2016 – Wild Year For Fantasy Football?

Fantasy Football Season is Almost Here

My favorite part of the year is just a few weeks ahead, fantasy football season.  Ah the joy of getting together a draft party to trash talk, drink some brews with bros, and down some slices of pizza or chips. The thrill of getting that early round running back or wide receiver that will dominate the late season. Then there’s excitement of picking up that sleeper that will shock everyone. Everyone has their own source for intel. Everyone believes the football gods will favor them. It is a time for bros to get together for a common purpose. The comradely that is fantasy football has exploded in the past 15 years. Some play for bragging rights, and others play for fun. You got 8 man leagues, then there are 12 man leagues. Some do points per reception and some don’t. There is no right or wrong way to play, what is important is that you play.

Winning Formula

As a fairly successful general manager, I typically draft a team that pushes far into the playoffs, and from time to time, take home the SHIVA BOWL. The formula was pretty steady for years. A work horse running back goes first, followed by receivers who get alot of yards, and then quarterbacks. The formula has changed greatly in the last few years with the running back by committee strategy employed by most NFL teams. Gone are the days of a Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander or LaDanian Tomlinson who can touch the ball 30 times a game. An elite QB and consistent WR are top priorities in most drafts now a days. Which leaves me unsure of what to do for this upcoming season.

If I landed an early draft pick, this is the first time ever I wouldn’t know what to do. Do I trust an aging Adrian Peterson who is traditionally great? How about drafting a young unproven guy like Todd Gurley? Maybe I place my hopes on an Antonio Brown or Odell Beckhamm JR, and pray that their teams don’t get large leads in games which will limit their potential? With a sea of uncertainty at most positions, I ponder if I should lock up a Cam Newton nice and early, but I am afraid I will live to regret it. Am I going to get 2015 Newton or 2014 Newton? I haven’t felt this much stress since my first ever draft in 2003 in which I picked up Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning back to back with the 10th and 11th pick.

Anyone’s Game

I know this will be a fantastic fantasy season because of all the craziness going on next year. It is anyone’s game. Doesn’t matter if you are pick 1 or pick 10. This year will be determined by the hidden gems people pick up in the middle rounds or in free agency after week 1 or 2. I hope all our bros input their opinions on the site about fantasy lineups during the season and bounce ideas off each other. Together we can force a pretty decent think tank of knowledge without the help of Matthew Berry over at ESPN. Let us know who you hope to draft this upcoming year.