Draft Prep 101

I was getting ready for my own fantasy draft tonight, thinking about all the tools and information I wanted or needed. Now, I know there are many theories and methods for getting ready, but figured sharing my own thoughts on the subject might be interesting to someone... anyone. So, here are a few things that I am getting ready for my draft.

League Scoring Rules
If you don't know your rules well ahead of your draft and as you are researching your target players, sleepers, etc, then you are behind the eight ball. Know your league scoring rules and how that might impact positions and players in relation to each other. Passing TD scoring for instance will change how you rank a QB in comparison to a RB. Points per receipt also have an impact. A RB who can catch out of the backfield has increased value. I always have a copy or the league scoring rules, or at least know them.

Mock Drafts
There are many places to participate in mock drafts. Cbs Sportsline, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, etc. Find a draft that looks similar to yours and give it a try. It gives you a feel for how your draft might go. And if you know your draft position already, that helps, try to get your spot.

Cheat SheetYou can get a cheat sheet from all over the net, magazines or create one for yourself. Just a hard copy is all I need. I will highlight my studs, guys I wouldn't mind getting (tier 2 for me) and sleepers or players of interest. That way, I can adjust my strategy at draft time, knowing the players I like.

ADP [Average Draft Position]I also will print out a fairly long list of ADP for each position and composit. I use this in conjunction with my cheat sheet. For instance, if I am targeting Ryan Grant, the cheat sheet is a sort of ranking and tehe ADP sheet will give me an idea of roughly what round he is going in, or what pick.

Rule to live by
Be flexible. Even if you want Calvin Johnson, inevitably someone will snap him up one pick before you were going to. So, settle for Randy Moss or Greg Jennings.

Cardinal Rule
Have fun. If you are in it for the money, then you are going to have to way more serious than I am.

Today's Hottie: Martika Ibarra

Don't be a boy scout, but be prepared.

The secret of any fantasy football draft is to be prepared. Here are a few things to consider when getting ready for your draft.

• Know your league rules. What is the scoring? Points per receipt or 6 point passing vs 4 point passing TDs make a huge difference in your draft strategy. Keeper league or redraft - this would go a long way towards where a veteran RB might go, like, say, LaDainian Tomlinson.
• Research. Know the players you like and know why you like them. For instance, for running backs, will the back you have your eye on be the main option, or will they be in a RBBC (running back by committee). Will the sleeper WR pick you are targetting in the 10th round actually be a starter?
• Keep an eye on the preseason, not for stats, but for who will be starting. It is critical, just before your draft, to know how the roster battles are panning out. Who will be a starter, who will be a back up?
• Watch out for homer picks. I am a lifelong Packers fan, but in reality, the difference between Aaron Rogers and Phillip Rivers is minimal, although Rogers is typically going a half dozen picks sooner than Rivers.
• Don't reach. This ties right into the homer picks. A valuable statistic that almost every viable fantasy site has is ADP or Average Draft Position. This is typically a composite of all the mock drafts a site has run and show the average position a player is going at. If Wes Welker has an RDP of 40, then don't reach to take him at pick 30. Let him come to you.
• Have fun. Remember, have fun. Winning is fun, but so is the smack talk and ribbing at draft time. If someone picks Matthew Stafford in the first round, give him hell, he deserves it!

Now, if you really wanna have fun, take a look at Dalene