Fantasy Football Toolbox

In fantasy football, the participants (or team owners) form fantasy teams consisting of real-life football league players. The teams earn fantasy points based on the performances of the real football league players. So, whether a fantasy team wins or loses against other fantasy teams in their league, it all depends on the players the owner has chosen.

Fantasy football leagues set their own rules on how team owners acquire their players. Usually the teams acquire players by draft or auction. Since the fantasy teams earn their points depending on the draft or auction choices they make, the most important thing any fantasy team owner should do is to choose the right player. The important question is: How do team owners choose the right players?

Since fantasy football started in the early 1960s, its fans have developed tools to serve as their references in choosing what they hope are the right players for their fantasy teams.

What's in a fantasy football toolbox? Following are some of the tools:

1. Cheat sheets
This is a list of football league players ranked based on their projected fantasy points. The list also shows their teams, ages, bye week and years of experience.

2. Depth Chart
This is a chart showing who the 1st string, 2nd string, 3rd string players are.

3. Fantasy news and rumors
Many web sites provide regularly-updated news about NFL and other league players. Some provide this information for free, some send them through newsletters. The sports section of newspapers are very good sources of the latest news on real football league players. 

4. Fantasy advice
This is usually found in columns or articles on websites by recognized experts on fantasy football.

5. Rookie rankings
Usually provided to members by some websites. Could be free or with membership fee. 

6. Drafting tips
A list showing the suggested top picks of fantasy football experts. The list also includes the reasons for the picks.

7. Mock drafts
Some websites provide their members this training to prepare them to participate in actual or real drafts.

8. Forums, blogs
These are very rich sources of information from fans and players of fantasy football. Members are often generous in sharing information and tips with fellow members.

9. List of sleepers, keepers
Lists that any fantasy team owner should not ignore as they could be next season's star players.

10. Software
Software is available which computes the input, the data and provides analyses and trends.
 
With millions of fantasy football players, there is a big market for any tool that will help ensure that a team has the right players.