Fantasy football drafts are such a rush for most of us—you get to assemble your dream team straight from the NFL’s best. While luck is part of the game, having a solid strategy can seriously boost your chances of ending the season with bragging rights. In this guide, I will dig into why strategy matters and how you can use it to dominate your draft.
Fantasy football isn’t just about stats and players. It’s about the thrill of competition, the arguing with friends, and the excitement of potentially winning money at the end of the season. The draft sets the stage for your journey to fantasy glory, and having a smart game plan can make all the difference between being a contender or falling behind.
Know your draft position and ADP’s
One of the first steps to having a successful draft is knowing where you stand in the draft order and getting a handle on players’ Average Draft Positions (ADP). Your draft position dictates when you pick players, which shapes your team’s foundation.
If you’re up early, you might snag those superstar players who fly off the board fast—think Christian McCaffrey or CeeDee Lamb. But if you’re picking later, you’ll need to balance grabbing those game-changers with picking up reliable players who may outperform their ADP.
Understanding ADP is crucial because it tells you when players typically get drafted compared to others. Websites compile ADP data from mock drafts and expert opinions, giving you a roadmap for when to pounce on your favorites and when to hold back. This knowledge helps you make savvy decisions, avoid reaching early, and build a team that’s balanced and ready to compete.
The most important part of understanding your position and player ADP’s is that you can shape your team around it. The ability to know if you are going to grab two RB’s early because they will all be gone by the time it comes back around to you. Or if you want to grab three straight wide receivers because you love the value that the middle round RB’s bring. This is where you’ll have the upper hand on most other managers in your league.
Understand what position will be available in each round
One of the smart moves in fantasy football drafts is figuring out which positions will still have your favorite players left in each round. This helps you decide when to go after certain positions early versus waiting until later.
Early in the draft, the focus is on grabbing top-tier players who can deliver the most points week after week. In PPR, the big name WR’s will usually get snatched up quickly along with the best RB’s in the game. The goal in the beginning is to take whoever is going to score you the most points in whatever format you play in.
As the draft moves on, you have to keep an eye on which positions still have quality players available. If running backs are getting picked a lot early on, for example, you might want to grab one in the middle rounds before all of the good ones are gone. That’s why it’s important to have a plan and to understand what positions are in each round. If you are in love with three RB’s in the 5th and 6th round, maybe you should look to take your WR’s early.
Knowing how your league mates tend to draft also helps. If everyone grabs QB’s early every year, you might want to snag one sooner or take advantage by drafting all positional players and saving QB until the later rounds of the draft.
By planning which positions to target in each round, you can build a strong team that’s ready to compete all season long. It’s all about balancing your picks and making sure you get the best players available when it counts most.
The idea of having a strategy and knowing what positions will be available before the draft even starts sets you up for a confident draft, with little to no surprises.
Use mock drafts to your advantage
Mock drafts aren’t just practice—they’re like preseason games for your fantasy team. Most fantasy platforms offer mock drafts that mimic real draft scenarios, allowing you to experiment with different strategies and refine your skills without any risk.
Whether you’re testing a strategy focused on loading up on RB’s early (zero RB strategy) or diversifying with a mix of receivers and TE’s, mock drafts give you a chance to see what works and what doesn’t.
You’ll hear a lot about different strategies like zero RB. This just involves not drafting a RB until the later rounds and usually starting off with drafting 3 straight WR’s. You can test a zero RB strategy in the mock draft. Make sure that the RB’s you will get in the later rounds are ones you are happy with.
Beyond strategy, mock drafts give you insights into your competition. You might notice trends like QB’s going early or a run on rookie players. Understanding these trends helps you adjust your game plan on draft day, so you’re ready to capitalize on opportunities as they unfold.
And don’t overlook the opportunity to uncover sleeper picks—those hidden gems that could turn your season around. Mock drafts are a prime opportunity to identify players who consistently fall below their ADP, which may be a player you want to draft.
Once again, having a process and draft strategy in fantasy football will make sure you are not hit with any surprises. Sometimes there will be a player drafted where you sit back and go, “what the hell?” but for the most part, you’ll know what players will be available at each turn if you practice consistently with mock drafts.
Have a backup plan
Flexibility is key in fantasy football drafts because things can change in an instant. Your top choices might be gone sooner than expected, or you might hear last-minute news that shifts your strategy. That’s where having a backup plan comes in handy—it keeps you prepared to pivot and adjust on the fly.
DO NOT enter the draft telling yourself you HAVE to draft someone. If it doesn’t go your way, your whole night is going to be thrown off.
Prepare a list of alternative players who fit your draft strategy or offer similar value to your initial picks. These backups should complement your roster by position and be ready to step in if your top choices are off the table. Being adaptable ensures you’re not caught off guard and can still build a competitive team even if your draft doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Consider drafting handcuffs for your star players too, especially running backs. Handcuffs are backup players who could step into a significant role if the starter gets injured or underperforms. While they may not start immediately, having a handcuff can provide insurance and potentially pay off big if the situation arises.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-thought-out fantasy football draft strategy is your ticket to a successful draft. By knowing your draft position, understanding players’ ADP, using mock drafts to practice, and staying flexible with backup plans, you can craft a team that is set up for success. Fantasy football is about more than just picking players—it’s about strategy, understanding where players will be drafted (ADP) and knowing what positions will be left in each round.
You did the research, so embrace the challenge, trust your instincts, and enjoy the ride of building your fantasy football squad. With the right approach, you’ll be ready to tackle the ups and downs of the NFL season and chase after that fantasy championship. Happy drafting!
