Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into fantasy football prep for the 2024 season, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I wanted to share my process, because, honestly, it’s been a learning experience even for a seasoned player like myself.
Started with the Basics: Research, Research, Research
First thing I did? I hit up all the usual suspect websites. You know, the big sports news sites. I started gobbling up articles, expert predictions, early rankings – anything I could get my hands on. I wasn’t looking for definitive answers, just trying to get a feel for the landscape. Who’s hyped? Who’s injured? Who’s switching teams?
Mock Drafts: Putting Theory into Practice
Next, I jumped into some mock drafts. This is where the rubber meets the road, folks. Reading about players is one thing, but actually seeing where they’re going in drafts? That’s a whole different ballgame. I did a few standard leagues, a few PPR (points per reception) leagues, just to get a variety.
- First few rounds: I noticed a heavy emphasis on running backs and wide receivers, as usual. Some familiar names were consistently going high.
- Middle rounds: This is where things got interesting. Some QBs and Tight Ends started showing that you need. It became all about finding value and balancing your roster.
- Later rounds: I look some risks, some names that, some guys coming back from injuries. It’s all about potential upside here.
Digging Deeper: Stats and Analysis
After the mock drafts, I felt like I had a decent grasp of who was being drafted, but I needed to understand why. So, I started digging into some deeper stats. I wasn’t just looking at last year’s total points, I was looking at things like:
- Targets/Opportunities: For running backs and wide receivers, how often are they getting the ball?
- Yards per carry/reception: Are they efficient with their touches?
- Red zone usage: How often are they getting chances to score touchdowns?
- Changes on their team (new Quarterback, new coach…): To see if they will get more or less points, or how the changes can modify the perfomance.
My (Current) Top Players List
Based on everything I’ve done so far, here’s a very preliminary list of players I’m targeting:
- Running Backs:
- Christian McCaffrey:He is still a beast.
- Bijan Robinson: I think he’s in for a HUGE year.
- Wide Receivers:
- Justin Jefferson:Consistently good.
- CeeDee Lamb:Another solid, dependable option.
- Quarterbacks:
- Patrick Mahomes:Always good choose.
- Josh Allen: If Mahomes isn’t available, he’s my guy.
- Tight Ends:
- Travis Kelce:I think he’s still the best.
- Sam LaPorta:Some people see him as a great option.
Iterate and Adapt
I saved this for this time, because it is very important, the key is to keep adjusting.
This isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. I’m going to keep doing mock drafts, keep reading articles, and keep refining my strategy. Injuries happen, players underperform, and surprises emerge. The key is to stay flexible and adapt.
So, that’s my process so far. It’s a lot of work, but honestly, it’s part of the fun. Good luck with your own prep, and may the best team win!