What type of league has the most advantages for GM's who do their homework?

[The.Big.Spank]

I play in two leagues, one has their draft immediately after the NFL draft and I was not used to that and thought I would not like it. But since I am a football junkie, I realized that this was a huge advantage for those who football crazy and use the draft to mitigate the withdrawl symptoms of the football season being over.

It got me to wondering what other type of league settings benefit those who are prepared instead of just dumb luck? When I go to the join a league forum, a tons of orphans seem to be auction. Is that because it is popular or you get lots of drop outs and a high turn over rate?

What type of league settings lend to league stability? Is it a high buy in that is refundable after 5 years to prevent guys from drafting all old but very productive guys in the start up so they can win now and then drop out in two years when their team is an old pile of nothing and you have to go slepping for an owner of an orphan that is devoid of any assets?

[Cult of Dionysus]

Salary cap auction leagues, to your 1st question (what leagues offer most advantages to GMs who do their homework).

[honcho55]

Seems to me like anything past a ‘standard’ league trips people up in general. PPR variations not so much, but just about anything else: ppc, different qb TD points than 4, SF, IDP, etc. I’m general I feel like even solid fantasy owners can run into problems here. And I’d agree things like salary cap/contracts is probably the most complex thing out there and, as such, where the answer to your question is.

[The.Big.Spank]

I am curious, do salary cap/contract leagues have more stable GM's and I am thinking it is quicker to turn a dog team around in a salary cap league as opposed to just a straight full roster keeper?

[Kcarr]

I think salary cap leagues actually may limit some of the long term issues with gms not doing their homework. It may set a higher barrier to be competitive but once that is reached the effects of both good and bad moves are capped to the length of the contract.

I think anything that adds depth to a league removes luck and increases the value of knowledge whether it is adding idp, editing that idp to make all positions more similar in value, adding superflex, more starting reqs, deeper benches, any of these will add complexity and therefore a benefit to gms who really dive in

[Paul717]

Shallow leagues, those where useful players can be found on the waiver wire, are probably better for "office" settings or fun / free type leagues.

GMs who do their homework can benefit in deeper leagues, where they can scoop up young players who will be useful in a year or 2. And where opponents can't easily find useful players on the wire.

[Dynasty_Analyst]

Deeper rosters
Deeper starting lineups
Superflex/TE Premium/IDP
Auctions
Salary Cap

All things that reward owners who do there homework

[lukkynumber13]

I think salary cap leagues actually may limit some of the long term issues with gms not doing their homework. It may set a higher barrier to be competitive but once that is reached the effects of both good and bad moves are capped to the length of the contract.

I think anything that adds depth to a league removes luck and increases the value of knowledge whether it is adding idp, editing that idp to make all positions more similar in value, adding superflex, more starting reqs, deeper benches, any of these will add complexity and therefore a benefit to gms who really dive in

Exactly.

IDP gives a huge benefit to owners who do their homework.

I don’t play Devy but you’d certainly have to be on your toes there (although I suppose most devy owners know their stuff...?)