PAGE 16 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | 08.23.15 | Sunday Sports |

strategy tips Know your league’s scoring

system. Whether it’s a point-per-reception league or not could make a big difference in what wide receivers and running backs you should target. With quarterbacks, know how many points they get for touchdown passes and how many points are deducted for interceptions. In leagues where TD passes are only four points, running quarterbacks like Seattle’s Russell Wilson have more value. Also know the roster breakdown and how many starters you need at each position. Leagues that have three wide receivers instead of two in the starting lineup, for example, could definitely impact your early selections.

Make your own rankings list (cheat sheet) or find a website’s list you like and print it out to have with you at your draft. Don’t just rely on the rankings of your draft site because you’ll end up using it too much. That draft board list may not be the best reference for your league’s scoring system.

Don’t worry about bye weeks when drafting players. Even if all your players are on a bye in the same week, that just means your team will be at full strength the rest of the season. The only position you really don’t want to have players with the same bye week is quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, you can wait on them. Yes, it will be tempting to take Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck with one of your first picks, but you’ll find that you can still get a decent QB in a round where the good running backs and wide receivers are long gone. The difference between the No. 4 quarterback and the No. 16 QB was about three fantasy points per game last season.

Draft a kicker with your last pick. There’s not a big difference between the No. 1 kicker and the No. 10 kicker in fantasy. In fact, the difference last season was less than two points a game. And it’s difficult to predict who will be No. 1 or No. 10.

On that same thought, wait until late in the draft to take a defense. They’re too unpredictable in terms of fantasy scoring and you can usually find a decent one on the waiver wire during the season . The difference between the No. 1 and No. 10 defense in fantasy last season was three points a game.

As your pick approaches, always have a backup pick (or two) in mind. Inevitably, the owner or owners picking before you will grab a player or players you covet at least once, if not several times. If you’re in a standard snake draft, that clock moves fast when you’re undecided on a player.

Use the player queue on your draft site board to place the players you want in the order you would pick them. Even if you don’t think you’ll need the queue, it protects you in case you get bumped offline or you run out of time on the clock.

If you draft a running back with an injury history, try to handcuff him by drafting his backup. That way, you’re protected if that first back does go down. Even if your top running backs haven’t had injury issues, it’s not a bad idea to go after their backup. Of course, there will be exceptions. If you get Cincinnati’s Jeremy Hill, for example, you’d have to use another high pick to get his backup, Giovani Bernard, who’s been going in the fifth or sixth round of most drafts. Handcuffs like that could be too costly.

When the season starts, look at the waiver wire every week. Whether you make a move or not, it’s worth the time. Even if your team is undefeated, you can often find a player that improves your roster and builds depth.

running backsTHE ELITE

Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh: If it weren’t for his two-game suspension, he would be the closest thing to a consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts. As it is, he’s still going No. 1 in a lot of drafts. He � nished second to DeMarco Murray in all-purpose yards (2,215) last year even though he had nearly 100 fewer carries than Murray. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota: If

you’re worried about him shaking off the rust from missing all but one game last season, remember this: After the only significant time he’s missed as a pro (when he tore his ACL in 2011), he returned in nine months and posted the second-highest rushing total in NFL history (2,097 yards). This time, he’s not coming off an injury. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay: He’s been

a top-six fantasy back in each of his first two seasons, and he plays for one of the most potent offenses in the league. He’s also a three-down back whose receiving totals showed improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 (from 35-257-0 to 42-427-4). Jamaal Charles, Kansas City: He

had foot, knee and ankle issues last season, yet still played in 15 games and scored 14 touchdowns (10 rushing). He managed a 1,000-yard rushing season as well despite only 206 carries – 53 fewer than 2013 and 79 fewer than 2012. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle: For the

past two years, many experts have predicted regression for Lynch. He continues to prove his critics wrong, despite four straight seasons of more than 280 carries. Last year, he carried the Seahawks with a league-high 17 TDs (13 rushing) and his fourth straight 1,000-yard season (1,306 yards).

THE NEXT BEST

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati: Rushed for 1,124 yards and nine TDs in his rookie season, including 929 yards and six TDs in his final nine games. Matt Forte, Chicago: Had 1,846

total yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He’s especially potent in PPR leagues because he caught 102 passes – an NFL record for running backs – for 808 yards. C.J. Anderson, Denver: Didn’t

become the Broncos’ primary back until Week 10 last season, yet he finished 11th in fantasy scoring among RBs with 767 yards and eight TDs in his final eight games. DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia:

His 1,845 rushing yards easily led the league, and he added 57-416 receiving numbers to go with 13 TDs. The concerns are his workload (his 393 carries last year were the seventh-most ever in the NFL ), his history of injuries and his competition in new backfield (Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles).

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Frank Gore, Indianapolis: The 32-year-old had only five TDs last season, but he goes to a much more explosive offense and should get a lot more scoring chances. Latavius Murray, Oakland: He

showed big-play ability when he finally got a chance last season, running for 112 yards and two TDs in his first start. Now he’s the team’s clear No. 1, with Trent Richardson as his backup.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Todd Gurley, St. Louis Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Melvin Gordon, San Diego T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville

quarterbacksTHE ELITE

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: He’s surpassed 4,000 yards every time he’s played a full season, he has the highest-ranked wide receiver tandem in the league in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb and he’s thrown single-digit interceptions each of his past four seasons. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis: He

led the NFL in TD passes (40) last year , was third in passing yards (4,761) and should get a boost with the addition of WR Andre Johnson and RB Frank Gore.

THE NEXT BEST

Peyton Manning, Denver: Struggled late last season and lost a key target in TE Julius Thomas. Also, a low-ranked offensive line drops him from the elite level. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh:

Fifth in QB fantasy points last season with career-high numbers. Two of the NFL’s best playmakers are around him in RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Antonio Brown. Russell Wilson, Seattle: Third

in QB fantasy points last season, even though he was 19th in pass attempts. NFL-leading 849 QB rushing yards and six rush TDs. Has new big target in TE Jimmy Graham. Drew Brees, New Orleans: Lost

two of his top three targets in Graham and WR Kenny Stills. Saints have a good O-line, so they’ll probably try to run the ball more. That likely means less production from Brees.

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Ryan Tannehill, Miami: People forget he finished ninth in fantasy last year , and he has more weapons now in WRs Greg Jennings, DeVante Parker and Stills and TE Jordan Cameron. Sam Bradford, Philadelphia:

He’s suffered two ACL injuries, so there’s always a health concern, but he has an elite arm and the best supporting cast he’s ever had with the Eagles.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Marcus Mariota, Tennessee

tight endsTHE ELITE

Rob Gronkowski, New England: He’s in a class all by himself at the position. He outscored every other tight end by at least 30 fantasy points in standard leagues last season and even more in PPR leagues. He’s scored 50 TDs in his past 55 games. Yes, he’s injury-prone, but he missed only one game last season and he surpassed 90 yards and/or scored a TD in 15 of his 18 games .

THE NEXT BEST

Greg Olsen, Carolina: Had career-high catches (84) and yards (1,008) along with six TDs last year. He could elevate to Cam Newton’s No. 1 target now that WR Kelvin Benjamin has suffered a season-ending knee injury. Jimmy Graham, Seattle: Drops from the elite level because he goes from a pass-happy Saints offense to a run-heavy Seahawks attack. He admits he expects to be blocking a lot more. Travis Kelce, Kansas City:

Was the No. 8 fantasy tight end last year despite never being fully healthy after offseason microfracture surgery. He ranked fourth among TEs in the final five weeks of the season.

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati: He’s healthy after missing all but one game last season to an elbow injury, and he won’t be sharing duties with Jermaine Gresham, who moved on to Arizona. Could emerge as a No. 2 target in Cincy. Jordan Cameron, Miami:

Concussion issues have been a problem, but he goes to a much better offense and will get more red-zone opportunities. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa

Bay: Is healthy after missing seven games with injuries in his rookie season. The Bucs say they have big plans for him, and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter compares him to Tony Gonzalez.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Maxx Williams, Baltimore

wide receiversTHE ELITE

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh: He was the top fantasy wide receiver last season, leading the NFL in receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,698). He also had 13 touchdowns. He has 33 straight games with at least five catches and 50 yards. Dez Bryant, Dallas: He led the

league with 16 TD catches and was eighth in receiving yards with 1,320 last season. He’s clearly the Cowboys’ biggest weapon now that RB DeMarco Murray has moved on to Philadelphia. Demaryius Thomas, Denver: He’s

been a top-four fantasy receiver in three years with Peyton Manning as his QB. He finished No. 2 last year with 1,619 yards and 11 TDs. His 111 catches were second only to Antonio Brown. Julio Jones, Atlanta: He posted

career-bests in catches (104) and yards (1,593), but scored only six TDs last season. It was still good enough for eighth in fantasy points among wideouts. Odell Beckham, New York Giants:

He missed the first month of his rookie season with a hamstring injury, yet remarkably finished fifth in fantasy points among WRs with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 TDs. The big question is can he still put up numbers like that with Victor Cruz back from an injury.

THE NEXT BEST

Calvin Johnson, Detroit: Health has become a slight concern because he missed three games last season and two in 2013 due to injuries. When healthy, he still has top-tier talent, but he does turn 30 in late September. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay: Had

offseason hip surgery and has turned 30, but he has been declared healthy. He posted career-highs in receptions (98, sixth among WRs) and yards (1,519, fourth) last year. It also helps that he has perhaps the best QB in the league throwing him the ball. A.J. Green, Cincinnati: Despite

missing three games and playing others at less than 100 percent, he still posted his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. His TD total did drop to a career-low six, though. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago: Becomes

Bears’ clear No. 1 WR with Brandon Marshall moving on to the New York Jets. He’s coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and had 10 TDs last year.

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia: Coming off an impressive rookie season (67-872-8), he looks to take the lead wideout role now that Jeremy Maclin has moved on to Kansas City. John Brown, Arizona: He’s the

Cardinals’ best deep threat and could be their most productive WR too. Larry Fitzgerald posted his worst stats last year since his rookie season and Michael Floyd is coming off three dislocated fingers. Allen Robinson, Jacksonville:

Hamstring and foot injuries forced him to miss six games during his rookie season, but he was on pace for nearly 1,000 yards (86-946-4) with a rookie QB. He’s clearly the Jags’ best wideout .

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Amari Cooper, Oakland Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia D eVante Parker, Miami Breshad Perriman, Baltimore

Peterson Charles Rodgers Luck Gronkowski Bryant Thomas

AS GOOD

AS GOLD

Steelers’ Killer BsPittsburgh became the first team since the 1970 merger to have three players finish No. 1 or 2 in the NFL in passing, rushing and receiving yards last season. All three will be coveted fantasy players this season.

Bell1,361 yards rushing (2nd)

Brown

1,698 yards receiving (1st)

Big Ben

4,952 yards passing (T-1st)

onlineCheck out Joe Kacik’s blog throughout the season for the latest fantasy news, analysis and projections at hamptonroads.com/blogs/joe-kacik. Also, follow him on Twitter – @JKacik – for player news every day as well as injury and game updates on NFL Sundays.

2 0 1 5 G U I D E | BY JOE KACIK, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT