SO this past weekend marked the 11th annual Orange Football League (OFL) fantasy football draft. The longstanding tradition was, like always, an exhibition of high-level fantasy football minds gathering together in one room to make jokes, eat pizza, and pretend to be real GM’s for a day. Here are some important notes to think about for YOUR fantasy football drats in subsequent days and weeks.

1.) Brett Favre in the 18th round was a steal.  Favre will now be competing openly for the starting job with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.  In addition, there is a possiblity he will be traded, and also have additional value in another uniform. He is now likely worth a shot in the 8th-10th round, and maybe even higher if you are feeling saucy.

2.) WR and RB depth has been flip flopped.  For years, fantasy football has been dominated by the running back.  In the new era, the day of the time-share, there are far less dominant running backs. What this means is that getting a dominant running back that will get 250-300 carries is of the utmost importance–however, if you can’t, don’t waste your 2nd and 3rd round picks on reach running backs that may end up sharing time. Instead, draft a stud WR, guys like Owens, Colston, Steve Smith, Holt, Wayne, etc are available in the second and third rounds, and should be gobbled up instead of unknown RBs. Also, its not a bad idea to draft a stud QB, a guy like Manning, Brees, or Romo, in the second and 3rd rounds.

4.) Rookie running backs are strong this season, unlike in the previous few.  Jonathan Stewart, Darren McFadden, Matt Forte, and Kevin Smith are all expected to be productive featured backs for their teams.  In addition, a number of backups could end up getting a chance–guys like Rashard Mendenhall, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, and Ray Rice.

5.) Increased depth at Tight End. For several seasons, the tight end position has been dominated by a few big guns and little else. That put value in drafting a tight end early.  This season, there are several extremely productive tight ends, making it easier to wait. While Jason Witten and Antonio Gates are clearly the cream of the crop this year, Kellen Winslow is right in that mix and Tony Gonzalez need never be counted out.  After those four, there is a dropoff, but there are still many productive guys out there, including a reinvigorated Jeremy Shockey in New Orleans, and the “every other year stud” Todd Heap.

I hope these five tips will help you plan for your fantasy draft and dominate your league like I will mine. If you are curious, here is my team (10 team league, standard scoring, SL: QB, RB,RB, WR,WR, WR, TE, W/R, K, D)

QB: Carson Palmer, Kitna, Leinart

RB: Barber III, Jonathan Stewart, Reggie Bush, Chris Johnson, Dunn, Duckett, Pittman

WR: Steve Smith, Colston, Evans, Ward, Porter, V Jackson

TE: Witten

D: MIN, BAL

K: Bironas