Mike Clay's Playbook Part 2: Savage Tips for Crushing Non-Traditional Fantasy Leagues
Fantasy football ain't one-size-fits-all. Mike Clay knows this better than anyone, managing a dozen-plus teams across dynasty, keeper, IDP, super-deep, and outright bizarre scoring setups — yes, including leagues with punters and head coaches. If you're grinding in a non-traditional league, here's how to adjust and feast.
Dynasty: Play the Long Game, Not the Pretty One
Dynasty is the closest thing to being a real GM. You keep your guys, you wheel and deal, and the season never truly ends. The secret? Exploit perceived value. Managers overrate unproven rookies and shiny first-round picks, while sleeping on steady vets. In a startup draft, go almost embarrassingly young — target 20- to 24-year-olds. You'll take some lumps early, but within two years, your roster is peaking while the old-school squads are fading. And if you fall out of contention? Embrace the rebuild. Trade aging stars for picks and prospects. Just ask Clay, who shipped Terry McLaurin, Raheem Mostert, and two future seconds for Davante Adams back in 2020 — a literal title-winning move. Don't be scared to deal rookie picks either. They're lottery tickets, and hitting on them is rarer than you think. If you can flip one for a weekly starter, do it and never look back.
Rookie Drafts: Pedigree Beats Panic
The rookie draft is where dynasty seasons are won. The rule is simple: take the best player available, not the one filling a need. Reaching on a Day 3 running back because he might get early touches is how you end up with a pumpkin instead of a prince. NFL teams know what they're doing — most fantasy stars come from Rounds 1 and 2. So when in doubt, trust the pedigree and stock up on elite wide receiver prospects.
Keeper Leagues: ADP Is Your Best Friend
Keeper leagues come with a thousand different rules, but the decision usually boils down to one thing: ADP. Keep the player who gives you the most value at their draft cost. If you can keep A.J. Brown for a second-round pick or Emeka Egbuka for a 12th, and they have similar ADPs? You keep Egbuka and grab a Brown-like stud in the second round anyway. Stop overthinking it.
IDP: Don't Overrate Defense
Unless you're in a die-hard IDP league with a million starting slots, defensive players aren't worth reaching for. One or two IDP starters? Focus on offense, then grab a solid linebacker like Jordyn Brooks in the middle rounds and play the waiver wire. Also, keep an eye on Travis Hunter: the Jaguars super-utility man scores on both sides of the ball in IDP formats, making him a cheat code if he's eligible as a DB.
Superflex: Quarterbacks Are the Whole Game
In superflex, you're starting two QBs every week, which means the position's value skyrockets. Move QBs up your board and load up on depth. Don't panic and take two QBs back-to-back though. Let the run happen, grab one star QB, then scoop an elite RB or WR, then circle back for a reliable QB2 like Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, Trevor Lawrence, or Brock Purdy. And don't forget an upside third QB — names like Kyler Murray, Cam Ward, or Malik Willis could pay off big.
Best Ball: Stack Up and Get Deep
Best ball is auto-pilot, so your draft needs more depth and zero dead weight. In a standard 20-round draft, go 2-3 QBs, 5-6 RBs, 7-8 WRs, and 2-3 TEs. In tournament formats, stack your QB with his top receiver — Dak Prescott and George Pickens would've been a massive edge last season — and always keep championship week matchups in mind.
Knockout Leagues: Survive First, Thrive Later
ESPN's new knockout format eliminates the lowest scorer every week — so floor beats ceiling every time. One bad week ends your season, so prioritize safe, consistent players and mind the bye weeks. In 2026, Eagles players are undervalued in this format thanks to a soft regular-season schedule; ride them early, then upgrade for the playoff stretch. Also, be hyperactive on waivers — superstars get dropped every week, so having a FAB strategy is half the battle.
Six-Point Passing TDs: Adjust Your QB Tiers
Six-point passing TDs change the math. Pocket passers like Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, and Jared Goff get a boost, while running QBs like Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels fall slightly. Just check the projections and let the touchdown volume guide you.
TE Premium: Tight Ends Become Weapons
Give tight ends 1.5 or 2 points per catch and suddenly Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and Kyle Pitts are first-round threats. The positional scarcity is real — Pitts scored 210.8 points in standard PPR, good for WR17/RB19/QB21, but in 1.5 PPR he jumps to WR7/RB10/QB13. That's serious value. Stash upside TEs like Kenyon Sadiq, Isaiah Likely, Terrance Ferguson, and Gunnar Helm.
Punters: Yes, Even They Matter
Think I'm joking? If your league uses punters, target guys on bad offenses who'll punt early and often — Bradley Pinion and AJ Cole are prime targets. In weird leagues, every edge counts.