Welcome to Marca's Fantasy Football Guide and Cheat Sheet 2024. Get an edge on the competition with our detailed analysis and rankings for this year's NFL Fantasy Draft. Whether you're playing Standard Scoring, PPR or .5 PPR, we have you covered.
We'll also take a dive into this year's best Sleepers and have a look at the Rookies with the highest projections for this season. Also, make sure to look at our 2024 Fantasy Busts (Do Not Draft list) and avoid disappointment down the road.
Remember to set your League Draft Date before Week 1's Thursday Night Football game, when the Chiefs host the Ravens on September 5th at 8:20pm ET.
Fantasy Football Terms / Glossary:
- ADP: Average Draft Position. With data from other Fantasy Football drafts, individual picks are compiled together to generate an average draft position for each player.
- Bust: A player who is highly favored by most and will likely underperform his ADP (average draft position) in 2024.
- Breakout: A player who will rise up with career-best numbers in 2024, or close to it, and make a big impact.
- Bye Week: In the NFL, each team is scheduled to have one week near the middle of the season where they do not play a game. That week is termed a bye week.
- PPR: Points per Reception. In this popular Fantasy format, receptions count for one point (equivalent to 10 yards in Standard Scoring formats). For instance: in this format, if a receiver catches 6 passes for minimal yardage, they will still have a decent showing.
- .5 PPR: Similar to PPR, but receptions will count for half a point, as opposed to a full point.
- Standard Scoring: Fantasy Football format where receptions do not add any points. Therefore, run-heavy RBs become more relevant and better positioned in the rankings.
- Sleeper: An NFL player who is being overlooked and will outperform his average draft position (ADP) in 2023.
Fantasy Football Categories and Positions
- QB: Quarterbacks. The leader of your offense. Quarterbacks tend to be chosen in later rounds, due to the pool of quality players in the position being quite high.
- RB: Running backs: The player who will most run the ball on your team. They are extra important in Standard Scoring formats.
- WR: Wide Receivers: The deepest category in the game. Most teams will line three wide receivers at a time. They will be your pass catchers.
- TE: Tight Ends. A hybrid blocker/pass catcher. Usually very touchdown dependent for relevancy. The least deep position pool in the game. Make sure to draft a star in this category for consistency.
- D/ST: Defense and Special Teams. The only non-individual category. Whichever team you choose will give you points based on defensive performance (points allowed, interceptions, fumble recoveries, and sacks)
- Superflex: Aka QB2. Superflex leagues completely change the Fantasy landscape and draft. Superflex is like a joker card, anything goes. You can line up any offensive player (or D/ST) but not occupying this slot with a QB is silly, as any starting QB is almost guaranteed to produce +10 points week after week.
- W/R/T: WR/RB/TE. Similar to the superflex position, except you can't start a QB or D/ST unit.
Fantasy Football FAQs
What are the most common types of Fantasy Football Leagues?
Head-to-Head Leagues: This format is the most common and what we at Marca most recommmend. You'll face off with an opponent, and the winner is the team with the most points at the conclusion of that week's games. Teams with the best overall record will advance to the playoffs at the end of the season.
Total Point Leagues: It's your team against everyone else's. Teams accumulate points and compete with overyone on the leaderboard. Each team's total points determine the standings.
All Play League: Rare format, but it does exist. Every team plays each on a weekly basis. In a 12-team league, the highest scoring team would be 12-0, whereas the second highest would be 11-1, and so on...
What is a Superflex in Fantasy Football?
Quarterbacks are the deepest position in fantasy football, as there are many to choose from and most leagues only offer the chance to have one be a starter. This is why some prefer to play in two-QB or superflex leagues. In superflex formats, owners will start two QBs every week.
What happens if my player is injured in Fantasy Football?
Certain leagues give teams the option to place injured players on an IR (injured reserve), which allows the team with the injured player to keep that player and free up a roster spot to add someone healthy. In leagues that don't offer this option, you may have to release the plater into free agency.
What are waivers?
Waivers in fantasy football are a claim. The waiver wire is a pool of free agents available to be added to your team. You use a waiver to make a claim on a player in the free agent pool. Whenever waivers are processed (usually at the beginning of a respective week), that player is added to your team. In some leagues, the last-placed team has the number one waiver for the next week.
Once my Draft is over, what do I do?
The Draft occurs only one-time, and this is before the season starts. It will be your responsibility now to set your lineups every week. Being a good Fantasy Football coach requires making tough decisions in regards to who to start and who to leave on the bench.
How do you score in Fantasy Football?
Scoring systems vary from league to league. One suggestion to go about in standard scoring formats would be:
- 6 points per passing TD
- 6 points per rushing or receiving TD
- 6 points for player returning kick/punt for TD (attributed to D/ST)
- 6 points for player returning or recovering a fumble for TD (attributed to D/ST)
- 2 points per 2 point conversion (passing, running and catching)
- 1 point per 10 yards rushing or receiving
- 1 point per 20 yards passing
What are the most popular Fantasy Football sites to host a league?
