So you want to play fantasy football?
Buffalo Bills fans are a rabid bunch, more so than any other NFL team’s fan base — and perhaps more voracious than fans of any other sport in the world. There are few, if any, groups as devoted Bills Mafia. That’s also true when it comes to fantasy football and the pervading (though sometimes misguided) desire to roster anyone wearing royal blue.
However, for many, the idea of playing fantasy football has yet to be realized. Whether it’s considerations regarding time, understanding, interest, or otherwise, plenty of people who are endlessly passionate about both the Bills and NFL football have yet to join a fantasy football league.
If that rings true for you, perhaps this is year that changes if only you had a little bit more baseline information ahead of league drafts? Below, a primer for those folks new to the game of fantasy football — which should provide all the confidence needed to finally dive into any one of the many fantasy football formats.
Exploring the different types of NFL fantasy leagues
Fantasy football has evolved into a huge subset of the more traditional type of NFL fandom. Participating in fantasy leagues offers fans an engaging way to interact with the sport beyond just watching one’s favorite team play.
While there are numerous formats and rules that can be tailored to fit any group of friends, families, colleagues, or even a group of strangers — understanding the types of NFL fantasy leagues and the numerous options available can significantly enhance the experience. Whether you endeavor to be a new league commissioner or simply join a league as a team manager for the first time, understanding what’s available is the first step.
The differences in league formats and the ability to customize everything from points-earned-per-yard to how many players are on your bench, makes each league a unique experience. Regardless of outcomes, joining a league can be enjoyable for everyone, from casual players to die-hard fans. Having an understanding of the different types of leagues and the options available will make you sound like a seasoned fantasy vet. Let’s take a look at the different league options available to fantasy football players.
Redraft Leagues
Redraft leagues are the most common type of fantasy football league. In these leagues, teams draft new players each season. Redraft leagues are appealing because they offer a level playing field each year. With a new draft every season, the previous season is erased and everyone in the league gets a chance to start over — crowning a new champion based on that season’s ability to field a winning team. There’s no carryover from past seasons, which means that every participant has an equal opportunity to build a successful team, regardless of previous performances. This format is straightforward and easy to manage, making it ideal for beginners.
Keeper Leagues
Upping the stakes a bit, keeper leagues offer a balance between redraft and dynasty leagues (the latter of which we’ll cover below). In a keeper league, each team retains a set number of players — usually one to three — from their roster for the next season, while the rest are released back into the player pool for each season’s new draft.
The keeper format introduces a layer of strategic depth. Managers must decide those players who are worth keeping based on their potential future performance, not just their immediate value. This format allows teams to build around core players while still enjoying the excitement of an annual draft.
Dynasty Leagues
Dynasty leagues are designed for the most-dedicated fantasy football team managers. In these leagues, teams keep their entire roster from year to year, and only rookies are drafted each offseason. This format introduces a different level of strategy where every decision that a team manager makes becomes impactful for seasons to come. By taking part in dynasty leagues, managers must think long-term about their team’s draft picks, the roster depth, NFL free agency, and team trades.
Dynasty leagues provide continuity and more of a competitive playing field with strategic elements such as player development, team roster setup, and trades. The dynasty format is highly engaging for committed players who enjoy the challenge of long-term planning. Unique within the realm of fantasy sports, playing in dynasty league presents a 365-day management opportunity. The expanded level of commitment required can be a barrier for some, and it can be challenging for new players to join or for struggling teams to rebuild.
Paid Leagues
All the leagues above can be just “for the fun of it” — with options that don’t necessarily require you to put money on the line (though that potential is available in each format). Some leagues among those mentioned above exist simply for bragging rights, a trophy, or — yes — sometimes prizes that can include money.
Paid leagues introduce a financial element to fantasy football, often increasing the competition amongst team managers. In these leagues, each player contributes a set entry fee, which is pooled and distributed as prizes to the top-performing teams at the end of the season. The appeal of a monetary reward can heighten engagement and dedication, as managers have a tangible incentive to perform well.
However, paid leagues can also bring about higher levels of intensity and rivalry. Clear rules and a trustworthy commissioner are essential to ensure fairness and transparency in these leagues. The excitement of potential winnings adds a thrilling edge to the fantasy football experience, making it particularly appealing to competitive players.
Best Ball
Best ball leagues simplify in-season management by automatically using your highest-scoring players at each position to determine your score each week. After drafting your team, there are no in-season lineups to set every week.
This format is ideal for those who enjoy the draft but have limited time for weekly management. It focuses on drafting well and reduces the impact of injuries and bye weeks. However, it tends to lack the strategic involvement during the season, which might be a drawback for more engaged players. This option is extremely enticing for those who don’t have time to worry about setting lineups every week.
Points Per Reception (PPR)
PPR leagues add an extra dimension to scoring by awarding points for receptions. This modification elevates the value of pass-catching running backs and short-yardage wide receivers, leading to more dynamic and higher-scoring games.
PPR play enhances the importance of versatile players and makes the fantasy experience more exciting. It also introduces a need for different draft strategies, as players who excel in catching passes and are among a quarterback’s preferred target become more valuable. However, the PPR format can skew player values and overemphasize certain positions.
Salary Cap
In salary-cap leagues, each team has a budget to spend on players who are assigned monetary values. The draft operates like an auction, where teams bid on players rather than selecting them in a fixed order.
This format introduces a layer of financial strategy, more closely reflecting real-life team management. Every team has a shot at each player, making for an engaging and competitive league option. However, salary cap leagues can be time-consuming and require careful budgeting and planning, which might not appeal to everyone.
Combining Salary Cap with Dynasty
Combining the elements of a salary cap with a dynasty league creates a unique and challenging format that closely mimics the complexities of managing an actual NFL team. This format requires careful planning — both short-term and long-term — to manage player contracts, free agency, and salary-cap constraints.
Teams keep their entire roster from year to year, the same as a traditional dynasty league. However, the added layer of the salary cap introduces a financial strategy component, making roster management more realistic year over year. Each season, the salary cap is typically adjusted to reflect changes in the real NFL salary cap or based on league rules assigned by the fantasy league commissioner.
In a salary cap dynasty league, managing free agency is crucial. Players’ contracts expire, and teams must decide whether to keep them (at their new adjusted cap), release them where they can be bid on by other teams, or trade them to another team.
Flex and Super Flex
The flex position in fantasy football allow teams to start a single player from among a pool of multiple positions (RB/WR/TE). Super flex takes this a step further by allowing a quarterback to be started in the flex spot, significantly increasing their value.
These options add flexibility in lineup decisions and increase strategy based on perceived roster depth. The super flex role underlines the importance of a good backup quarterback and adds another dimension to building your roster. However, the increased complexity in lineup decisions can be a drawback for some — as it requires a deeper understanding of player roles and league scoring.
Drafting Defensive Players
In most traditional fantasy leagues, team defenses and special teams (D/ST) are drafted as a single unit. However, some leagues incorporate Individual Defensive Player (IDP) formats, where managers draft specific defensive players rather than or in complement to an entire team defense. This format can significantly enhance the strategic depth and complexity of the game.
Drafting for defensive players requires an appreciable set of fantasy football skills and knowledge, as managers must evaluate the performance and weekly consistency of individual defensive players. This position group adds an extra layer of engagement, and for managers another level of analysis as they need to more thoroughly consider matchups Leagues that leverage the IDP position can be particularly rewarding for fantasy football enthusiasts who enjoy a comprehensive understanding of both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.
Now’s your time to shine!
Fantasy football’s customization options make it extremely fun for a wide range of fans. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a redraft league, the strategic depth of a keeper or dynasty league, or the unique twists and turns provided by best ball, PPR, salary cap, flex/superflex, and defensive roster options, there’s a fantasy football league format that’s perfect for you.
It’s important to remember that every fantasy football experience can be modified. Different formats can be introduced, each adding its unique twist to the game.
Exploring these different formats can lead to a more enjoyable and engaging fantasy football experience, ensuring that every season is as thrilling as the last.
For those just beginning their journey into fantasy football, here’s one key piece of advice. Fantasy sports can be addicting, so don’t join too many leagues at once. If you try to manage too many teams, you’ll end up rooting for one or more of your players in one or several leagues and against them in others.