How to Draft

  • Frequently Asked Question

  • What is the difference between a Standard draft and a Salary Cap draft?

    NFL.com now offers both Standard and Salary Cap drafts! A Standard draft follows a "snake" drafting order. This means that once each team makes a pick, the draft order is reversed in the next round. Each team drafts a player when they are on the clock. In a Salary Cap draft, players are nominated in a "linear" order. This means that nomination order never reverses but always remain the same.

    In a Salary Cap draft, players are nominated and teams can make an offer on that player. Each team has a budget that they can spend to sign nominated players. The team with the highest offer signs the player and the amount they offered is deducted from their budget.

    NFL.com offers both NFL-Managed Standard and Salary Cap leagues as well as custom Standard and Salary Cap leagues!

  • Other than a Live Online Draft, are there additional draft options?

    We understand that a Live Online draft may not be for everyone. NFL.com also offers Autopick and Offline drafts to ensure every fantasy manager can draft his or her preferred way.

    An Autopick Draft operates based on NFL.com Fantasy experts default rankings or a team manager's established pre-rankings of players. This draft type is an excellent choice for both beginners in the fantasy game as well as leagues which can't agree upon a live draft time. In an autopick draft, players are assigned to your team automatically: the system helps you fill your roster either by going strictly off your preset player rankings or by selecting the best available player at an open position of need on your roster.

    An Offline Draft is a draft type in which the League's teams draft their players separately from NFL.com. Whether the draft is held in a conference room, restaurant, basement, backyard, on the phone or by e-mail, the Offline Draft is for users who choose not to use the free NFL.com draft application. The Commissioner will be responsible for entering draft results via the "Submit Offline Draft Results" tool in the Draft Management section of Commissioner Tools.

  • How do I know my league's draft date and time?

    When you join or create your league, you are able to view or select your league's draft type, date and time. You can also confirm your league's draft settings via the Settings link on your League homepage. For Live Drafts, your league homepage will display a "Drafting Now" graphic and link 30 minutes prior to your draft. Once you enter your live draft, the countdown clock will update you on the draft status and when you are on the clock.

  • How do I know my league's draft order?

    Your draft order is set prior to the draft according to league settings. In NFL-Managed leagues, the draft order is randomized and you will discover your draft order once you log in to the Live Draft client. In Custom leagues, your draft order will either be randomized or set by your Commissioner.

  • What happens if I can't make my live draft?

    If you are unable to attend your league's scheduled live draft, don't worry. Your team will still be drafted according to the Pre-Draft Rankings you specify or the default NFL player rankings. To customize your Pre-Draft rankings, visit the Pre-Draft Rankings tool from your My Team page prior to your league's draft.

  • How can I practice a live draft?

    NFL.com Fantasy Football offers Mock Drafts from June through September to practice your Live Draft skills. NFL.com Mock Drafts will return next season.

  • How can I test if my computer supports the NFL.com live draft client?

    Test the Draft Client by clicking here.

  • How can I prepare for my draft?

    NFL.com is a great source of fantasy football information, including breaking news updates, video highlights, player rankings and draft predictions. Michael Fabiano and the NFL.com team make sure to always keep you in the know and ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.nfl.com/fantasy to get your draft research started today.

  • Where can I find more information?

    Visit the NFL.com Fantasy Help section - Live Draft Application for additional information about drafting your team.