For the purpose of this discussion please refer to the Yahoo Standard Roster limits, assuming 1 starting QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Defense, 1 Kicker and 7 available bench spots. Standard scoring also applies meaning 1 point for every 25 yards passing and 10 yards rushing/receiving, 4 points for passing TDs, 6 points for rushing/receiving TDs, -2 points for interceptions and fumbles, 2 points for 2 point conversions, and 6 points for special teams TDs for both the defense and the player.Quarterbacks: Your starting quarterback is perhaps the best place in the draft to wait for a sleeper. While, yes, the top quarterbacks outscore players at every other position, with the exception of a truly astronomical year (i.e. Chris Johnson in 2009, though Aaron Rodgers was still the top fantasy scorer), there are still a relatively large number of quarterbacks who can put up valuable numbers on any given week. Instead of reaching for one of the top guys in the first 2 rounds, consider playing a quarterback by committee approach, grabbing two potentially breakout guys in round 6 or later. QB results are very susceptible to matchups and having two viable, interchangeable candidates will help to play to this advantage.Runningbacks: Ideally your RB1 will be a workhorse type of guy, even if you can’t get Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson, players who still get 20 carries should be among the first off the board. Michael Turner, Frank Gore, Cedric Benson, even guys who weren’t necessarily commodities to start the season like Arian Foster, should be valued at the highest level. Always have at least 3 RBs on your roster, while as many as 6 is acceptable. With your RB2 and RB3 try to grab guys with the potential for a breakout year, hopefully between the two of them one will pan out and one will be serviceable enough (perhaps a goal line guy) for bye week spot duty. Fill out the remaining RB slots with handcuffs for your RB1 and RB2, potentially even RB3 if it’s a time share. Wide Receivers: RBs and WRs should constitute the first 5 rounds of your draft, no matter what order. These skill positions are the toughest to attain top talent at and the most crucial towards driving the success of your team. Ideally, after 5 rounds you can fill out both starting RB positions and the 3 WR positions, then using your bench space, fill out sleepers who could turn into viable injury replacements or potential trade assets a few weeks down the road. The order between RB and WRs should depend on how your draft is going, though we recommend trying to grab 1 of each in the first 2 rounds, as elite talents at both positions will be off the board by round 3. Try to read how the draft is going and pick against the grain, if WRs are jumping up to round 1 take the best RB, if RBs are then going in round 2 take the best WR.Tight End: Tight ends are acceptable picks as early as round 6 on rare occasions. If a TE who producer receiver-eque numbers, i.e. an Antonio Gates or Vernon Davis is available such a move is justified. Balance your need for a Tight End against that for a Quarterback as these two positions should be picked in succession. We would hedge towards QB ahead of TE in the pecking order, but again, each draft will be different.Defense/Kicker: Don’t get cute. These should be the last 2 selections in your draft, in either order. Even kickers on good teams are subject to extra points instead of field goals, making it tough to tell who will put up the most points. As far as defenses go, are you assuming their won’t be 12 reasonably competent teams in the NFL this year? There are plenty to go around. Worst case scenario you can always take a flier on a team with a good return man or pick up a waiver wire D each week with the best matchup. Like QBs matchups can make or break Defenses. If in doubt just look at the Week 1 schedule and see who is playing the worse team, then move on to a new Week 2 Defense.Bench: Have no fear in keeping a roster spot or two that’s constantly in transition. Having a set in stone roster is more of a liability in fantasy sports than anything else. This spot will allow you to pick up a spare TE/QB/D throughout the season so you don’t have to cut a player that has been performing well for you thus far in the year. The rest of your bench should be comprised of a backup/part-time QB, at least a 3rd serviceable running back, plus 2 handcuffs and 2 wide receivers who might receive a reasonable amount of targets, with convenient bye weeks. So in summary your in-season bench should look something like this7 Spots

  • 1 QB2
  • 1 RB3
  • 1 Handcuff RB
  • 1 Handcuff RB
  • 1 WR4
  • 1 WR5
  • 1 Transitional Rotation (D/TE/K)