Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: How to Handle Owning the No. 1 Overall Pick

So, you got the top draft pick in your fantasy football draft. Settle down and take a deep breath.

This is a good thing and luckily for you, I'm going to help you through this gigantic decision. There may be some yelling and gnashing of teeth, but I promise that once we get to the end you will feel confident with your pick.

Sit back, relax and memorize everything I say as I give you the correct approach to owning the No. 1 fantasy football draft pick.

Stay Calm

Basically, don't be the guy above.

Pretend that you are disappointed that you are holding onto the first pick in your fantasy draft when in reality, you know that you control how the rest of the draft will go.

Decide in Advance Who Your Best Player Is

If your fantasy draft is on a Tuesday, take some time on Monday to decide who you would pick if you were to get the first pick in the draft. That way, if you are lucky enough to actually get the first pick, you won't panic and draft Randy Moss or Brett Favre.

It is always best to be prepared. Personally, I would rank Adrian Peterson as the best fantasy player, but ultimately that decision is up to you.

Take as Much Time as Possible to Make Your Selection

Whether you have two minute rounds or five minute rounds, use the full amount of time that has been allotted to you.

Here's why: you want to instill doubt in your competition. You want them to feel like there is no good way out of the current situation. Make them believe that any choice is a bad choice.

That way, when it is their turn three or even eight picks later, they think they need to reach for a player who could possibly have a big year instead of making the safe choice. You've already planted a seed of doubt in your opponents by taking so long to choose and that seed will grow into a tree of confusion, forcing your competition to make a poor decision.

Fantasy football drafts are 99 percent mental.

Don't Draft Michael Vick

This is a big no-no and unfortunately many people are doing this. 

I'm not saying that Michael Vick doesn't have the potential to be a fantasy football stud, but I have major questions about him.

First, will he be able to stay healthy for an entire season? He plays a style of football that no one else in the league does and that style puts him at a high risk for injuries.

Second, was last year just a fluke? This is a tough question to answer, but before last year, Vick never had that quality of season.

If Vick gets injured or reverts back to his old ways, you will look like a fool for taking him first overall.

Do Not Draft a Wide Receiver

I know you love Andre Johnson, and I do too, but you can't let your emotions get in the way here.

There is not a single receiver worthy of the top overall pick in fantasy football. Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace or Calvin Johnson should not even enter your mind.

In fact, when you are on the clock for the first pick, forget that wide receiver is even a position on the football field.

Draft a Running Back

This is almost common sense, yet so many people are moving away from the tradition of drafting a running back with the first draft pick.

With Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Michael Vick all capable of putting up enormous fantasy numbers, people are drafting a top quarterback instead of a top running back.

I wouldn't do that. In fact, there are at least five running backs that I would draft before drafting a quarterback. Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson are the cream of the crop and are more worthy of a top draft pick than any quarterback.

The main reason why is the depth at the quarterback position. Jay Cutler, who most have ranked as the 15th best quarterback, will put up similar numbers to Aaron Rodgers, the top ranked quarterback. The same can't be said for running backs because there is no way that Cedric Benson is going to have the same fantasy season as Adrian Peterson.

Stick with tradition and draft a running back with the first overall pick.