Am I dumb? Age too much a factor?

[Buckhill Bombers]

So I'm in the middle of a startup PPR SF Best Ball Dynasty. My last 2 picks I took perhaps the universally slightly lower ranked player as I wanted to try and build a young team. Specifically, I picked Waddle over AJB in the 2nd, and then Higgins over Hill in the 3rd.

I am curious if others draft similarly, or do you think I'm making a mistake passing up higher production to stay younger?

2nd question, since i have gone young so far, do I embrace the "well this is the strategy I started with, have to finish it out?" and stay young moving forward or would you not worry about the age? I mean, guys like Adams, Kupp, and Diggs are all still on board and likely a few (if not all) will be available at my next pick. But I'm currently thinking I need to keep with the youthful build. Thoughts?

[moishetreats]

To me, I guess it depends. What's your goal?

1) Youth and players whose value is likely to increase to try to build a multi-year competitive window.
2) Winning now.
3) Accumulating as much value as you can to have flexibility to compete or trade.

I'd let my goal/vision dictate my draft (though there is always room to deviate if something entirely unexpected happens). So, what's your goal?

[Buckhill Bombers]

I know this doesn't help, but I'd say I see value in all 3, but for sure #1 and #3 I'd give a nod over just winning up front no matter the cost (Like I wouldn't draft a team of Henry, Adams, Kelce, all old vets on the downside of their careers just to hope to win now, for I've learned ANYTHING can happen in the playoffs, and if you fall short of winning it all, you are stuck with an old team worth even less the following year)

[crip7300]

I would stick with the youth build as much as possible without making any crazy reaches for just youth over production, but also look to trade down, if you are noticing a lot of high valued productive players are dropping. Many times in a start up ppl lose site of winning is always the goal and reach a ton on potential and youth, to only later want to trade that for elite productive players once the season starts and points count vs age. So, don't be afraid to draft elite production, if your team winds up not being competitive, usually you can still trade those players at a premium or at least similar value in season.

[Needalife]

I like a hybrid approach. Drafting all young means you will likely be chasing everyone for 5+ years. The idea of a perfect setup just doesn't work. The NFL changes too much and so does player value with injuries, production slowdowns, free agency. It's best to have a mix of guys who help you win now but also a few young studs to give you a longer term core.

[Prison_Mike]

I like a hybrid approach. Drafting all young means you will likely be chasing everyone for 5+ years. The idea of a perfect setup just doesn't work. The NFL changes too much and so does player value with injuries, production slowdowns, free agency. It's best to have a mix of guys who help you win now but also a few young studs to give you a longer term core.

x2

If I'm not doing a Year 1 punt (which is a strategy that I've come to like quite a bit personally), I'm doing a hybrid of young/old, just taking the best value on the board. Don't lock yourself into Gabe Davis because you're scared of getting 3 years older with Chris Godwin

(I doubt they go in the same range, just throwing 2 players out there as an example)

And no you're not dumb. A lot of people get trapped into this mindset without even recognizing it. "Welp I started young so I have to keep reaching for youth." I've done it myself, it's often done subconsciously, and then you look back with remorse. Also, I think the players you listed are within range of personal preference, nothing egregious

[BigBawseRoss]

i just did the same thing, made reaches on guys that i anticipate their value growing a lot come next offseason. guys like pickens jamo jeudy etc. i think there many ways to build and to win. nothing wrong with going young and trying to get ahead of the game, older guys value will drop and many young guys value will rise

[Gator Sens]

It comes down to options. If a young option is in roughly the same tier as an older asset, I would likely go with the younger asset in a startup. Hill's value has nowhere to go but down as he approaches 30 whereas Higgins is a great young WR with high value. He may not put up as many point as Hill now but in the long run, you come out ahead. If you build young and still hope to compete at the same time, there will likely be value with older players in the later rounds to fill out a mix of old/young but still have consistent point scores.

I have gone so young before that my team is just terrible, so I would no go overboard with the youth, but a higher percentage of productive youth and productive older assets on value is probably the best of both worlds.

[Buckhill Bombers]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I just took the 1.4 rookie pick at 3.8. So for now youth movement continues, but I am going to try and remain flexible. I do think with that 1.4 and having either the #2 RB, the #1 WR, or #2 QB in this class will hopefully pay dividends now and long term.

[meineymoe]

With Waddle and Higgins on board already, I would definitely take an Adams or Kupp to add to the mix. I like having the young guys developing and ready to step in for the studs as they age out.
Plus, if you hit a rough stretch and aren't winning, you have a veteran asset that a contender will pay for that you won't mind moving.

For the poll, I might say bpa, but I also fudge sometimes for balance and player position, but then with drafting using tiered rather than strict lists, I have several bpas to choose from!

Good luck.
-oo-

[BigBawseRoss]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I just took the 1.4 rookie pick at 3.8. So for now youth movement continues, but I am going to try and remain flexible. I do think with that 1.4 and having either the #2 RB, the #1 WR, or #2 QB in this class will hopefully pay dividends now and long term.

who was still available? 1.04 went at 4.04 in mine after guys like g wilson, olave, ETN, london etc. just curious if those names were gone by pick 3.08

[Buckhill Bombers]

Here is the order if you guys would like to follow along:

1st- Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Hurts, JJ, Chase, Herbert, Lawrence, Lamar, Fields, Lamb, Dak
2nd- Murray, Watson, 1.1, 1.2, Waddle, AJB, Hall, St. Brown, Taylor, CMC, 1.3, Walker
3rd- G. Wilson, Olave, ETN, Higgins, Hill, Tua, Diggs, 1.4, Lance....... (Pick 3.10 OTC)

[MacDaddy123]

I usually do a mix of both.
In my earlier rounds I will try to grab top, younger players, but as I slide into rounds 6,7, 8 etc., I will start to grab vets who have fallen, like Mixon, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin, Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara, etc.

That way I can compete immediately, but also have some younger players.