In the last article, we broke down the basics of fantasy sports and how they work. We also discussed and rated the top-five quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. This time, let’s break down the other main positions.
Let’s start with tight ends. I believe the best tight end is obvious: Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots. “Gronk” has battled injuries a lot, but he is back and appears to be in prime shape this year. Tom Brady loves to get him the ball.
The next best tight end, I would say, is Jimmy Graham. He was picked up by Seattle during the off-season and with a mobile quarter back like Russell Wilson, he could be looking for the tight end to drop the ball off to a good bit.
My third tight end, Martellus Bennett, is a veteran with an experienced quarterback. I had Bennett on my fantasy team last year, and he was extremely consistent with point scoring every week.
At the fourth spot, I have Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce. He averaged ten points per game last year and for a tight end that is a pretty good number. My Fifth overall tight end would have to be Jason Whitten with the Dallas Cowboys. With no more Demarco Murray, look for the cowboys to lean on Dez Bryant and Jason Whitten to move the ball down the field.
Let me describe the Flex position to those who may be confused. If your league has a flex position, it is just another spot for a big playmaker. You can put a tight end, running back, or wide receiver in this spot. Who you put in this spot is all based on how your draft goes, but you want to move around and adjust so that your best point scorer for the week is in your flex spot.
Okay here is the hard part, the kickers. This is all based on how much his team scores or gets into field-goal range. You will gain points every time he kicks an extra point and a field goal, obviously your get more points for field goals.
So there really is no need for me to rank them, but the website you choose for your fantasy league will rank kickers. I would not waste a high pick on a kicker. Be aware, you will want to draft two kickers so that you have one sitting on your bench if your starter were to get hurt, or when your starter’s bye-week comes around.
Picking a defense is not too hard, but like kickers, you will need to have an extra on your bench for when your defense has a bye-week. The best defense in the league is the Seattle Seahawks. There is a reason why the Seahawks sailed to their second straight Super Bowl last year.
A very close second is the team that beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl last year, the New England Patriots. They have big, fast and physical linebackers and defensive lineman, along with a solid secondary. It is a little bit of a long shot, but my number three defense is the Carolina Panthers. They have veteran defensive backs and one of the best middle linebackers in the league.
The fourth spot is held by the Miami Dolphins. A huge off-season purchase by the Dolphins was Ndamukong Suh. With that addition, and the veterans Miami already had, I see them having a breakout year. Taking my fifth spot is the San Francisco Fourty-Niners. They always have a really tough run stopping ability with mediocre defensive backs in the secondary.
The key to drafting bench players is to look at all of your starter’s bye-weeks and pick at least one additional player at each position. Be sure they have a different bye week. When your starters have a bye week that means they are not playing and they are not producing any points.
Even if your back up is not producing as many points as your starter, (which is why they are on the bench) at least it is better than zero points. Who knows, your back up could have a breakout game.
That is my guide to fantasy football for dummies. To all of you newcomers: Good luck in your upcoming draft and fantasy season. Do not have high hopes because you will most likely get destroyed and place last in your league, but at least you know what not to do next year.
