How do you prepare for your Fantasy Football draft? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Borla · 08-21-2005, 11:21 AM

Just curious as to what everyone did. I know we have a lot of people here in various leagues either organized here or elsewhere. I'm in two leagues, one with people I know IRL that we do through NFL.com, and a Yahoo league I organize with online buddies. I'm commissioner/organizer of both.

In previous years I've just printed out a few lists of players at various positions in rankings provided by online sites, and combined that with my own hunches and thinking. I've been pretty successful in the past, never coming in lower than 4th in any league over the last several years (multiple leagues per year the last couple years), and having won a couple leagues. This year I've read in depth a lot more, bought a couple of strategy guides, and am really hunkering down and trying to prepare for the drafts. One is the Friday before Labor Day, and one is on Labor Day.

I'm thinking I'll make an Excel spreadsheet with each position in a column, ranking them according to MY preferences at each position (obviously based on all the research and articles I've dug into). I have a few ideas how to add in notes and code where I consider the big dropoffs are at each position. Just curious how in depth people here get, or if they have any suggestions for preparation.

Mods - I think this qualifies for it's own thread separate from the ongoing TFP league thread, since this doesn't have anything to do with that specific league but is a specifc question about FF in general? Thanks.

Mondak · 08-21-2005, 02:49 PM

Well - I go by one of my most valuable sayings in the world:

Almost everybody, Almost all the time, Is almost always wrong

There are a lot of experts out there, but the funny thing is that they are all saying the same things. Don't look at what these guys did last year and draft solely on that. Predict what you think they will do this year.

Case in point: each year the list of Top Ten RBs has 5-6 new members. The funny thing is that if you read most "experts" lists, their lists read strikingly like last year's top ten each pre-season. Use your head to figure out who is at risk to fall off the list and who might surprise and be on the list instead.

I won't give away too much more since some TFPers are in my league(s) and they are headhunting. I would think by now they would be sick of me beating their ass every year.

Borla · 08-21-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondak

Well - I go by one of my most valuable sayings in the world:

Almost everybody, Almost all the time, Is almost always wrong

There are a lot of experts out there, but the funny thing is that they are all saying the same things. Don't look at what these guys did last year and draft solely on that. Predict what you think they will do this year.

Case in point: each year the list of Top Ten RBs has 5-6 new members. The funny thing is that if you read most "experts" lists, their lists read strikingly like last year's top ten each pre-season. Use your head to figure out who is at risk to fall off the list and who might surprise and be on the list instead.

I won't give away too much more since some TFPers are in my league(s) and they are headhunting. I would think by now they would be sick of me beating their ass every year.

Well, I got talked into joining a league today at the last minute, just after I posted this actually. I was only about haflway through preparing for my other league's draft, but went for it anyway. The draft was an hour and a half after I joined. Lemme know what you (or anyone) thinks.

Did the draft.......lemme know what you think.....

In this league you start:
QB (1)
RB (2)
WR (2)
WR/TE (1)
WR/RB (1)
K (1)
D(2)
DB(2)
DL(2)

QB - Trent Green
Matt Hasselbeck

RB - LaDainian Tomlinson
Corey Dillon
LaMont Jordon
Carnell Williams
J.J. Arrington

WR - Terrell Owens
Derrick Mason
Plaxico Burress
Deion Branch

TE - Alga Crumpler

K - Nate Kaeding

D - Julius Pepper
Keith Bullock

DB - Sam Knight
Dunta Robinson

DL - Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
Jamie Sharper
Donnie Edwards

I'll have to do some jockeying with byes and such on my defense, since I don't have a lot of depth. Maybe I'll make a trade giving up a WR spot for a defensive player.

mosha · 08-21-2005, 03:42 PM

i feel the less preparation I do the better. Of course I look at who should be good but i dont go crazy with over analysis of each player. Also the spot at which you pick is extremly important. If I'm not getting Manning then I dont pick a QB till the later rounds like 7 or 8, you'd be surprised how many good QB's are left at that point.

Borla · 08-21-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosha

i feel the less preparation I do the better. Of course I look at who should be good but i dont go crazy with over analysis of each player. Also the spot at which you pick is extremly important. If I'm not getting Manning then I dont pick a QB till the later rounds like 7 or 8, you'd be surprised how many good QB's are left at that point.

I agree that the "dropoff" points at certain positions are key. Manning, McNabb, and Culpepper are worth a pick in the first 2-3 rounds of most drafts. After that the next batch of 5-8 guys is pretty comparable and can be picked up later.

Same thing with recievers after Owens, Moss, Harrison, and Holt.

Mondak · 08-23-2005, 12:09 PM

Holy crap - what are there like 6 - 8 teams in your league? Is there some weird scoring rule that makes QBs god and RBs suck? If not - you are stacked at WR and RB. Not too bad if you ask me. Good luck.

Borla · 08-23-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondak

Holy crap - what are there like 6 - 8 teams in your league? Is there some weird scoring rule that makes QBs god and RBs suck? If not - you are stacked at WR and RB. Not too bad if you ask me. Good luck.

It is an eight team league, which is part of the reason it looks so strong. The other reason is because it was a Yahoo league organized at the VERY last minutes by a bunch of guys not sure if they were going to play this year. I was halfway through preparing for another league I'm in, so I had a good share of FF homework done.

Here are the positions I start each week: QB, WR, WR, RB, RB, W/T, W/R, K, D, D, DB, DB, DL, DL

Here are the scoring catagories. The only slight difference from most leagues (aside from individual defensive players vs. a team defense) is that we do get a point for each QB completion, a point for each rushing attempt, and a point for each reception. If anything, that makes guys like Keyshawn Johnson MORE valuable than most other leagues.

Stat Categories: Completions (1)
Passing Yards (50 yards per point)
Passing Touchdowns (6)
Interceptions (-2)
Rushing Attempts (1)
Rushing Yards (20 yards per point)
Rushing Touchdowns (6)
Receptions (1)
Reception Yards (20 yards per point)
Reception Touchdowns (6)
Return Touchdowns (6)
2-Point Conversions (2)
Fumbles (-2)
Fumbles Lost (-2)
Offensive Fumble Return TD (6)
Field Goals 0-19 Yards (3)
Field Goals 20-29 Yards (3)
Field Goals 30-39 Yards (3)
Field Goals 40-49 Yards (4)
Field Goals 50+ Yards (5)
Point After Attempt Made (1)
Tackle Solo (0.5)
Sack (3)
Interception (2)
Fumble Force (2)
Fumble Recovery (2)
Touchdown (6)
Safety (2)
Pass Defended (1)
Block Kick (2)

08-21-2005, 11:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	How do you prepare for your Fantasy Football draft? Just curious as to what everyone did. I know we have a lot of people here in various leagues either organized here or elsewhere. I'm in two leagues, one with people I know IRL that we do through NFL.com, and a Yahoo league I organize with online buddies. I'm commissioner/organizer of both. In previous years I've just printed out a few lists of players at various positions in rankings provided by online sites, and combined that with my own hunches and thinking. I've been pretty successful in the past, never coming in lower than 4th in any league over the last several years (multiple leagues per year the last couple years), and having won a couple leagues. This year I've read in depth a lot more, bought a couple of strategy guides, and am really hunkering down and trying to prepare for the drafts. One is the Friday before Labor Day, and one is on Labor Day. I'm thinking I'll make an Excel spreadsheet with each position in a column, ranking them according to MY preferences at each position (obviously based on all the research and articles I've dug into). I have a few ideas how to add in notes and code where I consider the big dropoffs are at each position. Just curious how in depth people here get, or if they have any suggestions for preparation. Mods - I think this qualifies for it's own thread separate from the ongoing TFP league thread, since this doesn't have anything to do with that specific league but is a specifc question about FF in general? Thanks. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

08-21-2005, 02:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Well - I go by one of my most valuable sayings in the world: Almost everybody, Almost all the time, Is almost always wrong There are a lot of experts out there, but the funny thing is that they are all saying the same things. Don't look at what these guys did last year and draft solely on that. Predict what you think they will do this year. Case in point: each year the list of Top Ten RBs has 5-6 new members. The funny thing is that if you read most "experts" lists, their lists read strikingly like last year's top ten each pre-season. Use your head to figure out who is at risk to fall off the list and who might surprise and be on the list instead. I won't give away too much more since some TFPers are in my league(s) and they are headhunting. I would think by now they would be sick of me beating their ass every year. __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

08-23-2005, 12:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Holy crap - what are there like 6 - 8 teams in your league? Is there some weird scoring rule that makes QBs god and RBs suck? If not - you are stacked at WR and RB. Not too bad if you ask me. Good luck. __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

08-21-2005, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
mosha Crazy Location: Htown, NJ	i feel the less preparation I do the better. Of course I look at who should be good but i dont go crazy with over analysis of each player. Also the spot at which you pick is extremly important. If I'm not getting Manning then I dont pick a QB till the later rounds like 7 or 8, you'd be surprised how many good QB's are left at that point.