Why This Matters
Fantasy football — especially dynasty — is full of jargon that can make newcomers feel like outsiders. This glossary is your onboarding guide. Whether you’re joining a league or starting your own, this cheat sheet explains what all those confusing terms actually mean.
Essential Dynasty Fantasy Terms (Explained Simply)
Startup Draft
The very first draft in a dynasty league, where you build your roster from scratch.
Think of it as the foundation of your franchise — like your team’s expansion draft.
Rookie Draft
A draft that happens every offseason with only incoming NFL rookies.
Usually based on the previous season’s standings (worst team picks first). Picks are tradeable assets.
Taxi Squad
A stash spot for rookies or developmental players who aren’t quite ready for your starting lineup.
Similar to an NFL practice squad — they don’t take up a main roster spot, but you can activate them later.
Trade Block
The area (in-app or in-chat) where you list players or picks you’re willing to trade.
Good GMs keep this updated and use it to spark negotiations.
Productive Struggle
A long-term team-building strategy where you intentionally draft young players and focus on future wins, not current-year performance.
In other words: tank now, dominate later.
Superflex
A league format where you can start a second QB in a flex spot.
Drastically increases the value of quarterbacks in your league.
Keeper
In keeper leagues, you retain a limited number of players from year to year — usually 1 to 3.
A middle ground between redraft and full dynasty.
ADP (Average Draft Position)
The average spot where a player is being drafted across multiple leagues.
Helps you gauge market value during startup drafts or rookie drafts.
Waivers vs Free Agency
- Waivers: Period (often 1–2 days) after a player is dropped where everyone has a chance to claim them in priority order.
- Free Agency: If no one claims the player, they become a free agent and can be picked up anytime.
Year-Round Format
Unlike redraft, dynasty doesn’t stop after the Super Bowl.
Trades, rookie drafts, and roster moves happen all offseason — just like a real NFL front office.
Tanking
Intentionally losing games or fielding a weaker lineup to improve your draft position in the upcoming rookie draft.
It’s a controversial move — some leagues allow it, others enforce anti-tanking rules. Be sure to check your league’s bylaws.
Contender
A team built to win now. Usually has a strong starting lineup with proven veterans and elite producers.
Contenders often trade future rookie picks or youth for established players to make a championship push.
Rebuild
A long-term strategy where you trade away aging or peak-value assets to acquire young players, draft picks, and future flexibility.
Rebuilding means sacrificing short-term success to build a dominant team 1–2 years down the road.
Re-tool
A hybrid strategy. You’re not starting from scratch like a full rebuild, but you’re making strategic trades to shift your window of contention.
A re-tool might involve selling off 1–2 aging players, acquiring picks, and staying competitive all in the same season.
Age Cliff
The point where a player’s fantasy value rapidly declines, often due to age and physical decline.
Common at RBs around age 27–28 and WRs around 30. Great dynasty managers sell before the cliff — not after.
Final Thoughts
Learning the lingo is your first step toward fantasy mastery. Whether you’re starting your first dynasty league or trying to decide between formats, understanding these terms gives you a competitive edge — and confidence.