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.
If you are curious about how things ended up, here is my Results pageMost 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.
While roster settings can vary by league, here’s a common default lineup:
Some leagues include an IR (Injured Reserve) spot or use 2 FLEX players or Superflex (which allows a QB at FLEX).
The most common draft format is the snake draft. In a serpentine draft:
This ensures fairness, so the team with the #1 pick doesn’t get an unfair advantage in every round.
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.
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.