Fantasy Frenzy: The Draftmaster

By Dip Donnelly

Training camps are now underway; and so are the plans of your NFL fantasy commissioner. When do you have your draft?  Do you have an online or on-location draft?  If you have an online draft is it auto-pick? Here are some quick notes about fantasy drafting techniques:

First of all, you want to wait as long as possible to have your draft, I know this time of year everyone is getting antsy for some football, but you must wait. 

Secondly, you should decide on what type of draft you are to have.  Sometimes it is just not feasible to have an on-location draft.  Sometimes it isn’t feasible to have an online “live” draft either.  So your only other option is auto-pick.

Over the years I have had just as much success in auto-drafts as I have had in live ones.  It really depends on your competition and their drafting styles. 

Auto-drafts can be great for a couple of reasons.  If your opponents don’t set their picks for the first 250 players then in the later rounds the computer automatically picks a backup tightend, defense, kicker and quarterback.  These roster spots should be used for 2 more running backs and a wide receiver, sometimes I will draft a second quarterback to keep him away from other teams, but not always. 

In football, your roster can change weekly; guys get hurt, guys sit out, it can really be a mess.  So you need to stay flexible, having Tony Romo and the San Diego Defense on your bench will not win you a championship, heck Tony Romo won’t win you a championship by playing either.  Stock up on players that play every week so you can mix up your match ups. 

I shouldn't have followed Dip's advice!

Pick ONE quarterback, ONE tight end, ONE kicker, ONE defense, and stick with them, at least until their bye weeks.