Fantasy Football

Top Ten Draft Day Tips for the 2022 Season

Bill Reinhard - Fantasy Billboard - NY Daily News

NEVER DRINK AND DRAFT. Leave Bud, Jack, and Johnny home where they belong. Waking up hungover with a roster full of Houston Texans and 3 kickers is no way to start the season. Bringing drafts to the draft has ruined many a fantasy team. DON’T BE LEAGUE COMMISSIONER. Babysitting a bunch of bickering knuckleheads for four months is unnecessary torture and takes away from your own team success. Even if the Commish gets a discounted entry fee, don’t do it. You’re welcome. DON’T SIT NEXT TO THE LEAGUE IDIOT. He’s the lovable loser that picked up a fantasy magazine at the 7-Eleven an hour before the draft. He’ll ask you questions the entire night, spill pastrami on your cheat sheet, and your draft will suffer. He also had the worst record last year. Let’s hope he repeats. HAVE A GREAT TEAM NAME. From personal experience, a good name is good juju. I’ve had clever monikers in my leagues: The Wrecked ‘Ems, The Fighting Amish, The Gashouse Gorillas, The Bridesmaids, Studbears, Murray’s Deli, En Fuego & The Wayfarers, and my all-time favorite The Favre Dollar Footlongs. IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL. Watch preseason games. Do mock drafts. Listen to podcasts on your way to work. Bring cheat sheets to the draft. There’s a ton of up-to-date information online. Use it. And for heaven’s sake, know your league rules! Also, in this age of COVID, add 2 extra rounds to your draft. You will need extra players to plug in if infections rise.

DRAFT WITH YOUR HEART. Come again? Isn’t that the cardinal sin of fantasy football? Well, maybe. But dang it, I like rooting for Josh Allen and hate pulling for Tom Brady. Pick the players you want to watch on Sundays. I once drafted the entire New Orleans Saints offense. Had a lot of fun; missed the playoffs but had a lot of fun. DON’T DRAFT DETROIT LIONS RUNNING BACKS. Go ahead, draft a Honolulu blue and silver Lions RB. I dare you. The most yards by a Lion since 2014 is 860 by Joique Bell. Never heard of him? You’re not alone. Even the highly touted D’Andre Swift only had 617 yards last year. Need I say more? Plus, you know, they’re the Lions. LAWYERS, DRUGS, AND BUM KNEES. NFL players are an eclectic group, prone to violence in some cases or guilty of misconduct in others. You should have a list of players that are holding out, suspended, or injured. This naughty list could grow as your draft approaches. Better check it twice. NEVER DRAFT A KICKER OR TEAM DEFENSE. This one is serious. Fill your roster with extra RBs and WRs instead. Preseason is a war of attrition, and as players get injured, your extra bench stash might be the next fantasy superstar. Drafting kickers and defenses is a dart throw. No one predicted Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons would be the number three scoring kicker last year, and the perennially average Dallas Cowboys defense finished first. When the regular season begins, cut your 2 worst bench players to stream a kicker and defense every week based on matchups. It’s that simple. ANTE UP! We play fantasy football for fun, but when finances are involved, it sets an increased level of competitiveness. To that end, insist that no one drafts until all entry fees are paid. Unpaid winners because a few guys didn’t chip in is a crock that will be avoided by collecting up front. Lastly, if no money is involved, by all means, drink and draft!