Embrace the Weakness: Why It’s Okay if Your Draft Leaves You Exposed
Every draft "strategy" has a weakness
No matter how many mock drafts you run or how you plan, every draft strategy leaves you vulnerable somewhere. But that’s not only normal… it’s completely okay. In fact, understanding and leaning into this reality might just be your fantasy football superpower.
Every Approach Has Its Pitfalls
Let’s get real. Whether you go running back (RB) heavy, wide receiver (WR) heavy, or opt for balanced value, you’re choosing a path with strengths and vulnerabilities:
Wait on RBs? You might crush it at quarterback, receiver, and tight end, but you’ll be gambling that your late-round RB picks offer enough weekly volume and upside. If you don’t hit on at least one surprise top-15 RB, you could be playing catch-up.
Wait on WRs? That’s risky, too. The window to grab elite receivers is slim. Outside the top 35, few turn into league winners. You’ll need to identify undervalued names (think: Pittman, Kupp, breakout candidates) and hope one pops.
Wait on TEs? Sure, you might stock up elsewhere, but then you face the dreaded weekly tight end pickup game. To hang with teams getting 15+ points from tight ends, you’ll need to find a gem like Jonnu Smith, Trey McBride, or Sam LaPorta from previous years.
Address Every Starter? Ironically, if you fill every starter spot with ‘safe’ options, your bench will lack firepower and flexibility, leaving you exposed over the long grind of a season filled with byes and injuries.
Why That’s Completely Fine
The beauty of fantasy football is that everyone is exposed somewhere—including your competitors. The trick is knowing where your weaknesses are and strategically building your bench and waiver approach around them.
“It’s okay to miss on like an RB2 and have a guy that’s really only a 10, 12 point scorer. Just make sure you got options on your bench that could outproduce set.”
It’s not about building a flawless lineup; it’s about giving yourself options—especially on your bench. If you hold the right lottery tickets or waiver priority, you can survive thin spots and seize breakout performances as the season evolves.
Trust the Process—And Be Flexible
Don't waste time stressing that you don't have elite talent at every position. Instead, focus on:
Stocking Your Bench With Upside: Especially in spots where you’re weak, invest in high-upside depth that could break out or cover you during byes.
Staying Active: Stay attentive to waivers and trends, especially for positions you faded on draft day. Emerging tight ends, RBs in new roles, or rookie receivers can change your season.
Understanding Your Roster’s Landscape: If you know you’re playing the streaming game at TE or chasing upside at RB, adapt your trade and waiver strategy accordingly.
Bottom Line
Don’t chase perfection… it doesn’t exist in fantasy football. Embrace the weaknesses your draft strategy creates. If you acknowledge them early, set realistic expectations, and play the waiver wire with purpose, you’ll position yourself to weather the season’s storms and outmaneuver less flexible managers.
Remember: it’s less about what you start with, and more about how you manage what you’ve got.
So this season, let them think you are“weak” at a position. It’s the managers who adapt and stay active who end up strongest.