Every year I yell from the virtual rooftops for Fantasy Football commissioners to ditch the boring ol' snake format and go with a Salary Cap Draft instead. And every year, I convince a few commissioners to give it a shot. They love it and refuse to go back to the old-school way.
But ... it's just a few commissioners. Not a ton. It's not enough. Everyone needs to get on board. This is the way.
Why?
I could get into the challenge of it all, or the fun of it all, or the fact that there's nothing really like it (where else are you making offers to get people on your roster besides Fantasy sports?!).
But the truth is, Salary Cap Drafts afford everyone in the Fantasy league has the same chance to select everyone in the National Football League.
And that means LeBron James and Kevin Durant aren't the only guys out there building so-called "Super Teams". You could put together a roster featuring ...
- Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and Calvin Ridley
- Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs and Darren Waller
- Alvin Kamara, Derrick Henry, Chris Godwin and Lamar Jackson
- Ezekiel Elliott, Austin Ekeler, CeeDee Lamb and George Kittle
- Travis Kelce, Joe Mixon, Justin Jefferson, Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett
- or a roster with nine players with a top-80 Average Draft Position including two top-5 quarterbacks (that would be mine)
Not only are such Fantasy roster nuclei possible, they happened in our mock draft!
How do Salary Cap Drafts work? Easy. Every manager gets a fictional budget to spend on players ($100 is a pretty common amount). Then everyone takes turns nominating players. When a player is nominated, managers bid for his services. Once it's clear who will bid the most (this process usually involves a human or a website saying, "Going once ... going twice ... gone!"), the player is awarded to the winner's roster and the process repeats until everyone has a full roster.
Want to see more? Of course you do, you're reading this.
Here's your chance to look over the results of our 12-team, $100 budget draft. Every manager fielded a team that must start a QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, a TE, a DST and a FLEX (RB/WR/TE) along with five reserve spots. And it's under the premise of a full-PPR format where scoring for all touchdowns is six points along with one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving, one point for every 25 yards passing and minus-two points for every turnover.
Our bidders:
| Adam Aizer, Fantasy Football Today Host | Jacob Gibbs, SportsLine.com |
| Andrew Baumhor, CBS Sports HQ Producer | George Maselli, Fantasy Editor |
| Heath Cummings, Senior Fantasy Writer | Chris Raybon, ActionNetwork.com |
| Drew Davenport, Footballguys.com | Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer |
| Joe Dolan, FantasyPoints.com | Dan Schneier, Fantasy Editor |
| Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer | Chris Towers, Senior Editor, Fantasy |
Here were, I think, the five best steals
- Darren Waller, $13
- Chris Godwin, $8
- Julio Jones, $7
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, $3
- Dak Prescott, $2
And the five biggest overpays
- Davante Adams, $27
- Darrell Henderson, $12
- Diontae Johnson, $12
- Jerry Jeudy, $11
- Kyle Pitts, $8
Position By Position Results
| Quarterbacks | ||
| PLAYER | SALARY | TEAM |
| Mahomes Patrick, QB, KC | $11 | Heath Cummings |
| Allen Josh, QB, BUF | $8 | Dave Richard |
| Murray Kyler, QB, ARI | $5 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Jackson Lamar, QB, BAL | $5 | Chris Raybon |
| Wilson Russell, QB, SEA | $4 | Drew Davenport |
| Herbert Justin, QB, LAC | $3 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Prescott Dak, QB, DAL | $2 | Dave Richard |
| Tannehill Ryan, QB, TEN | $2 | Joe Dolan |
| Hurts Jalen, QB, PHI | $2 | Adam Aizer |
| Brady Tom, QB, TB | $2 | Dan Schneier |
| Lance Trey, QB, SF | $1 | Joe Dolan |
| Fields Justin, QB, CHI | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Lawrence Trevor, QB, JAC | $1 | George Maselli |
| Roethlisberger Ben, QB, PIT | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Newton Cam, QB, NE | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Tagovailoa Tua, QB, MIA | $1 | George Maselli |
| Rodgers Aaron, QB, GB | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Stafford Matthew, QB, LAR | $1 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Burrow Joe, QB, CIN | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Running backs | ||
| PLAYER | SALARY | TEAM |
| McCaffrey Christian, RB, CAR | $35 | Adam Aizer |
| Cook Dalvin, RB, MIN | $31 | Joe Dolan |
| Kamara Alvin, RB, NO | $30 | Chris Raybon |
| Henry Derrick, RB, TEN | $29 | Chris Raybon |
| Jones Aaron, RB, GB | $26 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Elliott Ezekiel, RB, DAL | $25 | Chris Towers |
| Ekeler Austin, RB, LAC | $24 | Chris Towers |
| Barkley Saquon, RB, NYG | $21 | Dan Schneier |
| Gibson Antonio, RB, WAS | $20 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Harris Najee, RB, PIT | $20 | Dave Richard |
| Taylor Jonathan, RB, IND | $20 | Adam Aizer |
| Mixon Joe, RB, CIN | $20 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Chubb Nick, RB, CLE | $19 | Heath Cummings |
| Swift D'Andre, RB, DET | $17 | Heath Cummings |
| Edwards-Helaire Clyde, RB, KC | $16 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Dobbins J.K., RB, BAL | $15 | Drew Davenport |
| Montgomery David, RB, CHI | $14 | Dave Richard |
| Henderson Darrell, RB, LAR | $12 | Dan Schneier |
| Carson Chris, RB, SEA | $11 | Drew Davenport |
| Sermon Trey, RB, SF | $9 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Williams Javonte, RB, DEN | $8 | Chris Raybon |
| Davis Mike, RB, ATL | $8 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Edmonds Chase, RB, ARI | $7 | Joe Dolan |
| Gaskin Myles, RB, MIA | $7 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Sanders Miles, RB, PHI | $7 | Drew Davenport |
| Etienne Travis, RB, JAC | $7 | Dave Richard |
| Drake Kenyan, RB, LV | $6 | Drew Davenport |
| Carter Michael, RB, NYJ | $6 | Chris Raybon |
| Jacobs Josh, RB, LV | $6 | Heath Cummings |
| Dillon A.J., RB, GB | $5 | Joe Dolan |
| Hunt Kareem, RB, CLE | $5 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Harris Damien, RB, NE | $5 | George Maselli |
| Jones Ronald, RB, TB | $4 | Dan Schneier |
| Conner James, RB, ARI | $4 | Drew Davenport |
| Mostert Raheem, RB, SF | $4 | Adam Aizer |
| Robinson James, RB, JAC | $4 | Dave Richard |
| Moss Zack, RB, BUF | $4 | George Maselli |
| Williams Jamaal, RB, DET | $3 | George Maselli |
| Murray Latavius, RB, NO | $3 | Dan Schneier |
| Hines Nyheim, RB, IND | $2 | George Maselli |
| Edwards Gus, RB, BAL | $2 | Joe Dolan |
| Johnson David, RB, HOU | $2 | Dave Richard |
| Gordon Melvin, RB, DEN | $2 | Drew Davenport |
| Lindsay Phillip, RB, HOU | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Williams Darrel, RB, KC | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Mattison Alexander, RB, MIN | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Coleman Tevin, RB, NYJ | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Gainwell Kenneth, RB, PHI | $1 | George Maselli |
| Bernard Giovani, RB, TB | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Cohen Tarik, RB, CHI | $1 | Dan Schneier |
| Pollard Tony, RB, DAL | $1 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Jones Xavier, RB, LAR | $1 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Singletary Devin, RB, BUF | $1 | George Maselli |
| Fournette Leonard, RB, TB | $1 | Joe Dolan |
| White James, RB, NE | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Hubbard Chuba, RB, CAR | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Perine Samaje, RB, CIN | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Wide receivers | ||
| PLAYER | SALARY | TEAM |
| Adams Davante, WR, GB | $27 | George Maselli |
| Hill Tyreek, WR, KC | $24 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Diggs Stefon, WR, BUF | $22 | George Maselli |
| Ridley Calvin, WR, ATL | $21 | Adam Aizer |
| Hopkins DeAndre, WR, ARI | $21 | Dan Schneier |
| Metcalf DK, WR, SEA | $19 | Joe Dolan |
| Allen Keenan, WR, LAC | $19 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Brown A.J., WR, TEN | $19 | Dan Schneier |
| Robinson Allen, WR, CHI | $18 | Drew Davenport |
| Jefferson Justin, WR, MIN | $18 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Woods Robert, WR, LAR | $17 | George Maselli |
| McLaurin Terry, WR, WAS | $16 | Joe Dolan |
| Johnson Diontae, WR, PIT | $12 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Lamb CeeDee, WR, DAL | $12 | Chris Towers |
| Jeudy Jerry, WR, DEN | $11 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Lockett Tyler, WR, SEA | $11 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Chase Ja'Marr, WR, CIN | $10 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Higgins Tee, WR, CIN | $10 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Cooper Amari, WR, DAL | $10 | Chris Towers |
| Kupp Cooper, WR, LAR | $10 | Chris Towers |
| Moore D.J., WR, CAR | $9 | Heath Cummings |
| Samuel Deebo, WR, SF | $8 | Drew Davenport |
| Godwin Chris, WR, TB | $8 | Chris Raybon |
| Evans Mike, WR, TB | $8 | Drew Davenport |
| Golladay Kenny, WR, NYG | $7 | Adam Aizer |
| Cooks Brandin, WR, HOU | $7 | Chris Raybon |
| Aiyuk Brandon, WR, SF | $7 | Dan Schneier |
| Claypool Chase, WR, PIT | $7 | Dave Richard |
| Jones Julio, WR, TEN | $7 | Dave Richard |
| Thielen Adam, WR, MIN | $6 | Joe Dolan |
| Shenault Jr. Laviska, WR, JAC | $5 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Sutton Courtland, WR, DEN | $5 | Drew Davenport |
| Beckham Odell, WR, CLE | $5 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Samuel Curtis, WR, WAS | $4 | Heath Cummings |
| Waddle Jaylen, WR, MIA | $4 | Heath Cummings |
| Williams Mike, WR, LAC | $4 | Joe Dolan |
| Brown Antonio, WR, TB | $4 | Heath Cummings |
| Anderson Robby, WR, CAR | $4 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Boyd Tyler, WR, CIN | $4 | Dave Richard |
| Brown Marquise, WR, BAL | $3 | Dave Richard |
| Jones Marvin, WR, JAC | $3 | Heath Cummings |
| Moore Elijah, WR, NYJ | $3 | Dan Schneier |
| Mooney Darnell, WR, CHI | $3 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Smith DeVonta, WR, PHI | $3 | Joe Dolan |
| Fuller Will, WR, MIA | $3 | Adam Aizer |
| Chark D.J., WR, JAC | $3 | Dan Schneier |
| Smith-Schuster JuJu, WR, PIT | $3 | Heath Cummings |
| Marshall Jr. Terrace, WR, CAR | $2 | Heath Cummings |
| Ruggs III Henry, WR, LV | $2 | Adam Aizer |
| Hardman Mecole, WR, KC | $2 | Heath Cummings |
| Thomas Michael, WR, NO | $2 | Dan Schneier |
| Gallup Michael, WR, DAL | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| Pittman Michael, WR, IND | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| Beasley Cole, WR, BUF | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Edwards Bryan, WR, LV | $1 | George Maselli |
| Gage Russell, WR, ATL | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| Sanders Emmanuel, WR, BUF | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Davis Gabriel, WR, BUF | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| Davis Corey, WR, NYJ | $1 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Moore Rondale, WR, ARI | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Campbell Parris, WR, IND | $1 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Callaway Marquez, WR, NO | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Landry Jarvis, WR, CLE | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Tight ends | ||
| PLAYER | SALARY | TEAM |
| Kelce Travis, TE, KC | $23 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Waller Darren, TE, LV | $13 | George Maselli |
| Kittle George, TE, SF | $11 | Chris Towers |
| Andrews Mark, TE, BAL | $8 | Heath Cummings |
| Pitts Kyle, TE, ATL | $8 | Dave Richard |
| Hockenson T.J., TE, DET | $7 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Thomas Logan, TE, WAS | $2 | Joe Dolan |
| Smith Irv, TE, MIN | $2 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Fant Noah, TE, DEN | $2 | Drew Davenport |
| Trautman Adam, TE, NO | $2 | Dave Richard |
| Tonyan Robert, TE, GB | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| Ebron Eric, TE, PIT | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Engram Evan, TE, NYG | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Higbee Tyler, TE, LAR | $1 | Drew Davenport |
| Goedert Dallas, TE, PHI | $1 | Dan Schneier |
| Smith Jonnu, TE, NE | $1 | Jamey Eisenberg |
| DST | ||
| PLAYER | SALARY | TEAM |
| Patriots DST, NE | $1 | Adam Aizer |
| Saints DST, NO | $1 | Jacob Gibbs |
| Browns DST, CLE | $1 | Chris Raybon |
| 49ers DST, SF | $1 | Chris Towers |
| Bills DST, BUF | $1 | Drew Davenport |
| Broncos DST, DEN | $1 | George Maselli |
| Dolphins DST, MIA | $1 | Joe Dolan |
| Football Team, DST, WAS | $1 | Dave Richard |
| Steelers DST, PIT | $1 | Andrew Baumhor |
| Buccaneers DST, TB | $1 | Dan Schneier |
| Ravens DST, BAL | $1 | Heath Cummings |
| Rams DST, LAR | $1 | Jamey Eisenberg |
Team By Team Results
| Adam Aizer | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Hurts Jalen, QB, PHI | $2 |
| Roethlisberger Ben, QB, PIT | $1 |
| McCaffrey Christian, RB, CAR | $35 |
| Taylor Jonathan, RB, IND | $20 |
| Mostert Raheem, RB, SF | $4 |
| Williams Darrel, RB, KC | $1 |
| Mattison Alexander, RB, MIN | $1 |
| Hubbard Chuba, RB, CAR | $1 |
| Ridley Calvin, WR, ATL | $21 |
| Golladay Kenny, WR, NYG | $7 |
| Fuller Will, WR, MIA | $3 |
| Ruggs III Henry, WR, LV | $2 |
| Engram Evan, TE, NYG | $1 |
| Patriots DST, NE | $1 |
| Andrew Baumhor | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Rodgers Aaron, QB, GB | $1 |
| Burrow Joe, QB, CIN | $1 |
| Mixon Joe, RB, CIN | $20 |
| Lindsay Phillip, RB, HOU | $1 |
| Bernard Giovani, RB, TB | $1 |
| White James, RB, NE | $1 |
| Perine Samaje, RB, CIN | $1 |
| Allen Keenan, WR, LAC | $19 |
| Jefferson Justin, WR, MIN | $18 |
| Lockett Tyler, WR, SEA | $11 |
| Beasley Cole, WR, BUF | $1 |
| Kelce Travis, TE, KC | $23 |
| Ebron Eric, TE, PIT | $1 |
| Steelers DST, PIT | $1 |
| Chris Raybon | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Jackson Lamar, QB, BAL | $5 |
| Kamara Alvin, RB, NO | $30 |
| Henry Derrick, RB, TEN | $29 |
| Williams Javonte, RB, DEN | $8 |
| Carter Michael, RB, NYJ | $6 |
| Godwin Chris, WR, TB | $8 |
| Cooks Brandin, WR, HOU | $7 |
| Gallup Michael, WR, DAL | $1 |
| Pittman Michael, WR, IND | $1 |
| Gage Russell, WR, ATL | $1 |
| Davis Gabriel, WR, BUF | $1 |
| Tonyan Robert, TE, GB | $1 |
| Browns DST, CLE | $1 |
| Chris Towers | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Fields Justin, QB, CHI | $1 |
| Newton Cam, QB, NE | $1 |
| Elliott Ezekiel, RB, DAL | $25 |
| Ekeler Austin, RB, LAC | $24 |
| Coleman Tevin, RB, NYJ | $1 |
| Lamb CeeDee, WR, DAL | $12 |
| Cooper Amari, WR, DAL | $10 |
| Kupp Cooper, WR, LAR | $10 |
| Sanders Emmanuel, WR, BUF | $1 |
| Moore Rondale, WR, ARI | $1 |
| Callaway Marquez, WR, NO | $1 |
| Landry Jarvis, WR, CLE | $1 |
| Kittle George, TE, SF | $11 |
| 49ers DST, SF | $1 |
| Dan Schneier | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Brady Tom, QB, TB | $2 |
| Barkley Saquon, RB, NYG | $21 |
| Henderson Darrell, RB, LAR | $12 |
| Jones Ronald, RB, TB | $4 |
| Murray Latavius, RB, NO | $3 |
| Cohen Tarik, RB, CHI | $1 |
| Hopkins DeAndre, WR, ARI | $21 |
| Brown A.J., WR, TEN | $19 |
| Aiyuk Brandon, WR, SF | $7 |
| Moore Elijah, WR, NYJ | $3 |
| Chark D.J., WR, JAC | $3 |
| Thomas Michael, WR, NO | $2 |
| Goedert Dallas, TE, PHI | $1 |
| Buccaneers DST, TB | $1 |
| Dave Richard | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Allen Josh, QB, BUF | $8 |
| Prescott Dak, QB, DAL | $2 |
| Harris Najee, RB, PIT | $20 |
| Montgomery David, RB, CHI | $14 |
| Etienne Travis, RB, JAC | $7 |
| Robinson James, RB, JAC | $4 |
| Johnson David, RB, HOU | $2 |
| Claypool Chase, WR, PIT | $7 |
| Jones Julio, WR, TEN | $7 |
| Boyd Tyler, WR, CIN | $4 |
| Brown Marquise, WR, BAL | $3 |
| Pitts Kyle, TE, ATL | $8 |
| Trautman Adam, TE, NO | $2 |
| Football Team, DST, WAS | $1 |
| Drew Davenport | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Wilson Russell, QB, SEA | $4 |
| Dobbins J.K., RB, BAL | $15 |
| Carson Chris, RB, SEA | $11 |
| Sanders Miles, RB, PHI | $7 |
| Drake Kenyan, RB, LV | $6 |
| Conner James, RB, ARI | $4 |
| Gordon Melvin, RB, DEN | $2 |
| Robinson Allen, WR, CHI | $18 |
| Samuel Deebo, WR, SF | $8 |
| Evans Mike, WR, TB | $8 |
| Sutton Courtland, WR, DEN | $5 |
| Fant Noah, TE, DEN | $2 |
| Higbee Tyler, TE, LAR | $1 |
| Bills DST, BUF | $1 |
| George Maselli | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Lawrence Trevor, QB, JAC | $1 |
| Tagovailoa Tua, QB, MIA | $1 |
| Harris Damien, RB, NE | $5 |
| Moss Zack, RB, BUF | $4 |
| Williams Jamaal, RB, DET | $3 |
| Hines Nyheim, RB, IND | $2 |
| Gainwell Kenneth, RB, PHI | $1 |
| Singletary Devin, RB, BUF | $1 |
| Adams Davante, WR, GB | $27 |
| Diggs Stefon, WR, BUF | $22 |
| Woods Robert, WR, LAR | $17 |
| Edwards Bryan, WR, LV | $1 |
| Waller Darren, TE, LV | $13 |
| Broncos DST, DEN | $1 |
| Heath Cummings | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Mahomes Patrick, QB, KC | $11 |
| Chubb Nick, RB, CLE | $19 |
| Swift D'Andre, RB, DET | $17 |
| Jacobs Josh, RB, LV | $6 |
| Moore D.J., WR, CAR | $9 |
| Samuel Curtis, WR, WAS | $4 |
| Waddle Jaylen, WR, MIA | $4 |
| Brown Antonio, WR, TB | $4 |
| Jones Marvin, WR, JAC | $3 |
| Smith-Schuster JuJu, WR, PIT | $3 |
| Marshall Jr. Terrace, WR, CAR | $2 |
| Hardman Mecole, WR, KC | $2 |
| Andrews Mark, TE, BAL | $8 |
| Ravens DST, BAL | $1 |
| Jacob Gibbs | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Murray Kyler, QB, ARI | $5 |
| Herbert Justin, QB, LAC | $3 |
| Jones Aaron, RB, GB | $26 |
| Gibson Antonio, RB, WAS | $20 |
| Davis Mike, RB, ATL | $8 |
| Pollard Tony, RB, DAL | $1 |
| Jones Xavier, RB, LAR | $1 |
| Johnson Diontae, WR, PIT | $12 |
| Higgins Tee, WR, CIN | $10 |
| Anderson Robby, WR, CAR | $4 |
| Davis Corey, WR, NYJ | $1 |
| Campbell Parris, WR, IND | $1 |
| Hockenson T.J., TE, DET | $7 |
| Saints DST, NO | $1 |
| Jamey Eisenberg | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Stafford Matthew, QB, LAR | $1 |
| Edwards-Helaire Clyde, RB, KC | $16 |
| Sermon Trey, RB, SF | $9 |
| Gaskin Myles, RB, MIA | $7 |
| Hunt Kareem, RB, CLE | $5 |
| Hill Tyreek, WR, KC | $24 |
| Jeudy Jerry, WR, DEN | $11 |
| Chase Ja'Marr, WR, CIN | $10 |
| Shenault Jr. Laviska, WR, JAC | $5 |
| Beckham Odell, WR, CLE | $5 |
| Mooney Darnell, WR, CHI | $3 |
| Smith Irv, TE, MIN | $2 |
| Smith Jonnu, TE, NE | $1 |
| Rams DST, LAR | $1 |
| Joe Dolan | |
| PLAYER | SALARY |
| Tannehill Ryan, QB, TEN | $2 |
| Lance Trey, QB, SF | $1 |
| Cook Dalvin, RB, MIN | $31 |
| Edmonds Chase, RB, ARI | $7 |
| Dillon A.J., RB, GB | $5 |
| Edwards Gus, RB, BAL | $2 |
| Fournette Leonard, RB, TB | $1 |
| Metcalf DK, WR, SEA | $19 |
| McLaurin Terry, WR, WAS | $16 |
| Thielen Adam, WR, MIN | $6 |
| Williams Mike, WR, LAC | $4 |
| Smith DeVonta, WR, PHI | $3 |
| Thomas Logan, TE, WAS | $2 |
| Dolphins DST, MIA | $1 |
