Fantasy Football 2009: Draft Tips and Tidbits

Sure, the 2009 NFL Preseason is months away, but it's never too early to start looking at fantasy football. With fantasy football season knocking at our doors, it's time to take an early look at some of the top players in the draft, drafting strategies, and potential shockers and sleepers.

Without further to do, let's get started with some tips and tidbits about players and strategies:

-Don't be afraid to take Peterson as the No. 1 draft choice. It's as simple as that. You have seen what he has done the past two years, and with Percy Harvin now in the mix, Peterson should be facing less eight men, or sometimes nine men, boxes.

And even after an incredible year last year, don't be surprised if Peterson improves on his numbers of 2008.

-Who's number two? Peterson is the clear-cut number one pick, but the next choice in the draft is hotly debated. Matt Forte? Michael Turner? Maurice Jones-Drew? My opinion - take Chris Wells second. He will make an immediate impact as a rookie. Kidding, kidding. To tell you the truth, you don't need to know my opinion.

It depends on your style and strategy. Michael Turner—reliable and proven. Matt Forte—huge upside. Maurice Jones-Drew—consistently getting better, could rack up many touchdowns, both receiving and rushing. It's up to you. 

-Don't be afraid of taking an elite tight end around the fourth or fifth round. Surprise running backs and wide receivers can often be picked up in the later rounds or be taken off the waivers, but your chance for a great tight end is limited to only a couple of people. You won't find a tight end who averages fifteen points a game off the waivers.

Nab a tight end early if there isn't another player you really want at that point in the draft.

-Knowshon Moreno is, well, good. In fact with Cutler now gone, opponents will still be afraid of the pass attack with Marshall and Royal stretching the field, but the Broncos will also focus on a rushing attack. Moreno has huge upside—don't pass him up in the mid to later rounds.

-Don't worry about making a reach. Who cares whether you choose a player "too early"? If you believe in a player, take him. No one who took Michael Turner "early" last year regretted it. Don't be limited by a draft suggested order list or ranking. Take who you want. Period.

-Kickers don't matter. Don't draft them till the last rounds, if at all. Nab a kicker of a good team, more team points = more kicker points. 

-Fantasy defenses aren't always reflections of how good a team's real defense is. Draft them late, and draft aggressive defenses.

-Draft backups of your top running backs. Just do it. Trust me.

-Don't just look at your own needs. If an opponent in the draft still needs a QB at round six and you have one already, be nasty and steal a QB before your opponent can choose. Play against other players, not just for yourself. Not only does this hurt your rivals, these players can be useful trading tools.

-Some sleepers (or sometimes—Good players that are worth more than most people think):

-- WR - Vincent Jackson, Eddie Royal, Antonio Bryant, Patrick Crayton, Derrick Mason, Michael Jenkins

-- RB - Steve Slaton, Knowshon Moreno, Darren Sproles, Derrick Ward, Felix Jones

-- QB - Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Delhomme, Chad Pennington

-Overrated folks (or sometimes - Good players who will be taken too early):

-- WR - Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss (they are first tier, but Johnson needs a reliable quarterback and Randy Moss may disappoint. I would take Steve Smith ahead of them), Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Braylon Edwards

-- RB - LaDainian Tomlinson, Ronnie Brown, Darren McFadden, Joseph Addai

-- QB - Tom Brady (he's great, but he'll be taken too early), Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer

And finally, ignore me if you want. Do you what you think is best. Be bold. Be risky. Be yourself.