What’s your fantasy?

No one likes an armchair quaterback /source: themacgufflinmen.com

If you aren’t an NFL fan, don’t read this

Article: Matt Wincherauk – Contributor

NFL football is almost upon us, and one of my new favorite traditions, as of three years ago, is fantasy football.

Fantasy football has become immensely popular in recent years, and I am here to tell you how I got into fantasy football, why you should get into it, and give you a quick preview of the 2013-14 season.

Fantasy football has become a rather bad addiction for me; I started three years ago as a last minute inclusion to a new league that friends were setting up.

This turned out to be a great decision because I won the league, and was immediately hooked. This year, I have nine major leagues that I am paying attention to – two are for money and the rest are for bragging rights.

For an addict like myself, I don’t find it all that hard to pay attention to nine different leagues, but if you’re new, focus on one league, or two at the most.

So, you’re in a league now. Who do you draft? Well, you draft Minnesota Vikings powerhouse running back Adrian Peterson – there is literally no one else you should want over AP.

But that’s only if you’re not lucky enough to get the first pick, or lucky enough to play in the league where everyone is too drunk to make a good decision, then you have to go running back with your first round pick.

And if some asshole takes AP before you get the chance, some of my other favorite running backs are Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs, Doug Martin from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills man CJ Spiller.

Oh, and please don’t be the guy or girl who takes Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden early, I guarantee you’ll regret it when he gets hurt in week two.

Also, try to avoid taking Calvin“Megatron” Johnson until you have a true number one running back – it’s tempting I know, but show some restraint.

Now, what about quarterbacks? Well, unless you’re getting one of Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Drew Brees in late round three or early round four, then just wait. The difference between the top 10 QB’s is very small, and you can take an Andrew Luck, or Matt Stafford in the later rounds, and stock up on running back and wide receiver talent instead.

Now that you have a running back and quarterback on your roster, next let’s look at some wide receiver value picks. Megatron Johnson, as mentioned earlier, followed by AJ Green, Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall and Julio Jones are my top five.

Don’t be too worried if you miss one of these five, as the WR position is the deepest position.

And for my final two tips, wait to get your defence until a late round, and don’t pick a kicker until you’re very last pick. Continually scour the waiver wire for talent, as there’s always someone who can win you a fantasy championship. Even make a trade here and there to fill weaknesses in your team that can’t be solved through the waiver wire.

Fantasy football is filled with highs and lows, and that’s what’s so fun about it.

In reality, it’s a crapshoot where you take risks on players you think will do well. Once you draft, it’s out of your hands.

I suggest all football fans get themselves into a fantasy football league, as it’s a great addition to your Sunday programming. Instead of just watching your team, which for me is the New England Patriots, it encourages you to watch the other teams that you have players on. It makes the experience of watching football with your buddies, even more enjoyable.

So, with that I say, happy drafting, and I hope you have the luck of Tim Tebow – before he got cut of course.