Format Breakdown: The Basics
Redraft Leagues
- What it is: You draft a new team every season. No long-term commitments.
- Best for: Casual players, office leagues, those who enjoy a clean slate.
- Pros:
- Everyone starts even
- Easy to organize and manage
- Less time commitment
- Cons:
- No long-term team building
- Luck plays a bigger role
- Little carry-over from year to year
Keeper Leagues
- What it is: You keep a set number of players (usually 1–3) from season to season.
- Best for: Players who like consistency but aren’t ready to commit full-time.
- Pros:
- Adds strategy around late-round gems
- More league continuity
- Easy to transition from redraft
- Cons:
- Can create imbalance if keepers are too strong
- Limited long-term planning
- Rules vary widely between leagues
Dynasty Leagues
- What it is: You keep your entire roster from year to year and build a franchise over time.
- Best for: Fantasy football GMs who love trading, scouting, and year-round strategy.
- Pros:
- Most immersive and realistic format
- Year-round engagement
- Deep strategy and roster building
- Cons:
- Not ideal for casual or inactive players
- League balance issues if managers quit
- Longer learning curve
Player Profiles: Which Format Matches Your Style?
| Player Type | Best Format |
|---|---|
| “I want to draft, set my lineup, and move on.” | Redraft |
| “I like building around a few core guys.” | Keeper |
| “I want full control like an NFL GM.” | Dynasty |
| “I only play during football season.” | Redraft |
| “I check fantasy Reddit daily.” | Dynasty |
| “I’m into trades and rookie hype.” | Keeper or Dynasty |
Final Thoughts: Choose Based on Commitment, Not Just Curiosity
Each format has its own charm.
- Redraft is perfect if you value fun and flexibility.
- Keeper is ideal if you want a taste of long-term strategy.
- Dynasty is for the hardcore, data-loving, trade-slinging GM in all of us.
If you’re still unsure, start with keeper, then graduate to dynasty once you’re hooked. 😏