Fantasy Football draft tips and advice

It's that time of year... fantasy football draft time. I have some advice to pass along, so here it goes...

RUNNINGBACKS (RB)

Your first round pick needs to be a runningback, regardless of draft slot. If you draft in slots 1-5, your second pick may be a wide receiver if the runningbacks are looking weak. Otherwise, consider a second runningback in Round 2. If you play with a FLEX, consider a third in rounds 3 and 4 if there's a decent one available. Otherwise, wait until about rounds 7 or 8 to nab somebody like Marion Barber or Jerius Norwood.

Other RB notes: beware the fragility of Maroney - take Parker or Rudi first... don't underestimate Westbrook and Reggie Bush in PPR leagues... avoid clouded situations like Jones/Bell in DET and White/Brown in TEN...

TIGHT ENDS (TE)

If you can grab Gates in rounds 3 or 4, do it. He's so much better than the rest. I don't like Winslow's fragility or Gonzalez' advanced age. Vernon Davis is good to grab in Round 7 for his upside. Cooley is good there, too.

WIDE RECEIVERS (WR)

In non-PPR leagues, WRs should be low priority. In PPR, see if you can grab a stud or two in rounds 3 or 4. If you wait, look into Calvin Johnson and Santonio Holmes. Later, think Drew Bennett for good value in that STL offense.

QUARTERBACKS (QB)

Yes, the top 5 quarterbacks outscore the rest, but with QBs, platooning is a viable option. In one league I waited, and I ended up with Romo, Delhomme, and Schaub (who I LOVE late). I'll pick the best one to start each week and their overall production as a unit shouldn't be that far behind the top 5.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS (D/ST)

This is not a position to worry about. You can definitely wait and still get good ones. Plus a unit or two will surprise during the season, so keep a close eye on D/ST free agents in your league in weeks 1 and 2. I've noticed good defenses like DEN, CAR, and DAL going late.

KICKERS

A dime a dozen. You can absolutely get good ones late. I like Gostkowski a lot this year.