Max's Fantasy Football Tips

1) During the draft, wait out the quarterbacks. There are 10-15 quarterbacks that I would be happy with as my starter in fantasy. While Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are likely to have great seasons, the difference between their production compared to some lower-ranked quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, and Mathew Stafford is smaller than you may realize. For example, Josh Allen was the highest scoring quarterback last season at about 405 points. Lamar Jackson, the 10th-highest scoring quarterback, scored about 342 points. The difference between Allen and Jackson last season was only about four points per game. You can easily make up this loss in production, and then some, if you draft some of the top running backs and receivers in the early rounds. Since there are so many good quarterbacks and you only have to start one, taking some of the best running backs and wide receivers early in the draft, especially since you will need to start two or three of each, is more conducive to success.

2) If there is someone you really want and you don’t think they will make it to your next pick, draft them. You can take bench players even if your starting lineup isn’t completely filled out yet. In the end, the best thing you can do is take the best players. If you end up with a plethora of good receivers and running backs, you can always use them in trades to improve weaker positions.

3) Draft players with upside. Aside from taking good value, the best thing you can do is to avoid players with limited upside. For example, Buffalo Bills running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss are expected to evenly share backfield work this season. This limits both players’ upside since they won’t be getting as many opportunities as a workhorse running back. Stay away from players whose upside is limited.

4) During the season, don’t be afraid to make moves. If there is someone on waivers that is getting more playing time or is performing well lately and you have a player who is hurt or performing badly, don’t hesitate to make the move. Do not, however, make moves impulsively. Just because someone has one bad game doesn’t mean they stink and need to be dropped. Think before you make a move and be sure it’s the right one.

5) Engage your league mates on the trade market. Some fantasy managers hesitate to make big trades involving their best players, but that shouldn’t be the case. Let’s say you have four running backs that you would feel comfortable starting but you can only start two or three per week. Your other back is being wasted on your bench. Use this to your advantage. If you are weak at tight end or wide receiver for example, find a team who is strong in those areas but is lacking at running back and propose a trade. Leave a note attached to your proposal explaining why the trade makes sense for both teams. This is the best way to work out a trade. You won’t get anywhere by offering lopsided trades.