Superflex Fantasy Draft Strategy From All 12 Members of the SI Experts League
The 2023 Sports Illustrated Invitational Experts League draft was held on Aug. 18. It includes me and some of the best names in the world of fantasy football analysis, including SI’s Craig Ellenport, Bill Enright and Jen Piacenti, plus our friends Andy Behrens, Howard Bender, Jamey Eisenberg, Mike Harmon, Bob Harris, Lindsay Rhodes and Nelson Sousa. We also invited our pal, actor James Roday Rodriguez, who’s one heck of a fantasy manager, too.
This 12-team league utilizes a superflex format with one point rewarded for all receptions (PPR). The starting lineups are as follows: one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one super flex (QB/RB/WR/TE), one flex (RB/WR/TE), one kicker and one defense/special teams unit.
- 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit
- Best Draft Picks By Round: 10-Team League
- Best Draft Picks By Round: 12-Team League
As you’ll see in the comments, which have been provided by each of the 12 analysts in the league, many managers put a greater emphasis on quarterbacks due to the superflex format. However, some others either fully or partially passed on the position in the first three to four rounds. No matter what your strategy might be, this superflex draft can give you an idea about how your roster might look based on leading with a quarterback or waiting a few rounds.
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen went 1-2 in the SI Invitational Experts League draft.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports
1. Lindsay Rhodes, SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio
1.1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
2.24. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
3.25. Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
4.48. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
5.49. Breece Hall, RB, Jets
6.72. Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks
7.73. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings
8.96. Drake London, WR, Falcons
9.97. Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders
10.120. Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
11.121. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots
12.144. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles
13.145. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
14. 168. Bills defense
15. 169. Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints
16. 192. Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Giants
17.193. Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers
18. 216. Sam Darnold, QB, 49ers
Rhodes: Welp, the concept of opportunity cost bit me in the butt here, so please allow my mistakes to serve as a PSA for those of you drafting in superflex leagues: GET THAT SECOND QUARTERBACK AT ALL COSTS. Even if it feels gross. There’s a clear drop-off at the position where it starts to feel weird drafting them instead of the talented players available at other positions. But, being on the turn, in the 1 hole put me in a hole when it came to runs and before you know it, there weren’t any QBs available. What I did strategically, to counter what was happening, was to take (hoard) tight ends when it made sense. My goal was to target a shallow position in the hopes that one of them turns into a tradable asset that can be packaged in a deal for a QB. The good news: The rest of my roster is bomb.
2. Bill Enright, Sports Illustrated
1.2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2.23. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
3.26. Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
4.47. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
5.50. Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers
6.71. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
7.74. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
8.95. Jordan Love, QB, Packers
9.98. George Pickens, WR, Steelers
10.119. Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers
11.122. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
12.143. David Njoku, TE, Browns
13.146. Damien Harris, RB, Bills
14. 167. Zay Jones, WR, Jaguars
15. 170. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
16. 191. Steelers defense
17.194. Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs
18. 215. Taysom Hill, TE, Saints
Enright: As a bald guy I don’t have the luxury of splitting hairs trying to decide between Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. For me they are in the same elite tier as Patrick Mahomes and I was just fortunate enough to be drafting from the No. 2 spot to get one of those three. Having Allen as my QB1 afforded me the luxury of passing on my second passer until the fifth round. So instead, I grabbed two studs at running back and Tee Higgins to round out the core four of my team. If I choose to use a quarterback in my superflex (and why wouldn’t I?), I have two viable options who I’m expecting to have solid seasons in Kenny Pickett and Jordan Love. I’m confident going into the year given my depth at running back and wide receiver. Even if some may argue I don’t have a true WR1, the combination of Higgins, Godwin, Pickens and Doubs will all be very consistent fantasy producers.
3. Jen Piacenti, Sports Illustrated
1.3. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
2.22. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
3.27. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
4.46. Russell Wilson, QB, Broncos
5.51. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
6.70. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
7.75. Cam Akers, RB, Rams
8.94. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
9.99. Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals
10.118. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs
11.123. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
12.142. De’Von Achane, RB, Dolphins
13.147. Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
14. 166. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Bears
15. 171. Jets defense
16. 190. DeVante Parker, WR, Patriots
17.195. Zach Ertz, TE, Cardinals
18. 214. Deuce Vaughn, RB, Cowboys
Piacenti: I spent the entire draft watching the draft board, and I ended up making a few different moves than I ordinarily would for that reason, and I’m glad did! Perhaps my favorite move was grabbing Murray as my QB3 when I realized there were a few teams that were waiting too long at the position. I also ended up building a Broncos stack taking both Sutton and Jeudy, as both were great values when my turn rolled around (of course, this draft took place a week before the Jeudy injury news). Here’s hoping at least some of that pays off. I really like my wide receivers, though I don’t have a lot, as I took a lot of later shots at running backs for insurance. Since this is a PPR league, I decided I wanted high value receivers early and to take more chances with backs late. I should be able to find viable PPR receivers on the waiver wire if I need them. My last pick was Vaughn, and I didn’t draft a kicker. The rules didn’t require me to draft one, so I opted to draft another runner then move Murray to the IR and pick up a kicker on waivers before Week 1. Always check your scoring and rules before heading into the draft and take advantage of every angle!
Evan Habeeb/USA Today Sports
4. Bob Harris, Football Diehards/SiriusXM
1.4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
2.21. A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
3.28. Davante Adams, WR, Raiders
4.45. Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks
5.52. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
6.69. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
7.76. James Conner, RB, Cardinals
8.93. Dalvin Cook, RB, Jets
9.100. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
10.117. Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
11.124. Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
12.141. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars
13.148. Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens
14. 165. Cowboys defense
15. 172. Allen Lazard, WR, Jets
16. 189. Tyler Bass, K, Bills
17.196. Hayden Hurst, TE, Panthers
18. 213. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Harris: The plan going into this draft was to grab an anchor quarterback first. Lamar Jackson with the fourth pick overall filled that desire. Next step was to go receiver-heavy, which I did with Brown and Adams. I followed that up with my second field general, Smith, and then landed what might have been my best selection and value of the draft: Andrews in Round 5 to pair with Jackson. I was able to add Lockett in Round 6 (who is going later in drafts than he should this summer) to pair with Smith. I added Bateman later in the draft in case he turns into Jackson’s second-most targeted receiver after Andrews. Running back is obviously where I chose to wait. I'll acknowledge that Conner isn't an ideal RB1, but for this build the combo of Conner and Cook, who is likely to be the primary back for the Jets (at least early in the year), is a reasonable duo given my strong receiving corps. I'm not entirely comfortable with my backfield depth (Penny, Bigsby), but I'm hopeful (O.K., not so hopeful when it comes to the Edwards-Helaire share). I also have high but realistic hopes for the other pieces like Thomas, Lazard, Tannehill and Hurst. All in all, I'm comfortable with this roster but if I'm being honest, most of that comes from the high-end pieces.
5. Howard Bender, Fantasy Alarm/SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio
1.5. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
2.20. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
3.29. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
4.44. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
5.53. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
6.68. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
7.77. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
8.92. Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars
9.101. Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders
10.116. Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders
11.125. Desmond Ridder, QB, Falcons
12.140. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Raiders
13.149. Devin Singletary, RB, Texans
14. 164. Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos
15. 173. Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
16. 188. Dolphins defense
17.197. Jake Moody, K, 49ers
18. 212. Parris Campbell, WR, Colts
Bender: With the fifth pick in a superflex draft, I knew I was going to land an elite quarterback, which is always nice. I actually have Herbert ranked fourth so that was even better. The real question, though, was who was going to be available for my second pick, as that would determine the true direction of my draft and what position I was going to end up "lagging in,” because I knew I was going quarterback again in the third. I just prefer to take care of the position early. When Chubb was there in the second, I was elated because I love an anchor-RB strategy and have had great success sifting through the third tier of receivers to fill out my roster. I felt even better with Harris falling to the fourth and still looking at solid receivers on the board. By the end of it all, I was very happy with the squad. The base is there and the bench has some potential. Being active on the waiver wire in season will only make this team stronger. See you in the championship!
6. Mike Harmon, FOX Sports
1.6. Justin Fields, QB, Bears
2.19. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
3.30. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
4.43. Amari Cooper, WR, Browns
5.54. Derek Carr, QB, Saints
6.67. Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
7.78. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers
8.91. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
9.102. Gabe Davis, WR, Bills
10.115. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
11.126. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Raiders
12.139. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
13.150. Jameson Williams, WR, Lions
14. 163. Logan Thomas, TE, Commanders
15. 174. Broncos defense
16. 187. Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals
17.198. K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings
18. 211. Jason Sanders, K, Dolphins
Harmon: I joked that I hated my team following the draft, which is customary for me. The Yahoo! grading system agreed with me and gave me an “F,” so there’s nowhere to go but up! The superflex rule created some chaos and intrigue at multiple points in the draft, so I pushed aside normal philosophies and rode the wave. I took Fields to anchor the team with Carr as my second quarterback. It’s well documented that I don’t love Carr, but this is about points and not wins and losses. I particularly liked the depth I built at wide receiver. Waddle is a machine and Cooper still posted a big line last year amid the chaos in Cleveland. I also landed Davis and Smith-Njigba off the bench akin to a hockey line change. Jameson Williams is a lottery ticket that I hope to cash once he returns to the Lions.
Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports
7. James Roday Rodriguez, Actor
1.7. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings|
2.18. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
3.31. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
4.42. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
5.55. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
6.66. Sam Howell, QB, Commanders
7.79. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
8.90. David Montgomery, RB, Lions
9.103. Bryce Young, QB, Panthers
10.114. Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys
11.127. Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
12.138. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Titans
13.151. Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers
14. 162. Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins
15. 175. Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers
16. 186. Evan McPherson, K, Bengals
17.199. Chiefs defense
18. 210. Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens
Roday Rodriguez: Ahhh, superflex leagues. I didn’t think the first six overall picks would be all quarterbacks, so I pivoted to a wide receiver in Jefferson because he’s foolproof. After that, it was mostly about taking the best player available and I was lucky to get Cousins to stack with Jefferson. I have questions at running back, and I need either Howell or Young to become a thing for this team to shine. Honestly, I can see this squad contending for the title or finishing in dead last place.
8. Nelson Sousa, FTN Fantasy
1.8. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
2.17. Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcon
3.32. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jaguars
4.41. Jared Goff, QB, Lions
5.56. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
6.65. Darren Waller, TE, Giants
7.80. James Cook, RB, Bills
8.89. Miles Sanders, RB, Panthers
9.104. Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
10.113. Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
11.128. Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers
12.137. Eagles defense
13.152. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
14. 161. Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans
15. 176. DJ Chark, WR, Panthers
16. 185. Chase Brown, RB, Bengals
17.200. Younghoe Koo, K, Falcons
18. 209. Evan Hull, RB, Colts
Sousa: Going into the draft, I wanted to make sure I got a top-8 quarterback and a solid No. 2 to play in the superflex spot. Mission accomplished! What I didn’t expect is that I also landed my favorite players at each position. I thought I would be weak somewhere on the roster, but in my opinion, I have the best team in the league. Robinson, Cook, Ridley, Samuel and Waller should carry me most weeks, and Lawrence and Goff will be a strong pairing in explosive offenses.
9. Michael Fabiano, Sports Illustrated
1.9. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
2.16. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
3.33. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
4.40. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
5.57. Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
6.64. Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
7.81. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
8.88. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
9.105. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
10.112. D’Andre Swift, RB, Eagles
11.129. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
12.136. Kadarius Toney, WR, Chiefs
13.153. Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans
14. 160. Zamir White, RB, Raiders
15. 177. Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers
16. 184. Patriots defense
17.201. Ty Chandler, RB, Vikings
18. 208. Jake Elliott, K, Eagles
Fabiano: I typically start out my superflex build with a quarterback, but I audibled here and went with Chase over Burrow. I might regret the decision, but ending up with Watson and Prescott as my starters isn’t half bad. I took some chances at running back with Jacobs and Kamara, but that duo plus Mattison and Swift make a pretty nice backfield. I also handcuffed Jacobs and Mattison later in the draft. I like getting Goedert in the seventh to be my starting tight end, and grabbing Schultz later made good sense. The position that could burn me, even though I have Chase, is wideout. McLaurin is a nice No. 2 behind him, but I’m not so hot on Pittman Jr. (hope that I’m wrong), and taking Toney as a WR4 is a risk-reward proposition. Overall, I still like this squad, and it should contend for a postseason berth.
Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports
10. Andy Behrens, Yahoo!
1.10. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
2.15. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
3.34. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets
4.39. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
5.58. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
6.63. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Titans
7.82. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
8.87. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
9.106. Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears
10.111. Elijah Moore, WR, Browns
11.130. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Patriots
12.135. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Ravens
13.154. Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Broncos
14. 159. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Dolphins
15. 178. Ravens defense
16. 183. Daniel Carlson, K, Raiders
17.202. Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs
18. 207. Mike White, QB, Dolphins
Behrens: Picking in the backend of a superflex league draft isn’t for everyone, as I was going to get shut out of getting a top-tier quarterback. If you start collecting third-tier players in the first round, you’ll never stop. It’s O.K. to veer away from the quarterback at the top. My general philosophy in such scenarios is that I don’t want to fall into the habit of chasing positional runs in the draft. Instead, I want my teams to have a clear advantage at other positions. Thus, I went with McCaffrey and Kelce at the top, which is as solid an opening as you can reasonably expect if you pass on a quarterback. I did get Rodgers and Tua at the next turn, which is certainly tolerable. It isn’t all that hard to imagine a top-8 finish for either of them.
11. Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports
1.11. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
2.14. Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
3.35. Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
4.38. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
5.59. DJ Moore, WR, Bears
6.62. Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
7.83. Christian Watson, WR, Packers
8.86. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
9.107. C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans
10.110. Samaje Perine, RB, Broncos
11.131. Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers
12.134. Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears
13.155. Jaylen Warren, RB Steelers
14. 158. Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints
15. 179. Justyn Ross, WR, Chiefs
16. 182. Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys
17.203. Saints defense
18. 206. Greg Joseph, K, Vikings
Eisenberg: I was thrilled with how this draft turned out. It felt like I got several gifts with the selection of Burrow at No. 11 overall, Richardson in Round 3, Etienne in Round 6, Watson in Round 7 and my favorite pick, Dobbins in Round 8. I also really love my lottery ticket options of Johnston, Roschon Johnson and Warren. If any of them become starters on their respective teams, then my team could be exceptional. The tight end position could be an issue, but I do like the duo of Juwan Johnson and Ferguson. With a little luck, this team will be a playoff contender.
12. Craig Ellenport, Sports Illustrated
1.12. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
2.13. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
3.36. Chris Olave, WR, Saints
4.37. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
5.60. Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
6.61. George Kittle, TE, 49ers
7.84. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
8.85. Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans
9.108. Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
10.109. Jamaal Williams, RB, Saints
11.132. Nico Collins, WR, Texans|
12.133. 49ers defense
13.156. Cole Kmet, TE, Bears
14. 157. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants
15. 180. Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
16. 181. Justin Tucker, K, Ravens
17.204. Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals
18. 205. Deon Jackson, RB, Colts
Ellenport: Where you draft in the first round means so much more in superflex than in a traditional league. With the 12th pick, I was hoping I might be able to land Trevor Lawrence, but it wasn't even close. Joe Burrow almost fell into my lap but he got snagged one spot ahead of me. That said, I was pretty happy with the combination of Ekeler and Kupp. When the second-tier quarterbacks started coming off the board, I decided to load up on skill positions, adding Olave and Gibbs. I’ve got plenty of Skyy Moore shares this year, as I expect him to shine. If I get better-than-expected play from Stafford and Purdy, I feel like my team will be tough to beat.
