How Does FPL Draft Works: Everything You Need To Know
The Fantasy Premier League draft, or FPL draft is a different fantasy football mode than the traditional FPL. The most significant difference from the traditional FPL mode is the way a team is selected and the transfers are made. While it is a different mode than the traditional FPL format, the rules are different and it makes the FPL draft mode a bit challenging for the managers and interesting as it requires more strategy and planning. Let’s look at some of the important rules and how they work in detail.
What is the FPL draft?
FPL draft is a different format of FPL where players in a league cannot buy the same player as every manager in a league has to own a different player than the one who is already selected by any other player in the league. This FPL draft mode was introduced in 2017 by the FPL platform to engage managers and enthusiasts more strategically, and it has since gained popularity globally.
How does the FPL draft work?
FPL draft works in an interesting way which makes it strategically unique. One person, known as the commissioner, creates a draft league that can be public or private and ranges between 2-16 managers, sets it as a classic or head-to-head format, and then sets the time for the live drafting event in which the managers will select their squad. A random draft order is generated, mostly a snake draft, according to the choice of the commissioner. In snake draft, the round order is reversed after each round which means the player from the first round gets to select first in the second round.
On their turn, which lasts for a particular duration like 60/90/120 seconds, the managers choose one available player, after which the selected player is picked by the manager and becomes unavailable for the other managers, which makes every team in the draft league different from the others.
Also Read: Playful Inappropriate Fantasy Football Team Names For Your League
How to Create and Join an FPL Draft League
Go to the FPL website, navigate to the draft section, click on it, click on the create/join league option and configure your league settings like the number of teams, score start week, etc. Then configure your draft setting like the live draft time, draft order, and duration of the pick time for each manager. Once you do that, then it’s successfully created, and you can invite other players to join. They must be present at the time of the live drafting event; if not, then their players will be automatically picked, giving them the best default option.
FPL Draft Scoring System
The FPL draft scoring system is the same as the traditional FPL scoring; the only difference between the classic and draft FPL is that the format is different, and the mode is different along with the rules. Other than that, the managers get the same points for the players in their team as they perform and as they get into the classic FPL.
How many transfers do we get?
In FPL draft mode, you don’t get a particular number of free transfers each Gameweek like classic FPL, where you get 1 free transfer, which can be accumulated forward to a maximum of 5. Instead, you get an unlimited number of transfers through waivers, free agents, and trades, subject to availability.
What are Waivers and How does it work?
Waivers are the primary way to pick up players who weren’t drafted or have been dropped by other managers. Some rules are as:
- Managers place waiver requests for available players before a weekly deadline.
- Requests are processed based on waiver priority.
How to Trade Players in FPL Draft
You can propose trades directly with other managers in your league (e.g., offering one of your players for one of theirs). Both managers must agree for the trade to go through. Some leagues have trade review periods or commissioner approval settings.
Essential Tips for FPL Managers
I will list down some essential tips for FPL draft managers:
- Prepare Your Rankings: Don’t rely on default lists. Research and create your own player rankings before the draft starts.
- Adapt During the Draft: Have a plan, but be flexible. React to which players are being picked around you. Don’t panic if a target goes early.
- Balance Your Squad: Don’t just focus on premium attackers. Aim for reliable point-scorers across all positions (GK, DEF, MID, FWD) for your 15-man squad. Depth is key.
- Know Your Waiver Rules: Understand your league’s waiver priority system and deadlines. This is crucial for in-season management.
- Work the Waiver Wire Actively: Monitor available players constantly. Picking up emerging talents or injury replacements via waivers is vital.
- Don’t Shy Away from Trades: Be proactive in proposing and evaluating trades to improve your team’s weaknesses.
- Monitor News Closely: Injuries and rotation news are even more critical in Draft due to the difficulty of finding quality replacements.
In short, the managers need to keep in mind the rules of the draft mode and constantly stay updated so that they can take advantage of the trades, free agents, and waivers, to get ahead of the league competitors in every gameweek.
Also Read: FPL Points System Explained: How Players Earn Scores
FAQs
How does the FPL draft work?
In the FPL draft, every player is exclusive to just one team.
How does the fantasy football draft work?
In the FPL draft, every team is different and no single player can be in more than one team.
What is draft day in FPL?
Draft day means the live drafting period in FPL draft mode.
How many transfers do you get in the FPL draft?
You get an unlimited number of transfers through waivers, free agents, and trade, subject to the availability of the player.
What order should I pick for my fantasy draft?
The order of the draft is selected randomly.
How does the waiver priority system work?
Waiver priority is usually determined initially by the reverse draft order and then often changes based on league standings (the worst team gets the highest priority) or a rolling list system after each successful claim.