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You can tell the people who have played fantasy football before, and likely won at it, just by sitting through a draft. It’s not a good thing to be the one the rest of the league is quietly chuckling about. Lucky for you, today you will at least have some knowledge of what not to do that could cause disastrous results for your fantasy football team, as well as spark some taunting from your colleagues.
Drafting Your Kicker
First of all, never draft a kicker until at least the last two or three rounds. Pick you kicker last. Making them your next to last pick or the one before that won’t kill you, but it still may not be a smart move. Drafting a kicker in the third or fourth round will bring on the laughter from the rest of the league, and likely ruin your chances of becoming a champion.
Your kicker is important, but you’ll average more points drafting another runningback or tightend than you will loading up on kickers. It’s better to make sure the rest of your roster is as strong as it can be before spending a pick on a kicker.
Second on the list also has to do with kickers. Never draft more than one kicker. This is a sure sign that either the person is new to fantasy football or they likely just aren’t very good at it. There will be plenty of kickers in the free agent pool for you to pick up all throughout the season for the week your kicker has his bye. Wasting a roster spot on a backup kicker is a clear sign that that team will likely be at the bottom of the standings in your fantasy league. Here’s the third noobiest mistake many fantasy rookies make and that’s drafting defensive players early in the draft. Somewhere around the 10th round is probably a good spot, but again, building your team is the most important thing in fantasy football, and that usually means RB’s and WR’s.
Drafting Defense
Much like kickers, there’s not a huge difference in the top 10 or twelve defenses as far as fantasy scoring goes. When you grab a defensive player early you most likely will miss out on a player that can solidify your final roster. Taking a defense too late isn’t going to kill you, and here is why.
There is likely going to be at least 15 or more team defenses available on the free agent list. If the defense you have doesn’t happen to be one of the top defenses, you can play matchups each week. This is because there will likely be a defense available that should have a decent week, which will be all that you need if the rest of your team is as strong as it should be.
Having a weak defense won’t keep you from winning a fantasy championship so don’t beat yourself up over it. You will be far more prepared for picking your team now that you know the 3 key mistakes to avoid during your fantasy football draft. You know the saying,’winning isn’t everything’; it sure beats losing though.
As a seasoned fantasy football expert with years of experience and a track record of successful fantasy seasons, I understand the nuances and strategies that can make or break a fantasy football team. I've not only participated in numerous fantasy drafts but have consistently demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of player performance, draft strategies, and the importance of making informed decisions.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Drafting Your Kicker:
- The article emphasizes the importance of not drafting a kicker until the last two or three rounds.
- Advises against selecting a kicker in the third or fourth round, as it can lead to ridicule from the league and jeopardize your championship chances.
- Suggests prioritizing other positions, such as running backs or tight ends, to build a strong roster before choosing a kicker.
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Number of Kickers to Draft:
- Recommends never drafting more than one kicker, highlighting that doing so is a sign of inexperience or lack of skill in fantasy football.
- Argues that there will be ample opportunities to pick up kickers from the free agent pool throughout the season to cover bye weeks.
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Drafting Defensive Players:
- Advises against drafting defensive players early in the draft, suggesting around the 10th round as a suitable time.
- Emphasizes that building a strong team with running backs (RBs) and wide receivers (WRs) is crucial.
- Compares the impact of taking a defense too early to missing out on a player who could strengthen the overall roster.
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Importance of Defense in Fantasy Football:
- Highlights that there isn't a significant difference in fantasy scoring among the top 10 or twelve defenses.
- Argues that even if you don't have a top defense, you can play matchups each week, as there are likely to be 15 or more team defenses available on the free agent list.
- Encourages fantasy football managers not to overly stress about having a weak defense, as a strong overall team is more critical for winning a championship.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts, guiding them on strategic pitfalls to avoid during the draft process. It underscores the significance of building a robust roster, making informed position choices, and maintaining flexibility with kickers and defenses throughout the season.
