Alright, folks, let’s dive into my little experiment today with a 2024 NFL Fantasy Mock Draft Simulator. I’ve always been a big fan of fantasy football, and with the new season kinda on the horizon, I figured it was time to get my hands dirty and start prepping.
First things first, I needed a simulator. Did a little digging, found one that seemed pretty straightforward and didn’t require me to sign up for anything. This one looks good, no sign up required
Getting Started
I launched the simulator and set up the basics. I went with a standard 12-team league, PPR (points per reception) scoring, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love those extra points? I also configured the roster positions: 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (RB/WR/TE), 1 K, and 1 DEF. Pretty standard stuff.
The Draft Begins!
The simulator assigned me a random draft position – I ended up with the 5th pick. Not bad, not bad. I usually prefer being in the top 3, but hey, gotta work with what you get. The draft started, and the first few picks went down pretty much as expected. Top-tier running backs and a couple of the elite wide receivers flew off the board.
My Strategy (Or Lack Thereof)
My usual draft strategy is “best player available,” especially in the early rounds. I don’t like to reach for a specific position unless I absolutely have to. So, when my turn came around, I scanned the available players.
I try to use “best player available,” method at first.
Making My Picks
- Round 1, Pick 5: A solid WR was still there, so I snagged him. I felt good about getting a potential top-10 receiver at that spot.
- Round 2, Pick 20: The run on RBs continued, but there was still a decent one available, someone I’d projected to go a bit earlier. Boom, added him to my squad.
- Rounds 3-6: This is where things got interesting. I focused on filling out my starting lineup, grabbing a mix of WRs and RBs with upside. I also made sure to grab my QB in Round 5 – didn’t want to wait too long and get stuck with a bottom-tier guy.
- Middle Rounds: Time to start looking at TEs and filling out the FLEX spot. I usually wait a bit on TE, hoping to find a breakout candidate in the later rounds. This time, though, a TE I liked fell to me in Round 7, so I pulled the trigger.
- Later Rounds: This is where you take some chances. I looked for high-upside rookies, players coming back from injury, and guys in new situations who might surprise people. I also grabbed my kicker and defense in the last two rounds, as one does.
Post-Draft Thoughts
After the draft wrapped up, I took a look at my team. Overall, I felt pretty good! I had a solid balance of proven veterans and high-potential youngsters. Of course, it’s just a mock draft, and things will change a lot between now and the actual season. But it’s a good way to get a feel for player values and start thinking about my draft strategy.
If got some questions, just ask!