The best part about fantasy football? There’s no “one way” to play. There are countless league setups, unique rules, and endless possibilities. Ultimately, it’s what keeps us coming back year after year, am I right? Most people stick with the classic snake draft. It’s simple, it’s familiar, and it’s been the default for decades. But if you’re ready to level up and add a little chaos (the fun kind) to your draft day… It’s time to step into the world of the fantasy football auction draft.
What!? Your fantasy football league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax last season!? Once you see how Fantrax stacks up to the competition, we think you’ll be singing a different tune in the 2025 season.
Fantasy Football Auction Tips
Here’s how it works: everyone starts with a set budget (usually $200) to build their entire roster, bench included. Every player is up for grabs, and if you want them, you just have to outbid the rest of your league. It’s a perfect mix of strategy, patience, and knowing exactly when to drop the hammer. (So, go get your guys!)
It’s hands-down one of my favorite ways to draft, and in this article, I’ll walk you through some beginner tips and tricks that’ll have you walking away from your auction draft like a champ.
Tip #1 – Set a Positional Budget
It’s easy to get caught up wanting to get “ALL” your guys, but before you know it… You’ll be out of money if you go and get Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, and Justin Jefferson. I like to set budgets, so that way, you can really analyze the board and understand who and what you need. For example, I like to go off of the framework below (assuming a $200 budget)
QB – 7% ($15)
RB – 35% ($70)
WR – 40% – ($80)
TE – 10% – ($20)
D/ST, K, Bench – 7% ($15)
This, of course, depends on your league settings, scoring settings, roster size, but having an estimated spend on each position holds you accountable from “overspending” on a certain position or player. It can be so easy to get lost in the heat of the bidding moment, but don’t get carried away!
Tip #2 – GO FOR YOUR GUY!
One of the beauties of doing an auction draft is that you don’t have to “wait” for your turn to take your guy. Is there someone who is “your” guy? Someone you planted your flag on? TAKE HIM! Adjust to the budget as mentioned above, understand where you fall, and build your budget around them. For example:
Your “guy” is Bijan Robinson. He goes for $58. THAT’S FINE! Look at your budget, and understand you may not be able to get another RB1 in the mix; instead, get a few RB3s, who can have RB2 potential. (Think Quinshon Judkins, Kaleb Johnson) and stay within your budget. The fun of this is that you can grab whoever you want. Strategize around it!
Tip #3 – Don’t be afraid to spend.
Being a newer, or first-time auction player, can give you the “freezies”, where you end up saying, “Oh no, thats too much for Nico Collins,” which then turns into, “Oh no, that’s too much for AJ Brown,” which then leaves you with a ton of WR2/WR3s as your WR1. This always goes back to that budget! Look at the player(s) that you are looking to build your team around, and rip the band-aid! Don’t be the guy who’s still at $200 on their budget, while the rest of the league has 2-3 players on their teams. You’ve got the budget, spend it!
Last but not least… Tip #4 – Use your knowledge of others against them.
What does this mean? If you know your buddy is a die-hard Cowboys fan, and he’s willing to spend some $ on CeeDee Lamb…. Don’t be afraid to “raise” the price a bit. Yes, upbid. Make them pay for that WR1! They are also playing with a budget, but sometimes, those loyalties and commitments to their real team show in these drafts. USE THAT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! If they ultimately end up spending more than the pre-draft value… You’ve done your job. Well done, soldier.
Ultimately, Auction Drafts are a ton of fun, and as a beginner, your first one will likely get you hooked. You’ll pick up strategies, and you’ll find ways to improve for the next time. Have fun, enjoy, and remember… GET YOUR GUY!
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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