I’m not going to sit here and boast about how I’ve won a bunch of fantasy football leagues and that I know everything there is to know about strategy when drafting a team. But, as someone who has played for over 15 years now, I’ve seen a hell of a lot.
Whether it was my buddies who made the mistake or, sadly, myself, there are a few tricks of the trade when it comes to compiling a fantasy football team.
No one wants to be that guy who ends up selecting a total bust, so I’m giving you pieces of advice that will go a long way in making sure you don’t completely ruin your season before it even begins—which is why avoiding these types of players during your draft would be wise.
6. Mr. Glass
Example: Darren McFadden
There are some things in life that just can’t be explained. One of those things, well, in fantasy football, anyway, is how a guy with so much talent can continue to find himself on the shelf year-after-year.
Seemingly doing everything right, it’s like a fucking snowball affect with each bruise. A pulled hammy here, tightness in their quad there, and, finally, the season-ender that dooms every fantasy owner.
We all know that it’s coming, yet we continue to believe that this year will be different. This is the year where the football gods bless him with good health—and you and your team reap the benefits.
If you really think this, you might as well just wave the white flag now, because it ain’t happening, bro.
Seriously, a player like Darren McFadden might be a beast, when healthy, but, throughout his career, he has been anything but, totaling just 4,247 rushing yards in his seven seasons.
Go ahead and think positively, but I’d much rather think realistic—and tell you, “I told you so,” when a guy like McFadden’s season ends in Week 5.
5. The Injury Comeback Guy
Example: Victor Cruz
As mentioned above, it’s terrible to end up with a dude who is known for getting injured, but it’s just as frustrating when you draft a player coming back from injury who just can’t hack it any longer.
While it’s true that some guys have come back from major injuries and proved to never miss a beat (See: Peterson, Adrian in 2012), it’s not really that common to see a player return to their pre-injury form.
A player who fits the bill this season? The New York Giants’ Victor Cruz, who is coming back from a nasty knee injury he suffered midway through the 2014 campaign.
Formerly a reliable fantasy player, Cruz isn’t just fighting back from a cranky knee, as he’s now competing with stud wideout Odell Beckham Jr. for passes, meaning he has two obstacles that make him a terrible option.
Whether Cruz or someone else who was banged up last year, don’t put your trust in them—even if they do have a history of solid fantasy success.
4. The Annual Underachiever
Example: Reggie Bush
As much as you want to grab that guy with the big name and flashy personality, don’t do it, because it will come back to bite you right in the ass.
Sure, you’ll want to play Mr. Optimistic and try to convince yourself that he has it all figured out, and that he’s in the perfect offensive system to take advantage of his skills, buying into the talking heads that echo the sentiments.
Hell, you’ll even start talking shit when you grab the guy late in your draft, boasting that he’s the steal that will take you to a championship—until he does what he always does, flops.
For instance, take Reggie Bush, who came into the league in 2006 with as much acclaim as any running back ever, even being compared to Hall of Famer Gale Sayers.
How has that worked out for him? With just two seasons over 1,000 yards rushing and recently joining his fourth team, Reggie is the preeminent underachiever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYKIcnj1MJY
In the words of former NFL coach Dennis Green, these guys, “are who we thought they are.” It just takes some balls to own up to it.
3. The Washed-Up, Former Star
https://www.instagram.com/p/2zGi62FC8L/Example: Andre Johnson
Mark my words: A guy with a recognizable name will always get drafted ahead of the unknown, as he feels like a guarantee on a product that keeps you warm and cuddly at night as reassurance that it’s made with quality.
Unfortunately, though, even great products gather wear-and-tear or need to be recalled.
Rather than be the fantasy owner who gets burned for taking a guy based off of what he has done over the course of his career, let some other sucker fall into that trap and take a chance on an up-and-comer, younger player who you believe in.
A guy like Andre Johnson might have over 1,000 catches in his career and put up 1,000-plus yard seasons in seven of his 12 in the league, but he’s no longer the player he once was, so don’t draft him—or any other guy who fits a similar decline.
2. Mr. Frustration
Example: Jay Cutler
He has tons of talent and puts up above-average fantasy numbers each week, but over the course of an entire season, this type of player will have you pulling out your hair and throwing shit at the TV, because he just isn’t consistent enough.
This is the guy who ranks high in pre-draft rankings because he totaled a ton of points, but it was for 65 percent of the season, letting you down in weeks when you needed him most.
Prime example? Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who set a career high in 2015 with 28 touchdowns and added over 3,800 yards passing, but isn’t someone you trust week-in and week-out depending on matchups.
These are the guys who, on paper, look like they will 15-plus points every week, yet, somehow, have games where they can’t even get into double-digits.
1. The Reacher
Example: Justin Forsett
Here’s how this scenario usually plays out in a fantasy draft.
You’re looking to fill a position of need and you get suckered into taking the one guy who hasn’t proven himself worthy of a second- or third-round pick, yet, you’re the dumbass who pulls the trigger on him.
Instead of waiting and getting a player with better value, the stats he put up last year shine brightly into your gleaming eyes, believing that, yes, he will duplicate last season’s success.
While that’s possible, I’d much rather be the dude taking that player a couple rounds later and not so early.
A player who fits the bill here is Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett, who, after filling in for Ray Rice after his suspension, totaled over 1,200 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
It’s not that I don’t believe in Forsett, I just don’t believe in him enough to select him two or three rounds higher than he should go in a fantasy draft. After all, this is the same dude who totaled 1,692 yards on the ground in his first five seasons before last year’s breakout campaign. Just sayin’, guys.