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PPR vs. Standard Strategy: How Scoring Format Changes Your Draft

PPR (Points Per Reception) changes the entire valuation landscape.

In PPR, catching a pass is worth points. In Standard, only yards and TDs count.

This fundamentally shifts which players are valuable.

The Principle

PPR: Receptions = points.

A pass-catching RB who gets 5 targets per game is worth more. A target-hog WR is worth more. A TE with consistent targets is worth more.

Standard: Volume = points (rushing yards, passing yards, TDs).

A high-volume rusher matters more. A touchdown-dependent player matters less (TDs are TD in both formats, but pure-volume guys matter in standard).

Position Valuations by Format

RB Valuation

PPR Premium: Pass-catching RBs go up (they get targets). A RB with 5 carries + 8 targets is scoring:

  • PPR: 50 + 80 = 130 points
  • Standard: 50 yards + 0 = 5 points

Standard Premium: Pure rushers go up. A RB with 15 carries, no targets:

  • PPR: 60 + 0 = 60 points
  • Standard: 60 + TD bonus = 65+ points

Strategy:

  • PPR: Prioritize pass-catching RBs (get higher points)
  • Standard: Prioritize pure-volume rushers

WR Valuation

PPR Premium: WRs go up (more targets = more points). Every reception = 1 point.

A WR with 8 targets per game is more predictable/valuable.

Standard: WRs depend heavily on yards. Deep-threat WRs might score as much as possession WRs.

Strategy:

  • PPR: Target-share WRs are premium. Grab guys with 25%+ target share.
  • Standard: Yards + TDs matter equally. Don’t overpay for target share alone.

TE Valuation

PPR Premium: TEs go up (consistent targets = consistent points).

Kelce at 12 targets per game = 120 points in PPR (huge).

Standard: TEs depend on yards + TDs. Less predictable.

Strategy:

  • PPR: Elite TE is premium. Grab Kelce early.
  • Standard: TE is less critical. Wait longer.

The Draft Implications

PPR Draft:

  • RB with pass-catching upside > pure rusher
  • WR with target share > deep threat
  • Elite TE > wait on TE
  • Spend earlier on WR (they have more targets)

Standard Draft:

  • Pure-volume RB > pass-catching RB
  • Deep threat > possession WR (yards matter)
  • Don’t overspend on TE (TDs are unpredictable)
  • Wait longer on WR (targets less important)

Half-PPR (Compromise)

Half-PPR: 0.5 points per reception (split the difference).

A 10-target WR in Half-PPR gets 5 points (vs. 10 in full PPR, 0 in standard).

Strategy: Somewhere between. Pass-catching matters but isn’t everything.

The Worked Example

PPR draft:

  • Round 1: Elite RB or WR (both valuable)
  • Round 2: Complementary elite (both are elite in PPR)
  • Round 3: Reach for TE if Kelce is available (he’s premium)
  • Round 5: Get a pass-catching RB (valuable in PPR)

Standard draft:

  • Round 1: Elite RB (pure volume)
  • Round 2: Elite WR (yards matter)
  • Rounds 3–4: Wait on TE (TD-dependent, not repeatable)
  • Round 5: Get another pure-volume RB

The Payoff

Adapt your draft to the scoring format.

  • PPR: Target share and pass-catching matter more.
  • Standard: Pure volume matters more.
  • Half-PPR: Balance of both.

Managers who draft the same way regardless of format are making mistakes.

Living guide — updated each preseason. Related: draft strategy · scoring systems · positions.