FAAB Strategy
Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) is a common feature when playing Dynasty Fantasy Football. There are different ways which FAAB can be implemented into a league, often is the case that you might be playing in a league that assigns a budget for you to use once the season has begun. However, if you play in an auction league, sometimes the remaining dollars of your salary cap once you’ve completed the free agency auction, acts as your FAAB.
Regardless of how you acquire dollars for a budget, these techniques will apply to you, and help you control your leagues free agency/waivers, and tilt a few guys along the way.
Here are 3 strategies you should be considering.
Strategy 1: The Rich get Richer
If you don’t need a player, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy them. If you’re fortunate enough to have a stacked, healthy team and the room to facilitate picking up that out of the blue stud RB, then do it. Nothing tilts everyone more than seeing the guy with 3 stud RB’s grab the new hotness off the free agency and have them rot on your bench.
If the season is winding down and you’re in good shape, don’t be afraid to spend premium dollars to keep those players off the rosters of your competition. If everything works out, you can even trade that rental player for a much better Dynasty piece off anyone starving for them.
This is typically an incredibly useful tactic with running backs, as they’re always in demand and sell at a premium. Easily my favourite free agency tactic.
Strategy 2: The Poor Strike Back
Already out of the playoffs? Think there’s nothing left to play for? Wrong. Destroying other team’s plans and crushing their playoff hopes is almost as rewarding as making the show itself. If you ruin the right guys chances, one might argue it’s even better!
One of the most effective ways to wreak havoc on those who require bobbing and weaving through free agency in order to secure a playoff spot is to effectively use your FAAB dollars to snatch up key players at a premium.
Not only can you take a player away, but if other owners see you doing this, you’ll effectively drive up the market, because owners will fear your tactics.
Strategy 3: Put Out False Feelers
Wherever you and your league mates communicate, don’t be afraid to put out false feelers on guys, especially if it’s a player that’s the same position as the guy you really want.
Hyping up a guy during a game, post game, during the off-season, whenever. It can really help you drive away competition for the guy you really want. This strategy is about planting seeds, it can take time to grow, but when it does, you’ll effectively be spending other peoples money for them, and opening up more opportunities for yourself.
Strategy 4: Guys on Byes
The last strategy here is really about being smart with the market. If a player has been seeing increased productivity and you’re beginning to notice them, don’t be afraid to get your bids in if they’re coming into a bye week. You’re likely to be facing less competition in the market, and your chances of striking a better deal on that players value is increased.
That’s it for FAAB strategy today. Keep these tactics in mind Tuesday mornings when that free agency opens up, they can really open up a lot of doors for your team.
