Preparation for your Fantasy Football Draft is key to building a winning team. The draft controls the direction of your season and your chances for success. Knowing the league rules, player worth, and drafting schemes can always get you ahead. But to ready yourself for a draft, you need to have an overabundance of information about the game beyond simple statistics.
Know Your League Rules
Before the draft, familiarize yourself with your league’s scoring system and roster requirements. Leagues vary regarding points per reception (PPR), long touchdown bonuses, and starting lineup configurations. Knowing this information enables you to rank players properly. If you are to go with a Sleeper promo, for example, you should understand the vital information for each league. In PPR leagues, for instance, wide receivers and running backs who catch passes are more desirable. Rank your players similarly in accordance with these to obtain the right players.
Mock Draft Often
Mock drafts are particularly helpful in fine-tuning your draft skills. You can experiment with different approaches in a mock situation. Do numerous mock drafts from various locations to determine how player availability changes based on your draft spot. You’ll get a sense of when to take different players and find sleepers. Go over your picks for each mock draft and wonder what you’d do differently in an actual draft.
Stock Up on Running Backs Early
Running backs typically comprise the backbone of a victorious fantasy team. Prioritize drafting top-notch running backs with early-round picks. They possess higher workloads and scoring potential than any other position on the field. Target workhorse backs who control their team’s carries week after week. Later in the rounds, utilize picks on high-upside rookies or handcuffs to a perennial starter to improve your depth at this critical position.
Understand Average Draft Position (ADP)
Having a knowledge of the Average Draft Position (ADP) of players enables you to make intelligent choices in the draft. ADP knowledge lets you know the moments when people in your league will draft specific players. Based on this, you can anticipate runs on particular positions and adjust your strategy. Having a sense of ADP allows you to know value picks and not stretch too far for a player.
Hold On Tight Ends
The tight end position is frustrating because it tends to be unreliable. Wait for the middle rounds to pick up a tight end unless an excellent one drops right into your lap early. Lots of tight ends can give the same level of production, and it makes sense to prioritize filling other roles first. Pin down a decent tight end toward the later rounds and take the second tight end with potential breakouts as insurance.
Build a Balanced Roster
The secret to weathering the ups and downs of a fantasy season is having a balanced roster. While you may be tempted to load up on superstar talent, be sure to build depth at each position as well. Balance your roster by selecting players with varying risk profiles—some should be stable while others offer high upside. This will protect you from injuries and bad games during the course of the season.
Use the “CUDDY” System
Using a systematic approach to selecting players can make your decision easier. The “CUDDY” system uses five traits: Consistency, Upside, Durability, Depth, and Youth. Attempt to have players with at least three of these traits:
- Consistency: Choose players who score week in and week out.
- Upside: Select those with high potential for big-time games.
- Durability: Select players who have been resistant to injury.
- Depth: Keep backups on hand in the event of injury or ineptitude.
- Youth: Young players tend to have a high ceiling for growth and development.
Following this framework, you will be able to make better choices throughout your draft.
Be Flexible During the Draft
While planning is crucial, flexibility also comes into play during the draft. Be prepared to change according to the progress of the draft. If a player whom you were targeting is drafted higher than expected, shift your strategy rather than attempt to make a pick that does not fall in your plan. Look for position runs and be ready to switch if needed.
Stay Informed about Player News
Until the draft, keep track of player news, injuries, and training camp rumors. Changes in a player’s status can dramatically impact a player’s worth. If, for example, a starting running back on a team is injured in training camp, his backup would be a great draft selection overnight. Staying current will allow you to make decisions on time that will make you stand out from others.
Preparing for your Fantasy Football Draft as a pro is all about knowing league rules, practicing through mock drafts, recognizing key positions, and staying up to date on player news. By employing these strategies, you’ll be positioning yourself for success as you build a solid team that can withstand whatever the coming season throws at it. The most important thing is to prepare; invest time studying and practicing to put yourself in the best position possible to win your fantasy league.
