The NFL season is set to kick off, and with it, fantasy football leagues are gearing up for another year.
For those preparing for their drafts, a printable drafting cheat sheet is available, outlining tiers of players by position. This cheat sheet is unique in that it’s available in PDF form and is printable, allowing drafters to easily see the whole picture of the draft with all positions and players on one page, grouped into tiers of similar value.
As of September 1st, Josh Jacobs has been placed on the exempt list by the league, with the length of his stay or potential suspension still unknown.
This uncertainty means drafters should be cautious and only select Jacobs if he falls far enough in the draft that their team won’t be significantly impacted if they need to drop him. Marshawn Lloyd’s stock has risen as a result of Jacobs’ situation, but his health and the unknown timeline for Jacobs make him a risky pick.
Meanwhile, Jordyn Tyson’s placement on the PUP list will cause him to miss at least four games, boosting the value of Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson.
A key strategy for this year’s draft is to target two running backs from Tier 2, such as Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson, to establish a strong fantasy floor and upside.
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After securing two running backs, the focus should shift to wide receivers, particularly those in Tier 3 or Tier 2 if they’ve fallen. The tight end position is deep this year, making it unnecessary to use a top pick on one of the top players.
Instead, drafters can target someone from Tier 3 or consider streaming tight ends from the waiver wire if they miss out on the top options. Quarterback is also a deep position, and drafters may be able to wait until the 6th or 7th round to select a player from Tier 2 or Tier 4, such as Jaxson Dart.
Jaxson Dart comes with the caveat of needing a usable backup due to his injury history. In the final two rounds, drafters can focus on kicker and defense, although there may be cases where taking a kicker like Brandon Aubrey earlier makes sense.
This is particularly true if they’re in a league that gives a big boost for long field goals. Ultimately, the key to a successful draft is to have fun and be prepared.
With the right strategy and a little luck, drafters can set themselves up for a successful fantasy football season.
For those looking for more resources, the Google Doc and PDF versions of the PPR tiers are available. They provide a useful tool for drafters to prepare for their fantasy football leagues.
