It’s Time For NFL Fantasy Football!
The preseason hasn’t even begun and my main league’s fantasy football draft is this Sunday. As often as I watch NFL Total Access and Inside Training Camp for each team…and Sportscenter…to prepare for this day, I’ve realized you’re never as prepared as you want to be.
Drafting strategies take many forms. A majority of fantasy footballers draft as many “skill” players as they can starting with running backs. I, on the other hand, take a different approach. I draft RB, QB, WR, WR/RB, TE, WR/RB, DEF, K for my first 6 or 7 picks. I try to get as many of the best in that position before anyone else. It’s a risky strategy because if you’re marquee player gets hurt, it’s likely your backup player is a scrub. To mitigate that risk, I watch for moves, injuries, etc like a hawk with the hopes of securing a worthy replacement for a potential injury or bye week. So far, my strategy has worked like a charm. I’ve finished either 1st or 2nd in the regular season each year…except last year (thanks, Shaun Alexander).
I thought I’d post my top 3 favs in each position for this post, but I don’t want to give away any hints for my league opponents before the draft. I will, however, list a few sleepers for each position.
- Matt Schaub, QB, HOU. Matt Schaub has always been one of my favorite QBs, but I’ve had few opportunities to root for the guy. He’s used to sharing time or being eclipsed by the “better” guy dating back to his career at Virginia. But each time he’s been given the solo spotlight, he’s come through. Unlike most fans, I’m a David Carr fan…but Schaub is bringing a huge desire to be noticed…to be successful, and that attitude should be a positive change for the Texans. Watch for him to do great things in Houston.
- Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC. MJD! MJD! What can I say? He’s 5 feet nothin’, but his 2 feet will carry the ball to greatness this season. He’s a sleeper because he’s not listed in anyone’s Top 5 running backs for 2007. He should definitely see a 1,000 rush/500 receiving yard season…with a 20+ TDs. Yeah. I said 20.
- Kevin Curtis, WR, PHI. In 2005 when Torry Holt was out, Kevin Curtis was making big plays and and continued to do so last season when he had the opportunity. Now, he has a chance to fill a top slot on the Eagles roster. This is more of a hopeful sleeper call, though. If you’re in a deep league, K Curtis should be a solid call.
- Bo Scaife, TE, TEN. I’m not the only one that likes Bo Scaife. So does former college teammate, Vince Young. Assuming Vince doesn’t suffer from the Madden curse, he’ll distribute the ball to the few targets he has…primarily the one he’s already comfortable with. Besides, Scaife is the only tight end in NFL history to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, return a kickoff, and record a tackle in the same season. That’s gotta count for something.
My Rookie Sensation pick is Adrian Peterson, although Calvin Johnson will be strong. Sorry Jamarcus and Brady. You guys have to actually sign deals before you can play. Don’t matta much anyhow. I’ll be waiting to see what Kevin Kolb and Drew Stanton do when they get their shot.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Popular Posts
Categories
TAGS
Recent Comments
- coffee buzz: the landlord bit is pretty funny, i just hope that kid doesn’t remember anything from it
- Derek: We’ve been subscribed to netflix for awhile now and we love it, although I tend to be streaky with how...
- derrich: I hear ya. I’ve still got stuff on my DVR from a few weeks ago. :O
- ms danielle: if i had more hours in the day, i’d subscribe to netflix. blockbuster B&M has always been a...
- Derrich: Thanks for the suggestion, Anthony. I’ll definitely check it out. I agree…the speaker is pretty...
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Wow - this is early for a draft. When my leagues are coming up with draft dates, the philosophy is “the later the better.” Nonetheless, I can see how schedules and anticipation can force it to have to be done early.
I’m glad your strategy has worked for you, but I think you’re insane for drafting a kicker or defense anywhere as early as you’re talking. In my main money league, for the last four years I’ve finished 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, and I would never draft either before the last couple rounds. They’re too hard to predict and there’s plenty of better options (at the skill positions) in the earlier rounds.
Whatever works though, right?
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I couldn’t agree more that it’s too early. But we had alot of conflicting schedules, so this was what worked best.
As far as my strategy, I hear it over and over again, but it works for me. I’ve been pretty “lucky” as some would say in getting some solid backups and bye week guys. My results mirror yours pretty closely…except last year as I mentioned in the post. I just found out that I pick 4th overall. Now, I’ve just got to figure out who I want.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Man I would be scared to draft this early you never know who is going to be a rookie stud or who is going to get hurt.
fantasy-football-news.info/
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
The league I’ve joined for the last five years usually holds its draft in August which has always pissed me off for two reasons - #1 it’s ridiculously hard to pick who’s even going to play, let alone be good, and #2, it makes me yearn for the season even more than in February.
This year, I’m going after Tom Brady for my QB. I usually pick Patriots players because they’re what I know (Asante Samuel did me goood last season). I’m also going to go full speed after a running back (like my pun?) because my dad told me to draft Reggie Bush last year and it took him FOREVER to get it going in the NFL.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
@ chris: no doubt, man. i’m ready to roll the dice.
@ Angela: I sympahize with you. But that’s also the beauty of the waiver. I watch it closely, and I’m glued to NFL Network. Tom Brady is always a safe bet for QB. I like your Pats to do great things again this year.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
My draft isn’t for another couple of weeks and I still haven’t begun any research on the subject. Usually I burn a jockstrap and pray for mercy from the football gods. I haven’t won yet, in case you were wondering.
By the way, I like Kevin Curtis, but he’s never done much for me beyond tease my expectations. I’d probably knock him down a peg or two since he never put out like he should’ve.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
You should try wearing the jock strap all season w/o washing it and see if that changes your luck. You never know.
August 5th, 2007 at 2:25 am
#4 pick, eh?
Stephen Jackson if you get a miracle. Otherwise - it’s hard to tell this early. If LJ doesn’t hold out, maybe him. Maybe Gore. Maybe Alexander.
I don’t know if I’d want that pick. RBs look deep to me this year, so I’m hoping I get a mid-to-late first round pick.
August 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am
No doubt. Hard to tell with LJ. Not going with Alexander again.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I’ll have to be honest with you…I’ve never played a season of fantasy football in my life. **Begins to run
-Gregg
August 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
We should get a bloggers’ league going.
August 5th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
you will never learn. NEVER go against madden. remember last year ???
August 7th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
[…] weekend in my fantasy football discussion, I chose Matt Schaub to be one of this season’s sleepers. I’ll […]
August 11th, 2007 at 9:38 am
[…] my post last Friday about Fantasy Football sleepers, I included players like Maurice Jones-Drew and Kevin Curtis. Funny. Check out my final […]
December 9th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
[…] I boldly predict a 1,500-yard, 20+ TD season from him, but I also put all my chips on MJD in the Fantasy Football realm. I haven’t lost hope yet. But if he wants to hurry up and play some football, I’d […]