The Best Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Tips & Tricks

Fantasy football is more than just a game; it’s a thrilling journey that puts your managerial skills to the test. One of the most critical phases of your fantasy football season is the draft. How you assemble your team at the beginning can significantly impact your chances of success throughout the season. In this post, we’ll share some valuable tips and tricks to give you the best fantasy football draft strategy and boost your chances of victory in SmashUp Fantasy Sports leagues.

Player Rankings are Your Bible

Before your draft, it’s essential to study fantasy football player rankings. Rankings can vary between sources, so consider using multiple reputable platforms to get a well-rounded view. Focus on understanding tier-based rankings to identify value picks and potential sleepers.

Drafting Techniques: Zero RB or Robust RB?

The strategy you employ during your draft can make or break your season. One of the ongoing debates in fantasy football is whether to prioritize running backs (RB) early in your draft or to wait and build a robust team elsewhere. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach can help you decide which strategy suits your league format and personal preferences.

Mock Drafts: Practice Makes Perfect

Never underestimate the value of mock drafts. They allow you to experiment with different strategies, practice your decision-making under pressure, and get a feel for how your league mates might draft. The more mock drafts you participate in, the better prepared you’ll be for the real thing.

Keep an Eye on Sleepers and Breakout Candidates

Every season, there are players who outperform their draft positions. These are your fantasy football goldmines, known as sleepers. Conduct research to identify potential sleepers and breakout candidates based on player profiles, team changes, and expert opinions.

Adapt to Your League Settings

Not all leagues are created equal. Pay attention to your league’s settings, whether it’s point-per-reception (PPR) or standard scoring, auction or snake draft, or other custom rules. Tailor your strategy to fit your specific league’s parameters.

Know Positional Scarcity

Every year there are some positions that are deep and some where by the 4th or 5th round you find yourself dreading having to start any of the players left in one of your roster spots. Create draft tiers. Understand the scarcity at each position. And give thought in advance to questions like “if I miss out on a Tier 1 tight end, do I want to reach for Tier 2 or would I prefer to grab a few different positions before getting a Tier 4 TE later on.”