Drafting Rookies

In my drafts so far, I’m seeing too many team owners reach for Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, and Calvin Johnson. Sure, these guys are going to make an instant impact, but are they really going to be top-ten fantasy players at their positions this season? I doubt it. So why not grab a player with a history of great performance, not just the potential of it? Even in keeper leagues, why take one of these guys over someone like Edgerrin James or Jamal Lewis?

Don’t overpay for potential. The time for rookies is late in your draft. That way you have a foundation for your team that you can count on (as much as you can count on anything in fantasy sports) before you go chasing for upside. Especially in keeper leagues, what good does it do to pay superstar price for a rookie? You have to find the rookies and other young players who don’t have all the hype if you want to be able to have a stacked roster.

How else do you think I managed to field a 12-team auction keeper league team this year with Frank Gore, Joseph Addai, Steve Smith, Donald Driver, Reggie Brown, Kellen Winslow, the Ravens D, Tony Romo, and Olindo Mare? I got Gore, Addai, and Brown cheap last year because people were unsure just how much of a role they would play for their teams. Since I got them so cheap, I had plenty left over to acquire the best fantasy WR, D, another top WR, and a top TE. I should kick my own butt if I don’t at least win the regular season with that lineup.

Who should you target this year? Well, forget the big three mentioned earlier–let someone else overdo it with them. Focus your attention on Jacoby Jones, Brian Leonard, James Jones, Anthony Gonzalez, Zach Miller, Ted Ginn Jr., and Steve Smith (Giants).