You know, I’ve always believed that preparation is the great equalizer in fantasy football. It’s like that feeling Manny Pacquiao described when he talked about Vigan—a place that holds a special place in your heart because of the relationships you build there. For me, fantasy football drafts are like that. They’re personal. They’re built on strategy, insight, and sometimes, a little bit of heart. When Pacquiao revived Blow-By-Blow in late 2022, he wasn’t just restarting a show; he was tapping into something deeper—a connection with people and a craft he understood inside and out. That’s exactly how I approach my fantasy drafts: with a mix of data, instinct, and the kind of expert-level planning that can set you apart from the competition. In this article, I’ll walk you through five strategies that have consistently helped me dominate my drafts, whether I’m playing in a casual league or a high-stakes competition. These aren’t just tips; they’re principles I’ve refined over years of playing, and I’m confident they’ll give you an edge.
Let’s start with something I consider non-negotiable: mock drafts. I can’t stress this enough—if you’re not doing at least 15-20 mock drafts before the real thing, you’re leaving value on the table. Last season, I participated in 25 mock drafts across different platforms, and it helped me identify trends like the average draft position (ADP) drop for running backs in the third round. For example, in one of my leagues, I noticed that top-tier wide receivers were being snatched up early, which pushed solid RB2 options down to the fifth round. By simulating these scenarios, I was able to adjust my strategy on the fly during the actual draft and snag Joe Mixon in the fourth round when others were scrambling. It’s all about building that muscle memory, just like Pacquiao honing his craft in the ring. You need to know how your draft room behaves—who reaches for quarterbacks too early, who waits on tight ends—so you can exploit those patterns. Personally, I use a combination of ESPN and Yahoo mock drafts because their ADP data varies slightly, giving me a broader view of player value. And yes, it’s time-consuming, but trust me, it pays off when you’re staring at a stacked roster while your opponents are panicking over bye weeks.
Another strategy I live by is the "zero RB" approach in certain situations, though I’ll admit it’s not for everyone. I first tried this back in 2018, and in a 12-team PPR league, I loaded up on wide receivers like Davante Adams and Michael Thomas in the first three rounds, waiting until rounds 4-6 to grab running backs like James White and Tarik Cohen. That year, I finished with the highest points total in the league. The key here is understanding your league’s scoring settings and being flexible. If I see a run on RBs early, I’m happy to pivot and stockpile elite pass-catchers instead. Data from FantasyPros shows that in 2022, WRs drafted in rounds 3-5 had a 68% chance of finishing as top-24 options, while RBs in the same range only hit that mark 52% of the time. Now, I’m not saying you should ignore running backs entirely—that would be reckless—but I am saying that blindly following the old "RB-RB" mantra can sink your team. I’ve seen too many managers reach for a mediocre RB2 in the second round just because they feel they have to, and it costs them later. My advice? If the value isn’t there, don’t force it. Build your foundation elsewhere.
Of course, none of this matters if you’re not paying attention to ADP and tier-based rankings. I rely heavily on tools like Fantasy Football Calculator and Boris Chen’s tiers because they help me visualize drop-offs in talent. For instance, in my main league last year, I had tiered rankings that showed a significant cliff after the top 7 quarterbacks. So instead of reaching for Patrick Mahomes in the third round, I waited and snagged Josh Allen in the sixth. That extra patience allowed me to secure depth at WR and RB, which ultimately carried my team through injuries. I’m a firm believer that tiers are more important than straight rankings—they help you avoid overpaying for players who are only marginally better than the next available option. And let’s be real, we’ve all had that moment in a draft where we panic and pick someone too early. I know I have. But with tier-based drafting, you reduce those emotional decisions. It’s like having a roadmap instead of wandering aimlessly. One of my biggest draft day regrets was taking a tight end in the fifth round back in 2019 when I could have waited and gotten similar production later. Learn from my mistakes, folks.
Now, let’s talk about something a little more nuanced: leveraging bye weeks and strength of schedule. I know some fantasy experts say to ignore bye weeks entirely, but I disagree—to a point. I don’t let them dictate my early picks, but when I’m deciding between two similarly ranked players in the middle rounds, I’ll absolutely use bye weeks as a tiebreaker. For example, last season, I avoided stacking too many players with a Week 9 bye because that’s often when playoff races heat up. Similarly, I always check strength of schedule for the fantasy playoffs (weeks 14-16). In 2022, I targeted players like Austin Ekeler because the Chargers had favorable matchups during that stretch, and it helped me secure a championship. On the flip side, I’ve been burned before by ignoring SOS—like in 2020, when I drafted a receiver facing top-5 pass defenses in three of the final four weeks. It’s not just about who you draft; it’s about when they play. And yeah, I’ll admit this requires a bit more homework, but isn’t that what separates the contenders from the pretenders?
Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of adapting to your league’s unique dynamics. In one of my longest-running leagues, for instance, I know that at least three managers overvalue rookie running backs. So, I’ll sometimes let a player like Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker slide a few spots earlier than I normally would, knowing it might trigger a run that pushes other value down to me. It’s a psychological game as much as a strategic one. I also make it a point to track my opponents’ rosters during the draft—if I see someone struggling to fill a position, I might snipe a player they need just to create leverage. Is that ruthless? Maybe. But fantasy football is about winning, and I’m here to compete. Remember what Pacquiao said about Blow-By-Blow? It’s about revival and connection. In fantasy, reviving your draft strategy each year and connecting with the nuances of your league can make all the difference.
In the end, dominating your fantasy football draft isn’t about luck—it’s about applying these expert strategies with consistency and confidence. From mock drafts to tier-based rankings, each element plays a role in building a championship-caliber team. I’ve shared my successes and failures with you because I want you to see that even experienced players learn and adapt. So as you head into your next draft, take a page from Pacquiao’s playbook: embrace the preparation, trust your instincts, and remember that the relationships you build with your team—both real and fantasy—are what make the game worth playing. Now go out there and crush your draft.
