Fantasy football is more than just a hobby; it’s a passion for millions of fans worldwide. While the thrill of competition and camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts are undeniable draws, success in fantasy football often hinges on one crucial event: the draft. The order in which you draft your players can significantly impact your team’s chances of victory. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of drafting in fantasy football, examining the strategies and considerations that can make or break your season.
Pre-Draft Preparation
Before diving into the draft process, it’s crucial to do your homework. Successful drafting starts well before the draft room opens. Here are some key steps to help you prepare effectively:
a. Research Player Rankings: Stay updated with player rankings from reliable sources, as these rankings will serve as your foundation during the draft.
b. Understand Your League Settings: Each fantasy football league has its unique settings, including scoring rules, roster sizes, and draft formats. Familiarize yourself with these settings to tailor your strategy accordingly.
c. Mock Drafts: Participate in mock drafts to practice your drafting skills and gain insights into player values and draft trends.
d. Create a Draft Strategy: Develop a draft strategy based on your league’s settings and your personal preferences. Will you focus on running backs early, or opt for a balanced approach? Knowing your strategy in advance is crucial.
Draft Order Impact
The draft order has a substantial influence on your drafting strategy. In most leagues, the order is determined either randomly or based on the previous season’s performance. Understanding how draft order affects your choices is essential:
a. Early Picks (1-4): If you have an early draft pick, you can target elite players who are likely to produce consistent and high-scoring performances throughout the season. Focus on securing top-tier running backs and wide receivers, as they are the backbone of your team.
b. Mid-Picks (5-8): Mid-round picks offer a balanced approach. You can grab a mix of elite players and solid mid-tier options in various positions. Flexibility and adaptability are key here, as you’ll need to make decisions based on how the draft unfolds.
c. Late Picks (9-12): Late-round picks may not give you access to elite players, but they offer the opportunity to build well-rounded teams. Look for value picks and target players with breakout potential or those who may be undervalued by other owners.
Positional Priorities
Once you’ve considered your draft order, it’s time to address positional priorities. In most fantasy football leagues, running backs and wide receivers are the highest-scoring positions. Quarterbacks and tight ends, while important, tend to have more depth and can be found later in the draft. Here’s how to approach each position:
a. Running Backs (RB): Running backs are the lifeblood of fantasy football. Aim to secure at least one elite RB in the early rounds, as they are often scarce commodities. Additionally, prioritize grabbing a reliable RB2 to ensure depth at this critical position.
b. Wide Receivers (WR): Like running backs, wide receivers are crucial for scoring points. Look to secure one or more elite wideouts early, and target high-upside WR2 options as well. Depth at this position is vital, given the potential for injuries and bye weeks.
c. Quarterbacks (QB): Quarterbacks can wait. In most leagues, there is enough depth at the QB position to find value in the middle or later rounds. Don’t be in a rush to draft a QB unless an exceptional value presents itself.
d. Tight Ends (TE): Tight end is another position with limited depth, particularly for high-scoring options. Consider drafting a top-tier TE in the early rounds if a standout player is available. Otherwise, wait until the mid-to-late rounds to select a reliable starter.
Value-Based Drafting
Value-based drafting (VBD) is a strategy that focuses on selecting players based on their projected points above the replacement level at their position. It involves comparing players from different positions and prioritizing those who provide the most significant point differentials. Here’s how to apply VBD:
a. Calculate Player Values: Determine the projected point differential between the top players at each position and the replacement level players. This calculation helps you identify the most valuable players in the draft.
b. Target Value Over Replacement: When making your selections, prioritize players who offer the most significant value over replacement at their respective positions. This strategy ensures that you build a competitive team with an advantage at key positions.
c. Adapt to the Draft Flow: While VBD is a valuable tool, it’s essential to adapt to the draft’s flow and seize opportunities. If a top-tier player falls to you at a position where you’ve already filled a need, consider the overall value they bring to your team.
Roster Construction
Creating a well-balanced roster is crucial for long-term success in fantasy football. Your team’s composition should reflect your league’s settings and scoring rules. Here’s a breakdown of roster construction considerations:
a. Quarterback: In most leagues, you only need one starting quarterback. While it’s essential to have a reliable starter, you can find value at this position in the middle rounds.
b. Running Back: Typically, you’ll need two starting running backs and one or two backups. Investing in quality RBs early is essential, but depth is equally crucial due to injury-prone nature of the position.
c. Wide Receiver: Starting with two to three wide receivers is common, with depth being vital to cover bye weeks and injuries.
d. Tight End: Starters and backups at tight end can often be found in the mid-to-late rounds. Prioritize a reliable option, but don’t overinvest in this position.
e. Flex Position: Some leagues offer a flex position that allows you to start a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. Having flexibility in your roster can be advantageous, so consider drafting versatile players.
f. Bench: Your bench should include a mix of running backs, wide receivers, and, if possible, high-upside players with breakout potential. This depth will help you weather injuries and bye weeks.
In-Season Considerations
While drafting is a critical aspect of fantasy football success, the season doesn’t end when the draft concludes. Managing your team throughout the season is equally important. Here are some in-season considerations:
a. Waiver Wire and Free Agents: Stay active on the waiver wire to scoop up emerging talents and potential breakout players. Be prepared to drop underperforming players from your roster.
b. Trades: Don’t hesitate to explore trade opportunities to improve your team’s weaknesses or capitalize on the strengths of your roster.
c. Bye Weeks and Injuries: Plan for bye weeks and manage injuries by having adequate depth on your bench.
d. Studying Matchups: Analyze weekly matchups to optimize your starting lineup. Favor players facing weaker defenses and consider benching those with tough matchups.
Should you draft a QB first in fantasy football?
Drafting a quarterback (QB) first in fantasy football is generally not recommended in most standard fantasy football formats. There are several reasons for this, and it’s important to understand the rationale behind this advice:
Depth at the QB Position: Quarterback is a deep position in fantasy football. Unlike running backs and wide receivers, where the talent pool is shallower, you can find starting-caliber quarterbacks in the middle to late rounds of the draft. This means you can afford to wait and still get a QB who can produce solid fantasy points.
Scoring Disparities: While quarterbacks can score a significant number of points, the difference in scoring between the top-tier QBs and mid-tier QBs is often smaller compared to the disparity at other positions like running back and wide receiver. This means that you can find good value at QB later in the draft without sacrificing too much in terms of potential points.
Opportunity Cost: Drafting a QB early means passing up on the opportunity to draft elite running backs and wide receivers, who are typically the highest-scoring players in fantasy football. Since you usually start only one quarterback in standard leagues, spending a high pick on a QB can leave you with weaker options at other positions.
Consistency at QB: Top quarterbacks tend to be more consistent from week to week in terms of fantasy production, but there is still a degree of unpredictability due to matchups, injuries, and other factors. This means that even if you have an elite QB, there will still be weeks when they may not perform as well, making the difference between top QBs and mid-tier QBs less pronounced.
Streaming and Waiver Wire Options: Many fantasy football managers employ a strategy known as “streaming,” where they rotate quarterbacks based on matchups throughout the season. This strategy can be effective and allows managers to maximize their points at the QB position without investing heavily in a high draft pick.
That said, there can be exceptions to this general advice. In certain situations or fantasy formats, drafting a QB early might make sense. For example:
In leagues that award a significant number of points for passing touchdowns or passing yardage, top-tier quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson can have a more substantial impact, making them more valuable.
In two-quarterback leagues or superflex leagues where you start multiple QBs, the position becomes more valuable, and drafting a QB early is often necessary.
If you have a strong conviction about a specific quarterback having an exceptional season and believe they can provide a significant advantage over other QBs, you might consider taking them earlier.
In most standard fantasy football leagues, however, the general consensus is to prioritize running backs and wide receivers in the early rounds and wait to draft a quarterback until the middle to later rounds. This approach allows you to build a more balanced and competitive roster.
Conclusion
Drafting in fantasy football is a skill that evolves with experience and preparation. By understanding the impact of draft order, prioritizing positions strategically, applying value-based drafting principles, and constructing a well-rounded roster, you can position yourself for success. Remember that the draft is just the beginning of your fantasy football journey, and active management throughout the season is the key to capturing that championship trophy. With the right strategy and commitment, you can turn your fantasy football dreams into reality.
