NFL Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Leave Kickers and Defenses to Waiver Wire

Those of you new to the fantasy sports world may not be familiar with the term streaming.

If you're not, here's what it basically means.

You leave a position on your team basically unfilled by a permanent player. In Week 1, you pick up a player who has a good matchup, and then drop him in Week 2 for a player that has a good matchup. It's a never-ending cycle.

Normally, it's not advisable in fantasy sports. Not as a long-term solution, anyway. You end up needing to waste a good spot on the waiver wire, or lose out on someone because you don't have a good spot.

Also, the players that are on the waiver wire are generally there for a reason. They aren't reliable enough to be counted on.

But in fantasy football, there are two places where streaming is a fine strategy: kickers and defense.

It's not so much that the strategy is great, but wasting draft picks here is just not a smart plan.

For defenses, rather than splurge early on a Steelers-, Ravens- or Jets-type of defense, wait. Look at the Week 1 schedule. Are there any teams out there that aren't likely to be drafted that are facing weak opponents? If so, go there and repeat that cycle.

Kickers, same deal. Look at guys who are going to be kicking indoors. Look at guys who are on teams against poor defenses that will allow a lot of field goal and extra point attempts.

Don't waste draft picks on these guys when you can bolster your depth at skill positions. It's just not a sensible idea.

There will always be defenses and kickers out there that can be claimed on the waiver wire. Even if you don’t like streaming, don’t waste a pick. You can stream early and find a team or kicker that’s surprisingly good.

There are ways to add depth to your team early and still get points from these overlooked positions. Don’t be afraid to trust your skills as an in-season decision maker.