First of all, NEVER auto draft! Avoid doing this if you can. Most times it will not work out the way you want, even if you rank your players ahead of time. OK, now that I got that off my chest, let’s talk about a smart way to draft in MOST Fantasy Football formats.
All right Fantasy Football Fanatics, Let’s get smart about drafting and have a successful 2014 season!
Rounds 1 – 4:
You are going to want to draft 2 RBs and 2 WRs here. Look for the best available in each position. In most formats, your team will ride or die based on the talent you have in the WR and RB position. Based on your draft position, you will want to try and get the top RB available with your first pick. If the Top 5 backs are gone before you pick, then you may want to grab that top WR while you can. If you do this, get a RB with your second pick. Keep it balanced if you can with your first two picks. Now round 3 is where it can get tricky. IF and only IF you have a top TE such as a Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas or Gronk, you could mess with the formula and take one of them here. If those guys are off the board, Go after your second RB. The reason i say to do that before your WR is because there is more depth in the WR position than there is RBs. Finally with your fourth pick, get your second WR (or take your second RB here if you were able to snatch a top 3 TE with your 3rd pick).
Rounds 5 & 6:
I’m sure by now a lot of you are thinking “Wait, what about my QB, I haven’t drafted my QB and it is the 5th Round!” To that I say RELAX! There are PLENTY of top QBs available in this round. I have seen guys like, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers and and even Matthew Stafford. My theory on drafting a QB in the 5th round is that I would rather have a guy that I just listed, paired up with my top WR and RBs than say a Drew Brees with low end RBs and WRs. If you didn’t get a top TE and would like to fill your TE position in the 5th and wait to draft your QB in the 6th, which is a great plan too! Again, it’s about depth people and trust me when I tell you, there are a heck of a lot more quality QBs than there are quality TEs. I bet you didn’t know that Andy Dalton (a QB who isn’t typically drafted until after round 8) finished the 2013 season 3rd in most fantasy points from the QB position! I’m not saying to make Andy Dalton your starter, but what I am saying is that you can afford to wait til round 6 to get your QB.
Rounds 7 & 8:
Here is where you want to think about your flex position. If you feel they will still be available in round 8, then waste no time and pick up your Defense. Yes, I just told you to get your defense in round 7 or 8! There are few Defenses that can get you consistent points week to week in Fantasy and once that first defense is taken off the board EVERYONE starts scrambling to get theirs, and the quality defenses go fast ladies and gentlemen.
Rounds 9+:
This is when you look to fill your bench. Get your back up QB early in the case something terrible happens to your starter. Grab your Kicker (you will not need to draft a backup kicker if the bye week is long into the season, at which point, you can quickly pick up and plug in another kicker that week). Get your back up TE and a backup WRs/RBs. Take a backup Defense that is left with the easiest projected match up during your starting defense’s bye week.
Good luck in your drafts! I hope this helps! If you have any questions or would like to follow me on twitter, my handle is @DomiNateFF.
