Fantasy Football Glossary
Fantasy football has a language of its own. This glossary defines the terms, acronyms, and slang you'll hit in any Sleeper draft room, waiver run, or trade negotiation — each one in one clear sentence, with a real example so it actually sticks.
Whether you're playing your first redraft league or running a 12-team superflex dynasty, knowing the vocabulary is half the battle. Pick a term below for a quick definition and an example, or ask Scout to translate the jargon in the context of your own roster.
- ADPAverage Draft Position — the typical spot a player is drafted across many leagues.
- PPRPoints Per Reception scoring, where each catch is worth one fantasy point.
- Half-PPRA scoring middle ground that awards half a point per reception.
- Standard scoringNon-PPR scoring where receptions are worth nothing on their own.
- FLEXA lineup slot that can hold a RB, WR, or TE of your choosing.
- SuperflexA flex spot that can also start a quarterback, making QBs hugely valuable.
- Dynasty leagueA format where you keep your whole roster year over year and draft rookies.
- RedraftThe classic format where every team starts fresh with a full draft each season.
- Keeper leagueA redraft league where you carry over a small number of players each year.
- Waiver wireThe pool of unrostered free agents you claim through a priority or bidding system.
- FAABFree Agent Acquisition Budget — a blind-bid budget you spend to win waiver claims.
- IR (Injured Reserve)A bench slot for injured players that frees up an active roster spot.
- Bye weekThe week an NFL team doesn't play, so its players score zero.
- HandcuffThe backup running back you stash to protect your starter's value.
- SleeperA low-drafted player you expect to dramatically outperform their cost.
- BustA highly drafted player who badly underperforms their price.
- Boom-or-bustA player whose weekly scores swing between huge games and duds.
- FloorA player's reliable low-end weekly outcome — their worst realistic game.
- CeilingA player's best realistic outcome — their league-winning upside week.
- Target shareThe percentage of a team's pass targets that go to one receiver.
- Snap shareThe percentage of his team's offensive snaps a player is on the field for.
- Red zoneThe area inside the opponent's 20-yard line where most touchdowns happen.
- PF and PAPoints For and Points Against — your team's offense and defensive matchup luck.
- D/STDefense/Special Teams — a single fantasy unit that scores on stops and returns.
- IDPIndividual Defensive Player — leagues that start real defenders, not a D/ST.
- Best ballA draft-only format that auto-starts your highest scorers each week.
- Guillotine leagueAn elimination format where the lowest scorer is cut every week.
- VultureWhen a backup steals a goal-line touchdown from the lead back.
- StreamingRotating QBs, defenses, or kickers weekly based on matchups.
- ROS (Rest of Season)Rest-of-season outlook — a player's projected value over the remaining schedule.
- Mock draftA practice draft you run to prep without it counting for anything.
- Auction draftA draft format where you bid a budget on players instead of picking in order.
- Taxi squadA dynasty stash for young players that doesn't count against your roster cap.
Confused by a term in your own league?
Scout is the AI analyst built into LeagueLogs. Connect your Sleeper league and ask it what any of this means for your actual roster, matchup, or trade — in plain English.
Ask Scout about your league →Frequently Asked Questions
- What do all the fantasy football acronyms mean?
- The most common ones are ADP (Average Draft Position), PPR (Points Per Reception), FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget), D/ST (Defense/Special Teams), IDP (Individual Defensive Player), and ROS (Rest of Season). Each has its own page in this glossary with a one-sentence definition and an example.
- What's the difference between PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard scoring?
- PPR awards one point per reception, Half-PPR awards half a point per reception, and Standard awards zero. The more a format rewards catches, the more valuable pass-catching running backs and high-volume receivers become.
- What is the most important term for a beginner to know?
- ADP. Average Draft Position tells you roughly where every player is being picked, which sets the market for your draft and helps you spot reaches, values, and sleepers before you're on the clock.
- How is this glossary kept accurate?
- Every definition is written and reviewed by the LeagueLogs editorial team to match how the term is actually used in modern Sleeper leagues, with concrete examples rather than textbook jargon.