptions he’ll haul in during a given week.

Receiving touchdowns are worth 6 points, which can bolster a player’s score quickly and maybe give you just the boost you need in a tournament. Obviously, we’re all hoping for touchdowns when we choose our players, but touchdowns are so random that we can’t necessarily expect our players to get them.

Interceptions

It’s not a huge part of the DFS game, but interceptions are -1 point, which isn’t a big deal, but can add up quickly. It shouldn’t be something that makes a decision for you, but it can be a nice tie breaker if a quarterback you’re not sold on has a propensity to throw multiple interceptions in a game.

RUSHING

The scoring system for running backs and running quarterbacks is arguably just as exploitable as the PPR system for pass catchers. The scoring is one point for every ten rushing yards and 6 points for a rushing touchdown. So, it takes 60 yards to equal one rushing touchdown.

Workhorse running backs (a running back that carries the ball 25-30 times per game) are some of the most valuable options in DFS. Generally, teams that have a true workhorse running back (think Jay Ajayi, David Cobb, or Tevin Coleman) have a great offensive line leading the way for the running back, allowing the back to maximize the effectiveness of his touches. When a good, workhorse running back has the matchup with a bad run defense, exploit the matchup and watch the points pile up.

BONUSES

DraftKings has some really unique scoring bonuses for players who have great games. 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards all get a 3 point bonus added on to the players score. The passing yard bonus is theoretically the most valuable bonus a player can get from a bonus, as it’s equal to 75% of a passing touchdown, whereas the other bonuses are just 50% of a rushing/receiving touchdown. When constructing lineups, take in to consideration the chance of a player reaching the bonus, it could just be the deciding factor in a contest.

Continue Reading CFB Training Camp

CFB Rookie – Lesson 01 – Welcome to Daily Fantasy College Football
CFB Rookie – Lesson 02 – Scoring Tips and Tricks
NEXT LESSON – CFB Rookie – Lesson 03 – Using Player Cards to Build Lineups
CFB Rookie – Lesson 04 – Drafting Lineups for Different Game Types

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