Making a Winner: Breaking down a victorious MFL10 fantasy roster

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I had dabbled in MFL10s for several seasons but 2016 was my first year getting serious and doing multiple drafts. I had six teams in all, five in public leagues and one in theScore's office league. I applied slightly different strategies to each one, but I kept my opinions on most players fairly consistent in regard to who I was high on and who I wanted to fade.

Competition level, player availability during drafts and luck all factored in differently to each league. I won one of the six leagues and finished second in another. I invested $60 and came out with $100 and a credit for a 2017 entry.

Though it was only a moderately successful campaign, it was still a net success that provided a great learning opportunity. Heading into the 2017 draft season, here's a positional look at my most successful strategy from last year and how it can be applied to the next NFL season:

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Quarterback

I opted for Palmer as a mid-level quarterback and shored up the position with Tannehill and Bradford, who had recently been crowned Minnesota's starter in place of an injured Teddy Bridgewater. While Palmer fell well short of his 2016 production and 2017 expectations, I'll stand by the strategy of three QBs without taking one of the top early-round options.

All three had different bye weeks, which allowed for at least two QB options for each week. This strategy led to equal representation from each of the three QBs over the course of the 16-week fantasy season. Waiting on quarterback is well-advised, with the provision of using a third spot for the position.

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Running Back

My top two running backs came from opposite ends of the draft. I took a chance on the rookie Elliott with my first pick (10th overall) and was handsomely rewarded. Howard didn't receive significant playing time until Week 3, but he proceeded to start for me for the rest of the season with the exception of his Week 9 bye.

Four of my other five picks produced at least one startable week at either running back or the FLEX spot. Lewis was an overdraft, as he didn't return from injury until Week 11. Spiller was cut from the Saints and eventually the Seahawks, with his best fantasy game of the year coming in Week 4 as a member of New Orleans. He was my No. 4 back of the week.

Claiming a certified starter early and stocking up on those waiting in the wings later in the draft proved to be ideal. Running back will again be my deepest position in 2017, with an emphasis on younger players beginning the year either second or third on the depth chart as late-round selections.

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Wide Receiver

I used five of my first 10 picks on receivers. With the exception of White, who fell to injury in Week 4, I was happy with the results. White even managed to produce a quality week prior to his injury. The biggest difference maker at the position and likely to my overall win was Thomas.

Despite being an 11th-round pick, he matched Edelman for usability and even surpassed him in total points. This draft occurred as his hype was building. He would have been drafted much later a few weeks prior and much earlier a few weeks later. It's important to capitalize on a player's undervalued stock at the time of your ongoing draft.

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Tight End

Watson succumbed to injury just a few days after I had drafted him, leaving me with Graham as my only option for the entire season. Graham topped double-digit fantasy points in nine of his 16 games, and he stayed healthy all year. While one additional tight end would have helped me in light of Watson's injury, it's possible to succeed with just one quality option at the position.

Defense

Two lower, mid-level defenses alternated weeks of productivity. The Jaguars topped 10 points four times and produced a negative result on two occasions. The Bills had four double-digit weeks with just two negative performances. Two defenses are the ideal way to go, but it would be possible to draft one of the top options at the position and use the second roster spot elsewhere.

Still, a backup option provides insurance in the event of the occasional blowout loss.

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Miscellaneous Notes

I was consciously aware of bye weeks while drafting. It never deterred me from taking a player I wanted, but they were used as tie breakers and was a factor in choosing late-round options. MFL10s for the 2017 season will open before schedules are released, making this impossible, but it is something to keep in mind for later in the draft season.

At running back in particular, I steered clear of those I perceived most likely to lose their starting job. Elliott was guaranteed a starting job, Coleman would receive enough work in a timeshare to be of occasional use, and I focused on those with a potential to become starters with my other picks.

While no one strategy is guaranteed to be a success or a total failure, these were my main keys from the season that was, and some rules I'll stand by in the weeks to come.