Basic Strategy: Be Prepared at the #2 and #11 Hole! Rob Schare, Editor-in-Chief Aug 26, 2003 | More

There is absolutely no excuse for not being prepared at a draft.  Hopefully, the staff at FantasySharks.com has given you all of the necessary tools for you to rule your league this year. Even so, if you've pulled the #2 or #11 spot (just outside of each corner) you need to be even more prepared than normal. 

If you're choosing at the corner of the draft (#1 or #12) you need only be concerned with yourself.  There's no jockeying for position, no worrying about other people.  It can actually be a rather boring live draft.  You see what's available at your turn, figure out the best available player and move on.  On the other hand, when picking just ahead of this guy, all of the strategy in the world comes into play.

You need to have a list of his picks by position.  This gives you a tremendous advantage.  For instance, lets say the guy at #12 already has a Quarterback.  If you're in the #11 spot without one, and were going to choose a QB with one of your two picks, its obvious that you should wait until he makes his two picks before going QB. 

However, that's a simple/obvious example.  By knowing exactly how your corner opponent thinks and what his team looks like, the more of an advantage you have.  Here’s an example.  Players in my league know I love having a rookie WR on my team.  Someone like Andre Johnson for instance would be a player I look towards taking a flyer on at the end of a draft.  Knowing this, another player who would be interested in Johnson should choose him before hitting me at the corner.  Another example, lets assume I want 1 RB and 1 WR with my next two picks and Coutts is at the corner.  It's a no brainer; I would NEVER assume a RB would get back to me with Coutts to follow.  Similarly, I would always let a Defense or Kicker go knowing Tony was behind me.  He never picks these up until the last 4 picks of the draft.

Here's an example of a grid I typically take with me to the draft.

The #'s are usually tick marks that I keep track of along the way.  In addition, at the #11 or #2 spot I'll take along a list like the following:

QB1 _____________

QB2 _____________

RB1 _____________

RB2 _____________

WR1 ____________

etc., etc..

This way, I can keep track of my own team as well as which players the corner guy took at what spot.  Again, this should help you be prepared for the next upcoming pick. 

Knowing your corner opponent and being prepared is a must when selecting at the #2 or #11 spot.  Don't come unprepared this year.  Otherwise you might as well just be chum.