Alright, folks, let’s talk about my recent dive into the world of fantasy football drafts. I’ve been playing fantasy football for a few years, but I always feel like I could be better prepared. So this year, I decided to do a bunch of practice drafts to really hone my strategy.
First things first, I jumped onto a couple of different platforms that offer mock drafts.I figured it’s good to get a feel for different draft rooms and player rankings.
Getting Started: The Mock Draft Frenzy
My initial approach was simple: just join a bunch of drafts and see what happens. I didn’t have any specific plan, I just wanted to get a feel for the flow. I quickly realized this was a bit chaotic. I was making impulsive picks, not really thinking about team composition or long-term value.
Developing a Strategy (Kind Of)
After a few messy drafts, I started to develop a basic strategy. I decided to focus on grabbing running backs early. They tend to be a scarce resource, and I figured having a strong running back core would be a good foundation.
- Draft 1: Went heavy on running backs, ended up with a weak receiving corps.
- Draft 2: Tried to balance things out, but still felt like I was reaching for players.
- Draft 3: Focused on value, regardless of position. This felt better, but still not perfect.
The Value-Based Approach
By draft four or five, I started to refine my approach even more. I really focused on value. Who are the players that are going later than they should? Who are the sleepers that nobody else is talking about? Instead of rigidly sticking to a position-based strategy, I started letting the draft come to me.
I also paid close attention to “Average Draft Position” (ADP). This shows where players are typically being drafted. If I saw a player I liked still available several rounds after their ADP, I’d snag them.
Practice, Practice, Practice
I must have done at least ten mock drafts. Seriously. It was a lot, but it really helped me to get comfortable with the draft process, to understand player values, and to experiment with different strategies. I highly recommand every fantasy football fan doing so.
By the end, I felt much more prepared for my real drafts. I still don’t know if I’ll win my league, but I definitely feel like I have a better chance than I did before. The main takeaway? Practice makes perfect, even in fantasy football.