The lowdown on Fantasy Football 2015-16

The+lowdown+on+Fantasy+Football+2015-16

Max Manning, Contributing Writer

Seahawks at Redskins 10/6/14
Seahawks at Redskins 10/6/14

446px-Aaron_Rodgers_2008

Most call it fantasy football, but to others it’s not a fantasy at all. Fantasy football is a game in which participants draft or select real life players to add to their virtual teams in which they use to compete against their friends and sometimes complete strangers. During these drafts players choose their teams based on their projections for the year to come, or sometimes just a feeling in their gut about the player. Each week players gain points for their teams based on how they perform in real life, or sometimes lose points for poor performances. You can play fantasy football for free on lots of different websites such as ESPN, NFL, Draft Kings, Fleaflicker, just to name a few.

One of the fun parts of fantasy football is the the ability to draft player. Players can join mock drafts, which are “practice drafts.” So that when the real draft comes around they can be prepared, and maybe even have a game plan in mind. When friends are playing in a league together, they often get together for draft parties.

One of the most unique parts to fantasy football are the features for team customization. Having a team name is what separates your team from the others around the league. Players can try to create a funny team name, a serious name, or even a pun about what is going on in life.

Just ask Mr. Hoonhout, 8th grade English teacher, who’s fantasy name is, “Kings of Swing” When asked why he chose this name he said, “I don’t really know why; it was just an old saying we used in high school.” Another way to make your team stand out from all the rest is to download an image for your teams logo, or choose one of the 32 NFL teams to represent your team.

Now that you know the fundamentals, time to join up you diehards, below is a pre-season analysis of the Do’s and Don’ts.

The Fantasy Do’s and Don’ts of 2015-16

Who to Draft:

  1. Jamaal Charles (RB, Kansas City Chiefs) Coming back from his third consecutive Pro Bowl season, Charles is projected to do big things this year. He is a proven star in this league, and is almost a guarantee to score big points this season for your team. So be on the lookout for Jamaal Charles this season.
  1. Aaron Rodgers (QB, Green Bay Packers) Rodgers threw for 4,381 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and he won the NFL Most Valuable Player award last season. The loss of star wide receiver Jordy Nelson will certainly affect him to some extent, but don’t expect whoever will stand in for Nelson to harm Rodgers’ fantasy numbers at all. The truth is that Rodgers is one of, if not the best players in the league, and can make any wide receiver look good. I expect Rodgers to do equally as good, if not better than last season.
  1. Le’Veon Bell (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) Bell had a breakout season in 2014-15 season, making him number one player on many people’s fantasy predictions lists. His 2 game suspension is the only reason that he is not number one on my list. I wouldn’t want to draft a player with the first pick who won’t be playing the first 2 games. Even though he will miss the first 2 games, Bell will still put up big numbers this season.
  1. Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota Vikings) Peterson was suspended for the entire 2014-15 season, which isn’t an easy thing to come back from. Although he missed last year, Peterson will still put up big numbers this season, because after all he is still Adrian Peterson.
  1. Marshawn Lynch (RB, Seattle Seahawks) Last year the Seattle Seahawks had their second straight Super Bowl appearance, and Lynch played a huge part in the team surviving that long both years. Expect the Seahawks and Lynch to do big things again this year.
  1. Antonio Brown (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers) Last season, Brown was elected to his third Pro Bowl in five seasons and led the NFL in receptions, yardage, and was tied for second in touchdowns. He is the main target for Ben Roethlisberger, and will have a huge 2015-16 campaign
  2.  Other big names to keep an eye out for:

Rob Gronkowski (TE), Eddie Lacy (RB), Russell Wilson (QB), Jimmy Graham (TE), Demaryius Thomas (WR), Matt Forte (RB)

Who Not to Draft:

1. Nick Foles (QB, St. Louis Rams) He now plays for the St. Louis Rams, a team that has no real stars at wide receiver. Besides that, St. Louis is a fantasy football wasteland for any quarterback. Just ask Sam Bradford.

2. Andrew Luck (QB, Indianapolis Colts) He has accomplished lots in his first four seasons as a professional player, more than some will accomplish in their entire career, including three Pro Bowl selections. This year, his luck won’t be very good, and he will have a less than stellar season.

3. DeMarco Murray (RB, Philadelphia Eagles) After leaving Dallas, who had the best offensive line in the league, and going to Philadelphia where there is a considerably less effective offensive line, expect his numbers to drop from the amazing 2014-15 season he had.

4. Steve Smith Sr. (WR, Baltimore Ravens) This is Smith’s final year in the NFL, and it wouldn’t be very smart to bet against the hypothetical “Father Time.” Add that to his reputation to have a bad temper, with one ejection already this preseason, that can translate to a few penalties which negatively affect his point total.

5. Sammy Watkins: (WR, Buffalo Bills) Buffalo is dealing with some major quarterback problems right now. In Watkins’ case, you could be the most talented wide receiver in the world but if there is no one to get you the ball then there is a problem there.