Be A Draft Trend Setter

July 24, 2008 at 7:38 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Be A Draft Trend Setter I like to say that it’s never a bad idea to start a trend in a fantasy draft. The trends I’m referring to are more commonly known as “runs.” However, I should clarify. Don’t be the guy that takes a QB or a TE in round one, but be thinking about literally staying ahead of your competition as you draft.

For example, don’t assume that a guy you like is going to be there in the following round. If you absolutely want a certain player - grab him while you have the chance. Chances are, others want him too, and you’ll never have another chance to get him in your seasonal redraft leagues.

Recently, I was in a mock draft with some pretty prominent figures in the fantasy football community, and was able to show them a few things about how to start a run the proper way. I was dealt the eighth overall draft position - which is a pretty freaking crappy one if you ask me, but I was able to make it work to my advantage.

After taking the number one overall fantasy WR in round one, Randy Moss, and a solid value RB in round two - Laurence Maroney (I really wanted to go against the grain and draft Terrell Owens - but he was picked right before I was on the clock), I did something unconventional in round three - I took Dallas TE Jason Witten - the player who I believe is the number one fantasy football TE in most formats in 2008. Sure enough, the other two players in the top tier of TEs, Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow were each selected within the next five picks, so I would not have had a chance at a top TE had I passed on Witten. Wes Welker, Julius Jones and Matt Forte then landed in my lap in the next three rounds, and I had built a solid squad at all offensive positions.

Not only that, but heading into round seven, I still hadn’t selected my starting signal caller, but was able to snag Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger. Not only was I pumped because I hate drafting QBs prior to round five or six, but I then watched several other owners snatch Jay Cutler, Matt Hasselbeck and Donovan McNabb with literally the next three picks. After that, in round eight, there were no solid signal callers left. The better news was that I was still able to grab three of my top sleeper fantasy football WRs in 2008 - Vincent Jackson, Bryant Johnson and Donte Stallworth in three of the next five rounds.

Don’t just ride the wave of your draft. Make your draft position work for you by shaking it up a bit and starting a trend.

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