Top 5 Cardinal Sins for Fantasy Football

It is August, and it only means one thing for NFL fans: fantasy football and its draft. Many people say the draft is the most fun they have all season long. Hopes and dreams are intact, no injury bugs are plaguing any team, and every manager thinks they have outplayed their competition. But what mistakes should you avoid to make sure you will be competitive in any league you play? Next, I will tell you the top 5 mistakes rookie players make.  The question is, what are the rookie mistakes everyone makes?

Thinking the team, you root for is better than what it is

This is the biggest rookie mistake a manager can make: mixing their color and the team they follow with their fantasy football team. Suppose you follow a team with a huge superstar like Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, and they are available in an early round. In that case, be my guest, but picking up a random WR just because they are a fan’s favorite from a terrible franchise does not match up well with your win record. Also, if a superstar is available from your nemesis team, do it as much as you hate that franchise points are points. So, as much of a Cowboy fan you are, if AJ Brown or Saquaon Barkley are available from your arch nemesis, the Eagles, no one in their right mind would skip on them. Also, having various players from the same team causes you to have the issue of a famous bye week. Having your starting quarterback with your second wide receiver out the same week because of a bye is almost a guaranteed L.

Now, on the other side of that argument, if you follow closely the information about that team and there is a rookie that no one has ever heard of but has had an unbelievable rookie camp and has dominated the preseason games, it’s a great idea to pick them up in the later rounds as dark horses that can completely change your team. A great example of this was Alvin Kamara in his rookie season, when he was not known around the league.

Picking up a QB too early

Quarterbacks are the backbone of every good team, but the difference between the top A and medium-tier players is not that big. The NFL has 32 teams, of which around one-third have an above-average quarterback who may not have been successful in the real world, but when it comes to the fantasy football draft, even mid-tier quarterbacks can be solid performers week in and week out. The difference in points from the top tier to this medium to average quarterbacks is the largest, 10 points, which in fantasy football terms is small and can be made up by a good wide receiver, tight end, or the workhorse, the running back.  This means sacrificing a star running back or wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes could cost you in the long run. Picking up a star running back and waiting until the 3 round for a quarterback is a great strategy. Also, running backs and wide receivers get hurt during the season, so having backups is essential to have depth in every position.

Not doing your research beforehand

Preparation is key to any successful draft. The NFL is an ever-changing league whose stars have shorter careers than those in other sports like basketball and baseball. This means that a player like Cristian McCaffrey or Alvin Kamara, who were first-round picks a couple of seasons ago, may be a later-round pick today. Injuries, new teams, bad offensive lines, new coaches, and even bad weather can affect the points a player can score, so being on top of this is key when drafting your team. Having a depth chart ready for your draft is an excellent way of knowing the talent available.

Not being flexible with the original plan

Having a game plan for your draft day is an excellent blueprint to pick up the positions your team needs. But staying 100% true to it may cause you to miss out on great players available now. For as many mock drafts you may have practiced, it is impossible to know what the other players will pick. So, a player like Justin Jefferson is available, but on your cheat sheet, you have the information that your first-round pick will be a running back. In that case, you hinder your final position at the end of the season because you did not choose the best talent available.

Not stocking up on Wide receivers, Running Backs, and Tight ends

The NFL season is just 18 weeks long, with teams only playing 17 games. It is so short because of the amount of punishment the players endure week in and week out. This means that injuries will happen, especially to players like running backs who get battered every game. Picking up various players from these positions can be like having money in the back for later in the season, as other players may need a trade due to injuries. So having the flexibility to change your lineup accordingly, thanks to the depth of your team, is key to being competitive.

Make sure you pick up as many players from these positions as possible in the early rounds to build up your stock even though in your cheetcheat you may be missing a position like a kicker or a defense having 2, 3 or even 4 good running backs, wide receivers or even tight ends will go a long way in the end.

Final Thoughts

Fantasy football is an excellent hobby for those sports-loving fans. It is good to call out that, for as much research, tips, and staying up to date with news, there is a large portion of success that is pure luck. Having the proper match-ups, your team staying healthy, and even specific calls going your way can determine whether you win your league or stay out of the playoffs. So, play, enjoy, and learn, as knowledge is key in making you a serious fantasy football manager.