Top 5 fantasy football draft tips

If you're in a fantasy league this year, it's likely your draft day is coming up soon if it hasn't already happened. As we get closer to the regular season of the NFL beginning, I have put together some tips for your draft day, on the chance it hasn't yet happened, and you're still feeling lost like many of my British pals. Have no fear - these are the top 5 tips to keep in mind on your draft day. Good luck!

1. Stack your team with running backs

Quality running backs are scarce. Get them early and get plenty of them before you do anything else. They will go fast and they are extremely valuable in fantasy. If you have a good one (or if you’re lucky, a good few), they will be the ones to get you the most points for your team. Get as many good ones as you can as soon as you can.

2. Don’t draft your quarterback too early

Quarterbacks are plentiful in the NFL, especially in fantasy. Yes, you could get Mahomes or Allen early in the draft and have a really solid quarterback on your team. But then you’d be losing out on an equally great running back, who could get you even more bang for your buck. Get your quality running backs first. Even your wide receivers, too. Then consider a quarterback. You’ll have plenty to choose from.

3. Always have backup players

If your league allows one quarterback, get two. If it allows two, get three. Always have backup players. It’s incredible (and a bit sad) how many injuries players will unexpectedly suffer throughout the season. You’re going to want to have a decent plan if that happens - not just look at the drawing board and see which scrubs are left over.

4. Big names don’t always equal big points

You can’t always trust the big names to get you big points. Which team won the Super Bowl last year? That’s right - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And whose name do we always have to suffer hearing is the GOAT? That’s right - Tom Brady. But is Brady indeed the number one top choice for fantasy? No, he is not. He’s up there, sure. But why isn’t he number one? Because you need to look at passing yards, passing touchdowns, interceptions, as well as rush yards. Someone like Mahomes is more likely to get you the fantasy points you want from a QB. There is a lot to consider when drafting in fantasy. It’s not just whose team does best or whose names you hear on TV.

5. Be aware of bye weeks

Don’t get too many players from the same team and don’t get too many players with the same by week. This will leave you with no one when it comes time for those players’ bye week. This season, week seven has six teams on bye week at once - the Bills, Cowboys, Chargers, Vikings, and Steelers. In week 14, four teams are on bye at once - the Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, and Eagles. Typically, week 14 is when playoffs start for fantasy, but remember, this year is different. The NFL has added an extra week to the regular season. Depending on how your manager has set up the league, you may be starting post season in week 15 instead, so be sure to take that into consideration.

There is a lot to consider with fantasy football and a lot of information out there, so be sure to do your homework. You can still have a good team without a good draft, but it's an important first step. To see our list of best running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends to draft in fantasy, and for more tips on how to draft your top three rounds, check out this video.