It may be hard to believe seeing that it is only June, but preparing your fantasy football draft strategies now will help ensure fantasy success down the road. If all goes as planned (join me in a silent prayer), training camps will be opening soon. The preseason won’t be far behind and then the real fun begins- fantasy football drafts. In previous discussions, we looked at the fantasy football value plays, busts, and risers Those are important to review, but it’s even more important to have your draft strategy firmly in mind. Join me as we put that essential foundation in place.

Draft Strategy Number One: Know Your League

It seems pretty simple, right? But, you would be surprised to learn how many owners don’t check into the basic rules of the league they join. That is a huge mistake. Having this information is especially important if you are doing this on your own with no league friends to help. First, what kind of a league is it? Is it standard? Is it PPR? IDP? Dynasty? All of these leagues must be approached differently. Is it an ESPN league? Those leagues have their own set of scoring rules.

Does the league have an active commissioner? If so, that person also can set the value of a play. For example, a touchdown may not have the same point scoring attached to it. A one-yard TD run will probably be worth six points. However, a 75 yard TD run will most likely have a much higher point total. Additionally, a 30-yard field goal and a 56 yarder will probably not have the same point value. What kind of defensive scoring is there? Each league will spell out its scoring system. Take a moment to look that over. It will be well worth your time.

Also very important is knowing what kind of player position limits there are. A lot of leagues only allow two quarterbacks or two tight ends, for example. It does absolutely no good to learn the restriction limits during the draft. You may want to add a tight end that you really like, but find that you can’t because the settings won’t allow it. The pick winds up being rushed or time is up and a player is auto-added. Don’t let that be you. Be ready!

Draft Strategy Number Two: The First Round

We have already discussed the order that I rank players going into the first round of a fantasy draft. Whether you take that advice or not, there is one thing to be clear about going into the draft. First round players should have the highest floor possible. In other words, don’t take chances in the draft’s opening round. If a player is drafted that early and becomes injured or unproductive, you will be behind your fellow owners right out of the gate. The waiver wire can help, but only so much and it is near impossible to replace a top-rated player that way.

Watch intently during the preseason to see which players haven’t quite overcome an injury from last season. Is there an all-pro player holding out with no end in sight? The Melvin Gordon situation is a prime example. Both of those situations could pertain to Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook this year. I have him rated as the number five pick in the draft. But all bets are off if he is holding out or not completely healthy. Maximize that first-round pick. You can thank me later.