The NFL season is set to open Thursday, September 4th, but for millions of people around the world, the season has already begun. We're talking about fantasy football, of course, and the beginning of the fantasy season begins with the draft. Talking to a fantasy football aficionado about the draft is like talking to a six-year-old about ice cream. Eyes light up. Palms start to sweat. It is the one moment in your season when you can control your own destiny, and your own insights can make or break your season. You can ridicule your friends in online drafting rooms, or hold a live draft party with full plates of food and plenty of Madden '09 on Xbox. But before engaging in your own fantasy football draft, there are a few things you should know.
The traditional strategy is to draft a top-notch running back in the first two rounds, the rationale being that stud running backs get a majority of the offensive touches for a football team. The more touches, the greater opportunity to gain statistical points. Well, this year you can toss that strategy right out the window, thanks in part to our very own field general, Mr. Tom Brady. God Brady was the #1 fantasy player in the league last year, throwing an NFL record 50 touchdowns and passing for over 4800 yards. Another benefactor of Brady's production was his top receiver, Randy Moss. Moss, the third-ranked fantasy player last season, caught an NFL record 23 touchdown passes and amassed over 1400 receiving yards. These statistics show that the formerly sought-after running backs of old are no longer top dogs in fantasy. In fact, five of the top 10 fantasy producers last year were quarterbacks, and five first-rate wide receivers round out the top 20.
This year is no different. Running backs are still valuable, no doubt, but the value of QBs such as Brady, Manning, and Tony Romo has risen greatly. Wide receivers such as Moss, Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, and Braylon Edwards are also in the mix as potential first-round picks. So as you approach your fantasy draft this year, remember that those ball carriers on the ground are no longer the kings of the fantasy gridiron. And remember: you have plenty of Patriots to thank for that!
Post contributed by Eric Robbie
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