This will be my third time around this year. I remember three years ago I wasn’t really sure what fantasy football was, but I was a big NFL fan. A group of friends had a draft and one of my close friends asked if I wanted to co-manage his team. It sounded fun so I agreed. I entered around week five, which he happened to be 0-5, and we turned it around and almost made the playoffs. (This is the same guy who drafted Peyton Manning the year he had his neck surgery.) I loved playing the game and couldn’t wait till next year.
There’s just something about it. It’s the friendly competition you get to have with your friends. Maybe some of the trash talk the morning after the games on Sunday or the hanging out together while watching the games. It also allows a viewer to get more into the games they normally wouldn’t care about. I love it.
Now with my stories out of the way, I’m getting prepared for this year’s draft a little more thoroughly. I’ve taken part in a few mock drafts to see what kind of team I can put together with my seventh overall pick. I find it similar to studying for the big test coming up, might as well be prepared right?
I’ve read online what kind of concerns people have while drafting, which I have certainly raised myself recently and I think I’ve come up with my plan.
My plan is to draft by position, not by overall value. Matthew Berry wrote a great article recently called The 2014 Draft Day Manifesto, which he writes every year. I read this a few times to get some advice on what to do. Berry said it’s best to try to have a stud quarterback, running back and wide receiver than to keep drafting running backs because they’re ranked higher than other players. This way you can normally lead each game at that position rather than have lots of quantity. I’d like to have a stud number one then a stable number two. I agree fully with this and it’s what I’ve been doing in the mock drafts I’ve participated in.
My plan is to go running back first, because there is an elite group of 10 or so that you need to have at least one of on your team. I participate in a PPR league (point-per-reception) so I would go with a pass-catching back like Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles, or LeSean McCoy.
My next move would be going with a wide receiver. Some people would pick another running back, but I’m waiting till the third round for that so I can grab a stud. In one of my mock drafts I was able to grab Brandon Marshall and in the other I got Demaryius Thomas.
Next is tricky, but I would be picking another running back. In one draft I changed it up and went with a quarterback and snagged Matthew Stafford then ended up with Frank Gore next. In another draft I got Montee Ball then Matt Ryan for my quarterback in the next round. I don’t have a problem with either of those routines though.
Now I will say that I believe it’s safe to wait on a quarterback till around the eighth round or so. That is unless you want to take the chance of grabbing someone like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers and miss out on someone else. You can still find great options late in the draft that will get the job done. In the few drafts I participated in, I found guys like Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers, and Tony Romo going late.
As far as tight end is concerned, if you don’t have a shot at Jimmy Graham early, then just wait till the later rounds when you’ve found reliable running backs and wide receivers. Defenses and kickers can wait till the last few rounds.
This is my overall plan and some decent advice for people just starting to get into fantasy football. I’m looking forward to all the fun, crazy team names, friendly competition and maybe even winning some cash. Good luck!
Just out of Curiosity 