Fantasy Draft Day Discipline

Fantasy owners of America, you need discipline. The worst, most pathetic drafters are the ones with no game plan, no self-control – no discipline. Assuming you don’t have the courage or know-how to create and follow your own set of guidelines, I am sharing with you my “never” list. Clip and save this little essay, as you need some boundaries.

I will never draft Steven Jackson. Yeah, I know. He’s a workhorse. All he does is run, and run some more. And his braids are really awesome, but his body is going to fall apart. Let it be on someone else’s team. DeMarco Murray and Hakeem Nicks are currently being taken just after him. Much smarter, safer picks.

I will never doubt Wade Phillips. Sure, the Texans lost Mario Williams, but he missed 11 games last season, and the Texans still finished third in pass defense, sixth in pass defense and forth in TDs allowed. Studs Conor Barwin, J.J. Watt and Jonathan Joseph will anchor this team to be a top 5 play.

I will never draft a running back in the first round just because all my opponents did so. Remember what your mom said, “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?” Mom was right. Don’t follow peer pressure. Can you imagine a real GM doing that on draft day? “Oh no! All the backs are taken. Draft one fast!” said no GM ever. Draft best (and safest) player available in first round.

I will never draft a running back first because a magazine 10 years ago told me the only way to win was drafting RB-RB-WR. The notion that you MUST draft a running back first to win is archaic and wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.  A commitment to any position in any round is a mistake. Instead take the best of what’s left, not the next RB in line.

I will never draft a kicker in any round other than last. Consider these guys the cherry on top, the garnish, the sprinkles. But don’t tell Sebastian Janikowski he’s sprinkles. Have you seen him?

I will never take a wild chance in the first round. I get it – high risk, high reward. But in the first round, it’s just dumb. Why take a chance on an angry Maurice Jones-Drew? Or Larry Fitzgerald, who’ll have a B-team QB targeting him. Or Chris Johnson whose shown he’s wildly inconsistent.

I will never use the phrase “Bring it,” an expression which should strictly be reserved for reality TV stars in their confessional interviews. If you are sophisticated enough to be confused or disinterested in what I mean, I envy your classy taste.

I will never (this year) draft any Jets players. I’m not sure which is worse: their quarterbacks who are challenged with accuracy, or their receivers who have a chronic case of the dropsies. And let’s not forget their run game, which is stuck in the mud. Avoid all Jets on offense. You will thank me.

I will never (again) underestimate a rookie quarterback. My apologies to Cam Newton, although you lacked a little polish in last year’s pre-season, right? But wow, look at Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck. They have quickly propelled themselves into the top 12 in quarterbacks. And they deserve it. Draft and enjoy. Digging Pierre Garcon too as a favorite target for Griffin. Target in the seventh round.

I will never doubt Peyton Manning. I know his pre-season has been less than stellar. And he’ll be forced to play outdoors for all but one game this season. But he’s Peyton Manning! Even a windblown Manning at 90 percent is worth a sixth round pick.

I will never swim with sharks. As tempting as it looks.

I will never assume lower production from a running back, just because of position competition. Take Jamaal Charles, for instance, who has never solely owned the role. Several fantasy pundits are nervous about the signing of Peyton Hillis. Consider Hillis the new Larry Johnson. Jamaal will be just fine. Take in the third round. Same goes for Matt Forte. Still a top running back, even with the addition of Michael Bush.  Good second round pick.

I will never overlook the importance of the late rounds. Too much emphasis is placed on your first round pick. The league is often won by late-round gems or waiver wire finds. Check out late picks: Jonathan Dwyer, Rashad Jennings, Isaiah Pead, and David Wilson

I will never trust an injury report straight from the mouth of a player. They always say they’re progressing at an amazing pace. Simply amazing. Simply not true.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.