By Brandyn M
It’s that time of the year for football fans; it’s the time for fantasy football. For many, this can be a fun time to get together with friends, family, or coworkers. Fantasy football is a fun way to step in as a team manager.
The rules of fantasy football are simple. Each person participating creates their own fantasy team by drafting real NFL players. Most fantasy football leagues use a nine-round serpentine draft, but draft guidelines may vary. After the draft, each player manages their team week-by-week to compete against other fantasy players in their league. Fantasy teams earn points depending on how well the players on their team perform in NFL games. Winning involves more than watching games; it requires making important decisions about who is in the starting lineup and who is on the bench, as well as making wise trades.
Some of the important stats can include volume (how much they get the ball), efficiency (how far they go when they have the ball), and value (how well they perform- 2nd round players can perform like 1st round pick)
During the first and second rounds of the Fantasy Draft, it is common for players to choose high-value NFL players like Christian McCaffery, CeeDee Lamb, Lamar Jackson, and Travis Kelce.
The middle rounds of a fantasy draft (rounds three through six) often revolve around quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers. While high-profile quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jackson are typically taken in the first or second round, other quality quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Brock Purdy, and Tua Tagovaloa can anchor fantasy lineups. Wide receivers and tight ends who can pick up lots of yardage and score touchdowns are also popular choices in the middle rounds – so receivers like Malik Nabers and Nico Collins or tight ends like David Njoku and Brock Bowers can help flesh out successful fantasy teams.
The final rounds of a fantasy draft are typically when players select kickers, defenses, and high-risk/high-reward rookies or free agents. Fantasy players who choose a defense late in the draft usually look for solid defenses with the potential to improve. Choosing a defense also involves looking at an NFL team’s schedule and considering how well that team’s defense matches up with their opponent’s offenses. Focusing on pass protection defenses and run protection defenses can provide insight into how well a team’s defense might function overall, often belying their reputation. For example, the Patriots’ defense is underrated: it allowed an average of 300 defensive yards per game, good for 7th overall. On the other hand, the Eagles’ defense is overrated: despite its reputation, it allowed an average of 356 defensive yards per game. Defenses that force lots of turnovers or match up against teams with imperfect offensive lines are great targets for fantasy owners.
Kickers are often picked based on their accuracy, range, and lower body strength. Someone like Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys is an excellent choice: he successfully made nearly 95% of his 38 field goal attempts last year, including a long drive of 66 yards. Another good choice is Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, who made 32 of 37 (85%) field goal attempts in 2023; Tucker also has a long track record of success, having made more than 80% of his kicks since joining the NFL in 2012.
But even the best-run fantasy drafts can go awry for a variety of reasons. NFL stars who may be early picks in fantasy drafts can get hurt – McCaffrey, Tagovaloa, Jordan Love, and Nick Chubb, for example, are high-profile players who have already succumbed to injury this season. That can spell disaster for fantasy teams relying on them to perform … or raise the hopes of fantasy teams who have drafted their backups. And NFL teams can outperform or underperform expectations, raising or lowering the value of players on these teams accordingly: The Minnesota Vikings were a disappointment last year but have burst out of the gate in 2024, while the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams have stumbled early this season despite excelling last year. So fantasy players can take heart: even if a draft seems like a bust, it’s early enough in the season to make changes that can turn around a slumping fantasy squad.
