How do I know if a pick is a reach?
Compare where you picked the player to his average draft position (ADP). If you took him a full round or more before his typical slot, most managers would call it a reach.
Reach
A reach is when a fantasy manager drafts a player earlier than his average draft position calls for, giving up value to secure him.
In fantasy football, a reach happens when you pick a player a round or more before most drafts take him. Every player has an average draft position (ADP), which shows where he typically comes off the board. If a running back usually goes in the sixth round and you grab him in the fourth, that is a reach. The cost of a reach is the player you could have taken instead, plus the chance that your target would have still been available later.
Reaches are not always mistakes. Managers reach on purpose for players they believe will outperform their draft slot, such as a handcuff running back they expect to take over a starting job, or a rookie they think will break out. Reaching also guarantees you get the player instead of watching a rival snatch him one pick before your turn. A planned reach on a player you feel strongly about is often called a strategy, while an accidental reach, like grabbing someone two rounds early because you misread the board, is a draft-day error.
The opposite of a reach is value, sometimes called a steal, where a player falls to you well past his ADP. Good drafters aim to minimize careless reaches, stay aware of ADP trends during the draft, and pounce on falling value rather than reaching for names they like.
Common questions
Is reaching ever a good idea?
Yes. If you strongly believe in a player and fear he will not last until your next pick, reaching a round early can be smart. Reaching multiple rounds for no clear reason is usually a mistake.
What is the opposite of a reach?
The opposite is a value pick or steal, when a player falls to you well below his average draft position.
Related terms
Fanademy ranks every player by value over replacement under your league's scoring. The free top five at each position is public; the full board is $5 a month or $40 a year.
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