We're less than two weeks until the start of July and that usually means fantasy football owners are gearing up for their first drafts of the 2012 season. There are a lot of things to worry about on the BIG DAY. Are you prepared? Did you do ALL your homework on each player? These questions and so many more will go through your head while you're trying to enjoy yourself. I mean, it is the biggest day of the year for us isn't it? Whether you think you're ready or not, here are a few simple rules I use when preparing for and during my drafts:
1. Don't use a magazine. I admit, I love reading fantasy football magazines. Whether they are printed in early May or late July, I can never get enough of the stats and articles these bad boys provide. Unfortunately, however, almost all of these magazines are outdated by the time we hit the end of July and August. I'm not saying that you can't use one entirely. Most of them still provide that little tidbit of information that you can use if your pick is coming up. But to base your entire draft on the info provided is a big blunder. Mainly because these magazines are set to print two weeks after the NFL draft. So with injuries and last minute trades, they are worthless for the most part by the time your draft begins. Updated Projections Online are the way to go!
2. Don't discuss your draft plan with anyone. With my local league, we usually show up about two hours beforehand and eat, talk, pick our draft spots and mainly discuss the upcoming season. Leave it at that. If someone asks you "So what do you think about so-and-so?" Lie. Lie like you never lied before. If you think someone is going to have a great year, don't reveal it. Because chances are that guy is going to screw you and take the sleeper you had been pining over for weeks.
3. Don't follow a position run. I've seen this tons of times before. One guy will take a tight end. Then the next guy. Pretty soon you have five tight ends drafted in a row. Don't get caught up and take a tight end yourself. Usually if there are 5-6 of the same position taken in a row, that means there is more value somewhere else. The reason why runs like this happens is because owners are afraid they will miss out. Don't be one of those people.
4. Don't go in with a set plan. If you're a quarterback and you just called a passing play, what do you do if you see the defense is ready for that play? Call an audible. What I mean is, if you expect to draft two premiere running backs in the first two rounds, don't stick with that plan if all the top tier running backs are off the board. You'll wind up taking a tier two rusher when there are still elite quarterbacks and receivers left on your draft board. I don't think there was a time where I left a draft with the same plan I had going in. In other words, be prepared for every scenario because sticking with one set plan will likely cost you a solid roster.
5. Throw player and team loyalty out the window. Let's be real, we all have our favorite players and teams. The guys that we had followed from college to the NFL. The guy whose jerseys we wear every Sunday. But when it comes to drafting, don't play favorites. I will admit that I have man love for LeSean McCoy and I love the Eagles. Would I love nothing more than to have him or Michael Vick or DeSean Jackson on my roster so I can follow them more closely than I usually do? Of course. But if it came down to them or another player that I know will give me more weekly fantasy points, I will always have to go with the other guys. Remember, there is no player or team loyalty. It also goes for players from the other three teams in your team's divison. Hearing "I refuse to draft ..... because he plays for the ........" makes me absolutely cringe. If I knew drafting Jason Witten or Hakeem Nicks was going to make my team that much better, I'll draft them ten out of every ten drafts.
Before I forget, make sure you check out our Dominator Package for 2012. It is jam packed with everything you need to win your league this season.
Avoid the five mistakes above and you'll be a cool as ice during your draft.