Tag: fantasy football advice

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

Gamers can stay on top of the latest transactions, injury news, and more by following our Huddle news feed.

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!

Fantasy football draft prep: 12 common mistakes to avoid

A dozen rules fantasy footballers must follow for consistent success.

Our annual “draft prep” series mostly caters to novice players, but every once in a while a veteran player requires a refresher on basics we may take for granted.

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 party of hard boozing affect an entire season of fantasy football. Party it up after the draft and celebrate your soon-to-be championship roster.

[lawrence-related id=452076]

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 Monday 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) No 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 significant other.

8) Bye week blues: This cuts both ways — getting caught up in not paying attention to bye weeks as well as 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.

[lawrence-related id=458615]

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 whenever a service offering ADP compiles the data, it is impossible to completely weed out all variations and nuance. Look for ADP charts that offer date ranges and flexible sorting. 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. This is where strictly choosing the “best player available” can lead to unwanted consequences.

Fantasy football primer for the last draft weekend of 2020

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 2020 NFL season begins.

Week 1 is merely days away, but there’s still time to draft a winner, and The Huddle’s 24th season online is a testament to our dedication to making you a champion!

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

NFL roster cut day

Saturday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. EDT: the deadline in which teams go from 80-player rosters to 53 men, which is the standard number a team carries into the regular season. That means if you’re drafting early Saturday, it’s entirely possible one of your players could get the ax.

You cannot change your draft day, in all likelihood, but gamers can stay on top of the latest transactions and more by following our Huddle news feed. Make sure you’re up to date on the cuts and then waiver claims, which are due by 4 p.m. EDT Sunday. Gamers also can remain updated the latest injury news through our feed.

Fantasy football draft-day rules to live by

Our annual “draft prep” series mostly caters to novice players, but every once in a while a veteran player requires a refresher on basics we may take for granted.

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) Avoid 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 PPR rankings*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Quarterbacks rankings

  1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
  2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
  3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
  4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
  5. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Running backs rankings

  1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
  2. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
  3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
  4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
  5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Wide receivers rankings

  1. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
  2. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
  3. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
  4. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
  5. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions

Tight ends rankings

  1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
  3. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
  4. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
  5. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy football sleepers*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Want to dominate your fantasy football league draft? TheHuddle.com has been creating fantasy football champions for over 20 years. Use the code SBW20 to take $10 off your 2020 subscription: Sign up now!

Fantasy football freebies

Best values in fantasy football drafts

QB Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts: A fresh start, promising weapons, and brilliant pass protection will get 2019’s QB24 back on track.

RB Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins: Mid-round investment for an explosive back who could finish as a weekly play is tough to ignore.

WR Jamison Crowder, New York Jets: The 2019 PPR WR26 in Round 9 is little risk, all upside. Suspect competition only adds to his appeal.

TE Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts: Knows system, TE-dependent QB, risky WRs, stud line limits blocking need, weak TE competition.

PK Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans: A less prolific offense should mean more field goals after a down year for the 2018 PK1.

DT Kansas City Chiefs: Lost only one defensive starter after 2019’s 9th-place fantasy finish; growing pains ahead for AFC West opponents.

Biggest risk in fantasy football drafts

QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: No real OL improvements and a questionable backfield the only things standing in his way of top-three QB play.

RB Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals: A microscopic, albeit wholly impressive, stretch of elite production has to be questioned.

WR Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers: Drastically different system, first-time coordinator … mediocre journeyman or a rookie QB has to give pause for his PPR prowess.

TE Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The year off cuts both ways. What happens if his 43-year-old QB falls apart? System hasn’t been TE-friendly.

PK Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars: Increased offensive scoring prowess generally results in fewer three-pointer opportunities.

DT New England Patriots: A ton of key personnel turnover. Last year’s schedule was laughably easy, and the Pats struggled vs. strong competition.

Fantasy football breakouts

QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos: World-class arm talent, notable upgraded weapons with a blossoming WR1, dangerous RBs and a proven offensive system.

RB Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: The likely 1a of the one-two punch with Tevin Coleman has way more upside and showed a nose for the paydirt down the stretch in 2019.

WR Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers: Stands to make the biggest Year 2 jump of any WR. Big Ben’s return and healthy talent around him only help.

TE T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions: Viable system, strong QB play. Monitor health status before investing, but has hallmarks of becoming a fantasy starter.

PK Austin Seibert, Cleveland Browns: Slower-paced offensive design could mean more 3-pointers after promising rookie campaign.

DT Indianapolis Colts: Shored up DL and improved on the back end, too. Exploitable divisional opponents, plus reasonable schedule.

Fantasy football busts

QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants: A new system for a streaky QB is a major concern during a pandemic; inconsistency is a killer in weekly leagues.

RB David Johnson, Houston Texans: Living off of one monster season in 2016, Johnson is officially a one-year wonder with injury concerns.

WR Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills: Not a true No. 1, the pouty WR faces a terribly inaccurate QB in a run-first offense — all in Western New York.

TE Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns: The richest tight end in the NFL will struggle to see enough passes to matter in fantasy will be difficult in a run-heavy system loaded with receiving talent.

PK Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons: No long-range track record is compounded by a questionable offense in a tougher division.

DT Minnesota Vikings: No Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and top three CBs from 2019 … plus a rookie starting CB. Even with Yannick Ngakoue, there’s too much turnover to warrant confidence.

Fantasy Football strength of schedule series

Passing | Rushing | Receiving

COVID-19 and fantasy football tips

The NFL has been remarkable successful to date in its efforts to keep COVID-19 at bay. That’s not to say players may not face an influx in infections once the season is under way and players begin traveling.

  • Be nimble and prepare for an exhausting season of working the waiver wire.
  • Expect stars to get put on the COVID-19 list and miss a few games. That’s inevitable.
  • Draft for continuity. Players on teams that have experienced as little turnover personnel-wise and within the coaching staff are in a better position to succeed, especially early in the year.
  • Rookies will likely struggle early and often without a full offseason program. Running back is the easiest position to learn, though.
  • Brace for some ugly football in the opening month. Low-scoring fantasy games may be the norm for several weeks, so taking a chance on fringe players in starting lineups could come back to bite you more so than in years past.
  • Trading may be more difficult than ever in terms of assessing fair compensation. Work with what you know at the time and hope for the best, because that’s about all we can do during such uncertain times.

Want to dominate your fantasy football league draft? TheHuddle.com has been creating fantasy football champions for over 20 years. Use the code SBW20 to take $10 off your 2020 subscription: Sign up now!

Fantasy football primer for the last draft weekend of 2020

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 2020 NFL season begins.

Week 1 is merely days away, but there’s still time to draft a winner, and The Huddle’s 24th season online is a testament to our dedication to making you a champion!

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

NFL roster cut day

Saturday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. EDT: the deadline in which teams go from 80-player rosters to 53 men, which is the standard number a team carries into the regular season. That means if you’re drafting early Saturday, it’s entirely possible one of your players could get the ax.

You cannot change your draft day, in all likelihood, but gamers can stay on top of the latest transactions and more by following our Huddle news feed. Make sure you’re up to date on the cuts and then waiver claims, which are due by 4 p.m. EDT Sunday. Gamers also can remain updated the latest injury news through our feed.

Fantasy football draft-day rules to live by

Our annual “draft prep” series mostly caters to novice players, but every once in a while a veteran player requires a refresher on basics we may take for granted.

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) Avoid 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 PPR rankings*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Quarterbacks rankings

  1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
  2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
  3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
  4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
  5. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Running backs rankings

  1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
  2. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
  3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
  4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
  5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Wide receivers rankings

  1. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
  2. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
  3. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
  4. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
  5. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions

Tight ends rankings

  1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
  3. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
  4. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
  5. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy football sleepers*

*Requires a subscription to The Huddle’s draft guide

Fantasy football freebies

Best values in fantasy football drafts

QB Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts: A fresh start, promising weapons, and brilliant pass protection will get 2019’s QB24 back on track.

RB Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins: Mid-round investment for an explosive back who could finish as a weekly play is tough to ignore.

WR Jamison Crowder, New York Jets: The 2019 PPR WR26 in Round 9 is little risk, all upside. Suspect competition only adds to his appeal.

TE Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts: Knows system, TE-dependent QB, risky WRs, stud line limits blocking need, weak TE competition.

PK Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans: A less prolific offense should mean more field goals after a down year for the 2018 PK1.

DT Kansas City Chiefs: Lost only one defensive starter after 2019’s 9th-place fantasy finish; growing pains ahead for AFC West opponents.

Biggest risk in fantasy football drafts

QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: No real OL improvements and a questionable backfield the only things standing in his way of top-three QB play.

RB Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals: A microscopic, albeit wholly impressive, stretch of elite production has to be questioned.

WR Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers: Drastically different system, first-time coordinator … mediocre journeyman or a rookie QB has to give pause for his PPR prowess.

TE Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The year off cuts both ways. What happens if his 43-year-old QB falls apart? System hasn’t been TE-friendly.

PK Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars: Increased offensive scoring prowess generally results in fewer three-pointer opportunities.

DT New England Patriots: A ton of key personnel turnover. Last year’s schedule was laughably easy, and the Pats struggled vs. strong competition.

Fantasy football breakouts

QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos: World-class arm talent, notable upgraded weapons with a blossoming WR1, dangerous RBs and a proven offensive system.

RB Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: The likely 1a of the one-two punch with Tevin Coleman has way more upside and showed a nose for the paydirt down the stretch in 2019.

WR Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers: Stands to make the biggest Year 2 jump of any WR. Big Ben’s return and healthy talent around him only help.

TE T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions: Viable system, strong QB play. Monitor health status before investing, but has hallmarks of becoming a fantasy starter.

PK Austin Seibert, Cleveland Browns: Slower-paced offensive design could mean more 3-pointers after promising rookie campaign.

DT Indianapolis Colts: Shored up DL and improved on the back end, too. Exploitable divisional opponents, plus reasonable schedule.

Fantasy football busts

QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants: A new system for a streaky QB is a major concern during a pandemic; inconsistency is a killer in weekly leagues.

RB David Johnson, Houston Texans: Living off of one monster season in 2016, Johnson is officially a one-year wonder with injury concerns.

WR Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills: Not a true No. 1, the pouty WR faces a terribly inaccurate QB in a run-first offense — all in Western New York.

TE Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns: The richest tight end in the NFL will struggle to see enough passes to matter in fantasy will be difficult in a run-heavy system loaded with receiving talent.

PK Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons: No long-range track record is compounded by a questionable offense in a tougher division.

DT Minnesota Vikings: No Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and top three CBs from 2019 … plus a rookie starting CB. Even with Yannick Ngakoue, there’s too much turnover to warrant confidence.

Fantasy Football strength of schedule series

Passing | Rushing | Receiving

COVID-19 and fantasy football tips

The NFL has been remarkable successful to date in its efforts to keep COVID-19 at bay. That’s not to say players may not face an influx in infections once the season is under way and players begin traveling.

  • Be nimble and prepare for an exhausting season of working the waiver wire.
  • Expect stars to get put on the COVID-19 list and miss a few games. That’s inevitable.
  • Draft for continuity. Players on teams that have experienced as little turnover personnel-wise and within the coaching staff are in a better position to succeed, especially early in the year.
  • Rookies will likely struggle early and often without a full offseason program. Running back is the easiest position to learn, though.
  • Brace for some ugly football in the opening month. Low-scoring fantasy games may be the norm for several weeks, so taking a chance on fringe players in starting lineups could come back to bite you more so than in years past.
  • Trading may be more difficult than ever in terms of assessing fair compensation. Work with what you know at the time and hope for the best, because that’s about all we can do during such uncertain times.

What can fantasy footballers expect from Matthew Stafford in 2020?

Detroit’s veteran quarterback presents one of the top fantasy football values at his position.

The Detroit Lions have to be one of the most intriguing fantasy football offenses in the game today, and it all starts with their quarterback, Matthew Stafford. As witnessed last year when the wheels fell off after his back injury, this offense lives and dies by No. 9. Now healthy, he returns for his 12th season in Motown to command an offense sporting plenty of talent.

Personnel-wise, Detroit has a legit No. 1 receiver in Kenny Golladay, and a rock-solid second wideout in Marvin Jones. Veteran Danny Amendola is a cagey slot receiver, and second-year tight end T.J. Hockenson offers as much promise as any young target in the game. The offensive line is respectable, having improved in the offseason. On the other side of the ball, it remains a work-in-progress, and that bodes well for increased aerial volume.

Update: Hockenson and Golladay were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, July 29. At most, they will miss three weeks of practice, or three days of training camp in pads, due to the inclusion. However, in the event they actually have contracted the virus, it’s unclear how long they could miss. Monitor the situation as padded practices approach the week of Aug. 17.

Stafford also was placed on the list, and like his targets, it remains unclear if he contracted COVID-19 or was exposed to it. He held passing camps with his guys, and if they were exposed, it stands to reason so was Stafford. Missing time in training camp isn’t really much of a concern thanks to the continuity of the system and his weapons. For now, consider his value unchanged.

Through eight games last year, Stafford unexpectedly sat as one of the most prolific fantasy football quarterbacks. He averaged 25.9 fantasy points per outing, on pace for 4,998 yards, 38 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. The extrapolated stat line would have placed Stafford as the No. 3 quarterback finisher on the year, just three points behind No. 2.

[lawrence-related id=452570]

Stafford, 32, is in the prime of his career and could be forced into throwing more than Detroit prefers. Believe it or not, the Lions actually want to be a ground-based offense that relies on play-action passing after establishing the run. It may seem like shenanigans given how mostly feeble the backfield has been in the last, oh, 20 years. Kerryon Johnson returns from missing action in consecutive seasons due to injuries, and this year he’ll be paired with D’Andre Swift, a 2020 second-round choice, whose game is built on explosive plays.

It may be only a matter of time before Swift overtakes the third-year Johnson, yet gamers will want to exert some degree of patience for a rookie in this pandemic-stricken offseason. Luckily, running back is the easiest position to learn on offense.

A balance attack may mean fewer passing attempts for Stafford, which requires him to be more efficient, but we saw him stand out last year with only three games of more than 34 passing attempts in his eight starts. His final three games before the back fractures put him on the shelf: 34.2, 28.8 and 32.9 fantasy points, respectively. Not too shabby.

Fantasy football takeaway

Risky? Yep. Not only did Stafford miss eight games last year, he was hampered by a different back injury much of 2018, which resulted in his worst fantasy football output as a pro. He’s tough as nails, which sometimes gets the former Georgia star in trouble. Given the 2020 pandemic limiting offseason practices and eliminating the preseason, continuity is more important than ever.

In upcoming drafts, fantasy footballers can land him, on average, in Round 10, which slots him as the 13th quarterback chosen. As a fringe starter, the placement reflects the balance of his risk-reward makeup, and Stafford is one of those quarterbacks fantasy owners should eye after passing on the position early on. He’s a starter, but draft a quality No. 2 a few rounds later.

Calvin Ridley will be a top-10 fantasy football wide receiver in 2020

Atlanta’s personnel deficiencies should make Calvin Ridley an elite fantasy receiver.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley enters his third pro season with considerable fanfare, but his average draft placement of 4:06 in point-per-reception leagues actually may not be early enough. While everyone wants a bargain, don’t expect there to be a discount on what Ridley offers. In fact, if you’re as high on him as warranted, Ridley is a reasonable reach into the late third round to avoid missing out.

Pros

  • Extremely productive over his first two seasons, especially at finding the end zone
  • Draws single coverage with regularity but capable of beating doubles
  • Will see a dramatic increase in action with tight end Austin Hooper gone — largely unproven Hayden Hurst replaces him
  • More looks yet are available after replacing Devonta Freeman with Todd Gurley — it’s not that Gurley cannot catch but rather the likelihood Atlanta will want to keep him fresh
  • No one to speak of as the third receiver after the Mohamed Sanu trade last year
  • Proven, veteran quarterback with whom Ridley has chemistry
  • Porous defense will put the offense in holes in a division that has opened up offensively
  • Said division has weak cornerback play
  • Games at home half of the year are a plus
  • Improved offensive line by way of maturation
  • Actually more consistent in 2019 than Julio Jones
  • Offensive system hasn’t changed, so less to focus on during abbreviated offseason
  • Eighth-best fantasy football strength of schedule

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Cons

  • Second fiddle to Jones caps Ridley’s talent-to-output ratio
  • So-so closing schedule over Weeks 14-16 (@LAC, TB, @KC)
  • Battled hip and abdominal strains in 2019, missing three games
  • Limited experience out of the slot, where his athleticism would help create mismatches

Fantasy football outlook

The offense loses 209 targets, or 32 percent of it’s attempted passes from 2019, when Freeman (70), Hooper (97) and Sanu (42 in seven games) are removed. Those looks have to go somewhere, and while all of them won’t be toward Ridley, it’s not like Jones will see that many more added to his 157 from last season. Gurley was targeted only 49 times by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, down from at least 81 in the prior two seasons. And it’s far from a guarantee Gurley finishes the year, even with a reduced workload.

In the event Jones gets hurt — something he has been no stranger to in his career — in his age-31 season, Ridley likely becomes a top-five fantasy receiver each week. Should Julio remain on the field, Ridley still has the potential for an 80-1,150-10 season as the No. 2 target. That would place him as the 2019 No. 7 fantasy receiver in PPR. Lofty but not lunacy. Nevertheless, 75 receptions for 1,050 yards and eight TDs is still a nice floor as a WR2.

Fantasy football draft prep: 12 common mistakes to avoid

A dozen rules fantasy footballers must follow for consistent success.

Our annual “draft prep” series mostly caters to novice players, but every once in a while a veteran player requires a refresher on basics we may take for granted.

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.

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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) No 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.

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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.