If you're not interested in fantasy football, don't read this, it will bore you. If you're vaguely interested, then some of this commentary might win you a title, or least give you a shot.
Well mid-August means fantasy football drafts. I was watching the ESPN show last night and it continues to prove how horrible the ESPN fantasy guys are. First of all, they spend 40 minutes drafting the first 21 players (in commentating), it's just a waste of time compared to rounds 4-8, where drafts are mainly made.
Personally, I play in a lot of 3 WR and/or PPR leagues (point per reception), which balances out WR's and RB's. It's a lot more fun in my opinion brings a lot more variables into your draft. After drafting a few teams, let me give you some tips on draft day:
1. Know your league scoring rules. If your QB's are getting points for completions, you might want to bump them up a little. If they get the same of amount of points for TD's as backs and receivers, then the same applies. If you start 3 WR in your league, then you might be at an advantage to make more wide receivers in the early rounds. Every league is different, so know the scoring rules inside and out. Watch to see if players get points for return yards. If so, players like Wes Welker will get a bump. In PPR leagues, Reggie Bush and Brian Westbrook will get a bump up.
2. Let draft position determine most of your strategy. Where you draft is important. I've won titles drafting from all positions. And while I believe you don't win your league from your draft, I think you can lose your league from it. If your drafting at the beginning position, get the big RB, but be aware of what WR's are on the board on your way back. If there's 1 tier 3 RB and a 4-5 Tier 2 receivers, you might want to get the RB and get one of the tier 2 WR's on the way back (if you do serpentine drafting). Along with position, KEEP TRACK OF THE OTHER TEAMS' PICKS. That way you know what their needs are down the road as you are making your decision between 2-3 players.
3. Handcuff your big RB's. Handcuffing is taking the big RB's backup. There's nothing worse than trying to ride your big player until that freak injury, leaving you stuck getting some nobody on waivers that won't even come close. Handcuffing gives you some relief from that. Some handcuffs should get drafted earlier than others, and more than likely you want to draft them a round early then their average draft position (ADP).
4. Defenses and Kickers are a dime a dozen. Of course in some leagues (like CBS Sportsline, where DT are more valuable, you can get a top-10 defense in the later rounds and build up some great RB or WR depth. If your league takes special teams along with DT, then be aware of the return game (this is what makes Chicago much more lethal). But for the most part, DON'T DRAFT A KICKER UNTIL THE LAST ROUND. Unless your scoring rules have big points/kicker, the difference b/w #1 and #20 isn't that much in the end. Defensively there is always a couple who break out.
5. Come prepared to the draft. There is nothing more annoying than someone fumbling through a magazine they just picked up at the store on the way to the draft, always asking if Larry Johnson's been drafted when it's round 4. Have a cheatsheet with you, and if you have a chance to know your draft position before the draft, plan a strategy based on your position.
I'll try to post on a draft I had recently and give you an idea of what I was thinking with those picks, why I selected them when I did, and how I was planning ahead.
Hope it's helpful, and hope you have fun this fantasy football season.
