Big congratulations are in order! The 2019 Fantasy Football season was a huge success for Matt Bayley. It’s no wonder that the guy who added Raheem Mostert with his first FAAB pickup this season is the 2019 Fantasy Football World Champion. This is the second time he has accomplished this feat! And he took home first place in the Fantasy Football Online Championship, good for another $50K! Six of Bayley’s teams finished in the top 30 of the FFWC. That’s $200K for just his two winning teams.
During the presentation in which Bayley was receiving his $150,000 check for winning the eighth Fantasy Football World Championship at FullTime Fantasy, he was studying for a draft that takes place after the Super Bowl. And we are not talking about dynasty football. This is a guy who participates in season-long fantasy football drafts all year long, including in February!
Heading into Week 16, Bayley’s squad “STEEL” hit big with three players scoring at least 38 points (Lamar Jackson, Kenyan Drake and Julio Jones). After that, no team was able to make a comeback.
The Fantasy Football World Championship tracks and ranks the performances of all players and entry fees ranging from the free Mock Draft World Championship to $35 Starter Leagues and all the way to the marquee contest, the Fantasy Football World Championship with drafts online from home or live in Las Vegas.
So what do you get for winning the main event?
- The $150,000 grand prize
- An all expense paid trip to Miami for the Super Bowl and award ceremony
- The title of Fantasy Football World Champion
During Super Bowl weekend, FullTime Fantasy sat down to ask Bayley about his epic season:
FullTime Fantasy: Who were some players you knew you were going to fade in the the draft during the preseason?
Matt Bayley: Baker Mayfield, David Montgomery, Odell Beckham and Eric Ebron were players I faded at each of the core four positions. These were players who faced statistical regression or whose ADP caused them to be overvalued on draft day.
FTF: Who were some players you circled on your draft sheet? Who did you know you wanted on your squad?
MB: Lamar Jackson, Austin Ekeler, Chris Godwin and George Kittle were players I targeted. Jackson was the overall best value on the board, but drafting Ekeler in the mid-rounds really jumpstarted my teams that proved strong at WR.
FTF: What were some of the most significant adds and drops you made this season?
MB: Tyler Higbee was a revelation in Week 13… to have your last waiver move average 20-plus PPR points per week in the playoffs was amazing. It was the most consequential waiver move of the year for me.
FTF: Is there a specific strategy you used this year when approaching the draft?
MB: No specific strategy. Wide receivers are obviously important in the FFWC, but adapting to your draft position remains essential.
FTF: What was your confidence level heading into the last Sunday of the season? Were there any moments where you were biting your nails?
MB: It was great having a lead going into the week, but once the games started, Chris Carson’s injury proved worrisome. That’s the sort of thing that sinks you during championship week. Then having no one left on Sunday Night Football facing a team that needed 10 points from Sammy Watkins (and he caught the first pass of the game!) was nervous business. Finally, the last team with a chance to beat me had Stefon Diggs and Aaron Jones on Monday Night Football. Both players had good games, with Aaron Jones scoring his second touchdown late to make it a bit too close for comfort. Ultimately, I was able to win by just 7 fantasy points.
FTF: What is it about the FFWC’s format that you enjoy so much? Clearly you are a fan as this is your second world title.
MB: Years ago, I competed against Ian and Scott in other national contests so I know they understand what it means to own teams and compete. Now, as contest owners, every offseason they ask questions and survey team owners to see how they can make the contest better, which I appreciate. The format, having two flexes in addition to the base lineup requirements, challenges you to build a complete team; during the draft, the talent gets thin fast so you must remain disciplined throughout. That’s an appealing challenge.
FTF: What do you plan to do with the $150K? Any specific vacation plans?
MB: Having younger kids and older parents means the money will definitely go to good use. Beyond that, whatever my wife wants.
Learn more about the Fantasy Football World Championships where you can win a whopping $150K!
