Okay, so I wanted to put together my own “best of” list for fantasy football players by position. I’m no expert, but I’ve been playing fantasy football for years, and I always like to do my own research.
Getting Started
First, I opened up a bunch of browser tabs. You know, all the usual suspects – the big sports websites, some fantasy football blogs, even a couple of forums where people get really into it.
The Data Deep Dive
I started making a spreadsheet (yeah, I’m that guy). Columns for position, player name, projected points, last year’s stats, and a bunch of other stuff. My goal? To try and see past the hype and find some solid, reliable players. I spent a good few hours just filling this thing in, going back and forth between different sites to compare projections and stats.
Sorting and Filtering
Once I had all the data dumped into my spreadsheet, I started messing around. Sorting by projected points, filtering by position, looking at average draft positions (ADP) to see where players were generally being picked. This helped me get a feel for the general consensus.
My Own Twist
But I didn’t just want to copy what everyone else was saying. I started digging into some more specific stats – things like red zone targets for receivers, or rushing attempts inside the 10-yard line for running backs. I wanted to find players who might have a higher chance of scoring touchdowns, even if they weren’t the biggest names.
Building My List
Based on all of that, I started putting together my own rankings. Here’s a simplified peek into what I came up with:
- Quarterbacks: I was looking for guys who could rack up points with both their arms and their legs. I noticed a few players that put big number.
- Running Backs: Workhorses! I prioritized guys who were going to get a ton of carries, even if their team wasn’t predicted to be amazing. Volume is king in fantasy football.
- Wide Receivers: I looked for guys with a history of getting a lot of targets, and those who had a good connection with their quarterback. Red zone targets were a big factor here too.
- Tight Ends: This position is always tricky. I focused on guys who were consistent, reliable targets, rather than chasing after the occasional big game.
- Kicker: Don’t sleep for this position! A good kicker can change your result.
- Defense/Special Teams:It’s very important to check teams in this category.
The Final Result
It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely just my opinion, but I felt good about it. I had a list of players I was targeting, backed up by some actual research, not just gut feelings. I used this list in my own draft, and I think i had some steals!
I will adjust it as the season goes, but having all the data and do the rearch by my self is very important. Also, follow up on injuries and trades are key for success.