Fantasy football primer for the last draft weekend of 2021

Drafting this weekend? We have you covered for everything needed to dominate.

Drafting a fantasy football team this weekend? The Huddle has you covered for everything needed to dominate in the final weekend before the 2021 NFL season begins.

Week 1 is merely days away, but there’s still time to draft a winner, and this being The Huddle’s 25th season online is a testament to our dedication to making you a champion!

It’s not too late to sign up for The Huddle and dominate!

Let’s not waste any more time and get right into what you must know ahead of the big draft weekend.

Fantasy football player news

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Fantasy football draft-day rules to live by

These rules are in no particular order, and they apply to all levels of experience among fantasy owners. Just as important as the “what you should do” to create a winner in fantasy drafting, avoiding simple pitfalls is a must.

1) Living in the past: Assuming successes and failures from last year automatically will carry over to this year’s results is a quick trip to Loserville. Each year is brand new and requires a reset of the old memory bank.

2) Stay sober: While it may seem silly, don’t let one draft of hard boozing affect an entire season of fantasy football. Party it up after the draft and celebrate your soon-to-be championship roster.

3) No one likes a homer: Well, except for that Homer. Heavily drafting players from your favorite team tends to lead to an entire season of hangover-filled mornings. This also includes taking a specific player over a better option just because that player is on your favorite team. Be objective.

4) Draft by the rules: Not knowing your league’s scoring structure, lineup composition, and/or bylaws generally results in utter failure. At a minimum, it translates into lost points.

5) Stretch it out: Flexibility in fantasy drafts is essential. Gamers with a rigid strategy miss out on key value due to their inability to zig when others are zagging.

6) Resist F.O.M.O.: All too often owners will see or sense a miniature run at a position and overreact out of the fear of missing out. Always having a sound backup plan alleviates concern in this area.

7) Mocking mock drafters: “I don’t need preparation!” declares the eventual last-place owner on draft day. Everyone needs practice. Look back at all of the things in life that required some repetitions before you improved. Don’t take my word for it … ask your spouse.

8) Bye week blues: This cuts both ways — getting caught up in not paying attention to bye weeks and outright passing on talent because it would create multiple players at the position on bye. Later in the year, bye weeks are easier — not harder — to overcome due to months of roster manipulation.

9) Leaving money on the table: Specifically for those who participate in auctions, leaving any amount of money on the table is inexcusable. Spend it all, even if you have to pay up at the end of the auction on an inconsequential player.

10) Peer pressure: Let’s face it, even seasoned veterans of fantasy don’t enjoy being ridiculed by 11 mates after making a questionable pick. There’s a major difference between being laughed at for taking a kicker in Round 1 and reaching a round or two for a sleeper at a skilled position.

11) ADP obsession: Time after time, owners get hung up on what the average draft placement suggests. It is merely a guideline, and anytime a service offering ADP compiles the data, it is impossible to weed out all variations and nuance. Use it for nothing more than a ballpark idea of when positional trends typically begin.

12) Drafting to trade: For some unknown reason, every year I have gamers asking me about which players to target solely for trading purposes. Drafting players for a potential trade bargaining piece down the line is unwise. Way too much can (and usually does) go wrong in this scenario.

Fantasy football draft prep series

Fantasy football customizable rankings*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Quarterbacks rankings

  1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
  3. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
  4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
  5. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Running backs rankings

  1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
  2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
  3. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
  4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
  5. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Wide receivers rankings

  1. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
  2. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
  3. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
  4. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
  5. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons

Tight ends rankings

  1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
  3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
  4. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
  5. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy football sleepers and busts*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Fantasy football freebies

Fantasy football strength of schedule series

Passing | Rushing | Receiving

Latest fantasy football player spotlights

Don’t forget, you still can join The Huddle even if you’ve drafted. Our team of experts will bring you to the fantasy Promised Land in 2021!