As retro mentions.. a simple, timed button press (reset button) will eliminate the need for any DTR/RESET pad on the FTDI cable end..
I have done it a million times on standalone and breadboard projects... (a couple of custom boards, that did NOT have a reset button.. I just used my real Arduino as a passive/pass-through device to upload sketches...by removing the Atmega chip in my true Arduino)
this thread may help: