ESPN’s Clay Outlines Strategic Adjustments for Ten Fantasy Football Formats
A comprehensive guide from ESPN covers dynasty, superflex, knockout, and scoring variation leagues, offering specific advice on player selection and waiver management.
ESPN fantasy analyst Mike Clay has published a detailed strategy guide for the 2026 NFL season, outlining draft and roster management tactics for ten distinct fantasy football league formats. The analysis, released on August 12, 2026, provides specific adjustments for dynasty, keeper, Individual Defensive Player (IDP), superflex, best ball, and knockout leagues, alongside scoring variations such as six-point passing touchdowns and premium tight-end settings.
In dynasty leagues, Clay advises managers to target players aged 20 to 24 while fading established veterans to build for the long term. He cites historical successes with players like Justin Jefferson and Puka Nacua to support strategies for building young assets, noting that prioritising perceived value over immediate wins can lead to a roster peaking in subsequent years. The guide also suggests trading rookie picks for established players if the manager expects their team to be competitive, arguing that rookies are often overestimated as lottery tickets.
For superflex leagues, the strategy shifts towards securing quarterback depth early. Clay recommends drafting one elite quarterback in the first round, pivoting to elite running backs or wide receivers, and then securing a second quarterback later in the draft. He identifies Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels as top targets, while suggesting managers monitor players like Kyler Murray and Cam Ward for value as the draft progresses. The goal is to avoid reaching too early while ensuring a stable quarterback situation.
Knockout leagues, a new format at ESPN for 2026, require a focus on weekly floor scores rather than ceiling. In this elimination-style format, the lowest-scoring team is removed each week, making schedule awareness critical. Clay highlights the Philadelphia Eagles as a prime target for early draft picks due to their favourable regular-season schedule, allowing managers to accumulate points before facing tougher playoff matchups. This contrasts with best ball tournaments, where loading up on Eagles players could be detrimental during the championship week.
The guide also addresses Individual Defensive Player (IDP) formats and specific scoring rules. Clay suggests focusing on offensive players first in IDP leagues, noting that defensive scoring is generally lower value, but highlights Travis Hunter as a unique dual-threat asset in ESPN leagues. For leagues awarding six points for passing touchdowns, quarterbacks with high passing volume such as Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow are valued higher than dual-threat runners. Additionally, in tight-end premium leagues, top options like Brock Bowers and Trey McBride should be drafted early.
