Developing accurate NFL player rankings is a key component of creating a reliable fantasy football cheat sheet, and as we know your cheat
sheet could make or break your fantasy football draft. In modern fantasy football leagues, almost any football position can be added to your fantasy
league configuration (even defensive players). Regardless of your league’s configuration, you’ll need to be sure to have accurate NFL player rankings for each
position that is required to complete your fantasy roster. Ranking NFL players is an inexact science and many factors can influence your
final rankings. There are numerous factors to consider:
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Statistics-
Obviously the stats from the previous season are most critical but as the season progresses current statistics become more relevant.
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Fantasy Point Output-
Understand how each player’s statistics translate to fantasy point output under your league's configuration.
Just as statistic/point-values vary from league to league, a player's ranking will likewise rise or fall based on league settings.
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Games Played-
The number of games a player actually played in during the previous season is an oft-forgotten statistic.
Would you rather draft a player that put up 80 fantasy points in 16 games, or a player who put up 60 fantasy points in 8 games? This is why
FPPG
output is a key statistic to follow (and also why it is integrated into all of our sheets by default).
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Team-
The team a player plays for should definitely factor into their ranking, especially if the player has changed
teams. Those teams with high-powered offenses will have players who put up more fantasy points, so remember to factor in the team when you configure
your rankings.
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Experience-
The factor that experience plays in your NFL player rankings is heavily dependent on the position being analyzed;
a productive kicker will have a much longer career than a productive running back.
Compare each player’s stats to their experience to ensure they are not on the downside of their career.
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Position on Depth Chart-
As training camp battles progress, a clearer picture of each team’s depth chart should arise. Know which
players have cemented a starting job and which players are still battling to move up the depth chart.
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Injury Concerns–
Football players are constantly battling injuries, but some injuries are worse than others. Those players with
injury concerns should slide down your player rankings; how far they slide will depend on the severity (and sometimes the frequency) of their injury.
There are many different factors to consider when configuring your 2008 NFL player rankings. The key to success is examining the relevant factors and properly applying
them to the position and player being analyzed. We hope that the list provided will help you create reliable and accurate fantasy football cheat sheets in
preparation for your 2008 fantasy football draft.