If you are brand new to the fantasy football world, you may find some important tips here that can help you in your upcoming draft and season. If you’ve been playing fantasy football in the past, then maybe the following can be a refresher course for you.

The first thing to remember is to have fun. The weeks fly by, and before you know it, the season is over. So take it in, pay attention to your lineups and trends, and make the best of it. Also, there is skill involved in playing fantasy, but I would argue luck is almost as big of a factor. You can draft the best team in your league on paper, but once injuries kick in, or you take a blind chance on a player that supercedes expectations, your end results can surprise you.

So onto the draft. Every decision you make will have an impact on not only your team, but for your league mates as well. When you are on the clock during the first few rounds, the goal should be to take the best player available, but with a few caveats…

Know Your Scoring System

If your league is a PPR (point per reception) or not is vital in making certain choices, especially while choosing running backs. Spending an early pick on a RB who doesn’t catch many balls out of the backfield, compared to someone who brings in 65 passes is huge. Also, are quarterbacks touchdowns worth as much as other positions or less? Do you get hurt by interceptions (looking at you Jamis Winston), or fumbles lost (Hi, Wentz). These are the little things that could affect your decision to take a certain player over another.

Wait on Quaterbacks

Last year in most leagues, Josh Allen, Tom Brady, and Justin Herbert were the points leaders respectively. They were separated by approx. 20 points between the three of them, which is nothing when you think about a season long total. The next five Quarterbacks were all separated by a total of 60 points. Yes, that margin seems a bit more, but with all things considered, it’s still proving a point. Unless you can get your hands on a Josh Allen or Herbert, you may as well wait until the middle of the draft to grab a Quarterback. The difference between them is slim, and the pool is projected to contain about 12 qbs who can do some good damage for you this year, which is pretty good depth.

Running Backs are Deep

The top running back was Jonathan Taylor last season. The next closest was Austin Eckler, who was about 40 points away. However, the next tier of running backs is much closer. The next eight players were separated by 32 total points. The following tier after that is even closer. The 11th top rusher last year was Aaron Jones, who was only separated by around 30 total points from being the 5th highest rusher.

Although, it is important to try to grab a top running back if you have a high pick, you don’t have to feel like you are missing out if you pass on it and take a wide receiver or a top tight end. Just note though, the running back position does take a nosedive around the point when the 20th running back comes off the board. That’s the tier of backups or running back committee-types start filing in. It’s not exactly the end of the world if you are caught taking one of them as your RB1 (AJ Dillon, Tony Pollard come to mind) as running backs get hurt all year long and these guys would potentially flourish as a starter. It’s just a risk playing the waiting game that could cost you some wins.

Wideouts and Tight Ends

Wide receiver is another position that is incredibly deep this year. Cooper Kupp was the cream of the crop last year and it wasn’t even close. In last week’s podcast, our guest host Tony Cutillo from Sirius XM Fantasy Sports said he would take Kupp first overall over Jonathan Taylor. His main reason? Running backs are more prone to injury. Plus, it’s hard to argue with his production last year. He was approximately 90 points above the next WR, Deebo Samuel. However, it’s VERY close separation from that point on. I would go as far to say there are 13 guys I would be thrilled to have as my WR1, and as the WR2, it’s even more. Every year there are late round receivers that emerge and become household names. For instance, Ja’Mar Chase and Deebo Samuel were 7th and 10th round picks for me last year and now they are both arguably first round choices this year. This is why I mentioned earlier that every pick you make is important. Take chances on “fliers” rather than known names like Kenny Golladay or Corey Davis. You KNOW what you’ll get out of them, which isn’t much. Take a chance on a guy who could pay off big time.

The tight end is one position that is much harder to gauge. There are 5 or 6 that I would jump on early and in this order – Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Darren Waller, Kyle Pitts, George Kittle, and Dalton Schultz. After that, Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz and Mike Geiscki may be the next tier. From that point on, it’s a crapshoot. If you’re in a league where you have to draft a tight end, taking a top one in the first four rounds should be an option, otherwise, wait it out until you’re in the 9th or 10th for the likes of a Cole Kmet or Noah Fant.

Don’t be a Dummy

Yes, the name of this article was tongue and cheek for a “beginner” at playing fantasy football but what I am about to say is very important. Don’t. Be. A. Dummy. For the love of God, wait on taking a defense, and wait even longer on taking a kicker. I would even argue to “stream” a defense every week based on matchups, which means to pickup a defense from the waiver wire every week if they have a favorable matchup. Kickers are a dime a dozen and anyone can emerge as a good option. I would say away from guys who are on very poor offenses though.

Like I said at the start. Have fun and good luck!