Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet


 

Here are some of my basic strategies to consider when drafting your fantasy-football team. Everyone is free to follow their own system, of course, but I wanted to mention some of these tips in case FF newbies are looking for a bit of guidance before draft day. Good luck!


1. Core Strategy: "2 Benzes in the Garage" (RBs Early)

  • Your Strategy: Secure two premier running backs in the first four rounds to serve as your reliable foundation.

  • PPR Refinement: In a PPR (Points Per Reception or Catch) league, target high-volume backs who double as major threats in the passing game. A running back who catches 50–60 passes a year builds an exceptionally high floor every week.

2. Dual-Threat Quarterbacks

  • Your Strategy: Target QBs who add rushing value on top of their passing production.

  • Refinement: "Konami Code" QBs (like Josh Allen) offer elite fantasy ceilings. Rushing yards are worth 2.5 times more than passing yards (1 point per 10 rushing yards vs. 1 point per 25 passing yards), and rushing touchdowns provide massive single-week spikes.

3. The Tight End Cliff

  • Your Strategy: Recognize the sharp drop-off in production after top-tier options like Trey McBride and Brock Bowers.

  • Refinement: Either strike early to grab an elite target hog like McBride or Bowers, or wait until the middle/late rounds to draft a rising, efficient tight end instead of overpaying for mid-tier veteran names.

4. Defense & Kicker Timing

  • Your Strategy: Wait until Round 7 or later to draft defense and kickers.

  • Refinement: Push this even further—wait until the final two rounds (Rounds 14–15) for your D/ST and Kicker. Mid-round picks are far too valuable for bench depth and high-upside skill players. Defense and kicker scoring varies wildly year-to-year, making them easy to stream off the waiver wire based on weekly matchups.

5. Bye Week Management

  • Your Strategy: Avoid over-concentrating players with the same bye week.

  • Refinement: Don't let bye weeks prevent you from taking the best player available, but keep an eye on your starting lineup. Having 2–3 key starters out on the same week is manageable, but having 5+ forces you to drop quality bench players to fill starters' spots.

6. Bench Construction & Rookies

  • Your Strategy: Fill the bench with extra RBs, WRs, at least one backup QB, and 1–2 high-potential rookies (especially first-rounders).

  • Refinement: Reserve 1–2 bench spots for high-upside rookies who can break out late in the season. For the rest of your bench, stack running back insurance and wide receivers. In single-QB leagues, skip drafting a second QB unless you miss out on an elite starter, using that extra spot for another skill-position sleeper instead. Note: Personally, I prefer always having an extra QB on the bench just in case my starter gets injured.

7. In-Season Waiver Wire Mastery

  • Your Strategy: Monitor unclaimed players during the season to add breakout talent for free.

  • Refinement: Treat the draft as step one—championships are often won on the waiver wire. Stay active in Weeks 1–3 when unexpected role changes create league-winning breakouts.

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