Do you know what the most powerful tool all Fantasy Owners have available to propel them into the playoffs? No! Well Draft Champs will let you in on a little sercret. Sshhhh...don't tell anyone, it's the Waiver Wire.  After a Draft Champs Value-Based Draft, the common denominator among League Champions is their use of the Waiver Wire.  I know you all have heard the old adage: use it or lost it.  This could not be more truer in Fantasy Football.  If you don't use the waiver wire you will lose your shot at a league title.  The reason for using the waiver wire is two-fold.  Most importantly, it should be used to bolster your roster.  Secondly, you can use it to block other owners from strenghtening their rosters.

 Back up your studs and deepen your bench.  This is the golden rule for using the waiver wire.  No team is guaranteed a championship based on the draft alone.  The injury bug is bound to bite and it is unpredictable.  So how do you prepare for this? The best defense is a good offense.  It is imperative that you create a deep bench, so when the unavoidable happens you have quality players to insert into your line-up.  You want to think of your bench as possible starters.  If you keep this in mind that your bench is a "second" set of starters you will be less likely to hold onto  players who aren't performing.  Note that you won't necessarily have a complete second set of starters.  But the idea is to deepen your bench so you have options during bye weeks, tough defensive match-ups, and injuries.  For example, you may have three stud RB's but can only start two.  If you are in this ideal situation an can not make up your mind on whom to start, Draft Champs recommends playing the odds and starting the player against the weaker defense.  Remember, when analyzing defenses, do not look at total defense stats.  Total defense doesn't give you the best overall picture on defensive weaknesses, and that's what we are looking for.  So when in doubt start RB's against weak run defenses, and start QB, WR, and TE's against week pass defenses.  Remember always start your stud players.  These top tier players have the ability to perform big on any given week regardles of which defense they are up against.

 Blocking Waivers. The theory here is to deplete the pool of quality players available on the waiver wire so other owners in you league can not pick them up.  For example, let's say one week you are up against a league mate, who did not use our Draft Guide, and they need some help at the quarterback position.  Knowing this, they will be scouring the waiver wire for a new quarterback.  Your job is to "block" this by picking up the player yourself.  By doing so, you keep other owners from strenghtening their team.  Because if they can't get better players for your team, you increase your odds of scoring more points than them.  This often overlooked strategy is definitely one you want to be aware of.  It could possibly get you one more win this season if used at the right time.

 In summary, you need to be proactive.  Even though you don't have an immediate need for players on the waive wire, believe us, as the season progresses you will.  Another tip is to keep back-up kickers off your bench.  Back-up kickers are dime-a-dozen and one can always pick up one on waivers.  Instead use this bench spot as a space to block other teams' waiver picks.  You can always pick up hot players on waivers and trade them to teams who have voids to fill on their roster.  Don't forget the waiver wire mantra: Use it or Lose it.