2 Min. Warning:

Football fans around the world are on the edge of their seats waiting for the long-awaited return of professional football season. Thursday, September 10t, the Pittsburgh Steelers will trek to Gillette Stadium, home of the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, to kick off the 2015-2016 season. That day will also mark the beginning of another season: fantasy football season. 

Fantasy football is an online game where participants make up a ‘dream team’ of players from varying teams and are scored based on those players’ performances on the actual field during the season. 

Although football season is here, it’s not too late to start your league, gather your contenders, and begin your own draft.  However, before jumping right into draft mode and channeling your inner NFL owner mindset, there are a few key points to note before the careful player selection process begins.

Let’s start this lesson by discussing the men carrying the load for many teams, the running backs. Adrian Peterson has returned; with much to prove after a year’s absence from being suspended, and just one year after nearly breaking the single season rushing yards record, combined now with a young quarterback poised to bring more of a passing threat to the Vikings and eliminate the one trick pony offense that was running the ball, it looks like another great year to take AD (ALL DAY) Adrian Peterson, with a top pick in your draft. But is he the best running back available this season? 

Many argue Le’veon Bell of the Steelers, despite his 2 game suspension that is in effect for the first two games after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, will still be the best tailback in the field this season. There are, of course, safer picks from not exactly the biggest breakout players, but staples of consistency that a team owner can rely on week in and week out to allot points. From Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy, Kansas City’s Jamal Charles, and former Dallas Cowboy turned rival Philadelphia Eagle, Demarco Murray, who is arguably the league’s best back last season, are all top prospects for any owner to build their team around. But we can’t stop the conversation about running backs without even a mention of “BEASTMODE” Marshawn Lynch. The Seattle Seahawks, who appeared a single handoff to Lynch shy from repeating as Super Bowl champions last year, have appeared to gain more firepower on offense with the addition of former saint’s standout Jimmy Graham. But the load for Lynch will remain the same, so look for Lynch to continue to grind out yards and, ultimately, points with continued success from those break away runs and goal line surges. 

Turning to the wide outs, my top 5 prospects for this season are Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Calvin Johnson, and A.J. Green. These players, some of whom have struggled with injuries in past seasons, have seemingly healed up and are ready for a full seasons work load. Expect heavy targets to these studs, and plenty of touchdowns over the course of the season.   

Not to be discredited are the guys throwing the touchdowns and deep balls to the receivers, the quarterbacks. I would not personally grab a quarterback first for my fantasy team, ever. It’s not usually going to be where the bulk of your points come from. When selecting a quarterback, a lot of factors should come to mind. First, is the quarterback’s team any good? Will they make the playoffs? Does he have a good receiving core? All of these affect the quarterback’s play and fantasy team value. 

My personal top five quarterbacks off the draft boards this season are Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Russel Wilson.  Luck was last year’s best quarterback in fantasy football. Luck has the ability to push forward if a play breaks down and pick up lots of yardage, which brings high value to his draft status.  Aaron Rodgers’ season ended in a quicker fashion than he had intended when the Packers lost their playoff game even after being up 13 points in the fourth quarter. Look for Aaron Rodgers to have another great season, with that crumbling loss at last season’s end fueling the fire.

Who is everyone forgetting? What is the one guy that can change my season from mediocre to championship contending? Try C.J. Anderson, currently with the Denver Broncos as a sleeper, or player with surprisingly good stats. Although he’s not a household name like Lynch or Peterson, Peyton Manning is aging swiftly in Denver, so look for Anderson to carry the load a lot more on offense to create easier passing opportunities for Manning and the Broncos.  

Late in the draft and looking for a flex pick? Check out Eddie Royal, who has landed as a potential WR1 in Chicago now especially with the injury to their first round draft pick, former West Virginia University standout, Kevin White. 

Danny Woodhead is back from an injury and is a veteran player that will get touches in San Diego, barring a break out season from Melvin Gordon.  

Looking to take a risk and need a receiver? How about some Oakland Raiders? Yes, Oakland hasn’t exactly been the hotspot for future hall of famers as of late, but with young receiver’s such as Michael Crabtree, with a lot to prove after dealing with injury and battling for touches in San Francisco, this could be a good season for Crabtree to return to his Texas Tech style play. But the Raiders also locked in a huge draft pick when they selected Amari Cooper, from college football powerhouse, Alabama. With rookies come risks, but if you’ve watched Cooper, the rewards seem to outweigh any perceived risks.

Whatever direction you as an owner choose to go on your quest for fantasy football glory, I hope these tips can help further the success we all covet. Numerous different websites have free creatable leagues and drafts, each with many contests to get in on as well. Make sure to create your league and join in on all the fantasy football talk and fun before the season kicks off.