Sprinters vs. long-distance fantasy drafters: which one are you?

As fantasy draft season heats up, it's important to understand what kind of drafter you are: a sprinter or a long-distance drafter. Here's why.

Sprinters excel in the early rounds. They've carefully thought through their top target with their opening pick, and maybe a backup option or two just in case. They've considered whether they might take an RB or WR in the second round, or maybe even an uber-elite QB or TE. Some of the best sprinters have mapped out a game plan that takes them into the fourth or even the fifth round.

Then things start getting tougher for sprinters. The RB "dead zone" (which actually coincides with the lesser-discussed WR dead zone) generates more choices. Sprinters are straight-line runners. They don't want a lot of choices. They want the clarity of the early rounds replicated in the later rounds. But that's not how drafts work.

Long-distance drafters approach this process differently. They prepare for all 16, 18, or however many rounds the draft is. Perhaps they don't know their top targets for each round. But they do know that the attention they pay with their first pick should match the attention they pay with their 16th pick. Bargains can be found everywhere.

Sprinters can't wait to finish. Long-distance drafters can't wait to pick. Decide which one you are, and more importantly, which one you want to be.

For a deeper dive into this draft topic, listen to this recent podcast episode .