How to Choose Your Fantasy Football Players

Fantasy football is a popular pastime for millions of Americans. A competitive and addictive hobby, it doesn’t matter whether you are playing for money or just playing for fun, fantasy football is an enjoyable pastime for anyone passionate about American football.

If you are new to fantasy football, drafting your first team can be a somewhat daunting process. Below are five simple tips that every fantasy football player can use to draft the right squad to win the season.

Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) celebrates a first down in the third quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Skill + Opportunity = Success

This is the golden formula that you should always keep in mind when selecting your team. A skilled player is obviously a good choice for any fantasy team. However, if that player is not going to be given the opportunity to spread their wings and achieve their full potential, they could be a less reliable pick for you. This is why you need to consider both the player and the team they play for.

Draft Running Backs Early And Often

Your draught position will determine your exact strategy. However, if you can pick up a few rain backs within the first three rounds or so, this will generally put you in a stronger position than other players.

Secure An Elite Wide Receiver

Another core component of any successful fantasy football team is an elite wide receiver. Again, you should be aiming to pick up a wide receiver within your first three picks. Depending on the league you are playing in, it should be possible to get a reliable wide receiver early on.

Prepare For Position Runs

Position runs are a phenomenon that every fantasy football player needs to be aware of. Basically, when one player chooses a player from a specific position, the temptation will be for others in the league to scramble for equivalent players. For example, if someone goes for an elite wide receiver straight away, you can be sure that subsequent players are much more likely to make similar picks.

Look At The Vital Statistics

There are numerous statistics available online for both players and teams. These statistics will prove invaluable in helping you pick your fantasy football team. The best predictor of future success in sports is past performance. There is always room for surprises; an apparently lackluster team can sometimes turn things around unexpectedly. But, for the most part, a team that has a history of losing against other teams is likely to continue that trend until something drastic changes.

Before you pick your team, it is worth consulting with multiple websites to build an accurate picture of the current state of the team and players you are considering. For example, websites like Oddshark provide users with numerous odds and other useful statistics. The Odds Shark College Football Odds are a vital resource for anyone putting together a fantasy college football team. 

Fantasy football is a wildly popular pastime for many Americans. There is an art to choosing a strong fantasy football team. It might take you a few Seasons to work out what you are doing. But once you have learned the ropes, fantasy football is a fantastic experience.

Geoff Lambert

Geoff has been playing fantasy football since 1996 and covering it professionally since 2015. In addition to being the founder of GoingFor2.com and The Armchair Fantasy Show, Geoff has contributed to FantasyPros, FantasyLife, and the now-defunct RotoWriters, while also appearing on a multitude of fantasy podcasts. Geoff's favorite professional teams are the 49ers, the Pelicans and the Nationals.

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