You've been invited to join a fantasy football league, and while you know it will be fun, you have a tiny bit of fear and apprehension. Don't worry! It's completely normal to feel that way. Whether you're in it for the trash talk, the trophies, or just trying not to get auto-drafted into embarrassment, this guide is your ultimate starter pack for Draft Day domination.
Fantasy Football 101: What You Actually Need to Know
If you're feeling confident beyond the general rules, feel free to skip ahead to the next section. If you're sticking around to brush up on the basics, great job. I'm proud of you for studying up! Fantasy football does have a set of standard rules, and they're very easy to understand.
Each season begins with a draft where you'll pick the NFL players to build your weekly lineup.
Most leagues are PPR (point per reception) -- that means WRs and pass-catching RBs are valuable.
The players on your team will earn you points based on how they perform in their game that week.
Each week, your team faces off against another team in your league.
It's your responsibility as the team manager to make sure your roster is up to date for the week, meaning there are no players in your starting lineup out for injury or on a bye week.
The highest-scoring team wins the league matchup for the week..
Basic Roster Needs
Depending on the format of your league (best ball, super flex, tight end premium, etc), your roster needs and priorities may change. We can get into that another time, but for the sake of this guide, we're going to look at a standard scoring, single QB league.
Positions to know (and how many to draft)
- QB (1)
- RB (2)
- WR (2–3)
- TE (1)
- FLEX (1-4 RB/WR/TE)
- Kicker (1)
- Defense (1)
- Bench (several backup players)
Not all leagues will have a Kicker and Defense, but most basic leagues do. While your starting lineup may only have 1 single quarterback, you'll want to draft another one down the line to fill in for your starting QB on their bye week or in case of injury. Make sure that after you've drafted your starting lineup, you draft backups at each position for that same reason -- bye weeks or someone winding up on the injury report.
The Essentials: Your Fantasy Draft Day Starter Pack
Must-Haves
- Fantasy football cheat sheet with rankings (from RotoWire, of course)
- Notebook or Google Doc to track your picks
- Snacks + drinks + a winning vibe (snacks and spreadsheets? Yes, please.)
- Headphones if it's an online draft with chat
- Wi-Fi backup plan (because your RB1 shouldn't hinge on hotel internet)
Know the Names: Players Going Early in 2025 Drafts
If you're picking early in the draft, these are some of the names you'll hear over and over. Even experienced managers get rattled during the draft. Stay cool and learn to adapt.
- CeeDee Lamb (WR, Cowboys): Targets, targets, and more targets
- Bijan Robinson (RB, Falcons): 3rd-season glow-up incoming
- Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Bengals): Expect a bounce-back year with big upside
- Saquon Barkley (RB, Giants): Consistent goal-line role offers stability
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Lions): The Sun God shines in PPR formats
- Trey McBride (TE, Cardinals): A "must-draft" tight end with the most targets among TEs
Pro tip: You don't have to know every player, just have a short list of targets. Don't panic if someone takes your pick; that's why you have a list and notes. Adaptability is part of the game.
Draft Day Vibes: How to Feel Confident, Even if You're a Rookie
The most important things to remember while drafting your fantasy football team are to remain calm and have fun. Don't worry if you don't know every player. You only need to know the next one you're picking, and there will be time for you to do a quick check-in with your notes.
Try not to draft too many players from the same team or who share a bye week. That will cut down on your need for multiple backup players. You should be able to see the player's bye week as a number next to their name.
Running backs disappear fast. Try to get at least one solid one early. Grab a wide receiver who gets a lot of targets. In PPR scoring, volume of targets matters more than just big plays. Draft your kicker and defense last. Please. Trust me on this.
Don't take a quarterback too early (unless you're going with Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson and want to start fast with star power). Quarterbacks are typically the highest point earners on your team. If you're in a single QB league, it's ok to wait on drafting a starting QB if the top 2 or 3 are gone off the draft board already.
Lingo to Know So You Sound Like You've Done This Before
Fantasy football has its own language. Here's a quick glossary for sounding like you belong:
- ADP: Average Draft Position (a numbered guide to where in the draft players are usually picked)
- Sleeper: A low-ranked player with breakout potential (aka your future brag)
- Handcuff: A backup to your starter, usually on the same team and same position as an insurance plan
- Waiver Wire: Where you pick up undrafted players throughout the season (typically Wednesday)
- Bust: That player everyone hyped… who gives you nothing
Final Thoughts: You're Ready
You've got everything you need. Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't know enough to play. The secret? No one gets it 100 percent right. But you will get better with each pick, each week, and each win.
Let the draft begin!
(And may your flex spot never be filled with regret on Thursdays.)
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