PPR Scoring Explained: Discovering Player Value Differences in PPR vs Standard Fantasy Football for Beginners
Understanding fantasy football can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to scoring systems. In simple terms, the differences in player value between PPR and standard scoring can change how you draft and manage your roster. PPR (Points Per Reception) rewards players differently than standard scoring does, which is important to know so you can make smart choices. This guide will explain how PPR scoring works, help you see how player values shift, and give you tips to improve your overall performance in fantasy leagues.
Understanding Fantasy Football Scoring Systems
Key Takeaway: Knowing the difference between scoring systems is crucial for making smart choices during your fantasy football draft.
Fantasy football uses different scoring systems to assign points for player performances. The two most common formats are standard scoring and PPR scoring. Each system impacts how you evaluate players.
What is Standard Scoring?
In standard scoring, players earn points based on yardage and touchdowns. For example:
- Touchdowns: 6 points
- Passing yards: 1 point for every 25 yards
- Receiving yards: 1 point for every 10 yards
- Rushing yards: 1 point for every 10 yards
This system rewards players who score touchdowns and accumulate yards. In standard scoring, running backs and wide receivers are highly valued, but the focus is mainly on how many touchdowns they can score.
What is PPR Scoring?
PPR stands for Points Per Reception. In this system, players earn points not only for yards and touchdowns but also for each catch they make. For example:
- Touchdowns: 6 points
- Receiving yards: 1 point for every 10 yards
- Receptions: 1 point for each catch
This scoring format elevates the value of players who catch a lot of passes, such as wide receivers and pass-catching running backs. This means a player who catches many short passes can still score a lot of points, even if they don’t gain many yards.
How PPR Scoring Works: When a receiver catches ten passes for 60 yards, they score:
- 6 points for the touchdown (if they score one)
- 6 points for the receiving yards (60 yards ÷ 10)
- 10 points for the receptions (10 catches)
That totals 22 points! In standard scoring, if they only had the same yardage without a touchdown, they would only score 6 points.
Comparing Standard Scoring vs PPR
| Scoring Aspect | Standard Scoring | PPR Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns | 6 points | 6 points |
| Passing Yards | 1 point per 25 yards | 1 point per 25 yards |
| Receiving Yards | 1 point per 10 yards | 1 point per 10 yards |
| Receptions | 0 points | 1 point per reception |
Visual Aid: 
Understanding these differences helps you choose players wisely during your draft.
Deep Dive: Differences in Player Value Between PPR and Standard Scoring
Key Takeaway: Player performance varies greatly between scoring systems, impacting your draft strategy.
Analyze Player Performance
In PPR leagues, wide receivers and pass-catching running backs become much more valuable. For instance, a running back who catches 50 passes in a season can add an extra 50 points just from receptions. In standard scoring, those receptions would contribute nothing to their score.
Real-Life Examples
Consider a player like Christian McCaffrey. In a standard league, if he rushes for 1,000 yards and scores 10 touchdowns, he would earn:
- Touchdowns: 60 points
- Rushing yards: 100 points
- Total: 160 points
In PPR, if McCaffrey also catches 70 passes for 600 yards, his score would be:
- Touchdowns: 60 points
- Rushing yards: 100 points
- Receiving yards: 60 points (600 yards ÷ 10)
- Receptions: 70 points
- Total: 290 points
His value skyrockets in PPR leagues! (Talk about making it rain points!)
Tactical Implications
When drafting in PPR, prioritize players who are known for catching passes. Look for wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs who frequently get targets. In standard scoring, you may focus more on players with high touchdown potential.
Understanding fantasy football scoring systems is crucial for your drafting strategy. The differences in player value can change how you approach your draft. For example, in a PPR league, you might pick a less flashy wide receiver who catches many passes over a more explosive player who doesn’t catch as many balls.
Special Focus: Half PPR Scoring Explained
Key Takeaway: Half PPR offers a balanced approach, making it easier to compare player values.
Explanation of Half PPR Format
Half PPR is a middle ground between standard and full PPR scoring. In this format, players earn:
- Touchdowns: 6 points
- Receiving yards: 1 point for every 10 yards
- Receptions: 0.5 points for each catch
This scoring system rewards receptions but not as heavily as full PPR. It still values players who catch passes, but it also maintains a level of balance between rushing and receiving stats.
Impact on Player Selection
In half PPR, players like running backs who catch passes become more valuable, but they don’t dominate the scoring as much as in full PPR. For example, if a player catches 50 passes, they earn 25 points in half PPR instead of 50 points in full PPR. This slight reduction means you can still prioritize rushing production without completely disregarding pass-catching abilities.
Tips for Beginners
- Know Your Scoring: Always check your league’s scoring rules before drafting. Understanding whether it’s standard, PPR, or half PPR shapes your strategy.
- Prioritize Versatile Players: Look for players who can excel in both rushing and receiving. This versatility gives you a better chance of scoring points regardless of the format.
- Evaluate Player Matchups: Research matchups each week. Some players may perform better against certain defenses, so adjust your roster accordingly.
Example: If you have a player like Austin Ekeler, he shines in both PPR and half PPR leagues. He catches a lot of passes and scores touchdowns, making him a valuable asset in any format.
Actionable Strategies and Tips for Drafting & Roster Management
Key Takeaway: Smart drafting and roster management lead to success in your fantasy league.
Comprehensive Strategies
- Create a Cheat Sheet: Make a cheat sheet reflecting your league’s scoring system. Include player rankings based on their value in that format. For beginners, a well-structured fantasy football cheatsheet can be a helpful tool.
- Monitor Player Performance: Regularly check player stats and trends throughout the season. This helps you adjust your lineup based on performance and injuries.
- Stay Informed: Read articles, listen to podcasts, and follow expert opinions on player evaluations. Knowledge is power!
Practical Examples
In a PPR draft, you might choose a player like Tyler Lockett over a more traditional running back who doesn’t catch many passes. If Lockett catches 70 passes for 800 yards and scores 8 touchdowns, he can score:
- Touchdowns: 48 points
- Receiving yards: 80 points
- Receptions: 70 points
- Total: 198 points
In a standard league, that same player might score significantly less if he doesn’t have as many touchdowns.
Tools and Resources
- Fantasy Football Apps: Use apps like ESPN Fantasy or Yahoo Fantasy to track player performance and manage your roster.
- Websites: Websites like FantasyPros provide rankings and advice tailored to different scoring formats.
These tools simplify scoring calculations and help you make informed decisions.
Sample Draft Scenario
Imagine you have the third pick in a PPR draft. You select Davante Adams as your first-round pick. Then, in the second round, you grab Alvin Kamara. Both players excel in PPR formats, ensuring you start strong.
PPR vs Standard Scoring Comparison Chart: This chart can help you visualize how your picks will perform under different scoring systems.
By understanding how to draft effectively for your league’s scoring format, you set yourself up for a successful fantasy football season.
In summary, knowing the differences in player value between PPR and standard scoring is an essential skill for any fantasy football player. Use this knowledge to improve your drafting strategies and roster management, and watch your league performance soar!
FAQs
Q: How do the roles and values of running backs and wide receivers shift in PPR leagues compared to the standard scoring format?
A: In PPR (points per reception) leagues, wide receivers gain increased value due to the additional points awarded for each catch, making a strong set of wideouts more advantageous than just having great running backs. Conversely, running backs, while still valuable, may see their relative scoring diminish as the focus shifts toward the reception capabilities of wide receivers and tight ends, especially since many running backs earn points primarily through rushing rather than receiving.
Q: When transitioning between half-PPR and full-PPR leagues, what are the key factors I should consider to accurately evaluate player performance and draft strategy?
A: When transitioning between half-PPR and full-PPR leagues, key factors to consider include the increased value of wide receivers and tight ends who catch more passes, as they will score higher in full-PPR formats. Additionally, assess the potential impact on running backs, particularly those who are pass-catchers, as their value may rise in full-PPR leagues, affecting your draft strategy and player rankings.
Q: In what ways does the addition of reception points influence the overall risk and reward of selecting a player with lower touchdown potential?
A: The addition of reception points reduces the overall risk associated with selecting players who have lower touchdown potential, as their value is bolstered by the accumulation of receptions. This allows for a more balanced team composition, as players who may not score many touchdowns can still contribute significantly to a team’s overall score through their reception totals.
Q: How can understanding the nuances of how PPR scoring works help me uncover undervalued players that might be overlooked in standard scoring formats?
A: Understanding PPR (Points Per Reception) scoring can help you identify undervalued players, particularly wide receivers (WRs) and tight ends (TEs), who may not score many touchdowns but have high reception totals. Players who excel in catching passes, especially running backs (RBs) and those in high-volume passing offenses, can provide significant fantasy value in PPR formats compared to standard scoring, where their contributions might be overlooked.