Beginner Fantasy Football Tips: Draft Strategy 101 & Vikings Insight

The fantasy football season is officially here—when adults gather around laptops, armed with spreadsheets and cold beers, diving headfirst into a sea of overwhelming football stats. That's right, fantasy football season is back! This guide provides easy-to-follow fantasy football tips specifically for newcomers to the game, along with a local perspective. This guide includes insider insights about the Vikings from the 2024–2025 NFL season. This guide serves as your essential playbook for both your first draft preparation and avoiding embarrassing situations among your football-knowledgeable friends.

This Fantasy Football Draft Strategy 101 guide will keep you entertained while providing valuable advice with a touch of Minnesota Vikings color.

What is Fantasy Football and How Does It Work?

Fantasy football offers a beautiful yet stressful experience where you manage a make-believe team composed of real NFL players while experiencing emotional highs and lows. 

Here's the breakdown: 

• Your league-mates and you select real NFL athletes to join your fantasy football team. 
• Your fantasy football players receive points every week according to their real-life game performances. 
• Your league competition requires you to play against another manager directly.
• The fantasy football season runs from Week 1 until Week 17 while the playoff games begin to start around Week 14. 
• Platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper help manage your league, track scores, and even trash-talk your opponents.

Got it? Great. Now, let's talk draft strategy, because you don't want to be the person who picks a kicker in Round 3. (Please. Don't be that person.)

Draft Strategy: What You Need to Know Before You Pick

Your fantasy draft sets the foundation for all your season's outcomes. An impressive draft selection has the power to lead you straight to victory. A weak one? The Rabbit Hole makes up for a bad draft with excellent wings and beer. These NFL fantasy draft tips will help both new league members and those seeking revenge to kick off their season with a strong start.

Know Your League Format

Before you draft, understand your league's rules:

• Standard vs. PPR: A PPR league (Points Per Reception) awards points for every catch a player makes—so WRs and pass-catching RBs get a bump.
• Roster Setup: Know how many players you need at each position. Typically, it's 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE), 1 Kicker, and 1 Defense.
• Bench Size & Flex Spots: This impacts how many backup players you'll want.
• Fantasy League Rules Vary: Don't assume anything. Read them!

Early Rounds = RB & WR Gold

You want the most bang for your buck early, which means elite running backs and wide receivers.

• During Rounds 1 to 4 of your draft, select both running backs and wide receivers.
• Hold off on picking QBs unless they're elite talents such as Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. 
• TEs? If you're not targeting a top-performing T.J. Hockenson or Travis Kelce then wait until later rounds to select your tight end. 

Your fantasy draft order can seriously impact your strategy. Picking early usually means you land a top RB or WR, while later picks call for more creative stacking.

Your first few draft picks should target elite running backs and wide receivers to maximize your team's performance. 

Watch the Vikings (and Their Rivals)

Let's get local. Here are some live fantasy football draft tips when it comes to Vikings fantasy value:

• Justin Jefferson retains his WR1 status whenever he remains healthy. Choose him during Round 1 if he appears on the board. 
• TJ Hockenson becomes a reliable mid-round tight end option if he returns to form after his injury. 
• Keep an eye on NFC North rivals: Weekly matchups in your fantasy football league will be influenced by the Packers' defensive strength combined with the Bears' rebuilding process and the Lions' potent offense. 

Bonus: Your league's live fantasy football draft should take place at The Rabbit Hole. Imagine cold beer + smart picks = fantasy greatness. Learn more about the menu here.

Avoiding Common Rookie Mistakes

While it can be tempting to follow the hype, rookie mistakes frequently ruin your season. Let's steer clear. Successful fantasy football advice requires understanding your league settings and not making picks based on emotions.

Don't Draft Based on Team Loyalty

One of the most common rookie fantasy mistakes is drafting your favorite hometown players too early and ignoring positional depth. Yes, we know you bleed purple, but that doesn't mean you draft Kirk Cousins over Joe Burrow.

• Fantasy football isn't about your favorite team. It's about fantasy football strategy.
• Use your head, not your heart.

Don't Auto-Draft if You Can Avoid It

Unless you're stuck in traffic on I-94, try to be present for your draft.

• Auto-draft tends to overvalue backup QBs or grab too many players with the same bye week.
• At the very least, queue your top picks ahead of time.

Pay Attention to Injuries and Bye Weeks

This is where weekly maintenance matters.

• Stay updated on injuries. You don't want to start a guy who's been ruled out since Wednesday.
• Watch out for bye weeks. Don't stack your roster with too many players off during Week 10, for example.
• Thursday Night Football can sneak up on you – set your lineups early!

How to Keep Your Fantasy League Fun (Even If You Lose)

From outrageous last-place punishments to weekly meme contests, fun fantasy football ideas can keep your league laughing all season. Let's face it—not everyone can be the champion. But everyone can have fun.

• Group Chat FTW: Create a chat for memes, injury panic, and sweet, sweet trash talk.
• Draft Party: Make your fantasy football draft a party, especially if it's at The Rabbit Hole, your go-to bar for fantasy football drafts. Check out our sports vibe here.
• League Punishments: Karaoke night in a unicorn costume? Loser's breakfast with a sign that says, "I drafted three kickers"? Yes, please.
• Funny Team Names: "Dalvin and the Chipmunks," "Kirk'd Enthusiasm," or "Baby Got Dak" – get creative!
• Football Sundays in Minneapolis: There's no better place to watch than The Rabbit Hole. Vikings games. Endless TVs. Cold drinks. Hot food. Trash talk encouraged.

Fantasy Football 2025/26: Start Thinking Long-Term

Yes, we're still talking this season, but savvy players already think about fantasy football 2025/26.

• NFL player rankings and rookie scouting reports can offer early insights.
• Watch for breakout players and potential Vikings fantasy sleepers that may rise in draft boards next year.
• Keep a journal of what worked (and what didn't) in your fantasy campaign. Future you will thank you.

Special Teams: Kicker and Defense Strategy

Don't overthink it, but don't ignore it either.

• Kicker and defense strategy should be reserved for your final picks.
• Stream these positions week to week based on matchups.
• Grab a reliable defense early only if it's elite (like the 49ers or Cowboys). Otherwise, wait and rotate.

So, How Do Fantasy Points Work?

If you're still wondering how fantasy points work, here's a cheat sheet:

• Passing yards (QBs) = 1 point per 25 yards
• Passing TDs = 4 points
• Rushing/Receiving yards = 1 point per 10 yards
• Rushing/Receiving TDs = 6 points
• Receptions = 1 point in PPR leagues
• Kickers/Defense earn points for field goals, turnovers, and shutting down offenses

Check your league's exact scoring system as these can vary slightly across platforms.

Final Whistle: Wrap Up and Game On

Fantasy football is part strategy, part luck, and all fun, especially if you follow the right fantasy football tips. From understanding what is PPR league scoring to eyeing the best fantasy football picks, you're now ready to draft like a pro and maybe even win your league.

Just remember:

• Draft smart.
• Don't panic.
• And if it all goes sideways, The Rabbit Hole is still open with TVs, friends, and drinks to drown your waiver wire sorrows.

It doesn't matter if you're celebrating a win or crying over a bad beat, football Sunday in Minneapolis is always better with good food, good friends, and great vibes.

So, grab your draft board, pick a clever team name, and raise a glass to a season of wild plays, fantasy glory, and Justin Jefferson highlight reels.

Fantasy football tips? You've got 'em. Now go win that trophy (or at least the group chat memes), book your table at The Rabbit Hole and check out our full menu here.