What Does Fantasy Football ADP Mean? Full Explanation and How To Use It

Danny Boily explains what Fantasy Football ADP is and how to use it on draft days. How can ADP help predict your fantasy football draft? Learn how thanks to Danny.

Let's face it: fantasy football drafts are usually an emotional roller coaster. Hope rises as you land your league mates' coveted targets, fear creeps in when your WR1 gets snatched a pick early, and panic reigns when you’re unsure of who to take on the draft board. There's a way to help you navigate this chaotic landscape: Average Draft Position (ADP).

Think of ADP as the fantasy football stock market. It reflects where players are typically drafted on average across countless mock and real drafts on popular platforms. 

Follow closely to why you should pay close attention to ADP. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Why Should You Care About ADP?

Strategic Planning

Imagine walking into your draft with no plan. ADP provides a strategic foundation, helping you map out potential picks for each round. Knowing the average draft positions lets you anticipate runs on positions, avoid reaching for players too early, and snag value picks before they’re gone.

Identifying Value

Fantasy football success hinges on finding value. ADP is your treasure map. If a player with a high ceiling consistently falls below their projected value, you’ve struck gold. Conversely, you can stay away if a player's ADP is inflated due to hype or recent news. By leveraging ADP, you can build a roster filled with overperformers relative to their draft cost.

Reading the Room

Drafting is as much about psychology as it is about statistics. ADP helps you read the room. Knowing a player’s ADP lets you predict when your league mates will likely draft certain players and plan accordingly. This foresight lets you stay one step ahead, drafting players just before the competition starts eyeing them.

Positional Runs

Have you ever been caught in a positional run? It's when a flurry of picks happens at one position, and you could miss out if you’re not paying attention. ADP alerts you to these trends. If wide receivers start flying off the board around a specific ADP range, you can pivot your strategy to ensure you’re not left scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Adjusting to League Dynamics

Every fantasy league has its quirks. Some are quarterback-heavy, while others might favor running backs or wide receivers. By analyzing ADP data, you can tailor your draft strategy to fit your league’s unique tendencies, ensuring you’re not caught off guard by an unexpected early quarterback run or an unusual hoarding of tight ends.

Where will managers take James Cook this fantasy season? Should managers target him early or wait until the later rounds? ADP will help with these decisions.

James Cook TD Catch#GoDawgs #DawgsInTheNFL

pic.twitter.com/knKWmkt7K6

— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) November 19, 2023

How to Use ADP Effectively

To harness the power of ADP, incorporate it into your draft prep:

Mock Drafts

Conduct multiple mock drafts using ADP data to familiarize yourself with different draft scenarios. This practice helps you refine your strategy and adapt to various draft dynamics.

Tier-Based Drafting

Group players into tiers based on their ADP and projected performance. This approach lets you see where value lies within each round and make more informed decisions.

Stay Updated

ADP fluctuates with player news, injuries, and preseason performances. Update your ADP data regularly to reflect the latest trends and insights.

By understanding and utilizing ADP, you can confidently navigate the complexities of your fantasy draft and ensure you build a championship-caliber team. So, next time you sit down to draft, remember: using ADP effectively is a key to successful drafting. Use it wisely, and may your fantasy season be filled with victories and bragging rights.

Devon Achane is being drafted in the first round in some drafts and all the way in the fourth round in others. Knowing your league mates and following ADP will help managers decide how early to take him.

DEVON ACHANE 67 YARD TD RUN 💨

DOLPHINS LEAD THE BRONCOS 70-20

70 POINTS

pic.twitter.com/6lQXtsiTmT

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 24, 2023

More Fantasy Football Analysis