In case you never go to the movies, multiverses are all the rage in cinema. Marvel and DC both have them, swapping characters back and forth depending on what they think the audience wants to see. Add in the reboots and prequels with different actors, and sequels that ignore previous sequels (the latest Halloween trilogy) and you're seeing often seeing multiple versions of the same characters.

That's great for the movies. Just don't fall for it in fantasy football.

In one universe (the one populated by sports media outlets) Aaron Rodgers is ready to resume his MVP status and his rightful place on your roster. But here on Earth 616 (Marvel's designation for its primary continuity) he's lost his main receiver, the team did little to replace him, and they seem focused on establishing the run and keeping the pressure off their aging superstar. I'm not saying he's lost his status as a starting fantasy quarterback, but I think the "Aaron Rodgers" you'll see in 2022 will be different than the one you're hearing about now.

Even if there are infinite universes, I'm sure Tom Brady is still playing in most of them. But are you drafting in the universe where he's breaking records after most quarterbacks retire? Or are you in the one where he won't have Chris Godwin at 100 percent or Rob Gronkowski at all? Where his team lost valuable free agents, he has a new head coach, the Buccaneers play a brutal schedule and he didn't seem all that excited about playing another season? Which version of Tom Brady will you be drafting?

The truth is that local sports media, coaches, and the players themselves all live in their own alternate realities. The veteran running back looks faster than he has in years. The aging quarterback looks rejuvenated in a new offense. A veteran looks fully recovered from their injury. It's like it never happened!

But those versions aren't the guy you'll have in your lineup. Your version is usually slower, more injury prone and less productive. When it comes to Tyreek Hill, for example, there's no version of the Miami Dolphins where they'll be mistaken for Kansas City. Hill claims that Tua Tagovailoa is more accurate than Patrick Mahomes, and there might be a universe where that's true. It's just not this one.

To be fair, it's not all sadness in the multiverse. Saquon Barkley looks better in this timeline than one where the Giants kept Joe Judge as their coach. All universes expect big things from the Chargers' offense. And in my universe, Matt Ryan looks like he has value as an experienced quarterback in a run-centered offense with good receiving weapons. So maybe I’m living in one of these alternate realities after all. We all have our hunches, right?

But here's the thing to remember: Aside from the rare crossover event on screen, other universes have nothing to do with yours. Websites and local media can live in whatever realities they want, where older players are exactly what a team needs and stats will pile up week after week with questionable free agents. But you know better. Guys not named Brady don't get more productive as they age. Knees don't magically stop hurting. Guys who bounce from team to team don't become fantasy gold out of nowhere. If your universe is optimistic on one player or you have a feeling about a particular sleeper, great. That's why we play. But try to drown out the voices from the infinite abyss as you begin your fantasy preparations.

If you want to win in this reality, you have to stay realistic. More on how to do that as we progress through the offseason.

How many versions of popular players are you seeing portrayed across the media? Which outlet has the most unusual reality compared to your own? How do you stay grounded with your evaluations and projections? Share your thoughts below.