Before the Football season started, I wrote a post about the value of playing Fantasy Football, even if you don’t like football.
Hopefully, some of you chose to give it a shot this year. Even better- I hope everyone who is playing is having fun.
Maybe you find yourself enjoying the game a little more, or don’t feel so in the dark when the topic comes up before the weekly staff meeting at work.
But what I ultimately love about Fantasy Football is how it’s become a great way to stay in touch with family and friends over the past month, and will continue through the fall. And that is worth more than any first place prize.
So, if you are a newbie and feeling a little lost, I wanted to jump in and offer some things that have helped me. I’m not saying I’m a Fantasy Football goddess. This advice is really meant for people who are brand new to the game. We are heading into Week 5, and if you have so far just made your line-ups off best guesses, here are a few things you might try.
So first things first- who do you start?
For me, I leave that to the experts. I use a free website called FantasyPros. They have this super helpful free tool called Who Should I Start? Just click on that, insert the names of the two players you are picking between, and it will give you the average of what the experts suggest.
Remember, for your flex position, you can play a wide receiver, running back, or tight end, so you can put any of those position in and you’ll know the recommendation for the flex position.
All the Sudden My Starter Is Out? What the Heck?
Sadly these guys get banged up pretty bad and your amazing running back that got you a ton of points last week, could be out this week. The good news is teams have to update the public with injury reports. The best way to not be caught off guard is to know if a player has been missing practice. They still might play, but you’ll be prepared if they are out come game day.
For me, I keep on this by checking Stephania Bell’s blog on ESPN. She is awesome. In addition to being a great fantasy football analyst, she is also a physical therapist, so she knows what she is talking about. I don’t believe a coach or a player when they say they are going to play. I trust Stephania. Follow her on twitter, too, for up to the minute advice.
Teams on a Bye
So as you may have experienced in Week 4, teams are starting to have bye weeks- meaning they don’t play. If you have a strong bench and you can sub out quality players, you are fine. But most all of us will have to drop a player we really like so we can fill a position in our lineup.
For example, I only have one tight end on my team. This week he is on a bye. This means I’ll either have to drop that player so I can get a tight end that is playing or I’ll have to drop a different player (one of my extra running backs or wide receivers) and pick up a tight end.
The upside? A lot of other people playing will have to do this, too. It’s a great opportunity to nab a player you’ve been eyeing. Just check your waiver wire and your team transactions to see who has been dropped.
Fantasy Focus
If you are really getting into fantasy football and want to learn more, I highly recommend listening to the Fantasy Football podcast. It’s on the iTunes podcast, or you can listen on the ESPN app. They have a new show every weekday and it’s really helpful. Plus, it’s hysterical. They will educate you and keep you laughing.
So, how have I done taking my own advice? Well, the first year I played I had no clue what I was doing, I totally messed up my draft, and ended up drafting a player in the second round that literally didn’t make the team. I also drafted a kicker that was suspended the first four games of the season. Clearly it was a struggle the whole way through… and I lost.
The second year, I played in two leagues. I was in the middle of the pack in my family league; I started to really get my sea legs by mid-season and ultimately won the championship. In my more competitive “friends” league, injuries hurt me and I ended in the middle, missing the playoffs.
This year, as we head into week 5, I have a record of 3-1 in both leagues and I’m second place in points for both leagues.
How will I end- who knows? But am I having a blast, you bet!
