Fantasy football has taken over NFL Sundays in the best way possible, and more women than ever are joining the fun. Thirty million of us, in fact. If you've always wanted to play but don't know where to start, you're not alone. If you've ever been the only girly in your league... same here.
The number of women in the in the fantasy football community is rising rapidly. This isn't just a "guys' game" anymore. Whether you're playing for bragging rights, prize money or just to beat your brother, consider this fantasy football draft guide your preseason walkthrough and in-season sideline coach. We've compiled insider tips about strategy and gaining confidence from the top -- and most badass -- women working in the fantasy football industry today.
Fantasy Football, Explained
Let's start with the basics. Fantasy football is simple. Before the season begins, you draft a team of real NFL players. Once the season starts, you compete weekly against other managers. Your players earn points based on their actual game stats. Win the most matchups, stack up the best record, and voila -- you take the crown.
League Types
- Redraft: The most common format. Everyone starts fresh each season and drafts one round at a time.
- Dynasty: Like redraft, but you keep your team year to year, managing rookies, trades and waivers.
- Keeper: Managers retain select players from year to year.
- Best Ball: Draft once, then the system auto-sets your best lineup weekly. No trades or in-season moves.
- Guillotine: Lowest scoring team is cut each week; their players hit waivers.
Draft Types
- Snake Draft: Most common. Draft order reverses each round (1 → 12, then 12 → 1).
- Auction Draft: Bid on players with a set budget.
- Mock Draft: A no-pressure practice draft. Test strategies, learn ADP trends and prepare for the real thing.
Scoring Types
- PPR (Points Per Reception): Wide receivers and pass-catching running backs are gold
- Half-PPR: Earn half a point per reception
- Standard: Yards and touchdowns, no points for catches
Positions
- QB (Quarterback)
- RB (Running Back)
- WR (Wide Receiver)
- TE (Tight End)
- FLEX (RB/WR/TE)
- D/ST (Defense/Special Teams)
- K (Kicker)
Key Terms
- Waiver Wire: Pool of free agents to add during the season
- Sleeper: An under-the-radar player with upside
- Handcuff: A backup who benefits if the starter gets hurt
- ADP: Average draft position
- Bye Week: When a player's NFL team gets a week off
- FAAB: Allocated budget to bid on players on the waiver wire
- Third Round Reversal: Draft order flips again in Round 3
Most leagues use apps like Yahoo, ESPN or Sleeper to conduct the drafts, which makes it extremely easy to follow along and view players' ADP, stats, and recent write-ups -- courtesy of RotoWire, of course! If you are unsure who to pick, these apps will show you the top drafted players available, in order of popularity.
Whichever way you play, fantasy football makes every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday more exciting. The fall vibes, gameday snacks and growing options for cute football gear only add to it. Best of all, it opens your eyes to the entire National Football League -- suddenly you're rooting for players on teams you'd never normally watch, tracking multiple games at once and building knowledge you never expected to have.
Why More Women and Girls Should Play
Fantasy football builds community and fosters healthy competition. It turns coworkers, friends, and family into rivals and teammates at once. While leagues have long been male-dominated, more women are joining and forming their own, proving the game isn't just for men. Fantasy builds confidence, sharpens problem-solving skills and makes game days more fun.
Of course, having knowledge about a sport is a valuable skill set that can set a woman up for success, not only in the workplace but also socially. And there's nothing better than beating the so-called "league expert."
Representation matters. What better way to show the next generation of women that they can do anything than by breaking the glass ceiling of the fantasy football world?
League Life 101
So you've joined a league. Now what? This is where the fun begins!
Think of the draft as your ultimate shopping spree -- only instead of curating your closet with clothes, shoes and accessories, you're building a lineup with running backs, wideouts and quarterbacks. Don't worry if you don't know every player or their abilities. You'll learn quickly, and half the fun is discovering players as you go. Even still, it never hurts to prep beforehand to ensure a smoother draft. Tools like NFL fantasy rankings and fantasy football cheat sheets are lifelines to guide you. Give your squad a witty name -- most everyone does -- and don't feel the need to limit yourself only to fantasy football team names for girls.
Draft Day Dos & Don'ts
You'll find differing opinions on whether or not to follow "rules" about how early/late to draft certain positions, for example. There's truly no "correct" way to draft. It also depends on your league size, format, and settings.
However, there are SOME general rules that are helpful if you're just starting out so you can avoid costly mistakes or faux pas:
DO:
- Secure positional talent early (WR, RB).
- Pay attention to bye weeks -- you don't want half your team off in Week 9.
- Mock draft a few times before the real thing (to practice!).
- Research beforehand and use cheat sheets.
"Come in with a plan, but be prepared to abandon it early! We can prepare for every situation and want the draft to go a certain way, but you have to flow with the draft board, and that means your plans may not work once the draft actually starts." - Kendall Valenzuela, Fantasy Life
Another major 'DO' is to stay open-minded -- zig when others zag.
"I prefer to grab a high-volume running back with pass-catching upside in the first or second round, then wait on that position while filling other spots. That said, if a player like Ja'Marr Chase falls to you, you take him. Flexibility is key -- expect to get sniped, have a backup plan, and stay confident." - Liz Loza, ESPN
A popular rule of thumb is to wait on drafting a defense until the very end.
"Draft your defense in the last round. No matter what. While other people draft defenses (that will produce inconsistently), you'll be drafting position players who could turn out to be good." - Lindsay Rhodes, Sumer Sports
DON'T:
- Take a kicker (or defense!) before the final few rounds.
- Draft three QBs. Seriously, one will do. Two if you're nervous.
- Draft too many players from the same team (again, bye week issue, but also tanks your team if they perform poorly)
- Auto-draft your entire team. You came to win.
"Don't start filling your roster spots like a grocery list. Go for the best talent available. There's plenty of time in your draft to "check all the boxes". --Samantha Holt, Fantasy Life + Women of Fantasy Football
An important note is that NO ONE is ever 100 percent correct on player outcomes for the season, not even the top experts. We don't have crystal balls -- we cannot predict injuries (for the most part). There will always be surprises. So keep that in mind as you draft! And always remember to trust your instincts.
In-Season has Entered the Chat
Congrats on drafting a solid squad! Let's review what's next.
Setting Your Lineups
First, it's time to set your lineups!
"When it comes to setting your fantasy lineup, don't get cute. You drafted these players for a reason, so trust your gut and start the ones you believe in. Listening to too many analysts can leave you second-guessing every move and overcomplicating what should be simple. Matchups matter, so use them to elevate your starters - but don't let stats and hot takes talk you out of the players you were excited about on draft day." – Amber Phillips, Fantasy Advice Network
Deciding who to start or sit can be tough, especially Week 1 when you're unsure of how your players will actually shake out. However, there are some "hacks" to be mindful of to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
"Once you've made the decision to start a Thursday player, never start them in the FLEX. Even though you may have drafted that player with "flex" in mind, you want to leave yourself the most flexibility for the rest of the weekend, as lots of injury news drops later to game time.
For example, if you drafted Nico Collins as your WR1 and Jerry Jeudy as your "flex," but Jeudy has a Thursday night game, start Jeudy as the WR1 and move Collins to the Flex Position. That way, you have more insurance for any late injury news that could break." – Jen Piacenti, Shark Bets
Weekly Matchups
Every week, your team faces off against another team in your league. Your players earn points based on how they perform in their games. If your quarterback throws touchdowns and your running back breaks loose for a big run, you'll be celebrating right along with them. Win or lose, your league's group chat is usually where the real entertainment happens. Just be prepared for plenty of (mostly) friendly trash talk.
Trades & Waivers
Sometimes that amazing new dress doesn't fit right, so you have to return it. The same goes for players on your roster. That's where trades and waivers come in. You can trade players with someone in your league or pick up new players from the waiver wire. As we mentioned before, the waiver wire is basically a pool of available players. Don't be afraid to make changes! It's all part of keeping your team fresh and competitive.
Where to Find Your People
One of the best parts of fantasy football is finding your tribe. Women-led groups are popping up everywhere! Whether they're in-person or online, finding a community of like-minded women makes playing the game even more fun.
"Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of good people in this space that are here to help you learn. There was a time where I kept hearing about Best Ball tournaments. I had no idea what that was! And now it is one of my favorite formats. So don't be afraid to ask because that's how you will continue to grow." – Wendi Earley, Women of Fantasy Football
Women of Fantasy Football: Exists to empower and amplify the voices of women in sports — within the fantasy football industry, specifically. Sports has long been of interest to women, but their male counterparts haven't always been the most accepting.
Unwind: A community of women who love fantasy football. Unwind is a safe place that serves to connect, support, and empower each woman.
Podcasts, social media, and local leagues: There's no shortage of spaces where women are playing, learning, and growing together.
You don't have to go it alone. There's a whole squad waiting to welcome you.
Coach's Pep Talk
Here's the truth: the only way to learn fantasy football is to jump in. You don't need to be an expert, and you don't need to have every rule memorized.
"This is your hobby, and hobbies are supposed to be fun. Enjoy the journey, and remember that it doesn't matter if you don't nail it." – Loza
So pour your drink of choice (bonus points if it's pumpkin flavored!), set your lineup(s), and get ready to remind everyone in your league that you CAN play this game just as well (if not better) than they can. Fantasy football isn't just about winning. (Just kidding, yes it is). BUT, it's also about connection, confidence and plenty of laughs. Girl, you've got this!
Dominate your fantasy football league this season by exploring RotoWire's ultimate Draft Kit. Packed with expert insights, rankings, and strategy tips, the kit features our interactive Mock Draft Simulator to prepare you for every scenario. Streamline your draft-day decisions using our printable cheat sheet and stay ahead of the competition with our up-to-date rankings for all formats. RotoWire has everything you need to win. To learn more, subscribe now and start optimizing your roster today.
