How NFL Fantasy Football Drafts Work

The fantasy football draft is one of the most exciting parts of the NFL fantasy season. It’s when you build the foundation of your team by selecting NFL players in turns against other team owners. Understanding how the draft works is crucial to gaining an early-season edge.

League Format & Team Count

Most fantasy leagues consist of 10 to 12 teams. Each team owner builds a roster by selecting NFL players in a live or online draft. Some leagues are smaller (8 teams) or larger (up to 14 or 16), but 10–12 is the standard.

Typical Fantasy Roster

While roster settings can vary by league, here’s a common default lineup:

• 1 QB (Quarterback)
• 2 RB (Running Backs)
• 2 WR (Wide Receivers)
• 1 TE (Tight End)
• 1 FLEX (RB/WR/TE)
• 1 K (Kicker)
• 1 DST (Defense/Special Teams)
• 5–7 Bench Players (for depth and backups)

Some leagues include an IR (Injured Reserve) spot or use 2 FLEX players or Superflex (which allows a QB at FLEX).

Draft Style: Serpentine (Snake Draft)

The most common draft format is the snake draft. In a serpentine draft:

• Round 1: Teams pick in order from 1 to 12
• Round 2: Order reverses from 12 back to 1
• Round 3: Order returns to 1 through 12, and so on

This ensures fairness, so the team with the #1 pick doesn’t get an unfair advantage in every round.

Alternative Draft: Auction Draft

Instead of picking players in order, each owner gets a virtual budget (e.g., $200) and bids on players. This format requires more strategy and planning, especially for balancing your roster and budget.

Draft Strategy Tips

• Know Your Scoring Format: Standard, Half-PPR, and Full-PPR impact player value. Pass-catching RBs are worth more in PPR leagues.
• Draft Starters First: Focus on reliable starters early, especially RB and WR.
• Wait on Quarterbacks: Unless your league rewards heavy QB points, you can often get value QBs later.
• Depth Wins Championships: Bench players are crucial for bye weeks and injuries. Target upside picks in later rounds.
• Monitor Bye Weeks: Avoid drafting too many starters with the same bye week.

Mock Drafts & Preparation

One of the best ways to prepare is by doing mock drafts. Sites like FantasyPros, ESPN, and Sleeper offer free mock draft rooms to practice against others or bots.

The more you draft, the better you’ll understand where players are likely to be picked and when you can find value.

Summary: Your fantasy draft is your team’s blueprint for the season. Whether you’re a beginner or veteran, preparation, strategy, and understanding your league’s format can give you a big advantage come game day.