10 Tips to Help You CRUSH Your Draft

Welcome to the Fantasy Drop Army newsletter!

Drafting doesn’t have to be complicated. Take today’s 10 tips that anyone can follow and have yourself a successful draft day.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• 10 EASY tips to help you crush your draft ✍️

• How to access the 2024 Draft Guide for FREE 🏆

• The latest news from around the NFL 🏈

Tip 1: Create Your Own Tiers

Every manager should have some kind of tier system in place before drafting. ADP swings wildly from platform to platform, and your home league definitely has some quirks of its own to account for. Knowing which you’re most comfortable with ahead of time will help you make the best decisions in each round, and avoid picking a player you don’t really like because the ADP tells you to do it.

Tip 2: Opportunity is KING

Prioritize volume over name recognition when making picks. Just because Tony Pollard is more established than Tyjae Spears doesn’t mean he’s going to get the most work or will be the better pick. Likewise, DK Metcalf is an elite WR talent, but he’s drafted outside the top-20 because of his target competition. Sometimes guys get lost in the shuffle on crowded offenses, hurting their outlook.

Tip 3: Stay Flexible in Your Strategy

The goal is always the same: win a championship. But, the process of getting there should be flexible. If your league mates panic and start an early run on defenses, don’t follow. Be ready to take advantage and grab the highest-upside RBs and WRs that they’ll miss out on.

Tip 4: Ignore the Early QB Run

Unless you’re playing in a superflex or a 2-QB league, Round 2/3 is WAY too early to draft a QB. Let your league mates do it and take advantage of the value you can grab at the other positions in that spot. Yes, you’ll miss out on Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts, but the middle rounds are where you can find the best values at the position. I’ve been holding out for the likes of Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, or Dak Prescott this sesason.

Tip 5: When in Doubt, Draft for Upside

Younger players with breakout potential are more valuable than aging veterans for obvious reasons. Vets tend to get injured more frequently, and can start to slow down as their bodies undergo the wear and tear of a violent sport. Younger players are often still developing and have yet to reach their true potential. Drafting those types of guys can help you find it early.

Tip 6: Don’t Draft Around Bye Weeks

Too many managers put too much stock into avoiding players who share bye weeks. But, it’s really easy to miss out on the best values if you’re putting too much stock into them. Picking weaker players is far worse for your overall prospects than dealing with one single heavy bye.

Tip 7: Forget the Kicker

If you must draft a kicker, draft him last. They don’t matter nearly as much as you think. The difference between 2023’s K1, Brandon Aubrey, and the K12, Greg Zurlein, was fewer than 2 points per week. You can easily make that difference up with stronger players in your flex spots. Kickers will come and go as you make room for different players on your roster anyway.

Tip 8: Target Mobile QBs

I know this goes slightly against the advice from Tip 4, but a QB with solid rushing statistics is a supercharger for your fantasy team. Justin Fields was an ok QB for the Chicago Bears last season, but he was a BOON for fantasy squads. His athleticism led to rushing stats that propelled him into the top-12 on the year. So, keep that in mind when targeting your signal caller.

Tip 9: Monitor Preseason Usage

The preseason has more clues than you’d think about how teams plan to spread out their opportunities. Already after Week 1 of this preseason, players’ stocks are starting to rise. We can see the Broncos leaning more on Javonte Williams now that he’s another year removed from his injury. We can see the Falcons going with higher passing volume. These things matter for fantasy, and can be an important part of the puzzle.

Tip 10: Trust Your Gut

Do you know what De’Von Achane, Sam LaPorta, and Puka Nacua have in common? They were all drafted VERY late, if at all, in your league last season. Now, they’re all considered top-8 at their positions. The next versions of those guys are out there. And you’re only going to get credit for finding them if you pull the trigger on draft day. So, don’t worry about what your league mates say at the time. You can get those yuks back when you hoist the league trophy in their faces.

🚨 Patriots' Judon on Trade Block Amid Contract Drama

😅 Ravens' Hamilton Escapes Major Knee Injury

✈️ Jets GM: Haason Reddick Won't Be Traded

🦬 Bills Sign QB Ben DiNucci Amid Depth Concerns

💪 Watson Set to Play in Browns' Preseason Finale

🐅 Bengals' Mims Out Several Weeks with Pec Strain

✅ Ravens Activate DB Tampa After Hernia Surgery

🔔 Browns WR Bell to Miss 1-2 Weeks with Quad Injury

📅 Giants' Nabers Day-to-Day with Ankle Issue

Remember, the best draft strategy is a blend of preparation, flexibility, and trusting your instincts. Stick to these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to building a championship-worthy team.

Fantasy Drop Army is a must-read for every NFL fan — pure signal, highly actionable, and one-liners funny enough to make you pee a little bit.

If this one didn’t hit the spot, reply to this email... I would love to hear from you on how you think we can do better next time.