“Winning isn’t getting ahead of others. It’s getting ahead of yourself” -Roger Staubach
The best time of the year is upon us. The temperature outside is starting to cool just slightly, kids are gearing up to go back to school, and most importantly, football is BACK! Just the thought of preseason games actually being here is enough to get any football fan excited. With that excitement comes the most enjoyable part for millions across the globe–fantasy football drafts. Whether it’s a live draft that you have been a part of for thirty years, an online draft with a group of people you’ve never met, or something in between, the fantasy draft season is an exhilarating time. With draft day approaching, it’s time for me to give you my fantasy football draft advice in the form of five ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ that will prepare you for fantasy success.
Related: 7 Tips and Tricks To A Successful Fantasy Draft
Do: Understand Your Scoring Settings
Getting a firm knowledge of how your league is customized is vital to success in the draft. How many teams are in your league? If it’s a smaller league (6-10 players), players who are clear positional advantages, such as Travis Kelce at tight end, can make the difference on your team, as when you leave the draft, everyone’s team will look good. Meanwhile, a league with more players (12-16+) promotes the need for depth, as the waiver wire will be scarce, making it difficult to replace players if injuries arise.
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Additionally, you should know the scoring settings of your league. Do players get points for receptions? Are there big play bonuses? Are there any unique scoring settings that you should be aware of? Asking these questions about your league can give you an edge, and allow you to curtail your draft style to target players that thrive in your league settings.
Don’t: Avoid Mock Drafting
Even though it is thrilling to go into your live draft with just your cheat sheet, there is little that will prepare you more than mock drafting. There are a myriad of sites that help players draft against other live players, such as ESPN, NFL, and Yahoo. While mocking against a computer can be helpful, getting the opportunity to compete against others lets you practice the unpredictability that comes with real players. Get as close to your settings as you can, and draft in multiple positions to be as experienced as possible.
If you are looking for quick, effective drafts, an amazing tool to use is FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Simulator. In the Mock Draft Simulator, you can customize draft position, league settings, starting lineups among other things, While drafting, you get both a 5-minute mock draft, as well as immediate expert rankings and analysis on your draft. Spending time mock drafting is a great indicator of success when you’re at your actual draft.
Do: Create Your Own Draft Rankings
Not everyone thinks the same. If they did, fantasy football would be boring. Every expert has different rankings, and you should too. There are players that you are naturally higher on and lower on than the consensus, and that’s great! However, by creating your own list of players, you will always be ready when you are on the clock. The best way to do this? Use the services here at Create-A-Rank to customize your own rankings!
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Don’t: Tilt
Imagine this situation. You are three picks away, and the draft has been going great so far. You have three players left that you LOVE at this pick. However, as the three drafters in front of you make their decisions, you slowly grow more and more nervous as the first player goes…then the second…then the third. Suddenly, you are in a position where you don’t know what to do and consequently panic.
This is known as “tilting” in the fantasy football community. In order to have a successful fantasy draft, limit tilting as much as you possibly can. This can be done by being prepared for pitfalls in a draft. Have a player you love that is always going at a spot in mock drafts? Be prepared for him not to be there when you pick. Four picks away from selecting? Have five players in your queue so even if your four favorites go, you still have a plan. Taking these steps, in combination with creating your own rankings, can keep you from tilting, and keep you firmly in control of your draft.
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Do: Enjoy Yourself!
Even though the draft may be stressful, remember why you’re here. You’re here to dominate, but most importantly, to have fun. This game allows people from all over the world to enjoy a truly wonderful sport even more. Don’t let the stress of the draft prevent you from enjoying yourself. Our job here at Create-A-Rank is to prepare you for the draft and for the season. Your job is to take that information, beat your friends, and hang it over their heads forever. Good luck this year, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
