While many drafters aim to grab a top-5 quarterback (like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Jalen Hurts) in the first three rounds to "lock in" a position, the Chen strategy dictates that those picks are better spent on high-upside running backs and wide receivers.
Chen advocates for streaming quarterbacks. The logic is that while a top-tier QB might average 22 points a week, a well-streamed QB can average 18-20. That 2-4 point difference is negligible compared to the advantage you gain at Flex positions by drafting them earlier. chen fantasy football
Where other managers cling to a "set and forget" defense (e.g., the San Francisco 49ers), the Chen manager treats D/ST and Kicker as disposable assets. They will drop a defense that faces Patrick Mahomes to pick up a defense facing a rookie quarterback. This requires a commitment to weekly research (weather, offensive line injuries, turnovers forced). The utility is direct: by not wasting a draft pick on a top defense (typically rounds 10-12), the Chen manager uses that pick on a positional player with breakout potential. Over a 17-week season, streaming can yield a higher cumulative D/ST score than any single non-elite unit. While many drafters aim to grab a top-5
Rather than spreadsheets, Chen provides horizontal charts where the length of the line represents the "disagreement" or variance among experts regarding that player. That 2-4 point difference is negligible compared to
The charts are updated for various league types, including Standard, PPR, and Half-PPR , as well as specialized positions like Flex, DST, and Kicker . How to Use Chen Tiers for Success Shout out to Boris Chen : r/fantasyfootball