FANTASY

I haven't been playing fantasy football for awhile but I started once again. There were so many names in the middle rounds that I had no idea who they were. But I have been lucky to be pretty successful when I play.

My strategy is of course to take running backs. Maybe even in the first three rounds. The first five would be LT, Stephen Jackson, Larry Johnson, Joseph Addai, then Frank Gore. After those five its hard to say who is next. You could go with Westbrook, Alexander, Parker, Rudi Johnson but they all have question marks. I would probably go Willie Parker but I might even go Peyton Manning. But there are other good QBs you could get later. QBs score the most points but relative to each other the point differential isnt that huge. However, Manning can sometimes get you the points of a good QB and a good running back in one week.

Anyway, in your first three rounds, you want two running backs. It is important to have RBs because they are the most important position in fantasy. My friend had a draft where he went Manning with the 6 pick because of all the question marks with the next RBs and then he didn't like the running backs when the draft snaked back to him. He ended up with Manning, Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, and Reggie Wayne in the first four rounds. He got Ladell Betts then Deshaun Foster in the next rounds. First I thought that was crazy but we will see. I wouldn't mind throwing in those three receivers in my lineup every week. Plus would you rather have those top 3 top tier receivers or Ronnie Brown.

Personally, whenever I draft, I always put people in my list that I just don't want to deal with. Ronnie Brown was good but I was scared cuz the Dolphins line sucks. Cadillac Williams was horrendous last year. I wouldn't want to deal with that every week. Cedrick Benson is like Rex Grossman to me. Keep them as far away from my team as possible. Why did the bears get rid of Thomas Jones for Benson. I just don't get it. And all these running backs would probably go early. And I don't trust Clinton Portis at all. Not to mention, I think Portis was backing Michael Vick. Another Running back that is risky is Travis Henry. I would get him in the middle of the second round but not earlier. That guy could be 2000 yard great this season, but he is also playing for Mike Shannahan who has been a fantasy nightmare the past few years. Remember when everyone drafted Tatum Bell in the first round. You never know what Denver will do. Then there are guys like Randy Moss. Oh man, I just wouldn't want to deal with that. He has been one of the worst fantasy busts for 3 straight years. Plus, he is on a team that never has one featured guy.

I like to wait on QBs. Especially in shallow leagues. In 10 team leagues I would want 3 running backs in the first 3 rounds unless I got one of the top tier QBs (Manning, Palmer, Brady, Brees, Bulger, and McNabb). If I didn't get one of these QBS I would keep waiting and maybe get a Matt Leinart or Jon Kitna way late. Both of them have good receivers and they will throw. And especially in a 10 team league, there is still Rivers and Cutler. How different are any of these guys? Thats why, I say wait on the QB.

Receivers are tricky. There are always receivers that pop out of nowhere each year and tear it up. People that are picked up on the waiver wire. People like Drew Bennett, M. Colston, A. Boldin. They weren't drafted and were great pickups in the middle of the season. Watch NFL Primetime and find one of these guys and they could push your team during crunch time.

Tight Ends should be drafted late. There are a lot of good ones out there now. Before there was Gates and Gonzalez and thats it. Just wait and you could still up with surprise talents. I would pick Cooley late. Only go with Gates if he falls to like the fifth round because the Wide Receivers in the fifth will still get you more points than Gates.

Draft you kicker in the last round and don't waste a roster spot on a backup. When your kicker has a bye, just pick one up one later in the year and drop a sleeper that you picked up that didn't work out.

Always draft a couple sleepers later with good value. Get them when you you think someone is looking at him. Later in the draft you could go with safe picks that get you 3 pts every game but I like to go with someone that has potential. Get Brandon Marshall on Denver, Hackett on Seattle, Jones on Tennessee. There is a lot out there.

If you are drafting individual defensive players, I like getting them in the middle rounds because you can still get great LBs who rack up tackles. I like starting the defense around the seventh round because your offensive players are mostly solidified. I always go LBs because sacks and interceptions are not consistent. Tackles for great linebackers are. Grab Demeco Ryans, Zach Thomas, Keith Bulluck, Cato June, Brian Urlacher, Lance Brigges, Ray Lewis. Most people don't know which defenders are good so you can have an advantage here. You want a defense that will average 30 pts. A lot of other teams might get 15 pts for all their defensive guys and you have a 15 pt head start. Thats a good game for a running back. Never underestimate defense.

Good luck on your drafts everyone!