5 tips on how to win your fantasy football league

BY GAVIN PATRICK / Multimedia Journalist

Ah yes, it’s football season again.

With Labor Day weekend behind us, the NFL season is coming in hot, with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs fresh off a thrilling 27-20 season-opening win against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.

With real football comes fantasy football, so I’m here to give you five tips on how to win your league this year. Personally, I’ve been playing fantasy football since 2017 with my family and, not to brag, have played for the championship three times already, with my lone victory coming in 2020. So sure, I guess I qualify as a credible source.

But this piece isn’t about me. I certainly wouldn’t know as much as I do about fantasy football without years of experience, a love for the game and a little help from the experts. So with that in mind, here are the five most useful fantasy football tips I’ve learned over the years.

1. Stay active on the waiver wire.

If you've played fantasy football long enough, you know that your team in Week 1 will look nothing like your team in Week 17, nor should it. The best fantasy managers are always looking to improve their team, and the waiver wire is where you’ll get that new influx of talent.

If there’s an available player who just had a big game and you feel like they can keep it up, add them, especially if they can replace someone on your team who’s underachieving. At the same time, however, don’t overestimate. It’s your job as a manager to determine if that big game was a fluke or a sign of things to come. And even if you're ready to cut ties with a player who isn't performing well, they can turn it around at any time. I know, these decisions can be a headache, but when you do decide to make a move, just make sure it’s cost-effective.

Always keep your eyes peeled. Last year, no one expected Rams’ then rookie receiver Puka Nacua to emerge as a WR1. But after opening the season with two monster performances, he was that, and whoever picked him up in fantasy was rewarded handsomely. (Psst: I was one of those people.) Cases like Nacua happen every year, which means someone else is bound to emerge in a similar way this year. It’s your job to find them.

2. Avoid trades.

Trading in fantasy football is a slippery slope. Sure, there’s always fair trades to be made, but more often than not, someone is trying to sabotage you.

I get offered trades all the time in my league, and they’re usually offered by a manager who’s desperate to land a great player and part ways with another player they see as less-than. When you’re on the receiving end of that, always take a step back and question: why should I want a player who someone is willing to let go of? A lot of times, it’s a trap. Now, maybe you’re intrigued by the player being offered to you but you’re not willing to give up the player your opponent wants in exchange. That’s another common case, and in both cases, a deal usually never gets done. The ole’ double-edged sword is too big a fight, and we always fall back to where we started.

That’s why I typically avoid trades, especially after I fell for the trap a few years ago. In 2021, I traded away then Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers in exchange for Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson. Well, little did I know that Rodgers would go on to win MVP and Jackson would have his season cut short by injury. Like I said, it’s a slippery slope.

3. Put players listed as “out” on IR.

Every fantasy football team is granted at least one IR (injured reverse) slot, which, just like in real life, does not count against the active roster. Once a player is listed as “out” by their (real-life) team, meaning they won’t play in the next game, fantasy managers are able to place them in the IR slot. This then opens up an empty spot on the roster, giving you flexibility to add another player at no cost.

Always take advantage of this free space when it’s available. Even if you don’t plan on using the player you pickup immediately, keep them stashed on your bench for as long as possible. Because who knows: maybe they perform well enough that you’d want to hang on to them even after your player on IR is healthy. If that’s the case, surely you could identify another player to cut loose. If it’s not that easy, you’ve got a good problem on your hands.

4. Replace unavailable stars with players in favorable matchups.

There’s some players in fantasy who are what we call “matchup-proof” -- like Christian McCaffrey, Ceedee Lamb and Tyreek Hill -- which means you lock them into your starting lineup every week they’re available, no matter the matchup. Most guys, though, are very matchup-dependent, and the main reason you decide to play one over another is because they’re facing a lighter opponent.

So when one of your stars isn’t available one week because they’re either injured or on bye, replace them with someone in a favorable matchup. Maybe the answer is already sitting on your bench, but always explore the waiver wire to find the best alternatives. Look for that green next to a player's opponent, indicating they have a soft matchup, and compare them against what you already have in house. (Remember that green signals a lighter matchup, yellow a medium, and red a hard.) Always go for the best player with the lightest matchup.

Whether or not you hit on these replacements could be the difference between winning and losing that week. And remember: you won’t be the only one with this problem. That’s why it’s important to scout players and matchups weeks in advance so you beat your opponents to the punch.

Photo courtesy: USATSI

Arizona Cardinals first-round rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a safe bet for a top 10 finish among fantasy wide receivers.

5. Listen to the experts.

Most people in your league are probably just average football fans and aren’t arduously working to develop a winning formula. So if you love football enough and want to gain an edge on your competition, keep up with the latest rankings, analysis and opinions from experts.

To start you off, I would highly recommend listening to ESPN's “Fantasy Focus” podcast -- hosted by Field Yates, Daniel Dopp and Mike Clay, with guest appearances from their colleagues -- and the “Up & Adams” show with FanDuel’s Kay Adams. Those are my go-to’s for fantasy football advice, but there are all kinds of sources out there to help you win your league.

And one more tip . . . have fun! Fantasy football is a thrill to play, and it’s also an amazing avenue for you to bond with family and friends.

To me, the best part about it isn’t winning a championship (and trust me, I love to win); it’s all the fun I have in between of getting to assemble my favorite players, ponder ins-and-outs, engage in some healthy banter and be engaged by teams and players I wouldn’t be otherwise. It’s amazing how fantasy football will grow your love for the game of football, the people you play with and all things NFL.

OK fine, that last bit was kind of cutesy. It’s time to win your league now.