Fantasy Football 2012: Biggest Keys to Success in Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL season is so full of intrigue and optimism. It is the only time of year where all 32 teams believe that this could be their year. A lot of teams are in for a rude awakening, but it is always fun to see how everyone looks right out of the gate. 

The same can be said for fantasy football, as everyone believes that they have compiled the perfect roster that will carry them to a victory and bragging rights for the next 12 months.

But before you can get to that point, you need to start off the season with a victory. How do you do that? What are some common mistakes to avoid when filling out your roster? How can you give yourself an early advantage?

Here are three things you need to do before setting your final roster for Week 1 of the fantasy football season. 

Don't Look At 2011 Stats

As tempting as it is to look at what a player did in the past, ultimately, it has no bearing on what will happen today. 

Sure, the very best players are likely to be back at the top of the rankings again—Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, Ray Rice, Arian Foster—but if you start counting on previous success as your only guide to what will happen in Week 1, you are going to get in trouble. 

A new year brings with it a new schedule, new challenges and new expectations, and not everything is going to fall into place right out of the chute. 

Be Willing To Take Risks

This early in the season, why not try to take a risk with a rookie or a player who hasn't quite lived up to expectations after a few seasons in the league?

The only way to win in fantasy football is to put yourself out there. Even if things don't work out in the beginning, there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Plus, if you happen to hit with one of these players, you will have a decided advantage over the competition. 

You can still play your superstars—that is never going to change in fantasy football—but when you start filling out some depth on the roster, be willing to go against the grain in order to put yourself over the top. 

Scour the Waiver Wire

The best part about finishing your fantasy draft is that there are plenty of valuable options available on the waiver wire. 

Not every player who can contribute is going to be taken in the draft. It is just the nature of the draft—too many players and not enough slots to plug them into. Search through the wire for anyone you can, especially at a position where you need depth. 

The waiver wire is your friend. It is the easiest place for you to look if you need to upgrade your roster. Make great use of it right now, because it will get insanely competitive once the games start. 

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