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Fantasy football: 5 winning strategies to command your league

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on January 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on January 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown with Willie Snead #83 during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown with Willie Snead #83 during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Draft for the Offense, not the Player

This was one of my favorite fantasy football draft strategies Niner Noise fantasy analyst JD Leidy posted up a year ago.

If you’re struggling in the later rounds to find the right player, think of his team’s overall offense first and foremost.

In case you’re wondering — you should be — here’s the NFL’s latest rankings of the top-10 offenses entering 2017:

  1. New England Patriots
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers
  3. Atlanta Falcons
  4. Oakland Raiders
  5. Dallas Cowboys
  6. New Orleans Saints
  7. Green Bay Packers
  8. Los Angeles Chargers
  9. Tennessee Titans
  10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I might remove the Chargers from that list, especially with rookie wideout Mike Williams (back) potentially on the shelf.

But let’s take another example.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas of the Saints figures to be the guy after New Orleans traded off fellow wideout Brandin Cooks to the Patriots. With a consensus average draft position (ADP) of 15, per Fantasy Pros, Thomas is a better bet than Packers wideout Jordy Nelson, even though Nelson’s ADP is 13.

Why? The Saints should have a better offense, based off the NFL rankings.

As the draft gets deeper, target someone like Titans wideout Corey Davis — ADP of 103 — instead of someone like New York Giants wideout Brandon Marshall — ADP of 76. Tennessee’s offense should be more prolific, based off these rankings, saving you the agony of reaching.

Next: Fantasy football: 10 league-winning strategies on draft day

Remember, you want value above all else. It’s how fantasy football is won.