2024 Best Ball Cheat Codes: Tournament-Winning Strategies

As summer wages on and NFL players start to trickle into training camp, the heartbeat of Best Ball competition grows louder and louder.

For new players and veterans alike, navigating the best ball landscape can be overwhelming. Even for those with hundreds of drafts under their belt, a 30-second timer (Underdog Fantasy has introduced even faster drafts this year) can equate to panicked selections and cause well-thought-out plans to go off the rails.

But the Fantasy Footballers have your back!

Joining Borg and Betz on this week’s DFS & Betting podcast are six of the best in the business to give you their “cheat code” for 2024 and help give you a leg up on the competition. Whether it’s specific players to target, loading up on a preferred position early or looking at Week 17 schedules that offer the best matchups, these tips from leading industry experts are here to help you snag best ball crowns.

And make sure to check out the DFS Pass in the UDK+ for the Best Ball Primer, Borg and Betz’s rankings and more!

Pete Overzet | FantasyLife | @peteroverzet

Cheat Code: Team stacking even without the QB

Stacking QBs with their respective pass-catchers has become so important in best ball that it’s almost the de facto strategy for all drafters, regardless of playing in 12-team leagues or large tournament formats. But Pete believes it doesn’t have to stop there. There are a finite amount of stacks that can be put together while drafting only two to three quarterbacks, but that leaves ample room to draft multiple pass-catchers even without rostering the quarterback. Pete sites drafting Zay Jones and Greg Dortch late even without Kyler Murray, or Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet without Caleb Williams. Most players shy away from drafting multiple pass-catchers without the QB, so taking the road less traveled could give you an edge.

Justin Herzig | Establish The Run | @JustinHerzig

Cheat Code: Drafting RBs from the same backfield

To win in best ball tournaments, you have to first advance to the playoffs, and data shows that when drafting RBs on the same team it increases your advance rate. Justin argues that targeting ambiguous backfields not only gives you an advancement edge, but gives you a unique roster construction in the playoffs with low-owned players who could have ping pong spike weeks. Take Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane last year – rostering both RBs equated to a 61% advance rate. Justin is specifically eyeing the backfields in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Washington, Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Chargers this year. RBs for those teams are typically selected later in drafts, giving you a chance to load up on other positions and then doubling up RB teammates.

Liam Murphy | Beat Best Ball | @ChessLiam

Cheat Code: The Cincinnati RBs

The Bengals play the Broncos in Week 17, a major reason why Liam believes rostering Cincinnati’s running backs could be the key to victory. It’s an ideal matchup to help secure best ball titles. Combine Liam’s advice with Justin’s, drafting players from a somewhat uncertain backfield that doesn’t cost much, specifically Zack Moss and Chase Brown, can be a huge advantage.

Pat Kerrane | Legendary Upside | @PatKerrane

Cheat Code: The Patriots’ Offense

While drafting New England players feels unsavory, it could actually give best ball players a huge advantage according to Pat. All the Patriots skill position players are severely undervalued, including Rhamondre Stevenson who has RB1 upside but is being drafted in the RB20 range. Antonio Gibson is a cheaper contingent option that can be paired with Stevenson. When it comes to tight ends, Hunter Henry is being selected late and doesn’t have too much WR competition, plus he’s shown he can amass touchdowns. And rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk has high draft capital, yet is being drafted several rounds later than his Round 2 counterparts. Polk is the potential WR1 in New England and rookie wideouts can provide back-weighted production that is crucial to winning best ball tournaments. Add that all together with Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall draft pick, who could find himself providing solid fantasy production in the latter half of the season.

Michael Leone | Establish The Run | @2Hats1Mike

Cheat Code: Rome Odunze

A top-10 2024 draft pick, Rome Odunze is being undervalued in best ball markets according to Michael. Las Vegas is predicting an average of 23 points per game for the  Bears this season, meaning a much-improved offense that will provide opportunities for its wideouts to score. Odunze is one of the most talented WRs to come out in recent years and his value would spike if D.J. Moore or Keenan Allen were to miss time. Being picked outside the top 35 WRs in best ball, Odunze can be drafted at a major discount for a player of his caliber.

Jason Moore | The Fantasy Footballers | @jasonffl

Cheat Code: Team-Based Projections as ADP Tie Breakers

Instead of being solely locked in on specific players, Jason points out that using team projections can help decide whether a players’ ADP is where it should be. Jason sites the Raiders’ offense as one that will likely be at the bottom of the league, therefore despite the talent of Davante Adams, he is avoiding him in best ball drafts due to his high ADP. Whereas he predicts the Chargers to be an efficient offense and their skill position players are being undervalued, so grabbing someone like Joshua Palmer or Gus Edwards late could pay massive dividends.

Matthew Betz | The Fantasy Footballers | @TheFantasyPT

Cheat Code: Don’t Get Behind at WR, but Know When to Pivot

Loading up on WRs early in best ball is important, but Betz laid out some very interesting data when it comes to how many more WRs are being drafted this year. In 2022, 16 of the first 36 picks in ADP were wide receivers. In 2023 that number was 19 out of 36. This year, 26 of the first 36 picks are wideouts. The market is vastly different, yet you’re probably not finding equal value at ADP. It’s okay, nay, it’s encouraged to pivot when the value just isn’t there at the WR position, yet you have a slam dunk pick at RB, QB or TE. Betz points out you want to try to draft three WRs in your first four picks, but then cool off when the value isn’t there and then get back to the position later in the draft.

Kyle Borgognoni | The Fantasy Footballers | @kyle_borg

Cheat Code: Get Those Tight Ends in Shape

Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to manage, but as Kyle identifies, getting the TE pick right is a game-changer. His advice is to grab one of the top TEs in the right spot, like Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, Dalton Kincaid or even Kyle Pitts, because they provide an anchor at a onesie position. Plus they won’t cost as much as Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce, yet could still finish as the TE1. Also consider a three-tight end build, even if drafting one of the earlier players at the position, because data shows the advance rate is significantly higher when you roster three tight ends, especially in the semifinals. Pair an elite option with two more TEs later in drafts like Noah Fant, Hunter Henry, Cade Otton and Chig Okonkwo.