Friday, November 22, 2024

Fantasy Football

Your Fantasy Football Draft is Over. Now what?

Finally, the NFL season is upon us. All of the preparation, research and mocks are finished, and actual drafts are in the books. Quite a few managers tend to relax and let the season come to them as far as their fantasy rosters are concerned. However, such inaction would be a mistake. There are moves that can be made that can help reduce headaches during the year. Further, the strategies mapped out below can set a team up for season long success. What could these maneuvers possibly be? No worries, as this fantasy football post draft edition helps show the way. As the clock is ticking, let’s dive right in.

First Move: Review the roster and make the necessary adjustments

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Take a moment and carefully scrutinize the roster. Which areas are weakest? What position didn’t get enough attention during the draft? Are there too many wide receivers and not enough running backs? Are there serious question marks surrounding selected players entering week one? If so, check out the waiver list of players that were not selected. Are any of them in a better position to help the team than anyone currently on the roster? If such is the case, don’t wait for a fellow manager to make a move. In other words, hit the ground running.

A player that pops to the head of the line is Atlanta running back Tyler Allgeier. Here is a running back owned in less than 25 percent of leagues that could conceivably lead the Falcons team in carries in 2022. Perhaps, not right away, but sooner rather than later. He is a player worth stashing in case the RB position on the team is weak.

Moving into the wide receiver ranks, another rookie needing attention is Romeo Doubs of the Packers. Green Bay’s receiver position is completely wide open. Doubs could easily see starters minutes from game one on. If the team is weak at the position, Doubs is certainly worthy of a bench spot.

Second Move: The Team is strong as is? Perfect. Make a watch list

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Truthfully, even the strongest of fantasy rosters will need fine tuning during the season. Players will get hurt or get bypassed on the depth chart. Maybe both. Preparing for this eventuality is easy. Before the whistle blows, look over the waiver wire at every position. There are sure to be players that will intrigue. Simply place them on your team’s watch list. Such a move will make players easier to identify when the time comes.

In addition, check the rosters of your fellow managers. Look for players that could be future trade targets. Once identified, place them on your team’s watch list as well. Make it a habit to check and update the watch list throughout the year. For sure, that will make managing a fantasy team much easier.

Third Move: Draft two defenses? There’s no need for that. Drop one. Today.

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In fantasy football, quite a few managers make the mistake of drafting two team defenses. Put simply, there is no reason to have two on a roster at once. Defenses can and should be streamed during the season based on matchups. Don’t allow a defense to take up a valuable roster spot.

Choose the defense you intend to use the first week of the season and drop the other. Once complete, pick up a player discussed earlier on the watch list from above. Without question, this will make the team stronger and is a highly recommended move on this fantasy football post draft edition.

Fourth Move: Draft two tight ends and the starter’s bye week isn’t until week 10? Move the other.

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Just like with defenses, some managers draft two tight ends. Without question, the position is by far the weakest in fantasy football. Further, there is always a tight end that comes out of the weeds to take their place in the top ten by year’s end. There is always one player that can be streamed, if necessary, from game to game.

Perhaps Mark Andrews was drafted. His scheduled bye isn’t until week ten. Many fantasy commentators, including this one, have Andrews as the number one tight end in football. He will be the starter every week, barring injury. Having another on the roster only takes up space.

Most likely, Andrews isn’t the starting tight end. Even so, the same rule applies. Unless the starter is questionable for game one, the other is a candidate to be moved, either through a trade or sent to waivers. Casting a critical eye on this position can certainly fortify a fantasy roster.

Fifth Move: Simple. Prepare for a fun fantasy football season!

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football post draft edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Tune in for the Belly Up Fantasy Live Preview Show every Sunday morning at 11 AM EST. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!