Salary Cap Leagues, Early Nominations

Footballguys Staff's Salary Cap Leagues, Early Nominations Footballguys Staff Published 08/07/2022

Salary Cap content is part of the ELITE package for Footballguys Premium Subscriptions. We're making this preview available so you can see the edge these subscribers are getting. Sign up here.

The Salary Cap Roundtable Series

Joining a salary cap league can be intimidating for even a seasoned fantasy football player. Fortunately, the Footballguys staff has experience in this format and will help you. Over the summer, we'll cover various topics ranging from basic to advanced strategies.


What drives your early nomination strategy? How do you decide whom you will nominate in the early rounds?

Jason Wood

Every salary cap draft is different, of course, but generally speaking, I'm throwing out the highest-priced players I can whom I have no interest in rostering. I'll veer away from that if we approach a key tier break and only two players are left in the tier I'm targeting. Then I'll nominate a player I want to try and roster.

Jeff Haseley

I will nominate players that fetch a high price in the early rounds. The faster I can get people in salary budget trouble, the better. I want someone to spend over $100 on two players or over $140 on three players. The faster they are out of the budget battle, the easier it is to succeed in the mid-late game, where salary cap drafts are often won. I will nominate my $1 kicker and $1 defense early on. I can pinpoint my team before other big-name kickers or defenses are gone, always giving the impression that a better kicker is still on the board. This usually helps solidify a winning bid for $1.

Chad Parsons

I generally want to extract money from the room. The higher-priced players, specifically at positions where I target mid-tier options later on for potential discounts. As the nominations progress, I shift more towards players of interest for my roster.

Andy Hicks

Depends on the room. Like other guys, I want money out of the pool, but preferably on the players I don’t want at their expected prices. Sometimes I sneak a player through that I like, which may attract more money when the elite players are all taken. Surprise can have its victories.

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

 

The Pre-Draft Bloom 100

Sigmund Bloom

Sigmund Bloom runs down the top 100 rookies for dynasty leagues, including IDPs.

04/16/26 Read More
 

Dontayvion Wicks, Travis Hunter, George Pickens and More NFL News

Sigmund Bloom

The most important NFL stories from the past week and why they matter for fantasy football.

04/16/26 Read More
 

Is Detroit Still a Fantasy-Rich Offense?

Jason Wood

Footballguys staffers discuss whether they expect the Lions offense to improve, stay the same, or decline in 2026 versus last season.

04/16/26 Read More
 

Is Isiah Pacheco a Target, Handcuff, or Avoidable?

Jason Wood

Footballguys staffers discuss where to rank Pacheco and whether you should expect him to have a similar workload to Montgomery's role in prior seasons.

04/16/26 Read More
 

Will Sam LaPorta Bounce Back?

Jason Wood

Footballguys staffers discuss expectations for Sam LaPorta as he returns from an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Can he return to the ranks of elite tight ends?

04/16/26 Read More
 

Is Jameson Williams a Top-25 Fantasy Receiver?

Jason Wood

Footballguys staffers discuss the probability of Jameson Williams turning in a top-25 fantasy season in 2026. Are there pitfalls to worry about?

04/16/26 Read More