Fantasy Football Advice: Draft Players

At NFL.com, Michael Fabiano provides some post-draft advice for fantasy football enthusiasts. I kid you not, here is the first bit of advice:

"1. Know the schedule and set a lineup each week"

"This might seem like an obvious rule, but I can't tell you the number of times I've seen owners fail to set their lineups. Whether a player is injured or on a bye week, he needs to be removed as a starter in order to have the best possible chance at a win. Even if that means you need to start San Diego's No. 2 running back or Atlanta's No. 3 wide receiver, at least there's a chance to see some points."

Let's get this straight, because I'm pretty sure Michael Fabiano just blew my mind. In order to succeed at fantasy football, I need to put players into my starting lineup. And "in order to have the best possible chance at a win," I need to put players into my lineup that will actually play.

Hold on, I need an illustration to fully comprehend this advice in all its complexity. So San Diego's #2 running back has a better chance at points than a player on bye? Atlanta's #3 WR might get me more points than a player that is out with injury?

At least Fabiano recognizes that "this might seem like an obvious rule." Basically, you have a better chance at success if you actually pay attention to football and adjust your lineups, than if you set a lineup and then forget to adjust it throughout the season. You have a better chance to get fantasy football wins if you start players that are playing, than if you start players that are not playing.

But really, if you want to succeed at football, just take this NFL.com writer's advice. It's mind-blowing. He also advices fantasy football participants to "Use the waiver wire and check the transactions report" and "Make trades from depth to improve at weaker positions." Since you've never thought about that before, you ought to thank this writer, listed as the "Fantasy Editor" for the NFL's official website, for providing you these nifty little tips. That's what the official website of the NFL has to offer.

In order to help you perform better at fantasy football, I would like to provide some of my own tips. Fabiano has provided everything you need to know for "post-draft" management of your team: here is some advice for what to do during the draft.

1. Draft players for every position your league allows you to start.
If your league allows you to start two running backs, don't just select one running back. And if your league allows you to start a tight end, don't forget to draft one on draft night. Remember, a real tight end has a better probability of scoring your team points than a blank spot in your starting lineup.

2. Only draft current players.
Dan Marino is a Hall of Famer, but he is unlikely to get you any fantasy points in 2008. Believe it or not, even Brodie Croyle is likely to get more fantasy points in 2008 than players like Marino, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, or John Elway. So make sure to look at an updated list of current NFL players.

3. Draft team starters, not team backups.
In all likelihood, a team's starting quarterback will have more fantasy points than a team's backup quarterback. Backup players can emerge to become valid fantasy performers, but don't pick Jim Sorgi before Peyton Manning.

4. When it is your turn to pick, make sure to say a name.
When it is your turn to select a player, you actually have to select a player. You shouldn't just stare at the wall. Don't just grin at everybody. Don't say, "Alright, I'm set. Who picks next?" If you don't actually pick players, you won't end up with anybody on your roster.