Fantasy Football 2015 roundtable: In-depth fantasy tips, guide
By Adnan Ikic
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands off to running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
What is your draft strategy?
Adnan: Load up on running backs and wide receivers early; do not take a quarterback right away. Make sure you have a capable running back to lead the way, first and foremost.
Quarterback is the most abundant position in the game, with many good ones to choose from if you wait.
If you’re bold, I’d also advise you to take a high quality player with baggage like Tom Brady late, seeing as how he’ll be a high end QB1 after his suspension (if that suspension even holds up). Of course that also means getting another quarterback to cover those first four weeks.
Arian Foster is another player who’ll fall in drafts due to injury, but who will have high end value when he comes back. Foster’s prognosis is getting better by the day, and it looks like he might only miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season. These are the types of low risk/high reward moves that win championships.
Freddie: As tempting as it is, I’m happy to avoid the quarterback position early which yes, means no Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck. My target is to always have two running backs and two receivers at the end of the fourth round.
In one mock draft, I was able to take Jamaal Charles and Andre Ellington with Julio Jones and Randall Cobb picking fifth in a snake draft. This is a strong foundation to build a team around.
This has to be within reason though. If you reach the fourth or fifth round and a guy like Rob Gronkowski or Russell Wilson is there and the options elsewhere aren’t great, grab him. It’s good to be flexible and adapt to how the draft unfolds.
Kevin: I like to study up a lot for the draft (I’m an analyst at heart), and in that way I’m pretty flexible when it comes to drafting.
Generally, I like to take someone who I know will be a legitimate contender for No. 1 in the first round. In PPR, I’m more likely to take a WR, in standard, it’s generally a RB. Then I like to stock up on WR/RB depth until around Round 6, where I start considering taking a QB/TE.
I like to nab Matt Ryan (non-Falcons fans generally let him slide) in Round 7, but Tony Romo is another candidate.
Then if a TE I like is available, I’ll take them in Round 8, but if there’s still a lot of depth I might wait until Round 10 or 11. D/ST and kicker are saved for the last two rounds – the order depends on how the draft shakes out.
Tyler: Take the best player available, no matter what.
Some people insist that a running back absolutely has to be everyone’s first choice. I disagree. While it is nice to have consistency at that position, if the top couple guys are off the board, you can normally get similar or better value from a receiver or quarterback if you get the right player.
For example, if Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, and Adrian Peterson were all taken, I would easily take Aaron Rodgers before considering a second tier running back like Matt Forte.
Eventually, you may have to reach for players to fill out your roster, but the point is to get as much value from the picks you have rather than worrying about what position they play.
Colin: My strategy has always been to get a great quarterback with my first pick and either go running back or receiver with my second. Im not high on taking running backs early on. They are always a gamble.
I’ve won six out of my last ten leagues I’ve played in so I know what i’m talking about! Take a quarterback with your first pick no matter where you are picking.
Next: Fantasy Football: 5 draft busts