What does PPR mean in fantasy football? PPR league scoring gives players additional points per reception. That point value is usually one point. This seemingly small provision can notably change fantasy football rankings in various scoring environments.
The PPR scoring system used to be an outlier format, but eventually point per reception fantasy football scoring became the most popular version of league scoring. The reason for this is simple. PPR scoring helps balance the production levels of every fantasy football position. It values wide receivers, tight ends and pass catching running backs more equally. Thus those positions are more valued on a PPR fantasy football cheat sheet than they would be in standard league scoring.
These adjustments change the PPR rankings in leagues that use either fantasy football auction values or a snake draft. This makes it imperative to tailor your draft tools to the PPR format. The rest of this review will walk you through just how to accomplish this.
What's the Difference Between PPR and non-PPR?
We can see PPR scoring explained in a simple way by contrasting standard vs PPR fantasy football. In a standard league, the bulk of the scoring comes from yardage and touchdowns (with the rest often coming from kicking and defense). In a PPR league, players receive points each time they register a reception.
For example, if Ja'Marr Chase catches eight passes for 110 yards in a standard league, he will generate 11 points for his fantasy team (one point for every 10 receiving yards). Post those same numbers in a PPR league and Chase will rack up 19 points (11 points for yards plus eight points for the eight receptions).
There are also leagues that split the difference between standard and PPR scoring by awarding a half point per reception. In that Chase example, he would score 15 points in a half PPR league (11 points for yards plus four points for receptions). This type of league requires a different draft strategy and custom fantasy football rankings than are used in a full PPR environment.
How PPR Changes Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
The primary change in a PPR cheat sheet vs a standard cheat sheet is that WRs, pass-catching RBs and TEs gain value in the PPR scoring format. This makes stocking up on volume-based players more important than it is in a standard league. This quantity over quality approach is something the RotoWire fantasy football draft kit can help you navigate.
One of the other fantasy football PPR tips to keep in mind is that because the PPR format has more paths to scoring, it also provides more paths for sleepers. Slot wide receivers and third-down running backs who might be afterthoughts in a standard league can become viable starting options in PPR leagues. You can find these sleepers at RotoWire, which gives you the best fantasy football draft assistant to help secure these invaluable picks.
Top Tips for Drafting in a PPR League
A very good rule of thumb when drafting wide receivers in a PPR league is to prioritize players who are projected to post 100 or more targets in the upcoming season. The 100-target level isn't quite as relevant for tight ends, as there are very few of those, so adjust this number to 80 or more at that position. That number shifts to 60 or so when it comes to pass-catching running backs.
You can find that information in the various projections available to you once you subscribe to RotoWire. These projections will also assist you in not overvaluing low volume touchdown scorers, who are nowhere near as valuable in PPR leagues as they are in standard leagues.
A good draft practice habit to get into is to review receptions-per-game stats. This will get you familiar with the high-volume pass catchers. Another plus habit is to always double check that you are using PPR cheat sheets. You don't want to be the fantasy manager who accidentally makes PPR draft picks off of a standard cheat sheet.
Final Thoughts on PPR Leagues for Beginners
One of the best parts of PPR leagues is that they are beginner friendly. The multiple methods of scoring provide fantasy managers with a margin for error when building PPR teams.
You can get familiar with this beginner-friendly approach by using the RotoWire fantasy football mock draft simulator This will show you 2025 target and reception projections for every player in the league and provide you with up to the minute fantasy football news. You can start practicing these mock drafts right now by signing up for your RotoWire subscription today!
