Ideal Dynasty League Setup

Platform: Sleeper

League size: 10-14

Roster Size: 25-35

Starting lineup: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Super flex (QB/RB/WR/TE), 1 or 2 Flex, 15-25 bench spots

Optional: Taxi Squad - 5 first or second year players who live here until you promote them. Only a rookie can be placed on the taxi squad, but can live there for two years. They cannot be placed back on the taxi squad once promoted.

Startup draft timing: Right after NFL Draft. Need for rookie draft in the first year if done this way; rookies will be part of the startup pool.

Waivers: FAAB, not waiver priority

Playoffs: First 6 teams with best records get in. If most points in league is outside top 6, they take the 6th place spot.

Rules: Make very clear rules. Document it, put it in a good sheet, make sure everyone has it and agrees to it.

Prizes and loser punishment: Make sure this is all agreed to up front. Put it in the rules.

Buy-in: Annual dues - same amount every year. $100 annual dues, for example. Set clear deadline for league dues. One hack is to get everyone to pay league dues in advance, so that they don’t just abandon their team a year or two in. It also helps that if a team manager does have to leave the league and has a bad team, it’s good incentive for the next manager that the team’s next season or two is already paid for.

Don’t allow tanking. We don’t want to encourage anyone to not set their optimal lineup because they’re trying to secure the best rookie picks. We also don’t want to encourage end of season trades that completely flip the league on its head with the best team and the worst team in the league. Draft order can be based on max points from non-playoff teams the rest of the way during playoffs, winner of consolation bracket, or some other creative way to create similar incentives.