Fantasy Football 2011: 50 Crucial Mistakes to Avoid This Season

Attention, all fantasy football gurus: This slideshow is for you.

Hundreds of thousands are gearing up for the 2011 NFL fantasy football season as we enter the month of August, better known as Draft Month for fantasy owners.

I, for one, am actually gearing up for three drafts this week itself, and I'm laying out a guideline for myself and all of the other fantasy owners out there: mistakes not to make in the 2011 season.

Here are 50 crucial mistakes to avoid this fantasy football season.

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Drafting Your Favorite Team's Players

Drafting players simply because they're your favorite won't win you too many fantasy championships.

Want to know an easy way to ruin Sundays? Fill your fantasy team with players from your favorite team and then have your favorite team lose, which means none of your fantasy players do well!

That's called a lose-lose, my friend.

Not Taking Adrian Peterson No. 1 Overall

Adrian Peterson has been arguably the most productive and reliable fantasy player over the past three years. There is no reason why he shouldn't be selected first overall—that means ahead of Chris Johnson and Michael Vick.

Drafting Chris Johnson First Overall

Due to Chris Johnson's current holdout, he has missed crucial practice time and will likely be set back when he decides to return to his team.

If CJ's holdout continues when you're drafting and you have the first overall pick, you'd better not select him first overall!

Avoiding Chris Johnson for Too Long

As I stated in the previous slide, do not select CJ first overall—but don't let him slide for too long. 

If you're sitting there with the fourth pick or later and Johnson is still on the board, then grab him. Who knows how long his holdout will be, but I highly doubt that it will be for much longer. 

Drafting a Rookie Quarterback

It depends on how your league rules are set up, but I would strongly advise not selecting a rookie quarterback.

Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Andy Dalton all may be intriguing players, but none will have productive seasons in 2011.

Making Too Many Trades

I know we all love making trades and being very active in our fantasy leagues, but don't make too many trades.

My motto is always, "If it's not broke, why fix it?"

Drafting the Wrong Steven Jackson

Keep in mind that there are two Steven Jacksons in the NFL; one is an elite running back for the St. Louis Rams, and the other is a free-agent fullback.

Be sure that you're drafting the right guy!

Thinking That Chad Ochocinco Is Going to Be the Next Randy Moss

Randy Moss' first season in New England back in 2007 was a record-breaking one and was a fantasy football owner's dream.

With the new marriage of Tom Brady and Chad Ochocinco, don't get caught up with all the hype.

Ochocinco is a talented and productive wide receiver, but Brady has so many other options. All in all, don't expect Ochocinco to post Randy Moss-like numbers.

Relying Too Much on Your Wide Receivers

In my opinion, you should not be considering wide receivers in the early rounds of your draft—only if it's Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Roddy White or Greg Jennings.

Any other wide receivers tend to be inconsistent from week to week.

You should use your early selections on running backs and quarterbacks.

Drafting Reggie Bush as Your Lead Running Back

If you're set to roll with Reggie Bush as your No. 1 running back, then I'd pretty much say it's safe to say that you're screwed.

Sorry.

Bush is not a lead running back—don't trick yourself into thinking that a fresh start in Miami will turn him into an elite running back. It will not.

Overlooking Eli Manning Because of His Interceptions

Eli Manning may have thrown 25 interceptions last year, but he did toss 31 touchdowns while accumulating 4,002 yards. In fact, Manning has broken the 4,000-yard barrier in each of his last two seasons.

Put it this way: Eli is a passing machine.

Drafting Tom Brady As Soon As Possible

In my opinion, Michael Vick should be the first quarterback selected, and then Tom Brady.

Once Vick is picked and you're the next team in line to draft, you'd better consider drafting Brady, as he's likely to have an amazing season with all of the reliable weapons he has to throw to.

Letting Josh Freeman Slide Too Far

At some point in your draft, you need to look at Josh Freeman's stats and realize that 25 touchdowns and six interceptions is something to take seriously. Do not let Freeman fall too far in your draft.

Drafting Chad Henne

Who knows how long Chad Henne will be the starter in Miami? Are we even sure that he'll be the starter come Week 1?

Stay away from Henne at all costs.

Letting Mark Ingram Go Undrafted

Mark Ingram is a very talented running back that could be very useful his rookie season for many fantasy owners.

Ingram is arguably the most NFL-ready player out of the 2011 draft class and could make a major splash in New Orleans' high-powered offense.

Letting Peyton Manning's Neck Injury Hold You Back

Peyton Manning may have been set back a little due to his recent neck surgery, but do not let it affect his rankings on your draft board.

If you're looking for a quarterback and Manning is available, DO NOT pass on him—it's Peyton Manning, for crying out loud!

Drafting Zach Miller High

Zach Miller has been one of the best-producing fantasy tight ends for quite some time, but his numbers will take a minor dip in Seattle.

Who's throwing him the ball? No one reliable.

Don't pick Miller too high in your draft.

Relying on Mark Sanchez...At All

Depending on your league size, Mark Sanchez should not be on a fantasy football roster, period. 

I'm sorry, but a career 54.4 completion percentage and four more interceptions than touchdowns doesn't seem too appealing to me.

Overlooking LeGarrette Blount

You cannot overlook second-year running back LeGarrette Blount.

Blount was the only rookie running back to run for 1,000 yards last season while only playing in 13 games—imagine how productive he can be if he plays an entire season.

Drafting Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy may have a promising future in the league, but he's nothing but a field manager.

McCoy should not be considered as a possible starter or even a backup, depending on your league.

Falling in Love with Detroit's Defense

Do not draft Detroit's defense simply because head coach Jim Schwartz declared his defense the "Silver Crush."

The Lions still aren't that great at defending the pass—keep that in mind.

Depending on Plaxico Burress as One of Your Starters

If Plaxico Burress is one of your starting receivers, then I'd say you may be in a bit of trouble.

Who knows how well Plax is going to produce after spending almost two years in jail? On top of that, Mark Sanchez will be the guy trying to throw him the ball.

Relying on Any Player on the Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins may have Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, but who's going to be throwing them the ball? John Beck or Rex Grossman?

You have got to be kidding me.

The 'Skins will have major offensive issues in 2011. Do not put any investment in any player on Washington's roster.

Drafting Ryan Grant Too High

After suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the first week of the season in 2010, who knows how well Ryan Grant will be able to perform this year?

Grant has had a solid career with a career average of 4.4 yards per carry, but don't put too much investment into that, especially since he plays in Green Bay's pass-first offense.

Thinking That Sidney Rice Is Going to Have a Breakout Year in Seattle

Have you ever heard of that saying that wide receivers go to die in Seattle?

Well, that could very well be the case for Sidney Rice in his first year as a Seahawk.

Who is going to throw Rice the ball? Tarvaris Jackson?

Don't rely too heavily on Rice.

Letting Shonn Greene Slide Too Far

This could be the year that Shonn Greene finally emerges as the player he should be. 

We all know that LaDainian Tomlinson is getting older, and his production will decrease, which will open the door for Greene to get more touches, hopefully.

Do not let Shonn Greene slide too far in your draft.

Drafting Any Saints WR High

The New Orleans Saints have a high-powered offense because the front office has surrounded Drew Brees with so many weapons.

Don't put too much investment into any Saints wide receiver—there are simply too many receivers for Brees to throw to.

Thinking That Vince Young Will Produce at All

When the Philadelphia Eagles brought in Michael Vick, Andy Reid installed an offensive package for him where Vick was able to score a few touchdowns.

Do not expect this to happen for Vince Young.

Drafting Sam Bradford Too High

Sam Bradford may have won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2010, but that doesn't mean he's going to emerge as a superstar in 2011.

Bradford may have thrown 18 touchdowns, but he was picked off 15 times and only accumulated 3,500 yards.

Nothing special.

Drafting Any Patriots Running Back

When you think about running back by committee, the New England Patriots should be the first team that comes to mind.

The Pats are loaded in the backfield with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk.

Granted, all the backs are talented and can be productive, but their fantasy production will vary every week.

Forgetting Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles was brilliant for the Chiefs last year, as he averaged a killer 6.4 yards per carry.

I'm certainly expecting Charles to get more touches this year, so don't overlook him if you have a top-five choice in your draft.

Drafting LaDainian Tomlinson Too High

At 32 years old, LaDainian Tomlinson is aging by the minute, and his days in the NFL are certainly numbered.

LT started off very well for the Jets in 2010 but hit a wall fast, as he failed to rush for more than 60 yards in any game after Week 5.

Taking a Defense Too High

Everyone loves to grab the best available defenses ahead of everyone else, but be careful not to draft them too high.

Drafting Any Colts Running Back

Joseph Addai and Donald Brown...stay far away from these guys.

I strongly advise against drafting any Colts running back, as Indy is simply not a productive rushing team.

It's just the way the Colts operate.

Letting Jeremy Maclin Slide Too Far

Due to Jeremy Maclin lining up opposite of DeSean Jackson, many tend to overlook him.

But 70 receptions, 964 yards and 10 touchdowns is definitely hard to overlook, in my opinion.

Not Drafting Maurice Jones-Drew in the Top Five

Many will overlook Maurice Jones-Drew entering 2011, as he only scored five touchdowns last season after scoring 27 in the two years prior to 2010.

There is no excuse why MJD should slide further than fifth overall.

Drafting Tim Tebow Expecting That He Will Be the Starter

I know there are a lot of Tim Tebow supporters out there, including myself, but there's no reason why any of us should select Tebow in the early rounds of our fantasy drafts.

However, if your roster is filled out and you have a spot to fill, you could use it on Tebow, but I'm sure there would be multiple players more worthy of that spot.

Letting Kevin Kolb Fall Too Far in Your Draft

Entering the mid to later rounds of your draft, I would hope you already have a starting quarterback for your team and are probably be looking for a backup.

Why not pick Kevin Kolb?

Who knows how well Kolb will do in 2011? All I know is that he put up solid numbers in Philadelphia and is now playing with one of the league's best wide receivers, Larry Fitzgerald.

Letting Aaron Hernandez Go Undrafted

Aaron Hernandez is well on his way to emerging as the next Marques Colston.

Hernandez is listed as a tight end, but he plays more like a wide receiver.

In 2010, Hernandez snagged 45 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns—not bad for a rookie.

Investing Too Much in Darren McFadden

Over the course of Darren McFadden's three-year career, he has yet to play an entire NFL season.

McFadden was very productive in 2010, as he ran for 1,157 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns, but realize that he is an injury-prone player.

Passing on Michael Vick

In my opinion, the only players that should be selected ahead of Michael Vick are Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Rashard Mendenhall.

If all of those players are gone, then it's time to snatch Vick.

Forgetting About C.J. Spiller

Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller was absolutely awful during his rookie year, but he definitely has the talent to bounce back in 2011.

Spiller is the kind of guy that I'd think about taking a risk on once you have the core of your team established.

Relying Too Heavily on Michael Vick

As stated in the previous slide, Michael Vick is the top fantasy quarterback, as he threw for 3,081 yards and passed for 21 touchdowns while running for 676 yards and scoring six touchdowns on the ground. However, Vick did this while playing in only 12 games.

Vick is injury-prone. Do not rely too much on him—have a backup plan!

Putting Any Stock in Cam Newton

You should not put any stock whatsoever in Cam Newton.

Newton is a rookie quarterback playing for a very mediocre team in Carolina, and on top of it, he is a product of the spread offense at the college level.

Do not put any stock in Newton.

Picking Arian Foster First Overall

If you're fortunate enough to sit with the first overall pick, I would strongly advise against drafting Arian Foster first overall—for all we know, he could be a one-year wonder.

A much more reliable and better option would be Adrian Peterson.

Not Drafting Enough Reliable Running Backs

It's no secret by now: Running backs are what win championships in fantasy football.

You need to make sure that you have enough reliable running backs when you're drafting—just like in baseball, where you can't have enough pitchers.

Thinking of Ronnie Brown as a Starter

Ronnie Brown should not be thought of as a starter anymore; he's not even a starter on his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brown is definitely a serviceable player in some fantasy leagues. If the league rules allow a flex player, then Brown could be helpful.

Putting Too Much Stock in Jahvid Best

Weighing in at just 200 pounds already makes you susceptible to injuries.

Jahvid Best played in all 16 games last year for the Detroit Lions, but during his years at Cal, he was rather injury-prone.

Buyer beware on this guy.

Passing on Knowshon Moreno in the Mid to Later Rounds

If you're sitting in the mid to later rounds with your top two running backs selected, taking a shot at Knowshon Moreno wouldn't be a terrible idea.

Moreno definitely has the talent and upside to be a productive running back, but he has yet to do so.

However, this will be his third year in the league, and he could turn it around fast.

Getting Stressed Out—It's Just Fantasy...

I know, I know. We all take fantasy football very seriously.

But don't get so stressed out about it! It's just a game...or is it?

To me, fantasy football is not a game: It's a competition, and I have to succeed.

In one of my leagues, I have been in the championship two out of the five years, finished first in the regular season four out of the five years and have accumulated the most points in the league's history—but I have yet to win a fantasy football championship.

This is the year that I'm finally going to win. I am done being the Peyton Manning of fantasy football!

Good luck to everyone. I wish you all the best of luck in each of your fantasy leagues!