Drafting BEFORE preseason week 3 games ---vs--- (1 Viewer)

[billyjohnson]

Hey all,

As we all know, week three games of the preseason are when the starters get the most mins, and we can gather the most info about how the regular season might play out. For the first time ever, due to schedule conflicts, my league may be forced to draft before preseason week three.

I know many leagues already do this....but my main league never has...and my concerns are (1) not giving everyone a chance to evaluate their picks via preseason 3 games, and (2) the possibility of postdraft/pre-regular season injuries.

[And for the sake of argument....this league is full of sharks.....so there's really no advantage of drafting early---ie, before the basic cheatsheets catch up with the the sleepers, etc.]

Thanks for your opinion!

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

I prefer drafting after week 3, but a couple of times my league has held the draft earlier (including this season), and I haven't sensed much of a difference.

The big difference is that the "sharks" in the league have a couple extra weeks to monitor preseason games and pick up valuable free agents. The last time we had an early draft I was able to snap up Willie Parker from the FA pool, just before his breakout season.

The disadvantage to an early draft is a devastating injury to a stud during preseason, but that is so rare. The 2 I can recall off the top of my head are Jamal lewis and Mike Vick.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Most of my leagues draft near the end of August. I think it is a good thing in the sense that you likely don't get stuck with a guy who is injured in the preseason and out for a long period of time.

That said, it sucks to have guys you have targeted and watch their ADP's rise and rise and rise as time goes on. Guys that a lot of people have pegged as value picks at this point in time could easily be overrated in 2-3 weeks.

I think I would probably prefer an earlier start time and just take my chances on the injuries.

 

[Keith R]

Level playing field for all. While saying "no difference" is simplistic, it's the most accurate choice.

#1 league is drafting during W3 preseason this year, as usual, as it is the Saturday before Labor Day Weekend.

 

[billyjohnson]

Pretty strong case for after week 3. Thanks for your replies and votes.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

More info >>> less info.

I disagree that the level playing field makes it no difference. I wouldn't assume that everyone processes the same info the same way, or even at all. Those who do will benefit; those who do not are at a bigger disadvantage than they were earlier. Even in a shark-filled, expert league, after that game is still better because there will be fewer variables that occur between draft day and kickoff, meaning less chance for luck to derail a strategy with an untimely injury or whatever.

 

[nysportsfan]

No matter when you draft, the playing field is level, IMO. Our league usually waits until right around the start of the season, but this year it's too early (8/21) because members have can't miss commitments on their end. Makes drafting a bit more risky, but that's for everyone.