I'm running an 8 Team League with some family and friends who wanted to try Fantasy Football. None of them have played before, and most have little knowledge of NFL players. I've put together a "Top 150 Cheat Sheet" (basically just antsports ADP) and put together this Round-By-Round Draft Strategy to help them in selecting their teams. Thought I'd post it here for suggestions/feedback. Wanted to make it easy to follow and have it produce decent teams. Lemme know whatcha think.
8 Team, Standard Scoring, all TDs 6 Pts.
Start 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1K, 1D/ST
Must Draft 2QB, 4RB, 5WR, 2TE, 1K, 2D/ST
ROUND-BY-ROUND DRAFT STRATEGY
IMPORTANT: Remember not to select too many players with the same bye week!
ROUND ONE: Draft a Running Back
An Elite #1 Running Back is the backbone of your Fantasy Team. Draft the highest ranked Running Back available on the Cheat Sheet. (or at least one ranked nearly as high if you have a personal preference.)
ROUND TWO: Draft a Running Back or Wide Receiver
Time for your first decision, as there are two ways you can go here. You can either draft the highest ranked remaining running back on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your other starting running back (you will start two each week), or if there is a Wide Receiver available ranked higher than any of the remaining Running Backs you can draft him as the foundation of your receiving corps.
ROUND THREE: Draft a Running Back or Wide Receiver
If you drafted a Running Back in Round Two, Select the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver Remaining on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your #1 Receiver. If you selected a Wide Receiver in Round Two Draft the Highest Ranked Remaining Running Back.
EXCEPTION: Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning (QB-IND) is the Highest Ranked Quarterback in Fantasy Football, and is worthy of considering with a Second or Third round pick. If you select Manning be sure to select a second running back by no later than the fourth round.
ROUND FOUR: Draft a Wide Receiver
Select the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver remaining on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your second starting Wide Receiver.
EXCEPTION: Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates (TE-SD) is the Highest Rated Tight End in Fantasy Football, and is worthy of considering with a Third or Fourth Round Pick.
ROUND FIVE: Draft a Wide Receiver or Quarterback
Time for another Decision. Either Select the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver remaining on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your third starting Wide Receiver.(you will start 3 each week), or Select the Highest Ranked Quarterback Remaining on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your starting Quarterback.
ROUND SIX: Draft a Wide Receiver, Quarterback, or Tight End
There are three possible choices here. If you drafted a Wide Receiver in Round Five you can select the Highest Ranked Quarterback Remaining on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your starting Quarterback. If you selected a Quarterback in Round Five you can draft the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver Remaining to serve as your third starting Wide Receiver. The third option (regardless of your selection in Round Five) is to select the Highest Ranked Tight End Available on the Cheat Sheet to serve as your starting Tight End.
ROUND SEVEN: Draft a Wide Receiver, Quarterback, or Tight End
Fill in your last remaining positional “starter” with this pick. Depending on your team’s need (i.e. which position you haven’t yet filled), Draft the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver, Quarterback, or Tight End available on the Cheat Sheet. At the end of the seventh round you should have 1 Quarterback, 2 Running Backs, 3 Wide Receivers, and 1 Tight End.
ROUND EIGHT: Draft a Running Back or Wide Receiver
Now to start Drafting Reserves. Select either the Highest Ranked Running Back or Highest Ranked Wide Receiver available on the Cheat Sheet.
ROUND NINE: Draft a Running Back or Wide Receiver
If you Selected a Running Back in Round Eight Draft the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver available on the Cheat Sheet. If you Drafted a Wide Receiver in the Eighth Round Select the Highest Ranked Running Back available on the Cheat Sheet.
NOTE: Depending on the Starting Running Back(s) you have selected, you may wish to consider drafting a “handcuff” Back in the Eighth or Ninth Round.
ROUND TEN: Draft a Running Back
Draft the Highest Ranked Running Back available on the Cheat Sheet.
NOTE: Depending on the Starting Running Back(s) you have selected, you may wish to consider drafting a “handcuff” Back in the Tenth Round.
ROUND ELEVEN: Draft a Quarterback or Wide Receiver
Two choices here. You can either draft the Highest Ranked Quarterback available on the Cheat Sheet or you can Select the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver available on the Cheat Sheet.
EXCEPTION: Chicago Bears Defense
The Chicago Bears Defense is the Highest Rated Defense in Fantasy Football, and is worthy of considering with a Tenth or Eleventh Round Pick.
ROUND TWELVE: Draft a Quarterback or Wide Receiver
If you Selected a Quarterback in Round Eleven Draft the Highest Ranked Wide Receiver available on the Cheat Sheet. If you Drafted a Wide Receiver in the Eleventh Round Select the Highest Ranked Quarterback available on the Cheat Sheet.
ROUND THIRTEEN: Draft a Tight End or Defense
In the Thirteenth Round either Draft the Highest Ranked Tight End available on the Cheat Sheet or Select the Highest Ranked Defense available on the Cheat Sheet.
ROUND FOURTEEN: Draft a Tight End or Defense
If you Selected a Tight End in Round Thirteen Draft the Highest Ranked Defense available on the Cheat Sheet. If you Drafted a Defense in the Thirteenth Round Select the Highest Ranked Tight End available on the Cheat Sheet.
EXCEPTION: Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri (K-IND) is the Highest Rated Kicker in Fantasy Football, and is worthy of considering with a Thirteenth or Fourteenth Round Pick.
ROUND FIFTEEN: Draft a Kicker or Defense
We’re almost home! In this round you should either draft the Highest Ranked Kicker available on the Cheat Sheet or Draft the Highest Ranked Defense available on the Cheat Sheet.
ROUND SIXTEEN: Draft a Kicker or Defense
If you Drafted a Kicker in Round Fifteen Select the Highest Ranked Defense available on the Cheat Sheet. If you Selected a Defense in Round Fifteen Draft the Highest Ranked Kicker available on the Cheat Sheet.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR FIRST DRAFT!
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire
It looks pretty good, although I would have probably just left things more open after round 7 or so - just telling them general concepts to focus on (like handcuffing, platooning QBs/TEs, leaving kickers and defenses for last) for the rest of the draft instead of continuing the round by round instructions. Part of the fun of a draft is seeing how the other owners construct their teams, and if everyone is working off the same instructions, you won't see any of that.
I think you should at least explain handcuffing RBs since you mention it in the instructions.
onnestabe wrote:It looks pretty good, although I would have probably just left things more open after round 7 or so - just telling them general concepts to focus on (like handcuffing, platooning QBs/TEs, leaving kickers and defenses for last) for the rest of the draft instead of continuing the round by round instructions. Part of the fun of a draft is seeing how the other owners construct their teams, and if everyone is working off the same instructions, you won't see any of that.
I think you should at least explain handcuffing RBs since you mention it in the instructions.
That's my $0.02
Thank You Sir. I've actually put together a "Draft Kit" for them, and there's a section in there about bye weeks, handcuffs, etc. I considered leaving the latter portion of the draft more "open-ended", but a few of the owners have VERY little football knowledge. I think I may tack a bit on at the end stating that this is a guideline more than anything, and they should feel free to alter it (or disregard it entirely.)
Once again, Gracias for the input.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire
onnestabe wrote:It looks pretty good, although I would have probably just left things more open after round 7 or so - just telling them general concepts to focus on (like handcuffing, platooning QBs/TEs, leaving kickers and defenses for last) for the rest of the draft instead of continuing the round by round instructions. Part of the fun of a draft is seeing how the other owners construct their teams, and if everyone is working off the same instructions, you won't see any of that.
I think you should at least explain handcuffing RBs since you mention it in the instructions.
That's my $0.02
Thank You Sir. I've actually put together a "Draft Kit" for them, and there's a section in there about bye weeks, handcuffs, etc. I considered leaving the latter portion of the draft more "open-ended", but a few of the owners have VERY little football knowledge. I think I may tack a bit on at the end stating that this is a guideline more than anything, and they should feel free to alter it (or disregard it entirely.)
onnestabe wrote:It looks pretty good, although I would have probably just left things more open after round 7 or so - just telling them general concepts to focus on (like handcuffing, platooning QBs/TEs, leaving kickers and defenses for last) for the rest of the draft instead of continuing the round by round instructions. Part of the fun of a draft is seeing how the other owners construct their teams, and if everyone is working off the same instructions, you won't see any of that.
I think you should at least explain handcuffing RBs since you mention it in the instructions.
That's my $0.02
Thank You Sir. I've actually put together a "Draft Kit" for them, and there's a section in there about bye weeks, handcuffs, etc. I considered leaving the latter portion of the draft more "open-ended", but a few of the owners have VERY little football knowledge. I think I may tack a bit on at the end stating that this is a guideline more than anything, and they should feel free to alter it (or disregard it entirely.)
Once again, Gracias for the input.
Sounds like you have everything under control
First time for Everything I guess.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire
make sure you leave to info on the right in the antsports cheat sheet list. That will help with the newbies being able to see the highest, lowest, and average draft postions for the players. This might help them with their selections. I also agree to leave it a little more open after the first 7-8 rounds. give them more info about how chose btwn postions and players instead of saying draft this position here.
If you let them run with it in the long run they will learn more and sucsessive years qwill be more enjoyable for all as they have learned more than they would have if you spoon feed them.
You could think of government workers like teenagers. You pay them an allowance, but do you get any work out them? They eat the food, put their feet on the furniture and complain loudly whenever they are unhappy.
If you follow a drafting script, you will not be sucessful 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent counts as luck.
Anyways, its good to use this as a guideline or strategy, so to speak, but I think there is no way, shape or form, that you should follow it EXACTLY. I say this because you need to adapt, analyze, and react during the draft. This way you are ready to snag your targeted guys without overpaying for them and understand the flow of the draft. For example, if a major run of QBs happens in the 5 round and you are following this sheet, then it says to choose a QB or WR. If you analyzed the situation, then you should know that you can wait awhile now before drafting a QB because a run just happened. So, if thats the case, then obviously you need to take a WR because that is what the sheet says.... wrong. What if a guy like Addai or another quality RB is sitting there on the board? The sheet says to wait till the 8th before drafting your backup RB. But, I feel that grabbing Addai holds more value then drafting a 2nd or 3rd tier WR at this point. And risk waiting for your backup RB. But then, I guess it all boils down to preference.
IMO, the best strategy is to loosely follow a draft strategy/script and adapt to each draft because every one will be different.
J2thez929 wrote:If you follow a drafting script, you will not be sucessful 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent counts as luck.
Anyways, its good to use this as a guideline or strategy, so to speak, but I think there is no way, shape or form, that you should follow it EXACTLY. I say this because you need to adapt, analyze, and react during the draft. This way you are ready to snag your targeted guys without overpaying for them and understand the flow of the draft. For example, if a major run of QBs happens in the 5 round and you are following this sheet, then it says to choose a QB or WR. If you analyzed the situation, then you should know that you can wait awhile now before drafting a QB because a run just happened. So, if thats the case, then obviously you need to take a WR because that is what the sheet says.... wrong. What if a guy like Addai or another quality RB is sitting there on the board? The sheet says to wait till the 8th before drafting your backup RB. But, I feel that grabbing Addai holds more value then drafting a 2nd or 3rd tier WR at this point. And risk waiting for your backup RB. But then, I guess it all boils down to preference.
IMO, the best strategy is to loosely follow a draft strategy/script and adapt to each draft because every one will be different.
This is what I was gonna say but J2 said it much better than I would've.
I never have a set strategy beyond picking a RB in the 1st round. After that you need to be able to adapt to how the draft is going because EVERY draft is different. Also, scoring systems can affect how you draft. If QB's get 6 points per TD they'll go earlier than in most leagues. Same thing with 1 PPR leagues where WR's go earlier than in most leagues.
I think it's impossible to map out every pick for every round of a draft like you're trying to do. You can obviously do it but I don't see the results being good, IMO.
Kilroy1872 wrote:ROUND FOURTEEN: Draft a Tight End or Defense If you Selected a Tight End in Round Thirteen Draft the Highest Ranked Defense available on the Cheat Sheet. If you Drafted a Defense in the Thirteenth Round Select the Highest Ranked Tight End available on the Cheat Sheet.
EXCEPTION: Adam Vinatieri Adam Vinatieri (K-IND) is the Highest Rated Kicker in Fantasy Football, and is worthy of considering with a Thirteenth or Fourteenth Round Pick.
This is an excellent blue print for beginners with this one exception. Vinatieri may be the best NFL kicker, but no kicker consistently even hangs around the top 5 or the top 10 for that matter. You guys with standout years recently, Akers, Wilkins, Vanderjecht, have all followed up leading years with sub top 10 years, so dont be surprised if there's quite a few angry Rackers owners this year.
Basically, you're telling beginners there is such a thing as a #1 kicker when really any and all kicker rankings are meaningless. Other than that, I think this was an incredibly well thought out beginner's guideline (and definitely something any beginner viewing should bookmark to refer to when they draft late this year).
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by Kilroy » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:44 pm 
