The easiest way to learn any subject is to have it firsthand. No amount of cheatsheets, checklists, buddy advice, or new ideas can replace the wisdom that comes with years of experience.
What’s promising is that it is possible to glean some knowledge from those that have been there before. Our science is created by looking at the shoulders of giants, and our games are exactly the same way.
The next are tips every fantasy football pro learns through their experience.
1. Understand what type of league you’re in.
The sort of league is a aspect in the value of a player. Brandin Cooks is a primary example; Cooks was a good pickup in dynasty leagues a year ago ทีเด็ดบอลสเต็ป 2, but wasn’t more than a sleeper option in redraft leagues until this year. After gaining some experience, he’s projected as a potential stud.
2. Know your league’s roster rules.
Sure, it would have been great to have Marshawn Lynch, DeMarco Murray, and LeSean McCoy as your first three picks, but if the starting lineup can only just include two running backs, plenty of points will go to waste while another position suffers. An expert always features a full roster plan in mind.
3. Vary picks predicated on scoring system.
Having a good quarterback is nice, but most leagues nerf their scoring capability by reducing the number of points earned from passing stats. Aaron Rodgers is worth a high draft pick at six points per TD and one point per 20 passing yards. Four per TD and one point per 30? Not too much.
The most frequent example is PPR (points per reception). Wide receivers gain value, and the running back rankings get shuffled. Matt Forte is a mid to low end RB1 in traditional scoring, in a group that uses PPR, he’s a stud. One time per reception adds 100 points to his total in 2014 alone.
4. Draft safer picks early.
Don’t assume all “safe” player reaches play the growing season, but it’s possible to lessen the risk. Every player available early is a great player. Aside from a year ago, picking Adrian Peterson over Darren “Glass Man” McFadden was a no brainer to any pro. Early picks will be the cornerstones of a team, and picking a personal injury or legal risk in the first round is unnecessary.
5. Draft for upside after starters and subs are set.
Grabbing a halfway decent starter as another or third backup wide receiver may sound great, but it’s an awful idea. Players can and will go down through the season. Moreover, players can and will play a given year. Arian Foster the season he broke out, Kelvin Benjamin a year ago, and Alfred Blue and Davante Adams this year are great examples of “sleepers”- players that surprised most owners and set up top end fantasy scores. The league champion will more than likely have a couple of starters that nobody expected, and unless a group uses 20 man rosters replacement level players to cover bye weeks and injuries is likely to be readily available.
6. Never draft a kicker or defense early.
Every rule has exceptions, but take into account the previous tip. Acquiring a high end kicker or defense needs a pick somewhere in the eight to tenth rounds, a great range to pick top end sleepers. Kickers vary wildly from year to year, and many pro fantasy players use a different defense each week to chase easy matchups. A “streaming defense” can outperform even top end defenses. That doesn’t mean drafting the Seahawks isn’t worth the pick, there’s just more value in waiting on a high defense.
They are just the beginning. It’s possible to publish entire novels on fantasy football, and each and every rule can occasionally be broken. The important thing is to remember that one word: value. The most effective fantasy football owners find approaches to generate extra value and acquire better players for less cost.