How to draft your fantasy football team
Finally, my favorite time of the year. Fantasy football season. The storm is coming guys. These leagues can be expensive. They are definitely a great investment. Are you tired of losing every year? Tired of not having any bragging rights? Well, you’re in luck. I’ve won “the big one” in my time. I remember it like it was yesterday, sophomore year of high school. The best $60 I’ve ever won. Honestly, it wasn’t even the money that made it worth it to me. A full year of bragging rights? I can’t beat it. With my step by step guidelines, you are guaranteed to win… (at least like 3 games).
Coooooook.
DO YOUR RESEARCH. The biggest mistake that tends to happen to people is that they don’t keep up with the news. It’s like stopping going to class, taking notes, doing homework all semester, and hoping to get your final grade. That is absolutely absurd. You can’t just show up for the draft without any prior knowledge of trades, free agency signings, INJURY REPORTS! Those are key. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone waste a high draft pick on a player who tore his ACL the week before or failed a drug test and ended up suspended. PLEASE come prepared for your draft. Watch SportsCenter, listen to the radio or a podcast, read a blog (wink, wink).
GO WITH YOUR INVENTORY. The key to writing a great team is to go with your gut. You need to make sure he’s the type of player you can rely on so that each week you have confidence before you set up that lineup. Go out and get your guy from the start. You might think he’s going to go down in the later rounds… but before you know it, he might be gone. You may regret it in the long run.
KNOW THE RULES. Be sure to ask your commissioner questions. It is important to know the point system. For example, if you’re joining a PPR (Receiving Points) league, you might want to do a completely different draft. Your position priorities/needs will be influenced. You may want to draft a WR in the first round instead of a RB.
THE KICKERS ALSO LIVE THE STUFF. Stop drafting Kickers in the last round. They are a START in your lineup, and can potentially score anywhere from 5 to 20 points (20 on a good day). The key is recruiting a kicker from a high running volume team. They tend to kick more field goals because it’s harder for them to convert on 3rd down. Also known as this equals more time for the kicker on the field.
I PROJECT AN EARLY QUARTERBACK. I’m over the stereotype of waiting to draft a QB. Why the hell would you do that? This is the position that scores the most points for your team each week. It is very important to draft a solid QB. Surprise your friends this year and be the wild card. Select quarterback no. #1 on the board from the start. Maybe even a second just to have a commercial bait.
DO NOT SHARE A TEAM WITH A FRIEND. I’ve had a duo of friends do this every year and it was the most annoying thing on the planet. They were constantly fighting and disagreeing on things. The most common mistake I’ve heard in the past: “I don’t know enough about soccer to pick my own team.” — You will never learn until you experience your own equipment. Be your own individual player! Choose the Right. Everyone is working on their own. The “co-owners” of Fantasy Football Teams are a joke. FYI – they NEVER win championships. There’s your life lesson for the day.
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ‘WEEK AFTER’. People who don’t pay attention to bye weeks when recruiting players tend to find themselves in a bind. What if the playoffs are coming up and you REALLY need this win? But oh no. Got multiple starters on a bye week? Enjoy that L. Another reason to check Bye Weeks is that sometimes you don’t have enough room on your roster to keep good players. You may need to fill a certain position, but no one on the bench can fill it. This means that you have to drop a player. Just remember to be careful.
STOP WRITING ELI MANNING. He’s trash. Just don’t do it. I don’t care if he has O’dell Beckham Jr. I promise you, it’s a mistake.
DON’T BE THE TACO OF YOUR LEAGUE. He’s always that guy who refuses to pay attention to his team all season long. Unfinished lineups are the worst. Don’t be that guy. Don’t neglect your team. Trust me, I enjoy easy Ws… I’ll take them. But I also enjoy and encourage a challenge. It makes the game more fun for everyone.
CHECK THE WAIVER CABLE. This one applies more to you after you pick your fantasy team, but free agency is key. People are constantly dropping off and picking up players every week. Some of those players are steals… Also, there’s always that dark horse that doesn’t get drafted. You want to catch the wave of players before the momentum wears off.
Every year, I join multiple fantasy leagues… Losing in all of them. But this year, it’s my year. The king has returned. I am focusing on a single league. This league, in particular, is one I’ve been in since seventh grade. It is my “Shiva Bowl”. It’s also the most money I’ve ever put into a league before. My recommendation take my advice into account and pay attention every week during the season. OH and buy NFL REDZONE. It is the best investment I have ever made. Sometimes you just want to see the exciting stuff. You want to see all the games. Well now you can. This show constantly bounces back and forth, capturing all the action. It only bounces when the team is about to score and in “the red zone”, hence the name.
Well that’s all I have for you guys today. Good luck in your seasons.
– Chief Bull