Are you a fan of fantasy football? Do you find it frustrating to manually pick players for your ESPN fantasy football team? Well, worry no more! In this article, we will share some valuable tips and strategies on how to auto pick players like a pro using ESPN’s fantasy football platform.
Fantasy football has become increasingly popular over the years, giving fans the opportunity to compete against friends and colleagues in a virtual game setting. It requires careful selection and management of players from various NFL teams to form the ultimate winning lineup. However, with busy schedules and limited time, manually picking players can be a daunting task. This is where ESPN’s auto pick feature comes to the rescue, allowing you to automate your player selection process. By following the methods and techniques we will outline here, you will be able to make the most of this feature and create a strong team that has the potential to dominate your league. So, let’s jump right in and discover how to auto pick ESPN fantasy football like a pro!
Understand Your League Settings
A. Scoring system
Before delving into auto-picking strategies, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of your league’s scoring system. Familiarize yourself with the point values assigned to each statistical category, such as passing yards, touchdowns, receptions, and so on. This knowledge will influence your player rankings and help you prioritize certain positions over others.
B. Roster requirements
Every league has different roster requirements, which typically include a combination of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, defense/special teams, and kickers. Ensure that you are aware of how many players you are required to draft for each position. This information will guide your decision-making process when setting up your auto-pick preferences.
C. Starting lineup positions
In addition to roster requirements, you should also be familiar with the specific starting lineup positions in your league. Some leagues may require one quarterback, while others may have flex spots that allow for additional running backs or wide receivers. Understanding these positions will influence how you prioritize players when setting up your auto-pick preferences.
D. Bench size
Knowing the bench size in your league is essential for planning your draft strategy. A larger bench size means you can afford to take more risks and draft players with higher upside. Conversely, a smaller bench size may require you to prioritize established, reliable players. Make sure to consider the bench size when creating your pre-draft ranking list and setting up your auto-pick preferences.
Understanding your league settings is the first step towards successful auto-picking in ESPN Fantasy Football. By knowing the scoring system, roster requirements, starting lineup positions, and bench size, you can tailor your auto-pick preferences to align with your league’s unique characteristics. This will enhance your chances of drafting a competitive team without being present during the draft.
IResearch and Analyze Player Rankings
A. Review expert opinions
Before utilizing ESPN’s auto-pick feature in fantasy football, it is important to research and analyze player rankings. One way to do this is by reviewing expert opinions. Many websites and analysts provide comprehensive rankings and analysis of players, which can help inform your decision-making process. Take the time to read articles, listen to podcasts, and watch videos from trusted sources to gain insight into which players are highly regarded by experts.
B. Study player statistics and performance
In addition to expert opinions, studying player statistics and performance is essential in making informed auto-picking decisions. Look at a player’s past performance, including their statistics from previous seasons, to gauge their consistency and potential for future success. Consider factors such as touchdowns, yards gained, and their role on their respective teams. Also, take note of any injuries or suspensions that may impact their performance moving forward.
C. Identify sleepers and breakout candidates
When researching player rankings, keep an eye out for sleepers and breakout candidates. Sleepers are players who are often overlooked but have the potential to exceed expectations. Breakout candidates are players who have shown flashes of potential and are expected to have a breakout season. Identifying these players can give you an edge in auto-picking, as you can target them in later rounds when other managers may be focused on more well-known players.
By thoroughly researching and analyzing player rankings, you will have a better understanding of which players to prioritize when it comes time to utilize ESPN’s auto-pick feature. This knowledge will allow you to make well-informed decisions that align with your overall fantasy football strategy. Keep in mind that rankings and opinions can vary, so it’s important to consider multiple sources and make your own judgments based on the information available.
Remember, auto-picking doesn’t mean you have to completely rely on the system without any input. Using the auto-pick feature in conjunction with your researched player rankings will give you the best chance at building a competitive fantasy football team.
RecommendedCreate a Pre-Draft Ranking List
In order to auto-pick like a pro in ESPN Fantasy Football, it is essential to create a pre-draft ranking list. This list will help you organize and prioritize players based on their projected value and suitability for your league settings. By following these steps, you can ensure that your auto-pick selections align with your draft strategy and preferences.
A. Organize players based on their projected value
The first step in creating a pre-draft ranking list is to analyze expert opinions and player statistics to determine each player’s projected value. Consider factors such as past performance, injury history, team situation, and potential upcoming matchups. By evaluating these aspects, you can assign rankings to each player based on their potential contributions to your fantasy team.
B. Prioritize positions according to your league settings
Every fantasy league has different scoring systems and roster requirements, which can greatly impact the value of each position. Take the time to understand your league settings and prioritize positions accordingly in your ranking list. For example, if your league awards more points for quarterbacks, it may be wise to prioritize them over other positions. By tailoring your rankings to match your league’s scoring system, you can ensure that your auto-pick selections align with your preferences.
C. Assign tiers to players for easy decision-making
To further simplify the decision-making process during the draft, assign tiers to the players in your ranking list. Group players with similar projected values into tiers, making it easier to compare players within the same tier. This allows you to have a clear view of the talent available and make quicker decisions when auto-picking. Additionally, having tiers can help you assess positional scarcity and identify when it’s necessary to prioritize a certain position.
By creating a pre-draft ranking list, you are taking control of your auto-pick selections and ensuring that they align with your drafting strategy. This organized approach allows you to efficiently evaluate players based on their projected value and prioritize positions according to your league settings. Additionally, assigning tiers to players can further streamline the decision-making process during the draft. With a well-planned ranking list, you’ll be well on your way to auto-picking like a pro in ESPN Fantasy Football.
The Benefits of Utilizing ESPN’s Auto-Pick Feature in Fantasy Football
A. Locate the auto-pick settings in the ESPN Fantasy Football app or website
To auto-pick like a pro in ESPN Fantasy Football, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the auto-pick settings on the ESPN Fantasy Football app or website. These settings can typically be found in the draft preferences section, where you can customize your auto-pick strategy.
B. Specify your draft preferences, such as positional needs and risk tolerance
Once you’ve located the auto-pick settings, it’s important to specify your draft preferences. This includes identifying your positional needs and determining your risk tolerance. By specifying these preferences, you can ensure that the auto-pick feature selects players that align with your overall strategy.
C. Set up player exclusions or inclusion lists
Another important feature of ESPN’s auto-pick is the ability to set up player exclusions or inclusion lists. If there are specific players that you want to avoid or target, you can add them to the appropriate list. This allows you to have even more control over the players selected by the auto-pick feature.
Utilizing ESPN’s auto-pick feature in fantasy football can provide several benefits. Firstly, it saves you time and effort during the draft process. With auto-pick enabled, you don’t have to manually select players for each pick, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your fantasy football preparation.
Additionally, auto-pick helps to maintain consistency and objectivity in your drafting strategy. It eliminates the possibility of making emotional or impulsive decisions based on the pressure of the draft. The auto-pick feature follows your predetermined draft preferences, ensuring that your team is built according to your strategy.
Moreover, auto-picking can be especially useful for beginners or those who are unable to participate in the live draft. It ensures that your team is still competently drafted even if you cannot be present during the draft. Auto-pick uses real-time rankings and analysis to make informed decisions based on your preferences.
However, it’s important to note that auto-pick should not be solely relied upon. It is still crucial to understand your league settings, research player rankings, and analyze draft trends. Auto-pick should be seen as a tool to assist you in the drafting process, but it does not replace the need for strategic thinking and preparation.
By utilizing ESPN’s auto-pick feature effectively, you can streamline your drafting process, ensure consistency in your team selections, and save time and effort. It is a valuable tool that can be used alongside your own knowledge and strategy to enhance your overall fantasy football experience.
Apply a Balanced Approach
A. Mix high-floor and high-upside players
When using auto-pick in ESPN Fantasy Football, it is important to create a balanced team by selecting a mix of high-floor and high-upside players. High-floor players are consistent performers who are more likely to provide a steady stream of points each week. On the other hand, high-upside players have the potential for explosive performances and can greatly contribute to your team’s success. By combining both types of players, you can mitigate the risks of relying solely on boom-or-bust options. Auto-pick can help you achieve this balance by selecting a combination of reliable and potentially game-changing players.
B. Balance positional scarcity and depth
Another key aspect of a balanced approach is considering positional scarcity and depth. Some positions, such as running back, may have a limited number of reliable options, while others, like wide receiver, tend to have more depth. Understanding your league settings, as discussed in Section II, will help you prioritize positions accordingly. Auto-pick can be customized to prioritize scarce positions early in the draft, ensuring that you secure valuable assets before they become scarce. Later rounds can be used to address positions with more depth, where auto-pick can still help you identify value-based players.
C. Consider diversifying team assets
Diversifying your team assets is also crucial for a balanced approach. In fantasy football, relying too heavily on players from the same team can be risky, as a poor performance or injury to a key player can significantly impact your team’s success. Auto-pick can aid in diversification by allowing you to set preferences to avoid selecting multiple players from the same team. This way, you can minimize risk and ensure that your team has a healthy mix of talent from various NFL teams.
By applying a balanced approach with auto-pick, you can construct a team that has a solid foundation of reliable performers while also having the potential for big-play contributors. It allows you to navigate the draft efficiently while still maintaining control over the players you want to target.
As the drafting process progresses, auto-pick becomes an invaluable tool in implementing your strategy while accounting for the dynamic nature of the draft. The next section will delve into additional draft strategies that can maximize the potential of auto-pick and further enhance your chances of building a championship-worthy team.
Implement Draft Strategies
A. Target position runs
When using the auto-pick feature in ESPN Fantasy Football, it’s important to implement draft strategies that can give you an edge over your opponents. One effective strategy is to target position runs during the draft. A position run occurs when multiple players from the same position are selected consecutively by various teams. By identifying position runs and adjusting your auto-pick preferences accordingly, you can ensure that you are not left behind in terms of talent at a certain position.
For example, if you notice that several teams are selecting running backs in quick succession, it may be advantageous for you to prioritize drafting a running back as well. This strategy helps you secure top-tier players at positions that may become scarce as the draft progresses.
B. Draft value-based players
Another important draft strategy is to prioritize drafting value-based players. Value-based drafting involves selecting players who have a higher projected value compared to their average draft position (ADP). With the auto-pick feature, you can set your preferences to prioritize players who are undervalued based on expert rankings and projections.
Identifying value-based players requires thorough research and analysis, so make sure to prioritize this step in your draft preparation. By consistently drafting undervalued players, you can build a strong and balanced team that exceeds expectations.
C. Take advantage of depth positions in the later rounds
In the later rounds of the draft, when the top-tier players have typically been selected, it’s important to take advantage of depth positions. These positions refer to positions with a larger pool of viable players available. This strategy allows you to fill out your roster with quality players who may have been overlooked earlier in the draft.
For example, positions like wide receiver and tight end often have a deep pool of talent available. By targeting these positions in the later rounds, you can bolster your roster with additional potential contributors.
D. Be mindful of bye weeks
When using the auto-pick feature, it’s crucial to be mindful of bye weeks. Bye weeks are the weeks during the NFL regular season when a team does not play a game. If multiple players on your roster have the same bye week, you will be at a disadvantage during that week, as you will need to fill those positions with bench players or make waiver wire pickups.
To avoid this issue, make sure to set your auto-pick preferences to prioritize players with different bye weeks. This way, you can ensure a more balanced roster throughout the season.
By implementing these draft strategies with the auto-pick feature in ESPN Fantasy Football, you can optimize your team’s composition and increase your chances of success in your fantasy league. Remember to stay flexible and adapt to the draft trends, as well as to regularly update your pre-draft rankings to stay competitive.
Monitor Draft Trends
A. Note positional runs during the draft
During your fantasy football draft, it’s important to pay close attention to the trends and runs happening with different positions. A positional run occurs when several players from a specific position are drafted in quick succession. By monitoring these runs, you can gain valuable insights into the strategies and preferences of other fantasy managers in your league.
Keep track of when runs on specific positions occur, as this can help you anticipate when certain players might be selected. For example, if there is a run on wide receivers early in the draft, you might want to consider prioritizing a different position to ensure you don’t miss out on top-tier players there.
B. Identify the needs of other fantasy managers
Understanding the needs of other fantasy managers can give you an advantage when it comes to auto-picking. Pay attention to the positions that other teams are lacking in or targeting heavily. This information can help you adjust your auto-pick preferences accordingly and ensure that you secure the players you want.
For example, if multiple teams in your league are in need of quarterbacks, you may want to prioritize that position in your auto-pick settings. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of landing a top-tier quarterback who can provide consistent points throughout the season.
C. Adjust your auto-pick preferences accordingly
Based on the draft trends and the needs of other fantasy managers, it’s crucial to make appropriate adjustments to your auto-pick preferences. ESPN’s Fantasy Football app or website allows you to modify your auto-pick settings to align with these observations.
If certain positions are experiencing high demand, consider adjusting your positional needs in the auto-pick settings to take advantage of the available talent. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the draft as it unfolds and maximize the value of your auto-picked team.
By closely monitoring draft trends, identifying the needs of other fantasy managers, and adjusting your auto-pick preferences accordingly, you can optimize your drafting strategy and increase the probability of building a competitive team. Remember to utilize the information gathered during the draft to inform your auto-pick decisions and make the most of this automated feature offered by ESPN Fantasy Football.
Regularly Update and Customize Your Pre-Draft Rankings
A. Stay up-to-date with player news and injuries
When utilizing the auto-pick feature in ESPN Fantasy Football, it is crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest player news and injuries. As preseason games and training camps progress, player situations and performances can change drastically. By regularly monitoring player updates, you can make informed decisions about adjusting your rankings.
Injuries, especially, can have a significant impact on a player’s value and availability for the upcoming season. Keep track of any players who may be dealing with injuries or recovering from surgeries. It is essential to adjust your rankings accordingly to avoid inadvertently drafting an injured player.
B. Adjust rankings based on preseason performances and training camp reports
Preseason performances and training camp reports provide valuable insights into player performances and potential roles within their respective teams. Pay attention to preseason games and analyze player statistics and performances to assess their form and readiness for the regular season.
Additionally, reports from training camps can indicate players who are standing out, earning starting positions, or demonstrating exceptional skills. These reports offer valuable information that can be used to adjust your pre-draft rankings.
C. Create multiple ranking lists for different leagues (if applicable)
If you participate in multiple fantasy football leagues, it is advisable to create separate ranking lists for each league. Leagues can have different scoring systems, roster requirements, and starting lineup positions. By customizing your rankings for each league, you can ensure that your auto-pick selections align with the specific settings of each league.
Consider the unique factors of each league, such as the number of teams, the level of competition, and the draft position. These variables can greatly impact your auto-pick strategy and the players you prioritize in each league.
Regularly updating and customizing your pre-draft rankings will enable you to maximize your auto-pick selections and increase your chances of building strong fantasy football teams across different leagues.
Overall, keeping your pre-draft rankings up-to-date, adjusting them based on preseason performances and training camp reports, and creating multiple lists for different leagues will enhance the accuracy of your auto-pick selections and help you build competitive teams.
Test and Evaluate Auto-Pick Strategies
A. Participate in mock drafts to analyze your auto-pick results
Participating in mock drafts is an essential step in testing and evaluating your auto-pick strategies. Mock drafts allow you to simulate a real draft scenario without the pressure of making permanent decisions. By leveraging ESPN’s mock drafting feature, you can analyze the outcomes of your auto-picks and identify areas for improvement.
During mock drafts, pay attention to the players your auto-pick strategy selects in various rounds. Assess whether the picks align with your pre-draft ranking list and if they meet your positional needs. Keep track of any patterns or trends that arise from your auto-picks.
B. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different strategies
Once you have participated in multiple mock drafts, it’s essential to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different auto-pick strategies you have employed. Evaluate the performance of each strategy and determine which ones yield more favorable results.
Consider the impact of different draft strategies on the overall balance and depth of your team. Assess whether certain strategies help you secure value-based players or exploit positional runs. Identify any weaknesses or areas of improvement that arise from your analysis.
C. Make adjustments based on the outcomes
Based on your analysis of the mock drafts and the strengths and weaknesses you have identified, it’s crucial to make adjustments to your auto-pick strategy. Use the insights gained to refine your pre-draft ranking list, prioritize specific positions, and set up more precise parameters for the auto-pick feature.
Make note of any specific variables or scenarios during mock drafts that negatively impacted your auto-pick outcomes. Adjust the auto-pick settings accordingly to mitigate those weaknesses and enhance the performance of your strategy.
Continuously reassess and refine your auto-pick strategy as you gather more data from mock drafts. This iterative approach will help you fine-tune your strategy and improve your drafting outcomes.
By testing, evaluating, and making adjustments to your auto-pick strategies, you can increase the chances of success in your fantasy football drafts. Remember to modify your approach based on the specific league settings and always prioritize the picks that align with your research and analysis.
Use the “Queue” Feature to Optimize Auto-Picking
A. Create a priority queue of players you want to target
When utilizing ESPN’s auto-pick feature, it’s essential to create a priority queue of players you want to target. The queue allows you to specify certain players you prioritize over others, ensuring they are selected by the auto-pick system if available when your turn comes up. To create a queue, simply navigate to the draft app or website and locate the “Queue” section.
Start by researching and analyzing player rankings, as discussed in Section IIdentify the players you believe would be the best fit for your team and add them to your queue. This queue will act as a safety net, ensuring that even if your top-ranked player is not available when your turn arrives, ESPN will select the next highest-ranked player in your queue.
B. Add players to the queue during the draft based on your preferences
While the initial queue acts as a foundation, it’s important to stay actively involved during the draft and adjust your queue based on player availability and your evolving preferences. As the draft progresses, you may notice certain players being drafted earlier or later than expected. Based on these observations, you can add or remove players from your queue accordingly.
For example, if you notice a run on running backs and there is a scarcity at the position, you can prioritize adding running backs to your queue to ensure you secure a viable option. On the other hand, if you notice that a specific position has been overlooked by other fantasy managers, you might want to add players from that position to your queue to take advantage of the depth available.
C. Improve control over which players are selected by auto-pick
By utilizing the queue feature, you gain more control over which players are selected by the auto-pick system. The queue acts as a tool to guide ESPN’s selection process and ensure that players you heavily favor are acquired for your team. This feature becomes especially useful in leagues where the auto-pick system is highly relied upon.
Adding players to your queue strategically can also help you in situations where certain players might have slipped in rankings due to recent injuries or under-the-radar news. By having them queued up, you can ensure that you capitalize on their potential value.
In conclusion, the queue feature is a powerful tool that enables you to optimize auto-picking in ESPN fantasy football. By creating a priority list of players, adjusting it during the draft, and improving control over player selection, you increase your chances of building a strong team. Incorporating this strategy into your auto-picking approach will enhance your overall drafting experience and set you up for success in the upcoming season.
Leverage Projections and NFL Depth Charts
A. Reference accurate player projections for upcoming season
When utilizing the auto-pick feature in ESPN Fantasy Football, it is crucial to leverage accurate player projections for the upcoming season. These projections are typically provided by experts and are based on various factors such as past performance, team changes, and injury history. By referencing these projections, you can gain valuable insight into the expected performance and statistical output of each player.
To access player projections, you can rely on ESPN’s platform or consult other reputable fantasy football websites and analysts. It is important to consider multiple sources to get a well-rounded view of a player’s projected performance. By incorporating this information into your pre-draft rankings, you can ensure that you are targeting players with the highest potential value.
B. Analyze NFL depth charts to identify potential sleeper picks
In fantasy football, sleeper picks can often make or break a team’s success. These are players who are undervalued or overlooked but have the potential to exceed expectations and provide significant fantasy production. One effective way to identify sleeper picks is by analyzing NFL depth charts.
Depth charts provide valuable information on a team’s pecking order at each position. By identifying players who may have the opportunity to move up the depth chart due to injuries, trades, or strong performances in training camp, you can uncover hidden gems for your fantasy team.
By leveraging NFL depth charts, you can target players who may not be on the radar of your league mates but have the potential for increased playing time and production. These players can often be found in the later rounds of the draft or even on the waiver wire. Incorporating these potential sleepers into your auto-pick strategy can give your team a significant advantage.
C. Factor in playing time and potential opportunities for each player
When utilizing the auto-pick feature, it is crucial to factor in playing time and potential opportunities for each player. While a player may have a high projected fantasy value, if they are buried on the depth chart or have limited playing time, their value may be diminished.
Analyzing a player’s potential opportunities involves considering their role within their respective team’s offensive or defensive schemes, as well as any potential changes to their usage based on offseason transactions. By accounting for playing time and potential opportunities, you can ensure that the auto-pick feature selects players who have a higher likelihood of contributing to your fantasy team’s success.
By leveraging accurate player projections, analyzing NFL depth charts, and factoring in playing time and potential opportunities, you can optimize your auto-pick strategy in ESPN Fantasy Football. These steps will help you identify valuable players who may be overlooked by other managers and increase your chances of fielding a competitive and successful fantasy football team.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored various strategies and techniques to help you auto-pick like a pro in ESPN Fantasy Football. By following these tips, you can optimize your drafting process and increase your chances of building a successful team.
Throughout the article, we discussed the importance of understanding your league settings, researching player rankings, and creating a pre-draft ranking list. We also highlighted the utilization of ESPN’s auto-pick feature and the benefits of applying a balanced approach.
Moreover, we delved into different draft strategies, such as targeting position runs, drafting value-based players, and taking advantage of depth positions in the later rounds. We also emphasized the significance of monitoring draft trends and regularly updating and customizing your pre-draft rankings.
To further enhance your auto-picking skills, we suggested testing and evaluating different strategies through mock drafts. We also introduced the “Queue” feature, which allows you to optimize auto-picking by creating a priority list of players.
Additionally, we discussed the importance of leveraging projections and NFL depth charts to identify sleeper picks and make informed decisions. We also encouraged adaptive strategies based on real-time updates and draft analysis, as well as the use of ESPN’s “autopilot” feature for manual control during the draft.
In conclusion, automating the drafting process in fantasy football can provide numerous benefits, such as saving time and ensuring consistency in player selection. By implementing the strategies discussed in this article, you can maximize your chances of success in ESPN Fantasy Football.
We encourage you to put these auto-picking strategies into practice and experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you. Remember to stay updated with player news, adjust your rankings as needed, and continuously evaluate and refine your auto-pick strategies.
Happy drafting, and may your auto-picked team dominate your ESPN Fantasy Football league!