Don't make these six draft mistakes
Key takeaways
- It starts on draft day, and for some managers, that's where things begin to slip.
- Most leagues aren't won because a fantasy manager drafted perfectly.
- The good news is that most of these mistakes are preventable.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Minnesota's shift from Sam Darnold to J.J. Mc Carthy at quarterback last season had a drastic impact on Justin Jefferson. Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire Eric Moody Jun 10, 2026, 06:42 AM ETClose Eric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men's and women's basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEven if you follow the NFL closely, fantasy football drafts can humble even the most diehard fans.
Your season doesn't start in Week 1. It starts on draft day, and for some managers, that's where things begin to slip. They chase last season's production, follow the crowd when positional runs start and overlook how much situations change from one offseason to the next.
Most leagues aren't won because a fantasy manager drafted perfectly. They are won because other managers made avoidable mistakes. Stack enough of those mistakes together, and your team can be at a disadvantage before the season even begins.