I’ve been playing fantasy sports, be it baseball, basketball, football, or hockey, since 1998. Of all those, I have found the most success while playing fantasy football.
It’s strange; of those sports, football isn’t my favorite. That would be the NHL. But since I’ve found the most success in fantasy football, and the fantasy season is gearing up to begin, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned through the years.
Know Your Scoring System
Most websites (such as Yahoo!) provide a default scoring-system (i.e., six points for touchdowns, three points for field goals). Before you go into your draft, know exactly what your scoring system will be. Some commissioners’ design scoring so that negative points can occur, while others choose more traditional scoring (one point for each interception).
Normally, return yards do not count for points in fantasy football. In that case, drafting a wide receiver who has few receptions may not help you much. However, if return yards gain points, drafting Devin Hester will help you tremendously.
Know What Positions Each Team Will Be Made Up of
Again, websites using a default system normally use a default lineup. Your team will start one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one team defense, and a kicker.
Before your draft, check the lineup settings for each team, especially if you’re doing a live draft. In leagues that I am commissioner, I usually use the same formula. You can start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 team defense, 1 K, and 1 other player that is either a RB/WR or TE.
It’s not a big change from the default scoring, but it does affect your lineup when you draft. You have to make sure you have enough players in each position to cover the bye weeks.
Know the Bye Weeks of the Players You’re Looking At Drafting
The biggest affect bye weeks will have are with your QBs. In leagues that I play, I normally draft two QBs. When I draft, I will ensure the QBs do not have the same bye week. If so, you may have to pick up a QB on the waiver wire to cover you for that week. You also have to weigh the bye week when drafting RBs/WRs. When drafting, most websites now include the bye weeks for each player.
Know How You Want to Draft Before You Start the Draft
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