Fantasy football is filled with lots of common myths that can lead managers astray; especially at draft time. So, listen up buster, as we bust some of the most prevalent misconceptions to help you draft and manage your team more effectively through the season.
Busting 15 of the Top Fantasy Football Myths
1. Myth: Drafting a Quarterback Early is Essential
Reality: While top-tier quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen can be game-changers, the point differential between mid-tier and elite QBs is often smaller than other positions. This is a case where you can probably get better value at running back or wide receiver and come back later with a quarterback in your draft.
2. Myth: Rookies are Always High-Risk
Reality: Rookies can indeed be unpredictable, but many have breakout seasons and offer tremendous value, especially when drafted in later rounds. Evaluating a rookie’s situation and potential role is key to determining their value. Does this player have a clear path to opportunity? If the answer is yes, especially in the later rounds take the flyer on the upside.
4. Myth: You Must Have a Perfect Draft to Win
Reality: There is a saying “Your draft won’t win you a fantasy championship but could cause you to lose it”. A good draft is important, but in-season management, including waiver wire pickups, trades, and lineup decisions, often has a more significant impact on your success. Stay active and adapt to changes throughout the season. Choosing the right players to add off the waiver wire and playing the proper players week to week leads to more as your season progresses.
4. Myth: Never Draft Injured Players
Reality: Drafting players with minor injuries or those returning from injury can be beneficial if you understand their recovery timeline and potential upside. Some injured players may drop in drafts, offering value if they return to form. Other players take time to fully heal, pay attention to the injury news, and how far along the player is to being fully healthy.
5. Myth: Always Start Your Studs
Reality: While generally good advice, there are situations where benching a star player makes sense, such as unfavorable matchups, injuries, or bye weeks. Always consider the context before setting your lineup. If you have read Money Makers and Heart Breakers here on Fantrax, you know I will be pointing out the weeks where “studs” have horrible matchups. Remember, matchups matter, and play-calling matters. There a very few true “studs” at every position that need to be in your lineup every week for fantasy football purposes.
6. Myth: Defenses and Kickers Don’t Matter
Reality: While they may not be as glamorous or predictable as skill positions, having a reliable defense and kicker can provide a steady stream of points. Pay attention to matchups and trends when selecting these positions. Every season there are defenses and kickers that help fantasy teams win. Pay attention to these positions, especially on the waiver wire after the first few weeks of the season.
7. Myth: Bye Weeks Don’t Matter
Reality: Ignoring bye weeks can lead to starting a depleted lineup in certain weeks. Plan ahead to ensure you have enough depth to cover your starters’ byes without significantly weakening your team. I am guilty of following this myth and ignoring bye weeks myself.
8. Myth: Late-Round Fliers are a Waste
Reality: Late-round picks can be crucial, often leading to breakout stars or valuable trade assets. Players like Alvin Kamara and Kamar Jackson were once late-round fliers who paid off handsomely. Mitigate your risk in the early rounds of the draft but in the late rounds risk it all on players that could pay off huge.
9. Myth: You Need to Draft Handcuffs for All Your Running Backs
Reality: While handcuffs can provide security, it’s not always necessary to draft them for every running back. Focus on players with a clear path to touches or high upside instead. Also, know which backup running backs are ones that coaches favor and have the talent to produce if given the chance.
10. Myth: Stick to Your Pre-Draft Rankings Rigidly
Reality: Adaptability is crucial during a draft. If a high-value player unexpectedly falls to you, be ready to adapt your strategy rather than rigidly sticking to pre-draft rankings.
NOTE: You may want to familiarize yourself with draft strategies and rankings now.
You can find the Adaptive Draft Strategy here: Adaptive Draft Strategy
You can find Fantrax Rankings here: Draft Rankings
11. Myth: Coaching Doesn’t Matter
Reality: Play calling matters more than ever in today’s NFL for fantasy purposes. Understanding which offenses will pass or run more will make a huge difference in how players perform for your fantasy team. Some teams spread the ball around, other teams focus on a few players.
11. Myth: Home Team Bias is Beneficial
Reality: Favoring players from your favorite team can cloud your judgment. Stay objective and draft based on player value and potential, not personal bias. Lots of people believe that the best wide receiver on their home team is somehow better than he might actually be for instance.
14. Myth: Talent Wins Out
Reality: While talent is definitely important, in a single-season format, the volume of opportunities is typically more beneficial. More touches equate to more chances for yards and touchdowns, directly translating to higher fantasy points. Players in situations where they consistently see the ball—be it through carries, targets, or red-zone opportunities—tend to be more reliable fantasy producers. Thus, prioritizing opportunity over pure talent is a more effective strategy for redraft leagues, ensuring steady and predictable points throughout the season.
14. Myth: Consistency is Overrated
Reality: Consistent players can provide a reliable baseline for your weekly scores, reducing risk. While high-upside players are important, a mix of consistency and upside is ideal. Fantasy is a weekly game and having players that score consistent fantasy points weekly will help your team produce week in and week out.
15. Myth: Fantasy Football is Purely Luck
Reality: While luck plays a role, skillful drafting, active management, and strategic decision-making are crucial to long-term success. Staying informed and making calculated moves can significantly improve your odds.
Understanding and busting these myths can help you make better decisions and improve your chances of success in your fantasy football leagues.
Got a few fantasy football draft tips of your own? Drop some knowledge in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.