The NFL preseason is underway and record numbers are tuning in to watch. No, not to see their team's new rookies or who will win this year’s quarterback battle, but instead as advanced scouting for their fantasy team. Many have already put in countless hours of research and mock drafts in preparation for this year’s season. If you’re new to fantasy football or just tired of finishing last every season, I’m here to help. As someone who has wasted far too much time playing fantasy sports, I have picked up on a number of things that even the most novice football fan can do to build a successful team.
The Draft
It all starts with draft night, by far the most important two hours of the entire season. Nothing substitutes some general research and a good overall knowledge of the league. However, there are a few things you can do, regardless of skill level, that can help.
The most important thing is showing up. Do not be the guy that just leaves it up to auto pick. No one likes that guy and you’re probably going to end up with a weird, disjointed team. Even if you’re going to make every pick straight down the line of projected scoring, at least you have some oversight.
In terms of strategy, every expert has their own and they differ based on the rules of each league. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you have to draft a specific position first. My draft rule, which has proven very successful for me, is to draft the best overall player. If you’re sitting there in the middle of the first round and the top running backs are off the board, do not take a mid-tier back over someone like Aaron Rodgers just because someone said to take a running back first round. Even as the draft progresses this strategy holds true. If you’re stacked at receiver but see a potential steal, grab him and make a trade to fill a weakness in the early weeks.
Also, don’t be the guy who just drafts the roster of his favorite team. Trust me, it will not work. You will take a guaranteed loss on their bye week and if the team is any good they’ll be resting their stars weeks 16 and 17 just in time for your championship run.
At the end of the draft, make sure to take a kicker on a good team that will get plenty of opportunities and don’t worry about a defense, I will explain why later.
Injuries
Injuries can happen to anyone, and even the best-drafted team can be immediately derailed with just one torn ACL. It is crucial to be cognizant of injuries around the league at all times. This is twofold: making sure you don’t play an injured player and recognizing this injury opens the door for a replacement. For example, if you went into your draft knowing Jordy Nelson was out for the season, you wouldn’t make the mistake of taking him and you would know that second-year receiver Davante Adams was primed for a big year as his replacement. (You’re welcome for that late round sleeper pick.)
Keeping up to date on injuries does not mean you have to stay glued to SportsCenter all week. Check in on Friday, and if it's clear either way, make your decision. If not, check back Sunday. Always make sure you know if the player is in a 1:00 game or a 4:00 game to ensure you can make the substitution in time. Avoiding a season-derailing injury is as simple as keeping your roster filled with serviceable backups.
Matchups
This is where things get a little tricky and it becomes easy to outthink yourself. You should be checking every week to see who your players’ opponents are. If your running back is playing against the best defense in the league, it might be a good idea to sit him that week. However, there is nothing worse than sitting your star player and watching him rack up points on the bench. If there is even a question in your mind, go with the better overall player.
The only exception is your defense/special teams, which is why I avoid drafting one. Unless you can get your hands on a top three defense, it’s not worth the pick. Just look at which teams are struggling offensively and pick up their opponent's defense on waivers. I consistently pick up a new defense week to week and have never run into a problem. This strategy will only work if you are going to be mindful enough to make the acquisitions. If you're not confident in your dedication to waiver watching, just pick a solid defense, plug them in, and forget about it for the rest of the season.
Taking advantage of favorable matchups will help you in the long run and may even steal you a game here and there, but remember that your star players are going to perform, regardless of their opponents.
Acquisitions
A successful season really comes down to week to week adjustments. The best way to do this is to be the most active on the waiver wire. Some leagues have special restrictions on the number of waiver moves or charge money per move. If that’s your league, you’re going to need a lot more help than this beginners’ guide because you somehow stumbled into a very serious league. Most, however, allow you to pick up as many free agents as you want throughout the season. I can’t stress enough how important it is to take advantage of this. If a player has a breakout game, pick him up. If a star player gets hurt, pick up his backup. If a quarterback is struggling, pick up the team’s running back. You have extra bench spots for a reason and you can always drop them if it doesn’t work out. Even if it’s a position you’re already doing well with, pick them up and negotiate a trade with someone else in the league. You want to be that guy who discovered the star player before he was a star, if not only for the bragging rights. Strong waiver pickups can make up for even the worst drafts.
You now have what you need to enter the season with some confidence. Use these tips to take advantage of those opponents who eventually get wrapped up in real life stuff like work, classes and socializing and forget to change their lineups. Be sure to lay on incessant trash talk whether your team is good or not, and always have a list of excuses ready for when your team inevitably fails. Best of luck this season, unless you’re in one of my leagues, and before you waste your time thinking of one: no, your deflategate-pun team name is not funny, original or clever. Just stop.
