Welcome to The Learning Curve. I don’t have all the answers…and that’s kind of the point.
“Do you have another draft tonight?”
My wife asked me that a lot this year. Usually laughing, although after a few nights in a row I think there was some genuine concern mixed in. In her defense, I drafted 10 fantasy teams this season.
That’s easily the most I’ve ever done. Five was probably my previous high. But these weren’t 10 copies of the same league. I tried my first guillotine, played in an IDP-heavy league, another with a massive roster, and several with scoring different enough that walking in with the same strategy would’ve been a mistake.
Thankfully, nine were free. Apparently, you can stress-test your fantasy process without doing the same to your bank account.
But the best part wasn’t drafting 10 teams.
It was getting nine chances to learn something before the next draft.
The Draft Is Over. The Learning Shouldn’t Be.
After each draft, I’d look back while everything was still fresh.
Where did I reach? Where did I overlook value that fell? Did the room pull me away from my strategy? Did I draft a name I recognized instead of thinking about the player’s role and what I needed from that roster spot?
Sometimes I liked the answer.
Sometimes…not so much.
But I could take that information into my next draft.
Most of us won’t have another one this year. That doesn’t mean the lesson has to wait until next August.
Look at your roster now, before Week 1 starts changing how you feel about it.
We don’t know whether your third-round pick was brilliant or terrible yet. We don’t know which sleeper will hit. And if someone gets hurt tomorrow, that’s football. You couldn’t have known that.
But if he was already injured when you drafted him and you didn’t know?
That’s something to learn from.
Know Why You Built It
That’s really what these first few Learning Curves have been about.
ADP gave us information about the market. Mocks gave us possibilities, not a script. Handcuffing reminded us that even the safest-looking roster decision has a cost.
Now look at the team those decisions created.
I don’t look at my bench as a parking lot for backups. Those players are auditioning to meet the standard I need at RB and WR when they get the opportunity. Every spot should have a reason for being there.
Your reason doesn’t have to be mine. Just know what it is.
Before the season starts, write down three things: something you did intentionally and liked, something you’d change, and something your league taught you.
Save it.
Because next August you’ll probably remember the players.
You may not remember why you picked them.
Don’t grade the players yet. Grade your process while you can still remember it.
Draft season was only the first part of the curve.
Now the games count.
And knowing fantasy football, I’m pretty sure it’s about to give us plenty more to learn.
Trust your process. Have some fun. And remember, we’re all somewhere on the curve.
Subscribe FREE for the latest content on the DrRoto YouTube Channel
