It’s Monday and for a lot of families, kids are on their way back to school. We’re also in the final stretch of summer. But, we’re all looking forward to the NFL season which is less than a month away!
Did you take some time to participate in a Best Ball draft this weekend?
Well, now you’re probably starting to look where to draft your team for the football season. If I may make a suggestion, I’d try to hold off until at least the 3rd Week of Preseason Games. So try looking at drafting after 8/27.
Why that date?
It’s important to hold off on drafting your team, because of the potential for injuries. Players will get hurt at practice, as we saw this past week. Then as the preseason snap count increases amongst the starters, they have a greater chance of getting injured. You’re only going to help your team this season, by drafting after those injury factors are out of reach. Yes, there’s always a chance for injury during the season. But, you’ll feel even worse if your 1st or 2nd Round draft pick goes down in the middle of August.
Some other things to consider with drafting later is that players ADP’s even out. You can then take advantage by drafting players in better positions on the draft board. Understanding where the value falls, and letting other drafters reach for players earlier in the draft is crucial to winning your draft. So you’re only assisting yourself with the knowledge and expectation to where players will land in a draft. It’s also ok to take a player a round or two earlier if you know they won’t be there when you receive your next draft pick. 
We’re now looking at all the NFL teams practicing at their own facilities this week. This is important because it creates fewer distractions for the players trying to make the roster. Unlike other years prior to 2017, teams were required to trim their rosters with two roster cut deadlines. Now teams are required to hit the 53 player roster by September 1st. Leaving more time on the clock, for undrafted or lower drafted players to perform above their team’s expectations. So, there is always that player that could come out at the end of August with a significant role on their team.
Continue to run in the Best Ball drafts, and reserve those draft times after August 26th. These basic steps will set you up for an enjoyable remainder of August and in your draft season!