In every fantasy draft, each man or woman compiles a team of gridiron heroes that will hopefully carry them to the promised land filled with league championships and a year’s worth of bragging rights.
It’s fun.
But it’s even more fun if you’re actually winning, and though league-dominating strategies come in all shapes and sizes, here are five rules I’m banking on during my draft this season.
1. Go running back crazy.
Only three truly elite fantasy running backs emerged last season: Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster and Doug Martin.
If you owned Peterson, you were almost guaranteed the opportunity to contend in your league. If you had two of those three, you’re probably defending your title this season.
That’s what picking the right running backs in a draft can do during any given season.
The 2013 back options feature only a handful of can’t-miss picks, and the selection of second- and third-tier guys is deep but riddled with possible busts.
To assure I get at least one top back and protection against busts, I’ll be drafting running backs early and often. Very often.
2. Check fandom at the door.
Though there’s no greater feeling than watching my favorite player from my favorite team light up a stat sheet while reeling in the wins for my fantasy team, drafting specifically for that feeling isn’t smart.
One sure-fire way to build a terrible fantasy team is reaching too high for players in the draft, and to assure yourself a shot at your favorite player, reaching is usually a necessity.
Would I love to see every Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham touchdown this season also kill my fantasy opponent’s hopes of victory? Sure, but not if it means I have to grab them too early.
There’s no way I’m drafting a quarterback before filling out my running back rotation, and there’s even less chance I’m taking a tight end before the sixth round.
Instead, I’ll be content to hoard running backs in the opening rounds and pass on my favorite
team’s stars.
3. Hold out for a quarterback.
If you haven’t noticed, the NFL is a passing league now. Prior to 2008, only one man had ever reached the 5,000 passing yards threshold in a single season. His name is Dan Marino.
In the past four seasons, three quarterbacks have crashed Marino’s party, including Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady and Brees three separate times.
Stafford is no Marino, and neither is Eli Manning or Tony Romo, who each finished within 100 yards of the feat once in the last two seasons.
Manning, Romo and Stafford should each fall into a high-value draft position, and I plan to be there after all my opponents get done wasting first and second-round picks on the likes of Brees and Brady.
4. Don’t undervalue defense.
In leagues where team defenses collect points for turnovers created and points allowed, drafting a defense is often thought of as the home stretch.
The draft is winding down. You’ve drafted your starting lineup. You’re feeling good about your team, but the tasks of picking a defense and a kicker remain.
But if you’ve waited for the final rounds to pick your defense this season, you’ve probably waited too long.
The NFL’s shift to a pass-heavy league hasn’t only increased the number of valuable fantasy quarterbacks; it has also decreased the number of elite defenses.
A good defense will be more valuable to a fantasy team than that fourth wide receiver who only serves as a last resort in case of injuries. My defense will start every week. My backup backup receiver
won’t.
I’ll be drafting accordingly.
5. Don’t fear injuries.
In today’s NFL, all fantasy teams will undoubtedly face injury concerns at some point in the season.
Dealing with those midseason injuries correctly could keep you in contention. Drafting to avoid those injuries could reserve your seat among the league’s worst.
Building a good fantasy team takes a bit of luck.
Maybe your players will go the whole season without injury, and maybe they won’t. But trying to predict a player’s performance this season based on his injury history is a fruitless endeavor.
Anyone who did that last season missed out on the No. 1 fantasy option in the league — Mr. Peterson.
Don’t miss out on this season’s Peterson.
Spencer Hutchinson is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from West Monroe.
In every fantasy draft, each man or woman compiles a team of gridiron heroes that will hopefully carry them to the promised land filled with league championships and a year’s worth of bragging rights.
It’s fun.
But it’s even more fun if you’re actually winning, and though league-winning strategies come in all shapes and sizes, here are five rules I’m banking on during my draft this season.
1. Go running back crazy.
Only three truly elite fantasy running backs emerged last season: Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster and Doug Martin.
If you owned Peterson, you were almost guaranteed the opportunity to contend in your league. If you had two of those three, you’re probably defending your title this season.
That’s what picking the right running backs in a draft can do during any given season.
The 2013 back options feature only a handful of can’t miss picks, and the selection of second and third-tier guys is deep but riddled with possible busts.
To assure I get at least one top back and protection against busts, I’ll be drafting running backs early and often. Very often.
2. Check fandom at the door.
Though there’s no greater feeling than watching my favorite player from my favorite team light up a stat sheet while reeling in the Ws for my fantasy team, drafting specifically for that feeling isn’t smart.
One sure-fire way to build a terrible fantasy team is reaching too high for players in the draft, and to assure yourself a shot at your favorite player, reaching is usually a necessity.
Would I love to see every Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham touchdown this season also kill my fantasy opponent’s hopes of victory? Sure, but not if it means I have to grab them too early.
There’s no way I’m drafting a quarterback before filling out my running back rotation, and there’s even less chance I’m taking a tight end before the sixth round.
Instead, I’ll be content to hoard running backs in the opening rounds and pass on my favorite team’s stars.
3. Hold out for a quarterback.
If you haven’t noticed, the NFL is a passing league now. Prior to 2008, only one man had ever reached the 5,000 passing yards threshold in a single season. His name is Dan Marino.
In the past four seasons, three different quarterbacks have crashed his party, including Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady and Brees three separate times.
Stafford is no Marino, and neither is Eli Manning or Tony Romo, who each finished within 100 yards of the feat once in the last two seasons.
Manning, Romo and Stafford should each fall into a high-value draft position, and I plan to be there after all my opponents get done wasting first and second-round picks on the likes of Brees and Brady.
4. Don’t undervalue defense.
In leagues where team defenses collect points for turnovers created and points allowed, drafting a defense is often thought of as the home stretch.
The draft is winding down. You’ve drafted your starting lineup. You’re feeling good about your team, but the tasks of picking a defense and a kicker remain.
But if you’ve waited for the final rounds to pick your defense this season, you’ve probably waited too long.
The NFL’s shift to a pass-heavy league hasn’t only increased the number of valuable fantasy quarterbacks; it has also decreased the number of elite defenses.
A good defense will be more valuable to a fantasy team than that fourth wide receiver who only serves as a last resort in case of injuries. My defense will start every week. My backup, backup receiver won’t.
I’ll be drafting accordingly.
5. Don’t fear injuries.
In today’s NFL, all fantasy teams will undoubtedly face injury concerns at some point in the season.
Dealing with those mid-season injuries correctly could keep you in contention. Drafting to avoid those injuries could reserve your seat amongst the league’s worst.
Building a good fantasy team takes a bit of luck.
Maybe your players will go the whole season without injury, and maybe they won’t. But trying to predict a player’s performance this season based on his injury history is a fruitless endeavor.
Anyone who did that last season missed out on the No. 1 fantasy option in the league — Mr. Peterson.
Don’t miss out on this season’s Peterson.
Spencer Hutchinson is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from West Monroe.