Improving your Position

The end of Week 7 was the official beginning of the 2nd half of the Fantasy Football season.  When you looked at the updated standings on Tuesday morning, how did you feel about your current position?  Those of us at 7-0, 6-1, or 5-2 are probably feeling pretty confident that we can maintain, make the playoffs, & challenge for a league championship.  If you're sitting at 4-3 or 3-4, you're obviously smack dab in the middle of the pack, wondering what might have been if you had made 1 or 2 different roster moves or if you had pulled the trigger on a trade that seemed silly back in Week 2.  If you're at 2-5, 1-6 or 0-7, desperation is now starting to settle in.  Those of us in these deep holes are looking for any way to pull ourselves out of the depths of Fantasy Football shame and at least find a way to end the season on a high note OR claw your way back into contention.  Here is your "Rest of the Season" strategy guide for your current position in your league:

7-0, 6-1 or 5-2

In 3 of my leagues, each of these Win/Loss totals represents the current record of the team in first place, and also happen to be my Win/Loss records.  I won't spend alot of time talking about the league I'm 7-0 in, as it is a gimmick league with a small amount of managers, wacky scoring, and loaded rosters with a deep free agent pool.  In the league where I am 6-1, I am not only sitting in 1st by myself, but I also lead the league in points scored and winning margin, which are the top two tie-breakers.  I have a showdown with the team in 2nd place this week, who trails me by 1 game and 38 points.  My major bye week (Week 7) has passed and my roster is fully loaded for the stretch run.  In the league where I am 5-2, I am tied for 1st, trailing by just over 20 points with a 1 game, 14 point cushion over 3rd place.  I play the team in last place this week who loses 3 RBs this week (2 to bye, 1 to injury).  These scenarios likely represent where you stand in your league if you hold one of these win/loss records.  The only advice I can give to you is this: Stay the course.  You've obviously traded shrewdly, hit the Waiver Wire hard and had a little bit of luck to get to this point.  Don't get desperate for a deal that doesn't need to be made.  Address your weaknesses now by shedding depth in exchange for studs.  Come playoff time, you want to have your roster decisions at a bare minimum and the best way to do that is to shed off players who are simply backups on your roster to a team that needs depth to push themselves into playoff position.  We're deep enough into the season where it is entirely possible that you have 2 every week starters at QB, 4 or more startable WRs and a crop of RBs that have all passed their bye week.  If you are in need of a long term solution at TE or you feel like 1 additional stud would make your roster complete, trade 2 players for that stud.  Remember this though...you're in the position of power.  Your spot in the playoffs is more secure than those teams trailing you in the standings and you don't have to seek out a deal.  Let deals come to you.  You can still afford to sell high and buy low.  Take calculated risks that don't affect the overall balance of your team.

4-3 or 3-4

Depending on your league's playoff format, players with these records are likely on the fringe of being out of the playoffs.  You not only need to monitor wins and losses very closely, but you also need to score consistent point totals to hold on to your spot.  Owners who currently sit with one of these records should be looking at their rosters and identifying the weaknesses.  They exist.  In one of my leagues, 4-3 is the record of the team currently in 3rd place who has lost 3 straight to fall from 1st.  They are suffering through bye weeks because while their full strength starting lineup is incredibly strong, they lack depth to replace key players on bye.  In this position, I would be looking to see how many STARTING QUALITY players I could get back for my stud player.  In this specific example, that player is Ray Rice.  Nobody wants to be in a position where they are looking to sell Ray Rice when they are right in the middle of the playoff hunt, I get that.  But if depth is your issue and you are hitting the wire every week for a flex starter, getting 2 starting RBs for Ray Rice is a great move for your team, especially when half of the league has already had their bye week.  If you could move Ray Rice and get back a Reggie Bush and Fred Jackson, who individually are steps behind Rice but together solve an overall depth issue, that would be a prudent move.  You have to manage your team week to week with an eye focused on the upcoming weeks.  4-3 or 3-4 teams should be active traders at this time and they have the most flexibility in who they want to trade with.  Teams at the top of the standings are less likely to trade with those hanging around them, as nobody wants to help their closest competitor improve.  When you sit in the middle of the pack, you are trying to make 1 for 2's with the teams ahead of you and even strength (1 for 1, 2 for 2) moves with those in the same position while still having the standings power to acquire a stud from the teams below you in the standings in a 2 for 1 move.  Remember, the more top-tier players you can accumulate, the more starting quality players you can receive back in return.  Be aggressive and shake up your roster.  The Waiver Wire is no longer your friend.

2-5, 1-6 or 0-7

If you sit at 0-7, I'm sorry, you're likely out of it.  6-7 or 7-7 (depending on what week your league's playoffs start) is usually not going to be good enough to make the playoffs, and having to jump over half of your league to get into the playoffs is an unlikely scenario.  Do those ahead of you a favor and maintain the integrity of your league by not having a firesale.  Don't skew the results of the season just because you've had some bad luck.  Trade fairly, continue to update your starting roster and stay active with your team.  Trading Arian Foster or LeSean McCoy for 3 Waiver Wire type players is a move that screws over those who have worked hard to get themselves into position to win.

If you sit at 2-5 or 1-6, you still have a shot.  Here's how:

1) You need to take advantage of your Waiver priority when you have it and make sure you snag the hot waiver wire players before those ahead of you. 

2) Make as many 1 for 2 deals as you can and assemble a roster that can compete on a week to week basis.  If a player like Jamaal Charles is your best player, package him with one of your WRs and get 3 players back from a team who can solidify their core with a player like Charles.  When you're on the side getting back more than you trade, it allows you to clean up your bench and drop players who have absolutely no business still being on a roster. 

3) You need to manage week to week, so if you're facing someone who owns Aaron Rodgers this week, try to trade for or pick up his favorite targets.  Nelson, Cobb, Jones & Jennings are obviously going to be owned in almost every league, so put together packages that get you back players like this.  You have to neutralize your opponent's best weapons where you can.  The bright spot is once you move away from the matchup, you can easily move guys like Cobb and Jones to the next owner facing Rodgers and get back players you need to neutralize the next matchup. 

4) Take advantage of matchups.  You want to start players who are facing Tennessee, Buffalo, Washington, Cleveland, Oakland and Jacksonville because these defenses are fantasy friendly.  You cannot put yourself in a position where you are resigned to the fate of starting someone in a bad matchup.  You need upside at every position.  If you can see that your 2nd tier RB is playing at Chicago, you want to bench that guy who isn't going to do anything for you. 

When assembling a week to week roster, you can only game plan for who you're facing and what matchups are available to you.

Follow me on Twitter @BernacK6