Fantasy Football 2013 Draft Strategies and Advice

Before heading into your fantasy football drafts, you should have a plan. In case that plan doesn’t work, have a backup plan. Depending on how the draft goes, you may find yourself constantly adjusting—that’s okay.

But here are some basic strategies to keep in mind when drafting this year.

Preparation

Before the fantasy draft actually starts, know what you’re getting into. Know your league settings (PPR or standard), how many roster spots you have, if there is a flex position and how many teams. If you’re a seasoned fantasy vet, these are obvious rules, but if you’re new to fantasy, it’s a good reminder.

Get Running Backs Early

Running backs go early and often.

In a 12-team league there are usually 11 running backs taken in the first round (Calvin Johnson being the exception). Sometimes it’s good to go against the grain and do zig when everyone else zags, but in this case, it’s not worth it.

After five picks your team should have at least two running backs on the roster. This is especially true if your league settings have a flex position. I recommend getting two running backs in the first three rounds, but sometimes that doesn’t work out.

It’s important to do this because the talent level for running backs drops off quickly. After a while, the only guys available have injury issues, are in a RBBC or have some other reason for skepticism. Getting two every-week starters at running back early in the draft goes a long way toward a successful season.

Grab the Best Player Available

Remember when I said to have a plan and to also have a backup plan? That applies here. Even though your plan should be to grab running backs early, don’t be afraid to select a big-name receiver like Dez Bryant, A.J. Green or Brandon Marshall if they fall.

If it comes down to Frank Gore or Marshall, you should take Marshall. Everything comes down to value and getting a player at the right spot without having to reach for him.

This also applies to adding depth.

Say your league only starts two running backs and doesn’t have a flex spot. It wouldn’t hurt to take three consecutive running backs and stockpile the talent. You never know when someone could get hurt.

Practice Makes Perfect

Join a couple of mock drafts. They aren’t going to be a perfect indicator for what will happen in your draft. Every league has different settings and different mindsets. But mock drafts give you a general sense of what will happen and are usually pretty accurate.

Participating in mock drafts will let you know when guys are valuable and when you’re reaching. If you join 10 mocks and see LeSean McCoy drafted in the first round every time, then you know getting him in Round 2 would be a steal.

Wait on a Quarterback

Last year, we saw a lot of quarterbacks going in the first round. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford and Cam Newton were all first-round draft picks. That’s not happening this year.

In 2012, we saw an influx of fantasy-relevant quarterbacks who weren’t there in 2011. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick have deepened the quarterback pool. Their arrival makes it easier to wait on selecting a quarterback this year.

Waiting to take a quarterback until Round 8 or Round 9 means you can add depth to your running back and wide receiver positions. Drafting a fourth receiver in Round 8 instead of Round 10 can really make a big difference.

Don’t Take Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham is usually gone in the first or second round. Yes, he’s far and away the best tight end (at least until Rob Gronkowski is healthy), but his ADP is simply not worth it.

Drafting two good options late and playing them based on matchups is usually just as good as having one great option. It takes up an extra roster space, but you’re not missing out on an elite talent at RB or WR.

Focus on Running Backs and Wide Receivers

This falls in line with the previous two categories. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get top running backs and top receivers early in the draft. There are quarterbacks and tight ends in the later rounds who will work just fine. I can’t say the same about running backs or receivers.

There are some drafts where, through the first eight rounds, I’ve taken four running backs and four wide receivers. Sometimes, it just works out that way.

Again, it’s important to note that you should always have a backup plan. Your focus should be on backs and receivers, but if Aaron Rodgers is available in Round 4, then by all means take him. These are just general guidelines to follow.

Don’t Follow Rankings to Heart

If you’re following someone’s positional rankings throughout a draft, don’t feel obligated to go with the guy who is ranked higher. Sometimes the difference between WR20 and WR30 is paper-thin.

At the end of the day, this is your team. You should take the player you like. If someone is ranked five spots higher, it usually doesn’t mean much, especially in the later rounds.

Have a Mix of Risky and Safe Players

There are players who are considered safe, and there are some players who bring a lot of risk. It’s good not to lean too far one way when selecting.

Some safe players include guys like Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson and Frank Gore. These aren’t bad options, but drafting conservatively really limits your team. It’s good to have guys who are reliable, but you need to take some chances on players.

Risky players include Hakeem Nicks, Darren McFadden, DeMarco Murray, Rob Gronkowski and Lamar Miller to name a few. Most of the guys I mentioned are injury-related. But someone like Miller, a new name with a good opportunity, is someone not to shy away from.

Don’t be That Guy Who Takes a Kicker Early

Seriously, don’t.

Kickers are unpredictable. No matter how good a kicker is, he can always have a bad performance. Save the last round, or next-to-last round, for selecting a kicker. The same usually goes for defenses. There are some defenses worth taking earlier than others, but don’t get crazy. A defense should never be taken before the 10th round (assuming there are 15 total rounds or more).

There you have it, some easy draft strategies to follow. Having a good draft will get your team off on the right foot toward the playoffs and hopefully a championship.