Guillotine Strategy, Late First-Round Pick

Footballguys Staff's Guillotine Strategy, Late First-Round Pick Footballguys Staff Published 08/21/2022

Links to Guillotine league discussions:


A Guillotine league usually consists of 18 teams. Each week, the lowest-scoring team is eliminated. The players on their roster then become free agents.

Your strategy needs to change with such a high number of participants and other format changes.

To help you with this unique format, we asked our staff questions. Here is the latest.

In an 18-team league, having a pick in the last third of Round 1 means you'll only have two top-48 selections. How does that influence your first two picks?

Phil Alexander, Pick 1.14

For me, it meant minimizing risk. Aaron Jones projects as the engine of Green Bay's offense and a more significant part of the passing game with Davante Adams out of town. Mike Evans' production is bankable year-over-year. Players like DAndre Swift and Tyreek Hill were in play with my first two picks, but I didn't want to learn we've been over-projecting their roles while my team was getting eliminated early in the season.

Craig Lakins, Pick 1.18

Drawing the last pick in the draft order was less than ideal, but it clarified how I wanted to attack my first set of picks. Getting a productive running back with a safe role and securing a top asset at quarterback or tight end were my goals. There's enough depth at wide receiver to load up on those later in the draft. With Mark Andrews still on the board, I locked up a top-two tight end and then took Leonard Fournette to have a strong running back to build around.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a 100% FREE Insider account.

By signing up and providing us with your email address, you're agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive emails from Footballguys.
Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Everything Season Long and DFS for Week 12

Your landing page for all of our weekly fantasy football content.

11/22/25 Read More
 

Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 12

Adam Hutchison

Summarizing the key injuries this week, including a breakdown of fantasy production post-injury and the likelihood of a player starting despite their injury.

11/22/25 Read More
 

Dynasty, in Theory: Paradoxes and Defunct Leagues

Adam Harstad

Can a problem from 1960s decision theory help us manage our dynasty teams today? Maybe!

11/22/25 Read More
 

Cutdown Day News You Need to Know

Sigmund Bloom

Sigmund Bloom tells you all of the important news from the chaos of roster cutdown day and why it matters for fantasy football

08/27/25 Read More
 

In and Out: Week 12 Edition

Bob Harris

Highlighting nine players who merit your attention, for better and for worse, as you set your starting lineup this weekend.

11/22/25 Read More
 

IDP Matchups and Stat Trends: Week 12

Aaron Rudnicki

An Excel spreadsheet and guide to help quickly break down IDP matchups for the week.

11/22/25 Read More