Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for 2006 Season

In fantasy football there are many cliche strategies that go around the horn. Draft running backs early, don't take your kicker until the last round, and don't count on rookies. Some of these are absolutely must-follow guidelines, most specifically the kicker rule, but others are not necessarily where your attention should be during the draft. Every fantasy schmuck should know these common slogans but there are additional tactics that can give you an edge over the common fantasy football opponent. 

Strategy #1: Goal-To-Go Opportunities 
Most fantasy football players realize that T.J. Duckett steals carries from Warrick Dunn inside the five yard line, but player production near the end zone expands into other positions as well. For example, in goal-to-go situations last season, T.J. Houshmandzadeh had five receptions with four touchdowns. T.J. is Cincinnati’s #2 receiver, yet Chad Johnson managed just one catch for one touchdown. Sure, Chad Johnson makes up for it with his deep balls, but should he come up with an ankle sprain or thigh bruise his deep ball potential may not be as potent. Out in the Arizona desert Larry Fitzgerald makes for a great red zone target, hauling in five catches with four scores, whereas his partner in crime, Anquan Boldin did not record a goal-to-go situation reception. Here is a list of some of the most threatening goal-to-go players in fantasy football last season catching the ball. Eligible players must have had at least four goal-to-go situation touchdowns. 

Broncos TE- Kyle Johnson- five receptions, five scores 

Ravens TE- Todd Heap- four receptions, four scores 

Bengals WR- T.J. Houshmandzadeh- five receptions, four scores

Dolphins WR- Chris Chambers- five receptions, five scores 

Colts WR- Marvin Harrison- six receptions, six scores 

Bills WR- Lee Evans- four receptions, three scores 

Steelers WR- Hines Ward- four receptions, four scores 

Steelers TE- Heath Miller- four receptions, four scores 

Cowboys TE- Jason Witten- four receptions, four scores