2013

9 Last-Second Fantasy Tips

By David Gonos

Posted on August 25, 2013

9 Last-Second Fantasy Tips -- Kenbrell Thompkins

You can only take in so many pieces of advice when preparing for your draft, so I thought I’d come up with some last-second Fantasy tips to confuse your mind further.

Actually, did you know that during a speech, orators are told that listeners generally remember THREE things during that talk, so they try to hammer those points home?

Likewise, if you read a huge article on Fantasy Football advice, you might only remember three main points.

So here are nine main points – maybe just print this out and bring it with you.

9 Last-Second Fantasy Tips

Some of these tips might not relate to you and your league, whereas some could save your life. (Sometimes, I over-dramatize.)

1 Rookie Expected to Start in Fantasy

By looking at the rankings of most sites, including mine, you’ll notice there’s only one rookie that’s ranked in the top 24 running backs, and no other rookie is ranked in the top 12 QBs, top 24 WRs, top 12 TEs or Ks. Eddie Lacy is it. All other rookies are considered starting prospects or bye-week replacements as of now. This is not 2012.

2 Suspended Wide Receivers to Remember

Browns WR Josh Gordon (two games) and Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon (four games) are suspended to start the 2013 season. Both are worth starting as WR3s in most leagues, but many will let them drop in the draft because of their penalties. Once you draft your starters, don’t hesitate to grab either of these two guys, as their Fantasy points per game will likely be better with whatever other players you consider in the later middle rounds.

3 Sure-Thing Tight Ends

While Rob Gronkowski is still considered the best Fantasy-points-per-game tight end in the game, but Jimmy Graham, Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez are the only sure-fire Fantasy studs at the position.

4 Injured Keeper Players to Consider

I did two keeper drafts on Saturday, and here are some players to remember late in your draft, especially if you have injured reserve spots or deep benches:

Percy Harvin
Michael Crabtree
Marcus Lattimore
Jeremy Maclin

Niners and Seahawks … Everyone Else

Most Fantasy Football sites project the 49ers and Seahawks to be the two best Fantasy defenses this season. Then there’s everyone else. If neither of these two DSTs fall to you in Round 11 or so, then just wait until the second-to-last round.

6 Must-Handcuff RBs in Most Standard Leagues

Don’t get too caught up grabbing guys like Knile Davis, Peyton Hillis and Joique Bell, just to back up your starting running backs. These running backs, however, you should definitely handcuff with a later pick:

C.J. Spiller – Fred Jackson
Ray Rice – Bernard Pierce
Marshawn Lynch – Robert Turbin
LeSean McCoy – Bryce Brown
Arian Foster – Ben Tate
Matt Forte – Michael Bush

7 Third-String RBs To Roll the Dice On

The players I’m listing here are listed as third-sting running backs for now, behind second-string guys that are struggling to keep the third-string guy on the third string. (Got that?)

Christine Michael, Seattle
Zac Stacy, St. Louis
Pierre Thomas, New Orleans
Mikel LeShoure, Detroit
Knowshon Moreno, Denver
Lance Dunbar, Dallas
LaMichael James, San Francisco

KenBrell Thompkins Will Cost a Pick Near Round 8

Kenbrell Thompkins is officially no longer a Fantasy sleeper. Photo Credit: Fred Hosley

If you drafted in early August, you had a chance at getting the undrafted free agent in New England in the late rounds. But the word is out, as he is about to win the starting spot across from Danny Amendola. Unless you are drafting with some relatively unaware owners, he’s going to cost you a pick near Rounds 8 or 9.

9 Boom-or-Bust Last Picks (non-K/DSTs)

Here are 10 guys you can roll the dice on with your last pick. They might end up as golden late-rounders, but they might also be your first cuts as you grab Week 1 wonders on the waiver wire.