We put so much time into studying players, statistics, advanced metrics, schedules, ADP…and the list goes on. In the age of information, it takes a lot more effort to try and get that edge over your competitors.

This leads to certain more basic elements of the game being overlooked. Today, we’re going to step away from the player analysis for a moment and focus on how you can use the nature of your draft to your advantage.

Whether it’s on Yahoo, ESPN, CBS, MFL, or any other digital platform, they all have the option to draft online using their draft software. I’m in seven leagues this season.

A few are online using Yahoo’s and ESPN’s draft software. A few are offline, where we kick it old school and get everyone into a room to announce picks out loud. A few are hybrids where we use offline draft software to enable those physically present to make their picks out loud and those who cannot attend to follow along and select their players remotely. The same exact league with the same exact owners would very likely play out quite differently based on whether the draft is conducted online or offline.

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Visibility of Players in Online Drafts

This is a key component of online drafting. Your league platform’s draft software has a list of players that are available for everyone to see. You can and should use this to your advantage.

Having the list of rankings in front of people has an effect, whether most people realize it or not. I always have my own set of rankings that I’ve created, but I can’t help but be influenced by what players are most likely to be drafted next.

How to take advantage: You can use the most visible players to your benefit by waiting on the guy you want until he appears on the screen. Knowing your league is important in this regard.

If you’re in a more casual league, you can likely get away with this consistently. In a more competitive league, always consider that others are thinking the same thing and try and target the guys you have ranked above the platform’s rankings before they appear front and center.

Don’t be afraid to jump the gun: One of the pitfalls of the above strategy is becoming too much of a slave to seeing the player names in front of you. Don’t forget about that late round RB you liked who is ranked way down there – below players that no one is even thinking about drafting. Just because a player is not on the screen yet doesn’t mean no one else is thinking about drafting him.

Far too many times have I thought to myself: “This guy is 30 players down, I can wait another round” even though I knew full well the draft was at the point where I can justify taking him. Don’t get burned waiting too long.

Lack of Visibility of Players in Offline Drafts

On the flip side, we have offline drafts, where everyone is reliant on their own rankings. There is no screen showing everyone the best available players.

How to take advantage: Picks can become less obvious since there isn’t a draft screen that includes ADP. Therefore, it can become easier to take a player at value since others may not think to take him before you because his name won’t be flashing in front of their faces. You are also inherently less worried about any perceived backlash from the room regarding when you are taking a player because, after all, there’s no basis for judgment.

Caution: Without any rankings or basis for predicting other managers’ picks, you can get burned by reaches that others don’t realize are reaches without the ranks and ADPs in front of them. This comes into play to a much greater extent in the later rounds. Once everyone’s starting roster spots are filled, people tend to open up a bit, especially in offline drafts.

If you have a player you want, and he’s one of the top players on your board, just take him. Do not wait. You have no real way of knowing what others might do.

Pressure

Online drafts have a clock. The default is typically around 90 seconds (which is entirely too long, but that’s a different issue for a different article). Once you’re on the clock, you must make a pick within that period or the software will make a pick for you.

So in a sense, you have to be even more prepared for online drafts than offline drafts. While offline drafts could implement similar rules, leagues are typically far more lenient. The expiration of the clock will typically be met with “Alright, time’s up, let’s go. We need a pick.” Whereas online, there’s no final demand, you just get a player and probably one you didn’t want.

My offline drafts all have clocks, but to this day (we’re talking 10+ years of offline drafting), no one has ever actually been assigned a player for taking too long. Meanwhile, we’ve all surely seen plenty of auto picks online. Don’t even put yourself in a position to let the pressure get to you.

Know what players you want and start preparing for your upcoming pick before you’re on the clock. My rule of thumb is to have five guys I’m willing to draft when it’s four picks away from me. That way I’m guaranteed to have someone I want still there, and when it finally gets around to my pick, all I’m doing is deciding between a handful of players, rather than the whole board.

Use the Queue

I can’t stress this enough. Use the player queue beginning as early as the third round. It’s so incredibly useful. Aside from being a failsafe in case your internet craps out or you get caught not paying attention, the player queue is a constant reminder of what players you want. In an online draft, this all but assures you won’t forget about someone.

I say to use it early because it’s helpful. In the later rounds, it’s almost essential. Most of us have a bunch of “sleepers” in the last few rounds that we’re willing to take a shot on. It’s difficult to remember them all. Once you’re at the midpoint of your draft, throw all of those names in the queue, so you have them visible and accessible to click on once you’re ready to draft one of them.

In an offline draft, have your own queue substitute. Before your draft, on your rankings sheet, make a list of all your late round targets. Have it separate from the rest of your rankings. Don’t let the lack of helpful online tools diminish your drafting ability! The Manual Draft Assistant available through our Draft Wizard tool can serve up recommended picks for offline drafts.

The draft is the most important event of the fantasy season. Be sure to come prepared and to use every available advantage to your benefit. And, of course, have fun!

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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.