A Beginner's Guide to Fantasy Football Drafting Strategies

Fantasy football is an exciting way to immerse yourself in the NFL, blending strategy, real-time decision-making, and a dash of luck. If you’re new to a redraft league, where teams start fresh each season, nailing your draft strategy is crucial. Let’s dive into some key strategies that will help you build a competitive team and enjoy the game.

The Basics

First things first, understanding the draft setup is important. Most drafts follow a snake style, meaning if you pick first in the first round, you pick last in the second, and so on. Your mission is to assemble a team of players who will score the most fantasy points based on your league’s scoring system.

Best Player Available (BPA)

The Best Player Available strategy is all about grabbing the highest-ranked player left on the board, regardless of position. It’s a straightforward approach that focuses on stacking talent.

Pros? You’ll end up with a roster full of top-tier players. However, this can sometimes lead to an unbalanced team. For instance, you might end up with a ton of great wide receivers but no solid running backs.

Positional Runs and Tier-Based Drafting

Positional runs can catch you off guard—suddenly, everyone’s grabbing running backs, and the pool dries up fast. That’s where tier-based drafting comes in. By grouping players of similar value, you can avoid reaching for lower-tier players and keep your roster balanced.

This method requires some prep work before the draft. Make sure you’ve got your tiers sorted out so you can stay calm and collected when the positional runs start. There are a lot of resources to get player tiers if you don't want to do the tier ranking yourself! 

Zero RB Strategy

The Zero RB strategy means you’re focusing on wide receivers, tight ends, and quarterbacks early on, leaving running backs for the middle to late rounds. The idea here is that running backs are more injury-prone, so it’s safer to build your core with other positions first.

While this reduces the risk of early-round busts, it does mean you’ll need to be savvy in picking late-round running back sleepers. If those mid-round picks don’t perform, you could be in trouble.

Robust RB Strategy

On the flip side, the Robust RB strategy has you grabbing multiple running backs early. Given that running backs often score the most points, this can set a solid foundation for your team.

The downside? You might miss out on elite wide receivers or tight ends. Plus, with running backs being injury-prone, it’s a bit of a gamble.

Late-Round Quarterback

Many fantasy enthusiasts swear by the Late-Round Quarterback strategy. The logic is simple: the quarterback position is deep, with many viable starters available late in the draft. By waiting on a QB, you can stack your roster with top-tier running backs and wide receivers early on.

However, if you miss the timing and a quarterback run starts, you might end up with a less reliable QB. It’s all about reading the room and knowing when to pounce.

Studs and Scrubs

This approach involves drafting elite players (studs) early and filling out the rest of your roster with high-upside, lesser-known players (scrubs) later. The idea is to combine the reliability of proven players with the potential of breakout candidates.

The risk here is if your scrubs don’t perform as expected, you could end up with a lack of depth. But when it works, it feels like hitting the jackpot.

Draft Day Tips

No matter which strategy you go with, a few draft day tips can make all the difference:

• Know your league's scoring system and rules: This can significantly impact player value.
• Mock drafts: Participate in as many as you can. It helps you understand draft dynamics and refine your strategy.
• Stay flexible: Be ready to adapt based on how the draft unfolds. If a high-value player unexpectedly falls to you, don’t hesitate to pivot.
• Keep an eye on injuries and news: Stay updated on player news leading up to the draft. Injuries or depth chart changes can impact player value.
• Balance risk and reward: Aim for a mix of high-floor and high-ceiling players to manage risk while giving your team upside.
• Draft for value: In the later rounds, focus on value over need. Seek out players who can outperform their draft position.
• Handcuffs: If you draft a top-tier running back with an injury history, consider drafting their backup in the later rounds.
• Have fun: Remember, fantasy football is meant to be enjoyable. Engage with your fellow league members, trash talk a bit, and enjoy the process.

Conclusion

Drafting in a fantasy football redraft league can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right strategies and preparation, you can build a competitive team. Whether you opt for Best Player Available, navigate positional runs, or try out the Zero RB strategy, the key is to stay informed, be flexible, and most importantly, have fun. As you gain experience, you’ll develop your own preferences and approaches, ultimately enhancing your enjoyment of the game.

Good luck, and may your fantasy team lead you to victory this season!