Before drafting an NFL fantasy lineup, it’s the norm for every participant to conduct thorough research to gain a competitive edge. One factor that most players often consider is the Average Draft Position (ADP).
But what is ADP in fantasy football, and why is it so important? In this guide, you will learn more about ADP, including the various strategies for creating an optimal roster and other things to look out for. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran DFS manager, ADP is a crucial tool for shaping your overall strategy.
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If you are new to fantasy sports or fantasy football in particular, average draft position is a metric that you can use to estimate the relative value of a particular player during selection. The player’s ADP will tell you where the player is often selected in fantasy drafts. For instance, a player with an ADP of 1.5 is highly valued compared to a player with an ADP of 3.05.
As noted in a recent "What is Fantasy Football" guide, highly valued players are often preferred by players since they are more likely to rake in points. The only challenge is that these players are costly, and you might need to forfeit depth at other positions to secure them.
In the above example, for instance, a player with an ADP of 3.05 is often picked fifth in the third round. An ADP of 1.5, however, shows that the player is often drafted as the first or second overall pick. Knowing what ADP means in fantasy football can help you build a more competitive team. It is worth noting that ADP can have a large number, like 50, meaning that the player often goes at pick No.50 in drafts.
| ADP Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| What is it? | It is a measure of the average spot where a player is selected in drafts. |
| Example | A player with an ADP of 25 means that they are often drafted around the 25th pick. |
| When to use it | During draft preparation and even in real-time to make informed picks. |
| How to use it | Compare the player’s ADP with your rankings to identify value picks. |
| Common Strategies | Go for players with lower ADPs compared to their expected performance. Use this data to adjust your lineup based on current trends. |
Finding the ADP of a player is just but a single step in the right direction. You also need to understand how the ADP values relate to the actual on-field potential. Here are a few tips to consider when using ADP to guide your overall strategy.
Before drafting NFL players based on their ADP, you want to identify any trends and popular picks that you would have otherwise passed. This will help enhance your selection process.
ADP is a great drafting tool, but it is not the only one you should consider when creating a lineup. A rule of thumb is always to use a wide range of tools, including player rankings, mock drafts, and expert analyses. Similarly, you should keep an eye on real-time updates such as injury reports and be ready to adjust your lineup accordingly.
Some players may have a low ADP but have proven to be outperformers in the past. Such players often have the potential to become valuable assets on your team.
Besides drafting players based on their ADP, you also want to consider how the league’s scoring system will impact their value. When playing a PPR league, for instance, you may want to focus on securing top-tier wide receivers and pass-catching running backs early in the draft to boost your scoring potential. If you are new to the fantasy football scoring system, you can check out my recent What Is PPR in Fantasy Football guide.
Now that you know what ADP in fantasy football is, here are some of its pros and cons:
Average Draft Position (ADP) is a popular tool for fantasy football players looking to stay ahead of the game. It should be used as an insight tool to enhance decision-making. The goal is to use it to target undervalued players and ensure you can adjust your strategy based on real-time draft dynamics.
ADP is an acronym for Average Draft Position. It is a value that represents the average spot at which a specific player is selected in drafts across various platforms and leagues.
Some of the best platforms to get accurate fantasy football ADP values include reputable DFS provider websites, draft and fantasy analytics sites, and fantasy football forums and communities.
One way to ensure you get good value at each pick is to draft with the goal of filling the flex spot with the best available player. You can focus on RBs, WRs, and TEs who can slot into the flex position. Check out this guide, “What is flex in fantasy football?” to learn more about flex positions.
If a star player gets injured, you can move them to the Injured Reserve (IR) spot. This frees up the roaster without needing to drop them, especially if the injury isn’t serious. In a recent What is IR in Fantasy Football guide, I covered how this feature is key to managing injuries and maintaining a competitive roaster.
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