Fantasy Football 2006: Nine Tips to Dominate Your Draft

(This is the first of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position.)

Welcome to our first ever series on playing winning fantasy football. In part one of this series, we'll look at draft strategies to help you gain the upper edge on your league.

First a little background of why you should listen to what I have to say. I've been playing fantasy football for 13 seasons in various leagues and have won nine championships in 13 years. I don't say it to brag. I just want you to know that I've been there, done that and have been a champion many, many times.

Nine Tips to Dominate Your Draft

1. Grab running backs first, quarterbacks second. - Everyone knows by now that running backs are the most important commodity in fantasy football. I like to make my first two picks running backs and then go for a quarterback, unless one of the big guns at receiver like Torry Holt or Terrell Owens is available. For the most part, you can find solid receivers later on. Most of a receivers production depends on his quarterback, so if the QB struggles, guess who else does?

2. Draft the best available player (after you've taken your two starting running backs and a quarterback) - You should have your own rankings of the top players in the draft regardless of position. If you don't, make a list now. Select who you feel is the best player for your team still on the board.

3. Select an elite tight end by round four - Many fantasy magazines and experts tell you to lay off tight ends until the later rounds of your draft. That can be a mistake. There are very few superstar tight ends and if an Antonio Gates or a Tony Gonzalez is there in round four or beyond, take them! The tight end is back in vogue in many NFL offenses. Take advantage of it.

4. Put some thought into your defensive selections - Many people exercises more of their gray matter in picking a kicker than they do a defense, but a defense can be way more important to your success or failure rate. Kickers are pretty much the same as far as points go, unless one has a monster year like Neil Rackers. For the most part though, they're the same. A good defense can have a say in many of your victories or losses, choose them wisely.

5. Be careful about bye weeks when drafting a second quarterback - This is an obvious one, but many fall victim to it. Don't draft a backup quarterback that has the same bye week as your starter. That's a big and needless no-no.

6. Go for quality backups - Another obvious one, but many fantasy players become enamored with guys from their favorite team and select them as backups. Study the draft and look for players who can significantly contribute. Don't fall in love with players from your favorite team if someone else is more productive.

7. Make some gambles in the later rounds - Take a chance on some skill players with potential who haven't quite reached it yet. This would be a great time to take some rookies like a Vernon Davis or DeAngelo Williams or an up-and-coming receiver like Mark Clayton.

8. Considering trading - One of my best deals last year came during a draft-day trade. One of the guys in our league was enamored with Antonio Gates, who I drafted, and wanted him bad. I convinced him to trade Peyton Manning to me for Gates and he agreed. Thank you Sean! If someone in your league has a crazy desire to have a certain player, and you know the potential trade is in your favor, take advantage of it.

9. Have fun - The most important tip on this list. Fantasy football is about having fun. It's a game, but some people take it way over the top. It's fine to want to win your league and all that, but if you're not having fun, it's not worth getting involved with. So relax, enjoy the season and have fun playing fantasy football.

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