Dynasty vs Redraft vs Keeper: Which Fantasy Format Fits You
Redraft, keeper and dynasty rules explained, plus how each format changes the way you value players and picks.
Published September 10, 2026
The three main formats change how you value every player. Redraft starts from scratch each August: you draft a new team and win or lose inside one season, so age matters little and a 30-year-old running back on a contender is a fine pick. Keeper leagues sit in the middle. You keep a small number, usually one to three, and pay a draft-round cost for each, so young cheap players are the most valuable assets in the league.
Dynasty is the long game. You keep your entire roster year over year, add rookies through a rookie draft, and often run taxi squads for developmental players. Draft picks become tradeable currency, and a rebuilding team will happily trade a productive veteran for a first-round rookie pick. In dynasty, receivers and quarterbacks hold value far longer than running backs, so contenders buy running backs to win now while rebuilders sell them.
A practical rule: in redraft, draft for this season only. In keeper, keep the best value rather than the best player. In dynasty, tier players by age and target the 22 to 26 range. All three formats are available to start at /fantasy.