Daily fantasy football leagues are the new rage. They are quick money makers. It’s relatively easy if you know what you are doing and the fun is endless. Making money equals Start’Em. It’s what makes the world keep moving (besides gravity and science).
So how do you do it? How can you possibly select an entire team comprised of elite talent for the given salary cap? Well I’ve been using Fan Duel for a few years now. Pumped they have a new app and if I was able and popular enough, I’d promote it for them. But I’m not so I can just pass on experience, wisdom, and strategies that I have used.
I’m not a high roller. One day, but not today. I usually play in lower buy-in leagues to bolster my budget before really betting. It usually is a good place to start regardless because by the time you inflate your budget, you get a good feel for who is doing what within the given year of the NFL. First, I don’t like beginner leagues. They are a set-up for failure, because the extra $5000 inside the budget just allows your competition to get that extra star and the secret to winning is not really the stars. Everyone knows the prime time guys and it is easy to select them. Just like year long leagues, the sleepers and sneaky plays are what gets you over that hump.
Start by picking a QB. Make sure he has a match up destined for Start’Em. It doesn’t have to be a scrub, but guys like Jay Cutler and Tony Romo consistently fell in the $6000-7000 range. These are the price caps you are looking for. Sometimes you can find guys for even less and injury fill-ins always fall in around $5000-5500 (Josh McCown last year was a prime example). They will typically give you enough points to stay competitive and more than likely only score a few less points than the $8800 you spent on Brees.
*BUDGET = $60,000 – $7000 = $53,000
Next, select WR in the same manner. Every single week there are at least 5-6 guys for $6000 or less. Pick one that has a good matchup or has been hot. Sometimes solid guys in slumps will drop to these levels too. Find that guy when he has a decent match up. Only choose one WR, this is the cheap one. Move on. I’ll get back to it.
*BUDGET = $53,000 – $6000 = $47,000
Pick your TE. Do this the same way. Be a cheap skate. They are the easiest to find for cheap. Even the higher end ones are cheap outside of Jimmy. (Just like season long leagues) If you have been following, then it’s easy to see that you can do this weekly, it is similar to year long results. Take away dolla signs (yes, there is not an ‘r’ in “dolla”, I am hip that way).
*BUDGET = $47,000 – $6000 = $41,200
Now you will have an abundance of extra money. This is where there is a decision to be made. You can select your monster RB or find your destined for Start’Em RB around $7500. These will be guys (last season) like Gio or Chris Johnson or D. Murray.
*BUDGET = $41,000 – $7500 = $33,500
Now, pick another (ELITE) RB or (ELITE) WR. Try to stay around $8000-8500. Examples (LAST YEAR) are guys like Brandon Marshall, D-Train Thomas (DENVER), Shady McCoy. Pick them both.
*BUDGET = $33,500 – $16,500 = $17,000
Now, pick a defense and kicker. Go cheap. Always on kicker. Prater was my go to guy last year and never was higher than $5800. Find a middle of the road defense. Usually around $6000.
*BUDGET $17,000 – $12,000 = $5000.
What? An extra $5000? Go back and play with players around the same level as two other guys you didn’t love but fit the budget. Or Slap an extra $4000 and grab an ELITE QB too. Take the remaining and add it to your defense or get a guy you were a few hundred under budget for earlier. Many times I’ll leave $100-300 on the table. Don’t spend it if you don’t have to. It’s not real money. It’s reference. Stay with the guys you want. Rarely do I ever end up spending every dollar.
There it is. Your guide to daily Start’Em. Follow me on twitter @ShouldIStartEm . Ask me questions there or comment on this. Always remember there is a forum as well. Myself and @ShouldIAddEm would love to answer or converse fake football with you. Thanks and hope this helps you.
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