Today, I know all about it and prefer to draft in the middle rounds. A snake draft is a way to build your fantasy football (FF) team. Each team manager selects a player in a pre-determined order and then, in the second round, the draft order is reversed. The draft continues in ascending and then descending order until all teams are complete.

‍

My younger son allowed me to join his league, The League of Romo Sapiens, when his wife won the championship game and then promptly retired a few years ago. This summer, my older son asked me to join his “salary cap” league, The Madden Curse. Players in this type league are chosen in an auction format.

‍

My first seasons in the League of Romo Sapiens were . . . ahem, not good. I finished in last place a few times. This year, though, I’m going for a three-peat, having won the league in back-to-back years. 😁 Whenever a league troll reminds me of my not-so-good seasons, I just look over at my championship trophy. My precious.

‍

Also this summer, I asked to join a friend’s FF league because, you know, being a back-to-back champion and all – I got this. So far, being in three leagues has been a lot of fun, but it’s been humbling at times, too. I’ve lost one game by less than a single point this season. I’ve tied in another game in a league without a tie-breaker. I lobbied for a change to league rules but lost.

‍

Players on the injured reserve (IR) list is a frustration for me this year. As I write this, six of my players across three leagues are on IR, four in one league! This, combined with players who are out because their teams have bye weeks, forces me to seek talent further down the eligible player list. I just need to add to a depleted roster, but I’m hopeful I’ll stumble on the next Brock Purdy.

‍

At mid-season, my win-loss record is respectable. I’m 4-4 in one league, 5-2-1 in another and 12-4 in the remaining one. (The Madden Curse League gives you an extra “win” if your team scores one of the highest totals in any week.) In the Points For statistic, none of my teams are lower than third place in any league.

‍

Derrick Henry, my first pick in this year’s draft, leads the NFL in rushing yards (1052) and touchdowns (13). I hope he can carry my team into the playoffs, especially since I got some side-eyes when I chose him on draft night. Even at 30 years old, I had a hunch he could still play well.

‍

I spent a lot of time researching players prior to draft night and thought three FF teams might be too many. Now I wonder who I know who might have an opening in their league next year.

‍