Top 10 Kick-ass Fantasy Football Draft Tips:
#1 . . .
DSTs are widely viewed as largely irrelevant in many esteemed fantasy circles, while kickers (Ks) are deemed almost entirely irrelevant. “Why waste a pick on them when I can grab a sleeper RB in the 7th round?” Yes, if you have the chance to draft a late-round RB with 2nd or 3rd round value, go for it. But if you’re firing wildly, hoping to hit an unseen target, take the higher probability route: draft an elite DST or K.
The prevailing assumption is that Ks don’t really matter. The kick-ass fact is that top-flight Ks historically perform better than many of the #2 RBs and #2 WRs owners clamor for in the middle rounds. Last year’s numbers mirrored a trend ignored for years: 7 of the top 73 fantasy scorers in 2012 were Ks. 6 of the 7 yielded 5th to 6th round value in standard 12-team leagues.
And so, this year, Matt Bryant, Stephen Gostkowski, and Blair Walsh might be more valuable to your team than the #15 RB or #15 WR on your draft board. Ludicrous? Look at the numbers, which I have for the past five years. If you’re drafting by gut or by what other people will think of you, you’ve already lost.
The same goes for elite DSTs, who are comparably predictable and even more impressive. In 2008, 6 DSTs finished in the top 30 in overall fantasy scoring. In 2009, 2 did. In 2010, 4 did. See a trend? Top-flight DSTs have major fantasy impacts. Last year was an historical oddity, as only one team (the Bears) finished in the top 30; however, two others finished at #39 and #46, respectively. Who finished just below the #46 DST? Roddy White, Matt Forte, Marques Colston, Wes Welker, Chris Johnson, Victor Cruz, . . .
Don’t let ignorance or peer pressure influence draft day decision making. DSTs and Ks do make a difference. The stats back it up. The only thing standing in the way is conventional wisdom, which as we now know is conventional stupidity.
#1 . . .
DSTs are widely viewed as largely irrelevant in many esteemed fantasy circles, while kickers (Ks) are deemed almost entirely irrelevant. “Why waste a pick on them when I can grab a sleeper RB in the 7th round?” Yes, if you have the chance to draft a late-round RB with 2nd or 3rd round value, go for it. But if you’re firing wildly, hoping to hit an unseen target, take the higher probability route: draft an elite DST or K.
The prevailing assumption is that Ks don’t really matter. The kick-ass fact is that top-flight Ks historically perform better than many of the #2 RBs and #2 WRs owners clamor for in the middle rounds. Last year’s numbers mirrored a trend ignored for years: 7 of the top 73 fantasy scorers in 2012 were Ks. 6 of the 7 yielded 5th to 6th round value in standard 12-team leagues.
And so, this year, Matt Bryant, Stephen Gostkowski, and Blair Walsh might be more valuable to your team than the #15 RB or #15 WR on your draft board. Ludicrous? Look at the numbers, which I have for the past five years. If you’re drafting by gut or by what other people will think of you, you’ve already lost.
The same goes for elite DSTs, who are comparably predictable and even more impressive. In 2008, 6 DSTs finished in the top 30 in overall fantasy scoring. In 2009, 2 did. In 2010, 4 did. See a trend? Top-flight DSTs have major fantasy impacts. Last year was an historical oddity, as only one team (the Bears) finished in the top 30; however, two others finished at #39 and #46, respectively. Who finished just below the #46 DST? Roddy White, Matt Forte, Marques Colston, Wes Welker, Chris Johnson, Victor Cruz, . . .
Don’t let ignorance or peer pressure influence draft day decision making. DSTs and Ks do make a difference. The stats back it up. The only thing standing in the way is conventional wisdom, which as we now know is conventional stupidity.