Fantasy football: 5 winning strategies to ace your draft for 2018

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Eagles defeated the Patriots 41-33. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Understand the Fantasy Football Market

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

This sounds a bit cliché, but it’s oh-so true.

Just like the actual NFL Draft, fantasy football drafts are market driven. There are up years and down years, and 2018 will be no different.

This season, tight ends are on a thin market. Only three — Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz — have an average draft position (ADP) in Round 4 or higher in 2018. These guys are going to be major point-getters this season but will negate your ability to use, let’s say, a third-round pick on a top wide receiver or running back.

But as fantasy drafts go, there will inevitably be a mid-round run on tight ends once the big names are gone. And especially as your competition has filled out WR1, WR2, RB1 and RB2 slots, or any combination thereof.

You can avoid the panic by determining the market value.

Washington’s Jordan Reed (8.04 ADP) should flourish with quarterback Alex Smith under center. And Reed is projected to go a full round later than the Tennessee Titans’ Delanie Walker.

Both are safe picks and are quality starting TEs in a standard format. But Reed provides the better value.