Here are 10 tips for people who are starting out and learning how to play fantasy football:
- Running backs are the most important positions in fantasy football due to the limited number of starting RBs in the league compared to the number of RBs that each team can start in your league (which can range from 1-3). You need several of them in case your starting RB goes down due to an injury.
- Consequently, examine the roster requirements for your league. If your league does something unorthodox such as starting 2 QBs, then you're forced to draft a QB earlier than you normally would.
Study your league's scoring system. Are passing touchdowns worth less than rushing/receiving touchdowns? Are there points rewarded per reception? If yes, pass-catching RBs such as Brian Westbrook receive a bump in ranking.
- Don't try to be a homer. In other words, don't draft too many players from your favorite NFL team or from your alma mater.
- Use a favorite site to monitor player updates (NFL, Rotoworld, ESPN., etc.). You don't want to be the moron who drafts a WR the day after he tears his ACL and is out for the season.
- Do several mock drafts so you can get a feel for how a typical draft plays out. There are several sites out there that run great mock drafts. I'll post them as soon as the live drafts are up and running.
- Work the waiver wire (free agency). Pay attention to who's hot and who's not. One of the players you pick up may end up putting up top 5 statistics at his position.
- Pay attention to your player's bye weeks. It's frustrating when you realize that half of your team is on a bye during a crucial week. You might as well change your team name to Bye Week.
- Also, do not gamble more than you can lose (not that I condone gambling).
- Most importantly, have fun and bookmark my site (sorry, had to drop a bit of self-promotion...ala TO style).
