If this is your first time playing, welcome! Fantasy football is a fun way to enjoy football on a whole new level, and it’s not as complicated as it might seem. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be ready to jump in and play in no time!
How to Play Fantasy Football
Fantasy football is all about creating and managing your own team of NFL players. Each week, you set a lineup, and as your players rack up yards, touchdowns, and other stats, you’ll earn fantasy points. You’ll go head-to-head against another team in your league each week, and whoever has the most points wins the matchup! The season progresses to the fantasy playoffs, mirroring the NFL’s playoffs. Make it through, and you’ll have a shot at the championship. It’s that simple!
Drafting Your Fantasy Team
Draft day is one of the most exciting parts of fantasy football! On this day, you’ll choose your team from a pool of NFL players. Some fantasy players prepare extensively, while others take a simpler approach. Either way, there’s no pressure—the players you need are already ranked for you, showing you who will likely score the most points. If you’re drafting online, you can even set it to “Autodraft,” where your team is automatically selected based on expert rankings.
If you want to draft your own team, practice with mock drafts in our mock draft lobby. You’ll be able to see what it’s like to build a team and experiment with different strategies before the real thing.
Draft Day Cheat Sheet for Beginners
If you’re drafting in person or just want a handy guide, try our Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet for Beginners. It’s a streamlined version of our expert rankings, arranged round-by-round, with straightforward instructions from fantasy guru Mike Clay. This cheat sheet will make draft day a breeze, giving you all the insights you need in a simple, beginner-friendly format.
Preseason Prep
Want to do some research before the draft? Start by getting caught up on the latest NFL news. As a football fan, you probably already know who the top players are, but the key is to figure out what’s changed since last season. New trades, team changes, and rookies can impact a player’s performance. Field Yates’ Field Pass to the 2024 Season has all the top storylines, rookies, and sleeper picks to keep you ahead of the game.
Choosing a Team Name
Now, time for one of the best parts—naming your team! You could go with a classic sports name, create something funny, or even base it on one of your favorite players’ names. Team names are all about showing your personality, so have fun with it!
Ready, Set, Draft!
That’s it! You’re ready to dive into the fun and excitement of fantasy football. Sign up for a league with friends, family, or coworkers, or join a public league to play against other fans. We’ll be here all season to help you make lineup decisions, analyze matchups, and lead your team to victory.
Happy drafting, and welcome to fantasy football!
