Drafting a fantasy football team is quite different than drafting a fantasy baseball team. Most leagues utilize fantasy point scoring to track player performance and the player pool is far deeper in Fantasy Football.
After working on my projections the last few weeks and running my rankings through a few automated draft leagues, I have come a conclusion that draft strategy will make a greater impact on most owner’s teams than a few sleeper picks in the 2009 season.
Loading up on top scorers through the first 10 rounds is more important than building a balanced team. At the Tight End, Kicker, and Defense positions, there are only a few picks at each position that even merit consideration before the start of round 10. In some cases, you might even do better selecting two middle of the pack picks in each fantasy position and rotating them in your lineup based on weekly matchups.
At Tight End, a combination of Brandon Pettigrew (DET) and Vernon Davis (SF) drafted after round 10 (scoring 170 points each) could out-perform Dallas Clark (IND) drafted in round 5 (scoring 212 points). The Lions and 49ers both should have weaker schedules than the Falcons, thanks to the parity scheduling rules in NFL. Of course, the later round tight ends require more prep work on your part each week, but helps make the lead up to Sunday all the more interesting. Unless you have a chance to draft Tony Gonzalez in round 5, you may want to consider a wide receiver like Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson or Santonio Holmes who are also predicted to score 212 points, but could put up 260 points and second round value if they get a little luck.
At Kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, David Akers, and Ryan Longwell will likely score 150 points this season, but they will require a 9th round draft selection. A combination of Jason Hanson, Phil Dawson, and/or Jay Feely who should all score 119 points could out produce a top 5 kicker if make the right matchup plays each week of the 2009 fantasy football season.
And almost every fantasy football web site guru will recommend that defense is the last position you fill on your fantasy football team. The top defenses will score around 160 points this fantasy football season, while mid-range defenses will score around 120 points; therefore, with a little luck in weekly matchups, your 2 mid-range defenses could equal or outscore the top defenses.
Remember, there is nothing wrong drafting a player you really like or want, just don’t pay a premium to do so. And if there are players you distrust, let them slide a round or two, but don’t completely ignore them, since they could become great values at some point during your fantasy football draft. Finally, take a close look at the available top scorers remaining at RB, WR, and QB before you make your draft selections, especially before considering a TE, K, and DEF selection.
And, if you are still convinced that fantasy draft sleepers are the key to winning your fantasy football league, then here are a few round 15+ draft selections to consider:
Brandon Pettigrew TE DET
Byron Leftwich QB TB
Antwaan Randle El WR WAS
Chris Brown RB HOU
Matt Stover K BAL
Indianapolis Colts DEF IND