Have you just started exploring fantasy football out of curiosity or have a passion for this game? You have drafted your favorite team, but only to see it underperform. Are you struggling every week to pick up the right lineup? If these questions roam through your mind, then my friend, you are not alone. 

Many fantasy football gamers often face these challenges while selecting the best lineup for their teams. Fantasy football is quite exhilarating, but at the same time, you need to employ wise strategies. You will be annoyed if you don’t know how to overcome these drawbacks. 

The popularity of fantasy football is thriving even in Asian countries along with Europe and America. Millions of players from various parts of the world are competing to draft the best teams.  

But, beginners often commit costly fantasy football mistakes that may change their outcomes. Whether you are playing for the first match or joining as a seasoned player, this guide will help you alleviate common mistakes and make your game successful. 

1. Ignoring Pre-Draft Research 

Most beginners prepare the draft without spending much on proper research. Though the draft is the cornerstone of the success of your fantasy team, an inadequately prepared draft can leave you stressed in all sessions. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Study player rankings and depth charts. 

• Check what experts are saying before preparing the draft 

• Don’t ignore injuries, suspension, and last-minute changes 

2. Drafting Based on Personal Bias 

Most beginners select players based on their personal choices while play fantasy football games. They don’t consider these players’ actual value or their recent performance. It’s quite interesting that you prepare a lineup with your favorite players, but this strategy won’t help you win every time. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Control your emotions. Your decisions should be based on statistics, experts’ tips, and matchups. 

• Don’t overestimate a player just because he is your favorite 

Recommended reading: Fantasy Football Trade Tips: When to Buy Low and Sell High

3. Overlooking the Importance of Running Backs 

Running backs are the pillars of a fantasy football team because they touch the ball frequently and have a higher chance of scoring points. But beginners prefer quarterbacks and wide receivers, leaving them with weak running backs. 

Things to avoid 

• Prepare your draft with at least one top-tier running back early. 

• Look for workhorse running backs who get a lot of carries. 

4. Ignoring Bye Weeks 

Another fantasy football mistake is to craft a draft without considering players bye weeks. If many of your star players are out in the same week, you will certainly lose the competition. 

Things to avoid 

• Pay attention to players’ bye weeks while preparing for the draft 

• Check your bench lineups to fill the gap in need. 

5. Failing to Adapt to Injuries and News Updates 

Fantasy football requires regular monitoring, not just drafting a team and forgetting about it. Injuries, suspensions, and role changes happen frequently, and failing to keep up can cost you games. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Stay updated with player news, injuries, and roster changes. 

• Be ready to pick up replacement players from the waiver wire. 

6. Underutilizing the Waiver Wire 

The waiver wire is a critical tool for improving your team throughout the season. Some beginners stick with their drafted players and miss out on breakout stars available on waivers. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Check the waiver wire weekly for hidden gems. 

• Be proactive in picking up players who are trending upward. 

7. Starting Players Based on Name Recognition 

Big-name players don’t always perform consistently. Some beginners make the mistake of starting well-known players even when their matchups or recent performances indicate otherwise. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Thoroughly evaluate matchups and recent performance statistics of players before starting to play fantasy football games.  

• You can even discard a star player if his matchup is unfavorable. 

8. Forgetting About the Playoff Schedule 

Many novice gamers ignore a player’s performance in fantasy playoffs. They only focus on regular season matchups. Some players may have the toughest matchups during the vital moments of the league. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Check a player’s schedule for the previous weeks of the season. 

• Trade players who performed more playoff matchups. 

9. Unaware of the Scoring System 

Once you download fantasy football games, you should be aware of their scoring patterns, such as standard, PPR (points per reception), and half-PPR. If you don’t know how your league offers score, you may not prepare a healthy draft, leading to unfavorable lineup decisions. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Read your league’s rules and scoring settings carefully. 

• Adjust your draft strategy accordingly. For example, PPR leagues value pass-catching running backs and wide receivers more than standard leagues. 

10. Making Emotional Decisions 

Fantasy football increases your stress level manifolds. Sometimes, players make impulsive decisions after a tough week. Dropping a player too soon or overreacting to a single game can hurt your team in the long run. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Stay patient and trust the process. 

• Once you download fantasy football games, look at the trends on your platform. Analyze multiple weeks before making big decisions. 

11. Ignoring the Importance of Handcuffing Running Backs 

A backup running back (handcuff) can be invaluable if your star running back gets injured. Many beginners overlook this strategy and scramble for replacements later. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Draft the backup of your top running back, especially if he has an injury history. 

• Monitor backfields with uncertain starters and stash key backups. 

12. Not Using the Right Trade Strategy 

Trades play a crucial role in the fantasy season. But beginners often make lopsided trades or fail to capitalize on opportunities. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Trade from a position of strength to improve weak spots. 

• Avoid panic trades after a single bad week. 

13. Overlooking Team Defenses and Kickers 

Some beginners completely ignore defenses and kickers until the last round, but having a reliable defense or kicker can be the difference in close matchups. 

How to Avoid This: 

• Look at defensive matchups and turnovers per game when selecting a defense. 

• Pick a kicker who plays for a high-scoring team. 

14. Forgetting About Weather Conditions 

Bad weather may drastically influence passing and kicking games.  Many fantasy gamers, especially beginners, overlook these factors while preparing their lineups.  

How to Avoid This: 

• Check weather reports before game day. 

• Give chances to your benched players in hostile weather conditions like heavy snow or rain. 

Conclusion:  

Once you avoid the above-mentioned mistakes, your fantasy football experience and winning chances increase automatically.  

Fantasy football amalgamates in-depth strategy through research and a little bit of luck. By staying informed, making planned decisions, and adapting throughout the season, you can build a robust and supremely competitive team. 

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Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, are you ready to dominate your fantasy league? Good luck, and may your team bring you victory!