There is no such thing as the perfect fantasy football player. No one is always 100% of the time correct with their takes or draft picks. However, there are several things fantasy players can do to better their craft.
Here are seven simple tips to help you become a better fantasy football player.
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – which optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
Know the Rules
The simplest thing is to make sure you know how your league works. You don’t want to prepare for a snake draft if it’s a salary cap draft instead. Furthermore, you need to know the league’s scoring system. If your fantasy league is PPR scoring vs. non-PPR scoring, how and who you draft will be impacted.
Furthermore, you don’t want to get caught with your pants down, unaware of your league’s unique scoring. You don’t want to wait until the final round to draft a tight end in a TE-premium scoring league. Also, be sure to draft more than one quarterback in a Superflex league.
Draft Rankings
Ideally, you should create your own rankings built around your fantasy league’s scoring system using stats and opinions from multiple sites and fantasy experts. Consider every player’s upside and risk when making your rankings. Also, always use tiers! It is critical on draft day to know which players are ranked similarly and grouped together.
If you don’t have the time to create your own rankings, find three-four fantasy experts you trust and use their rankings. The last thing you want to do is pick solely off a platform’s draft board.
Mock Drafts
Practice makes perfect. The best way to prepare for your fantasy draft is by doing mock drafts. While you can’t win your league during your draft, you can lose it if you pick horribly. The FantasyPros’ mock draft simulator should become your best friend in the weeks before your fantasy draft. Also, it’s wise to try out different kinds of draft strategies.
Depending on which draft slot you have, you will want to consider different types of draft strategies. For example, if you have an early pick, Hero-RB is an excellent strategy. Meanwhile, you should consider a Zero-RB or Robust-RB strategy if you have a later pick.
Now’s the time to try your new secret weapon for your draft: Draft Intel! Draft Intel analyzes up to 5 years of drafts and breaks down all your league-mates’ draft tendencies. See who waits at quarterback, how people approach the early rounds, and tons more insights to get an edge in your draft. Best of all, it’s totally FREE! Check out your league’s Draft Intel today!
Have a Draft-Day Plan
The last thing you want to do is go into your draft blind. Doing several mock drafts is critical because it gives you risk-free experience drafting. Furthermore, you need to know how your league’s size and lineup will impact your draft plans. For example, you should take a tight end and quarterback earlier in eight or 10-team leagues than in 12 or 14-team leagues.
Furthermore, you will want to draft two-four quarterbacks in a Superflex league compared to one-two in a single-QB league. Lastly, always be flexible. Don’t head into your draft with one strategy stick to it if the board isn’t working in your favor. Be ready to change your plan. Again, the more mock drafts you do, the better prepared you will be for your draft.
Use the FantasyPros Tools
FantasyPros has countless articles in the offseason and during the season to help you become an excellent fantasy football player. On top of all the articles, FantasyPros has several elite tools to help you bring home the title every year. The mock draft simulator is the most valuable tool to help you prepare for your draft. However, also take advantage of the new draft intel tool. It provides information on how your league mates have drafted in the past.
For during the season, Fantasy Pros has an excellent trio of tools to help you make weekly decisions. The start/sit assistant will help you build the best possible weekly starting lineup. Meanwhile, the waiver wire assistant will give you a leg up on your league mates in finding the best waiver wire addition every week. Lastly, the trade analyzer will help you create the best trades possible to improve your team. Make sure you take advantage of all the great FantasyPros tools. It’s the best way to help you improve as a fantasy football player.
Do Your Homework During the Season
Becoming a better fantasy football player isn’t only a pre-draft job. You can improve just as easily as a fantasy football player during the season as in the offseason. During the fantasy season, consume as much fantasy content as possible. Read multiple waiver wire articles every week. The names on the list will likely be similar. However, the difference in ranking and reasoning for each player will provide you with more information.
Also, listen to multiple podcasts, especially the FantasyPros podcast. They are a great way to gather more information without having to find time to acquire it. Listen to fantasy football podcasts on your way to and from work, at the gym, or in the shower. The more information you gather, the more significant leg up you will have over your league mates.
Ask for Advice
The fantasy football community is all about helping others get better and winning their leagues. That includes the average or brand new fantasy football player. Reach out to multiple experts and ask for advice. The FantasyPros Discord is a great spot to start. However, you can also ask the FantasyPros experts and others on Twitter.
You can also get good advice from other average fantasy players. Join fantasy football groups on Reddit and Facebook. Discuss your weekly or preseason questions/decisions with them. You don’t have to listen to their advice, but it doesn’t hurt to gather more opinions. Lastly, you can always DM me on Twitter (@Mike_NFL2), and I’ll be happy to help.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
