Fantasy football has transformed from a little-known pastime activity to a popular culture that brings millions of people together and spices their relationship with football and competition. Whether you are an old-timer or a newbie who is eager to impress, there are multiple ways in which you can get ahead of the game, but you will still need to get lucky. Here are some tips that can help you win your league this year.
Stay Informed
Staying informed is crucial to be successful at betting, according to this great guide for betting on football. So, stay up to date with NFL news. Is your player sick? Does your player have a great relationship with his teammates, or did they fight? The science part of the game is great, but the human element is very relevant, and you can get ahead by knowing something the others don’t.
Know Your Scoring System
The choice of players depends on the different ways the players earn points. For instance, consider a standard scoring league and a point-per-reception one. Some leagues also have custom rules. Knowing how players score points will influence your drafting strategy and roster decisions throughout the season.
Draft Smartly
Certainly, it is very tempting to draft the players from the top of the previous season’s list. However, you should use a value-based drafting approach and check how many points your player will be worth compared to the baseline at their position. Sometimes, it is also helpful to concentrate on the position with the largest drop in quality.
Also, be aware of the trends and decide whether to follow others in picking up a particular position or try to exploit value at other positions that become overlooked.
Waiver Wire Wisdom
The draft is only the beginning. Staying active on the waiver wire can make or break your season. Keep an eye out for breakout players, especially after the first few weeks, as roles become clearer. Also, be proactive about grabbing handcuffs for your star players in case of injury.
Trade Smart
Trading is an art form in fantasy football. Always look to improve your team without compromising its balance. Target teams with a surplus at a position where you’re weak, and vice versa. Sell high on overperforming players before they inevitably regress.
Know Your Opponents
Understand your opponents’ tendencies. Use this against them in trades. Also, monitor teams who lack depth and offer them a sweet deal where you don’t lose much, but they significantly benefit. Conversely, during the draft, get a sense of their philosophy and offer trades that will benefit you, but based on their mindset, they won’t be able to say no to and will think they are getting a clear benefit as well.
Manage Bye Weeks and Injuries
Keep track of bye weeks and plan ahead to ensure you have adequate coverage. Similarly, monitor injury reports and have backups ready to slot in. Always have a deep bench in case of emergency.
Analyse Matchups
Every week is a new game. Don’t just slap your starting lineup according to your draft. For example, a great player against a great defence will underperform compared to a mediocre player against a terrible defence. So, adjust your starting lineup accordingly.
Trust Your Gut
While data is meant to remove human bias, that often is not the case. Don’t ignore your instinct, but also make sure it’s not clouded by biases.
Final Words
Remember, fantasy football is a game meant to enhance your enjoyment of the sport. While winning is great, don’t let it overshadow the fun of playing. Engage with your league mates, celebrate the highs, and laugh off the lows.
