The best way to learn any subject is to experience it firsthand. No quantity of cheatsheets, checklists, buddy advice, or new ideas can replace the wisdom that is included with years of experience.
The good thing is that it’s possible to glean some knowledge from those that have been there before. Our science is built by looking at the shoulders of giants, and our games are the same way.
These are tips every fantasy football pro learns through their experience.
1. Understand which kind of league you are in.
The kind of league is a factor in the worthiness of a player. Brandin Cooks is a perfect example; Cooks was a great pickup in dynasty leagues last year บอลสเต็ป 3, but wasn’t more than a sleeper option in redraft leagues until this year. After gaining some experience, he’s projected as a possible stud.
2. Know your league’s roster rules.
Sure, it could have been great to have Marshawn Lynch, DeMarco Murray, and LeSean McCoy as your first three picks, however, if the starting lineup can just only include two running backs, plenty of points should go to waste while another position suffers. An expert always includes a full roster plan in mind.
3. Vary picks predicated on scoring system.
Having a great quarterback is nice, but many leagues nerf their scoring capability by reducing the amount of points earned from passing stats. Aaron Rodgers may be 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 so much.
The most common 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, but in a league that uses PPR, he’s a stud. One point per reception adds 100 points to his total in 2014 alone.
4. Draft safer picks early.
Its not all “safe” player reaches play the summer season, but it’s possible to reduce the risk. Every player available early is a superb player. Aside from last year, picking Adrian Peterson over Darren “Glass Man” McFadden was a no brainer to any pro. Early picks would be the cornerstones of a team, and picking an injury or legal risk in the very 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 seem great, but it’s an awful idea. Players can and should go down through the season. More to the point, players can and will pop in a given year. Arian Foster the season he broke out, Kelvin Benjamin last year, and Alfred Blue and Davante Adams this season are great samples of “sleepers”- players that surprised most owners and put up top end fantasy scores. The league champion will more than likely have a couple of starters that no body expected, and unless a league uses 20 man rosters replacement level players to cover bye weeks and injuries will undoubtedly be readily available.
6. Never draft a kicker or defense early.
Every rule has exceptions, but think about the previous tip. Acquiring a high end kicker or defense takes a pick somewhere in the eight to tenth rounds, a good range to choose top end sleepers. Kickers vary wildly from year to year, and many pro fantasy players work with 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.
These are just the beginning. It’s possible to create entire novels on fantasy football, and each and every rule can occasionally be broken. The important thing is to keep in mind this 1 word: value. The very best fantasy football owners find approaches to generate extra value and acquire better players for a lower cost.