Playing For Fun

After all this talk about how to draft successfully, lets talk about having fun. There is no doubt in my mind that Value Based Drafting is the way to put together a dominant fantasy team. That doesn't mean that you'll have a very fun team to watch on Sunday.

There is nothing wrong with getting your favorite players for your fantasy team. The key is to not let your like for those players override your evaluation process.

I did it once, and drafted Edgerrin James right after his knee injury. I had him on my team in both his second season and his third (injury) season. He was awesome. I thought if anyone could come back quickly, he could. I ranked him the #2 RB when he came back. He underperformed by a long shot, and I wasted a first round pick.

There is an owner in my keeper league that has Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis. We can keep four players. He traded his second round pick in our draft for Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger wouldn't get picked by anyone else before the 8th round or so. He is letting his love of the Steelers override common sense. Not only by overvaluing their players, but also by taking too many of them.

If it's your pick, and a player you really like is near the top of your cheatsheet, go ahead and take him. If you love Shaun Alexander, but he is ranked behind Deuce McAllister and Clinton Portis, go ahead and take him.

Don't over pay (by trade or pick) for players you like. I'm sure there are plenty of players that you like that are good fantasy performers. Instead, just target the next one on your list.

Don't take a bunch of players from your favorite team. One is good, two is still okay. Go any higher than that and you're asking for trouble. Just don't put all of your eggs in one basket and you'll be fine.

At the end of the day we want to win. We also want to have fun doing it. Just remember to temper your admiration for players or teams with a dash of common sense.