5 Tips to Make Next Year's Fantasy Football Team a Powerhouse

For almost all of you fantasy football GM’s out there, your league is either over or in its final championship weekend.

Some of you are probably dealing with the pain of a disappointing season (CJ0K, Andre Johnson and Jamal Charles owners know what I’m talking about). And some of you are probably working with the sting of having a team that dominated in the regular season, but had an off week and got knocked out in the playoffs.

Fortunately, there is no time like the present, and it is never too early to be thinking about your 2012 team. I am here to give you some tips to make next year’s fantasy team a powerhouse.

So without any further adieu, I present to you five tips to make next year's fantasy football team a dominant powerhouse.

Tip 1: Draft an Elite Quarterback

Year in and year out, I have firmly stuck to the idea that I need to draft a running back with my first-round pick.

I laughed at those guys who blew their first picks on quarterbacks thinking, "I can find quality quarterbacks later in the draft."

But it has become clear to me that that mentality has to go. It is not a coincidence that the teams that consistently win championships have a top flight quarterback, and those without one struggle. 

This has turned into a passing, offense driven league, and the quarterbacks are the players most benefiting from this change in philosophy.  All Top Five ESPN standard league scorers were QBs, and eight of the Top 10 were signal-callers.

That stat alone proves to me that if you want to give your team the best chance to win, you will draft a top-tier passer in the first or second round.

Tip 2: Follow the Draft Process

Just look at what Cam Newton and AJ Green have been able to do this year. It is amazing to think that these guys went undrafted in some leagues.

I generally like to go with the rule of avoiding rookies because they are so untested, but the success of this year's players has changed my thinking.

I know many other GM's out there shared my frustration when they saw how productive these rookies were and how we could have gotten them in our various drafts for a great value.

In order to prevent such frustration, I urge you to follow the ENTIRE draft process, not just the draft itself. 

Watch the NFL Combine. Watch SportsCenter to see what the "professionals" have to say, and watch the bowls that potential first and second rounders will be playing in. 

I assure you that if you can pinpoint a one or two rookies to keep an eye on and draft, you will be pleasantly surprised with how they will repay you come next season.

Tip 3: Don't Let Emotions and Personal Feelings Impact Your Draft

Here is another trap that can give fantasy GM's out there frustration when they look back at their season.

I have seen Bears fans not draft Packers players when there is clearly good value and they are the best players on the board. 

I have watched friends fall in love with what a player does off the field and then mistakenly believe that that will transfer to on-field production.

I have seen a Colts fan draft Peyton Manning in the first round every single year, regardless of his rightful value in the draft. 

These tendencies can sink a fantasy team long before a season starts. 

I urge you to take your emotions out of the entire draft process and just use common sense.

Yes, it may hurt to draft your most hated team's star quarterback and to root for him to do well every week, but the benefit that you gain by making cool, calculated decisions far outweighs the discomfort that comes from rooting for a certain player—just because of your own personal feeling towards him.

Tip 4: Be a Waiver Wire Warrior

Every year I have one of the highest transaction counts in my leagues. And there is definitely a connection between that fact and the fact that my teams consistently compete for championships.

There are ALWAYS hidden gems to be found in the free agent pool. It is just a matter of who can identify their ability and pick them up first.

When a player goes off and has a huge week, pick him up. If he is a one-week wonder, you will figure that out quickly. If that was his breakout game, you will be so thankful you got him and one of your rivals didn’t.

Also, keep one to three roster spots on your bench with the mentality that those players are expendable and can be dropped in order to pick up a hot player.

And finally, keep these things in mind especially toward the end of the season.

People forget about picking up that week’s hot free agents more and more as the season progresses. I am consistently toward the end of the waiver order, but I usually get my targeted players because I follow the same routine each week and never forget.

Tip 5: Do Your Homework.

This is an obvious tip that far too few of us utilize to its fullest extent.

There are SO many resources available to the average fantasy football player. From draft magazines, to websites, to TV shows, to podcasts—almost every media outlet has some fantasy football information that can be accessed if you know where to look.

The more you use the knowledge and experience of others, the more you will succeed, that I guarantee.

Follow injury reports from sources that are in the various team camps. Keep up to date on depth chart moves and free agent signings.  

Stay tuned to coaching changes and their history with other players in order to help predict how your players will perform under their schemes.

Know who the backup is to star players so that when they get hurt, you are there to scoop up their handcuff.

And finally...WATCH FOOTBALL! There is nothing more important then sitting down on Sundays and watching your players perform live.