Image Source Canva.com

This past week, I announced that I would be hosting a season-long fantasy football league for Scorum users on ESPN. There is still time to join and prizes to win. Since Scorum brings sports fans together from around the world, there are many fellow Scorum users who do not understand the game or follow it very closely who will need a little help in order to be competitive in this league. As someone who competed in an AFL fantasy league this year without ever having watched a rugby match, I know the feeling well. 

Have no fear! I am your fantasy football (NFL) guide and will help you whip your team into shape for the season. I have been playing both season-long and daily fantasy football for over 15 years and I have had the honor of playing in the DraftKings Fantasy Football World Championship (I hope to earn my way back soon). 

Here is a quick guide on how to play NFL fantasy football without knowing much about the game. 

Types of Games (Formats)

Part of the confusion surrounding fantasy football for beginners is the large number of formats. Here are the different types of formats: 

  • Daily: Players compete for a single day or weekend by selecting players from that day or week's games. 
  • Season-Long: Players compete throughout the entire NFL season, which lasts 17 weeks. Many leagues end after 16 or even 15 weeks. This includes a round of playoffs. 
  • Draft: A draft league is where all of the players in the league select their team based on what's available. There are different types of drafts, the most common is called a "snake" draft, where the player who gets the first pick in the first round will get the last pick in the second round and so on. 
  • Salary Cap: A league where each participant has a fixed salary to spend and they can pick their team based on player salaries determined by the platform. 
  • Standard: A standard scoring league means that there are no bonuses for receptions, which gives an advantage to teams with strong running backs. 
  • PPR:  A PPR league gives a "point-per-reception," placing a bonus on players who catch a lot of passes. 

Note: For the Scorum fantasy football league we will be playing a season-long PPR draft league.

The Basics 

Each week, your team will go head-to-head against an opponent. Your team must outscore their team in order to win that week. The teams with the most wins will make the playoffs, and the team that goes undefeated in the playoffs will win the league. 

Before each Sunday (unless a player is playing in the Thursday night game), you can exchange players on your roster for available free agents by using the "add player" feature. 

Points are based on the performance of your players according to your league's rules. Traditional scoring gives a receiver or a running back 1 point for every 10 yards gained and 6 points for every touchdown they score. Quarterbacks earn 1 point for every 25 yards passing and 4 points for every touchdown throw (6 for every touchdown run). 

Drafting 

The draft is extremely important as most of the players you draft will remain on your team and determine whether you win or lose each week. Watching for free agents is also extremely important. 

In the draft, you want to make sure to balance your team while getting the best player available. For example, since you can only play 1 quarterback each week, you would not want to use your first two draft picks on quarterbacks. Also, kickers are the least valuable player in fantasy football, meaning you should wait until your last couple of draft picks to select one. Focus on star receivers and running backs in the early rounds and secure a solid quarterback. 

You also want to be careful when selecting players at the same position with the same bye week. If you have three running backs on your team and they all have their bye in the 7th week of the season, you will not have any eligible running backs to play that week, meaning you will need to drop players to pick up replacements for that week. Instead, balance your roster so you don't have several players at the same position with the same bye week. 

I recommend viewing a draft ranking list when making your draft picks. See the resource section below for several of these lists you can use. 

Setting Your Weekly Lineup 

There are many types of roster formats, but the one we will use for our league is QB (1), RB (2), WR (2), TE (1), FLEX (1), D/ST (1), K (1). You will also have 7 spots on your bench. Each week, you will need to manage your team so that your active roster (your starters) are all playing that week. You can do this by clicking on "move" and exchanging one player for another that plays the same position. Players on your bench cannot score points. Players on a bye week cannot score points.

The FLEX spot allows you to start a running back, wide receiver, or tight end in this position. 

Tips 

  • If a player has a D or O next to their name, this means that they are doubtful to play or out. Substitute someone on your bench for this player. If there is a Q next to their name, this means they are questionable and they may or may not play. You can track this through the week to see if their Q will change to a P for probable. 
  • Viewing depth charts of teams will help you understand who are starters for a team. You want to make sure that players you are starting start for their own teams, otherwise you are very unlikely to get points for that player. 
  • Finding good tight ends is difficult, but they traditionally score less than running backs, quarterbacks, and wide receivers. 
  • Certain players have added value because they can perform additional tasks. For example, Cam Newton, a quarterback, can also earn you points for rushing yards. Running back Theo Riddick for the Detroit Lions is also a fantastic receiver and can earn you points for receptions.

Useful Resources 

I will be helping you all throughout the season, so ask questions, have fun, and good luck!