The best way to learn any subject is to experience it first hand. No amount of cheat sheets, checklists, tips from friends, or new ideas can replace the wisdom that comes with years of experience.
The good news is that it is possible to gain some insight from those who have been there before. Our science is built on the shoulders of giants, and our games are the same way.
The following are tips that every fantasy football professional learns through experience.
1. Understand what kind of league you are in.
The type of league is a factor in the value of a player. Brandin Cooks is a prime example; Cooks was a great pick in Dynasty leagues last year, but he was nothing more than a sleeper option in Redesign leagues until this year. After gaining some experience, he projects himself 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 include two running backs, a lot of points will go to waste while another position suffers. A pro always has a full roster plan in mind.
3. Varied selections based on the scoring system.
Having a great quarterback is nice, but most leagues reduce his scoring ability by reducing the number of points earned from passing stats. Aaron Rodgers is worth a high draft pick with six points per TD and one point per 20 passing yards. Four for TD and one point for 30? Not so much.
The most common example is PPR (points per reception). Wide receivers gain value and running back rankings are shuffled. Matt Forte is a mid-range to low-scoring traditional RB1, 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.
Not all “safe” players can play the season, but it is possible to reduce the risk. Every player available early is a great player. Aside from last year, picking Adrian Peterson over Darren “Glass Man” McFadden was a no-brainer for any pro. Early picks are the cornerstone of a team, and picking an injury or legal hazard in the first round is unnecessary.
5. Draft up after starters and backups are established.
Grabbing a halfway decent starter as a backup second or third wide receiver might sound great, but it’s a terrible idea. Players can and will drop during the season. More importantly, players can and will appear in any given year. Arian Foster the year he broke out, Kelvin Benjamin last year, and Alfred Blue and Davante Adams this year are prime examples of “sleepers”: players who shocked most owners and made high-flying fantasy scores. The league champion will likely have one or two starters no one expected and unless a league uses 20-man rosters, replacement-level players to cover bye weeks and injuries will be readily available.
6. Never select a kicker or defenseman early.
Every rule has exceptions, but think about the advice above. Acquiring a top-tier kicker or defenseman requires a pick somewhere in rounds eight through ten, a good range for picking top-tier sleepers. Kickers vary greatly from year to year, and many professional fantasy players use a different defense each week to chase easy matchups. A “streaming defense” can outperform even the best defenses. That’s not to say drafting the Seahawks isn’t worth it, it’s just that there’s more value in waiting for superior defense.
These are just the beginning. It’s possible to write entire novels about fantasy football, and any and all rules can be broken from time to time. The key is to remember this word: value. The best fantasy football owners find ways to generate additional value and acquire better players at a lower cost.
Follow these tips, play like a pro, and win your league if you can. Good luck!