Get Your Blueprints Ready

And don't clog your roster with ...

Author

Jake Trowbridge
August 31, 2025

Building a fantasy team is like building a house. And as a fantasy manager, you’re the architect, contractor, carpenter, and even the electrician of your team. 

That’s why I tell my spouse that playing fantasy is an 80-hour-a-week job, and why she recently told me she’s going to stay with her sister in Denver for an unspecified amount of time …

But seriously, it’s up to you to design the general look of your fantasy team before the draft. (That’s why it’s important to review projections and familiarize yourself with ADP.) It’s also up to you to lay the foundation for your team on draft day. (And why you should keep our draft kit pulled up on another browser tab.) And it’s definitely up to you to keep the lights on during the season. (Enter our weekly rankings and kickass YouTube shows.)

Now, you can build whatever type of house you want. The draft board is your oyster, friends.

Do you fancy a glass mansion with vaulted ceilings? Then by all means, shoot for the moon with every pick and embrace risk at every turn. You probably don’t have an issue taking Tyreek Hill in Round 3, despite his advanced age and disappointing 2024 season. And you’re probably cool with Davante Adams in Round 4, despite his quarterback being more popsicle than man at this point in his career. In fact, you’re probably psyched to get most of the players from Freedman’s All-Upside Draft in your lineup.

Other folks try to build the safest and most reliable house possible. No frills, no fuss. They’ve got a bunch of absolute dawgs, a bunker stacked to the ceiling with running back handcuffs, and maybe even a panic room with a second quarterback and tight end. 

Regardless of the style, every team needs to be balanced. I’ve seen too many people go out and build themselves an eight-bedroom/one-bath and wonder why they burst a pipe midway through the season (hint: it’s because you clogged your roster with s**t. In case the metaphor got too unwieldy …). And, just as importantly, you need to be ready to remodel if your house starts to crumble.

So I say to you, on this final draft weekend: Get your blueprints and your jackhammers ready. 

(If you want a little help keeping your house in order, you can sign up for FantasyLife+ using promo code “JAKE” for 20% off.)

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Fantasy

Editors’ Picks

Alright, we’re getting to work on Labor Day Weekend, the busiest draft weekend of the year. If you play auctions, our Auction Values Tool has you covered. Our cheat sheet gives it all to you on as little as one page. Then when you’re done drafting, sync your leagues. Let’s go, and happy drafting!

Fantasy

No Silencing This Lamb In This Mock Draft

Picking fourth in a single-QB fantasy draft doesn’t leave a lot of decisions to make. Ja’Marr Chase, the reigning Triple Crown holder, is wearing the fantasy-draft 1.01 mantle like a crown. Usually, a couple of running backs follow. Who’s after them? Well, a star wideout on what could be a high-flying passing game is a great candidate.

Adam Ronis steps up in our Month of the Mock series, tackling a single-QB, 3-WR, half-PPR mock draft from the 1.04. What could have been a Hero RB build went a different direction when a rising young player was available in the fourth round. Ronis deftly moved through this mock, taking a total of four rookie RBs (seven total). Will all of them click? That’s for the season to say. For now, let’s look at a roster filled with plenty of high-upside players. ⤵️

Fantasy

Warren Peace, Omarion’s Belt … All About Team Names

What’s in a name? When it comes to fantasy football, the more clever (corny?) the better. There’s To Infinity and Bijan (thanks Buzz Lightyear). Also Carry On My CamWard Son (always a classic oldie). You can even work in some Harry Potter with JK Dobby The House Elf.

The inimitable cooterdoodle is back with over 150 team names, just in case you want to give you leaguemates a chuckle after your team smacked theirs with an Ash-ton of points in Week 1. Sorry, couldn’t let that one pass by. ⤵️

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Fantasy

IDP Rankings, Looking Ahead To Week 1

It’s like the season is here, right? Yup, for those IDP managers who have drafted and are looking ahead to the season, now you can see where your players rank. And if you have yet to draft, use this as your cheat sheet with a little look ahead to the start of the season.

Gladys Louise Tyler runs through the linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs, grouping them all by position group and in tiers. Be ready for a mix of big names and some potential breakout stars being right next to one another. See if this helps you tackle the season. ⬇️

Fantasy

Around the Watercooler

Let’s get to work, people! It’s draft season!!

👀 Give me a Jayden Daniels … but in tight end form.

📝 The best pick you can make in every round of your draft. The keys to success.

👨‍🏫 Want an A+ draft grade? Here’s how!

🎯 Already drafted and looking to make some moves? Check out our Waiver Wire targets.

🧀 What the Micah Parsons trade REALLY means for Packers fans.

🚨 ICYMI: Reddit hosted Matthew Berry for an AMA.

🚑 Big injury in Carolina. About that Thielen trade.

💪 Marvin Mims is ready for a breakout.

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