By Andre Belton
When determining who to draft in fantasy football there are many variables: the highest scoring player, the position, what individuals you've picked thus far, who is your competition intending to draft. In early rounds it's best to focus on drafting the best player overall. Don't always be so focused on having too many running backs or wide receivers. Simply draft the most valuable available player. There's several limitations with this however, it's not only who will have the most points. You need to look at all the available players and think about who will probably get chosen next. You need to make confident you're choosing the highest scoring player based not simply who's remaining, but who will be remaining. As an example, if Calvin Johnson is the best player left to draft in round one, but AJ Green should be available in round 3 and he's only a few points worse then you need to hold out and select AJ Green. There is a really amazing fantasy football tool which shows you just who to select for fantasy.
Within later rounds things get more complex. You must consider your team's construction, and also the upside capabilities from your upcoming pick. You must be sure you're lowering your risk while increasing your team's upside. And also make sure you don't waste any draft picks.
The easiest way to squander a draft choice, is to choose someone that will won't ever start on your squad. For instance, if in the early rounds you picked 2 great running backs, say Arian Foster and Trent Richardson. Then don't draft a low upside running back during later rounds, like Matt Forte. There isn't a reason! You need to pick running backs with absolutely nothing but upside and handcuff your team's great running backs. The reason is, the only way the routinely mediocre RB plays more than bye weeks is if one of your fantastic RBs becomes seriously injured. Think about it, when could you actually start Matt Forte over either of your starting running backs? So why not just grab the backups (this is known as handcuffing) during much later rounds and start that guy should one f your great running back get injured.
The difference between Forte and the common running back will likely be minor and there is an small probability the back-up running back will be higher scoring. For example, if Ben Tate or Bryce Brown ever received the starting job I'd definitely start them above Forte every day of the week. And if you select RBs with upside if they explode, you've got a very valuable trade commodity or a player spot start in lousy matchups. Keep this in mind when drafting your team.
There's lots of factors to consider when deciding who to draft in fantasy football. It's quite a bit less simple than you might think. And although you might think it's way too complex or far too much to think about, you should still consider these things so that you can stay competitive. If you do not do intense analysis, just remember your opponents will be. So if you do not think about it, you will be at a huge disadvantage. Basically take the time selecting your team, take into account all the variables, and do your very best. And first and foremost be sure to have a ball!
Within later rounds things get more complex. You must consider your team's construction, and also the upside capabilities from your upcoming pick. You must be sure you're lowering your risk while increasing your team's upside. And also make sure you don't waste any draft picks.
The easiest way to squander a draft choice, is to choose someone that will won't ever start on your squad. For instance, if in the early rounds you picked 2 great running backs, say Arian Foster and Trent Richardson. Then don't draft a low upside running back during later rounds, like Matt Forte. There isn't a reason! You need to pick running backs with absolutely nothing but upside and handcuff your team's great running backs. The reason is, the only way the routinely mediocre RB plays more than bye weeks is if one of your fantastic RBs becomes seriously injured. Think about it, when could you actually start Matt Forte over either of your starting running backs? So why not just grab the backups (this is known as handcuffing) during much later rounds and start that guy should one f your great running back get injured.
The difference between Forte and the common running back will likely be minor and there is an small probability the back-up running back will be higher scoring. For example, if Ben Tate or Bryce Brown ever received the starting job I'd definitely start them above Forte every day of the week. And if you select RBs with upside if they explode, you've got a very valuable trade commodity or a player spot start in lousy matchups. Keep this in mind when drafting your team.
There's lots of factors to consider when deciding who to draft in fantasy football. It's quite a bit less simple than you might think. And although you might think it's way too complex or far too much to think about, you should still consider these things so that you can stay competitive. If you do not do intense analysis, just remember your opponents will be. So if you do not think about it, you will be at a huge disadvantage. Basically take the time selecting your team, take into account all the variables, and do your very best. And first and foremost be sure to have a ball!
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