Draft strategy and tips

[bulletsponge]

hello all this is my first post here, i just bought FoF a few days ago.
Im just entering my next amature draft and have a few questions.
1- how accurate is the future and current abilities for the amatures?
2- will thier max potential increase over time?
3- what are some things to look for in a good player that a bad prospect might not have?
4- any tips you have for drafts will be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance :)

[stevew]

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=16523

Some of the links in there on drafting and rookie FA are pretty darn good.

[bulletsponge]

thanks for the quick response. i couldnt find anything on the draft in this forum

[Warhammer]

My tips for the Oline are to draft either good either good run blockers or good pass blockers. If you try to mix it up, you wind up with a line that does neither well. You could also just get studs alng the line.

Blocking technique is probably more important than blocking strength.

Always try to have a stud QB.

Intelligent players learn better than low intelligence players.

[dubb93]

And just like real life some positions can be filled more easily in free agency or in the later rounds. I ALWAYS fill my defensive line with cheap old free agents @ DE. I find DT is much more important and get 2 studs through the draft in those spots. I find I can rotate 4 cheap DEs, 2 pass rushers and 2 run stoppers and be just as effective.

I find OLB's are very hard to find in the draft. I'm more willing to trade up for a stud OLB than anything else.

Every year I draft 1 RB in the 7th round using Skydog's drafting guide. You usually won't get a stud complete guy there, but I have so much luck that there is no reason at all to get one any higher. It allows you to work new guys and and unless you just get a stud you don't have to re-sign anyone, you can just work them through the system. You never have to lock up big time contracts here and it is never a weak position. Currently in my dynasty my running back is a 7th round pick that has lead the league in rushing the last 2 years(rated 73/73 right now), getting over 5 ypc each season. He is one of the rare "complete" backs you can find there that can also get the short yards and is one of the best recievers out of the backfield I've ever had. Normally I don't get a guy that ends up rated in the 70s here, the normal is high 40s to mid 50s with the bars in the right places(hole recogniton, break away speed, elusiveness are what I look for).

His 2 backups are also 7th rounders. Both are also "boom" type players also that fit more into my "normal zone."

I find it easy to take linemen in the early-middle rounds(2-5). I have a little luck here, most of my lineman max out in the 50s or 60s and on the occasion you will get the guy that will end up 70+.

I usually get zone corners, so I find it easier to get them in free agency than the draft, but I have had some luck getting them in the 5th and 6th rounds.

Also, each year on top of the RB in the 7th, it is a good idea to grab a QB in the 6th. If for no other reason than if you get a boom guy he can be great trade bait.

The best thread on the entire board is right here:

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=21765

Read it, follow it, draft by it, and you will be drafting great in no time. I also recommend you follow your players development in a spreadsheet if that isn't too much of an inconvienance. That way you know who to give up on and who to invest money in. IMHO it is the only way to play. Some more good advince would be to listen to everything Warhammer has to say. If you have new to this forum and game search for some of his posts in this forum, you won't find much better advice than his.

[bulletsponge]

one more question, how do i cut a player? my team has lots of players out of contract and i want to drop them so i can see what holes i still need to fill.

[stevew]

one more question, how do i cut a player? my team has lots of players out of contract and i want to drop them so i can see what holes i still need to fill.
They'll always be there until after Training camp. I agree that it somewhat makes it hard to look at. If you dont make the superbowl, and its a guy you dont think you want to keep, I cut guys with 1 year left on their contracts before the bowl. Then you wont have them showing up on your screen.