Your roster
Starters, bench, injury reserve, adds and drops, and trades - plus what leagues usually customize.
Each franchise builds a roster of NFL players. Some spots start and score; others sit on the bench. Many leagues also add injury reserve (IR) spots for eligible hurt players under contract.
Our standard setup uses a fixed starter shell with a flexible bench and optional IR. Your league can change roster size, starting positions, and IR rules.
Starting lineup
Starting spots are usually position-specific (for example QB, RBs, WRs, TE, flex, kicker, and defense). Only players in starting spots produce points that week. Bench spots can typically hold any position and do not score until moved into the lineup.
A common standard is a 10-starter lineup with several bench spots. Confirm your league's exact starter and bench counts in settings.
Scoring
Players earn or lose points based on real NFL performance. Scoring categories and point values are defined by your league settings. The franchise with the higher weekly starter total wins the matchup.
Adds, drops, and IR
During the season, owners may drop players to the free agent pool. In the standard format, dropping a player under contract forfeits that player's rights. Mid-season additions are usually handled through waivers, FAAB, or both - see Regular season.
IR is typically reserved for contracted players (or players coming off an expiring contract) with significant injuries. Common eligibility standards include a long projected absence or multiple consecutive missed games. Once a player is healthy enough to return by your league's rule (often when upgraded to questionable), they should leave IR.
Trades
Franchises may trade assets such as players, draft picks, FAAB, and player rights, including multi-team deals if the league allows them. In the standard format, a contracted player can only move if the receiving franchise can absorb the remaining salary and remaining contract years.
Leagues often include a veto or review process for collusion. Timing rules (for example, no veto after that week's games start) are house rules - follow whatever your league adopts.