Fantasy Football Glossary (Part 1)

This glossary explains the most important fantasy football terms in detail. Whether you're new to fantasy or need a refresher, this guide will help you understand what everything means and how to use it in your league.

ADP (Average Draft Position)

ADP stands for Average Draft Position. It represents the average spot where a player is selected in fantasy football drafts across thousands of leagues. ADP is a helpful tool when preparing for your draft—it gives you a sense of when players are typically taken, so you don't reach too early or wait too long. For example, if a player has an ADP of 15, that means they are usually selected early in Round 2 of a 12-team league. ADP varies slightly across platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper based on user trends and scoring formats.

Bench

The bench refers to the players on your fantasy team who are not in your starting lineup for the week. While bench players don't score points for you during that week, they are critical for roster depth. You rely on bench players to fill in during bye weeks, cover for injuries, or provide strategic flexibility. Smart fantasy managers often stash promising "sleeper" players or handcuffs on their bench for future value.

Boom (Boom Player / Boom Week)

A "boom" refers to a player who significantly exceeds expectations in a given week, often putting up a huge fantasy score. Boom weeks can be the difference between winning and losing your matchup. For example, if a running back projected to score 12 points ends up with 35 points, they are considered to have "boomed." Boom players have high ceilings and can win you games, but they may also come with risk or inconsistency.

Bust

A bust is a player who fails to meet expectations—especially one who was drafted early but performs poorly over the season or in a given week. Busts can derail your fantasy season if you rely on them too heavily. For example, if you draft a wide receiver in Round 2 expecting elite production, and they end up averaging only 6 points per game, they're considered a bust. Busts can result from poor play, injury, or being in a bad offensive situation.

Bye Week

Every NFL team has one scheduled week during the season where they don't play a game—this is known as their bye week. During that week, players on that team will not earn any fantasy points. It's important to check bye weeks when drafting and setting your lineup so you don't accidentally start inactive players. Savvy managers plan ahead for bye weeks and use their bench or waiver wire to fill in the gaps.

Ceiling

A player's ceiling refers to their maximum potential performance in a given week or season. It represents the highest number of fantasy points you can reasonably expect if everything goes right—like favorable matchups, high volume, and scoring opportunities. Players with high ceilings are often capable of "boom" games, even if they are inconsistent. Ceiling is important when choosing players in FLEX spots or when you need a big game to win your matchup.

Commissioner (Commish)

The commissioner is the person who runs your fantasy league. They create the league, set the rules, manage disputes, and may adjust rosters or scores if necessary. A good commissioner ensures fair play and keeps the league organized. Many platforms like ESPN and Yahoo offer easy tools for commissioners to set scoring formats, schedule drafts, and approve trades. In more competitive leagues, the commissioner also enforces deadlines and league votes.

Consistency

Consistency in fantasy football refers to how reliably a player produces solid fantasy points week after week. While some players have high ceilings but are unpredictable (boom-or-bust), consistent players deliver dependable results. These players are often "set it and forget it" starters who don't win weeks by themselves but rarely hurt your lineup. Consistency is especially valuable in season-long formats where stability is key to making the playoffs.

Depth Chart

A team's depth chart lists the order of players at each position—first-string (starter), second-string (backup), and so on. In fantasy football, understanding the depth chart helps you evaluate a player's opportunity. A running back listed as RB2 (backup) may become highly valuable if the starter gets injured. Savvy fantasy managers keep an eye on depth charts during preseason and throughout the season to identify breakout candidates and handcuffs.

DST (Defense/Special Teams)

DST stands for Defense/Special Teams. In fantasy football, you typically draft and start one NFL team's full defense, which includes points for things like sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, safeties, and touchdowns on defensive or special teams plays (like punt or kick returns). DSTs also earn or lose points based on how many points they allow in a game. While not as high-scoring as other positions, a good DST can swing a week in your favor—especially when facing weak offenses.

Dynasty League

A dynasty league is a long-term fantasy football format where you keep most or all of your players from year to year. Unlike traditional redraft leagues where teams start fresh each season, dynasty leagues mimic real NFL team-building. You draft rookies each offseason, trade for future draft picks, and develop a deep roster over time. Dynasty formats require long-term strategy and are great for managers who love scouting prospects and managing a "franchise" over several seasons.

FLEX

The FLEX spot in your lineup allows you to start a player at multiple eligible positions—typically a running back (RB), wide receiver (WR), or tight end (TE). FLEX gives you lineup flexibility and can be used strategically based on matchups and available players. Some leagues also allow Superflex, which includes the option to start a quarterback in the FLEX position.

Floor

A player's floor refers to their lowest expected fantasy point output in a game, assuming nothing disastrous (like injury) occurs. Players with high floors are consistent and less likely to give you a "dud" week. For example, a running back who consistently gets 15+ touches per game has a higher floor than one who splits time and relies on touchdowns. Floor is especially important in head-to-head matchups where you just need dependable production to secure a win.

Free Agent (FA)

A free agent in fantasy football is any player who is not currently on a team’s roster and is not on waivers. These players can typically be added immediately without a wait period. Keeping an eye on free agents is critical for making last-minute moves or picking up breakout performers.

Game Script

Game script refers to the expected flow of an NFL game and how it might impact fantasy performance. For example, if a team is expected to fall behind early, their quarterback and receivers might benefit from more passing volume. Conversely, running backs on teams projected to win often benefit from positive game scripts that allow them to run out the clock. Understanding game script helps with lineup decisions, DFS strategy, and choosing streaming options.

Handcuff

A handcuff is a backup player—usually a running back—who would see a major increase in value if the starter ahead of them gets injured. For example, drafting Alexander Mattison behind Dalvin Cook was a classic handcuff strategy. Handcuffs are essential for risk management and are especially important in the later rounds of drafts or if you're heavily invested in one team's backfield. Not all backups are handcuffs—only those with clear paths to volume if the starter goes down.

Injury Report

The injury report is a list published by NFL teams each week that outlines the health status of players leading up to game day. Players are labeled as Questionable (Q), Doubtful (D), or Out (O), depending on how likely they are to play. Fantasy managers must monitor injury reports closely, especially on Fridays and Sundays, to make last-minute lineup adjustments. Some players may be listed with designations but still play, while others may be surprise inactives.

IR Slot (Injured Reserve Slot)

The IR slot is a dedicated space on your fantasy roster for injured players who are officially placed on Injured Reserve by their NFL team. Placing a player in the IR slot frees up a bench spot, allowing you to add another player without dropping anyone. Most leagues allow only players with the IR designation to be moved to this slot. It’s a valuable tool for roster management, especially in leagues with limited bench space.

Keeper League

A keeper league is a fantasy football format that allows managers to retain a select number of players from their previous season's roster. Unlike dynasty leagues where you keep most or all players, keeper leagues usually allow 1–3 keepers per year. This format blends the excitement of a fresh draft with the continuity of building around returning stars. Keeper rules vary—some leagues assign draft-round penalties for kept players, others do not.

Lineup

Your lineup refers specifically to the players you select to play for your team each week. These are the players who will earn points for your team based on their real-life performance in NFL games. You typically start one quarterback (QB), two running backs (RBs), two wide receivers (WRs), one tight end (TE), one FLEX, one kicker (K), and one defense/special teams (DST). The rest remain on your bench.

Matchup

Matchup has two meanings in fantasy football: (1) Your weekly head-to-head contest against another fantasy manager, and (2) how a player's NFL team performs against their opponent. Understanding matchups helps with start/sit decisions—e.g., starting a wide receiver facing a weak secondary. Managers often analyze defensive rankings (e.g., 29th vs. WRs) to find favorable matchups for maximizing fantasy output each week.

Mock Draft

A mock draft is a simulated version of a real fantasy draft. Fantasy managers participate in mock drafts (usually online) to practice strategies, test draft positions, and get familiar with player average draft positions (ADP). Most major fantasy platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, and FantasyPros offer free mock drafts. Running a few mocks before your real draft can help you feel more confident and avoid surprises.

PPR (Points Per Reception)

PPR is a scoring format in which players earn fantasy points for each reception they make. In a standard PPR league, 1 point is awarded per catch. This scoring system significantly increases the value of wide receivers, tight ends, and pass-catching running backs. Some leagues use Half-PPR, which awards 0.5 points per catch. PPR formats tend to reward volume and consistency more than touchdowns alone, making player selection and weekly matchups more strategic.

Projection

A projection is the estimated number of fantasy points a player is expected to score in a given week or season. Fantasy platforms generate projections based on past performance, opponent strength, injuries, weather, and other factors. Projections are helpful for comparing players, setting your lineup, and identifying potential streamers or waiver pickups. While useful, projections are not guarantees and should be used alongside matchup analysis and trends.

Red Zone

The red zone refers to the area of the football field between the opponent's 20-yard line and the end zone. Players who receive frequent red zone touches or targets are more likely to score touchdowns, making them highly valuable in fantasy football. For example, a running back who consistently gets carries inside the 5-yard line may be referred to as a "goal-line back" with strong red zone usage. Monitoring red zone stats helps identify scoring threats beyond yardage alone.

Roster

Your roster is the collection of all the players on your fantasy football team, including starters and bench players. Most rosters include positions like QB, RB, WR, TE, FLEX, Kicker, and Defense/Special Teams, along with several bench spots. Managing your roster involves drafting wisely, making trades, picking up free agents, and adjusting for bye weeks and injuries. Strong roster depth gives you flexibility and insurance throughout the season.

Sleeper

A sleeper is a player who is undervalued in fantasy drafts but has the potential to significantly outperform expectations. Sleepers are often overlooked due to lack of name recognition, a previous injury, or limited role last season. Smart managers target sleepers in the later rounds of drafts as they can provide massive return on investment. Sleeper picks are especially popular in expert rankings, draft guides, and preseason content.

Snake Draft

A snake draft (also called a serpentine draft) is the most common draft format in fantasy football. In this format, the pick order reverses each round to maintain fairness. For example, if you have the 1st pick in Round 1, you’ll pick last in Round 2, then first again in Round 3. This format helps balance the advantage of early draft positions and requires careful planning to build a well-rounded team with staggered pick intervals.

Start/Sit

Start/Sit decisions refer to the weekly process of choosing which players to put in your starting lineup and which to leave on the bench. These decisions are based on matchups, injuries, bye weeks, weather, recent performance, and projections. Many expert websites offer weekly "Start/Sit" columns to help fantasy managers weigh options—especially for FLEX positions or borderline players.

Streaming

Streaming is a strategy used when you don’t commit to a single player for a position and instead rotate players based on matchups. This is common for positions like quarterback, tight end, kicker, and DST. For example, if you don’t draft a top-tier QB, you might "stream" different QBs each week based on who is playing a weak defense. Streaming can maximize value from lesser-known players and is often used in deeper leagues or when dealing with injuries.

Superflex

Superflex is a variation of the FLEX position that allows a quarterback (QB) to be used in that spot, in addition to the usual RB, WR, or TE. This dramatically increases the value of quarterbacks, since most teams will now start two QBs each week. Superflex leagues require different drafting strategies and often prioritize QBs earlier than traditional formats. It adds complexity and scoring potential to lineups.

Target Share

Target share refers to the percentage of a team’s total pass attempts that go to a specific player. It is a key metric for evaluating the importance of a receiver in their offense. For example, if a wide receiver receives 25% of their team’s targets, that’s considered elite. High target share is especially valuable in PPR formats, as it correlates directly with opportunity and potential for consistent scoring.

Trade Value

Trade value refers to the perceived worth of a player in fantasy football trade discussions. It is influenced by a player's performance, consistency, injury history, schedule, position scarcity, and perceived upside. Trade value can be relative—what helps one team may not help another—and it can fluctuate quickly due to news or breakout performances. Many websites offer trade value charts or calculators to help assess fair trades between managers.

Upside

Upside describes a player's potential to greatly exceed their projected fantasy points. Players with upside can win you weeks if they hit their ceiling. Upside is especially valuable in FLEX positions, during playoffs, or when you're an underdog in a matchup. High-upside players often come with risk, such as low floors or uncertain roles. They are typically targeted in the later rounds of drafts or added as speculative waiver wire pickups.

Waiver Wire

The waiver wire is the pool of unowned players in your fantasy league who are temporarily unavailable after being dropped or left undrafted. When a player is placed on waivers, other teams can submit claims to acquire them. Waivers typically process on a designated day each week (often Tuesday night or Wednesday morning), and priority is usually based on standings or a rolling order. Successful waiver wire moves are crucial to winning your league.

Workhorse Back

A workhorse back is a running back who plays the majority of offensive snaps and handles most of the rushing and receiving duties for their team. These players are highly valuable in fantasy football due to their consistent volume, goal-line opportunities, and ability to stay on the field in all situations. Examples include players like Christian McCaffrey or Derrick Henry when healthy. Workhorses are rare and often drafted early due to their reliability and upside.

Yards After Catch (YAC)

YAC refers to the number of yards a player gains after catching a pass. It measures how effective a player is at gaining extra yardage once they have the ball in their hands. Receivers and tight ends with strong YAC skills can turn short throws into big gains. YAC-heavy players tend to thrive in offenses that use quick passes and open-field opportunities, and they are especially valuable in PPR formats where short receptions are common.

QB (Quarterback)

The quarterback is the leader of the offense and typically the highest-scoring position in fantasy football. QBs earn points through passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Most leagues start one QB, though Superflex leagues allow two. While elite QBs can be drafted early, many managers wait to draft one due to the position's depth.

RB (Running Back)

Running backs carry the ball on rushing plays and often catch passes out of the backfield. They are a cornerstone of fantasy rosters and often drafted early due to their combination of rushing and receiving potential. Some teams use a "workhorse" RB, while others split duties in a committee.

WR (Wide Receiver)

Wide receivers catch passes and are major contributors in PPR scoring formats. Top WRs can be as valuable as RBs, especially in leagues where receptions are rewarded. Target share, route depth, and quarterback quality are key factors in evaluating WRs.

TE (Tight End)

Tight ends are hybrid players who block and receive. Fantasy-wise, they are judged mostly on receiving stats. The TE position is top-heavy—elite TEs like Travis Kelce often give a weekly advantage, while mid- to low-tier TEs are more volatile. Some leagues use TE-premium scoring, awarding extra points per reception.

IDP (Individual Defensive Player)

IDP leagues allow managers to draft and start individual defensive players (e.g., linebackers, safeties, defensive linemen) rather than a full team DST. Scoring includes tackles, sacks, interceptions, and more. IDP formats add depth and complexity, requiring knowledge of defensive schemes and player roles. These leagues often reward research-savvy managers.

D/ST (Defense/Special Teams)

D/ST refers to an entire NFL team's defensive unit plus their special teams (kick/punt return units). In most fantasy leagues, you draft one team's D/ST to earn points through stats like sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, touchdowns, and points allowed. While not as consistent as offensive players, a top D/ST can be a difference-maker in close matchups, especially with defensive or return touchdowns.

FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget)

FAAB is an alternative to standard waiver priority systems. In FAAB leagues, each manager is given a virtual budget (e.g., $100 or $200) to bid on available free agents. Managers submit blind bids, and the highest bidder gets the player. FAAB adds strategy to the waiver wire and prevents the worst team from always getting first pick. It rewards smart budgeting and timing throughout the season.

OP (Offensive Player)

OP is a roster spot that allows you to start any offensive player, regardless of position (QB, RB, WR, or TE). This is similar to Superflex, but more flexible. OP slots increase the scoring potential in leagues and require a slightly different draft strategy, as QBs often score the most points and are favored in this position.

SFLEX (Superflex)

Superflex is a league format that allows a second FLEX position where you can start a quarterback (in addition to RB, WR, or TE). This increases the value of quarterbacks dramatically, often resulting in QBs being taken early in drafts. Superflex leagues require managers to prioritize depth at QB and often reward those who can identify breakout passers before the rest of the league.

TE-Premium

TE-Premium is a scoring format where tight ends receive additional points per reception—commonly 1.5 PPR instead of the standard 1.0. This boosts the value of the TE position, making them more relevant in fantasy drafts and in-season decisions. TE-Premium leagues help reduce the disparity between elite TEs and the rest of the field, encouraging more diverse draft strategies.

Zero RB

Zero RB is a draft strategy where you intentionally avoid drafting running backs in the early rounds. Instead, you load up on top wide receivers, tight ends, and possibly a quarterback before targeting RBs in the middle and late rounds. The idea is to capitalize on positional volatility and injuries at the RB position by finding breakout or undervalued backs later in the draft. It’s a high-risk, high-reward approach that works best in PPR formats and leagues with deep benches.

Hero RB

Hero RB is a modified version of Zero RB. In this strategy, you select one elite running back in the early rounds (your "hero") and then focus on wide receivers, tight ends, and other positions for several rounds before returning to the RB position. The goal is to secure one reliable RB anchor while still capitalizing on depth at other positions. This strategy is considered more balanced and less risky than full Zero RB.

Robust RB

Robust RB is a draft strategy where you load up on multiple running backs early in the draft—often within the first 3–4 rounds. The goal is to lock in high-volume, high-upside RBs before the position thins out. This strategy is useful in leagues with standard or half-PPR scoring where RBs are the most consistent scorers. It also provides insurance in case of injuries and allows for greater trade flexibility later in the season.

Stacking

Stacking is a strategy where you draft two or more players from the same NFL team—most commonly a quarterback and one of their top receiving weapons (WR or TE). For example, pairing Joe Burrow with Ja'Marr Chase. Stacking can maximize your upside by doubling down on touchdown connections and high-scoring games. It’s especially popular in best ball and DFS formats but also useful in redraft leagues when you believe in a team's offense.

Handcuffing

Handcuffing is the act of drafting the backup to your starting running back in case of injury. For example, if you draft Christian McCaffrey, you may also draft his real-life backup. This gives you insurance and helps protect your roster value. Handcuffs are especially valuable for workhorse backs or in leagues with limited waiver options. Not all backups are true handcuffs—only those who would inherit significant volume if the starter is sidelined.

Streaming

Streaming is a strategy where you rotate players at a position each week based on matchups rather than relying on a single starter. It’s most commonly used for quarterbacks, tight ends, defenses, and kickers. For example, if your tight end has a tough matchup, you might drop them for a free agent with a better one. Successful streaming requires staying active on the waiver wire and targeting players facing weak opponents.

Buy Low

Buying low means trading for a player who is currently underperforming but is expected to improve. This could be due to bad matchups, temporary injuries, or fluky results. The idea is to acquire talent at a discount before their value rebounds. Buy low targets are a key part of long-term fantasy success, as they help you build strength without giving up top-tier assets.

Sell High

Selling high means trading away a player who is currently overperforming and may regress. These players often just had a big game or a stretch of favorable matchups. The goal is to get maximum value before their performance declines. Selling high helps you improve your roster’s depth and reduce risk, especially if the player has an unsustainable role or tough schedule ahead.

Waiver Priority

Waiver priority determines which team gets first access to players on the waiver wire. In standard formats, priority is either reset weekly based on standings (worst team first) or follows a rolling order that changes as managers use their claims. Using your waiver priority strategically—especially early in the season—can land key breakout players and fill major gaps due to injuries or bye weeks.

Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is the final date in the fantasy season when teams are allowed to make trades. After this point, rosters are locked for trading and can only be changed via waivers or free agents. Most leagues set their trade deadline sometime between Weeks 10 and 12 of the NFL season to prevent late-season collusion and preserve competitive integrity. Smart managers make key deals just before the deadline to gear up for the playoffs.