Fantasy football isn’t always easy. Knowing who to play and when to play him, gambling on a defense for the week or even knowing if a player will be available can be a struggle. And in a sea of confusing ESPN updates and last-minute injuries, it’s easy to get lost in the madness. To make things easier, just remember: Fantasy football is as easy as “ABC.”
Awareness. For starters, be aware of your players’ schedules. If you have someone like Odell Beckham Jr. and he’s playing against the Seahawks, be wary of the Seahawks’ defense (and always trust OBJ, always). If you have a Patriot wide receiver, I’d say you’re safe for points too.
Be aware of the waiver wire. It is your friend. Hit up that list bright and early Wednesday and look for some steals. The waiver wire is there for you when your bye week players aren’t.
Be aware of injuries. Not just your own players, but everyone in the league. Let’s say the first-string wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Julio Jones, gets injured and won’t be back for the next four weeks. Someone like Justin Hardy instantly becomes a huge fantasy asset, and if you’re aware and he’s on the waiver wire, you’d know to grab him as soon as possible. When injury strikes, the bench can become more important than the team.
Backups. Backups are people, too.
Backups don’t hold the most fantasy value or contribute the most to your team week in and week out, but they sure can save your season. Remember, every single player on a 53-man roster holds fantasy value.
Let’s say you build a powerhouse team – your draft was killer, you hit all the top players, got the No. 1 defense and you’re happy – but you have no bench. You will get destroyed by the bye week.
A team is only as strong as its weakest link. If you draft Reggie Bush as a joke, you’re wasting a bench spot that could’ve been held by Jamaal Charles, who at any moment could become a fantasy star. More often than not, the team with a deep bench that isn’t affected by bye weeks will win the league.
Continuity. The principle of continuity applies to both you and your team. Success on the fantasy football field depends on your ability to trust players and know when not to trust them.
When you trust your players, you take a leap of faith with them into the unknown. Let’s say you have a player on a hot streak, scoring big-time points out of nowhere. When he encounters a truly talented team, sitting him might be the best option.
But continuity does not stop there; it also pertains to you, the fantasy manager. If you think you can set your roster early in the week and win the league, you’re wrong. You must continue to check the waiver wire, your opponent’s roster and make moves accordingly. Fantasy football isn’t just a hobby – it’s a once-per-year, 17-weeklong lifestyle.
