Rookie Mistakes

Were you among the many who were enticed to draft a rookie on your football team?  Don’t worry, I did too!  I think the main thing people need to remember is to temper your expectations.  Very rarely do we see an amazing, breakthrough performer in fantasy football.  However, having that desire to snatch the next Adrian Peterson can be intoxicating.  So many people get frustrated when their rookie running back fails to get in the end zone for the fourth consecutive week.
Think back to when you started the job you are currently at.  Did you throw the doors open like an old western saloon, saunter to your desk, and immediately excel at your job duties?  Probably not. Being a rookie in the NFL is no different.  But Monty, these guys should be ready for the NFL.  I mean, they’ve been through training camp, scrimmages, and weekly practices. Again, let’s compare this to your previous work experience. The NFL player works out at the combine (job interview), and shows off their skills (resume).  Then, that player gets drafted (congratulations, you’re hired!).  After salaries are negotiated, the rookie shows up to training camp (orientation).  After that, they show up for practice, and run scrimmages (on-the-job training).  Now they are ready for week one (your first solo task).  I don’t know about you, but I was still pretty unsure of myself, the first day I worked on my own.  It’s going to take time for these rookies to reach their potential.  Ok Monty, but what about College football? That has to prepare these players quite a bit, right?  Sort of.  If you are comparing college football to the NFL, that’s sort of like comparing steak from Applebee’s, to steak from Fogo de Chao.  Yeah, you’re exposed to the same core elements, but the quality of competition is so much higher at the NFL level.  Think about it, they are the best of the best players from college.  This issue is compounded further this year especially, because of the lockout.  Players were not allowed to work out, or practice as early as they have in prior years.  So, the moral of this story, is to temper your expectiations with rookie performances.  Have some patience, if they are off to a slow start (Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, etc.).  Be very cautious about hot starts, as defenses adjust to rookie success (Cam Newton).  Perhaps selling high on these hot, rookie starts, can land you a veteran who is off to a slow start (Chris Johnson, Matt Ryan, etc.).  Personally, I would try to avoid as many rookie QBs as possible, as that is the toughest position to learn.  Sometimes it can take years!  Unless you really think Cam Newton is going to throw for 400 yards every week.