We’re just one week away from the NFL draft, which, of course, got me thinking about fantasy draft strategies. Every fantasy owner has their own philosophies when it comes to drafting, but there are a few fundamental rules every owner should follow when trying to build a winning team.
As a seasoned veteran of several fantasy leagues, I have seen more than one of my counterparts not employing these basic principles. Obviously, when other owners ignore these simple guidelines, it helps me. However, I feel a responsibility to remind my fellow “Scramblers” of some of these tactics.
First off, your draft strategy must be based on your league’s scoring rules. Every league has different scorekeeping which puts more importance on certain positions. It’s your job to figure out which positions your league rewards the most and then target those players. I’ve never heard of a league requiring owners to draft only players from their favorite team, yet there is inevitably at least one person in every league who drafts with their heart and not with their head.
By knowing your league’s scoring system, you can focus on the players who will help you throughout the season. This does not include kickers! Filling out your roster with backups and sleepers is much more important. Don’t be fooled by other owners picking kickers earlier than the last few rounds. Waiting on these players will give you better odds on landing that sleeper pick that has an unexpected break out season and propels your team to the fantasy playoffs. Showing patience in the case of drafting kickers also allows you to build a deeper, more well-rounded bench.
No draft strategy will help you without preparation. Researching players before your draft will make you a more confident drafter. Confidence in your approach is paramount when building a winning roster because it allows you to make better decisions when you are on the clock.
When studying for your draft, your research tools should include multiple sources from multiple outlets. This includes podcasts, T.V. and radio shows, and magazines. Remember, not every fantasy “expert” has advice which relates to your particular league’s rules and scoring. Getting your information from more than one source will give you a broader perspective on who to draft when two players are evenly rated on your board.
Knowing, and more importantly, using these basic devices will make it easier to practice more complicated tactics on draft day. Mastering the basics will also give you the ability to adapt your approach more easily when other owners throw you unforeseen curve balls.
Finally, remember that fantasy football is supposed to be fun. Winning is more fun than losing; this especially pertains to draft day. Winning draft day doesn’t guarantee championships, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Enjoy next week’s draft and “Keep On Scramblin’”. Hit me up on Twitter @MaahsScrambler.
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