Best Ball Preseason Strategy: How to Use NFL Preseason for Best Ball Draft Preparation
Preseason is not a proxy for regular season production — starters play limited snaps and results are not predictive of regular season outcomes. What preseason does provide is structural information: who is earning snaps, who is getting targets when they are in, and who the coaching staff trusts.
Preseason Quick Reference
| Preseason information type | What it reveals | Draft action | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scripted first-drive target distribution | Who the OC targets in scripted situations with starters — a direct signal of coordinator preference | Prioritize the WR or TE who earns targets in first-drive scripted plays even when his target total is low | Ignoring scripted drives because “starters only play a few series” — those scripted series are often more revealing than the full preseason game |
| Injury news: starter limps off in preseason | Immediate roster shakeup — the backup becomes a draft target; the starter’s risk profile increases | Add the backup to your watch list; consider drafting the starter 1–2 rounds later due to risk | Drafting an injured preseason player at his full ADP without accounting for the injury’s severity — check the beat reporters for recovery timeline |
| Depth chart clarification: RB2 role | Who the coaching staff actually trusts in a committee determines handcuff value and RB2 weekly floor | Buy the RB2 who earns preseason snaps ahead of other committee members — depth chart position matters for handcuff value | Assuming the pre-camp projected RB2 is still the RB2 after 3 weeks of camp — depth charts shift in training camp; always verify with preseason data |
| Slot receiver confirmation | Who lines up in the slot determines target competition; slot WRs in PPR formats have high floor value | Confirm the slot WR designation before your draft — in PPR, slot WRs consistently earn 60–80 targets per season | Drafting a WR as a slot target without confirming he is actually lining up there after camp — the expected slot WR may have been replaced |
| Late-draft vs early-draft timing | A draft in late August has 3 weeks of preseason data; a draft in June has none | Late drafts are more informed — if your platform allows, draft in August rather than June to incorporate preseason data | Drafting in June and not refreshing your board in August before the actual draft — June research should be updated with preseason findings before any draft |
| What preseason stats do NOT tell you | Preseason box scores — yardage totals, TDs, completion percentages — are not predictive of regular season production | Do not adjust ADP significantly based on a WR’s preseason stat line | Reaching for a WR who had 2 preseason TDs — preseason TD totals are essentially random; they reveal nothing about regular season usage |
What Preseason Information Matters
Target distribution in limited team periods. Even when a team is running its third-string offense, watching who gets targets during early drive scripted situations reveals coordinator preference. These scripted drives feature starters and show real usage intent.
Injury news from training camp and preseason games. The most actionable preseason information is injury updates. A projected starter who limps off in Week 1 of the preseason and misses the rest of camp changes your draft board significantly.
Depth chart clarification. Questions about starting roles — who is the RB2, who is the slot receiver, who is the backup TE — often get resolved during preseason. Monitor beat reporter reports coming out of camp and preseason.
When to Draft in Best Ball Relative to Preseason
Late drafts often have more information. A best ball draft in late August has 3 weeks of preseason data. A draft in June is entirely based on projections. Late drafts are more informed but also have tighter ADP — everyone has the same information.
For how preseason connects to overall best ball preparation, see: Best Ball Mock Draft Strategy: How to Use Mock Drafts to Prepare for Best Ball.