Okay, so today I decided to dive into the world of fantasy football a bit early and try out an NFL mock fantasy draft simulator. I’ve always been curious about how these things work and how they can help you prepare for your actual fantasy draft.
First, I had to find a simulator. I just did a quick search and a bunch popped up. I picked one that looked easy enough to use – no need to get fancy here.
Once I got the simulator going, I had to set up some basic stuff. Things like:
- League Size: I went with a standard 12-team league.
- Scoring: Standard scoring, nothing crazy. (Though I did think about trying a PPR – points per reception – league, maybe next time.)
- Roster Positions: The usual suspects: QB, RB, WR, TE, Flex, K, DEF.
Then the fun began! The simulator started spitting out picks, and I had to make my choices. I tried to stick to a general strategy – grab a couple of solid running backs early, find a reliable quarterback, and then start filling out my wide receivers and tight end. It’s tougher than it looks, especially when the simulator throws you some curveballs!
It was interesting to see how the draft unfolded. Some “expert” rankings I’d seen went right out the window. Players I thought would go early slipped, and others I hadn’t considered were snatched up quickly. It really showed me how unpredictable these things can be.
I ended up with a team I thought was… okay. I definitely made a few picks I regretted later. I think I reached too early for a certain wide receiver, and I probably waited too long to grab a tight end. Lesson learned!
The Results
After the draft was over, the simulator gave me a projected standing for my team. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. More importantly, it gave me a much better idea of what to expect when I do my real fantasy draft. I have a better feel for player values, and I know some strategies I want to try (and some I want to avoid!).
Overall, it was a pretty cool experience. It’s a great way to kill some time and get your head in the game before the actual season starts. Plus, you get to practice without any real consequences! I’ll definitely be doing a few more of these before my league’s draft day.