The Busy Mom’s Fantasy Football Guide – Three Minute Rundown
Are you playoff bound? I sure am — from the comfort of my laptop and couch that is.
Oh, yes! It’s fantasy football season and time to select your all-star team. This mom’s fantasy football guide will help you move into MVP status between school drop offs, online browsing sessions, and grocery shopping runs, without the grass stains or pulled muscles! Here are the basics: What position to draft first, our top players, and team management advice.
Who to Draft First?
If you have pick 1-4, draft a solid running back (RB) first. The RB group falls off considerably after that. Then snag the best wide receiver (WR) you can. Why? They’re generally more reliable and get hurt less often, keeping your team strong and successful!
Predicting the All-Stars
The following seven players put up major points last year, and we expect them to do the same this season. If you have the opportunity to snag one of these players, do it.
- David Johnson – RB from Arizona Cardinals
- Le’Veon Bell – RB from Pittsburg Steelers
- Antonio Brown – WR from Pittsburg Steelers
- Odell Beckham Jr. – WR from NY Giants
- Julio Jones – WR for Atlanta Falcons
- Mike Evans – WR for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LeSean McCoy – RB from Buffalo Bills
Sleepers We Like
A “sleeper” in football is an unvalued or overlooked player. They can be risky picks, but they can also become breakout stars. Typically you want to draft these in the fifth or sixth round.
- Joe Mixon – RB Cincinnati Bengals
- Dalvin Cook – RB for Minnesota Vikings
- Christian McCaffrey – RB for Carolina Panthers
- Tyrell Williams – WR for San Diego Chargers
- Terrelle Pryor – WR for Washington Redskins
Rookies we Like
- Leonard Forester – RB for Jacksonville Jaguars
- Joe Mixon – RB for Jacksonville Jaguars
- Christian McCaffrey – RB for Jacksonville Jaguars
- John Ross – WR for Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Davis – WR for Tennessee Titans
My First Pick
Hands down, I’m going with David Johnson, RB for Arizona. He’s the number one clear guy on a good offense. He catches balls, is a great runner and is reliable. The same goes for Le’Veon Bell. He’s on one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL and gets a ton of touches, both receiving and running. If you have the first pick in your draft (lucky you), go with him!
Newbie Tips and Tricks
As far as overall team management goes, think long-term! Just because someone is suspended for the first few games doesn’t mean you shouldn’t draft them. For example, Tom Brady was suspended for the first four games in 2016, making him an unattractive player to some. But once he got to play, he put up killer stats and carried teams.
Set your lineup each week and keep an eye out for breaking news. If your running back gets injured the day before their game, you’ll need to switch them out for another player– or wind up with a goose egg on your scoreboard.
Keep in mind there’s a lot of luck to fantasy football. You may feel like you’re at a bigger disadvantage than you actually are. Last year in my biggest league, guess who won? A rookie.
Need more guidance? I love Yahoo’s platform for ideas and inspiration. Above all, focus on staying at .500 or right above if you can so you can make the playoffs! Now, it’s your turn!
