In high-stakes formats, most people are knowledgeable and players will be pushed way above ADP. In some leagues, there will be weak drafters that make puzzling picks. Knowing the competition is important.

Be familiar with the league settings and rules. In some formats, the starting lineup has two running backs, two wide receivers, and one flex, while others have three wide receivers and two flex spots. There are also Superflex leagues with the ability to start a quarterback as your flex. Plus, if you have never tried a guillotine league, it’s highly recommended. The point being—different formats alter the way to build a team.

Have an idea for a plan with quarterbacks and tight ends. If it doesn’t go your way, have a backup plan. We have all been in a draft where a team takes a second quarterback or tight end before you take your first. Don’t panic and have alternatives. 

The draft is one piece of the puzzle and the foundation for the season. The waiver wire is crucial and trades can be made to overcome weaknesses in the draft. Be confident, have fun, and let us assist you in the path to a title.

Cramming for a last-minute draft this weekend? Breathe—we’ve got you covered. Find everything you need to dominate your draft for free in our 2024 Draft Kit.

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Fantasy Football Bounceback Candidates

2. Want to draft rookies? We have just the place.

3. Watercooler: Dominate your ESPN draft in three steps.

Rankings, Projections, Start/Sit & More!

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Bounceback Candidates for 2024: Fantasy Life Staff Picks

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

As I noted in my piece breaking down my favorite season-long WR props, Higgins last year played only 12 games and was hampered with rib and hamstring injuries throughout the campaign. Additionally, QB Joe Burrow struggled with a calf strain in the first month of the season and then missed much of the second half with a wrist injury.

The result for Higgins was a subpar performance marked by career lows in targets (76) and receiving yards (656).

But in his three prior seasons, Higgins was a consistent and productive pass-catcher.

• 2020 (16 games): 108 targets | 908 yards

• 2021 (14 games): 110 targets | 1,091 yards

• 2022 (16 games): 109 targets | 1,029 yards

Given that Burrow and Higgins are both healthy entering the season, we should likely see the Bengals’ offense return to form, and that probably means around 110 targets and 1,000 yards receiving for Higgins with room for upside if teammate WR Ja'Marr Chase decides to sit out some games because of his displeasure with his current contract. – Matthew Freedman

Fantasy Life's 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit is LIVE (and free)! Click here to access all of the content you need to dominate your drafts.

J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

Dobbins' injury history has been brutal.

• 2021: ACL tear, LCL tear, Hamstring tear

• 2023: Achilles tear

While that certainly impacts my confidence in Dobbins, he will only be 25 and was one of the most explosive backs in the league over his first two seasons.

• 10-plus yard attempts: 16% vs. NFL average of 10%

• Missed tackles forced: 20% vs. 16%

• Average yards after contact: 3.3 vs. 2.7

Offseason reports indicate Dobbins looks excellent. If he is even 70% of what he once was, he could smash in fantasy football playing behind an offensive line loaded with first-round NFL talent and a coaching staff committed to running the football. If he is near 100%, look out.

Dobbins is one of my favorite late picks in fantasy, and I prefer him over Gus Edwards. – Dwain McFarland

RELATED CONTENT:

• Jonathan Fuller checks in with some final ADP risers and fallers.

• We know you’ll be looking for the best fantasy football team names this weekend. Let us help.

Want to win $1 million while playing fantasy football?

If you play in a private Yahoo Fantasy league, you can enter for the chance to win big.

Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports are teaming up on a $1 million fantasy football sweepstakes. If you play in a private Yahoo Fantasy Football league, you can enter for a chance to win $1 million. You can earn additional entries if players on your fantasy team score a touchdown in any one of the three Week 1 NFL games on NBC and/or Peacock.

The sweepstakes is one of several new experiences in the newly redesigned Yahoo Fantasy app, which features a bold new look and easy-to-use features to help you have more fun and set a winning lineup, faster.

To sign up for a private Yahoo Fantasy Football league and enter the sweepstakes, click here. See official rules here.

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Satisfy Your Rookie Craving

• By Adam Ronis

The rookie craze continues in 2024. When rookies flash in training camp and preseason, the prices rise. If you have been unable to land players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, or Jayden Daniels in redraft leagues, here’s your chance on FastDraft.

One of the contests featured is the Origins, in which the best ball draft is only rookies at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. There are 10 teams per league with six rounds and a 20-second clock. 

It’s PPR scoring with no positional limits, third-round reversal, and a max entry of 150 with a $25,000 prize pool. The entry is $5.

There is a Turbo Mode that allows you to pre-rank players and mass enter. There are four captain boosters with 2x the max and the four highest scores are selected as the starters for that week.

It helps to get an early pick to get one of the quarterbacks, but if you get one on the back end, there’s a chance to pair Odunze with Brian Thomas, as I did in one of my drafts.

It’s fun drafting players who don’t go in average leagues like Jalen McMillan, Malik Washington, and Brenden Rice. If you don’t play in formats deep enough to take rookies you love, here’s the chance. The best part is most drafts take five minutes.

Plus, all new users that sign up with code LIFE will get a 100% deposit match of up to $100.

The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:

🔥 Everything you need to dominate your ESPN drafts. Come prepared.

👀 Are you drafting Adonai Mitchell? Dwain has thoughts.

🤣 Prank wars between quarterback and head coach. Drew Brees talks about getting Sean Payton.

📈 Jameson Williams gets high school number retired. Has lofty goals for this season.

😬 Who wouldn’t want to play for the Chiefs? Josh Jacobs wasn’t interested.

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