I agreed to play fantasy football with a group of women/moms and I have no clue where to begin. The league manager said she'd help me at the draft party at her house, but I don't know how much time she'll have. We're playing via ESPN. Does anyone have experience? Can you tell me where to start or offer any tips? Thanks in advance!
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@78h2o: http://m.dummies.com/how-to/content/fantasy-football-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html
Haha. That link made me laugh, but it could help! Is this your first time ever? I used to play in a league but it got too crazy. You're going to need to read up on players before your draft. I would make a list in advance of who you want to draft and in what order and bring that with you! There is this fantasy draft magazine published in the summer, around now or soon that is a good guide to players and stats. Have fun!!
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I like the Sport Illustrated Fantasy edition. It ranks players by dollar amount, and I found it helpful the first time I was playing. You might want to check with the league manager to see if you're playing in regularly scored league or a points per reception (PPR) league. The rankings and advice you normally read online apply to a regularly scored league and aren't as helpful for the other type of league. If it's a PPR league, you still should be able to search and find a couple of sites that rank players for this type of league.
As for advice - Don't fall into the trap of drafting a defense or kicker before you draft your bench. I always draft those last and have been in the championship game every year. Those positions aren't usually high scoring positions, and there are usually plenty decent ones available at the end of the draft.
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I've run our couples league through Yahoo for three years now (just started the fourth). It's hard for me to advise on how to prepare for a draft though, because I know football well enough and players well enough that I don't tend to really do much research beforehand and I've made the playoffs every year.
Definitely agree to find out about basic scoring vs PPR. I tend to prioritize running backs and wide receivers over quarterback. And defense and kicker definitely come last. Have fun!
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Agree with PPs about finding out how your league is scored. I've only ever played PPR and in that type of league, it's always good to have the type of running back who also catches as well (like a Reggie Bush or a Marshawn Lynch) because those will get you extra points. Everyone above has excellent advice so I won't repeat any of that.
Take a moment and go to ESPN and start reading some of the fantasy football blogs that they have. A good podcast to listen to is Fantasy Focus.
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Also keep in mind game schedules during the draft. You don't want to draft a bunch of running backs that all have the same bye week.
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ESPN puts out a cheat sheet every year that you can download (its at the bottom of this link)
http://espn.go.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/2015fbcheatsheetcentral/2015-fantasy-football-cheat-sheets-player-rankings-draft-board-standard-pprIt changes until it get closer to the season most drafts happen around labor day after the teams have finished a lot of the preseason games. It also tells you what week the team has a bye week. (for example you dont want your QB and your back up QB to have the same bye week)
I usually use that and mark off what other people choose as well. As for choosing, start with running backs and wide receivers, Then QB and tight ends, bench RBs & WR, Defense, Bench QB, Kicker. Dont be afraid to trade or pick up during the season if your original picks arent working for you.
Just know its supposed to be fun, I'm on my 5th season playing in the league and it definitely keeps me interested in football all season long. It forces me to pay attention to the other teams in the league not just the Eagles.
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@hellobeeboston: Sorry, I am just now writing back! That link was super helpful, thanks! Yes, this is my first time. I am so clueless! We are meeting for the draft on Sept. 1, so I need to get my act together!
@Hoots: Is there a way I can tell what kind of league it is without asking? I don't know the organizer (another mom at my daughter's daycare) or really anyone in the league very well (even though the league manager is the one who asked me to join) and I feel stupid asking! If there's no obvious way to know, I will definitely ask!
@MrsKoala: Thanks so much for the podcast recommendation! I spend a lot of time in the car, so that will be a good use of my time!
@TrailRunner: Thanks for the tip!
@Chillybear: I am sort of terrified about this, so thanks for the reminder that it's supposed to be fun!
I am hoping that it will get me interested in other games... I really enjoy watching my team play, but am generally not interested in watching other teams, so I feel like this will make it more fun. I find March Madness so much more enjoyable when I have filled out brackets, so I am hoping it will be the same kind of thing.
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@78h2o: Forgot to mention this: If you can, get RedZone at home. It's amazing and makes watching football so much more interesting since you only see scoring or attempts to score. It makes it easier to cheer on and follow your fantasy players since it switches among all the games going on depending on who is in a scoring situation.
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@78h2o: I play fantasy through espn, so I am not sure if this information is relatable to you but here it goes...
Our draft is set up so that while you are drafting you can see where players rank for their position. It'll also tell you their bye week. So for me, I don't plan ahead at all.
My strategy this year is I drafted wr and rb first, then my bench wr and rb. Then qb, defense, te, k. I didn't pick up qb quicker because this year they are a dime a dozen. I know the big name players so I try to go for them first then anything after is based on their rank score and bye week.
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@78h2o: I love Fantasy! I play in two leagues (I'd actually prefer one, but feel bad dropping out of the other...but I get torn when I want Jamaal Charles to do great in one league and poorly in another, which of course is impossible.) I just drafted for one (auction draft, which is a bit more complicated) last weekend and draft my other tomorrow.
You can find out how it's scored under your "League" tab and then "settings," but it's unlikely to mean a whole lot to you, and probably doesn't make a huge amount of difference in draft strategy.
And don't draft Jordy Nelson.
(Poor guy in my league drafted him about 2 minutes before it was tweeted out that he's likely out for the season.)You say you are meeting in person to do the draft (I've only done it on-line)? You'll probably want to have your cheat sheet printed out and a good strategy for at least the first couple positions.
I'd draft 2 running backs/2 wide receivers first (and maybe even a 5th for flex), then fill your other positions, then do QB, TE, then either pick up a couple other RBs/WRs or do D/ST, and kicker, then back-ups. Pay attention to bye weeks, but know that you can also pick up players throughout the season on the waiver wire or do trades.
Have fun!
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The draft is important, for sure, but what is most important is to stay on top of your team week-to-week. Don't be afraid to drop players and don't get too attached to your players. I've only ever done Yahoo leagues, but take sometime before each week to make sure you have your best players playing and that there isn't anyone better that's a free agent. Yahoo made it pretty easy to search free agent stats. Have fun! It definitely makes Sunday football get-togethers even more exciting.
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@Jess1483: I drafted Jordy Nelson last week
FML
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@Eko: Ouch. We did an auction draft with $200 each, and he spent $49 on him. I thought we should all let him have whoever he wanted next, but we had two players auto drafting, so it wouldn't have worked. He gets first shot at the waiver wires for 3 weeks, though.
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I love FF and play in two leagues! I'd say my biggest tips are:
1) See how your league scores. I have one league that gives massive points to Team Defenses, so getting a good team defense is important (e.g. this year Seattle).
2) In my experience, a good QB is great, but it's more important to remember who he has to throw to. Jordy Nelson (Packers) just had his ACL torn, so Aaron Rodger's fantasy value might not be as high as it was. On the other hand, a QB that has a decent core of receivers can be very valuable, even if he isn't the best QB on paper.
3) On any of the websites or in the magazines you can read about "sleepers"-if you can draft a guy in a later round that no one is paying attention to and you have the bench space, it's worth it to take a chance and maybe score a great player who will have a breakout year. -
@Eko: Oh man-sorry about that:-(. I'm a Bears fan but one of my best friend's is a Packers fan and she is SO upset!
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@Jess1483: Fortunately I drafted a good bench so I have a good backup until I can trade him.
@ChiCalGoBee: Im a pats fan but really enjoy watching the packers. I had jordy Nelson last year and scored me many points. Ugh just terrible all the way around.
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@Eko: @ChiCalGoBee: @Jess1483: @TemperanceBrennan: @MrsKoala: @Chillybear: @TrailRunner: @Mrs.KMM: @Hoots: @hellobeeboston:
Thank you all for your help! I am slowly learning how to play (thanks esp. to Jess1483) and really enjoying it. I started a new thread hoping we can chat about who to start/sit, add/drop, trade, etc.
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fantasy-football-chat?replies=1#post-2299047 -
@78h2o: Excellent idea! just posted over there!
I am hoping that it will get me interested in other games... I really enjoy watching my team play, but am generally not interested in watching other teams, so I feel like this will make it more fun. I find March Madness so much more enjoyable when I have filled out brackets, so I am hoping it will be the same kind of thing.
(Poor guy in my league drafted him about 2 minutes before it was tweeted out that he's likely out for the season.)
FML
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