Positions
Each roster spot, what it does, when to draft it
Every fantasy lineup is built around 7 starting positions. Each one has its own scoring quirks, draft timing, and weekly decisions. The deep-dive pages below cover each position in detail. This page is the quick overview.
The 7 Starting Spots
Quarterback
One starter. Highest-scoring single position. Most-overdrafted. Wait until Rounds 7-10 unless an elite rushing QB falls.
Running Back
Two starters plus the FLEX option. The most scarce skill position. Draft early. Workload matters more than talent.
Wide Receiver
Two starters plus FLEX. The deepest position. PPR scoring loves them. Target share is the stat that matters.
Tight End
One starter. Binary position. Grab an elite one or punt completely. Don't draft a mid-tier TE in Rounds 7-9.
FLEX
One starter. Takes a third RB, WR, or TE. The hardest weekly decision in your lineup. Strategy lives on the Lineup Tips page.
Kicker
One starter. Draft last. Stream weekly based on matchup.
Defense / Special Teams
One starter. Draft last or second-to-last. Stream weekly. Target turnover-prone offenses.
Roster Construction
A standard 15-man MFL Fantasy roster typically breaks down like this:
| Position | Starters | Bench depth | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1 | 1 (optional) | 1-2 |
| RB | 2 + FLEX | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| WR | 2 + FLEX | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| TE | 1 | 0-1 | 1-2 |
| K | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| D/ST | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Bench depth at RB and WR matters most because injuries hit those positions hardest. K and D/ST bench depth is wasted, stream them weekly off the wire instead.
Default Draft Order
What most managers do, in priority sequence:
- Rounds 1-2: RBs first, then top WRs. Maybe a top-3 TE if value falls.
- Rounds 3-5: Fill out RB and WR depth. Consider a top TE here.
- Rounds 6-9: More WR depth. Take a QB if an elite one falls.
- Rounds 10-12: Bench depth, upside swings, handcuffs.
- Rounds 13-15: Backup QB (optional), kicker, D/ST.
Different strategies (Zero RB, Hero RB, Late-Round QB) modify this. See the Draft Strategy page for variants.
Where the Common Mistakes Happen
Drafting QB too early. Round 3 or 4 QBs almost never pay off. The position is too deep.
Drafting TE2 or TE3 tier players mid-round. Brutal tier cliff. Either top-6 TE or last-round flier. Nothing in between.
Ignoring WR target share. A 90-rated WR with 4 targets a game scores less than a 75-rated WR with 8. Volume beats talent.
Drafting K or D/ST before Round 13. Almost always wrong. Tiny talent gaps. Save those picks for positions where the gaps matter.
Holding the same D/ST all season. Holding leaves 30-50 points on the table vs streaming optimally.
Not cycling FLEX options. FLEX should change weekly based on matchup. Same player every week leaves easy points on the bench.
Build your roster
Apply position-specific strategy to your draft and weekly lineup.
START YOUR LEAGUERelated
Draft Strategy for full position-by-position drafting. Lineup Tips for weekly start/sit by position. Scoring for exact point values. Glossary for unfamiliar terms.