Your First Fantasy Football Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Fantasy football can feel overwhelming when you are just starting out. You pick real NFL players to build your own team, and those players earn you points based on how well they perform each week. The better your players do in real games, the more points you score. If you score more points than your opponent that week, you win.

Before anything else, learn how your league is set up. Most leagues use default settings from a platform like ESPN, but each league can be a little different. You should know how many teams are in your league, how many players you start each week, and which stats earn you points. Spending time learning your league's rules before draft day will save you a lot of headaches later.

The most important setting to know is what type of league you are in. A redraft league starts fresh every season, with every player going back into the draft pool. A keeper league lets managers hold on to some players from year to year. A dynasty league keeps your whole roster, and you only draft new NFL players.

In a standard ESPN league, your starting lineup includes one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one flex spot, one kicker, and a team defense. The flex spot is special because you can fill it with a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. You also get seven bench spots and one injured reserve slot for players who are hurt.

Players earn fantasy points based on what they do in real NFL games. Running and receiving yards are worth 1 point for every 10 yards gained. Passing yards are worth less — 1 point for every 25 yards — because quarterbacks throw for so much more yardage. Touchdowns scored by running or catching the ball are worth 6 points, while passing touchdowns are only worth 4 points in default leagues.

One big scoring rule to know is PPR, which stands for points per reception. In PPR leagues, players earn 1 point every time they catch a pass. This makes wide receivers, tight ends, and pass-catching running backs more valuable. Some leagues use half-PPR, giving just half a point per catch.

The draft is where you build your roster. Most leagues use a snake draft, where teams pick in order from 1 to 12, then reverse back from 12 to 1 in the next round. It is smart to keep a list, called a queue, of players you want so you are always ready when your turn comes. If the timer runs out before you pick, the site will choose for you.

When drafting, think in groups of players called tiers rather than just following one big ranking list. Players in the same tier have similar projected point totals. By thinking in tiers, you can choose the best available player at any position, not just the next name on a list. This helps you avoid missing out on great players at other positions.

After the draft, you can still improve your roster by adding players from the waiver wire. The waiver wire is a list of players who are not on any team in your league. Most leagues give each manager a waiver priority number, and the manager with the highest priority gets first pick. Once you use your priority, you drop to the bottom of the list, so use your claims carefully.

Trading players with other managers is another way to improve your team. The goal of a good trade is to help both teams, not just yours. Think about what your team needs most and what the other manager might need, then try to find a deal that works for both sides. Good communication keeps your league friendly and competitive.

Each week, you need to choose which players to start. The simplest method is to start the players with the highest projected scores. Always check for injuries before games begin, and pay attention to matchups — a good player facing a weak defense is likely to score more points. Fantasy football takes practice, but the most important thing is to have fun.