What is the difference between roster spots and starting lineup spots?
Roster spots are everyone on your team, including the bench. Starting lineup spots are the smaller group of players whose points actually count each week.
Roster Settings
Roster settings are the league rules that decide how many players each team can carry at every position and how many can start each week.
Roster settings define the shape of every team in a fantasy football league. They cover how many total roster spots each manager gets, how those spots are split by position (quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers, and team defenses), and how many bench spots are available. They also include the starting lineup slots, such as one QB, two RBs, two WRs, one tight end, one flex, one kicker, and one defense, though leagues can customize these freely.
These settings have a huge effect on strategy. A league that starts only one quarterback treats QBs very differently from a superflex league that can start two. Deeper benches mean more players are stashed away, which thins the waiver wire. Leagues may also use roster settings to add individual defensive players (IDP), taxi squads for prospects, or injured reserve spots.
Commissioners usually set roster rules before the draft, and changing them mid-season rarely happens because it can create unfair advantages. Managers should always read the roster settings before drafting so they know how many players to draft at each position and how many starters they must field each week.
Common questions
How many bench spots should a league have?
Most leagues use five to seven bench spots. Fewer bench spots keep more players available on waivers, while deeper benches reward stashing backups and prospects.
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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