INTRODUCTION
Building a successful dynasty league can be challenging for many people. Unlike redraft leagues, dynasty leagues have a year-round aspect to them that requires extra planning and preparation. The goal of this series is to take you along with me as I write and edit my own personal league’s by-laws. This exercise is a great way, as a commissioner, to evaluate your league and take strides to make it better!
Now that we have laid the foundation, part two will focus on important dates, start-up draft, rookie draft, orphan teams, dispersals, and roster settings.
IMPORTANT DATES
Trade Deadline: Week 12 End
Free Agent Lock: Week 17 End
Trades Re-Open: Day after Super Bowl
Free Agent Re-Open: Two Weeks before the rookie draft
Rookie Draft: One week following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.
In-Season FAAB (100): Day after last preseason game to the end of the regular season.
Off-Season FAAB (100): two weeks before the draft to last preseason day
Roster Cuts/Expansions:
– Pre-Draft: 26 active players + 4 taxi squad players
– Post-Draft: 30 active players + 4 taxi squad players
– Last Day of Preseason: Must cut down to 26 active players + 4 taxi squad players.
– In-Season: 26 active players + 4 taxi squad players
The actual dates are not important. Just having a plan for how the offseason will flow is paramount. Keep everyone on the same page and post these dates regularly throughout the offseason.
START-UP DRAFT
This section of the by-laws should detail exactly how the start-up draft will go. Include format, date, time, location, and player-pool. Clearly defining each will eliminate confusion amongst the league. Or at the very least, give you a reference to fall back on if someone is confused.
Section 1: The commissioner will set the draft date, time, and location.
Section 2: The draft order must be set no later than 1 week before the scheduled draft date. Once the draft order is determined, the draft pick trading window opens. To trade future picks, you must pay for next season’s buy-in. However, you do not need to pay next season’s buy-in if you receive future picks only.
Section 3: The draft format is a snake format. Picks will go 1-12, 12-1, and so on.
Section 4: The draft will consist of 34 rounds. Each pick will last roughly 1 minute. (League can vote to have a slow clock if a live draft is not possible)
Section 5: The Start-up draft will include BOTH rookie/veteran players. Every year after will only include new rookies + players from our league’s free-agent pool.
Section 6: Start-up draft picks and next year’s rookie picks can be traded during the start-up draft.
ROOKIE DRAFT
After year one, the only draft your league will have is the rookie draft. Most rookie drafts are linear as opposed to the traditional snake format in start-ups. Just like the start-up section of the by-laws, identify the location, date, time, and format of the rookie draft. Include player pool and the draft pick trading requirements as well.
Section 1: The rookie draft will take place the week after the NFL draft. Specific date TBD.
Section 2: The rookie draft will be linear, 1-12 first round, 1-12 second round, etc. Four rounds in length, with 1 minute per pick. (The League can vote to have a slow clock if a live draft is not possible)
Section 3: the player pool for the rookie draft will include incoming rookies + any current league free agent veterans.
ORPHAN TEAMS AND DISPERSAL DRAFTS
One of the most difficult parts of running a dynasty league is replacing team managers. As a commissioner of multiple leagues, I want 0% turnover in my leagues year over year. Unfortunately, I have not had a year without at least one manager deciding to leave. Whether it be my fault for a poorly run league (not likely) or of no fault of my own, I want people to want to play in my leagues.
With that being said, I wanted a different opinion on this section of the by-laws. @DocFFFN lent a piece of advice for handling orphan teams and dispersals.
“Filling an orphan team as-is normally is my goal if there are 1 or 2 or 3 orphan teams. 3 is the point where it could go either way. If you have 4 or 5 then you always end up having to go the dispersal route. If you have 6 orphans, you’re better off folding the league and restarting unless the league is 16+ teams.”
Folding the league is the last case scenario. For paid leagues, I will always try to find a way to keep the league alive. But I agree with Doc here, 6+ requires us to redo the start-up draft.
Section 1: After year 1, any team without a manager will be filled by a new member of the league. This new manager will take on the team as-is. If there is more than one available spot open, the league can elect to hold a dispersal draft to fill the new teams.
Section 2: The Dispersal Draft will be held before the rookie draft. The draft order will be randomized. All new team managers are required to participate. Any existing team manager may elect to join the dispersal with a 50% of league buy-in fee.
ROSTERS
This section of the by-laws focuses on what starting roster positions the league will use, how many bench/IR/Taxi spots, and list specific rules about the taxi squad. I am sure many of you will overreact to my first-round draft pick penalty for failing to make appropriate roster cuts. I am fine with that. In my experience as a commissioner, the stricter the penalty the less likely the rule is to be broken.
The Taxi squad is one of the key differences between redraft, keeper, and dynasty leagues. Unique to dynasty leagues, the Taxi squad consists of a handful of rookies you wish to stash on your roster. Hoping they develop into a usable fantasy asset down the road. From a commissioner’s standpoint, clearly defining the rules of taxi squad players is important.
Section 1: Each roster will consist of 26 active players. Roster positions are made up of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 2 Flex, 1 SuperFlex, 20 Bench, 4 Taxi Squad, 4 IR
Section 2: IR spots are for players designated as O (out) and do not count towards the 26-player team max. Once a player has been upgraded from the O (out) tag, you must add that player to your active bench. Your roster can not exceed 26 active players.
Section 3: There is no max amount for each position. If you want 16 QBs…Go for it.
Section 4: Each team manager must submit a full lineup each week. Tanking is allowed if the goal is to improve the team and win.
Section 5: Once the games start, LINEUPS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. Again, if a circumstance comes up where you cannot submit a roster, please contact me before the games start. It is not fair to other team managers that have set their lineups in advance.
Section 6: Roster cuts/expansion dates are in the [Important Dates] section of this document. Failure to submit roster cuts will result in the loss of 1st round draft pick.
Section 7: The Taxi Squad are rookie-only spots that do not count towards the 26-player team maximum. The last day to add a player to the taxi squad is kickoff week 1. Players can be activated from the practice squad at any time of the year.
FOUR WALLS AND A DOOR
In part one, we detailed the foundation of a great dynasty league. This article was about the “walls” and “door” of the house. At this point in our process of Construction Dynasty League By-Laws, we have a functioning dynasty league. But what is a house with no roof? A league with no perks? Weekly payout ideas? Innovative formats? Part three is all about the creative aspects of your leagues.
I’ll dive into some of the coolest league ideas I have come across, interesting scoring settings, weekly contests, and even some last place punishment ideas. All of which should be detailed in any league by-laws!
Big shoutout to @DocFFFN and @DFF_JoeMem for their input!
Thank you for reading! You can find the rest of my work at DFF and follow me on Twitter @FF_Derrick. Reach out to me anytime with anything fantasy football related! Seize the moment! Say less, do MORE!
